18/05/2024 – REPORT – KNOCK-OUT CUP RESULT – Thorpe Athletic FC (2) – Stanway Rovers Community FC U23’s (1)

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

KNOCK-OUT CUP FINAL

THORPE ATHLETIC FC.  2.       STANWAY ROVERS COMMUNITY FC U23’s           1.

Date:   Saturday 18^th May 2024.                   Venue: Holland FC, Dulwich Road, Holland-on-sea.

            The delayed “Knock-Out Cup” final was played last Saturday at the home of Thurlow Nunn, Division One North, Holland FC and a fine, warm afternoon welcomed a large crowd, in excess, of two-hundred and fifty, hopefully they all went home after watching a very competitive match between Division One Champions and Essex Junior Cup winners, Thorpe Athletic FC and Premier Division, Stanway Rovers Community FC U23’s. The ESBFL would like to thank Mark Sorrell, Chairman of Holland FC for allowing the use of the fine facilities now provided by this progressive Club, the same applies to the staff on duty on Saturday, they were clearly kept busy.

The appointed referee for this match, was Stephen Vieira and he would be aided by Assistant Referees, Tony Vaughan and Dan Goodman, the latter a new referee in the competition this season, with Adrian Arnot, (one “t”) acting as the Fourth Official.

            Stanway Rovers kicked-off, Hunt fouled Ketley-Gregan on the half-way line, Higgleton took the free kick, but it was played too long, and a throw-in followed, from which a mis-timed tackle from midfielder, Harms, led to an early stoppage as Tansley needed treatment, Harms was spoken too though, perhaps lucky to avoid a caution. The ball was being played high in the air for the early exchanges, both teams had tall players in various positions and their heads would surely be the target aimed at as the match progressed. Having weathered the early Stanway Rovers pressure, Thorpe Athletic pushed forward, Barnard found Thompson, whose low shot was saved by keeper, Lines, but Gray (M) was foiled by defender Partner, when he tried to wriggle through inside the penalty area, a goal-kick followed. From a Stanway Rovers corner, Lewis headed goalwards, a scramble ensued, but Humpries and Lamb eventually got the loose ball away for another corner, safely cleared this time. Hale linked up with Bramhall who found Gray (M), he went to ground, but it was good tackle from Higgleton, who conceded a throw-in. This game was already warming up, both teams attacking whenever space was found, Hunt passed to Barnard who shot side, Ketley-Gregan was winning all aerial balls and he impressed from an early stage, using that height to good effect. On eleven minutes, Harms and Tansley clashed again, not sure what, actually happened, but after lengthy treatment, Tansley was forced off the pitch with a cut above the eye and Gee took his pace, we wish the player well as it looked like stiches might be required. From the re-start, Lewis threatened but central defender Lamb, adopted a no-nonsense approach, smashing the ball over the fence onto the Eastcliff ground, with Hale fouled by Partner as the corner was taken.

When Shuttlewood, robbed Wyatt of the ball, his pass forward fell to Thompson and from his fine cross, Gray (M), hit the ball, first-time forcing a fine save from keeper, Lines. From a long free kick taken by keeper, Lines, Lewis gave chase down the right side, Lamb conceded a corner, another followed from the other side as Stanway Rovers pressed forward. When Morton set up Ketley-Gregan, keeper, Evenett made a good save and followed that up minutes later blocking the ball in a goalmouth scramble and two more blocks were seen as Thorpe Athletic failed to clear their lines. Morton did manage to get round Hale, the ball fell to Lewis whose shot on the turn hit the side netting and after fifteen minutes this game was living up to expectations, fast, furious, good footballing moves, and nothing given in any tackles thus far. Ketley-Gregan, for such a tall player, also showed good skill, when the ball was at his feet, he set up Lewis who was thwarted by keeper, Evenett, in a one-on-one attack, when the ball ran loose, Gray (J) followed up, but Humphries was on hand to clear as the ball flew goalwards, great defending. Ketley-Gregan blasted a rising shot well over the cross bar, this from twenty-five yards, then a free kick taken by Higgleton was cleared away by Lamb who rose higher than Lewis. When Thorpe Athletic mounted a flowing move, keeper, Evenett cleared to Gray (M) who took on Wyatt, as the ball came back, Bramhall was impeded, play was allowed to continue but eventually brought back to a central position outside the penalty area, Barnard, took the free kick but cleared the goal and the fencing behind.

            So no goals after thirty minutes, there had been chances but defences were holding firm, Stanway Rovers pressed through Moore, Humpries sent the ball out for a throw-in, Thorpe Athletic defending well, Shuttlewood getting the ball forward to Gray (M) who held the ball up well, until Bramhall joined him, Bramhall beat a defender before passing inside to Gray (M) whose shots were blocked and play reverted to the other end. Lewis chased the long ball, Humphries matched the pace and put the ball out for a corner, taken by Taylor, keeper, Evenett, failed to get good contact on the ball and it bounced free to THOMAS LEWIS who headed home inside a crowded six-yard box, on the balance of play, that goal felt right, others may differ, of course! Humphries fouled Lewis, wide on the left side, to earn the first caution of the match, Morton took the free kick, Ketley-Gregan rose high but headed straight to keeper, Evenett. Thompson dived into a challenge on Taylor, for caution number two, is this frustration showing already, Gray (M) once again, got his head down and tried to wriggle through the Stanway Rovers defensive line and it took both Wyatt and Higgleton to stop his advance. Gray (J) fouled Gray (M), it looked a bit soft, but the referee was much closer than me, in the back of the stand, Barnard, lined up the free kick but blasted the ball over the goal and beyond, perhaps still getting his sight line set-up. As the half came to an end keeper, Evenett, threw the ball out to Lamb, then on to Hale whose over-lapping run saw him pass everyone except Partner who had recovered well to clear the ball with his own keeper, Lines, beaten.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 1.

