21/08/2019: REPORT – Tiptree Engaine FC versus Stanway Pegasus FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION.

TIPTREE ENGAINE FC: 4. STANWAY PEGASUS FC: 1.

Date: Wednesday 21^st August 2019. Venue: Thurstable School, Tiptree.

Another mid-week opportunity to watch Tiptree Engaine FC, in a match switched to the 3G pitch and floodlights at Thurstable School, Tiptree, I had seen them play and get beaten at Alresford Colne Rangers FC on Saturday but for this match it was also an opportunity to have a look at Stanway Pegasus FC a double promoted club from last season’s Division Two. Tiptree Engaine FC, made a number of, enforced changes from Saturday’s line-up whilst Stanway Pegasus FC have a similar look to last season with the addition of Blanchett, Dadds and Signed-On-Match-Day, Meyer, making a return to the ESBFL.

As expected, both teams had a large following on this pleasant evening and clearly, they expected a hard-fought encounter, there was bound to be plenty of controversy, in game officiated by Simon Lyons, who was assisted by Andre Siqueira and Daniel Payne, his first run-out as an Assistant Referee in the ESBFL, I trust he enjoys officiating football at this level.

The “Respect” handshake was held and with the floodlights on we were ready for kick-off by the home team, who immediately lost possession and Dillon set Blanchett away only for Prow to clear the over-run pass, Meyer fouled experienced campaigner Rymer who was then caught off-side when the free-kick taken by Prow came over. Both teams clearly felt they had something to prove and both adopted a fast and furious attacking approach which was equally met by some stubborn and determined defending. Rymer rattled the left hand up-right and Runicles (M) could not get his feet sorted to capitalise on the rebound and Clark smashed the ball up-field. On five minutes Prow conceded a corner under pressure from Blanchett whose corner found the head of Clark, but the ball flew straight at keeper, Colville on his goal-line. The game remained very open, plenty of effort from both teams, Dillon gained a corner off Johnson, but Hart headed the ball away from the corner taken by Blanchett. Stanway Pegasus FC held the upper hand but were perhaps guilty of playing the forward ball too long despite Dillon and Blanchett being prepared to chase forward. Hart climbed all over Dillon for a free-kick, Runicles (M) blocked a shot from Dillon then Johnson fouled Payne, both players running at pace, just outside the penalty area, then again inside. The referee called back play for a free-kick just on the edge of the penalty area much to the annoyance of the visitors contingent, unfortunately the free-kick taken left footed by Blanchett troubled no one, clearing the bar, the fence and beyond! With ten minutes elapsed Stanway Pegasus FC were still on top, Tiptree Engaine had to whether there numerous attacks, a long ball forward from keeper, Prested fell to Dillon who set up Blanchett who rifled the ball well wide.

Tiptree Engaine got an early second wind and started to play the ball around through mainly, Hart, just behind his midfield, same as on Saturday, one ball finding Marsh who jinxed past Davis to cross towards the goal where keeper, Prested who was quickly off his line to clutch the aerial ball. Another long ball from keeper, Prested followed, Blanchett tried to squirm his way between Johnson and Szmodics only to be fouled but no danger came from the free-kick. When Shaikley broke away with Johnson defending he did get in a telling cross which Meyer scuffed wide, best chance for some time. Runicles (M) sent in a fine cross towards Rymer, his header was firm and downwards but the ball bounced narrowly wide and on twenty-one minutes Dadds replaced Hearn, presumably for an injury, Collier tried a speculative shot from twenty-five yards but cleared the goal. Dillon, as probably expected, was clearly a marked player drawing, a number, of fouls, this time by Prow, the free-kick from Dalziel found the head of Clark but once again keeper, Colville was centrally placed to gather the ball. The home team took the lead, perhaps against the general run of play but goals are goal’s no matter how you have played, a break down the left side set Runicles (H) away, his cross fell to Marsh who laid the ball off to Rymer and from his cross JACK SZMODICS headed gleefully home at the near post. Stanway Pegasus set about redressing the balance on the scoreboard, Payne won a corner off Runicles (H) but the over-hit kick taken by Blanchett troubled the spectators on the far side rather than any player gathered in the penalty area. When Blanchett broke through his left footed shot across the goal was clutched out of the air by keeper, Colville, a player already inspired, Dillon had a goal attempt disallowed for off-side and the same player was caught off-side when he latched onto a cross from Meyer. At the other end Rymer rattled the cross-bar with a rising shot from outside the penalty area with keeper, Prested well beaten, and when Dillon just got the better of Johnson this following an excellent passing move from the back by the visitors, his rising shot was helped onto the cross-bar by an excellent one-handed save by keeper, Colville.

