10/10/2020 – REPORT – Colne Athletic FC versus West Bergholt FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION.

COLNE ATHLETIC FC: 2. WEST BERGHOLT FC: 0.

Date: Saturday 10^th October 2020.

Venue: Regent Road Recreation Ground, Brightlingsea.

Another week passes by, a couple of mid-week matches got played, today a couple fell because of COVID-19 but for the second week in a row there was a Premier Division. second versus third place clash, over at Brightlingsea. The pitch at Regent Road is compact, it meets the minimum size criteria but in this season of change and uncertainty, just getting matches played is priority number one, well it is after people’s health of course!

A bright afternoon with a fresh breeze and a threat of rain welcomed both teams who like the match officials had to change outside as per FA Guidance, good to see hand sanitizer, wipes and the Track & Trace “QR Code” on display and for everyone’s use. The match official for this match was the respected Andrew French who would be assisted by James McMillan and Derek Packer.

Colne kicked off with the benefit of the wind blowing straight down the pitch, a throw-in from Vaughan fell at the feet of Watts who when turning rolled over the back of Roll, landing heavily on his back and requiring treatment. Vaughan fouled Blanchett, Springett took the free-kick finding Roll whose effort drifted wide for a goal-kick. Colne pushed forward through Burch and Yearling whose cross has just too high for Hawkins who attacked the ball with defender Munson. When Burch fouled Harrington, a player who always seemed to draw a foul, Springett took the free-kick only for a towering headed clearance from Ellis cleared the danger as Close, closed in. Brown was the next player to foul Harrington, this time the left foot of Blanchett delivered the free-kick only for Homewood to block the effort two yards from goal, good defending once again from the home team. Play after ten minutes had been fairly even, however, any long ball forward tended to be over-hit on this small pitch, when Colne attacked, West Bergholt responded and vice-versa. On twelve minutes a long ball forward from Vaughan set Watts away with defender Munson doing well to keep up and block the shot which bounced out to Vaughan who volleyed high over the cross-bar. When Colne doubled up their defensive duties on Blanchett he fell to the ground, yes, he was fouled but I’m not sure his antics were required because if you wrap your legs around your opponent then there is every chance you might be stood on, I say stood, not stamp, there is a big difference, one is accidental the other has no place in football, the caution for Hawkins was warranted though.

Play ebbed again from one end to the other, Close fouled Ellis, two tall players and from the re-start Vaughan set Yearling away down the left side but his curling effort flew wide. Yearling was close again with an over-head effort this from a throw-in from Vaughan which was helped on by Goldie-McSorley, the ball deflecting off Munson for a corner. This match was definitely competitive with both teams asking for every decision, a free-kick from Vaughan was headed clear by Springett then Close defended well against Ellis for a corner which was cleared away for another corner on the other side. Yearling took this corner, Ellis rose to head goal-wards and in the resulting scramble the ball struck the hand of Munson, standing on the goal-line and by the current letter of the law, that’s handball, a penalty, and sadly a dismissal for the defender, LUKE GOLDIE-McSORLEY hammered home the spot-kick. Colne, aided by a mistake by Roll, broke forward through Yearling but his shot was weak and keeper, Healy gratefully fielded six-yards out, Springett fouled Hawkins, Watts took the free-kick finding Yearling who was fouled by Newman, Vaughan took this free-kick, Burch attacked the ball in the air but Close covered for his defence. Another defensive mistake from Keeble went un-punished as his weak header back to his keeper, fell well short with keeper, Healy having to advance outside his penalty area to try to clear but in doing so clattered into Hawkins for another free-kick.

Home Captain, Homewood was adjudged to have fouled Harrington who stepped across to shield the ball and got flattened for his troubles, Springett drove his free-kick into the defensive wall with Burch sweeping up gaining a throw-in near the half-way line. A long throw-in from Ellis found Yearling but Springett did well to defend. A long clearance from keeper, Robins fell to Yearling who was shackled by defender Newman and when opposite number, keeper, Healy, did the same Burch fouled Close just outside the penalty area, and was spoken too by the referee. From this free-kick the left-foot of Blanchett sent in a low shot that eluded the defensive wall with keeper, Robins making a decent save, probably not seeing the ball until late, gathering the ball at the second attempt as Close tried to capitalise on the loose ball. Blanchett, once again, drew a foul tackle from two home defenders, the free-kick was cleared then Harrington got his head down to charge forward but play was brought back to near the half-way line for a foul in the build-up. Springett was heavy into a challenge on Vaughan, he was not impressed by it, and with three minutes to half-time a long clearance from keeper, Healy found Close, Burch committed a foul, again, Blanchett took the free-kick which was cleared up-field with Colne going close when the volley from Vaughan flew wide for a goal-kick.

