12/10/2019 – REPORT – Tollesbury FC versus Hedinghams United FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION TWO.

TOLLESBURY FC: 2. HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC: 2.

Date: Saturday 12^th October 2019. Venue: Victory Garden Ground, Tollesbury.

Phone, keys, wallet, what else do I need, ah yes, waterproof trousers, winter coat and umbrella, it’s not normally like that down at Tollesbury but Saturday’s weather was to say the least, unpleasant as I took in the Division Two match between fifth placed Tollesbury FC and second placed and undefeated Hedinghams United FC. Tollesbury FC had a good season last year finishing fifth and declined, as was their right, the offer of promotion when the ESBFL re-constituted the league for this season, whereas Hedinghams United FC, in the knowledge that they would lose numerous first team players, requested a double demotion from the Premier Division. Much has been said about that, Member Club, sanctioned decision but under the managership of Sam White, a seasoned local footballer, he has put together a useful squad that should challenge for promotion, in fact only five of last season’s first team players were here for this match. Given the respective league positions and in the knowledge that Tollesbury FC had inflicted a first defeat of the season on league leaders Shrub End United FC last Saturday I was expecting a close fought match.

With the rain driving towards the changing rooms, wet weather gear for all supporters was paramount, I must invest in some modern technology as my notebook was decidedly damp before half-time. The match official for this match was Daniel Webb and in all honesty I, along with others thought he had an excellent match, no cautions, no sin-bins, no dismissals, can’t really remember him talking to any players as both teams wanted to play football in what was an entertaining match.

Hedinghams kicked-off and very quickly Butcher and Chandler clashed heads, no free-kick, drop ball, as totally accidental and with play resumed Hill and Hume combined for the home team with keeper, Crisell collecting the ball near the edge of his penalty area. Player, Manager Hill was clearly the target player for Tollesbury and from a long clearance from keeper, Curtis he laid the ball off for Tiffin to run on to with his low cross turned out for a corner kick by Loe. Hill took the corner kick with keeper, Crisell punching clear for a throw-in on the far side. A run down the left side by Tyler was stopped by Butcher who fouled the winger, Chandler took the free-kick forcing keeper Curtis to save, electing to attempt to punch the wet ball clear when I though he should have caught it, however the ball skimmed off his knuckles and bounced just wide for a corner to the visitors. Another long clearance from keeper, Curtis fell to Tiffin who cleverly nudged the ball forward to Bright, but his driven cross was far too hard for any colleague to reach. This game already had the hall-marks of a tight affair, defences to the fore, midfield was where the action was with both teams cancelling each other out but plenty to play for, nip and tuck as they say! A decent powerful run from McGiffin for Hedinghams took him from his own penalty area to the other to gain a corner off MacMillan with Hope heading away the corner taken by Tyler.

A break by Tiffin and Hume looked promising until Tiffin mis-judged the pace of the ball on the wet surface and the ball rolled out for a goal-kick, then play moved to the other end, McGiffin pushed forward to find Chandler who took the ball in his stride before unleashing a fine shot that keeper, Curtis turned around the post at full stretch. From the resulting corner, taken by Tyler, Chandler headed wide when well placed, really should have scored, I suppose, as he was totally unmarked. Keeble for the home team got the next move forward to Hill who was fouled by McGiffin, Hill took the free-kick, Tiffin made a nuisance of himself inside the crowded six-yard box and when the ball fell free, STEPHEN HOPE stabbed the ball home. Tollesbury then thought they should have had a penalty, Tiffin played in Bright and as Low slipped over he did appear to handle the ball out for a corner, the referee could not have seen this as Low was prone on the ground and facing the goal-line with the referee behind him outside the penalty area, yes, we have seen them given but you have to be sure and you cannot give a decision if you have not seen the incident clearly, lets move on! Tollesbury, now a goal ahead should have had another when Keeble floated the ball into the unmarked Hill, standing in space, but he headed wide for a goal-kick, whatever happened to the call from other players, time, control, pick your spot, a chance wasted perhaps! Keeper, Curtis again found Hill in space inside the Hedinghams half, this time he looked up and lobbed the ball goal-wards where keeper, Crisell caught the ball whilst back-tracking. Up to now, Tollesbury held the balance of play, Hedinghams were getting frustrated as passes went astray, and players were not reacting to some clear instructions from the side-lines. Chandler and Tyler moved quickly forward to find Lewis, in space, but his shot was weak, to be cleared by MacDowell then the same player got forward for Tollesbury, beating Low for pace but failing to test the defence as his cross was poor. Tollesbury continued to press forward, Butcher played the ball into Hill who held the ball up until Bright arrived and from his shot keeper, Crisell made a fine full stretch save down by the left hand upright.

