24/10/2020 – REPORT – Colne Athletic FC Reserves versus Thorpe Athletic FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION THREE.

COLNE ATHLETIC FC RESERVES: 0. THORPE ATHLETIC FC: 3.

Date: Saturday 24^th October 2020.

Venue: Regent Road Recreation Ground, Brightlingsea.

A trip back to Regent Road Recreation Ground, Brightlingsea this week to watch a new Reserve team, that of Colne Athletic FC, currently in sixth place, with four victories and two defeats, who were to play a totally new Club, Thorpe Athletic FC who led the table with five victories and a draw to date. Both these new teams had been directly placed into Division Three, not the lowest division, as it was perceived their playing strength may be strong, it seems the Management Committee called that right. I remember the days of Thorpe Social FC (Saturdays)(CEEFL) and Thorpe Sports & Social Club FC (Sundays)(CSDL) however, both no longer exist and its perhaps sad that Thorpe Athletic FC find themselves playing their home games down the road in Kirby! Once again, I was afforded a warm welcome by Home Manager, Jamie Thomson, a chance for some historical banter, and it was good to see a decent crowd gather, despite the threat of some rain later on.

The man in the middle today was the jovial Eric Bowers, more friendly banter, who continues to enjoy his football, forty plus years after taking up the “whistle” in the ESBFL, he is like that “Tin of Ronseal”, he does what is says on the tin, by upholding the rules of the game, such a shame players can’t abide by the rules and if you listen you get told why decisions are made, yes he might miss a few decisions, but that’s human nature and nobody is perfect! A strong wind was blowing off the sea and directly across the pitch and thus, was of no help to either team with the rain that did arrive with half-an-hour to play playing havoc to any high ball.

And so to kick-off, Colne Athletic FC Reserves kicked off and inside a minute the match ball was flying over the hedge at the far end, the close proximity of the pitch to houses on two sides, is such that it will and did occur regularly, so let’s try to keep the ball on the pitch! Thorpe Athletic FC, once in possession had a strong team and work ethic, they are a young team, some players with experience from playing in the Thurlow Nunn Football League. Gray, their target player held the ball up for Barnard (B) who ran on to beat keeper, Ringe, but home captain Edmonds was on hand to hack the ball clear from the goal-line as Shuttlewood closed in. That combination of Gray and Barnard (B) would sorely test the home defence throughout this match as the first ten minutes saw the ball going end-to-end. Milburn for Colne forced an early corner off Bates, a tenacious defender, Rashid took the kick, but the ball was cleared by Barnard (H). Yearling fouled Barnard (B) then Malone fouled Harms near the half-way line, Shuttlewood took the free-kick with Barnard (B) toe-poking the ball just wide with keeper, Ringe a spectator. A clearance from keeper, Ringe was fielded at the other end after one bounce by keeper, Hall, who threw the ball out to Bates and Thorpe moved purposely forward, Milburn fouling Barnard (H) on the centre-circle. Hulstrom was adjudged to have fouled Rashid, who had beaten him for pace, Machin took the free-kick but his dipping free-kick just cleared the cross-bar, and I have to say that at fifteen minutes both teams had shaped up well and I thought we were in for a good game.

Shuttlewood received the ball wide on the right side and passed inside to Gray who played the ball behind Edmonds and back into the path of Shuttlewood who fired the ball wide, an early warning perhaps. Edmonds unloaded Barnard (B) for a free-kick, Harms took the free-kick, the ball rebounding off he defensive wall and back to Harms who sent a low drive flashing across the six-yard box and safety. Barnard (B) sent Shuttlewood away, or so he thought as the off-side flag was waved, play continued as a goal-kick followed. On twenty-nine minutes the opening goal, Thorpe, who had now gained more possession took the lead, Gray won the ball wide on the left, finding Barnard (B) who slipped the ball through to JAMES SHUTTLEWOOD who ran on to beat, defender Saunders and the advancing keeper, Ringe. On thirty minutes the game was inexplicably stopped, what for we asked, and the referee calmly advised the two players in contention, Malone and Gray that the use of raised elbows was not on, nothing malicious in this case but one slip by either player could have led to a different outcome, a drop ball followed, yes, a dropped ball, haven’t seen one for ages, seems I was not alone, but a common-sense approach by the match official!

