12/11/2022 – REPORT – White Notley FC versus Hatfield Peverel FC

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

WHITE NOTLEY FC.       2.       HATFIELD PEVEREL FC.           5.

Date:               Saturday 12^th November 2022.        

Venue:             Oak Farm, Church Hill, Faulkbourne, Witham.

            A local derby, perhaps, but once again the majority of players on show were relatively new to me, however, some Club stalwarts do not change so it was good to catch up with half a dozen of them as well. White Notley FC are under new management this season and languished in fourteenth place on seven points after a solitary win and four draws, whereas today’s visitors Hatfield Peverel FC sat eighth with five victories and four draws and a positive goal difference.

            On an afternoon that was mild but damp with a threat of fog before nightfall, the referee for this match was Simon Lyons, who was assisted by M/s Johanna Withams and Anthony Darke. The pitch at Oak Farm looked in good condition, perhaps a bit soft and with a slight slope might have players struggling towards to end of ninety minutes.

            Hatfield Peverel FC kicked-off using the slope towards the Clubhouse and the numerous spectators that had assembled, keeper Bates launched a long ball forward towards Hale who took the ball in his stride, only to fall over at a crucial point. A corner conceded by King was taken by Cansdale, the ball was cleared as far as Webster (J) whose shot was comfortably held by home keeper, Haxell. On three minutes, a late sliding tackle by Barker, on Harrington led to an early caution with White Notley defending the free-kick and breaking forward with a long ball from Pater to Barker but Ashdown covered the attack. Davis sent a free-kick forward towards Cansdale who fouled Pater, the left-foot of King sent the ball deep into the penalty area where Pater rose but headed back across goal and wide. After ten minutes, play had been a bit frantic, neither side dominating nor retaining possession, however White Notley created a decent move with Taylor, Wightman, Pater, King, and Wightman again, only for the latter player to stray off-side, more encouraging though. Griffith made a forceful run forward down the right side to find Knight who gained a throw-in off Matema, Hutchings cut inside to send a left-footed shot over the goal, and at this point the home team were the more positive team using both flanks.

            Cansdale gained round down the right side before crossing into the penalty area where Pater chested the ball back to keeper, Haxell. Hutchings almost became creator setting up Wightman who beat two defenders before sending a low cross wide on the far side. A free-kick from Davis, fouled by King, found Hale but his left footed effort curled wide, Hockey set up Cansdale down the left side, he rounded Griffith, but his cross flashed across the goal area to reach Ashdown whose shot was saved by keeper, Haxell, standing on his goal-line. A fine run from Matema saw his pass reach Harrington and from his cross Pater again guided the ball back to his keeper. Griffith found space to find Taylor who turned right, then left before shooting goal-wards, Baxter, stuck out a leg and deflected the ball wide for a corner. When Harrington was seemingly fouled, the referee let play continue, Cansdale strode on to be denied by keeper, Haxell, who was also beaten by the follow-up shot from Hale, but Pater had got back to clear off his own goal-line, good defending. On twenty-six minutes a free-kick taken by King was guided back to keeper, Bates, by Ashdown then Griffith and Wightman set the ball up for Taylor who was inches away from connecting with his head, at the far post. Matema, he looks a bright prospect, went on a fine run down the left side beating Barker before crossing towards goal where Pater headed away for another corner.

            King tried to get the home team going again, his pass forward found Hutchings who was tackled by Baxter, the loose ball was struck by Wightman but straight to keeper, Bates, then at the other end, Hale robbed Pater of the ball, passed to Webster (J) whose cross was fumbled over the cross-bar by keeper, Haxell, the busier of the two custodians so far. With ten minutes to go before the break, a goal, and what a goal, Matema broke forward, passing inside to ASA CANSDALE who looked up and struck an unstoppable shot from thirty yards, into the top far corner of the net off the under-side of the cross-bar, no keeper was stopping that one! From the restart, Hatfield Peverel gained possession with Hale running at Wilkes who turned the ball back to his keeper, that first goal literally came out of nothing and was slightly against the latest pattern of play. Buoyed by that goal, the visitors stepped up a gear but White Notley stuck to the task in hand with Pater and Hutchings linking up to provide Taylor with a chance which was cleared for a corner, taken by King but easily cleared. A mazy run by Cansdale against the retreating Pater saw home keeper, Hazell quickly advance to smother the ball, when the ball ran loose Cansdale struck another shot which Griffith cleared off the goal-line. Right on half-time, another goal, Webster (J) was clearly fouled by Taylor on the edge of the centre-circle, the referee allowed play to continue, Cansdale picked up the loose ball and sent LAURENCE HALE through to score. Before the restart the referee spoke to both Taylor and Webster (J) for their verbal spat which had continued whilst the goal was being scored. The final action of the half saw Webster (L) find Cansdale whose effort curled just wide, a half that really had the wrong score-line as the home team had created enough to be on level terms, that worldy of a goal changing the diection of what had been an even game to that point.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 2.