            Thorpe Athletic re-started this match, Stanway Rovers had made one change bringing on Miller for Wyatt, they forced an early corner, Gray (M) was caught off-side and Thorpe Athletic rebuilt their attack down the left side, Gray (M) had the ball at his feet, a quick turn and Gray (J) fell to the ground holding his head, the referee stopped the game for that “head injury”, only for Gray (J) to get up and smile to the large crowd assembled along the touch-line, unfortunately for him, feigning an injury is punishable and the referee showed Gray (J) a yellow card. Thorpe Athletic, having conceded that possession in a positive area had to re-group and true to their, never-give-up season, they got the ball down the left side, Shuttlewood, hammered a driven cross that eluded everyone except OLIVER HALE who came running in at the far post to head home the equaliser, a fine goal, and a deserved riposte for the earlier incident! When Lewis got into his stride running with the ball, Hunt, scythed him down twenty-five yards from goal, another caution followed, the free kick taken by Taylor hit the defensive wall and a corner followed.

            We had now reached the hour mark, honours even and no sign of a winner yet, Stanway Rovers replaced Partner with Byron, and Thorpe Athletic sent on McAndrews for Harms, Lewis, a constant threat fired over the crossbar and showed his frustration, Gee fouled McAndrews, who took the free kick, but direct to keeper, Lines. Just to show the determination of Thorpe Athletic, Gray (M) ran back sixty yards to push Gray (J) in the back, conceding a free kick, but stopping play, retribution perhaps, Moore struck the free kick well wide. Higgleton fouled Gray (M), Bramhall went down with cramp, hardly surprising given the warm weather and the pace of this match. A free kick taken by Shuttlewood was palmed away by keeper, Lines and as Stanway Rovers attacked, Moore sent in a high curling effort that just cleared the far post, with keeper, Evenett, watching closely. McAndrews was already making an impact, his free kicks were clever, his long throw-ins were a different weapon to defend against and when given space he thumped a rising shot against the crossbar, then his persistence against Higgleton saw the ball reach Gray (M) who dragged his shot side.

            With fifteen minutes remaining, Thorpe Athletic had raised their game, sensing victory perhaps, they pushed forward, Shuttlewood found Thompson but having received the ball, Bramhall could not put any power into his shot which keeper, Lines held comfortably. Another dribble forward by McAndrews led to the ball reaching Gray (M) whose shot was deflected over the crossbar by Higgleton. On eighty-two minutes, Stanway Rovers replaced Moore with Newland and Thorpe Athletic took off Bramhall with Castle taking his place. A free kick taken by Bramhall was too low and was cleared by Lewis, back helping out his defence, the minutes were ticking away, and the dreaded penalty shoot-out loomed when the referee indicated four minutes of added time remained. Gray (M) set up McAndrews whose effort was cleared but LUKE BARNARD strode forward onto the loose ball and hit a goal bound effort, destined for the bottom far right corner of the goal, that was until an unlucky Stanway Rovers player got in the way and the ball took a totally different direction to flash into the goal, what a finish! From the restart Stanway Rovers pushed forward, Thorpe Athletic keeper, Evenett, had to be brave against Gray (J) who flattened the keeper and from the re-start the final whistle blew queuing jubilant scenes from the Thorpe Athletic contingent,

FULL TIME:     2 – 1.

            On the balance of play, if this had been a league game, a draw would have been about right, Stanway Rovers shaded the first half and Thorpe Athletic did likewise for the second, both teams should be commended on the effort put into this cup final, it was certainly better than last seasons, it’s a shame someone had to lose!

            League Chairman, John Campany assisted by League Secretary, Alison Stanford handed out mementoes to the four Match Officials, followed by the losing team, Stanway Rovers Community FC U23’s and finally the winners, Thorpe Athletic FC, who celebrated in the style that is now synonymous with cup wins, their, third this season.

            Now, let’s turn to my “Star Players”, usually for Cup Finals I chose a player from each team, to be honest, every player deserves a mention, there were individual battles all over the pitch but for me I’m going for defender, Oliver Lamb for Thorpe Athletic who kept a tight rein on goal-scorer Thomas Lewis of Stanway Rovers.

Teams:

THORPE ATHLETIC FC:         

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

Team:

George Evenett., Oliver Hale., James Shuttlewood (C)., Scott Humphries., Oliver Lamb., Kalon Harms., Luke Barnard., Brandon Hunt., Matthew Gray., Samuel Thompson., Lyndon Bramhall.

Manager:                      Steven Davis.

Assistant Manager:       Nathaniel Spencer.

Used Substitutes:          Taylor McAndrews., Harry Castle., Sam Foley.

Unused Substitutes:      Alex Hayes., Jamie Fuller.

STANWAY ROVER SCOMMUNITY FC U23’s:

Colours:                        Yellow Shirts, Black Shorts and Yellow Socks.

Team:

Jack Lines., Luke Wyatt., Robert Taylor., Jack Higgleton., Alfie partner., Dylan Ketley-Gregan., Laurence Moore., Josh Gray (C)., Thomas Lewis., Harry Morton., Keane Tansley.

Manager:                      Glenn Cowan.

Used Substitutes:          Tom Newland., George Byron., Tyrese Miller., Dylan Gee.

Unused Substitutes:      Connor Seymour.

Referee:                       Stepehen Vieira.

Assistant Referees:       Tony Vaughan & Dan Goodman.

4^th Official:                    Adrian Arnot.

Star Player:                Oliver LAMB                           (THORPE ATHLETIC FC)

                                    Thomas LEWIS                      (STANWAY ROVERS COMMUNITY FC U23’s)