10/04/2024 – THORPE ATHLETIC FC WIN ESSEX JUNIOR CUP

ESSEX COUNY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

ESSEX JUNIOR CUP – FINAL.

FAIRLOP ROVERS FC.    2. (2).          “AET”           THORPE ATHLETIC FC. 3. (2).

Date:   Wednesday 10^th April 2024. 

Venue: Heybridge Swifts FC, Scraley Road, Heybridge, Maldon.

             Congratulations go to Thorpe Athletic FC on winning the coveted Essex Junior Cup on Wednesday evening against Fairlop Rovers FC from the Essex Alliance Football League, the match living up to expectations with two footballing teams having a right go, the match was competitive, as one would expect and went into extra-time when Thorpe Athletic FC scored a ninety-seventh minute equaliser from the penalty spot. Whilst the ESBFL has had teams in the final more recently, no team had been successful since West Bergholt FC Reserves in season 1991 / 1992, over thirty years ago!

            Fairlop Rovers FC, sit top of their respective Leagues, Premier Division, with just one defeat so far, to reach this final they had beaten Wanstead., Harold Hill Reserves., South Essex United., Emerson & Upminster., Earls Hall United and Cressing United FC (aet).

            Thorpe Athletic FC, also sit top of the ESBFL, Division One with just one defeat so far and to reach this final have beaten FC Clacton Reserves (W/O)., Stillwaters., Fleet., Unitey., Great Bentley and Rawreth Lane.

The referee for this match, appointed by Essex County FC was Toby Andrews and he was assisted, by Raymond Chapman and Nazarji Bilanovszkji with Dan Boulden acting as the Fourth Official, for County Cup finals, teams are able to use five substitutes on a “roll-on / roll-off” basis which for any reporter can be a nightmare, likewise when teams wear non-standard numbering! The match was fairly well attended with most Club supporters standing behind the “dug-out” areas, what was pleasing from ESBFL angle was the number of attendees from other Clubs and Teams within its competition, we hope the long journey and late evening was worthwhile!

            Thorpe Athletic kicked-off, Shuttlewood got the ball forward for Gray to chase and Fairlop Rovers keeper, Miracco was quickly out to head clear from the edge of his penalty area, the same players combination followed a minute later but the cross from Gray was too long for Shuttlewood to get onto. Fairlop Rovers looked useful on the ball, another young team that have played together for some time Harris, hit a rising shot from twenty-five yards which Thorpe Athletic, keeper, Burnby, tipped away from the top corner, conceding a corner, successfully cleared by McAndrews. Palmer and Bramhall linked up down the right side, but the low cross eluded everyone and fell behind Gray on the edge of the six-yard box. Hunt thought he should have had a penalty when he was upended, it looked a good shout from my position in the stand and by others who were standing behind the goal! Simmonds (E) had ventured forward for Fairlop Rovers and from his cross Rouse headed straight at keeper, Burnby, Simmonds (E) then fouled Gray, such a difficult player to shift off the ball, McAndrews took the free-kick but this was cleared with Rouse fouling McAndrews mid-half, from the free-kick the ball bounced around the penalty area before being cleared by Crowe. The referee had thus far, allowed the game to flow, numerous free-kicks may well have been given but players wanted to get on with the game, from one break Gray did well to not only hold the ball up, but then drive forward beating two defenders before his shot was blocked by Bruns.

            Fairlop Rovers were equally positive going forward, the Thorpe Athletic central defensive partnership of Humphries and Hale, had coped well until Francis ran into space and hit a fine shot that cannoned back off the near post as Thorpe Athletic were, put under pressure. Fairlop Rovers took the lead on twenty-minutes, a concerted attack saw the ball cleared out to DYLAN SCUTT who turned and buried a fine left footed shot that keeper, Burnby could only applaud. The Thorpe Athletic response was immediate, as you would expect, McAndrews, Barnard (H), and Bramhall whose, cross found Barnard (L) who won a corner off Harris, the ball, was, cleared out to Shuttlewood who tried a speculative effort from thirty yards. Simmonds (E) received the first caution for match, this was for a poor challenge on Palmer, this was after two earlier attempts to tackle had failed! McAndrews was putting in a big shift through midfield for Thorpe Athletic and from another forward pass, Hunt fired straight at keeper, Miracco. Bramhall was injured in a tackle by Downer from which Humpries forced Scutt into conceding a throw-in. Fairlop Rovers had been very composed in the midfield area over the last ten minutes, Thorpe Athletic had resorted to the long ball forward but the forwards had retreated to pick up the shorter ball which suited their style of play. Hale and Palmer worked the ball out wide to McAndrews, but he was marginally off-side, that late flag is so annoying for any spectator, let alone the players! As we approached half-time, Thorpe Athletic raised their game, Gray set up Bramhall, but his right-footed effort curled wide, Fairlop Rovers had their own “pocket dynamo”, appearances can be deceptive but Simmonds (L) wearing what looked like, three inch high socks, were there shin-guards in there, showed some excellent pace and trickery on the ball and Shuttlewood had to use all his experience from this player, causing havoc with his direct running, a corner followed.

