15/04/2023 – REPORT – Wormingford Wanderers FC versus Mersea Island FC

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION TWO.

WORMINGFORD WANDERERS FC.   1.       MERSEA ISLAND FC.      1.

Date:               Saturday 15^th APRIL 2023     Venue:             Robletts Way, Wormingford.

            The forecast looked good, bright sunny intervals and a slight chance of rain, with matches being postponed elsewhere, I got the nod to say my intended venue was playable and I have to say the pitch at Wormingford looked in excellent condition, having been cut and rolled in the morning, we may have needed a boat to negotiate the puddles outside the Clubhouse but fair play to the home team who ensured the match went ahead.

            Wormingford Wanderers FC had won Division Three last season and were promoted, whereas today’s opponents, Mersea Island FC had finished bottom of Division One and had been relegated. At the start of play the home team sat sixth on twenty-nine points whereas Mersea Island FC sat, second, on forty-two points, personally I feel both teams have had a good season, the visitors have the points in the bag, but third placed Tavern have numerous games in hand, so this Division’s runners-up spot remains undecided, which, barring a disaster, will mean Dovercourt Rovers FC are champions.

            Today’s Match Official was Matthew Jarvis, Hon Referees Secretary for the ESBFL and he would be assisted by volunteer, Club Assistants.

            Wormingford kicked-off and within two minutes Mersea took the lead, Cracknell fouled Mahon just outside the penalty area, Mahon got up to take the free-kick, after a delayed run-up, his cross to the far post eluded everyone except JACK SHEERAN who ghosted in, unmarked for a side-footed tap-in. A long ball forward from Martin fell to Knill-Jones whose diving header flew just wide and buoyed by that early goal the visitors were on top, moving the ball around well. Foley fouled Sheeran over on the far side and another free-kick saw Wormingford panicking as the cross flew away to the far side, taking a deflection for corner kick. At this incident Travers, of Mersea, had fallen clutching his knee, clearly the player was in pain and remained on the ground receiving treatment before gingerly walking off to the Changing Rooms to be replaced by Davis, when play resumed, the corner taken by Gibbons also eluded everyone and went out for a goal-kick. Mersea kept up the pressure, Mahon set up Knill-Jones who lashed at the ball which was gathered by keeper, Lloyd at the second attempt. From the keeper’s long clearance Whittaker headed the ball on but Watts was caught off-side, Mahon then impeded Watts and the home team had a chance to gather their thoughts having been largely outplayed so far. Another fine pass forward by Cracknell saw Watts through on goal but the pace of the ball was too great and keeper, Green was quickly out of his penalty area to clear.

            A long throw-in from Sheeran was intercepted by Sainsbury who embarked on a long run up-field on the right side, and despite three colleagues getting forward for the first time, that final ball was poor, and the attack broke down, but better intent from the home team. Cracknell passed to Moss whose left footed effort lacked power and keeper, Green gathered comfortably on the six-yard line, then Foley made a good forward run with his cross being headed out by Mahon for a corner, taken short and quickly but the Mersea defence had moved out to leave three players in an off-side position. As we neared the mid-point of the half, Wormingford were now back in this game, still a goal behind but definitely finding space and making better use of the ball, a run by Cracknell saw him pass to Moss but the Mersea defence was sound and blocked the goal-bound effort. Loran started the next move, finding Moss who moved the ball on to Cracknell, in space, but Passfield had read the danger and conceded a corner kick. Moss took the corner, but Whittaker, well placed and unmarked at the far post was then probably unsighted as Fowler challenged and could only head the ball wide, a decent chance though. Loran and Moss linked up down the left side finding Whittaker, once again, defender Jones got across to concede another corner, keeper, Green was called into action to fly-kick the ball away as Loran found Cracknell bearing down on goal.

            Barton and Cracknell thought they had worked the ball through for Loran, but the off-side flag was rightly raised, by which time Loran had forced keeper, Green to make a save near the edge of the penalty area. Foley forced a home corner, keeper, Green punched the ball away from the head of Fowler, another corner followed, taken by Moss, finding Foley who set up Watts who drove the ball high and wide from ten yards out. When Lamb up-ended Knill-Jones, a loud appeal went up, nothing was given, rightly so in my opinion, Moss found Barton but again that final cross or pass was found wanting and keeper, Green dived on the loose ball. Certainly, after the early goal set back the home team have got their act together, defensively more sound but going forward they needed a bit more composure. As if, on queue Wormingford drew level on forty-three minutes, a quick throw-in from Sainsbury to Foley saw him clear of the defence and when his driven cross reached the six-yard box there was JOEL BARTON to rifle the ball home.

HALF – TIME:  1 – 1.

