09/01/2016 – Boxted Lodgers FC versus Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE                  DIVISION ONE

 

BOXTED LODGERS FC:           1.         ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC RESERVES:     2.

 

Date:   Saturday 09^th January 2016.                                                Venue: Cage Lane, Boxted.

 

After three weeks watching Premier Division games I had already planned my January itinerary before the wet weather kicked in last week and with Cage Lane, Boxted an almost definite venue for a game to be played I chose to watch Boxted Lodgers FC play the Reserve Team from Alresford Colne Rangers FC. Another cold and damp afternoon, interspersed with the odd shower did not dampen the enthusiasm of some of the supporters although the fare served up on the pitch could only be described as, not a classic!

 

Despite the amount of rain that had fallen the pitch looked relatively firm, in seemingly good condition, with a good covering of grass allowing the appointed Match Official, Adam Wolton, to make an easy decision to play. After an impeccable minutes silence held in memory of former league referee Richard Hewitt and the mandatory “Respect” handshake, there, I’ve mentioned it already in only the second week of the New Year, the game got under way.

 

Boxted Lodgers FC kicked off and after a tentative start by both sides it soon became apparent that defenders might have trouble keeping their feet in the goal areas where the grass was less luxuriant! Alresford pressed forward with the first shot being struck wide by Walter after a decent move between Lawrence and Joyner who was to be required to use his height and presence to hold up the ball for the visitors. Bradbury and Marchant had a early tussle to win and retain possession of the ball as Boxted moved forward with Howard picking up the loose ball only to misplace his pass off the pitch. On seven minutes Alresford were awarded the first corner as Dwight blocked an attack by Hammerton and Lawrence, however the over-hit corner flew across the pitch for a throw-in. Hammerton, playing in wide right defence was seeing plenty of the early ball as the visitors tried to play their way out of defence, prompted by their experienced skipper, Marchant. Three minutes later Rowe lobbed the ball forward to the unmarked Pyle but his headed effort was weak and Nunn fielded comfortably. Bradbury, another experienced player and Marchant had another close encounter on the half-way line with, this time, Hammerton playing the loose ball forward as far as home keeper, Burton.

Howard fouled Hammerton on the right side allowing Lewis to send a flighted free-kick towards Bayliss wide on the left side and from his low cross Dwight just did enough to thwart Joyner with the ball falling to Burton a few yards ahead. At the twenty minute mark, Alresford marginally looked the better side when on the ball but allowed them-selves to lose possession far too easily with only Lewis creating and causing problems, shooting wide from a decent position, with Burton just about scrambling to cover his near post. With Boxted on the back-foot, Dwight and Watts dug-in to stop numerous attacks by the visitors with Trussler giving chase to Lawrence when he broke down the right wing. On a rare Boxted break Bradbury gave chase down the right, holding the ball up until Pyle arrived in support but again his effort was skied high and wide, a case of, in future taking a touch first before trying the shot, as the spectacular rarely comes off! Boxted got their first corner on twenty-five minutes but despite a firm header from Watts finding the arms of the centrally placed keeper play was brought back for a foul on Williams by the home defender.

To be honest both teams lacked any confidence when in possession of the ball leading to the numerous unenforced errors across the pitch and only after half an hour did we witness a four player passing move involving Marchant, Juby, Williams lead to Lewis shooting weakly to Burton. Lewis set Joyner away down the right and whilst sensibly holding the ball until players got forward the low cross by Joyner was cleared by Dwight. From a Boxted break down the right wing Aves slipped past two players and opted for a cross-cum-shot that keeper Nunn had to dive and force wide in his first real action of the half and when play characteristically changed to the other end, Walter found Bayliss who forced Burton into a full length save at the near post. Pyle used his pace to chase forward but Marchant read the situation well with Hammerton steering the ball back to his keeper and safety and inside a few minutes we had seen more determined action than in the first half an hour! When Bayliss was fouled, had not seen many fouls so far, on the edge of the corner of the penalty area, Lewis took the free-kick but struck the rising ball too high and as the scrappy first half closed Burton advanced to save at the feet of Bayliss.

