09/05/2024 – REPORT – Bradfield Rovers FC (4) versus Hedinghams United FC (2)- Tommy Thompson Cup Final
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
TOMMY THOMPSON CUP FINAL
BRADFIELD ROVERS FC. 4. HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC. 2.
Date: Thursday 09th May 2024. Venue: Little Oakley FC, Little Oakley Memorial Club
Little Oakley FC hosted a second cup final on Thursday evening, Bradfield Rovers FC and Hedinghams United FC had made this final after numerous delays, mainly because of the weather over the last few months. Bradfield Rovers FC had reached the final after victories over, Elmstead Market FC., Stillwaters FC., Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves and Mersea Island FC Reserves. Hedinghams United FC had beaten Boxted Lodgers FC., Boxford Rovers FC., Great Bentley FC Reserves and Gosfield United FC along the way. In the League, the two Division Two matches had produced two drawn matches so honours even so far, what would give tonight in this Tommy Thompson Cup final.
On a fine, evening, with a decent crowd of over one hundred people, the appointed referee for this match, was Joseph Greenleaf and he would be aided by Assistant Referees, Gary Roberts, and Mark Herring, with Richard Evans as the Fourth Official.
Hedinghams United kicked off, lost possession from the first forward pass and Gooding (L) sent the ball wide to Garrad who flicked the ball on to Allington who ran on but shot wide, a first attack, from a likely source! Primus tried to play the ball back to his keeper, Wilkinson, but conceded a corner, taken by Harrison but struck too long to be dangerous. Lewis for Hedinghams United got in a decent pass to Green who shot over the crossbar, chances were appearing at both ends and we only had five minutes on the board. Primus started the next Bradfield Rovers move, Garrad and Allington were again involved but keeper, Crissell was out to catch the high cross. A break by Harrison saw him pass outside to Buckingham (T), whose cross, was headed clear by Allum (C), at quite an early stage the use of the influential, Garrad, would cause problems for the Hedinghams United defence. Sanders, Harrison, and Green got a move going for Hedinghams United, Harrison then crossed to Lewis whose header flew straight to keeper, Wilkinson. This game was also becoming a physical game, body strength and speed on and off the ball were beginning to bite, nothing sinister yet, but then why should there be both teams had adopted an attacking formation, with Taylor and Pullinger combining to stop Garrad, down the left side.
The first goal came on sixteen minutes, Allum (J) sent Garrad away down the left side, his pass found Allington getting round the back of Sanders before he crossed to the far post where TOM FARTHING scored off the inside of the right-hand post. From the restart, Elmer fouled Buckingham (T), Pullinger took the free kick, but his excellent, flighted ball was just too high for Harrison steaming in, six yards out. The contest between Garrad and Pullinger was warming up, two good players giving no quarter, when Garrad did get a cross over, Taylor headed clear to Lewis who was working hard for Hedinghams United. A free kick taken by Taylor was headed over the cross bar by Pullinger, and he resumed his marking on Garrad, when the ball went to the other end. At the first half mid-point, Bradfield Rovers held the lead and probably deserved that lead but when Hedinghams United ran, normally at pace towards their defence, there were chances created but no end, result with Buckingham (T) skying their best chance over the crossbar. On twenty-eight minutes, Lewis, and Buckingham (T) moved forward and the final cross from Lewis cannoned off Griffin for a corner, taken by Churchman but cleared by Gooding (L).
Right on the thirty-minute mark Bradfield Rovers scored their second goal, the speed of the passing down the left side, Allum (C) to Garrad and onto Allington who evaded the presence of advancing keeper, Crissell who changed his mind on committing a foul, which enabled BEN ALLINGTON to run and score. Pullinger, moved forward purposefully out of his defensive berth and having evaded three challenges, gained a corner which was dealt with efficiently by the Bradfield Rovers defence. Churchman was a bit high not a challenge on Allum (J), then Griffin did likewise on Churchman, Harrison took the free kick and fairly rifled a direct shot at keeper, Wilkinson. Easey played in Garrad, again the target player, and from his excellent cross, Farthing could only get a faint touch to the ball and keeper, Crissell saved with ease. A free kick taken by Garrad was heading just inside the left hand upright, that was until keeper, Crissell flew across his goal to make a fine save at the near post, his clearance was a long ball which was easily snaffled by the Bradfield Rovers defence, and the half, finished, time for tea and cake, in the Clubhouse.
HALF-TIME: 2 – 0.
A couple of players changes at half-time, off went Farthing for Bradfield Rovers being replaced by Tarrier and Hedinghams United replaced Green with Swingler. Virtually from the kick-off, Bradfield attacked, Allington got down the left side finding Garrad, his first-time shot was expertly saved by keeper, Crissell, the ball ran loose, but Crissell fouled Garrad as he followed up on the loose ball, DANNY GARRAD took the penalty kick himself, sending the keeper the wrong way. Almost from the restart, Hedinghams United scored themselves, an attack down the middle resulted in JOE LEWIS prodding the ball home from close range, just the response that was required! Hedinghams United persisted with trying to play the long ball, yes, their forwards were prepared to chase but possession was easily lost giving the momentum back to Bradfield Rovers who used the ball more purposefully. However, when a long through ball was played from the Bradfield Rovers half, the race was on from the half-way line, between defender Taylor and BEN ALLINGTON with the Clubs leading scorer hitting his nineteenth goal of the season.
