23/11/2019 – REPORT – Hatfield Peverel FC versus Barnston AFC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION.

HATFIELD PEVEREL FC: 0. BARNSTON AFC: 2.

Date: Saturday 23^rd November 2019. Venue: The Keith Bigden Ground, Hatfield Peverel.

Another wet week and a few more games fell by the wayside, some Clubs really do need to read up on the rules regarding postponement procedures and notification, Rule 20E(iii) refers, similarly, the “Respect” handshake should be undertaken at every match in the ESBFL, Rule 20(A) refers. On Saturday a trip down the A12 to The Keith Bigden ground, Hatfield Peverel for the Premier Division clash against the home team, sitting sixth in the table, once again with Steve Pretty at the helm, and Barnston AFC, sitting eleventh in the table but having a much better season under Manager, Joshua Hutchins who joined them during last season. As I expected the main pitch at Hatfield Peverel was showing signs of standing water down the centre of the pitch, so the game had been switched to the adjacent second pitch, it is slightly smaller but was also very wet with playing conditions likely to deteriorate as the match unfolded.

The match officials were Graham Scott, whom I had not met before and he was to be assisted by Ian Butler, another new face and Anthony Darke, someone I did know, and once the “Respect” handshake was completed we were ready for kick-off.

Barnston kicked off, playing the long ball forward towards Groves, Whitwell guided the ball back to young keeper Hicks who collected the ball on the edge of his penalty area just before Groves arrived, this was a competitive start to the match and following a robust challenge from Hearn on Hale he guided the ball back to his keeper, Bennett. Hearn, then headed a cross back to his keeper as Nial crossed towards Young, on his return from Tiptree Engaine to Hatfield Peverel. Emeh and Onafuye (M) linked up for Barnston down the right side but Leeder shielded the ball out for a goal-kick, and the same player was then up supporting the home attack but his first time, left footed shot flew straight to keeper, Bennett. Barnston got moving again with Onafuye (M), Onafuye (E) and Emeh working the ball down the right side, forcing Leeder to head clear. Keeper, Hicks and Willis almost overplayed a clearance with Groves almost the recipient of a gift, Christmas is coming but is still a month away, Groves was then fouled but the free-kick from Emeh was headed clear. On fourteen minutes Hatfield put together their first threatening attack, Hicks cleared to Older, who found Hale running inside and when the ball was played wide to Young his rising goal-bound shot was expertly palmed over the cross-bar by keeper, Bennett.

Hatfield worked the ball forward again a few minutes later, Clarke found Young but when being off-balance he skied the ball wide, his blushes spared by an off-side flag! When the Hatfield keeper, Hicks, hesitated, when coming out for a ball that should have been his for the taking, Emeh was forced wide to the right inside the penalty area but after turning to shoot goal-wards, the ball curled just wide. On twenty-two minutes Nial won the ball back, having been dispossessed by Emeh, who stuck to his task but conceded a corner, taken twice and eventually cleared upfield. Following a Barnston break Whitwell was accidentally caught in the face by the head of Groves and the match was stopped for treatment to the unfortunate home defender. On twenty-five minutes, Hatfield lost defender Pitkin, already carrying an injury, before pulling up to be replaced by Harrington who slotted in on the left side with Leeder switching to the right. Hearn, for Barnston possesses a huge throw-in, so his first such try from mid-half was sent deep into the six-yard box where keeper, Hicks punched clear for a corner, taken by Groves with keeper, Hicks again punching over his cross-bar and Groves followed up with a similar in-swinging ball which was cleared off the goal-line firstly by Harrington, then Willis as Hatfield struggled to clear the ball. Just before the half-hour mark, Hearn tried a shot at goal, the distance was average, the trajectory was accurate and keeper Hicks knelt down the pick up what he thought was going to be a comfortable save, however, when the ball bounced, it stood up and keeper, Hicks was forced to dive to his left to palm the ball away, striking the right hand upright for a corner kick.

