19/04/2025 – REPORT – Prettygate AFC versus The Rodings FC
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION TWO.
PRETTYGATE AFC. 2. THE RODINGS FC. 2.
Date: Saturday 19th April 2025.
Venue: Shrub End Recreation Ground, Boudicea Way, Colchester.
As the season draws to a close, the number of games is diminishing but there are still many crucial games to be played, Division Two, is one of those divisions where five teams are contenders for honours, Tavern FC sit top with points in the bag, with two matches remaining, in fourth place sit Earls Colne FC Reserves who have seven home games remaining. Today, second placed The Rodings FC were visiting third placed Prettygate AFC, the match was due to be played on the 3G pitch at Shrub End but some overnight vandalism had damaged one of the goals, the Colchester United FC steward left the decision to play to the Match Official and myself as a League Official, no chances were taken and the match was played on one of the outside grass pitches.
On a bright but chilly afternoon and on a rock-hard pitch, the official for this match was Matthew Jarvis, ESBFL, Referees Appointment Secretary, who was ably supported by Club Assistants from both teams.
Both Managers rued the loss of regular players, all for a variety of reasons, Easter being the main issue but on paper, both teams had strength and depth to compete, Prettygate were to kick off against a stiff breeze. Newcombe chased down a high punted ball, keeper, Johnson (L) was late getting to the ball as it approached the edge of his penalty area and defender Watson got between the two players to clear the ball out of defence. Keeper Johnson (L) then took a low driven cross in front of the right hand upright, this was from Falco, then a free kick, taken by Cook (C), was fumbled by keeper, Johnson (L) with Dickson lashing the bouncing ball over the cross bar, a good start from the home team. The Rodings adapted and through Johnson (R), they set up a shot for Archer which keeper, Tollhurst saved, Rosewall, then found his running feet and left Lamb standing, the defender did get back to concede a corner. A poor clearance from keeper, Tollhurst, fell to Johnson (K) who passed to Johnson (R) who moved the ball on to Armitage but Lamb blocked any further movement, conceding a corner, Gibson took the corner, left-footed but it was cleared from the near post for throw in taken by Watson, also cleared whereupon Curran showed some good footwork to ghost past Cook (C).
The game was not pretty, as a spectacle, the hard pitch and strong breeze made ball control difficult, hopeful long balls went out of play for throw-ins or goal kicks, tackles remained competitive though, but we did see a goal on seventeen minutes. Johnson (R) broke down the right side, getting past Cook (D), his pass out to Rosewall which allowed the wide player to push forward and from his pass inside Johnson (R), stroked the ball goalwards, keeper, Tollhurst, who failed to gather the ball and RYAN JOHNSON made no mistake on his second attempt from a closer range, his first goal in eight games. Rosewall used his pace to get the better of Cook (D), this from the halfway line to set up Gibson whose weak effort bobbled to keeper, Tollhurst. Prettygate had now woken up Cook (C), was instigator as per usual, from his free kick, Newcombe rose to head the ball against the base of the near post, which had been covered by keeper, Johnson (L), a close chance from the home team. Rosewall again tormented Cook (D) but James covered the exposed left flank of the home team, on twenty-seven minutes, Rosewall was at it again, this time Cook (D) made a timely tackle but the ball fell to goal-scorer, Johnson (R) whose left footed cross through the home defence should have been cleared away but the unmarked EDWARD ARMITAGE stole in at the far post to nudge the ball past exposed keeper, Tollhurst, the visitors were clearly delighted by this new score-line.
A long throw-in from Dickson, forced keeper, Johnson (L) to palm the ball away under pressure from Newcombe, with Watson belting the ball into touch, The Rodings broke forward again, the Prettygate defence was making errors and from one, Rosewall set up Armitage but was foiled by keeper, Tollhurst who made consecutive saves. Newcombe had the ball in the net for Prettygate but was well offside from the pass from Cook (C), he denied it of course, but it was so obvious however it was a warning to The Rodings that his pace could be difficult to handle as the game wore on. A good midfield battle was going on between Cook (C) and Johnson (K), both had good support around them, The Rodings held the two-goal advantage, but Prettygate were still in this match. Cook (C) sprayed the ball wide to Newcombe whose hard and low driven cross a wide position was held on the ground at the near post by keeper, Johnson (L), a good take by the keeper given he was surrounded by players from both teams. On thirty-seven minutes, Prettygate scored, Cherry, down the right side, picked out MATTHEW NEWCOMBE who hit a fine driven shot across the face of the goal and into the back of the net, that’s game on now! Lam fouled Johnson (K), Monk (A) took the free kick finding Gibson but defender Lamb read the flight of the ball well to clear, then when Cook (C) set up Boyce, there was defender, Watson to clear towards Row Z, no messing there, a corner followed, taken by Cook (C) but headed clear right on half-time by Johnson (K).
HALF-TIME: 1 – 2.
