08/09/2015 – Little Oakley FC versus West Bergholt FC (AV Lee)
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
A.V. LEE MEMORIAL TROPHY
LITTLE OAKLEY FC: 2. WEST BERGHOLT FC: 0.
Date: Tuesday 08th September 2015. Venue: Garrison Ground, Colchester.
With the Garrison Ground unavailable until September the usual ESBFL season opening fixture scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday was eventually played last night between last season’s Premier Division winners, West Bergholt FC, and last season’s Knock-Out Cup winners, Little Oakley FC, who also finished second in the league. As expected both teams had new faces in their starting line-ups but generally the teams were at full strength all relishing a good game of football on an excellent playing surface, the ESBFL is grateful to the Garrison for allowing these fixtures to be held there.
On a bright but chilly evening with the floodlights on from the start we commenced the game with the now mandatory “Respect” handshake overseen by match official Andrew French, who would be assisted by Richard Lock and Brian Forbes with Adam Wolton acting as 4th Official.
Little Oakley kicked-off with a quick break down the left side with Pratt forcing a timely block from Gibson and when West Bergholt worked the ball forward a long cross from Springett was fumbled by Long, the young, perhaps nervous, keeper under the close attention of Harrington and from the ensuing scramble Dobkin cleared the ball from in front of the right hand upright. West Bergholt started with a high defensive line that caught both Palmer (N) and Heath in offside positions whilst Davison almost put Runicles through until Palmer (N) intervened to concede the first of two corners both cleared by Stace with head then feet. A long cross-field ball from Springett saw Davison eased unfairly off the ball by Palmer (N) and whilst play was initially allowed to continue the referee brought play back when Wood also fouled Davison. The free-kick taken by Springett was cleared up-field by Stace and it was clear both teams were out to attack and numerous passing moves developed until they reached the respective defences. Duly started one such move getting the ball wide to Palmer (M), and then to Heath but Bethell (L) saved by parrying the shot with Gibson getting his solid frame in the way of the follow up shot by Heath whilst Pratt picked up that clearance to cross only for Gibson to head clear.
Up to the fifteen minute mark each team had cancelled each other out, tackles became a bit more competitive and when Davison crossed to Runicles his control was good but the shot flew straight to Long. At the other end a shot from Eldridge was cleared for a corner by Gibson and following that driven corner Heath moved forward towards goal, one-on-one with the keeper but only managed to drag the ball wide, best chance of the match so far. Palmer (N) and Runicles were having their own running battle down the right side with the defender given an early warning after the third clash, from which the free-kick taken by Springett was heading towards the head of Gibson until Stace got there first to clear in typical style. Harrington and Dobkin then renewed another battle with the free-kick going to Little Oakley this time, taken by Wood but cleared by White. When Heath took on White with his pace the stalwart defender used, his experience to win the chase put in a timely challenge and clear the ball. As West Bergholt pushed forward both Harrington and another new player, Runicles started to cause problems for the Little Oakley defence, well marshalled by Stace and Wood.
Heath and White renewed acquaintances with the defender winning the chase and tackle once again but when Runicles tackled Palmer (N) illegally a free-kick was awarded, taken by Duly but straight to keeper Bethell (L). Approaching the half-hour mark a long and high free kick from Springett was heading towards the penalty spot where Long, the Little Oakley keeper advanced to jump and catch the ball through a posse of defenders, an action which would have given him confidence after a shaky start. Springett got another move going for West Bergholt finding Bethell (B) who played a one-two with Harrington down the right side and from his dipping cross Dobkin headed clear for a corner. Polley ran the ball out from his defence, crossed the half-way line only to over-run the ball to the keeper who cleared to the half-way line where Duly dived into a tackle on Harrington to earn the first caution of the game. Polley was then the recipient of some lengthy treatment having been caught from behind and the initial prognosis did not look good, however after a short break Polley returned to the game. Runicles was cautioned for his late challenge on Palmer (N), this after his earlier warning but his team at this point in time looked the more likely to score but Little Oakley would probably beg to differ as they had chances themselves. Pratt and Eldridge forced Gibson to defend wide on the right side and just to even things up Palmer (N) received his caution for another foul on Runicles, no surprise there then and the half closed when Runicles gave chase again to find Harrington with Bethell (B) blazing his shot high and wide.
