18/03/2023 – REPORT – Boxted Lodgers FC versus Hedinghams United FC

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION TWO

BOXTED LODGERS FC.   1.       HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC.               0.

Date:               Saturday 18^th March 2023                 Venue:             Cage Lane, Boxted.

            Despite the bad weather last week, twenty matches went ahead on Saturday, one venue where matches are rarely called off is Cage Lane, Boxted, home of “The Lodgers” who sat third in the table, today’s opponents were fifth placed Hedinghams United FC, both teams are having better seasons than of late, so I expected a close game.

            On a mild afternoon, with a threat of a shower later, the pitch, which looked good, was however soft, so would definitely take a stud, the referee was Carl Pearce, who probably thinks I’m now following him each Saturday, as he refereed that last match I watched!

            Boxted kicked-off, and applied early pressure to the visitors defence, Lewis (I) and Tunn looked sharp up-front, but Taylor shielded the ball out for a goal-kick, Taylor then committed the first foul of the match when he felled, Smith, the free-kick was taken by Cursons, but caused no problem this time. Hedinghams also started to push forward, prompted by Loe and Pullinger but the first goal-scoring chance came very early on, Tunn ran through onto a high pass from Cursons, defender Churchman missed the bounce of the ball, Tunn ran on the head the ball over Knock, the advancing keeper, but with the ball still in the air, Tunn opted to take a gamble and only managed to loft the ball over an empty net, from only a few yards out, a big miss for the youngster. A poor clearance out by the Boxted defence was snapped up by Pullinger, his pass found Loe who was dumped on the turf by Hayter, who acknowledged his clumsy misdemeanour, Loe took the free-kick, but Holland used his height to head clear.

            Summers went in too hard on De’ath down the left side, a cursory word from the referee saw play restart with Hayter clearing, but only to De’ath who was fouled by Loe, there was no real pattern at this time, numerous long or high balls but nobody to chase or control, there is a long time to go though, that said, the home team had been the more positive team going forward with just that one chance. Churchman showed some good dribbling inside the home penalty area, when getting out of a tight spot, but at the same time almost making a chance for his team. On twenty-five minutes Boxted broke forward, Lewis (I) was not offside but Tunn, through the middle was, as both chased the forward ball, a few comments were aimed at the Club Assistant Referee with the referee explaining the case for his defence. The better creativity came from Lewis (I) and Tunn supported by Black on the left side they just needed a definite chance, the Hedinghams defence had been pretty sound so far with Taylor and Churchman supported by Pullinger playing just in front of the back four. On thirty minutes the match was stopped for a clash of heads between Hedingham players, Lewis (J) and Archer, the resulting drop ball was played back to keeper, Panton, by Loe, a rare touch for the custodian. Cursons dived into a scissor tackle on Archer, this was from behind, and once the player had recovered Cursons, despite protesting his innocence, was cautioned, some might have considered it closer to a red card!

            A break involving Archer was stopped by Holland who got across to cover his defence and from the next attack down the Boxted, right side, Lewis (I) galloped away to send in a low driven cross that keeper, Knock gathered low down on the six-yard line with Tunn looking to capitalise on any error. The second and last caution of the match saw Summers put in an over zealous tackle on Stevens wide on the right side, bit silly really as the defender was going nowhere and the player already been warned! A free-kick taken by Black was cleared out to Lewis (I) whose low cross was again cleared by Taylor, as the play moved to the other end Lewis (I) and Summers challenged for the loose ball. The unfortunate Summers was stricken with an injury, it was reported that his knee joint popped out, then popped back in straight away, leading to Summers being replaced by Webb on forty minutes. Boxted kept up their attacks, keeper, Knock was forced to fly kick, a loose ball away when Holland challenged inside the penalty area and as the pressure mounted, Pullinger was adjudged to have handled the high bouncing ball when pressurised by Tunn. Cursons lined up the free-kick, a great effort that saw the ball curl over the defensive wall only to crash against the cross-bar and go out of play for a goal kick. The half ended after fifty minutes, the additional minutes caused by three injury incidents, with Taylor heading a long ball from Hayter, out for a corner. Hedinghams keeper, Knock, had been the busier of the two with two saves whilst Panton had been a virtual spectator.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 0.

            Hedinghams re-started the match, their main outlets on the pitch had been via Pullinger and Loe, two Club stalwarts with defender Taylor playing his part as well. Cursons and Smith linked up to provide Lewis (I) with a chance which he lashed straight at keeper, Knock, then Hayter sent Lewis (I) away and from his cross Heather just reached the ball with his head to divert it away from Tunn, running in from the left side. A corner, taken by Black created problems just outside the Hedinghams penalty area, so much so that Lewis (J) received a knock to his head and the game was once again stopped to assess the injury, once the game re-started with a drop-ball, Webb handled the ball inside the Boxted penalty area, in reality this game needs a goal to liven things up! Black, for Boxted, had been relatively quiet in the first half, plying his game down the left side when most of the home attacks started down the right side, however, his left footed crosses were dangerous and when keeper, Knock, fumbled one, there was Tunn to head goalwards, but the keeper reacted quickly to tip the ball over the crossbar. Loe dribbled forward on a decent foray forward but once his pass was played Durant had strayed off-side but again a number of niggly fouls had crept into this match, with Lewis (I) spoken too for being too outspoken about a decision against his team. Loe took the free-kick and Holland, again rose highest to head the ball out for a corner.