As expected, Prettygate gave Cook (D) a rest with Rashid taking his place and they shuffled their defence to accommodate the midfielder, a long throw-in from Dickson was headed out for a corner by Johnson (K), Cook (C) took the corner but Cherry could only glance the ball wide at the near post. Lam had a run against Johnson (K), the midfielder coming out on top, a throw-in from Armitage was headed on by Newcombe, back helping his defence and the same player cleared the next corner from the head of Watson. A corner taken by Cherry was destined for the head of Newcombe but keeper, Jonson (L) was out to catch amongst a group of players from both teams. Play had become scrappy again, long high balls were of no use, both teams were winning the respective aerial duals, the ball had to stay on the ground, Archer defended well against Newcombe who was, a constant threat.
On fifty-eight minutes, Curran was replaced by Monk (S), James played the ball long to Newcombe but after gathering the ball, keeper, Johnson (L) was guilty of a poor clearance which Prettygate failed to capitalise on as Watson blocked the ensuing attack. Two minutes later, Prettygate made a double change, off went James and Cook (C) with Saunders and Madikazi going on, two minutes later and The Rodings also made a change removing Gibson for Gold. Home keeper, Tollhurst made a fine catch to a high swirling ball forward from Archer, and when the ball went out of play, The Roding changed Archer for Bibb, which probably prompted Prettygate to make their fourth and final change with Beedon replacing Cherry. Lam picked up a caution for a foul on Johnson (R), and as his team were getting desperate, Madikazi also saw yellow for a foul on Armitage.
With fifteen minutes remaining it was a case of could The Rodings keep up their defensive game or could Prettygate get a late goal for a share of the points! As usual, midfielder, Johnson (K) was in the thick of proceedings committing a foul inside the centre-circle, Monk (A) once again clearing his lines, then Armitage fouled Madikazi, the free kick was defended and the ball thrashed way up field where defender Lamb swept up to play the ball forward, Monk (A) fouled Lam, just outside the penalty area, Lamb took the free kick but floated the ball over the defensive wall and the goal for a goal kick. With five minutes remaining Johnson (R) had a clear sight of the goal, his shot was good, the save by keeper, Tollhurst was equally as good and in the scramble to clear the ball Armitage was fouled by Falco, just outside the penalty area. Watson put in a fine challenge on Newcombe, a good battle that had been, keeper, Johnson (L) was quickly out to gather a forward pass, launching the ball long to Rosewall, who had been quite this half, Johnson (R) took up the ball, but Madikazi was back to defend. As the game moved into time added on, a foul by Monk (A) on Lam, led to a penalty being awarded, it was a clear penalty decision, no arguments and once BRANDON LAM had got back to his feet he sent the ball into the net for the equaliser, honours even then.
FULL TIME: 2 – 2.
This was a cagey, Division Two match, the teams sat and continue to be in second and third places in what is a competitive division, where leaders, Tavern have the points but fourth placed, Earls Colne Reserves have numerous games in hand, some against teams in that group, so this division may not be decided until the end of the season. To me, a draw was the fair result, The Rodings weathered the early pressure scoring twice before Prettygate hit back with a goal just on half-time, the second half was a gritty affair but a poor and late challenge in added time allowed Prettygate to get a share of the points from the penalty spot.
Turning to my Star Player, for Prettygate, Lamb and James played well in central defence, Cook (C), continues to be influential if given time on the ball, up front, Newcombe was a handful but was contained well except for when he scored his team’s first goal. Turning to The Rodings, in midfield Johnson (K) led by example, totally committed, never shirking a challenge a trait which rubs off his team-mates. Up front the pace of Rosewall caused concern more in the first half and with Johnson (R) a willing runner who holds the ball up well, supported by Armitage, they threatened constantly in this game, defensively they gave little away where Monk (A) and particularly Watson, who missed nothing and stood up to the robust challenge of Newcombe throughout.
Teams:
PRETTYGATE AFC
Colours: Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Team:
Josh Tollhurst., Elliott Lamb., Dean Cook., Sean James., Matthew Boyce (C)., Louie Falco., Charley Cook., Brandon Lam., Elliot Cherry., Matthew Newcombe., Taylor Dickson.
Manager: Bret Woodward.
Used Substitutes: Hayden Saunders., Mendi Rashid., Frankie Beedon., Cebo Madikazi.
THE RODINGS FC.
Colours: Orange Shirts, Orange Shorts and Orange Socks.
Team:
Luke Johnson., Curtis Elliott., Alfie Monk., James Watson., Lewis Curran., Frank Archer., Kyle Johnson (C)., Edward Armitage., Jamie Rosewall., Cameron Gibson., Ryan Johnson.
Manager: Richard James.
Assistant Manager: Gary Johnson.
Used Substitutes: Ryan Gold., Sam Monk., Jamie Bibb.
Unused Substitutes: Jamie Mclaughlin., Dan Blackburn.
Referee: Matthew Jarvis.
STAR PLAYER: James WATSON (THE RODINGS FC)
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