HALF-TIME:       0 – 0

 

So no goals and not much to talk about over a hot cup of tea and the proverbial, one goal will win this scenario came to mind as I made my way back to the pitch-side. Alresford kicked-off and Boxted massed their defence only to break out and force visiting keeper Nunn to miss-hit his clearance into touch however within two minutes of the restart Alresford scored. RYAN LEWIS chased a long ball forward from his own half and having got past the last defender, took control, drew the keeper, to flick a bouncing ball goal-wards and into the side of the net. The home team hit back almost immediately with Bradbury and Howard forcing a corner and when the corner came over Bradbury challenged with Marchant with the ball falling agonisingly behind him and being unable to dig the ball out of a scramble and the chance evaporated as Nunn fell on the loose ball. Lewis once again tried the option of chasing a speculative ball forward and was almost rewarded until Watts was adjudged to have deflected the ball wide of the open goal for a corner, not sure that was the correct decision as to me the bounce of the ball caused it to veer away from its original goal-bound trajectory! When Aves was injured he was replaced by Congdon but again Lewis chased a loose ball to cross only for Lawrence to head straight at Burton.

At the other end Nunn was quickly out to Howard and Boxted made another substitution replacing Sturdy with Macklin with Bayliss sending over a cross that Lawrence just failed to reach. Alresford made their first substitution on sixty-five minutes replacing Lawrence with Sizer and Boxted completed their trio replacing Pyle with Wash. With twenty minutes remaining the game again came alive as Alresford looked to increase their one goal advantage, with Bayliss turning on a ball from Marchant and forcing the home defence into action. Congdon played a useful ball out to Wash but his in-field header was cleared out of play allowing Alresford to make their final change with Joyner being replaced by Horton. A cross from Wash was over-hit and Trussler on a rare foray forward blasted the ball past the upright and Wash caused problems cutting in from teh left side to get a deflection off Williams for a corner.

Walter for Alresford took a short corner to Lewis who ran along the goal-line before firing the ball into the side netting rather than bringing it back into the six-yard box. A free-kick taken by Congdon was punched clear by Nunn and as the home team kept possession some poor defending by Alresford allowed space for TERRY WASH to score a late equaliser from the edge of the six yard box. With the last few minutes ticking by a draw seemed the inevitable result however just as he had done previously Lewis ran through, from what looked like an off-side position, and despite keeper Burton looking favourite to clear the ball up-field, the keeper missed the ball completely allowing RYAN LEWIS the simple task of putting the ball into the unguarded net which led to Watts and Wash receiving cautions for dissent over the passage of play leading up to the winning goal.

 

FULL TIME:        1 – 2

 

Not a classic match by any means, two teams that on the day lacked cohesion and thought, perhaps the two-week Christmas break was too long a period without football but I’m sure both these lower division teams can play better.

 

This week my Man-of-the Match selection was, in the end, not going to be very difficult choice, but the two goals scored by Ryan Lewis and his overall threat to effectively win the match for the visitors just about clinched it.

 

Teams:

 

BOXTED LODGERS FC                                        Colours: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

James Burton., Jonathan Barker., Ryan Trussler., Peter Dwight., Daniel Watts., Christopher Sturdy (C)., Jordan Rowe., Connor Aves., Jamie Bradbury., Benjamin Pyle., Conor Howard.

 

Manager:                        Stefan Falla & Terry Wash.

Used Substitutes:             Liam Macklin., Josh Congdon., Terry Wash.

 

 

ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC RESERVES:      Colours: Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Ryan Nunn., Chay Hammerton., Nick Hudson., Winston Juby., Andrew Marchant (C)., Alexander Williams., Ryan Lewis., Lee Lawrence., Shane Bayliss., Carl Joyner., James Walter

 

Manager:                        Andrew Smith.

Used Substitutes:             Ryan Horton., Robert Sizer.

Unused Substitutes:         Joel Shervinton., Harry Fryer.

 

Referee:                        Adam Wolton                  (Colchester).

 

Man of the Match:          Ryan LEWIS                     (ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC RESERVES)