22/01/2022 – REPORT – Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves versus Stanway Rovers Community U23’s

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE

HARWICH & PARKESTON FC RESERVES:                      4.       (HT: 0)

STANWAY ROVERS, COMMUNITY FC U23’s:                  3.       (HT: 2)

Date:   Saturday 22^nd January 2022.                         Venue:             The Royal Oak, Harwich.      

            Having watched two, Division One contenders last Saturday, this week I turned my attention to the top team, Stanway Rovers Community FC Under 23’s who took the short trip down the A120 to The Royal Oak to play Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves, a team they had humbled by five goals to nil back in late October 2021. Stanway Rovers had only lost twice so far, to fellow title challengers Belle Vue Social FC and Burnham Ramblers FC Reserves in the Essex Junior Cup. The home team sat mid-table, an indifferent season perhaps having been elevated to the division last season, but local players have steadied the ship, four players were under eighteen and numerous older heads with experience should lead their line today. For the visitors, their average age was eighteen with only two players over twenty-three, the rest were under nineteen, remember, this is adult, eleven a-side, football so stepping up can be a challenge, but to top the division at the half-way stage is commendable.

            On a bright but cold afternoon, today’s match official was Paul Sadler, a local referee who, back in his playing days, had played for both Harwich & Parkeston FC and Little Oakley FC, today, he would be assisted by Club Assistants who from my point of view, did a good job.

            Harwich kicked-off playing towards the changing rooms end, Stanford was caught off-side from a long ball forward from Roots (Dan), from the free-kick Stanway got forward but Harwich gained the goal-kick, the ball again went to the other end Brunsden, for Harwich sending Nea away down the right-side, but he snatched at his shot and the ball flew well wide. On four minutes, Stanway, keeper, Bethell, a late transferee to cover three injured keepers, sent the ball long, finding Lewis who sent Thomas through, who netted only for the goal to be wiped out for an earlier infringement. Five minutes gone and this match could get lively, both teams had moved the ball from back to front and shown attacking intent. Theobald sent another long ball for Lewis to chase, his control was good, but his goal-bound effort was easily fielded by sixteen, year-old keeper, Lines. A strong run from Geen on the right found the ball played to Bradley, then to Nea who crossed to Stanford who fouled defender Seymour near the penalty spot. Despite the possession from Harwich, Stanway were moving the ball much better on a sticky pitch, their young players un-fazed by bigger opposition players. Nea sent the ball through, Geen, as usual, gave chase and only a combination of keeper, Bethell and defender Savage stopped a good attack, however, there was quite a discussion about whether Geen had been fouled as he was certainly caught by the flying keeper, needing treatment!

            A shorter than usual back-pass from Slater almost put his keeper, Lines in trouble however, Thomas fouled the keeper in his enthusiasm, a corner to Stanway was given when Thomas forced Roots (Dan) to concede, Harwich cleared the corner kick and rushed to attack with Nea finding Geen who tried to get Bradley away only for keeper, Bethell to collect the ball on the edge of his penalty area. Stanway stuck to their pass and move plan, finding spaces almost at will and Harwich defended deep, Tansley set Sherlock away down the right side, Sherlock lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, Lines, but Slater had read the danger and got back to clear the ball, six yards out, in front of the empty net. On twenty minutes Geen embarked on a trade-mark, head down run forward from half-way, and it was left to the advancing keeper, Bethell to save the day conceding a corner. A minute later and Stanway took the lead, a fierce shot from Cowan forced keeper, Lines to make a fine reaction save, the ball ran loose and when the ball was floated back into the six-yard box, HARRY THOMAS forced the ball home and got injured in the process as keeper, Lines tried to prevent the goal. Stanway sensed more goals were there for the taking, Taylor made a fine block to deny Theobald and Harwich broke away, Geen setting up Stanford, who forced keeper, Bethell to parry the shot, and another corner followed, taken by Bradley, chested down by Stanford and Stanway broke clear, home defender Corner, slipped over which allowed Lewis to run on and force a fine save from Lines, using his feet this time to good effect.

