19/09/2015 – Lawford Lads FC versus Holland FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION

 

LAWFORD LADS FC:       0.                 HOLLAND FC:                 3.

 

Date:   Saturday 19^th September 2015.                   Venue: School Lane, Lawford.

 

Another bright sunny afternoon welcomed the players, officials and spectators to yet another well prepared venue, this time at School Lane, Lawford. Last season, this was the only Premier Division venue I had failed to get too, with the home team having a particularly painful season, however, when the management duo of Malcolme Price and Nic Alston left Alresford Colne Rangers they accepted a new challenge with several players following with them to Lawford Lads FC. On the other hand their visitors today, Holland FC had strengthened their management team with the addition of Glenn Cowan and John Abbott as they make another push for higher standard football.

 

Both teams had players absent for any number of reasons but I did expect the visitors to prevail against the more inexperienced home players, some of whom have yet to acclimatise to Premier Division football.

 

The Match Official for this game was Stuart Gillman and he would be assisted by Eric Bowers and Gemma Gardiner, once again the match official led the teams out and lined them up across the pitch for the “Respect” handshake however, I fail to understand why players still comment about why they have to do this as if the professionals do it then why should they not do likewise, and this league has insisted it happens as well!

 

Holland kicked off and kept possession in what was a slow start with Parish getting a long ball forward for Martin (J) to chase but keeper Hopkins was out to the edge of his penalty area to collect. An early player contest commenced as early as the fourth minute when Drysdale tackled Thorne from behind to concede a free-kick and a reaction, mid-way in the Lawford half. With the ball cleared up-field Lawford won a throw-in off Bolton with Gallifant sending in a long throw towards the penalty spot where Martin (J) cleared to Goldsworthy and from his long flighted ball Thorne was inches wide with a low shot. Drysdale was then pulled up for what seemed like a push in the back of Thorne but from our side of the pitch there was no apparent contact however the attempted back-header could perhaps have been interpreted differently! Tarling had been set the task of keeping the normally lively Eaton in check and when his clearance hit Eaton the ball bounced across the penalty area towards Woods who was beaten to the ball by Thorne whose low shot forced Hopkins into a fine diving save. With ten minutes gone Holland clearly had the upper hand passing the ball around confidently to win the first corner of the game when Bolton and Eaton combined to force Tarling to concede. The corner-kick was taken by Thorne with Drysdale heading clear from inside the six-yard box but Poole picked up possession only to strike the ball way over the cross-bar.

When Eaton and Poole swapped wings it was Eaton who forced Hopkins to save with his feet from a left footed shot and once again the curling corner-kick from Thorne caused problems inside the six-yard box with the unmarked McInnes heading wide from just a few yards out and really Holland should be ahead. Woods conceded a corner under pressure from Eaton and another teasing cross from Thorne was hastily cleared up-field where Sorrell had stayed back to defend and Lawford broke forward through Wood. Gallifant sent in another long throw towards Kiwomya but Oldhampstead kept calm to clear the ball forward. With twenty minutes elapsed Holland were content to play the ball out down both flanks where Poole and Eaton could use their pace and work the ball into Thorne or Martin (J) or any supporting player who had ventured forward. Respective skippers Price (C) and Martin (J) renewed acquaintances with a heavy collision on the half-way line with the visiting bench unhappy about the challenge with the free-kick going to Holland.

Just after the mid-half point Thorne needlessly fouled Martin (S) to earn a stern lecture from the match official for the foul and dissent with skipper Martin (J) in attendance. Woods for Lawford pushed the ball forward to Hawkins who got the better of Oldhampstead but despite lobbing the keeper ball the ball flew over the cross-bar as well, the first decent chance from the home team. This attack had raised the spirits of the home team and they were competing better and creating chances but would need to be careful when pushing up-field and being exposed at the back. Another chance beckoned when Tarling got forward to send a low cross into the penalty area where Hawkins scuffed the ball just wide of the far post and the game had momentarily opened up as at the other end Eaton lobbed the ball over the cross-bar. Goldsworthy, playing just in front of his central defenders then sent Thorne through but keeper Hopkins was equal to the shot making a fine save low down to his right hand side.

Sorrell was the creator of the first goal, sending a long cross from the right wing to the far side of the six yard box and with the Lawford defence failing to react Poole gave chase playing a low near post pass to STEVEN OLDHAMPSTEAD who nudged the ball home from close range. Thorne and Drysdale renewed their individual battle with Thorne cautioned for the foul and Martin (S) was similarly and rightly cautioned for a poor challenge on Poole, twenty yards out. Thorne struck the resulting free-kick against the defensive wall and when the ball flew wide to the right hand side, Oldhampstead gave chase and crossed into the six-yard box where BRUCE POOLE rose to head the second Holland goal. As we approached half-time a superbly struck cross-field ball from Goldsworthy found Thorne charging in from the right wing and he connected with the ball on the volley but placed the ball too high to trouble the keeper. Lawford had one more chance Tarling got forward to win then take a free-kick that Kiwomya just failed to connect with, allowing Oldhampstead to head back to his keeper, Ball.