            Before the restart, White Notley replaced Wilkes with Pitts, the first free-kick taken by King was over-hit and a goal-kick followed, a throw-in by Barker, saw Matema miss his tackle and the ball was crossed by Barker, cleared by Davis but RYAN WIGHTMAN, on forty-six minutes, drove the ball home. A minute later and a second goal followed, and another superb goal it was too, RYAN WIGHTMAN curling the ball into the top far corner, reminiscent of that goal in the first half, that’s two goals in two minutes and all square once again, game on! The home team had a new lease of life, Baxter fouled Hutchings right on the edge of the penalty area, King took the free-kick but Hale headed away and hopefully we now had an open game in front of us. The persistence of Taylor against Webster (J) led to a free-kick, no guesses who would take this, but the ball struck the defensive wall and Hatfield Peverel broke away, Griffith pulled back Cansdale to earn a caution. Wightman linked up with Griffith whose fine cross to the far post was missed by Knight diving in, yards from goal, as I said to a spectator, this game has more goals in it yet.

            On sixty minutes two further changes, Griffith  was replaced by Navesey and the visitors replaced Webster (J) with Page, home keeper, Haxell, had to advance from his penalty area to head the ball out of play as his defence was caught up-field. When Wightman controlled the ball on his chest, his outstretched arm struck Davis in the face, pure accident, not a handball nor violent conduct, seems some players watch too much television and hope VAR gets it right, this referee had one chance and he got it right! On sixty-five minutes Hatfield Peverel made two more changes, Harrington and Webster (L) were replaced by O’Brien and Hayward but it was White Notley who had a chance, Barker found Navesey and rather than strike the ball first time, he waited, beat a player, waited again and eventually the visitors defence crowded him out. This game was finely balanced, there was plenty of chat and encouragement from both teams, a shot from Cansdale forced keeper, Haxell to save and the follow up from Cansdale was cleared off the goal-line by Pater. There were chances at both ends now, keeper, Haxell for White Notley sent the ball long to Navesey whose shot was blocked, then Taylor showed some physical strength, then good footwork after winning the ball off Matema.

            Fifteen minutes remained when the visitors took the lead, Hale kept possession wide on the left side, passing inside to ASA CANSDALE who put the ball through the legs of Pater before running on to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. The visitors substitute’s, O’Brien and Page worked the ball into Cansdale but Pater blocked the goal-bound shot whilst at the other end Knight worked the ball down to the goal-line and sent in a cross that flew behind his in-rushing team-mates then Taylor rode a high tackle, another good advantage played, he found Wightman whose great cross was headed back across goal by Knight. When Cansdale sent the ball wide to O’Brien the resulting cross was headed away by Pater, Wightman then set up Knight whose rasping shot was fumbled by keeper, Bates, and Davis cleared the ball away. After eighty-five minutes the next goal could have gone either way, as it was, Cansdale found the unmarked LAURENCE HALE and he curled the ball home from inside the corner of the penalty area, that’s it, I can’t see the home team responding again. A minutes later and Puleston replaced Hockey but both teams kept up the fast tempo of this game, there must be some tiring limbs out there, Taylor set up Knight, but Matema defended well conceding a corner. In the last minute of normal time, Cansdale, who had picked up a silly caution earlier, was replaced by Cutler, a centre-circle tackle by Davis on Stracey saw the home midfielder summarily dismissed for a punch, frustration maybe, but it has no place on the football pitch. The game had been extended by five or more minutes when Hatfield Peverel scored their fifth goal, Hale found HARRY PAGE who cut inside to score with ease, the last effort of the game fell to Wightman, left-footed but wide.

FULL TIME:     2 – 5.

            I expected a close match, the score-line indicates Hatfield Peverel FC were clear winners, that is far from the truth, as White Notley, unlucky to be behind at half-time, stirred themselves to get back on terms than capitulate in the last fifteen minutes, but still managing to create chances themselves.

            Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player”, there was a lot of effort put into this match y both teams, for White Notley FC, central defender Pater was outstanding, King has the ability to open defences, whose free-kicks, perhaps predictable, can be dangerous. Taylor worked hard and two goal Wightman on another day could have scored more. For Hatfield Peverel FC, a big team effort, Davis and Baxter stood firm in defence, Matema looks a useful player, Harrington and Ashdown did the hard graft in midfield with Hale, once again leading the front line and scoring twice as did Cansdale, who is my Star Player this week. His constant running with the ball, at pace, his crosses and all round work rate plus two goals, the first an absolute cracker, we’ll ignore a needless caution which sees him miss next weeks match because of a suspension, the exuberance of youth perhaps.

            Thanks also go to the Club, White Notley FC, excellent hospitality before, during and afterwards, the Clubhouse was packed with hot food supplied for players from both the two matches played at the venue on Saturday.

