12/09/2020 – REPORT – Alresford Colne Rangers FC versus Gas Recreation FC

PREMIER DIVISION.

ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC: 0. GAS RECREATION FC: 1.

Date: Saturday 12^th September 2020. Venue: Ford Lane, Alresford.

Well we are back playing football, it’s been some time since we had matches to report on, I stayed at home last weekend, a lot has changed during “lock-down” but the expanded ESBFL, saw thirty-eight matches completed with just two postponements. Overall, for the record the ESBFL has lost three Clubs and seven teams but gained and welcomed eighteen new Clubs and twenty-eight new teams giving a Constitution of fifty-eight Clubs comprising of eighty-four teams, playing in five divisions, one new, the Premier Division being at Step 7 / National Feeder System standard, an unprecedented interest that started as long ago as last October. Three matches were played under flood-lights in mid-week and today another thirty-eight matches were played with again two matches falling by the way-side, its commendable that Clubs can field teams under difficult circumstances either player availability or financial constraints. The League should be commended for ensuring that every game has so far been covered by Match Officials, we clearly need those Match Officials to stay and enjoy the ESBFL so please do not abuse them otherwise the situation could change.

This week I ventured just down the road to Alresford for an early top of the table clash between the home, First team, six points from two games, and that of Gas Recreation FC, one win from their opening game, it’s said in local football circles, that if you finish above “The Gas” then you have probably won the League, nothing changes then! Social distancing is the order of the day, Teams have to change outside, match paperwork has changed with modern technology being used to pass on team-sheets, there is no pre kick-off handshake and clearing ones throat or celebrating goals is supposedly taboo but difficult to eradicate, in the heat of the moment. The Rules and Guidance are here for all to read and understand, the EBSFL will take a strong stance if reports of poor behaviour are reported, and they have been!

So back to this match, the appointed referee for this match, on a hot afternoon was the experienced John Watson who this week was assisted by Club volunteers, Winston Juby and Ryan Hart, well done to them as well.

Gas Recreation FC kicked off, losing possession and when a cross from O’Brien came over, Gas defender Edwards lashed the ball behind for the first corner, taken by O’Brien with Goodyear clearing up-field to Rodgers who held the ball up well before passing to Gregory whose high cross found home keeper, Beeson, on his debut, seemingly unnerved by the presence of Goodyear and consequently dropping the cross behind for a corner. From the corner taken by Davidson (C), Taylor (L) rose to thump a solid header goal-wards only for keeper, Beeson, to make a fine finger-tip save at the expense of another corner taken on the other side by Craig, but placed directly behind the goal for a goal-kick, much to his own frustration. The early home possession was soon broken up and Gas started to impose themselves, a great cross from Urwin, far out on the right side was again met by a firm header from Taylor (L) this time the ball cannoned back off the left hand upright to be gratefully collected by beaten keeper, Beeson. On seven minutes, a goal, to Gas, keeper, Morrison launched a long ball forward, Taylor (L) helped it on with SHANE GOODYEAR running free to easily score past the advancing keeper. On twelve minutes, Gas thought they had scored again, a cross from Bergin was headed back towards his keeper, by Grey, unfortunately keeper, Beeson had called for the ball but was stranded between his goal and defender Grey, however the quickness of his reactions saw him just get back to claw the ball away from the empty net and under the challenges of Goodyear and Taylor (L) with the keeper requiring treatment for injuries suffered on the goal-line.

Another long ball forward to the edge of the penalty area from Firkins caused a few problems for the home defenders as the Gas forward players, Goodyear, Rodgers and Taylor (L) challenged for every ball, no change there then either! On twenty minutes the early home possession had faded with the visitors upping their attacking options through midfield where Craig, Gregory and Bergin were prominent. The first real threat from Alresford came on twenty-one minutes, Hargreaves ran on to a through ball from Doig, rounded Davidson and fired goal-wards where keeper, Morrison saved at the near post at the expense of a corner which was comfortably cleared. Taylor (L) was pulled up for a high footed challenge on Wightman, just inside the centre circle but again the free-kick was comfortably cleared by Firkins playing in a deep “sweeper” role where his pace would be a telling factor. The persistence of Rodgers earned another corner off Newcombe, for Gas, once again taken by Craig but this time hit too far across the penalty area, more frustration from the visiting captain. Numerous free-kicks had started to litter this match, Davidson (C) hit one long free-kick towards the home defence which was cleared to the half-way line but with no home player there Firkins sent the ball back into penalty area where Taylor (L) fouled Newcombe.

With just the one goal so far, this game turned into a mid-field battle, Bergin tripped Hargreaves just as he was about to break forward, plenty of defensive cover behind him and a sharp word from the referee followed. Wightman sent the resulting free-kick towards the penalty spot, keeper, Morrison advanced but fluffed his attempted punch clear but with a loose ball and an almost unguarded net, Hughes and Eade contrived to lob the ball wide, best chance for the home side so far. This game as always was competitive both physically and verbally, every decision was questioned or disputed so when Goodyear was seemingly pulled down by Wightman a penalty was awarded to Gas. Gregory strode forward to thump the ball which crashed back into play off the foot of the left-hand post to be cleared out of play. On forty minutes, just after the penalty miss, O’Brien for Alresford showed verbal dissent, his third such indiscretion and was issued a yellow card and given a ten-minute session in the “sin-bin”, he returned to active play five minutes after the half-time break. Alresford played safe for the final minutes of the first half but were almost rewarded when a miss-placed back header from Craig beat his keeper, the ball bouncing wide of the goal for a corner.

