15/08/2015 – White Notley FC versus West Bergholt FC
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WHITE NOTLEY FC: 1. WEST BERGHOLT FC: 2.
Date: Saturday 15th August 2015. Venue: Oak Farm, Faulkbourne Road, White Notley.
Welcome back, yes, it is only the middle of August and we are already watching football again, I trust everyone has had a good break from football activities although for some the annual family holiday may yet be to come, along with the Team Managers usual headache of getting players available and motivated again.
Well what has happened in the close season, three new clubs (Brightlingsea Regent FC “A”., Colchester Athletic FC and Cressing FC) have joined the E&SBFL together with two Reserve Teams (Kelvedon Social FC Reserves and Lawford Lads FC Reserves) whilst Little Oakley FC have brought in their “A” Team and they are all welcomed to the E&SBFL. Unfortunately, some clubs through necessity have down-sized (Dedham Old Boys FC and Mersea Island FC) with Elmden Rovers Clacton FC sadly calling it a day.
As usual, the summer rumour mill about where certain players will sign-on has been in action so it remains to be seen how those players fortunes fare as the season gets under way. For my first game of the season I thought I’d go along to watch the White Notley FC versus champions West Bergholt FC a game to be refereed by Martin Avent, assisted by Club Linesmen.
White Notley FC, have a slight change of management with Justin (Jack) Daniels now in sole charge assisted by Scott Hiskey and whilst they have lost three or four experienced players they have brought in some young players who will no doubt learn quickly. West Bergholt FC once again under the management of James McIntyre and his assistant Mark Farthing have had to deal with losing four players to clubs who play at a higher level, Shaw and Cripps, last seasons leading Premier Division goal scorers have joined Stanway Rovers FC, Dalziel has joined Long Melford FC and Warren has joined Halstead Town FC, we wish them well stepping up to a higher level.
So its August the sun was shining and on a well prepared pitch the teams exchanged the now mandatory “Respect” handshake before holding a minutes silence around the centre-circle in memory of David Brine, a well-respected former League Referee who sadly passed away earlier in the week.
White Notley FC kicked off playing up the slight slope but soon lost possession to Webb who was himself blocked off by Mayes who played the ball forward to Yeo then Dawes took control to find Steadman whose cross eluded everyone. The home team kept up the pressure when Yeo had two chances, the first saved by keeper, Bethell, with the second steered wide for a corner by defender Farthing, with just a suspicion on a handball as the ball flew past. Farthing then started the first visitors attack finding Reddick who played the ball back to Farthing but his first time cross did not trouble the defence. With five minutes gone it was clear both teams were still adapting to having new players in their starting line-ups, more so the hosts, but both teams were trying to play constructive football with defences generally in control. Beckwith-Addison used his pace to take on the visitors defence down the left hand side rounding McLachlan but rather than pass or cross he chose to shoot, over the cross-bar and it was this channel that the home used frequently with Steadman, also gifted with control and pace getting round the back but being thwarted by the experienced defensive cover of Gibson and White and when he did pass forward Beckwith-Addison was caught off-side.
Harrington, a new acquisition for West Bergholt FC committed a foul on Mayes whilst laying on the ground and gradually the visitors looked more purposeful going forward but the hosts also looked capable of snatching a goal and the reliable White had to stop a break away with a last ditch tackle on Dawes who had run through from the half-way line whilst Gibson berated his midfield colleagues for allowing this move to take shape. A long clearance from Bethell was headed confidently back by Mortar to Mustoe with Harrington challenging and we reached the half-way stage of the first half. Reddick played in Harrington but his loose cross was comfortably cleared but Harrington and Read were now engaged in a personal attacker / defender contest with Mustoe advancing to catch the high ball above these two players as West Bergholt FC threatened again. The frustrated Mayes took a wild swipe at the ball when Harrington advanced, conceding a free-kick in a wide left position and whilst we waited for play to resume the magnificent sight of the last remaining Vulcan Bomber filled the skies above. When play did resume the free-kick eluded the home defence and fell at the feet of JACK HARRINGTON who unerringly blasted home from the edge of the penalty area and past defender Read and a static, probably unsighted goal-keeper and from this point the play of Harrington seemed more positive.
