14/12/2019 – REPORT – Alresford Colne Rangers FC versus Tiptree heath FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION.

ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC: 2. TIPTREE HEATH FC: 0.

Date: Saturday 14^th December 2019. Venue: Ford Road, Alresford.

The weather, no less, played havoc with the ESBFL scheduled fixtures last Saturday, no fewer than fifteen or fifty per-cent were postponed, my original choice was Colne Athletic FC versus Gosfield United FC, a Division One, top of the table clash, then staying local, why not, Little Clacton FC versus Flitch United FC Reserves, two new teams to Division Three, but these both fell by the way-side so an even closer match to home took me to Alresford. Home team, Alresford Colne Rangers FC sat in sixth place, with a healthy three games in hand over leaders Tiptree Heath FC, their opponents for this match, with this Premier Division title race probably going to the wire this year! Both teams had players missing through, either suspension, injury or work commitments, probably Christmas shopping as well or will that be next weeks excuse!

A bright, breezy but cold afternoon welcomed several hardy supporters to Ford lane, Alresford, the pitch was definitely soft and would cut up as the match progressed. The three match officials were referee, John Watson who would be assisted by Philip Barham and Kelvin Llewellyn and they oversaw the “Respect” handshake before kick-off.

Alresford kicked-off, playing away from a busy clubhouse, however, Tiptree Heath countered and broke forward with Hunt and Knill-Jones getting forward to set up Chesney for a shot at goal that bounced wide, Alresford countered with a foray down the left side with Runicles crossing into the six-yard box where Sauka just failed to jump high enough to head the ball, but a definite notice of intent from the home team. It was evident that some players were finding the pitch, not to their liking, and keeping one’s feet was a problem in certain areas. Sauka fouled Hunt and after the free-kick was cleared, keeper, Charles held the ball just under the cross-bar, this from a cross by Turner.

On fifteen minutes, a first shot at goal, from Knill-Jones of Tiptree Heath, however keeper, Charles was largely untroubled, standing on his goal-line and so far, this match was fairly even, mostly played out in midfield, as players adapted to the conditions. On eighteen minutes, Hammerton limped off with what looked like a bad ankle injury, a bit of treatment off the pitch saw him return a few minutes later but not before his team took the lead. Tiptree Heath, play close pass and move formations but when Knill-Jones miss-placed a pass, Doig swept the ball wide to the right side, finding Evans who ran forward to cross into the six-yard box where ASHLEY SAUKA rose, between two central defenders, and with the sun in his eyes, to head home. Already, Tiptree Heath were on the back-foot, Chesney, back defending conceded a corner kick, taken by Aves with Tollhurst heading clear and with twenty-five minutes played this game was clearly never going to be a classic, in fact it was quite dull. Sauka fouled Tollhurst and he had to leave the pitch after treatment, then Doig dived into a challenge, no contact was made, just as well as it was close to being reckless, with the player receiving a warning from the on-the-spot referee. Undeterred, in the next attack, Doig, drove through from midfield, clearing the last defender, but hooking his shot well and truly wide for a throw-in!

Newcombe, was correctly adjudged, to be too high in a challenge on Chesney, just outside the penalty area but the free-kick taken left-footed by Chester curled high and wide towards the playground area. Hunt and Chesney built another attack for Tiptree Heath with home defender Hughes clearing the cross, delivered low by Hunt, in fact from right in front of his keeper, Charles! Hunt was allowed to continue a run forward despite two attempted challenges from Sauka and Runicles with play eventually being brought back when possession was lost. From the restart, Kensdale got the ball forward to Chesney who just failed to control the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Runicles was warned about his language, born out of frustration, with a threat of the “sin-bin” mentioned and this somewhat, disjointed game, progressed.

A throw-in from Osborne fell to Evans who gained a corner, taken by Doig, short to Osborne who crossed into the six-yard box, where keeper, Belton punched the ball away but only to Runicles who looked up before rifling the ball high and wide over the cross-bar from the edge of the penalty area. Tiptree Heath built again from the back, Hunt found Chesney who was sent crashing to the ground, in front of the dug-outs by Newcombe, within a minute Newcombe had fouled Chester and was duly cautioned. Within another minute, Knill-Jones followed that name into the referee’s notebook, not sure what for, but kicking the ball away did not help his cause! This half had seen defences at the fore, a solitary goal for the home team was scant reward but few chances had been created by either team. Knill-Jones ran forward, skipped past Osborne to find Chesney who failed to control the ball, six-yards out and the ball rolled out for a goal-kick. As the half reached its end, Hunt, fouled Runicles and with the ball falling loose from the free-kick, keeper, Belton was quickly out to deny Sauka.

HALF TIME: 1 – 0.