Hedinghams needed to be more clinical when in possession, regaining possession was workmanlike, the passes through midfield were good, it was that final pass or decision making when it got to the forwards, still plenty of time to put that right though! Ashdown and Lewis were certainly trying to find some space, but defenders, Hope and MacMillan were, so far, in resolute mood, giving nothing away. Bright fouled Chandler on the half-way line, Loe took the free-kick with Martin heading clear, Loe took on Martin, crossing into the penalty area with MacMillan clearing then Hope was adjudged to have fouled Whalley. A short period of head tennis followed until Loe fouled Bright, Hope took the free-kick finding Keeble whose cross was held by keeper, Crisell. Both teams were putting in plenty of effort, Hedinghams had got themselves back into the game, they just needed a goal to level matters, this duly arrived five minutes before half-time. Hume fouled McGiffin, the free-kick taken by Loe was cleared for a corner, taken by Tyler and firmly headed home by JAMIE CHANDLER, I don’t suspect many keepers would have saved that one, but it did level up this game nicely for the second half. Tollesbury reacted with Bright finding Hope who had stayed forward but keeper, Crisell saved at the expense of a corner, taken by Hill towards Hope who tried an audacious overhead kick attempt, but the ball just cleared the cross-bar. As the half, came to a close, Hume drove into the penalty area, the bouncing ball did strike the hand of Pullinger, running alongside but there was no way he could have avoided making contact with the ball from that close proximity, nothing given, but now it was time for a welcome cup of tea, served up by stalwart Tollesbury, Club Secretary Janet Leavett and thanks to Barry and Jane Pullinger for buying it!

HALF TIME: 1 – 1

Tollesbury re-started this evenly poised match, one more goal, either way might clinch the three points, lets see what the managers said to their respective teams at half-time. Bright had a shot charged down by Pullinger, and as his team got forward a great strike from Lewis, dipped towards the top corner until drifting just wide with every-one of the Hedinghams supporters holding their heads in their hands for such a close call. There was no let up in the attacking play, Bright beat Loe for a corner, taken twice in succession by Hill, Pullinger headed clear the first, Chandler, the second and when MacDowell chased forward to a long bouncing ball he was beaten to it by keeper, Crisell who had advanced right to the edge of his penalty area to claim the high ball. Tyler, for Hedinghams showed some good control and foot-work to gain a free-kick, taken by Loe but cleared by MacMillan which saw Martin galloping away down the left side however, Chandler, who had covered every blade of grass chased back seventy yards to make a telling tackle just outside his penalty area. On fifty-five minutes Whalley headed wide when well placed, this after good approach play from Lewis and Ashdown. A minute later and the visitors took the lead, Tollesbury failed to clear the ball out of defence, JOE LEWIS picked up the loose ball took two steps forward before striking a shot at goal, the ball did strike a Tollesbury player and the slightly deflected ball curled round everyone to nestle inside the goal, with keeper, Curtis totally stranded on the other side of the goal.

