23/05/2023 – REPORT – Dunmow Town FC versus Colne Athletic FC – Knock-Out Cup Final
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
KNOCK-OUT CUP FINAL.
DUNMOW TOWN FC. 3. COLNE AHLETIC FC. 0.
Date: Tuesday 23rd MAY 2023
Venue: Stanway Rovers FC, The Hawthorns, Stanway, Colchester, Essex.
Right, eyes down, this was the last of four Cup Finals held this season, that said, there is even a solitary league match still to be played in two days, time, but that is in Division Three. This season the eventual finalists were Premier Division, Champions, Dunmow Town FC, who were looking for a league and cup double and fifth placed Colne Athletic FC, who were winners of this fine trophy, two seasons ago, the first played after the COVID pandemic. Like, many League and Cup fixtures this season, this cup competition was delayed because of a couple of abandonments and player eligibility, which meant matches were either made void or teams were removed, the outcome of these issues takes time and with league fixtures over-running because of the bad weather in December and March, some teams were playing three times a week. The ESBFL extend their thanks to Stanway Rovers FC for the use of their excellent facilities and providing the after-match hospitality in the Clubhouse.
Tonight’s, Match Officials were, Stuart Franklin, who would have Adrian Arnot and Aaron Mills as Assistant Referees with Carl Pearce acting as Fourth Official, overall, with strong refereeing and player acceptance of decisions, they made a fine “third team” and those “spectator” referees I spoke too, thought they handled the game well. A large crowd had assembled, swelled by numerous representatives from teams that play in the Premier Division and even from lower divisions and interestingly, numerous referees who officiate in the ESBFL.
Dunmow Town FC kicked-off, spear-headed by Captain and the leagues leading goal-scorer, Zanone, the opening exchanges were tentative and it was Colne Athletic FC who looked brighter initially, Marangou found Yearling but under pressure from Quinney, shot wide, Yearling then played in Marangou who was well shackled by O’Brien. Barnett pushed forward but his forward pass was over-hit to keeper, Weller, for his first touch, a throw-in from Vaughan found Price who passed to Yearling, again Barnett was well placed to concede a corner. Vaughan took the corner, Zanone headed out to Malone who set Marangou up for a right-footed shot that lacked any power, Yearling then testing Barnett again to get another corner, again Vaughan swung in a testing cross, keeper, Pellin punched clear. With just ten minutes on the clock and with Colne Athletic having had most of the early possession, there was a goal, but at the other end for Dunmow Town, keeper Pellin launched a long ball forward, one bounce later and Zanone headed the ball intelligently back into the six-yard box where the unmarked LEWIS SONNEX slotted the ball home, at the near post, certainly a case of slack marking with no defenders near the six-yard box! From the restart, Yarwood, found Brown who played in Yearling, again a right footed effort flew just wide, keeper, Weller, also launched a long ball forward, Yearling gave chase with Price to gain a throw-in, Hamill slide into a challenge on Malone to concede a free-kick, which Dunmow successfully defended.
Brown got down the left side and played a delightful ball into the path of Yarwood, who could only scoop the ball over the cross-bar, these chances must be taken. Quinney, sent a long ball forward, Hamill gave chase but flattened keeper, Weller in the process, to earn a rebuke from the match official, keeper, Weller was then called into action again, this time saving with his feet from Zanone, who having received a pass from Smith, for once he turned defender Burch, before shooting low towards the near post. Colne Athletic used the long ball again, keeper, Weller launched the ball up field, Quinney headed out for a corner, taken by Vaughan but Yearling fouled Zanone inside the crowded penalty area. A long throw-in from Vaughan, from the left side had the Dunmow Town defence scrambling, one bounce later and the ball cleared the crossbar with Yearling and Burch challenging Quinney and Zanone, Sonnex, for Dunmow Town also possesses a long throw and he too tested the Colne Athletic defence. When Price and Marangou worked the ball into space just outside the Dunmow Town penalty area, there was Quinney denying Yearling when he stuck out a long leg to divert the ball wide, keeper, Pellin may have been un-sighted. Keeper, Weller, was almost caught out when he left his penalty area to close down Zanone by heading clear, the keeper having to back-track to clear the goal-bound effort from Zanone for a corner.
Kemp took the corner but keeper, Weller, clutched the ball inside the crowded six-yard box, a free-kick taken by Shurvington was headed on by Yearling and Burch headed over but collided with keeper, Pellin in the process to concede a free-kick. Barnett set Prue away, his pass into the feet of Zanone, saw the striker miss control and keeper, Weller collected, a free-kick taken by Sonnex from the left side was slashed over his own cross bar by Shurvington, almost, easier to score in this instance! From a Weller, clearance, Yearling tried to get the ball into Brown who had strayed marginally off-side, Prue had been injured in the build-up and received treatment both on and off the pitch, Barnett was guilty of holding back Yearling as he crossed the half-way line and received a stern word from the referee, Vaughan took the free-kick, Olymbios headed on and Yearling stabbed a chance just wide.
HALF – TIME: 1 – 0.