The game was, at, all times, competitive, no quarter given, tackles flew in, defenders defended well, particularly the home team and both teams played the ball around on the artificial surface with ease when space allowed and at this point, I thought an equaliser was overdue. On thirty-nine minutes keeper, Colville made a great save to deny Blanchett as he broke through in a one-on-one situation, no off-side flag came, mighty close call perhaps but really the game should now be level. Runicles (M) and Dillon were spoken too by the referee following a heavy collision and Hammerton had to use his pace to get back and defend as Stanway Pegasus threatened again down the left side through Payne. With four minutes of the half remaining Tiptree Engaine increased their lead, a fast raid down the right side, set up by Collier who found Marsh and from his low driven cross MICHAEL RUNICLES ran in to glance the ball home past the exposed keeper, Prested. Dillon had the ball in the home net once again soon after that second goal, again ruled out for off-side and straight from the penalty area clearance Runicles (H) ran through beating Cursons but failing to beat keeper, Prested who saved at the expense of a corner. As the, half finished, the home team were in upbeat mood whilst Stanway Pegasus were beginning to show signs of frustration, in part because of the heroics of the home keeper, Colville but also because there numerous attacks had been thwarted by a resolute home defence aided by every player defending when required, a definite change from their performance last Saturday.

HALF-TIME: 2 – 0.

Stanway Pegasus FC re-started the second half and inside fourteen seconds, Rymer took out Clark and was promptly cautioned, a really, stupid challenge to be honest! Tiptree Engaine continued with their high defensive line, relying on the pace of Hammerton and Johnson should the visitors break through with Blanchett once again caught off-side adding to his team’s frustration. A soft foul by Prow on Blanchett led to a free-kick just inside the home half, Blanchett took that free-kick, Hart headed upwards, and Prow cleared the ball away and immediately at the other end Clark fouled Szmodics on the edge of the penalty area, again a poor free-kick followed from Collier. This half continued with numerous fouls given each way, Hammerton hit the ball long to Runicles (M) who fouled Cursons, then Dillon fouled Szmodics mid-half, but the free-kick taken by Hart flew straight to keeper, Prested who saved again when Marsh fired at goal. On fifty-five minutes, a penalty kick was awarded when Collier was up-ended, no one questioned the decision but Runicles (H) ran forward and blasted the spot kick way over the cross-bar, the catch-fencing to hit the gymnasium many yards further away, could that be a costly miss as the visitors were still looking dangerous going forward.

Just past the hour mark, Runicles (M) was cautioned for an over-zealous tackle, Tiptree Engaine replaced Rymer with Young whose first pass into Marsh saw the player up-ended by keeper, Prested, another penalty, this time AARON COLLIER made no mistake blasting the ball to the right side of the diving keeper. When Dillon was fouled by Prow, just inside the penalty area, Runicles (M) vented his opinion and by showing verbal dissent was ordered off the pitch for a ten-minute cooling down period in the “Sin-Bin”. As we awaited the spot kick to be taken, I had turned to the Assistant Referee and said if the keeper saves this, he’s my player-the-match, Blanchett struck the ball well enough but the keeper, guessed right, well left, actually, to make, an excellent save, the rest as they say is history. Keeper, Coleville followed that save with another block when Dillon pounced inside the six-yard box, the ball was hit goal-wards once again from the rebound with Prow clearing off the goal-line, great defending. Tiptree Engaine FC were now stroking the ball around nicely, the visitors looked like they were chasing shadows until Dillon tried a long-range effort that keeper, Coleville held on his goal-line.

