15/01/2022 – REPORT – Silver End FC versus Cressing United FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE

SILVER END UNITED FC:         5.       CRESSING UNITED FC:            0.

Date:   Saturday 15^th January 2022.                         Venue:             The Broadway, Silver End.    

            I’m back, no reporting last Saturday as it was my last day of isolation, felt more like a slight touch of influenza, never mind, been there, done it, as they say and its good to get back outdoors and watch some football, fingers crossed we can complete the season unhindered, but keep safe and well.

            Today, an interesting fixture cropped up in Division One, second placed Silver End United FC, thirty-three points from seventeen matches, against fifth placed Cressing United FC, twenty-six points from twelve matches, who were on a run of eleven matches undefeated and that includes the Essex Junior Cup where they now meet fellow ESBFL team, Belle Vue Social FC, in the quarter-final, next Saturday. This was also a local derby, less than two miles separate the respective villages and these teams played each other on the first day of the season back in August with todays host’s winning by five goals to four, so may be plenty of goals again today!

            Today’s match official was Joe Wrigley, an experienced referee who has officiated at a higher level and for this Division One match, played in lifting fog and on a damp and heavy pitch, he would be assisted by Club Assistants, personally I thought they did a good job throughout.

            Silver End United FC kicked off down the slope and their early intentions were shown when a cross from Johnson was cut out by the low dive of keeper, Crisell, Cressing United FC countered with Swinger tackled high up the pitch by Brown, leading to the first throw-in. Fellow defender Edwards impeded Ashdown just outside the penalty area, Bearman sent in a rising left-footed drive that tested keeper, Jones who made a flying save. Borein for the home team worked his way forward down the right side and sent in a low but heavily struck cross that went to the other side of the pitch, Gage arriving well after the ball had flown by. On three minutes, a goal, Gage won the ball on the Cressing right side before sending a searching cross towards the far corner of the penalty area, where JOE BOREIN ran past Stone before beating the advancing keeper, Crisell. The response from Cressing was immediate, Brown fouled Swinger, and from the free-kick taken by Bearman, a scramble ensued inside the penalty area, a call for handball was waved away by the referee and Silver End broke forward, a long ball finding Borein on a charge. When Borein cut back into the penalty area, he chased the ball to the goal-line along with Stafford whose intention was probably to shield the ball out for a goal-kick, however, Borein got the better of Stafford who hauled the player to the ground, a nailed-on penalty, despatched by DAN GAGE despite a fine effort from the keeper, so two goals inside the first five minutes. The Cressing defence was found wanting once again on eight minutes and an interchange of passing by Hodgson, Gage and Hollocks (T) led to JOE BOREIN running through to score his second, placing the ball wide of the keeper.

            The home team were rampant, sensing more goals from every attack, Gage was clean through and only the outstretched foot of keeper, Crisell saved a certain goal. On fifteen minutes, keeper Crisell was once again coming to the rescue of his defence, making a fine one-handed save to deny Cocklin who had cut in from the left side, from the resulting corner, taken by Hollocks (T), Borein headed firmly goal-wards but straight into the arms of keeper, Crisell. Cressing did get forward in a rare attack, having been pinned in their own half for what seemed like a lengthy spell, this time the snatched effort from Miller, only found the side netting. On twenty-two minutes Brown put in a heavy challenge on Swinger and received the first caution of this match that was getting competitive, there were some missed tackles and some strong tackles being made by both teams. Bearman took the free-kick and Brown headed clear for a throw-in down by the corner flag, then Johnson tripped Chalk, the free-kick was defended well, then Claydon fouled Miller with the free-kick taken by Bearman flying high and wide from twenty-five yards out. Ashdown for Cressing received a yellow card for his foul on Borein, a player causing real problems when he was on the ball, Brown took the free-kick, left-footed but straight into the side netting.

            Just after the half hour mark, Silver End won a corner, this following some desperate defending by Cressing, Hollocks (T) took the corner-kick, flighted long to the far post where the unmarked JOE BOREIN rose to head home to complete a first half hat-trick. Once again, Cressing pushed forward, Miller tried to bulldoze his way past Brown and Claydon, the ball fell to Bearman who struck a typical left-footed drive well wide. Borein was on the move again on thirty-six minutes, turning one way then the other and defender Stafford was lucky to not concede another penalty kick but from the cross Johnson headed wide, from two yards out! As we approached half-time, the home team were almost home and hosed, as they say, Cressing had failed to test keeper, Jones, since the opening minutes, the home defence looked solid whereas the visitors defence had suffered a torrid time with Stafford conceding another free-kick for a foul on Gage, a player who holds the ball up really well in forward positions.

HALF-TIME:    4 – 0.

            Cressing United FC made an immediate player change at the re-start, with Stone being replaced by Hull, and the visitors looked the brighter side for the first five minutes of the half, better possession of the ball but no final ball that would test the home defence and once again, no quarter was given in some of the early second half challenges. Five minutes into the half and that early Cressing pressure evaporated as when Cocklin received the ball wide on the left side, he worked the ball in-field before sending a searching cross towards the far post where the unmarked TODD HOLLOCKS rose to send a cushioned header back over the stranded keeper, Crisell, an excellent finish from the home player whereupon Silver End replaced Johnson with Makanjuola, a recent transferee from White Notley FC. Thereafter, there was a lull in goalmouth action, the game remained competitive through midfield, Hollocks (S) was spoken too after a foul on Ashdown inside the centre-circle. A fine run by Swinger led to a heavy challenge by Borein, an advantage was allowed as the ball ran on to Ashdown who impeded Brown, then Miller fouled Claydon. As this game wore on the pitch conditions were becoming heavy and players were probably getting tired, any ball rolling along the ground would suddenly rear up and good control became the order of the day.