Groves took the corner kick, putting the ball into the danger area and Whitwell hacked the ball clear for another corner, again taken by Groves with Clarke again hacking the ball clear, however HARRY HEARN ran in and fairly smashed the ball home from thirty-five yards, the ball hardly left the ground but beat keeper, Hicks all-ends-up, a great left-footed strike from a player who was already having a big influence on this match. Barnston kept up their positive approach, Groves was denied by a timely tackle by Clarke and as Hatfield moved forward a corner from Older found Harrington whose header at the far post was held just under the cross-bar by keeper, Bennet. Despite being a goal behind, Hatfield had still had plenty of ball possession but could not find that killer final ball often enough, and when they did the eventual effort on goal was either weak or wide, very frustrating to say the least! On thirty-five minutes and another blow to the home team, with the ball pushed out, mid-half for a throw-in, Hearn launched yet another howitzer of a throw-in, “keepers ball” came the call from the goal-line, now whether Hicks took his eye off the ball or was suddenly unsighted he flapped at the high ball and only proceeded to palm the ball into his own net for an OWN GOAL. A cross from Rotaru found the unmarked Young, who planted the ball wide of the keeper and into the net with a goal ruled out for off-side, then Wallis found Nial, this time the pass to Young was good, no off-side, but Young, running clear proceeded to plant the ball the wrong side of the post, more frustration was shown, as to be fair the home side could easily have been level at half-time.

HALF TIME: 0 – 2.

The afternoon light was fading fast as the second half got under-way, any threatened rain had held off but conditions underfoot, even on the touch-lines were very soft indeed. Hatfield kicked off, Leeder tried a speculative lob from thirty yards with keeper Bennett way off his line after his own clearance. Hatfield, in my opinion, lacked confidence, being two goals down would not have helped, the run of the ball had gone against them at times but Barnston were proving a difficult nut to crack, led by Hearn, a midfielder playing out of defence! Clarke and Rotaru managed to work the ball forward to Young who turned sharply and shoot but keeper, Bennett was well placed to save on his goal-line. Keeper, Hicks sent the ball long to Hale but Nial took his eye of the ball and it bobbled out of play, Hale tried to lead by example, chasing a long ball forward, defender Final stopped running but Hale was just unable to stop the ball going out of play. When Hale tracked back to defend, he was then eased off the ball by Hearn whose left footed shot flew high over the cross-bar and before you knew it, Hearn was back defending as Young threatened, if in doubt, row “Z”, no nonsense there then! Hearn drove forward out of defence, crossed the half-way line gaining a throw-in off Wallis, Hearn took the throw-in himself with keeper, Hicks punching clear at the far post but only to Groves who missed the target from close range. Hearn was again provider, this time to Groves who took two paces before rifling a pile-driver of a shot goal-wards where keeper, Hicks dived, full length, to turn the ball away, fine save for the over-worked keeper. Emeh fired over, somewhat wastefully, from outside the penalty area, this with only the keeper to beat, then at the other end a free-kick from Leeder caused problems, keeper Bennett attempted to punch the ball but it skimmed off his knuckles, falling to Hale who had two close range efforts blocked, the second found the keeper falling on the loose ball on the goal-line at the far post.

Harrington put in a great tackle on Onafuye (M) over on the far side, great determination to reach the ball first when Barnston threatened to break away, Hatfield were guilty of giving the ball away far too cheaply with Barnston getting in the better challenges to win the ball as well. Hale was adjudged to have fouled Theobald, just as he was about to shoot at goal, looked a bit soft from where I stood, the referee obviously thought differently and had a word with Hale as when questioned the decision. Rotaru and Young moved forward with purpose, and the ball, which led to a left footed shot from Young flying just wide, then Older ran round the last Barnston defender, but failed to beat keeper, Bennett, who stood his ground at the near post to make a telling save but a decent chance for Hatfield which should have given them encouragement with twenty minutes till to play. Home keeper, Hicks was forced to advance to take the ball off the toes of Emeh and from his clearance Nial showed some good footwork to beat three players before being fouled and was then substituted with Whiteman taking his place. When Hatfield were awarded a corner, Clarke sent in a low driven cross, Pavey slashed the ball out for another corner, this time Clarke could only find the first defender who put the ball out for a throw-in. When Onafuye (E) shot side for a goal-kick, Barnston replaced Pavey with Coe with Hatfield replacing Whitwell with Johnson and upon the restart, Hatfield forced a throw-in taken long by Harrington but keeper, Bennett was out to catch.