            The counter came from Harwich, keeper, Lines sent the ball long and Stanford was shoved in the back by Hughes, home keeper, Lines, was again in action minutes later when defender Savage drove forward and despite an attempted trip from Roots (Dar) he ran on only for the keeper to make a smart save. Thomas for Stanway, swerved one way then the other before shooting over the cross-bar, Savage made a last-ditch tackle on Geen, just outside the penalty area, Bradley took the free-kick, a goalmouth melee followed, keeper, Bethell and Stanford squared up with the home player, being cautioned for pushing the keeper away, perhaps both players could have been dismissed but it had not been that sort of game. Seven minutes before half-time and Stanway were awarded a penalty, Roots (Dar) took out Savage and this allowed THOMAS LEWIS to send the keeper the wrong way and put his team two goals up, home and hosed, maybe, let’s wait and see because Harwich still had a threat in them if only, they could find that final pass. Harwich had a decent call for a penalty late in the half, the ball did strike, in mine and others opinions, the arm of Hughes but the view and position of the referee was slightly blocked and as the half-time whistle blew, the home team needed that break for a tactical talking too!

HALF-TIME:    0 – 2.

            As we started the second half the sun had noticeably dipped and shone straight down the pitch, Nea fouled Theobald, Thomas had a raised foot against Roots (Dar) and then a stunning goal for Harwich, the ball was seemingly cleared out of danger until GARY STANFORD hit a thirty yarder, straight down the middle, keeper, Bethell, possibly blinded by the sun could only get his fingers on the ball which kept going over his head and into the back of the net, game on! Stanway pushed forward, Cowan saw his rasping shot well saved, the ball ran loose and when it came back into the penalty area, Thomas struck a fine shot only for keeper, Lines to somehow force the ball up and over the cross-bar, two amazing saves! Geen, was relishing his forward responsibilities, head down, somewhat selfish at times but if he has the ball at his feet, you know any defender has got his work cut-out! A typical direct run ended with keeper Bethell advancing to save and clearing down-field where Sherlock ran through only for keeper, Lines to save at his feet, good goal-keeping at both ends.

            On the hour mark, Gray was clear, or so he thought, a slight hesitancy allowed Roots (Dar) to get back and concede a corner, Stanford, once again, locked horns with keeper, Bethell who was fouled. The first substitution was made by Harwich, Roots (Dan) being replaced by Weston with Slater taking the captains arm-band, from the restart, Geen ran through, head down but when he sent in a low driven cross, Stanford was wrong footed and missed the ball entirely, chances for the home team are coming now. On sixty-seven minutes more changes, with play stopped for an injury to Brunsden, Corner was replaced by McDonagh for Harwich and Cowan was replaced by Tiffney for Stanway. When play resumed, Roots (Dar) fouled Thomas, Tiffney took the free-kick, the ball was headed clear by Stanford and Sherlock flashed a left-footed shot just wide. Home goal-scorer, Brunsden was summarily cautioned for what can only be described as an awful, high, challenge, on Tansey, I’ve seen red cards given for those, but the game continued at a pace.