            Another free-kick taken by Low was cleared by De’ath who gained a throw-in at the other end, taken quickly by Stevens to Smith whose pass towards Tunn whose snap shot was gathered by keeper, Knock. On sixty-two minutes Boxted replaced Stevens with Sage, Lewis (J) went on a mazy dribble too threaten the home defence, but Holland made a last-ditch tackle to stop him, play moved immediately to the other end and Sage was clipped by Pullinger. The free-kick was just left of a central, two yards outside the penalty area, but definitely in Cursons territory judging by his first half strike from a free-kick, sure enough, Cursons sent a fine effort goalwards only for the dipping ball to once again strike the cross-bar. Hedinghams had improved this half with Webb central to their midfield action along with Loe, so when Webb found Lewis (J) his driven cross was headed against his own cross-bar by the wrong-footed, De’ath, with keeper, Panton beaten, to concede a corner. Black, not for the first time made good ground down the left side, skipping past Heather and from his excellent left-footed cross, Lewis (I) leant back but shafted the ball well wide, not his day, for sure!

            Hedinghams made a change on seventy minutes, forward Durant was replaced by Latimer, Black stole more ground against a retreating defence, again a fine left-footed cross was sent over, Sage challenged keeper, Knock, who flapped at the high ball with Green completing the clearance. Black crossed again for Lewis (I) but he missed the ball completely when diving in goalwards, then a long cross from Holland was headed out for a corner by Heather, taken by Black, left-footed, curling goalwards where keeper, Knock turned the ball away for another corner, this time Lewis (I) took the kick with Holland heading wide. On eighty minutes another change, for Hedinghams, Archer being replaced by Lee, Lewis (J) dribbled forward from a move started from defence by Pullinger, Kenny stepped in to stop that attack. Lewis (J) and Pullinger got the ball forward to Latimer who hit the ball with the outside of his right foot but just too high to rouble the keeper. From the goal kick taken by Holland, Boxted worked the ball forward and although the attack broke down it was not cleared effectively which led to the unfortunate Green impeding Hayter just on the line of the penalty area. The well-placed referee briefly considered the incident and awarded the spot kick, there were no arguments, decision accepted, the kick was despatched firmly by MARK KENNY. Hedinghams did try one more attempt at goal, through Lewis (J), but keeper Panton appeared to have the bouncing ball covered as he stumbled across his goal-line to cover the far post.

FULL TIME:     1 – 0.

            Not a classic match, too many niggly fouls and high or long balls from both teams, goal attempts were at a premium, defences held sway for most of the game, one keeper had no saves to make, the other routine saves and there were two excellent free-kicks that did strike the cross-bar. On the balance of play Boxted Lodgers FC maybe should have won by more goals but chances were not clear-cut, from early on, the game did have that, one-goal-will-win-it, scenario and that’s exactly what happened.

            Finally, turning to my “Star Player” choice, for Hedinghams United FC, Summers, until his injury and particularly Loe put in a decent shift, Pullinger and Webb steadied the midfield and Taylor, alongside Churchman worked hard in central defence. For Boxted Lodgers FC, Kenny marshalled his defence well and scored the all important penalty kick late in the game, Holland alongside him played a no-nonsense game, if in doubt, you know the rest! Through midfield, Cursons showed some neat touches, every free-kick would make a defence work, upfront Lewis (I) and Tunn, had chances but could not capitalise on the service from Black who provided the chances so he gets my vote this week.

Teams:

BOXTED ODGERS FC.

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

Team:

Chris Panton., Jack De’ath, Sam Holland., Mark Kenny (C)., Tom Hayter., William Cursons., Isaac Lewis., Joe Stevens., Lewis Smith., Elliott Black., Robbie Tunn.

Manager:                      Gareth Williams.

Assistant Manager:        Andrew Watson.

Used Substitutes:           Barry Sage.

Unused Substitute:         Liam Robert., Alan Watson., Gareth Williams.

HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC:   

Colours:                        Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

Aaron Knock., Ben Heather., Luke Green., Ashley Taylor., Barrie Pullinger., Ronnie Churchman., Harry Loe., Harry Summers., Joe Lewis., Keenan Durant., Thomas Archer.

Manager:                      Chis Cannon.

Used Substitutes:           Daniel Webb., Callum Latimer., Matthew Lee.

Unused Substitutes:       Oliver Little., Graham Cannon.

Referee:                        Carl Pearse.

Star Player:                Elliott BLACK                           (BOXTED LODGERS 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.