Barnston had been forced into more defensive positions this half, Hatfield had chances, but their finishing was letting then down, perhaps their play was over-complicated, a pass was made instead of a shot, or a shot was made from a position that was rarely going to trouble a competent visiting keeper. That said, a poor goal-kick from Bennett fell to Hale who for once, side-stepped the attentions of Hearn to find Young whose driven shot was straight at the relieved keeper. Young was then cautioned for a wild lunge through the back of the legs of Reece, yes, Young did get the ball, but you cannot tackle from behind, period! Barnston replaced Onafuye (M) with Merritt on seventy-eight minutes, Hale was put through on goal, drew the keeper, placing he ball wide of the keeper only for the ball to bounce once then strike the far post to be cleared, not his day either! Another Hatfield move was started by Merritt finding Hale, who passed to Young and with Hale receiving the return ball right in front of him he ran on to score, or so we thought, but no, he only managed to miss the target completely, oh dear not again! Barnston replaced Groves with Newlove, the final minutes remained competitive but, in all honesty, Hatfield were guilty of not taking their numerous chances with Barnston still looking comfortable as the match ended.

FULL TIME: 0 – 2.

For the second week in a row I watched a game where one team had numerous chances and could not score, this week that was Hatfield Peverel, last week it was Tiptree Jobserve FC Reserves, they lost one-nil, but who this week handed out a first defeat of the season to Hedinghams United FC, let’s hope the Hatfield goal scorers can rectify their plight next week! So, did Barnston deserve to win, well on the balance of play and the chances created they always looked dangerous, their first goal was a cracker, their second fortunate, but if the ball goes in the net then they normally count, and it is also pleasing that Barnston have almost reached last season’ points total.

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, for Hatfield Peverel, keeper, Hicks, who is just seventeen, showed promise, beaten by a belter of a first goal only to make one mistake for the second but made good decisions thereafter, Leeder was always in the mix when defending and when going forward, Rotaru, Hale and Young and particularly Older worked hard but without any success in front of goal. For Barnston, and its pleasing to see their elder statesmen, Bob and Bill in attendance, their young team under the management of Joshua Hutchins have seemingly played well this season and will give few teams a hard time if this game is anything to go on. Keeper, Bennet, whom I’ve not seen before looked assured throughout, commanding his area, the midfield area was always going to be crucial, the Onafuye’s, Pavey and Emeh looked useful, Groves held the ball up well but the player who to me, had a crucial part to play was Hearn, he was everywhere, starting in defence, great tackling and accurate passing throughout, but getting forward whenever possible, a great strike for the opening goal and an “assist” for the own goal, so not too difficult to consider anyone else from this match.

Teams:

HATFIELD PEVEREL FC: Colours: Blue & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Blue Socks.

Zak Hicks., John Leeder., Sam Willis., Troy Pitkin., Peter Whitwell., Josh Clarke., Martin Young., Cosmin Rotaru. Lawrence Hale (C)., Lewis Nial., Joel Older.

Manager: Steve Pretty.

Used Substitutes: Sam Harrington., Jacob Johnson., Ryan Whiteman.

Unused Substitutes: Ryan Pitt.

BARNSTON AFC: Colours: Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts and Yellow Socks.

Adam Bennett., Christopher Final., Jay Thompson., Samuel Reece., Rhys Theobald., Harry Hearn (C)., Michael Onafuye., Adam Pavey., Harry Groves., Emmanuel Onafuye., Clarence Emeh.

Manager: Joshua Hutchins.

Used Substitutes: Jamie Coe., Jake Newlove., Ashley Merritt

Unused Substitute: Joshua Hutchins., Ryan Sardi.

Referee: Graham Scott

Assistants: Ian Butler

and Anthony Darke.

Player of the Match: Harry HEARN (BARNSTON AFC)

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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 2:00pm in: November, December & January

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 )

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ESBFL “web-site”

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Clubs are reminded that the following documents are all available on this website under Clubs / Documents etc:

ESBFL Handbook,