HALF-TIME: 1 – 0

A steely first-half, both committed teams had out manoeuvred each other, the only difference was the single goal lead and the ten men of the undefeated visitors who had stuck to their game plan and were still very much in contention despite Colne having had the more clear-cut chances. West Bergholt made an immediate change replacing Blanchett with Cripps with Harrington re-starting the second half, Cripps fouled Ellis before even touching the ball, clumsy I think you call it! Ellis attacked a cross from Yearling, keeper, Healy was beaten and only a fine goal-line clearance from Newman saved the day, his slashed clearance flying over the cross-bar. Ellis was hurt in a tackle with Cripps and was helped from the field by Homewood and sportingly by Harrington, with Bradley replacing the stricken defender. A corner from Vaughan found Yearling who turned and fired a shot over the cross-bar, then Springett needlessly fouled Yearling over by the far corner flag, which he followed up with a show of dissent which earnt him a ten minute cooling off period in the “Sin-Bin”! Roll struck a shot just over the cross-bar at the other end for West Bergholt who were now down to nine players. On fifty-eight minutes Colne made their second substitution, replacing Hawkins with Evans, Yearling made a fine run forward until Keeble strode across to cover his over-worked defence.

On the hour mark, Harrington fouled Vaughan who got up to take the free-kick towards Goldie-McSorley, but Keeble was there again, and three minutes later West Bergholt replaced Roll with Bethell (D) and with the ten minutes up, Springett re-joined the match. When play stopped for a foul, Colne replaced Shurvington with Price, Springett sent in the free-kick with Cripps heading wide at the far post, a close call. An error by Springett let in Yearling but despite bearing down on goal he managed to fire high and wide, a wasted chance to put this game to bed. On sixty-eight minutes Newman for West Bergholt was replaced by Bethell (B) and from his first pass forward Burch went through Clark to get his overdue caution, it’s not like he hadn’t been warned beforehand! From the free-kick taken by Springett, keeper, Robins advanced, called for the ball, caught the ball, but landed heavily on his back being able to resume almost immediately. A high hanging cross from Yearling caused problems for the visitor’s defence but Evans headed over when perhaps he should have headed back across goal to the unmarked Goldie-McSorley. The wind had been a problem all game so when Bethell (B) launched an up-and-under the ball fell to Cripps who headed wide, Colne, by now struggling without the aerial dominance of the injured Ellis.

When Vaughan fouled Bethell (B) he kicked the ball away, another needless caution, Bethell (D) took the free-kick but keeper, Robins saved comfortably on his goal-line, the same player then tested keeper, Robins with another low shot from a free-kick, the keeper managing to keep the ball out despite standing inside the goal. Watts fouled Close but another direct shot at goal was fielded well by keeper, Robins who had shown a good pair of hands all game. When Evans fouled Bethell (D) thirty yards out the driven free-kick from Springett again found the safe hands of keeper, Robins, a different approach to free-kicks was maybe needed at this late stage of the game. On eighty minutes the deciding goal was scored, with the ball moved forward through midfield the ball was pushed onto Evans whose first touch guided the ball between Springett and Bethell (J) and HARRY WATTS ran on to fire past keeper, Healy, game over! West Bergholt still attacked, a loose ball out of defence by Burch was snapped up by Cripps who fired wide with keeper, Healy cautioned for time-wasting at the resulting goal-kick. From the delayed goal-kick keeper, Robins found Price who showed some neat touches before Bethell (J) got the better of him, Bradley got back to tackle Harrington and Cripps tested keeper, Robins before Bethell (D) tried his luck, missing the target.

FULL TIME: 2 – 0.

A close game, plenty of talking points, two evenly matched teams, both full of commitment and running and no quarter given to any challenge. Colne Athletic FC with only one defeat so far, to Gas Rec, inflicted a first defeat on West Bergholt FC who have shown more promise this season under the new management of Lee Townrow, himself unable to play due to injury.