White Notley FC had always been in this game and perhaps their inexperience was proving to be their downfall as Steadman attacked down the left side finding Beckwith-Addison who set up Yeo but he hastily managed to lob the ball over the cross-bar when well placed. Murphy, another young player set Dawes away but keeper Bethell reached the ball first then Steadman again got the better of a subdued McLachlan, flying past Gibson and forcing Bethell to save at full stretch down to his right hand side. When Beckwith-Addison ran at the retreating West Bergholt FC defence, Reddick fouled him from behind and in the resulting melee following the free-kick McLachlan was seen slumped on the ground on the far side of the penalty area. After a prolonged period of treatment McLachlan left the field to be replaced by Carvey, himself making a comeback from serious injury. As the half came to a close a careless throw out by Mustoe fell to Carvey and from his pass Harrington over-hit his shot wide of the unguarded target.
HALF-TIME: 0 – 1
There were no player changes during the interval but better news emerged that McLachlan was suffering the after effects after being unwell during the previous week. Almost after the restart Bethell was forced to make an excellent save from Beckwith-Addison and when Yeo tried to slip through the gap between Gibson and Reddick a foul was awarded on the edge of the penalty area. MITCHELL YEO stepped up to hammer a shot goalwards that beat the defensive wall and the attempt to save by Bethell saw the ball hit the under-side of the cross-bar and enter the net for a deserved equaliser. End-to-end play resumed, White clashed with Beckwith-Addison then Read and Harrington exchanged tackles with the home player penalised this time with the foul awarded in a central position. The shot by Murrells cannoned off the defensive wall with home skipper Read organising his young defence once again. The rangy runs of Dawes enabled White Notley FC to get forward quickly but once again when his pass found Beckwith-Addison the finish was rushed and the shot from thirty yards was wide of the goal.
On the hour mark Murrells was put through by Webb but skied his effort with only the keeper to beat and likewise when Harrington got through, keeper Mustoe advanced to parry the first goal bound effort and then recover to save the follow up shot. When Gildea used his skill to get past two defenders his pass forward to Harrington saw the forward upended by Mortar who although playing the ball with his trailing leg had already fouled Harrington with a more than robust challenge to concede a penalty kick. STUART REDDICK stepped up to drive the spot-kick down the middle of the goal and give the visitors a slender lead. A number of the more experienced players for the visitors, Webb, McIlwaine, and Reddick to name three proved useful in this game, steadying play when required but always looking to provide a decent ball to Murrells and Harrington who was playing with more confidence now, forcing Mustoe to save once again with a low shot.
Murphy for White Notley FC was replaced by the experienced Bryant but West Bergholt FC looked to extend their lead with Webb forcing a decent save by the feet of Mustoe with Corr clearing the follow up shot from Harrington, six yards out. A free-kick by Yeo was punched clear through a crowd of players by Bethell and West Bergholt FC took the opportunity to replace Murrells with Springett. Corr set the home team moving again down the right side finding Dawes, then Bryant only for White to haul the player down and earn the first and only caution of the game. Again the curling free-kick from Yeo was punched clear by Bethell and before the throw-in Steadman was replaced by Codd whilst Gildea was replaced by Davison for the visitors. Gibson received a blow to the face in an aerial duel with Bryant but West Bergholt FC managed to hold on to their lead for a first victory of the season.
FULL TIME: 1 – 2
It’s too early to predict the outcome of this new season, West Bergholt FC have started with a hard fought victory as White Notley FC gave them a run for their money and could easily have earned a draw if they had taken their chances. Both teams had new players on show, the hosts have youth on their side and will give many clubs something to think about as the season unfolds whereas the visitors, as champions, will have every team trying to beat them this year, only time will tell.
This week my Man-of-the Match selection goes to Jack Harrington of West Bergholt FC, plenty of valid aggression and un-selfish play throughout giving the home defence no time to dwell on the ball, plus by scoring the opening goal this should give him confidence for the future.
Teams:
White Notley FC: Colours: Amber Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks
Daniel Mustoe., Daniel Corr., Jack Mortar., Jonathan Read (C)., Matthew Mayes., Dylan Murphy., Stacey Dawes., Fillip Kottas., Mitchell Yeo., Robbie Beckwith-Addison., Daniel Steadman.
Manager: Justin (Jack) Daniels.
Used Substitutes: Greg Bryant., Reece Codd.
Unused Substitutes: Tom Griffiths., Alex Harrington., Scott Hiskey.
West Bergholt FC: Colours: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks
Luke Bethell., Michael McLachlan., Marcus Farthing., Anthony White (C)., Gareth Gibson., Stuart Reddick., Kieran Webb., Jack Harrington., Johnny Murrels., Gary McIlwaine.
Assistant Manager: James McIntyre.
Used Substitutes: Connor Davison., Ryan Carvey., Liam Springett.
Unused Substitutes: Mark Farthing.
Referee: Martin Avent (Tiptree).
Man of the Match: Jack HARRINGTON (WEST BERGHOLT FC)
About Post Author