With fifteen minutes remaining Tiptree Engaine sent on Nicholson who replaced Marsh, undoubtedly his pace and general play had tired him out, but he had given the visitors defence a torrid time whilst Stanway Pegasus replaced Meyer with Booth (O). Almost his first action was to concede a foul and receive a caution, Nicholson for Tiptree Engaine thought he would follow suit and he too was cautioned. The persistence of the visitors eventually payed off on eighty minutes but not before keeper, Coleville produced appoint blank save inside the six-yard box but when the ball ran loose LUKE PAYNE, I thought it was defender Clark, stroked the ball through a crowded area and set up a final ten minutes plus stoppages and their would be several minutes added. On eighty-five minutes Tiptree pushed forward, they were not resting on their three goals to one advantage, Hammerton found Young who worked his way towards the corner flag and gained a corner off Cursons, a short corner was played into Runicles (H) who held the ball up and when the space appeared he set the ball into the path of MARTIN YOUNG who smashed the ball home, game over! Five minutes of added time were played and if you took your eyes off this match you would have missed something, I did, and missed late cautions for both Dadds and Dillon, this for a poor challenge on Johnson who needed treatment before returning to play out the end of the game.

FULL TIME: 4 – 1.

This was another decent game of football played to the full by two committed teams, Tiptree Engaine FC bounced back from a poor performance and defeat at Alresford Colne Rangers FC last Saturday, for Stanway Pegasus FC it was a set-back after a victory against Little Oakley FC Reserves. It is early days and players from both, of these promoted teams are finding their feet in the Premier Division, on this showing both will be competing throughout the whole season and will cause other team’s problems, so they, have now been warned!

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, for Stanway Pegasus FC, Dillon, as usual, stood out for his competitive style of play however sadly, in this game with no end, result, but not for the want of trying! Blanchett saw plenty of the ball, his team-mates looking for something creative and new signing Meyer ran his heart out in midfield. Turning to the home team, this was a determined team effort, no one player shirked their duties and collectively they thwarted everything the visitors threw at them. Captain, Hart, once again led by example with his fellow defenders Hammerton, Johnson and Prow proving robust under some heavy pressure. In midfield, Runicles (H), Szmodics, Runicles (M) and the impressive Marsh broke up many visitor’s attacks, not always fairly but they gave back what they received! Up front Rymer led the line with Collier who showed some nice touches so who is left, well he has been mentioned throughout this match and by pulling off numerous saves, including that penalty, to keep his team in the game my choice goes to Coleville the Tiptree Engaine goal-keeper, an inspired performance.

Teams:

TIPTREE ENGAINE FC:

Colours: Green & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Keiron Colville., Chay Hammerton., Zac Johnson., Charlie Prow., Ryan Hart (C)., Terry Rymer., Harry Runicles., Jack Szmodics., Jordan Marsh., Aaron Collier., Michael Runicles.

Manager: Michael Runicles and Gary Bright.

Used Substitutes: Taylor Nicholson., Martin Young.

Unused Substitutes: Christopher Parkin.

STANWAY PEGASUS FC:

Colours: Yellow & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black & Yellow Socks.

Matthew Prested., Joseph Davis., Jake Hearn., Josh Dillon., Sam Clark (C)., William Cursons., Matthew Meyer., Joshua Dalziel., Luke Payne., Dan Shaikley., Lewis Blanchett.

Manager: Ian Booth.

Used Substitutes: Liam Dadds., Ollie Booth.

Unused Substitutes: Lee Braddon., George Barron., Ben Parkin.

Referee: Simon Lyons

Assistants: Andre Siqueira

and Daniel Lyons

Player of the Match: Kieran COLVILLE (TPTREE ENGAINE FC)

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Additional Reporting:

YOU TUBE., FACEBOOK (x2) & TWITTER

Once again, this season the ESBFL is widening its match-day reporting coverage, in addition to a full report written by Brian Reed, our other roving reporter, Spencer Hume, has once again made himself known during the friendlies season and he will also attend games reporting via You Tube, Facebook and Twitter to communicate up-to-date information and replicate other match reports. In addition, John Campany, Vice Chairman will continue to provide a weekly summary, published in The Gazette.

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Kick-Off times for Essex County Football Association cup matches are published on the ECFA web-site.

( www.essexfa.com/competitions/county-cups )

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