09/11/2024 – REPORT – Tavern FC versus Prettygate AFC
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION TWO
TAVERN FC. 3. PRETTYGATE AFC. 0.
Date: Saturday 09th November 2024. Venue: Plough Corner, Little Clacton.
At the start of play, three points separated the top four teams in Division Two, unbeaten leaders Prettygate AFC, had, on paper, a tricky trip to fourth placed Tavern FC, who had played a game more but had lost twice, both teams sported players who have joined this season or towards the end of last season, which saw Tavern drop a division, by choice. The flat pitches at Plough Corner looked in fine condition and had been cut this week, hopefully both games would see decent games of football, this one in the league, the other, in the Richard Degville Cup.
On a coldish and overcast afternoon, the match official was Simon Lyons who would be assisted by Club volunteers, also known as Assistant Referee’s, as they become part of the Match Officials team and deserve the same respect of those officially appointed by the Competition, overall, there were few issues of note.
Prior to kick-off there was an impeccable co-ordinated “two minutes silence” between the respective teams and supporters, for this match and the one on the adjacent pitch, well done for a fine mark of respect.
Prettygate, kicked off, Cook (D), fouled Jordan, a silly foul really as Jordans pace left him standing, Lam, for Prettygate worked the ball down the left side but home keeper, Needs was quickly out to the feet of Newcombe, and we already had a fast game. When Lam broke through again, keeper, Needs timed his advance perfectly to save over the penalty spot, and this early pressure from Prettygate started when Tavern lost the ball too cheaply in midfield. Newcombe, blasted over the cross bar when found in space and the league leaders had started with good purpose, Lake made a telling tackle to deny Newcombe who had been played in by Cook (C). On six minutes, in one of their first attacks, Tavern took the lead, Louca, used his pace down the right side, a deep cross to the far post was met by HARRY FINCH who headed home, this game was now nicely set-up as both teams showed they can play attacking and attractive football. This goal seemed to knock the earlier confidence shown by the visitors and Tavern sensed this could be their day! A free kick taken by Flanders found Lake, but he headed wide from close range for a goal-kick, Cook (D), seemingly fouled Jordan, again, this time the referee allowed play to continue as Tavern were on the attack but Jordan fired wide from outside the penalty area.
After fifteen minutes, this match had the making of a decent game, two fit and attacking teams wanting to play, apart from the goal it was fairly even, with defences holding firm, a free kick taken by Dolphin found the head of Richter, six yards out but he could only direct the ball to keeper, Barnes. A throw-in taken by Flanders found Richter, but his flicked header flew straight at the keeper standing on his goal line. Dolphin beat Cook (C) to the ball in midfield and stroked a pass between the central defenders for Richter to run on to, but Govinden managed to get back and the shot from the left foot of Richter was comfortably stopped by keeper, Barnes. When Prettygate mounted an attack down the right, started by Young who sent Lam away but across came Fowler to defend, conceding a throw-in, the home defence was clearly committed today. Richter dropped back to defend when Lam threatened, Richter then slipped the ball past or through Lam, much to the delight of the supporters on the far side of the pitch. A long clearance from keeper, Needs bounced once, opposite number, Barnes had to advance out of the penalty area to head clear, as Richter threatened, Govinden put his head on the ball which fell to Louca, whose, cross was put out for a corner by Young.
At the half hour mark this game was full of endeavour from both teams, the scoreline perhaps indicated who had been the more positive in their approach but the visitors prompted by Cook (C) were not done yet and looked dangerous when Newcombe and Lam had the ball at their feet and allowed to run forward. Flanders embarked on a run down the left side, Finch linked up to evade Young, but Govinden got across to concede a corner, taken by Finch, but headed at the keeper by midfielder, Dolphin. The deceptive pace of Jordan was giving the Prettygate midfield a few problems, but Louca and Richter are equally as quick, that said, Prettygate, need to stay calm and create chances which clearly they are capable of, given their lofty league position and as the leagues leading goal-scorers, at least at the start of play! Finch fouled Cook (D), Govinden took the free kick sending in a teasing ball that keeper, Needs, palmed away under pressure, the ball fell to Lam whose first time effort was blocked by the same keeper, six yards out, then cleared by Lake. Richter gained possession and ran at Govinden whose overhead clearance fell to Jordan who controlled the ball before volleying the ball over the crossbar. Tavern remained dominant as we approached half-time, a run and cross from Louca was easily field by keeper, Barnes, Finch then showed good feet to round Young, but Pullen intervened to give away a corner. Finch took the corner from the left side, the unmarked Lake scooped the ball over the crossbar for a goal kick, Richter, was seeing plenty of the ball but having rounded Pullen, his right-footed effort was weak and keeper, Barnes saved, as the half ended Jordan chased back fifty yards to put in a fine challenge on Cherry, that determination for you.