So, a tight match so far, the initial pressure from Colne Athletic had been countered, quite literally, on the break and Dunmow Town led by a solitary goal but always looked dangerous going forward whilst remaining solid at the back with Quinney and Barnett putting their bodies on the line. Colne Athletic restarted the second half but within a minute Dunmow Town increased their lead and for any referees watching there was a great advantage played in the build-up. With Colne Athletic getting forward in numbers, Dunmow Town won the ball just inside their own half and Kemp, sent the ball forward to Zanone who turned past Burch who tried to haul him back, the strength of Zanone took him away towards goal, Burch had another attempt to tackle as did Shurvington, neither made any contact and Zanone laid the ball off to the supporting GEORGE HAMILL who side-footed home from ten yards out, Burch was cautioned for his earlier indiscretion but remained unfazed by his job in hand, stop Zanone at all costs! Price and Shurvington doubled up on Kemp and Zanone when they threatened again, the latter player being flagged off-side. Yearling had two attempts at goal blocked by Quinney with keeper, Pellin quickly in to fall on the loose ball. Vaughan over-hit a long free-kick from wide on the right side, looking for the aerial presence of Olymbios, who had seen little change out of Quinney so far, Malone pushed Sonnex in the back, protested his innocence but everyone saw the clear push wide on the left side.
At, two goals to the good, Dunmow Town were now controlling midfield, quick into the tackle and quick to launch a break, putting Colne Athletic on the back foot, Hamill was guilty of a rash challenge on Olymbios, Shurvington and Burch pushed up for the free-kick taken by Vaughan, a goalmouth scramble followed with keeper, Pellin just managing to catch the ball under the presence of Olymbios, Prue was injured in this attack. Olymbios set Malone away, but he ran out of ground before any cross could be made, Price left the field to be replaced by Watts, then Sonnex gave chase alongside Malone who defended well near the corner flag. Quinney fouled Watts, just outside the penalty area, Vaughan floated the ball in towards Burch who just could’nt rise high enough to benefit, then Brown worked some space before shooting wide from a decent angle inside the penalty area. On seventy minutes Colne made their second change, replacing holiday bound, Yearling, with Milburn, whilst Dunmow Town replaced Prue with Buckland. Bergin was cautioned for a foul on Milburn, with Vaughan left up field Milburn got back to defend as Zanone and Sonnex got away down the left side.
Bergin, when he ventured forward, was caught off-side from a pass made by Hamill, then, when Brown worked the ball into the area near the corner flag, Quinney, attempted to block Brown, conceded a free-kick and was cautioned. Colne Athletic had enjoyed a better mid-half period but as the game continued, Yarwood went down with an injury, it seems his knee-cap popped out then back into place, but he had to be helped off the pitch to be replaced by Rampton, a long lay-off seems assured, we wish him well in the recovery. Milburn ran wide to pick up a pass from Olymbios, his right-footed cross-cum-shot was deflected wide by Barnett, for a rare second-half corner. Dunmow Town replaced Smith with Blanchett, a long throw-in from Sonnex towards Zanone, keeper, Weller, inexplicably attempted to win the ball, which bounced outside the penalty area and when the cross was reconstituted by Blanchett who weaved one way then the other before sending a low cross flashing across the penalty area, where STUART ZANONE hammered the ball home, game over, and the scorers sixty-fifth goal of an impressive season. In the final minute Hamill was replaced by Bethell who came on for a late cameo appearance, not sure if he touched the ball, but soon after, the final whistle was blown and Dunmow Town FC, had achieved the double.
FULL TIME: 3 – 0.
This was gritty match, plenty of effort, some excellent forward play, some good and often desperate defending but on the night Dunmow Town FC put in a professional performance to outplay Colne Athletic FC, winning by a clear three goals, the second coming from an excellent advantage allowed by the match Official.
ESBFL, Chairman, John Campany and President, Lt Col Peter Andrews, OBE awarded mementos to the four Match Officials, the players of Colne Athletic FC with Captain, Josh Vaughan picking up the Runners-Up Cup, likewise Dunmow Town FC players followed, with Captain Stuart Zanone being handed the Winners Trophy to cue some wild and wet celebrations on the pitch.
Finally, turning to my “Star Player”, as it’s a Cup Final there will be one from each side and they may not be the obvious choice’s perhaps, but I sought guidance from two learned referees sitting close by, they can pick a stand-out player when required. For Colne Athletic FC, the choice was Jack Burch, a central defender, who doesn’t give up, every challenge has bite, he had the job of marking the leagues leading scorer, took a caution, even had a scoring chance from a set-piece. For Dunmow Town FC, the obvious choice would have been Zanone, two assists and a goal but at the back, Quinney stood tall and like his opposite number, took a caution but defended well throughout.
Teams:
DUNMOW TOWN FC.
Colours: Blue Shirts, Blue Shirts, Blue Socks.
Team:
James Pellin., Stephen Smith., Freddie O’Brien., Reece Barnett., David Quinney., Mitchell Prue., George Hamill., Stuart Zanone (C)., Tyler Kemp., Kyle Bergin., Lewis Sonnex.
Manager: Kevin Wilkins.
Used Substitutes: Jake Buckland., Lewis Blanchett., Bobby Bethell.
Unused Substitutes: Matt Simpson., Adam Chappell.
COLNE ATHLETIC FC:
Colours: White Shirts, Navy Shorts and White Socks.
Team:
Robert Weller., Cheyton Malone., Josh Vaughan (C)., Joel Shurvington., Jack Burch., Aran Yarwood., Reife Marangou., Daniel Price., Scott Yearling., Louis Olymbios., Dale Brown.
Manager: Ben Connell & Jamie Thompson
Used Substitutes: Harry Watts., David Rampton., Keelan Milburn.
Unused Substitutes: Daniel Bradley., Jamie Thompson.
Referee: Stuart Franklin.
Assistant Referees: Adrian Arnot & Aaron Mills
4th Official: Carl Pearce.
Star Player: David QUINNEY (DUNMOW TOWN FC)
Star Player: Jack BURCH (COLNE ATHLETIC FC)
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