            On the hour mark, Cressing replaced Ashdown allowing French to enter play, Silver End also made a change removing hat-trick man, Borein, he deserved a rest, with Vidler taking his place. Silver End seemed more subdued this half, not complacent but at five goals to the good it was a case of lets protect what we have and see what happens when the opportunity arises. A shot from Ermetici was deflected for a corner off Brown, Swinger, took the corner finding Miller whose drive on the volley cleared the cross-bar. Cressing defender Chalk made an awful challenge on Hollocks (S) who was not impressed with the Cressing defender receiving a just yellow card, from the resulting free-kick, Brown hit a pile-driver of a shot that crashed back off the cross-bar to the unmarked Gage, who despite being only yards from goal contrived to put the ball wide of an empty net, a big miss that! There was then a case of every managers nightmare, substitute, Vidler, wide on the right side, failed to control the ball and in his frustration, remember you are five goals ahead, kicked the ball away, a mandatory yellow card, the managers face, I can assure you, was a picture to behold, that’s another £12.00 to ECFA, ker-ching! Hollocks (S) found Cocklin who moved inside to send in a teasing cross-cum-shot that keeper Crisell watched carefully as it just cleared the far post for a goal-kick.

            A left-footed cross from Hollocks (S) was whacked back to his keeper, Crisell by Howlett, the keeper had advanced, then had to make up the ground to retrieve the ball, a bit careless but the story of the visitor’s afternoon! Hollocks (S) made a wild swing at the ball when French threatened, Bearman took the free-kick, with Hodgson blocking in the well-constructed, defensive wall. Cressing, in mine and one of their supporters, opinions had run out of ideas, whatever they tried failed or the home team countered effectively. Once again, Gage used his strength and movement with Vidler to gain a free-kick on the “D”, Brown, who else, he who possesses a fine left foot, struck a fine shot only for keeper, Crisell to make an equally outstanding save. The next caution fell to Hollocks (T) when he pulled back Bearman, one for the team perhaps, but it was un-necessary, Swinger took the free-kick which was headed cleared by Claydon. Chalk, who was already on a yellow card, took out Hollocks (S), Brown’s free-kick found Gage who hit the ball over the cross-bar, the referee having indicated that the foul by Chalk was his last chance. Cressing made a late change bringing on Roper for Ermetici, they had been summarily out-played this afternoon and their plight was compounded when Chalk took out Hollocks (T) to receive his second caution of the match leaving Cressing to play the last three minutes with ten men. From the free-kick taken by Brown, keeper Crisell made a fine save pushing the ball onto the upright but only into the path of Makanjuola who struck the same post from two yards out, another big miss!           

FULL TIME:     5 – 0.

            To be honest, I was expecting goals, Silver End United FC had only lost four league matches and their league position and goal difference, in a very competitive division was impressive, Cressing United FC had come into this match on the back of eleven unbeaten matches, their goals for and against was marginal but any team who gets to the Quarter-Final of the Essex Junior Cup has to be reckoned with. Cressing United FC now face fellow Division One rivals Belle Vue Social FC next Saturday, a match that guarantees an ESBFL team in the semi-final, in addition Wormingford Wanderers (Division Three) are also still in the same competition which hopefully augers well for the ESBFL.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player, for Cressing United FC, but for the saves by keeper, Crisell, the score-line might have looked a disaster, even five goals against looks poor but Silver End United FC played well, scored three early goals and did not look back and had answers to everything sent their way. For Silver End United FC, this was a solid team performance, their keeper was a spectator, mostly due to the solid defence in front of him where Claydon and Brown stood out, the free-kicks from the latter player would test any defence. Up front Gage and Hollocks (T) were a handful but its through midfield where they win matches, Captain, Hollocks (S)., Hodgson., Johnson and Cocklin plus hat-trick player Borein who clearly stood out for the hour he was on the pitch, making my choice some-what easy!

Teams:

SILVER END UNITED FC:      

Colours:            Orange Shirts., Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Team:

Ben Jones., Joe Borein., Reece Edwards., Spencer Claydon., Mitchell Brown., Henry Hodgson., Tom Johnson., Todd Hollocks., Dan Gage., Sam Hollocks (C)., Thomas Cocklin.

Management:                Karl Johnson.

Used Substitutes:           Jack Vidler., Abiola Makanjuola.

Unused Substitute:         Jez Catchpole., Dave Harrison.

CRSSING UNITED fc:            

Colours:            Maroon Shirts, Maroon Shorts and Maroon Socks.

Team:

Jordan Crisell., Redmond Carney., Darren Stone., Timothy Howlett., Dean Chalk., George Stafford., Samuel Ermetici., Luke Bearman., Daniel Miller., harry Ashdown., Jimmy Swinger.

Management:                Ivan Goody.

Used Substitutes:           Daniel French., Thomas Hull., Jonathan Roper.

Referee:                        Joe Wrigley.

Star Player:                Joe BOREIN                (SILVER END UNITED FC FC)

REMINDERS:

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

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 Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

SUBSTITUTES

The ESBFL continues to allow FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off but only “THREE SUBSTITUTES” may be allowed to participate.

Note:

In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior) 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 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.

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.

DISCIPLINE

Since the start of the season there have been 45+ players dismissed and over 600 cautions, there have also been several 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

Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these are declined before the game. Clubs in default shall be fined.