Now let’s turn to my Star Player, for West Bergholt I was impressed with their keeper, Healy, Newman and Bethell (J) did well as wing backs, Close is always dangerous at free-kicks and corners, Harrington is also a handful holding up the ball to allow players to get forward, in central defence Keeble and Springett had their work cut out, the later perhaps spoiling a captains display with his show of dissent just after half-time. Turning to the home team, this was a team performance, again keeper, Robins another custodian I have not seen before showed he has a good pair of hands and decent ball distribution, shame about his caution for time-wasting but the referee had given him plenty of notice during the second half. Defensively Vaughan, Brown, Ellis and Burch stood firm, non-nonsense tackling and no risk taking. The forwards, Yearling, Goldie-McSorley and Hawkins worked hard, the latter scoring the final goal but midfield was where they won this match, Watts, with a fine strike to clinch the match, Shurvington and Captain Homewood were always creative and defended when required, with the skipper getting my vote this week.

Teams:

COLNE ATHLETIC FC: Colours: Sky-Blue Shirts, Navy-Blue Shorts and Navy-Blue Socks.

Richard Robins., Daniel Homewood., Joshua Vaughan., Jack Burch., Ryan Brown., Jordan Ellis., Harry Watts., Joel Shurvington., Joe Hawkins., Luke Goldie-McSorley., Scott Yearling.

Manager: Ben Connell.

Used Substitutes: Gareth Evans., Daniel Price., Daniel Bradley.

WEST BERGHOLT FC: Colours: Orange Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Will Healy., Perry Newman., Ryan Munson., Dan Keeble., Liam Springett (C)., Jake Bethell., Anthony Roll., Liam Close., Jack Harrington., Lewis Blanchett., Jamie Clark.

Manager: Lee Townrow.

Used Substitutes: Sam Cripps., Bobby Bethell., Darren Bethell.

Unused Substitutes: Lee Townrow.

Referee: Andrew French.

Assistant Referees: James McMillan

And: Derek Packer

Star Player: Daniel HOMEWOOD (COLNE ATHLETIC FC)

************************************************************************************

“COVID-19” “CORONAVIRUS”

THE “ESBFL” IS MINDFUL OF THE CONTINUING SERIOUSNESS OF THIS INFECTION, MATCHES CURRENTLY BEING PLAYED WERE ALLOWED TO PROCEED UNDER THE GUIDANCE GIVEN BY THE “FA”.

THIS SITUATION IS BEING CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE “FA” WHO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES DIRECTLY TO CLUBS AND THE LEAGUE. PLEASE ENSURE THESE ARE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND ADHERED TOO.

IT IS INCUMBENT ON ALL MEMBER CLUBS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF VISITORS, THE FA HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS DIRECTIVES THEREFORE THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IGNORANCE OF THESE GUIDELINES etc

ALL MEMBER CLUBS, ITS OFFICIALS, PLAYERS AND SUPPORTERS “MUST” ADHERE TO THESE GUIDELINES OTHERWISE THIS SEASON MAY ALSO BE CURTAILED EARLY.

*************************************

Additional Reporting:

YOU TUBE., FACEBOOK (x2) & TWITTER

Once again, this season the ESBFL is widening its match-day reporting coverage, in addition to a full report written by Brian Reed, our other roving reporter, Spencer Hume, has once again made himself known during the friendlies season and he will also attend games reporting via You Tube, Facebook and Twitter to communicate up-to-date information and replicate other match reports. In addition, John Campany, Vice Chairman will continue to provide a weekly summary, published in The Gazette.

****************************************************************************************

Reminder to Club Secretaries / Fixture Secretaries

Once again this season the fixtures, results, referees and “kick-off” times will be shown automatically on “The FA Full-Time / The Whole Game System” ( http://full-time.thefa.com ) but would all Club / Fixture Secretaries please advise any agreed changes, as required, to either Mick Willmore (mjw1947@sky.com)

or M/s Alison Stanford (esblsec@icloud.com) especially for evening games and for those matches being played under floodlights etc.

KO is 3:00pm from: October

KO is 2:00pm from: November, December & January

KO is 2:30pm during: February

KO is 3:00pm from: March to end of season

Cup Matches:

Kick-Off times for ESBFL cup matches, are generally 30 minutes earlier than those shown above but check competition rules beforehand.

Kick-Off times for Essex County Football Association cup matches are published on the ECFA web-site.

( www.essexfa.com/competitions/county-cups )

************************************************************************************

ESBFL “web-site”

The web-site for the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League is: www.esblfootball.com