HALF-TIME: 0 – 0
From the second-half restart a corner from Springett was totally missed by the incoming Gibson and with Little Oakley failing to clear properly four corners in quick succession followed the last seeing Stace fall under a challenge and he left the field to be replaced by Kioussis. Pratt dumped Bethell (B) into touch to concede a needless foul and some of the running battles from the first half re-surfaced in a scrappy opening to the half. West Bergholt made a change themselves with Bethell (B) being replaced by Edin and as we approached the hour mark a goal was clearly needed to break this stalemate where defences had been dominant. On sixty-five minutes and through ball from Wood set Heath galloping away down the right wing and from his cross Pratt tried to force the ball home from close range with the West Bergholt defence back-pedalling and the danger passed when palmer (M) fired over the cross-bar. Duly and Polley set the ball rolling again with Gibson forced to concede a corner on the right side and from the long and high corner, taken by Duly, LEWIS WOOD rose higher than anyone else to head firmly past the keeper, trade-mark defenders header.
Little Oakley replaced Pratt with Harmon, Harrington was late into a challenge on Dobkin to receive a warning from the referee and Harrington was involved in the next attacking action. As Harrington ran past Wood in a wide position inside the penalty area he fell to the ground, penalty was the cry from a good percentage of the players and crowd, referee French clearly had a better view and deemed that Harrington had kicked himself, causing the fall and cautioned the player for verbal dissent to add insult to misery. Reddick replaced Webb with fifteen minutes to go and quickly picked up a caution for a heavy challenge on Duly and perhaps was lucky to escape with just a caution. Bethell (J) replaced Carvey and Eades replaced the injured Duly and it was Little Oakley who were winning the fifty/fifty balls in tackles. With ten minutes to go Eldridge and Heath broke into the penalty area, White stopped the first goal attempt but as the second shot was about to be struck Edin intervened to concede a penalty kick, with JORDAN HEATH confidently sweeping the spot kick home with his left foot high to the keeper right.
When Harmon attempted to get through the middle of a cordon of three West Bergholt players his momentum was stopped despite the ball falling to Heath who had a clear run at goal, a free-kick followed however when the ball was cleared wide to the left side Eades dived into a challenge on Davison to earn a caution and still he had not touched the ball since entering play. Little Oakley continued to press forward, West Bergholt would need a some special inspiration to get themselves back into this game, a Springett free-kick towards Gibson was cleared by Wood and Edin volleyed the loose ball wide. Long saved from Harrington, Wood headed clear and when Harmon gave chase to foul Springett deep in the West Bergholt half Harmon received a caution for not retreating ten yards and with time running out a Springett free-kick fell to Runicles who failed to get a touch on the ball and the danger passed.
FULL TIME: 2 – 0
A competitive match for sure, two attacking teams with solid defences, two goals scored, one penalty denied and one penalty awarded, seven cautions but a well taken headed goal was really the only difference between two evenly matched teams. It is back to league action for both teams this week after successful cup victories last weekend. It also means more silverware for Little Oakley FC, a progressive club who recently formerly opened their state-of-the-art, 3G training pitch.
The Match Officials, the losing finalists, West Bergholt FC and winners, Little Oakley FC received mementoes presented by Roger Crane, a member of the E.C.F.A. Executive Council, who thanked both teams for a competitive display and to the officials for keeping the game flowing. Later, in the Clubhouse the ESBFL Summer Raffle was also drawn by Roger Crane, winners, if not present to collect their prizes on the evening will be notified accordingly.
As I mentioned in my report, despite some quality attacking play the number of goals scored was low, however when a player keeps his defence in check and not concede a goal then turns up to score at the right end then Lewis Wood of Little Oakley gets my selection of Man-of-the-Match.
Teams:
LITTLE OAKLEY FC: Colours: Blue & Black striped Shirts, Black Shorts and Blue Socks
Ashley Long., Nicky Palmer., Jamie Dobkin (C)., Matthew Stace., Lewis Wood., Steven Polley., Mark Palmer., Liam Duly., Jordan Heath., Sam Eldridge., Robert Pratt.
Manager: Paul Sadler.
Assistant Manager: Sean Tynan
Used Substitutes: Shaun Kioussis., Rory Harman., Jamie Eades.
WEST BERGHOLT FC Colours: Yellow Shirts, Black Shorts and Yellow Socks
Luke Bethell., Liam Springett., Connor Davison., Gareth Gibson., Anthony White (C)., Kieran Webb., Bobby Bethell., Ryan Carvey., Jack Harrington., Michael Runicles., Gary McIlwaine.
Manager: James McIntyre.
Assistant Manager: Mark Farthing.
Used Substitutes: Stuart Reddick., Christophe Edin., Jake Bethell.
Unused Substitutes: Johnny Murrels
Referee: Andrew French (Halstead)
Richard Lock (Frinton-on-sea)
Brian Forbes (Colchester)
4th Official: Adam Wolton (Colchester)
Man of the Match: Lewis WOOD (LITTLE OAKLEY FC)
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