            So, all square, who could get a possible winner here, both evenly matched, teams had chances in the first half, now they had forty-five minutes to get a positive result, only four weeks ago Mersea had hit eight past Wormingford, would the home team capitulate again! Watts played the ball through for Barton but keeper, Green, once again advanced to save with his feet. Sheeran for Mersea, picked up a loose ball near the half-way line, drove forward but shot wide from outside the penalty area, then Knill-Jones made a run down the right side before crossing into the penalty area where keeper, Lloyd got the better of Davis and Sainsbury. Watts was put through on goal, keeper, Green advanced but Watts rushed his shot and the windows in the Village Hall were more in danger than the goal net! When Sainsbury and Davis had a mid-field tussle the Referee, said, no more, get on with it, from the free-kick, Mahon received the ball back, but his follow-up shot was easily held by keeper, Lloyd. Knill-Jones chased a long clearance and from his cross, Lamb headed clear but there was an accidental clash of heads between Fowler and Stock which required treatment for both players. A corner, taken by Gibbons fell to Passfield who headed wide, from the clearance by keeper, Lloyd, Foley was fouled by Carter, just level with the centre-circle, Moss took the free-kick, a training ground, dummy-run by Watts saw the ball arrive at the feet of Barton who scuffed the chance wide.

            On sixty minutes, Watts was replaced by Fitzpatrick, and from his first touch Wormingford gained a corner, when Loran gave chase with defender Martin, Moss, took the corner kick, long to the far post where it was headed back to Loran who also took a shie at the Village Hall. Mersea had weathered the home team attacks well, then Carter set Mahon away running through on goal, apparently any betting man would have lost money as inexplicably Mahon beat the keeper but the ball flashed across the goal and missed the open net for a goal kick, that was the best chance of the half so far. Another foray forward by Martin saw his pass reach Knill-Jones, who promptly scooped the ball over the cross-bar, then an error by Fowler, set up Sheeran but keeper, Lloyd saved at the near post. From keeper, Lloyd’s clearance Foley controlled the ball, turned and fired a low shot which keeper, Green held low down, Martin and Knill-Jones built another attack down the right side, but Fitzpatrick defended well. With twenty minutes to go Mersea replaced substitute Davis with Whiting, keeper, Green was again running outside his penalty area to head clear as Barton threatened.

            This game had been played in a fair but competitive manner, yes there were robust challenges from both teams, all dealt with equally and fairly, however on seventy-eight minutes Moss challenged Knill-Jones, no free-kick was awarded, but Knill-Jones, clearly incensed, kicked-out and was promptly dismissed for violent conduct but rather than walk away he continued to berate the Match Official, and was eventually removed from the pitch by his team captain, Passfield. Almost immediately Barton challenged for a bouncing ball in front of keeper, Green, from where I stood it looked a hard and unfair challenge but my spies nearer the incident said that the ball was there to be got at so Barton had a go, but caught the keeper in his follow through, a caution was however administered. Barton was in the thick of the home team action again, picking out Loran whose shot was saved then at the other end Stock shot straight at keeper, Lloyd. With ten minutes remaining, Gibbons was replaced by Player / Manager, Ayton, a free-kick taken by Mahon fell to Ayton but Lamb was there to block at the expense of a corner. The corner taken by Sheeran found Martin but his header was well caught by keeper, Lloyd, Wormingford made a final substitution, replacing Loran with Allen. Despite now playing with ten players, Mersea kept up their pressure, Martin, again found Ayton who turned round Lamb before shooting straight at keeper, Lloyd, game over.

FULL TIME:     1 – 1.

            A competitive game, for certain, both teams had a go, Mersea Island FC, seemingly had a couple of players missing but still showed enough to suggest that they would fair well in the higher Division, Wormingford Wanderers FC weathered the early set back, came out fighting, deservedly drew level and gave a good account of themselves considering the drubbing that they got last month.

            Finally, turning to my “Star Player” choice, a number of players worked hard, Fowler, Cracknell, Foley, Moss, and Barton for Wormingford Wanderers FC, Passfield, Carter, Stock and Mahon for Mersea Island together with Sheeran who was not only found in defence, but in mid-field and attack and he scored the early goal too.

Teams:

WORMINGFORD WANDERERS FC.

Colours:                        Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue & White hooped Socks.

Team:

Ben Lloyd., Will Sainsbury., Joe Fowler (C)., Elliott Lamb., Stephen Loran., Jack Cracknell., Sam Moss., Kieran Whittaker., William Foley., Joel Barton., Daniel Watts.

Manager:                      Mark Norman.

Used Substitutes:           Robert Fitzpatrick., Jack Allen.

Unused Substitutes:       Daniel Richardson.

MERSEA ISLAND FC: 

Colours:                        Black & White striped Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Team:

Rory Green., Scott Martin., Callum Travers., Matt Jones., Aam Passfield (C)., Ryan Carter., Samuel Knill-Jones., William Stock., Jack Sheeran., Ryan Mahon., Dan Gibbons.

Manager:                      Lewis Ayton.

Used Substitutes:           Joseph Davis., Lewis Ayton., Josh Whiting.

Referee:                        Matthew Jarvis.

Star Player:                Jack SHEERAN                        (MERSEA ISLAND FC)

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

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.