Just before the hour mark, Chandler fouled Hope just outside the penalty area, Butcher stepped up to curl the free-kick over the defensive all and into the arms of keeper, Crisell. Hedinghams used the first of their substitutes on the hour mark replacing McGiffin with Weston, it was clear that passionate Hedinghams Manager, White was kicking every ball as his team tried to build on their slender lead, which at this point they just, and only just, deserved. A throw-in from Weston was headed out for a corner, taken by Tyler and hit long to Pullinger who poked the ball into the side netting, Hedinghams wanted this win, that’s for sure. On sixty-two minutes, Tollesbury replaced Tiffin with Wright and Hedinghams replaced Whalley with Harrison, Wright was quickly into action crossing the ball just too long to be effective, this from a throw-in taken by Martin. A fine free-kick taken by Martin found Hill off-side, a close call it seems, there had not been many off-side decisions all game, Chandler kept up his determined display popping up to set free Harrison with Tyler over-lapping down the right side.

With fifteen minutes remaining Hedinghams made their third and final substitution, White (J) replacing Lovelock, Ashdown fouled Wright who got up to send a fine free-kick goal-wards which produced an equally fine save from keeper, Crisell who acrobatically tipped the ball over the cross-bar. Hill took the corner kick with keeper, Crisell punching the ball clear and Hedinghams broke up-field where Chandler was fouled by Keeble, Lewis lined up the free-kick which dipped late to bounce off the top of the cross-bar and safety, another close shave. On eighty-three minutes a corner taken by Hill caused confusion inside the Hedinghams penalty area, a shot was handled in the assembled crowd of players the referee pointed to the spot, there was no arguing, the decision was accepted, and JAMIE BRIGHT confidently stroked home the spot kick to level the scores again. The game remained end-to end, Pullinger and Jones continued to defend stoutly as the home team looked for a winner, that said, Hope and MacMillan had done the same for Tollesbury all game as well, however, there was no further scoring or chances, honours even then!

FULL TIME: 2 – 2.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Division Two match, both teams should take credit for an all action display in poor playing conditions, I do believe that all the supporters from both teams felt likewise, a point apiece was right in my opinion. With this point Tollesbury move up to fourth and Hedinghams stay second but I suspect that both these teams will be vying for the top positions at the end of the season and it proved that good football can and is being played in the lower divisions.

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, this could have proved difficult, for Tollesbury the decision to bring Hope back to Tollesbury was a shrewd move, his reading of the game and timing of tackles and headers has given the home defence some added steel alongside MacMillan and the two wide defenders who showed promise when getting forward. Up front, Hill, used his experience to hold the ball up to allow the likes of Butcher, Keeble, Tiffin and Bright to get forward in support but overall a good team effort. For Hedinghams, keeper Crisell has improved year-on-year, he showed some good handling and made several fine saves, in central defence Jones and Pullinger were strong, no messing about, if in doubt, you know the rest, but they also showed they can play football when bringing the ball out of defence. The Hedinghams midfield was their engine room, Tyler, Lovelock, Lewis and Whalley always looked to find Lewis who was unlucky not to score a second goal when his free-kick struck the cross-bar. So, who have I missed, well judging by the number of times he has been mentioned then, Chandler, of course, he was everywhere, covering his defence, tracking back with some telling tackles, getting forward in support and then scoring with a fine header from a corner.

Teams:

TOLLESBURY FC: Colours: Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Louis Curtis., Daniel McDowell., Daniel Martin., Scott Keeble., David MacMillan (C)., Stephen Hope., Will Butcher., Jamie Bright., John Hill., Sam Hume.

Manager: John Hill.

Used Substitutes: Mitchell Wright.

Unused Substitutes: Ryan Bentley., Patrick Gilbert., Scott Lewis., Zachary Surguy.

HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC: Colours: White & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Jordan Crisell., Harry Loe., Lee McGiffin., Sam Jones., Barrie Pullinger., Jamie Chandler., Callum Tyler., Joe Lewis., Jonathan Ashdown., Liam Lovelock (C)., Charlie Whaley

Manager: Sam White

Used Substitutes: Joshua White., Jamie Weston., Teddy Harrison.

Referee: Daniel Webb.

Player of the Match: Jamie CHANDLER (HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC)

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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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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 Alison Willmore ( mjw1947@sky.com ) especially for evening games and for those matches being played under floodlights etc.

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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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