HALF-TIME: 0 – 1

Alresford kicked-off the second half, trying to keep possession until O’Brien could re-join the action, during which time Newcombe defended well against Goodyear, the application of the “sin-bin” for dissent seemed to have got a message through to all the players though! Alresford were still having problems getting forward from their own half relying on free-kicks to get forward, one from Newcombe was fielded safely by keeper, Morrison, O’Brien came back on and from his pass Akinola drove forward from inside his own half using his pace to move down the right side where a heavy but fair challenge from Davidson (C) left him injured and unable to resume with Cannon his replacement on fifty-five minutes. Eade for Alresford struck a fine left foot volley just wide but really this was a half chance as his options were limited upfront. At the other end Gregory stole forward and with his back to goal he turned sharply to shoot and force keeper, Beeson to save smartly at the foot of the near post. A fine run by substitute Cannon forced defender Urwin to chase back and put in a challenge at the expense of a throw-in, when play re-started O’Brien felled Firkins and play once again became a bit scrappy.

On the hour mark, Craig, Rodgers, Craig again who found Gregory who fired over then Urwin and Eade needed treatment following an aerial clash, Hammerton sent over a cross which Morrison clutched easily out of the air and this was example of how the home team had lost their way when getting forward with the visitors quicker to the ball. On sixty-seven minutes Alresford replaced O’Brien with Hassani followed three minutes later with Gas replacing Rodgers with Taylor (R) and his first action was to foul Hassani and get spoken too. Then Taylor (R) chased down a long clearance and won a corner, taken by Craig with the unmarked Taylor (R) heading just wide at the far post. Alresford made another change with fifteen minutes remaining bringing on Warden for Doig but from the next Gas attack Craig sent in a fine cross that was met by the head of Goodyear, surely a goal, no, a fine one handed save from keeper, Beeson who just managed to tip the ball over the cross-bar. A strong run by Cannon led to ball being played into the unmarked Eade standing centrally placed on the edge of the penalty area, his turn and sharp shot was headed clear by Firkins standing on the six-yard line, excellent defensive work as I believe the keeper would have been beaten. Corners and free-kicks taken left-footed by Davidson (C) continued to cause problems, Grey headed one clear for a corner and another corner was headed over by the unmarked Edwards. Alresford did push for a late consolation but the run and shot from Hargreaves was weak and failed to trouble the keeper, then Wightman who had hardly put a foot wrong for his team made an error trying to dribble out of defence, was robbed by Goodyear who lobbed the ball wide from eighteen yards. This game almost came to an unsavoury end, a loose bouncing ball was attacked by Warden and Edwards who stooped really low to head the ball and got an unintentional kick to his head, in the resulting spat Craig and Davison (C) were cautioned for Ungentlemanly Conduct both for adopting an aggressive manner, excellent refereeing in my book!

FULL TIME: 0 – 1.

The delayed ESBFL start to the new season has quickened now and hopefully will continue so provided Clubs, Team Players and Officials observe the recommended Guidance, we are all in this together, its going to take time but the ESBFL continue to remind everyone of their responsibilities to COVID-19.

This game started well but faded in terms of critical and decisive action, Alresford after a bright start to the season may have missed a couple of players, Gas likewise had players abroad but still did enough to control and win this game, lessons will be learnt it is early days and a few teams have also started well, judging by results so far.

Now let’s turn to my Star Player, for Alresford, keeper Beeson made a couple of critical saves, defenders Wightman and Newcombe worked hard throughout but sadly, once the ball left that area the midfield and forwards rarely got a look in. For Gas, the front two Goodyear and Rodgers looked lively supported by a strong midfield effort from Craig, Bergin and Taylor (L), though defensively they rarely troubled but a winger, turned midfielder, now a defender showed good composure and distribution throughout, that player was Aston Firkins.

Teams:

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

Daniel Beeson., Robert Wightman., Finlay Hughes., Reece Doig., Alex Akinola., Josh Grey., Gavin Newcombe., Aidan O’Brien., Lewis Hargreaves., Billy Eade., Chay Hammerton (C).

Manager: Andrew Smith.

Used Substitutes: Jawid Hassani., Taylor Warden., Scott Cannon.

Unused Substitutes: Elliot Aves., Charlie York.

GAS RECREATION FC: Colours: “Hi-Viz” Yellow Shirts, Shorts and Socks.

Glen Morrison., Jack Urwin., Connor Davidson., Kyle Bergin., Luke Edwards., Luke Taylor., Eldon Craig (C)., Jack Gregory., Callum Rodgers., Shane Goodyear., Aston Firkens.

Acting Manager: Simon Hayward

Used Substitutes: Ryan Taylor.

Unused Substitutes: Ryan Dale., Jake Davidson., Ryan Hart., Ben Girling.

Referee: John Watson.

Star Player: Aston FIRKINS (GAS RECEREATION FC)

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“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.

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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.

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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: September to 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 )

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ESBFL “web-site”

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