            As we entered the last fifteen minutes, Stanway replaced Sherlock with Mardell, Harwich pushed forward, a cross was headed clear, Nea attempted an overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area, Hughes stuck up an arm to concede a penalty, despatched low to the keeper left by MATT GEEN, so can either team conjure up a winner! Stanway made their third change with Partner replacing Tansey with twelve minutes remaining and he almost set up Tiffney whose shot flew wide. Bradley upended Gray, a stupid tackle really with covering defenders already there, just close to the corner of the penalty area, unfortunately the free-kick taken by Theobald curled wide above the far post. When Geen threatened down the middle, defender Savage made a superb tackle on the penalty spot, as any mistiming was a certain spot-kick and with visitors frustration building, two goals up but now pegged back at two goals apiece. Hughes was cautioned for a rash challenge on Geen wide on the Harwich left side, McDonagh sent in a curling left-footed kick, keeper, Bethell opted to punch clear, but the ball fell to MATT GEEN who despatched the ball into the back of the net, some turnaround this! With three minutes of normal time remaining, long throw expert, McDonagh wound one up deep on the right side, did the Stanway defence panic, they certainly did not attack the aerial ball and when the ball fell ten yards out MATT GEEN turned to send a left footed shot-cum-pass into the net, a hat-trick inside fifteen minutes. Along with some other spectators, we thought that the two Harwich substitutes had played a big part in this turn-around, the midfield had more shape and bite and created the attacking platform lacking in the first half. When the referee indicated that a further five minutes remained, this, mainly due to injuries, Stanway pulled a goal back, a fine run and cross down the right side by Tiffney found the head of HARRY THOMAS at the far post and he scored his second and his team’s third. Stanway almost clinched a draw when Thomas headed over another fine cross from Tiffney, then with Harwich in possession they played out time deep in the Stanway half, the experienced Stanford and Geen pulling the strings near the corner flag. Personally, I thought a draw would have been a fair result, two committed teams, plenty of chances at both ends, good goal-keeping and plenty of action throughout.

FULL TIME:     4 – 3.

            Another decent game of football, plenty of goals, as I said before, I thought a draw would have been fair, but it’s not over till it’s over and you could say it was a game of two halves. Stanway were the better team in the first half, scoring twice, it should have been more but for some inspired, if not desperate home defending and goalkeeping by Lines who frustrated the visitors even more so, in the second half. Harwich mixed experience and youth and it paved the way for an unlikely victory before kick-off, Stanway relied on youth, you can see why they top the table and watching the way they played today is going to pay dividends as those players mature.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player, on the first half showing, Stanway defender, Seymour, looked assured and motivated those around him, the midfield and forwards always looked comfortable on the ball and have clearly had some good coaching as their discipline was excellent as well. Now, without going into too much detail, two players stood out for Harwich whose second half fortunes changed with an early goal and two substitutions but I found it hard to not choose two players, keeper, Lines made several outstanding saves to keep his team in a close match whilst up front a second half hat-trick from Geen set them on the road to victory.

            In closing congratulations to Belle Vue Social FC {D1}(@ Cressing United FC) and Wormingford Wanderers FC {D3}(@ Debden FC) who have progressed into the semi-finals of the Essex Junior Cup.

Teams:

HARWICH & PARKESTON FC RESERVES:     

Colours:            Black & White striped Shirts., Black Shorts and Black & White hooped Socks.

Team:

Jack Lines., Daniel Roots (C)., Archie Corner., Darren Roots., Jordan Slater., Cameron Brunsden., Ryan Bradley., Phil Taylor., Matt Geen., Gary Stanford., Dominic Nea.

Management:                Gavin Hewitt.

Used Substitutes:           Paul McDonagh., Connor Weston.

STANWAY ROVERS COMMUNITY FC U23’s:            

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

Team:

Shane Bethell., Keane Tansley., Harry Savage., Lewis Theobald., Dylan Hughes., Connor Seymour., Max Gray., Teddy Cowan., Thomas Lewis., Harry Thomas., Max Sherlock.

Management:                Andrew Partner

Used Substitutes:           Francis Tiffney., Nathanial Mardell., Alfie Partner.

Referee:                        Paul Sadler.

Star Players:              Jack LINES & Matt GEEN       (HARWICH & PARKESTON FC RESERVES)

REMINDERS:

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

January:                                                                        14:00pm

February:                                                                      14:30pm

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 Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

SUBSTITUTES

The ESBFL continues to allow FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off but only “THREE SUBSTITUTES” may be allowed to participate.

Note:

In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior) 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 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.

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.

DISCIPLINE

Since the start of the season there have been 45+ players dismissed and over 600 cautions, there have also been several 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

Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these are declined before the game. Clubs in default shall be fined.