 

HALF-TIME:       0 – 2

 

Lawford were forced into a half-time player change as with Hawkins unable to continue Manager, Price (M) entered the game, I won’t mention his age but as the saying goes, at least he had a go, with plenty of enthusiasm which later cost him a caution. Holland were quick to get possession and forced the home team back with Hopkins clearing to Martin (S) who played a long ball down-field towards Price (M) who allowed the ball to bounce before striking an excellent lob goalwards and with keeper Ball back-pedalling the home supporters were willing the ball to find the net but Ball just got enough of his hand on the ball to tip it over the cross-bar. Ten minutes into the second half and Poole raced down the right wing to get a corner off Woods and when Lawford cleared the danger Wood and Cook set Tarling away to find Price (C) but from the next pass the move broke down, but again much better from the home team.

Just before the hour mark another long ball from Goldsworthy picked out the run of Poole and from his cross a great header from Eaton was stopped by an excellent save by Hopkins at the expense of a corner but the keeper was beaten from the ensuing corner taken low by Thorne, missed by numerous players, until it reached JOE MARTIN standing almost on the goal-line. Holland went in search of more goals with Goldsworthy again trying to find Poole with Hopkins plucking the ball out of the air with Holland making a double substitution sending on Cowler and Thorogood for Bolton and McInnes respectively, with Cowler striking a fine cross upon his first touch of the ball with Thorne volleying wide as he ran in from the left wing. When Eaton tried to skip between Price (C) and Drysdale a free-kick was awarded with Price (C) eventually cautioned after Price (M) had also remonstrated with the referee. On seventy minutes we witnessed a controversial incident, Kiwomya dived into a rash challenge on Parrish way over on the far touch-line, but right in front of the Assistant Referee, and in the ensuing melee both players ended up in a heap on the ground with numerous others trying to unlock the players. When calm was eventually restored the match official spoke at length with both players before issuing red cards to both players, with many spectators on my side of the pitch saying it should have been a yellow card apiece but how can seemingly violent conduct be condoned by anything less than a dismissal!

When the football restarted Thorne raced through to charge down two attempted clearances but having got to the loose ball he lobbed it wide of the goal with Hopkins stranded. More good approach work from Holland saw Sorrell force keeper Hopkins into another fine save, this time at full stretch as his team looked to increase their goal difference. Unfortunately, Cowler then earned a caution for kicking the ball away, I’m sorry but the old excuse of not hearing the whistle has been well used historically and was never going to influence the match official. Another decent run and cross from Poole saw the ball hit the outside of the left hand upright and when Thorne set up Eaton he lobbed wide just like his colleagues earlier in the match. Tarling committed the last foul of this game, this time Poole was the recipient but when the free-kick from Thorne cleared the defensive wall, keeper Hopkins tipped the ball over the cross-bar.

 

FULL TIME:        0 – 3

 

Not a classic encounter by any means, five cautions and two dismissals, so plenty of talking points depending on which side you supported, however, in my opinion, the referee, by applying the rules of the game did nothing wrong. Unbeaten Holland FC stay fourth in the league whilst Lawford Lads FC stay in tenth position which is far better than at the same time last season, their mix of experience and youth should see them improve as the season unfolds but their new management team which includes Gavin Mills are clearly relishing the task.

 

For my weekly Man of the Match several players proved influential, Drysdale and Martin (S) for Lawford Lads FC worked tirelessly in defence with their keeper Hopkins making several fine saves whereas for Holland Goldsworthy and Sorrell worked tirelessly in midfield, Thorne and Poole always looked dangerous when on the ball but my pick this week is Steven Oldhampstead, solid in defence, he used the ball well, laying on one goal with a cross whilst scoring one himself.

 

Teams:

 

LAWFORD LADS FC:                                           Colours: Blue & White Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks

Kieran Hopkins., Darren Tarling., Wayne Woods., Sam Drysdale., Scott Martin., Ben Gallifant., Jourdan Kiwomya., Christopher Price (C)., Joe Hawkins., Charley Cook., Jack Wood.

 

Manager:                        Malcolme Price.

Assistant Manager:           Nic Alston and Gavin Mills.

Used Substitutes:             Malcolme Price.

Unused Substitutes:         Daniel Price., MacCorley Watson.

 

HOLLAND FC                                                     Colours: Orange Shirts, White Shorts and Orange Socks

Alex Ball., Frankie Parish., James Bolton., Neil Goldsworthy., Steven Oldhampstead., Alistair McInnes., Keelan Sorrell., Joe Martin (C)., Steven Eaton., Robert Thorne., Bruce Poole.

 

Manager:                        Robert Batten

Assistant Managers:          Glenn Cowan and John Abbott.

Used Substitutes:             Harvey Cowler., Ross Thorogood.

Unused Substitutes:         Kenny Aldridge., Dave Chapman.

 

 

Referee:                        Stuart Gillman                 (Wivenhoe)

Eric Bowers                    (Lawford)

M/s Gemma Gardiner        (Clacton-on-sea)

 

 

Man of the Match:          Steven OLDHAMPSTEAD                            (HOLLAND FC)