08/11/2025 – REPORT – The Rodings & Little Waltham FC versus Great Bentley FC Reserves

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

DIVISION ONE.

THE RODINGS & LITTLE WALTHAM FC.       3.         GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES.            1.        

Date:   08/11/2025.                          Venue: Little Waltham Sports & Social Club, Little Waltham.

            Before today’s match a two-minute silence was held in respect of Remembrance Sunday, this was impeccably observed by everyone in attendance.

            Leading into this fixture, the hosts sat top of Division One, boasting eight victories and two drawn matches with no defeats so far, Great Bentley like their hosts had moved up a division from last season, they sat eighth, these teams are currently scheduled to play against each other on consecutive Saturdays in December, once in the league, the other a Peter Andrews Charity Cup tie, a cup won last season by Great Bentley, First team, who themselves were promoted to the Premier Division.

            Saturday was bright and sunny, not a hint of a breeze but a coat was most welcome, the pitch looked in good condition, soft on top and it cut up a bit as play progressed with some players at times losing their footing!

            The match official for this match was Kurtis Williams and young referee who has been on the ESBFL panel for a number, of years now, he has gained a couple of promotions during that time, today he was supported by Club Assistant Referees, who both did an honest job!

            The pitch at Little Waltham has a marked slope and the visitors started the match kicking up that slope, loosing possession early, the home team got the ball forward to Johnson (R) who sent in a low shot which keeper, Heron saved low down. Armitage fouled Foran in midfield, Evans (L) was seemingly caught by Laird, but no free kick was awarded as play continued Gibson and Beaird squared up on the edge of the penalty area, the visiting defender slapped Gibson, who fell to the ground, fortunately for Beaird, the referee had turned away and was totally unsighted to the incident which caused a few raised voices, whilst tempers were lowered. The home team, as expected were the more dominant team pushing forward through their midfield, pass and move, is what the manual says and this they did, causing the Whiting brothers to defend. A long ball forward saw Foran chase but home keeper Johnson (L) was quickly out to collect the ball, from his clearance to the left side, Rosewall (J) controlled the ball with his left foot, taking on, and rounding defender Williams his low driven cross was rammed home by CHARLIE GILBERT from six yards out, just nine minutes on the clock.

            Soon after the restart, Williams fouled Rosewall (J), the free kick taken by Monk put the visiting defence under pressure, Johnson (R) had two shots charged down, firstly by Beaird and then keeper, Heron, at the expense of a corner and effectively the visitors had been hemmed inside their own half for the first fifteen minutes. Keeper, Heron had been the busier of the two custodians and this did not stop for the remainder of the match, Evans (G) left a foot on central defender O’Dwyer, it probably warranted a yellow card but play continued, the league leaders, a goal up wanted more. Rosewall (J) used his pace to find space, but his shot cleared the crossbar, then goalscorer, Gilbert ran through, beat the advancing keeper, Heron, but placed the ball wide of the unguarded net! Gibson, in midfield found Laird supporting the attack, Whiting (Ja) challenged, it looked like a foul, but a corner was awarded instead, then Elliott and Patrick clashed inside the centre-circle.

            The Rodings continued to take the game to the visitors, a cross from Monk fell nicely to Elliot whose shot hit the right hand upright then in a rare attack Great Bentley, through Powell, set Evans (L) away but his left footed effort was comfortably held by keeper, Johnson (L) on his goal-line. Armitage won a challenge in midfield, sent the ball wide to Rosewall (J), after cutting inside the prone, Williams, his driven cross was headed wide by the unmarked Gilbert, a decent chance though. Evans (G) was guilty of following through on a challenge from behind on Laird who voiced his opinion to the match official, from the free kick taken by Monk, the ball bounced around the visitor’s penalty area with Rosewall (J) applying the last touch, but a goal kick followed. Home keeper, Johnson (L) was called into action on thirty-eight minutes, Powell had worked his way into some space but shot straight at keeper, Johnson (L), maybe a bit more composure was required, but the home defence had kept a tight line and snuffed out most opportunities for the opposition. When Johnson (R) made ground down the left side his low cross was asking for a team mate to get on the end of it, this didn’t happen much to his frustration, as he had done all the hard work, a free kick taken by Monk was headed clear by Whiting (Ja), Gibson had a shie at goal but a throw-in followed, Gibson fouled Patrick, then as the half came to a close a superb block tackle by Beaird, stopped Rosewall (J) in his tracks otherwise a certain goal would have followed, the home team needed a second goal though.

HALF-TIME:    1 – 0.

            The home team made two enforced changes before the restart, Laird and goalscorer, Gilbert had picked up injuries, Bibb and Cullen were their replacements. Foran fouled Johnson (K), nothing normally stops the home captain, but the challenge probably deserved a caution, in a rare attack, Powell for Great Bentley sent a long-range effort sailing over the crossbar, from outside the penalty area, that’s the closest they had been such was the solid defensive play by the home team. Rosewall (J), for The Rodings, has pace and from inside his own half he ran forward evading four desperate challenges before keeper, Heron saved with his feet at the near post. With only two minutes played in the second half, Beaird clattered Johnson (K) from behind, Monk took the free kick, Rosewall (J) reacted quickest at the far post, keeper Heron could only palm the ball away inside the crowded six-yard box and RYAN JOHNSON, forced the ball over the goal line. Foran scythed down Elliot to get a belated yellow card, from the free kick Armitage was played through, but keeper, Heron was quickly out and a corner followed, taken by Monk to Elliot standing at the near post, but his header flashed across the goal for a goal kick.

