24/04/2019 – REPORT – Stanway Pegasus FC versus AFC Sudbury “A” – Tommy Thompson Cup Final

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

TOMMY THOMPSON CUP FINAL.

STANWAY PEGASUS FC: 1. AFC SUDBURY “A”: 2.

Date: Tuesday 24^th April 2019.

Venue: The Hawthorns, Stanway Rovers FC

Tuesday night football saw the Tommy Thompson Cup Final being played at Stanway Rovers FC between Division 2 champions, Stanway Pegasus FC and probably Division 2 Runners-Up, AFC Sudbury “A”, both teams in their first season in the ESBFL. Stanway Pegasus FC had won twenty-five league matches, losing only one league match this season, that was to tonight’s opponents who have remained unbeaten since 22^nd December 2018. With these team facts, it was clear to see that this cup final would be a close fought affair and hopefully the crowd, in excess of two hundred, enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining affair. Stanway Pegasus FC were formed from the very successful Pegasus FC, Sunday team and have collected some very experienced players for their successful league assault whereas AFC Sudbury “A” are the clubs successful Academy team but who on tonight’s showing have bright footballing futures.

The appointed match officials were James Parks who was supported by Richard Oakes and Daniel Webb with Benjamin Ridge acting as the 4^th Official and after the customary “Respect” handshake we were ready for kick-off on a bright, sunny but chilly evening, I must say that the Stanway Rovers pitch looked in excellent condition for this time of a long season.

Stanway Pegasus kicked off playing the ball back to Rahiti who launched the first of many telling, left footed crosses towards Booth (M) running wide down the right-hand side in front of the main stand. This fast start continued, and AFC won the first free-kick just inside the Stanway Pegasus half with their tall defenders clearing the danger. On three minutes Mills drove a long ball forward for Mayhew to chase as keeper, Davis, advanced to collect, Booth (M) showed his pace when dribbling forward gaining a throw-in off O’Malley from where Parkin launched a long throw-in into the penalty area where Langridge headed clear, the ball landing at the feet of Allison whose snap-shot was blocked and defender Mills shielded the ball out for a goal-kick under pressure from Booth (M). Rahiti played another long ball forward to Payne who held off Langridge before turning to shoot just wide. A high and long clearance from keeper, Wright was heading towards King until Drennan climbed over his back to concede a free-kick which resulted in a typical training ground routine with the ball reaching Mayhew but Stanway Pegasus defended this threat, but another followed when Barron fouled Critchley wide on the left side, the guilty player being spoken too. On nine minutes Rahiti sent a long ball to Barron who used his pace to reach the ball until Mills recovered to defend at the expense of a corner. Barron won another corner off Wooldridge and Stanway Pegasus held slightly more possession and corners would be difficult for AFC to defend with Stanway Pegasus sporting numerous tall players who held a height advantage. Barron had a shot on the run but keeper, Wright was well positioned to save on his goal-line after the ball cannoned off Langridge.

AFC had weathered the early storm from Stanway Pegasus and grew more confident after fifteen minutes of play, a free-kick taken by O’Malley found the head of King and when the ball looped back into the six-yard box, Mayhew headed goal-wards only for keeper, Davis to clutch the ball under the cross-bar. Braddon fouled Osborn and once again a clever free-kick routine followed from defender Mills, this game needed a goal and so far, there had been plenty of attacking play. Payne and Langridge had a right old tussle down by the corner flag, good contest that, and a goal-kick followed. Keeper, Wright launched another high ball towards King, once again fouled, this time by Clark, O’Malley placed his dipping free-kick just over the cross-bar and Stanway Pegasus replied with Booth (M) running at Critchley who once again defended well for a goal-kick. On twenty-six minutes, a goal, a throw-in from King for AFC fell to Mayhew who stepped away from Braddon before passing into the path of JOE OSBORN who, running in from the right side, shaped up to send a curling left-footed shot past the despairing dive of keeper, Davis, a well taken goal that. Braddon was warned after another foul on an AFC midfielder as his team looked to regain parity in what was becoming an absorbing match.