Pullinger put in a fine challenge on Easey to set Buckingham (T) away, but his left footed effort flashed across the face of the goal for a goal-kick, Hedinghams United are clearly not giving up this match. Tarrier tested keeper, Crissell with a shot, as did Allington, looking for his hat-trick rather that a team-mate!
On sixty-two minutes, Hedinghams United replaced Green with Webb and Bradfield Rovers made a change themselves replacing Gooding (L) with Farmery. Hedinghams United pulled a goal back on sixty-five minutes, Griffin had literally climbed all over Lewis, THOMAS BUCKINGHAM lined up a shot and smashed the ball home from thirty yards, there is no stopping that one, a fine strike. Allum (J) set up Allington, again cutting in from the right side onto his favoured left-foot he failed to beat the keeper who held onto the ball that had been driven with pace and curl. Keeper, Crissell had to advance outside his penalty area to head clear a bouncing forward pass, I must admit there was some really, friendly banter being shouted by both sets of supporters, this game had been played in an excellent spirit. Another fine pass from Allum (J) found Allington, lurking down the right side, same action, move inside, shoot at goal, from the keeper’s clearance, keeper, Wilkinson was quickly out to the feet of Buckingham (T) on the edge o the penalty area.
Hedinghams United replaced Mclaughlin with Jarvis on seventy-five minutes, they broke forward and Buckingham (T) was seemingly fouled by keeper, Wilkinson, no foul was given, Buckingham (T) retrieved the ball and sent over a cross that Webb headed wide. Lewis was cautioned for a foul on Primus, Hume replaced Harrison for Hedinghams United, then Buckingham (H) entered play and received an early caution, Primus left the field to be replaced by Brown. A couple more yellow cards were issued, Swingler, perhaps lucky it was not a red card with just a few minutes remaining after three wild attempts to win the ball down on the goal-line! The final whistle went soon after and a joyous Bradfield Rovers team went over to celebrate with their management team and supporters.
FULL TIME: 4 – 2.
Just like last season when Dovercourt Rovers FC overcame Gas Recreation FC, this final between two Division Two teams lived up to expectations, they had drawn both league games, so a tight match was expected, at least by me. Neither team had played in a final recently and certainly not in this cup, so a new team name would be added to the respective trophies, the game was fast and furious and both teams “had a go” as they say, with Bradfield Rovers FC being the more clinical in front of goal to win by four goals to two, the scoreline could have been higher, such were the chances that were spurned throughout this match.
League Chairman, John Campany assisted by League Secretary, Alison Stanford handed out mementoes to the four Match Officials, followed by the losing team, Hedinghams United FC and finally the winners, Bradfield Rovers FC, who celebrated in the style that is now synonymous with cup wins.
Now, let’s turn to my “Star Players”, usually for Cup Finals I chose a player from each team, for Bradfield Rovers, despite two gaols from Allington, I’m going for Danny Garrad, probably the most experienced player on the pitch, if his playing history is anything to go by, but two assists and a goal himself are enough. For Hedinghams United FC, a brave team effort, perhaps not enough on the evening but step forward Barrie Pullinger, a fine captain that gets the best out of his players.
Teams:
BRADFIELD ROVERS FC:
Colours: Claret Shirts, Claret Shorts and Claret Socks.
Team:
Harvey Williamson., Charlie Allum., Dylan Griffin., Jerome Primus., Lloyd Gooding., Kyle Elmer., Ross Easey,, Jack Allum., Tom Farthing., Danny Garrad., Ben Allington.
Manager: Ryan Dawson.
Assistant Manager: Sam Day.
Used Substitutes: Jevon Farmery., Sammy Tarrier., Lewis Brown.
Unused Substitutes: Daniel Goodman., Sam Glasgow.
HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC:
Colours: Light Blue Shirts, Light Blue Shorts and Light Blue Socks.
Team:
Jordan Crissell., Zac Sanders., Paul McLaughlin., Ronnie Churchman., Ash Taylor., Barrie Pullinger., Luke green., Brady Belton., Thomas Buckingham., Teddy Harrison., Joe Lewis.
Manager: Chris Cannon.
Used Substitutes: Jack Swingler., Harry Buckingham., Daniel Webb., Dan Jarvis., Spencer Hume.
Referee: Joseph Greenleaf.
Assistant Referees: Gary Roberts & Matt Herring
4th Official: Richard Evans.
Star Player: Danny GARRAD (BRADFIELD ROVERS FC)
Barrie PULLINGER (HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC)
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