From that corner, a deflected shot gave rise to another corner, taken by Francis but, Colgan handled the ball inside the penalty area, protesting his innocence to no avail. On thirty-five minutes Thorpe Athletic deservedly drew level, when one or two free-kicks may have been given to Thorpe Athletic inside their own penalty area, the referee allowed play to continue and a long clearance from Hunt fell into the path of LUKE BARNARD who ran on from half-way, with one defender alongside, reaching the penalty area, he changed feet, sending the defender the wrong way, before slotting past the advancing keeper, Miracco, for a fine individual goal. A long throw-in from McAndrews found Barnard (L) who was, fouled by Francis, and another caution followed, McAndrews took the free kick, finding Gray but before he could react, keeper, Miracco fell on the ball at the feet of Humphries, making his presence felt. The equalising goal had raised the spirits of Thorpe Athletic, Shuttlewood found Gray, again, after good hold up play he was able to gain a corner, once again Fairlop Rovers defended well and looked to break quickly but Palmer, the most experienced player in the Thorpe Athletic team, defended well against Colgan, not only winning the physical battle, but the ball as well, being able to set up McAndrews and he in turn found Gray with midfielder Simmonds (E) covering for his absent defence! In the last minute of the half, McAndrews passed to Gray who played the ball wide to Palmer whose cross was fielded by keeper, Miracco, from his poor clearance the ball fell to Hunt whose return volley was fielded by keeper, Miracco. A pulsating half, plenty of footballing action, a very competitive match, between two evenly matched teams and with goals even, there must be more to come!

HALF-TIME:                1 – 1.

            Fairlop Rovers restarted this match, player changes were made but trying to keep track of all of them when “roll-on / roll-off” substitutions are allowed is hard to follow, Scutt had the first chance, he looked a good forward player who, given any chance will score, as he did in the first half. Hunt fouled Rouse, the free kick was, defended well, by Humphries rising high to head clear, at the other end Harris made a fine block to a shot from Barnard (L), who was set up by Bramhall and Gray. Seven minutes into the second half and Fairlop Rovers took the lead once again, the initial pass in came from Alexander, his pass split Hale and Humphries which allowed DYLAN SCUTT to once again, show good footwork before rifling the ball past, keeper, Burnby, who stood no chance, a fine strike. Fairlop Rovers clearly wanted more, Barnard (H) conceded a corner, when Rouse threatened with Thompson replacing him at the next stoppage. Harris, just as he had in the first half, rifled a rising shot on the turn just wide, keeper Burnby seemed to have had it covered though!

As in the middle of the first half, Fairlop Rovers for a period, held control over the midfield area with Thorpe Athletic struggling to get out of their half with any conviction although Gray did try working inside then outside a defender before his low driven shot was, blocked, by Harris, a dependable defender. Goal-scorer, Scutt, was replaced, Simmonds (L) worked his magic down the right side, tormenting players with his quick feet and pace, “Fodenesque”, someone mentioned, further new players were brought on by both teams, the game had been hard and fast and these 3G pitches are unforgiving, cramp would probably play part later on! Hunt worked the ball along the edge of the penalty area, his shot cannoned off not one, but two defenders, before keeper, Miracco just managed to palm the ball over the cross bar, would not have mattered though as the referee had brought the ball back for a free kick, somewhere in the build-up!

More player changes happened on eighty minutes, fresh legs were required as this game must have been exhausting, a cross from Hunt went out for a corner and two Fairlop players needed treatment for cramp, Hunt set up Thompson, but his shot was straight at keeper, Miracco, who, as is customary, fell on the ball, more time wasting perhaps! Fairlop Rovers had the chance to put the game out of reach with five minutes remaining, keeper, Miracco launched the ball, long, down field, Alexander strode on, with only the keeper to beat, this he did, but the height on the lobbed effort was sufficient for the ball to bounce on the six yard line and go over the cross bar for a goal-kick, is that the “get-out-of-jail-card” Thorpe Athletic needed! Thorpe Athletic still persisted, they had not wavered in their steely approach, pass and move, use your players to best effect, keeper, Miracco saving at the feet of Thomspon, at the back Hale was cautioned for a push on Alexander, Fuller had come on and was playing in defence as Thorpe Athletic pushed an extra player forward, from his forward pass, Gray set the ball aside to Webb who had strayed off-side, he didn’t think so! Thorpe Athletic kept up this last ditch set of attacks, so would Fairlop buckle under this threat! Barnard (L) was put into space down by the corner flag by Gray, working back inside he struck a hard rising shot into the congested penalty area, did that hit the hand of Harris, was his arm in an unnatural place, certainly was, according to the referee and so in the ninety-seventh minute, JIMMY WEBB grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot and beat keeper, Miracco with a low left-footed effort that crept in at the foot of the post despite the keeper getting his fingers on the ball, queuing some delirious celebrations, as the full-time whistle was blown before the ball could be placed back on the centre-circle. Why seven minutes of added time, with both teams making at least four substitutions, numerous fouls, delaying the restart from goal kicks and free kicks and the odd caution and several cases of cramp, this time was always going to add up!