HALF-TIME: 1 – 0.
Before the restart, Prettygate replaced Young with Moorse, Fowler raced forward but fouled Pullen, then Jordan was then impeded just outside the penalty area by Boyle, and a bit of frustration set in over the decision and as the four man defensive wall was erected, Dolphin, right footed and Lake, left footed stood over the ball, JOSHUA LAKE strode forward and sent his shot round the wall, keeper, Barnes, may have seen it late but could only help the well struck shot into the net, to queue some wild celebrations from the home team players and supporters. The referee then had cause to speak to keeper, Barnes and his captain, Boyle, to me it was an infringement, did the wall do its job, probably but the pace beat the keeper, fair and square. A cross from the right side by Boyle, almost led to a mix-up between Fowler and his keeper, Needs, and in the resulting melee, Needs dived on to the loose ball that had been blocked by Dolphin from Lam, then Fowler and Lam tussled for the ball on the right side before a throw-in was awarded.
A fine tackle by Pullen, stopped Tavern’s leading goal-scorer, Richter, who was trying to latch onto a pass from Finch, who had used his pace and dribbling skills to evade Moorse. Dolphin was fouled by Cook (C), Finch took the free kick, but Harrington placed his effort wide whereupon Prettygate replaced Cook (D) and Pullen with Keating and Lamb and within minutes Tavern made two changes themselves, Flanders and Louca being replaced by Hillier and Lonsdale. Wright went through Richter to concede a free kick twenty-two yards out, Richter, took the kick himself but straight to keeper, Barnes, Prettygate had not had as much possession this half but kept going through midfield but came up against a defence that was taking no prisoners today.
Newcombe won a corner off Lonsdale, this was cleared, and Finch was gifted a chance as a misplaced pass from Govinden set him up, but the chance was spurned, Wright put in a robust challenge on Hillier and was then cautioned for kicking the ball away then Fowler fouled Cook (C) to also earn a cheap caution. With ten minutes remaining Law took the place of Finch, who had played well down the left side for Tavern. On eighty-one minutes Tavern scored their third goal, Cook (C), lost out to Jordan inside the centre-circle, the ball forward fell to JARAD RICHTER who rifled the ball past keeper, Barnes with his left foot, that is surely, game over! To their credit, Prettygate kept pushing forward but the chances created for and by Lam were wasted and failed to trouble the keeper. Richter again found himself in space, but his rising shot cleared the goal, and I questioned whether Prettygate had even had a shot themselves, the answer was no, despite some good approach work at varying times during the match. The final chance came when Fowler found Law and from the cross from Law, Hillier headed over from close range.
FULL TIME: 3 – 0.
The final score-line does under line a fine performance by Tavern, Prettygate were well beaten today, yes they had players missing as did Tavern, I hear this every week, but credit to both teams for putting on a fine show, a credit to Division Two which is even closer now, with, The Rodings, unbeaten and on top, with twenty-six points with Prettygate second, Earls Colne Reserves, who drew, third and Tavern fourth, all on twenty-five points.
Turning to my Star Player, for Prettygate, Cook (C), played well, as always, he still has a deceptive turn of pace and retains the ball well in tight spaces, but Lam, Newcombe and Cherry although working hard, did not really get the service they usually get and were well shackled by the home defence. For Tavern, this is a new look team and several players stood out, midfielder Jordan and captain, Dolphin, probably covered every blade of grass, Finch tormented down the left side, Louca the right and Richter down the middle but at the heart of the home defence was Joshua Lake, he missed nothing on the ground or in the air and scored a with a fine free kick, so he gets my vote this week.
Teams:
TAVERN FC:
Colours: Green & White striped Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Team:
Connor Needs., Ben Fowler., Dean Flanders., Ryan Harrington., Joshua Lake., Bradley Deller., Harry Finch., Cameron Dolphin (C)., Jarad Richter., Rafferty Jordan., George Louca.
Manager: Jordan Mallett.
Used Substitutes: Matthew Lonsdale., Joseph Hillier., James law.
Unused Substitutes: David Deller., Josh Haynes.
PRETTTYGATE AFC.
Colours: Red & Black striped Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Team:
Lee Barnes., Keiran Young., Fraser Wright., Steven Govinden., Shaun Pullen., Charley Cook., Dean Cook., Matthew Boyce (C)., Elliot Cherry., Brandon lam., Matthew Newcombe.
Manager: Bret Woodward.
Used Substitutes: Mason Moorse., Kaylem Keating., Elliot Lamb.
Unused Substitutes: George Lennox.
Referee: Simon Lyons.
STAR PLAYER: Joshua LAKE (TAVERN FC)
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