Almost immediately from the restart, Turner tested keeper, Charles, who saved at the second attempt after the ball bounced up in front of him, then at the other end Evans stole around the back of Abrehart-Briggs, shooting goal-wards only for keeper, Belton, to make an excellent save off the post for a corner. Abrehart-Briggs sent Turner down the right side but keeper, Charles had an easy job to pluck the ball out of the air with no visiting players there to challenge! From the keepers, clearance, Alresford broke forward with Runicles seeing his cross deflected into the path of Evans who fired wide, a corner from Doig failed to trouble anyone, going straight behind for a goal-kick! On fifty-four minutes Tiptree Heath replaced Knill-Jones with Hazell who took no part in his teams next attack with Tollhurst starting the move, finding Abrehart-Briggs, then Chesney and Chester combined to gain a corner off Runicles who had tracked back to defend.

A foul by Sauka on Hunt, led to another caution, and from the free-kick Chester and Chesney set up Turner but his shot was weak and after one bounce, keeper, Charles, held the ball on his goal-line. Sauka chased a long ball forward for Alresford, after controlling the ball he sent in a cross towards Evans who headed wide when well placed to score! On sixty-two minutes Tiptree Heath replaced Hart with Coe and his first action was to smash into Doig with a reckless challenge and receive an immediate yellow card, a close call for a red perhaps! From the restart on the half-way line, Hammerton sent a high ball forward, keeper, Belton called and advanced towards the ball however GARETH EVANS ran into the space in front and nodded the ball over everyone into the back of the net. Alresford replaced Newcombe with Mucaj, a handball offence by Hughes led to a quickly taken free-kick by Tiptree Heath, Chester and Chesney getting the ball into Hazell who missed the target but was off-side in any case. Evans placed the ball wide when put in a good position by Aves, crossing from the right side, then keeper, Belton saved again from Evans, this time at full stretch.

The temperature off the pitch had dropped considerably, the sun had gone down but the tempo on the pitch had not raised the roof either, a dour exchange, few chances of note but the home team looked home and hosed, as they say. Chester won a corner off Runicles, this after his defence had lost possession just outside their penalty area whilst at the other end Tollhurst made a solid interception when Sauka threatened. On eighty minutes Alresford replaced Runicles with Burnett (H) and a Tiptree Heath supporter commented that his team had no shots at goal, I mentioned they had, but long before he arrived during the first half! Evans who had led the home attacking line well, drifted wide to the left before sending a curling goal-bound effort that just beat keeper, Belton, before grazing the right hand upright for a corner, it did look like a good save, but we all felt the keeper had it covered but did not touch the ball! With five minutes remaining Alresford sent on Burnett (S) replacing Sauka and Abrehart-Briggs sent in a shot at goal that keeper, Charles handled well. Tiptree Heath defender, Tollhurst made two excellent blocks to deny firstly Evans, then Aves as the home side looked to score again, but the game to me had already been won when the second goal went in.

FULL TIME: 2 – 0.

So, a close game that Alresford Colne Rangers deserved to win, Tiptree Heath FC lacked their normal fluidity in attack and when given a chance, there were not many, they fluffed their lines. The visitors drop from top to second, owing to a win by Stanway Pegasus FC over Lawford Lads FC, whilst Alresford Colne Rangers FC move up to fourth, six points behind the new leaders with three games in hand. Next up for Alresford Colne Rangers FC is a visit to “The Gas”, now in sixth place, let’s not forget that Great Bentley FC, now in fifth place, who drew with “The Gas” on Saturday, are still well paced with four games in hand.

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, Tiptree Heath FC did battle away relying on Chester and Chesney for attacking options, but generally their team’s chances were limited owing to a solid defensive display from the home team. For Alresford Colne Rangers FC, a number of players caught the eye, defenders, Osborne, Wightman, Hughes and Hammerton were rarely tested, Doig, Runicles, Newcombe and Aves swamped the midfield, creating chances for Sauka, who scored and especially Evans who led the front line effectively and caused numerous problems, he also scored. That said, the player of my choice and it was generally agreed upon in the clubhouse, does not always get mentioned in my report, but with a solid defensive display, step forward Hughes, one error all game, but by being in the right place to defend without ceremony he set a fine example.

Teams:

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

Daniel Charles., James Osborne., Robert Wightman (C)., Gavin Newcombe., Ben Hughes., Reece Doig., Michael Runicles., Chay Hammerton., Ashley Sauka., Gareth Evans., Elliot Aves.

Manager: Andrew Smith.

Assistant Manager: Darren Macrae

Used Substitutes: Harry Burnett., Ermal Mucaj., Steven Burnett

TIPTREE HEATH FC: Colours: Green Shirts, Black Shorts and Green Socks.

Joshua Belton., Charlie Abrehart-Briggs., Callum Hunt., Ben Kensdale., Charlie Hayes., Jack Tollhurst., Joe Chester., James Chesney (C)., Ryan Knill-Jones., Benjamin Turner., Joe Hart.

Manager: Steven Chester.

Used Substitutes: Pacey Grimshaw., Billy Coe., Harry Hazell.

Referee: John Watson.

Assistants: Philip Barham

and Kelvin Llewelyn.

Player of the Match: Ben HUGHES (ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS 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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Reminder to Club / 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 Alison Willmore ( mjw1947@sky.com ) especially for evening games and for those matches being played under floodlights etc.

KO is 2:00pm in: December & January

KO is 2:30pm in: February

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

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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 Handbook,