22/02/2020 – REPORT – Little Clacton FC versus Stanway Athletic FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION THREE.

LITTLE CLACTON FC: 2. STANWAY ATHLETIC FC: 4.

Date: Saturday 22^nd February 2020. Venue: Plough Corner, Little Clacton.

This was the second meeting of these two Division Three teams in successive weeks, last Saturday, in game switched from Little Clacton to Philip Morant School, saw Stanway Athletic FC win by seven goals to nil in the Tommy Thompson Cup. This week, Plough Corner was declared fit, well just, as standing water surrounded much of the perimeter and the other pitches, one of which had been declared unfit for another local team when both teams had arrived expecting to play. There was a strong gale force wind blowing down the length of the pitch, conditions underfoot were sometimes treacherous and to me the game seemed destined for the game of two halves, so was I right!

Both these Clubs are in their first season in the ESBFL, I had seen the visitors earlier this year and was impressed with how they play on their 3G pitch, today they would be playing on grass and it would be a first sighting, for me, of Little Clacton FC, a totally new Club that has pulled together some decent players, judging by this performance. The home team also have a new manager, Bradley Sullivan, who agreed with me that his players had skill and determination but have lacked that bit of organisation on the pitch, a task I think he relished. The visitors have made numerous players changes recently with players being swapped to play for both their First and Reserve teams, but a top half finish is possible for the ESBFL team.

The appointed match official was Ron Bennett and he would be assisted by Club Assistants, all of whom made sound decisions to aid the man with the whistle.

Little Clacton kicked-off with the wind at their backs with the first forward ball being hit sixty yards which Hayes chased down the left side, Hartley found Hayes who was flagged off-side, then a deep cross from Heffer was controlled by Palfry only for Burgoyne to be standing in an off-side position wide on the right side. On two minutes a back-pass from Rochford to his keeper, Martins was hacked clear but straight into touch with the aide, of the wind, Heffer took the throw-in finding Hartley who looked up to curl a delightful shot that was heading goal-wards until keeper, Martins rose to tip the ball over the cross-bar. Hayes took the corner kick, the ball hitting the outside of the far post to be cleared for another corner, again taken by Hayes but this time headed clear from the far post area. Burgoyne fouled Molford, mid-half, Stevens stepped up, to take the free-kick which was dropped by keeper, Fairman, new signing, Lewis was alert to the loose ball but could only watch as Smith scuffed the ball wide for a goal kick. Wrycraft was high and late on Frost so a caution as early as the seventh minute might make the rest of his game a test of his resolve. Rochford took the free-kick, and the result of the goalmouth scramble saw JOE STEVENS stab the loose ball home at the far post, just ten minutes have elapsed. Stanway Athletic started again through Lewis who raced through only to strike his shot high and wide against the now gale force wind, a dribble through midfield by Heffer from the half way line set up Hartley who curled a right-footed effort with the outside of his boot, with the ball just drifting wide of the right hand upright, a decent effort though. On fourteen minutes a poor clearance from keeper, Martins, fell at the feet of CHARLIE CAMPBELL standing thirty-five yards out, and when looking up he saw the keeper way off his goal-line and struck a fine shot that dipped to strike the underside of the crossbar and nestle in the back of the net.

A decent crowd had assembled to support both teams, given the weather conditions they made plenty of noise, one or two, more than most and some equally friendly “banter” was forthcoming, a refreshing change to what you often get to hear about. When Rochford fouled Campbell, no card was shown, certainly seen them given, Campbell got up to take the kick himself, but the ball curled agonisingly wide as it neared the target. Little Clacton, playing with the wind had seen more possession and when Heffer found Campbell his control was good and the eventual shot had good direction before it bounced once to be fielded by keeper, Martins. A strong run by Lewis, down the right side was stopped by Humphries at the expense of a corner taken by Frost but cleared with the aide, of the wind, deep into the Stanway half and this ploy might help, at least during this half. On twenty-nine minutes defender Smith fouled Hartley close to the corner of the penalty area, Anderson took the free-kick and picked out the fine run of SCOTT HUMPHRIES who headed firmly home at the far post.

Stanway Athletic mounted another attack themselves, Molford found Smith and he forced a corner off Humphries, taken by Frost but driven straight into the side-netting, Burgoyne fouled Molford mid-half, Rochford took the free-kick, which was held up in the air by the wind with home keeper, Fairman catching the swirling ball just under the cross-bar at the far post. Even at the half hour mark I was impressed by the work-rate of both teams, the midfield was the main area of action with defences now used to high balls coming down their throats. Molford, through whom a lot of the visitors play emanated set Smith through but rather than “welly” the ball, he tried to guide it past keeper, Fairman who saved six yards from goal. We then experienced a great piece of skill from Campbell, he somehow managed to conjure the ball up and round the bemused defender Smith, even the visitor’s supporters applauded that piece of “show-boating” however the cross that followed was struck straight out of play, such a shame though! Smith for Stanway Athletic received a caution for a foul on Wrycraft and when play resumed Palfry sent the ball wide to Burgoyne who skipped past Smith and drove a low cross straight across the penalty area and a goal-kick, then in the final action of the half Frost sent Lewis forward but Humphries was once again there to cover and bring the ball forward.

HALF TIME: 2 – 1.