Another goal, again for AFC, followed on thirty-three minutes another great passing move started by King who found Osborn through on goal, keeper Davis made a fine stop with his feet, but FRED KING was on hand to slot the ball into the unguarded net. Payne was pulled up for a high challenge on Langridge and Braddon fouled Osborn with the free-kick taken by Wooldridge flying straight to keeper, Davis, who fumbled the ball but recovered before King could pounce. AFC, Captain, O’Malley received a full-blooded ball into the face from Allison, requiring treatment for the head injury from which he returned soon after to put Renwick through on goal, one-against-one with keeper, Davis who saved low down as he advanced from his goal-line, a third goal just before half-time might really have sealed the result! Parkin sent the ball wide to Rahiti whose fine cross was headed goal-wards by Payne with keeper, Wright also fumbling the ball for a corner kick. Rahiti took the corner, another great delivery, only for Clark to head wide near the far post, Rahiti then sent in an even better cross, keeper, Wright dived to push the ball wide, Parkin stabbed the ball against the cross-bar, could not reach the rebound and, was flagged for being off-side but the danger signs for the AFC defence remained. At this point the Stanway Pegasus Manager, was removed from the dug-out area presumably for dissent about decisions not going his team’s way! With five minutes to half-time, Stanway Pegasus were awarded a free-kick just wide of the edge of the penalty area, Booth (M) stepped up to send the ball high over the goal, the catch netting and into the car park, such a shame from such a gifted player! With just a few minutes of first half added time to play AFC have the ball in the net again when from a long throw-in from King, it looked like off-side from the Assistant Referees raised flag, but that goalmouth was very congested to determine exactly why. Renwick fouled Braddon, Critchley fouled Booth (M) and from the free-kick taken wide right, by Rahiti the ball drifted wide at the far post and the first half ended.

HALF-TIME: 0 – 2.

Stanway Pegasus replaced Drennan with Diplock immediately at the second half restart which was got underway by AFC, Renwick fouled Allison, Rahiti hit the free-kick too long and Parkin fouled O’Malley on the half-way line, not much had changed this half! King controlled the ball with his back to goal to set up Osborn whose shot was blocked by Clark ad Osborn fouled keeper, Davis as the ball bounced goal-wards. Then a moment of controversy, well for some at least, Barron broke forward, at pace, chasing a pass from Braddon, and dissecting the AFC defence, that was until Langridge came across to make a tackle, did he play the ball or foul Barron, the referee was well placed to say that the ball had been played and certainly it seemed to have deviated away from its forwards direction. Allison was spoken too about this non-decision and Stanway Pegasus plugged away again but AFC defended well once again. Allison then fouled Mills, King fouled Rahiti then Mayhew fouled Braddon as the physical battle continued. Parkin, now playing in defence, shielded the ball back to his keeper, Davis as Renwick threatened then a tricky dribble from Osborn led to a corner to AFC.

Stanway Pegasus clawed their way back into this match with a goal on fifty-nine minutes, a great shot from LUKE PAYNE from fully thirty yards took a slight deflection off an AFC defender and dipped wickedly over keeper, Wright, standing on the six-yard line, to clip the under-side of the cross-bar and nestle in the back of the net. Game On! This game was still being played at a fast pace, no let up in the attacking moves with defences still dominant when it mattered. A long clearance from keeper, Davis almost set Booth (M) away but Critchley used his noticeable pace to match that of Booth (M) and when a shot came in keeper, Wright saved for a corner. The corner from Rahiti was long and Clark just failed to connect at the far post, and when back in defence he had to deal with a raid by Renwick and King who combined down the left side. Sabini received a caution for a rash challenge on King who was looking to burst past, again on the left side then King was denied when Parkin just got a foot to the ball to clear.