Teams:

WHITE NOTLEY FC:   

Colours:                        Amber Shirts, Black Socks & Black Socks.

Team:

Peter Haxell., Andrew Barker., Thomas Griffiths., Bartosz Pater., Ben Wilkes., Robert King., Jack Stracey., Tyan Wightman., Gareth Hutchings., Sam Taylor (C)., Matt Knight.

Manager:                      Paul Hook

Used Substitutes:           George Navesey., Jack Pitts.

Unused Substitutes:       Liam Keane

HATFIELD PEVEREL FC

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

Team:

Jamie Bates., Toby Hockey., Warren Matema., Joseph Davis., Jamie Baxter., Sam Harrington., Asa Cansdale., Stefan Ashdown (c)., Laurence hale., Jamie Webster., Louis Webster.

Management:                Andrew Chipperfield & Terry Haydon.

Used Substitutes:           Harry Page., Harvey O’Brien., Joshua Hayward., Tom Puleston., Lee Cutler.

Referee:                        Simon Lyons.

Assistant Referees:        M/s Johanna Withams & Anthony Darke.

Star Player:                Asa CANSDALE                                                (HATFIELD PEVEREL FC)

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MATCH NOTIFICATIONS

Fixture Secretaries of Clubs are required to notify all match details, date, venue, kick-off time, colours etc, to their opposition and any appointed official/s, at least FIVE days before the match.

KICK-OFF TIMES

November, December & January:                                   14:00pm

February:                                                                      14:30pm

March, to end of season:                                               15:00pm

ESBFL CUP TIES:                                                           30 minutes earlier, if necessary.

ECFA CUP TIES:                                                            Kick-Off as advertised

CUP TIES

There will be NO requirement for “Extra-Time” to be played in ESBFL Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

SUBSTITUTES

The ESBFL allows ONLY FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off and ONLY those FIVE may be allowed to participate. Referees have been advised to consider any other named substitutes as ineligible.

Note:

In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior & Trophy) the Rule allows FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named and those FIVE SUBSTITUTUES may be used on a “Roll-On / Roll-Off” basis.

TEAM SHEETS

Team Sheets should be shown or sent to the Referee and the Opposition team either by text, email etc

The BLUE “League Copy” of the Team Sheet, fully completed, should be sent by First Class Post to reach Mick Willmore by the Thursday after a Saturday match.

This is the ONLY item of correspondence that is required by post.

(Allowances have been made for weeks where “Postal Strikes” have occurred)

RESULTS REPORTING

Rule 21(B)

BOTH Clubs shall notify/SMS the result of each Competition Match to the Competition within 30 minutes of the finish of the match. This will include Football Association and County Football Association matches.

The results of all League and Cup matches in the Competition should be reported by the FA Full-Time “SMS” (text) System.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

FA FULL-TIME

The Referees marks, team, players, substitutes, goal scorers, red / yellow cards, and sin-bin, etc MUST be entered to “FA Full-Time” by the end of the Tuesday following a Saturday match (ie 48 hours after any match).

Failure to complete “FAFT” correctly and on time WILL incur a League Fine/s.

“MATCH DAY APP”

This “App” is run by the Football Association and if Clubs have any issues on its use, then please refer to ECFA in the first instance.

As a Competition, the ESBFL does not recommend use of the “Match Day App”, it has known faults and any Club using it should check that all details are fully recorded before exiting the application.

A known issue is “Referees Marks” which have a habit of dropping off once the team statistics are entered, a number of Clubs have had Fine Warnings and / or Fines for these details being omitted.

DISCIPLINE

Since the start of the season, till the end of October, there have been 35+ players dismissed and over 550 cautions, there have also been 9 reported incidences of misconduct towards players, Match officials, members of the public and county officials.

These are situations the ESBFL Management feel very strongly about, and the statistics make poor reading, the ECFA will deal with all these cases as deemed appropriate but bear in mind these actions can be very costly both for players and your, Clubs.

WHOLE GAME SYSTEM (“WGS”)

All Club Secretaries should check “WGS” on a regular basis, if you don’t, the ECFA levy a fine (25%) for late acknowledgements and payments of fines and the Club could be put into a “SINE-DIE” situation meaning they cannot play until those debts are cleared.

Club Secretaries are also responsible for adding the matches missed by players who have been suspended.

Whilst the ESBFL regularly reviews the whole Club contents on “WGS” it is not their responsibility to monitor failures by Member Clubs to follow basic procedure/s.

REFRESHMENTS

Rule 20A

The Rule {Rule 20(A)} on Page 120 of the ESBFL Handbook states:

Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these have been declined before the game.

Clubs in default shall be fined (£15.00).

NB: Whilst the Rule does not actually detail what constitutes “refreshments”, for clarity, it is in the form of drinks, these can be hot, in the form of tea or coffee or cold, eg bottled water, diluted squash or bottled energy drinks are sufficient.