FULL-TIME:                2 – 2.

EXTRA-TIME   (15 minutes each way)

            Thorpe Athletic kicked-off the first period of extra-time, Rouse clipped McAndrews and Humpries was cautioned for holding back Alexander wide on the far side, a foul on Fuller was waved aside by the referee, Thorpe Athletic regained possession, Thompson ran forward onto a flick-on from Gray with keeper, Miracco saving at the near post. Gray kept up his front-line approach, get the ball, keep the ball, work the angles, play in your colleagues, or take the free kick, which happened on the edge of the penalty area and more players lay flat out with cramp! Thorpe Athletic are still insisting they had the ball in the net as we approached the end of the first period of extra-time, a goalmouth melee ensued after a corner, there were so many players inside the six-yard box, the Assistant Referee was probably unsighted, even the keeper looked bemused as play was waved on!  Hale shot over the cross bar after a great run by Foley who received a caution for a foul on Rouse.

EXTRA-TIME HALF-TIME:      2 – 2.

            Do we want penalties, probably not, but at the present time, this looked a likely, outcome something had to give but who would it be, Fairlop Rovers kicked off the last fifteen minutes, Fuller sent the ball long, Gray gave chase sending a left-footed effort over the cross bar. Thorpe Athletic worked the ball forward to the half way line, Thompson raced into space with the ball, Simmonds (E) ran with him, it was clear the midfielder was trying to hold back the progress of Thompson who ran on to send a low driven cross to the far side of the six yard box where JIMMY WEBB pounced to side-foot the ball into the net, from four yards out, wow, we not expecting that, or were we! Gardiner was late into a challenge on Foley, the free kick taken by McAndrews, was headed clear, and Fairlop Rovers attacked at pace, down the right side, Alexander sent in a fine cross, but Humphries rose highest to concede a corner. From the corner kick, keeper Burnby was out to punch the ball clear, leaving players sprawling in his wake, good goal-keeping that, from the ensuing scramble the ball was cleared into touch, the final whistle was blown and Thorpe Athletic started some wild celebrations.

EXTRA-TIME FULL-TIME:      2 – 3.

            An excellent Cup Final at grass-roots level, two committed and skilful teams who matched each other throughout, Thorpe Athletic can be proud of their achievements since they formed during the 2020 pandemic. They are professionally run, on and off the pitch their manager, Steve Davis, in his first season of management has garnered his players into a very useful squad, they know their strengths, one is, to never to give up, do your best, but always compete, currently, they sit proudly at the top of Division One, promotion is not quite guaranteed but if it happens it will be well deserved.

            Fairlop Rovers might have thought they had done enough to win this final in normal time, it’s never over till its over, that late concession of a penalty after seven added minutes was in part down to them wasting time! Certain of their players looked, very useful, Harris, Simmonds (E), Simmonds (L) and goal-scorer Scutt who, whilst he was fit and on the pitch was always going to be a handful.

            For Thorpe Athletic this was a massive team effort, from back to front everyone did their bit, I’m fortunate to know most of their players, because they have always played local football, sometimes at a higher level, but enjoying your game must be foremost and clearly on this performance they do. My star player could have been a tight call, defensively Hale and Humphries played very well, supported by Palmer and Shuttlewood, keeper, Burnby was beaten twice by very good goals, Gray and Barnard (L), up front worked tirelessly, but the midfield is always crucial, Hunt, Bramhall, Barnard (H) were tireless but one player must have covered every blade of artificial turf, Taylor McAndrews, every throw-in, every free-kick or corner-kick and he won almost every header, never shirked a tackle either, an outstanding performance.

Teams:

FAIRLOP ROVERS FC:           

Colours:                        Green Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Team:

Louie Miracco., Dylan Bruns., Michael Colgan., Lewis Cowe., Ellis Simmonds (C)., Aodan Downer., Ben Harris., Logan Simmonds., Jayden Francis., Harry Rouse., Dylan Scutt.

Manager:                      David Birch.

Assistant Manager:       Andrew Moffat.

Coaches:                      Cally Morley & Dylan Bruns.

Physio:                         George Birch.

Used Substitutes:          (Roll-On / Roll-Off)

Jean-Pierre Alexander., Sebastian Gardiner., Elliot Hastings., Daniel Arshad., Ellis Morgan.

THORPE ATHLETIC FC:

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

Team:

Grant Burnby., Nicky Palmer., James Shuttlewood (C)., Scott Humphries., Oliver Hale., Luke Barnard., Harry Barnard., Brandon Hunt., Matthew Gray., Taylor McAndrews., Lyndon Bramhall.

Manager:                      Steve Davis.

Assistant manager:       Natt Spencer.

Used Substitutes:          (Roll-On / roll-Off)

Sam Foley., Alex Hayes., Sam Thompson., Jimmy Webb., Jamie Fuller.

Referee:                       Toby Andrews.

Assistant Referees:       Raymond Chaplin & Nazarij Bilanovszkji.

4^th Official:                    Dan Boulden.