Both teams made substitutions at the start of the second half, Little Clacton replaced Burgoyne with Harper whilst Stanway Athletic replaced Smith with Gordon, Harper was straight into the action fouling Rochford, then Harper caught Frost just outside the penalty area, calls for a yellow card were dismissed but Rochford curled the free-kick just over he cross-bar. Harper used his pace to gallop forward with his cross falling to Hartley who had no time to control before the ball was cleared by Hayter, and both teams were still trying to come to terms with the tricky conditions. Rochford found Frost but Palfry defended, conceding a corner, the ball was working into CARL GORDON who slotted home from six yards out, I think it was his second touch since entering play at half-time, the first being a foul! The free-kicks, taken by Rochford, were causing problems for the Little Clacton defence, another found Frost who laid the ball off to Gordon who forced a throw-in, taken by Hayter with Palfry back defending conceding the corner. At the hour mark, honours were even and rightly so, both teams had worked hard to overcome the elements and a very soft pitch, in fact cancelling their every move’s out, some tackles were flying in, nothing nasty I might add. Campbell and Humphries worked the ball forward to gain a corner off Lewis, which was cleared upfield to Molford who had Dixon in support, but the return pass attempt was weak, prompting some “banter” from the side lines but immediately stamped on by the referee.

On sixty-three minutes Little Clacton replaced Anderson with Ali and the home team pushed forward, Hartley dragged the ball away from the attentions of Hayter to send in a low cross that Stevens hacked away just as Harper arrived. Ali fouled Gordon, fifteen yards inside the visitor’s half, Stevens launched a long ball forward, it bounced once on the six-yard line forcing keeper, Fairman, to tip the ball over the cross-bar. The corner taken by Frost was headed away at the near post by Heffer and when the second corner was hit slightly longer, Smith, totally unmarked, headed wide at the far post. Another corner from Frost was met by the head of Gordon only for keeper, Fairman to tip the ball onto the cross-bar, then catch the rebound. Gordon was cautioned for a foul on Humphries and with fifteen minutes remaining any goal might seal a victory for either team, both teams were still determined to do that but whose a betting man when you want one!

Following a Stanway Athletic attack, Ali was hauled back by Molford just as he was about to break forward, another caution, some called it a tactical delay but that’s ten pounds to the county, ker-ching!! Campbell had been more subdued this half and soon he was pulling up with cramp to be replaced by Walker, Hayes sent a weak shot towards keeper, Martins, who then pulled off a save to again deny Hayes and then produce a fine point-blank save to deny Harper, such margins can prove to be crucial and so it proved. Stanway Athletic broke to the other end, Heffer fouled Lewis wide on the left side, much debate followed as to who should take the free-kick, well why change from what had happened all game, Rochford worked the ball inside and when he received the return ball his shot hit the hand of Humphries and another free-kick this time on the edge of the penalty area was awarded. ANDREW ROCHFORD took the kick and one bounce later across the face of the goal and the ball nestled in the back of the net having deflected off the far post and two just minutes of normal time remained according to my watch, “last minute.com” then. This was a cruel blow to Little Clacton who, up to this point deserved just that, a point, and as if to rub salt in the wounds Stanway Athletic scored again on ninety-six minutes, this time Gordon set up ISAAC LEWIS who tapped home from closer range, game over, literally.

FULL TIME: 2 – 4.

As predicted the gale force wind and soft pitch probably won the day, take nothing away from two determined teams, did the better team win, not really, as up to those last few minutes a draw would have been fair, but it’s never over till it’s over! For what its “worth” it was good to see both teams getting good hearted vocal support, friendly banter never hurt anybody, lets keep it that way!

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, following last week’s drubbing, Little Clacton this week stepped up to match the visitors, for Stanway Athletic most of the approach play centred around Molford, with Frost, Lewis and Mann alongside him, defensively, Hayter, Rochford and Stevens stuck to their task but a team effort all the same. As I said at the start this was the first time I had been to watch Little Clacton and I have to say they have some skilful players, central defenders Wrycraft and Humphries made crucial tackles, Haynes, Campbell and Anderson battled in midfield to supply chances for Hayes and Hartley, their two goal scorers really caught my eye, Campbell scored a cracker but faded with cramp as the heavy conditions took their toll however, one player, Humphries, playing this week in defence rather than midfield, stood out, scorer of a fine header but using his head effectively throughout to stop the high barrage of long balls pumped forward by the visitors, overall a fine performance, his defending on the ground was likewise sound and totally committed.

Teams:

LITTLE CLACTON FC: Colours: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Jack Fairman., Adam Wrycraft., Connor Heffer., Scott Humphries., Luke Palfry, Sean Anderson., Thomas Burgoyne., Joshua Haynes., Charlie Campbell., Alex Hayes., Ben Hartley.

Manager: Bradley Sullivan.

Used Substitutes: George Harper., Connor Walker., Alamin Ali.

Unused Substitutes: Jack Worth.

STANWAY ATHLETIC FC: Colours: White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Darren Martins., Alex Smith., Isaac Lewis., Patrick Dixon., Joseph Mann., Thomas Hayter., Jaden Smith., Michael Molford., Dean Frost., Andrew Rochford., Joe Stevens.

Manager: Jordan Wheelans.

Used Substitutes: Carl Gordon

Referee: Ron Bennett.

Player of the Match: Scott HUMPHRIES (LITTLE CLACTON 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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Reminder to Club / Fixture Secretaries

Once again this season the fixtures, results, referees and “kick-off” times will be shown automatically on “The FA Full-Time / The Whole Game System” ( http://full-time.thefa.com ) but would all Club / Fixture Secretaries please advise any agreed changes, as required, to Alison Willmore ( mjw1947@sky.com ) especially for evening games and for those matches being played under floodlights etc.

KO is 2:30pm in: February

KO is 3:00pm from: March to end of season

Cup Matches:

Kick-Off times for ESBFL cup matches, are generally 30 minutes earlier than those shown above but check competition rules beforehand.

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

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

NOTICE TO CUP & TROPHY HOLDERS

Please note that all Cups & Trophies won by teams last season should be returned to ESBFL before the end of February 2020.

These should be clean and should have been engraved accordingly.

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ESBFL “web-site”

The web-site for the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League is: www.esblfootball.com