On seventy-five minutes a long throw-in from Parkin found Clark whose toe-poke flew through a crowd of players only for keeper, Wright to stick out his hand instinctively to parry the ball out and AFC broke away again. There was no let p in the tackling, some fierce but fair challenges came in from both sides, especially Girling (S) and Mayhew and when Booth (M) was seemingly upended by a combination of Langridge and O’Malley, nothing was given, and Allison vented his annoyance to earn a caution, this would mean a visit to the sin-bin next season! King again strode forward from the half-way line and Parkin had to run back to make a telling intervention with five minutes remaining. Another foul, Braddon on Osborn with Girling (S) shooting straight at keeper, Davis. Stanway Pegasus replaced Barron with Grey whose first action was to foul Critchley, again the free-kick from Girling was met by a confident call from keeper, Davis. At the other end keeper, Wright saved from Allison who was then fouled by Mills wide on the left side, Allison reacted to seemingly and stupidly kick-out at Mills as the players fell to the ground, a second yellow card and a red card followed to reduce Stanway Pegasus to ten players. The free-kick from Rahiti flew off King for a corner and keeper, Wright was cautioned for time wasting when kicking the ball away! Rahiti took the corner-kick and King headed clear but a foul had been committed and from the restart the referee blew the final whistle to end a pulsating end-to-end match.

FULL TIME: 1 – 2.

Rate this as a cracking Cup Final, two very fit and skilful teams, evenly matched as their league positions indicated, the youthful AFC team, in my opinion, deserved their victory, took their chances, whilst Stanway Pegasus will reflect on chances missed.

After the final whistle, the ESBFL Vice Chairman, John Campany who gave a short speech before he introduced Brian Tatum, ESFBL Chairman the latter handed over the mementos to the match officials and mementos and trophies to the respective team captains. Stanway Pegasus were also given the Cup for winning the Second Division. Naturally the AFC players and supporters celebrated wildly, as you would expect.

Now for my Player-of-the-Match choice, both team’s players made a big effort throughout and I’ve found it difficult to pick out an individual winner so for a fine team performance I’ll go for the AFC Sudbury “A” team.

Teams:

STANWAY PEGASUS FC: Colours: Yellow Shirts., Black Shorts and Black Socks

Joseph Davis., Gianni Sabini., Samir Rahiti., Lee Braddon (C)., Sam Clark., Alex Drennan., George Barron., Harry Allison., Luke Payne., Max Booth., Ben Parkin.

Managers: Ray Turner & Ollie Booth

Used Substitutes: Joshua Grey., Harry Diplock.

Unused Substitutes: Owen Bryan., Max Caulfield., Ollie Booth

AFC Sudbury “A”: Colours: Red Shirts, Red Shorts and Red Socks.

Samuel Wright., Ethan Mills., Harry Critchley., Lewis O’Malley., Reece Langridge., Matthew Wooldbridge., Samuel Girling., Joe Osborn., Jack Renwick., Fred King., Ethan Mayhew.

Managers: Craig Power & Jamie Souza.

Used Substitutes:

Unused Substitutes: Joshua Hughes., Ellis Girling., Miles Sargent., Rauf Kabangu., Joshua Tysoe.

Referee: James Parks.

Assistant Referee: Richard Oakes

and Daniel Webb

4^th Official: Benjamin Ridge

Player/Team-of-the-Match: AFC SUDBURY “A”

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ESBFL – Knock-Out Cup Final

The final ESBFL Cup-Final will be played on:

Friday 3^rd May 2019

between

Gas Recreation FC and AFC Sudbury “A”

The game will be played at Brantham Athletic FC, Kick-Off is 19:45pm.

Entrance is £5, concessions are available.

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Additional Reporting – FACEBOOK (x2) & TWITTER

This season the ESBFL is widening its match-day reporting coverage, in addition to a full report written by Brian Reed, the league has enlisted the help of a young volunteer, Spencer Hume, who will also attend games using Facebook and Twitter to communicate up-to-date information and replicate other match reports, please make him welcome.

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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 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”

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

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

ESBFL Handbook,

Player Registration Sheet,

Player “Signed-On-Match-Day” Form,