            With play stopped, Great Bentley replaced Williams with Morton but on fifty-seven minutes The Rodings scored their third goal, Rosewall (J) chased a long forward ball, Patrick had got back to defend close to the corner flag, Rosewall (J) appeared to impend Patrick, but surprisingly play was allowed to continue, the ball was played back to substitute LEWIS CULLEN who scored with a fine left-footed effort that flew into the far, top corner of the net with keeper, Heron soundly beaten. Home keeper, Jonson (L) made a good save from Evans (L) and a number, of petty fouls littered this part of the second half, when play stopped, Great Bentley replaced Patrick with Bibby and The Rodings made another change with Elliot being replaced by Rosewall (C). Johnson (R) was released down the right side, from his cross, defender Whiting (Ja) missed the ball, and Cullen should really have scored but keeper, Heron saved. The Rodings kept up the pressure, a corner taken by Gibson was headed away, Johnson (R) had a shot which was beaten away by keeper, Heron, this from a cross by Cullen. Keeper, Heron was again in action, thwarting Rosewell (J) before the game stopped when O’Dwyer fouled Evans (G).

            Despite their inferior territorial possession, Great Bentley Reserves stuck to the task in hand, winning a corner, whereupon the Rodings replaced Johnson (R) with Blackburn, and the visitors replaced, Foran with their Manager, Archibald. Rosewall (J) continued to cause problems with his pace, but Whiting (Ja) stuck to his job and defended when required, on eighty minutes a final change for the home team, off went Armitage and on went McLaughlin. Keeper, Heron, excelled again when Rosewall (J) broke free, the keeper making a double save before his defenders could get back and clear the ball. Great Bentley scored a consolation goal with five minutes of normal time remaining, GARETH EVANS eluded O’Dwyer for the first time in this match, rounding keeper, Johnson (L) to score. When the home defence dithered over a loose ball, Archibald had a long-range effort that cleared the goal, at the other end McLaughlin was cautioned for delaying the restart at a goal kick, laughable really as it looked like he was returning the ball to the keeper! Another caution followed, this for Cullen for a foul on Powell, and a replacement ball was called for as the match ball had gone flat. A long throw-in from Whiting (Ja) fell to Evans (G) who was denied twice by keeper, Johnson (L), the first from a close-range shot, the second from the rebound, good goalkeeping considering the long periods in the game that he had not seen the ball, such was the dominance of his defence.

FULL TIME:     3 – 1.

            This was a gritty Division One match, the league leaders did win and remain unbeaten, the margin of victory should have been greater but for some poor finishing and a visiting goalkeeper who made numerous timely saves to keep his team in this game.

Turning to my choice of Star player, for Great Bentley, keeper Heron, was kept very busy, conceded three goals but saved more than double that, defenders Whiting (Ja) and (Jo) worked hard alongside Beaird, both Foran and Powell were prepared to get stuck through midfield, an area where they were generally outplayed. For The Rodings & Little Waltham, now that’s a mouthful, a solid team effort led by captain Johnson (K), O’Dwyer impressed in central defence alongside Laird, up front Johnson (R) led the line well with leading goalscorer, Gilbert. Elliot, Monk, Gibson and Johnson (K) controlled midfield, but today Armitage, for me stood out, covering most of the pitch and breaking up opposition attacks without any fuss, whenever required and then supporting the forwards.

Teams:

THE RODINGS & LITTLE WALTHAM FC:

Colours:                        Turquoise & Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts and Navy Blue Socks.

Team:

Luke Johnson., Curtis Elliot., James Laird., Harry O’Dwyer., Alfie Monk., Kyle Johnson (C)., Edward Armitage., Cameron Gibson., Jamie Rosewall., Charlie Gilbert., Ryan Johnson.

Manager:                      Richard James.

Used Substitutes:          Jamie Bibb., Dan Blackburn., Lewis Cullen., Connor Rosewall., Jamie Mclaughlin.

GREAT BENTLEY FC Reserves          

Colours:                        Blue & White Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Team:

Sam Heron., Jack Williams., James Whiting (C)., Joseph Whiting., Matthew Beaird., Kurt Firkins., Luke Patrick., Daniel Powell., Gareth Evans., Charlie Foran., Lewis Evans.

Manager:                      Will Archibald.

Assistant Manager:       Neil French.

Used Substitutes:          Jake Boley., Adam Morton., William Archibald.

Unused Substitutes:      Gregory Wainer.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee:                       Kurtis Williams

STAR PLAYERS:          Edward ARMITAGE                (The Rodings & Little Waltham FC)