Machin, for Colne limped off after thirty-three minutes being replaced in defence by McSweeney and Barnard (B) was again fouled by Edmonds, good contest that, and whether that forced defensive change upset the home team’s composure, I’m not sure. The free-kick was driven in low by Shuttlewood and was guided home at the near post by BAILEY BARNARD who had eluded his marker and knew exactly where the ball was going to be played, a fine goal in fact. Thorpe were now in control, Colne needed to regroup and draw on their experience if they were to get anything out of this match, Bates sent in a low shot that had keeper, Ringe scrambling across his goalmouth. Saunders fouled Barnard (B) wide on the right side then at the other end a free-kick taken by Chevalier flew straight to keeper, Hall, who then produced a fine save to deny Rashid who had used his pace to get through the visitor’s defence. The game was still open and both teams tried to play attacking football, the game only being spoilt by the strong wind and only stopped for free-kicks or the ball going out of play, Edmonds took Gray down from behind but McSweeney headed the ball clear from the free-kick. A shot from Milburn forced keeper, Hall to make a smart save after taking a deflection on the way then Rashid dribbled through, should have taken a shot, but by not doing so allowed defenders Hulstrom, Barnard (H) and Bates to clear their lines for a corner, taken by Chevalier but straight into the side-netting. After five minutes of added time we had reached half-time and League leaders Thorpe were sitting comfortably in front.

HALF-TIME: 0 – 2.

Thorpe kicked-off the second half, no player changes were seen, Bates tackled Rashid to concede a corner and within three second half minutes Yearling, for Colne was replaced by Macklin, a free-kick from Saunders saw Edmonds climb all over Bates to reach the ball but concede a free-kick. The rain had now reached us, and my notebook was going to suffer, and the wind seemed to have strengthened as well, time for the trusty umbrella as well. Malone was strong into a challenge on Gray, no foul given, and none called for, plenty of commitment though from every player. On fifty-seven minutes Gray found Barnard (B) and this time, keeper, Ringe was quickly out to gather the ball, Hunt fouled Malone but the ball was brought back for a foul on Barnard (H), twenty-five yards out, taken by Shuttlewood whose drive was just over the cross-bar.

On the hour mark, Colne replaced Milburn with Gooch, their last change, and Thorpe replaced Harms with Taylor, then a cross from Shuttlewood was caught by keeper, Ringe. A throw-in from Hale found Gray who controlled the ball before crossing, left-footed found Barnard (B) whose shot on the turn was blocked by keeper, Ringe. Nothing appeared to be going right for the home team, a poor goal-kick should have been punished, a free-kick was driven behind the intended targets and straight out for a throw-in and a corner was over-hit for a throw-in, composure was clearly required and demanded from the home management team. For Thorpe, Taylor pushed the ball into Barnard (B) whose attempted lob from thirty yards, bounced just wide, the rain had increased now and was driving straight into our backs forcing people to find shelter. A long ball forward from Barnard (H) was head back to his keeper, Ringe, by Edmonds then an error by McSweeney, slicing a clearance straight to Gray whose shot narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Shuttlewood caused a problem for Macklin, turning him one way then the other before sending in a cross, headed clear by Saunders but only to Barnard (B) whose first time effort cannoned away off the corner of the post and cross-bar and Thorpe remained camped inside the Colne half. Shuttlewood robbed the ball once again from Macklin who dithered over who he could pass too, such was the marking from the visitor’s players, the effort from Shuttlewood bounced twice before passing wide of the outstretched keeper and the open goal. Keeper, Ringe, redeemed himself with a fine save to deny Shuttlewood, at the other end a fine clearance was made by Hunt, but the home effort had come too late as we entered the last few minutes. With a minute to go, defender, Saunders fouled Barnard (B) just inside the penalty area, no questions, no arguments, a nailed-on penalty kick, despatched with aplomb by BAILEY BARNARD, game over, and with time running out Thorpe replaced Bolton with Buck, not even sure he touched the ball as the final whistle blew soon afterwards.

FULL TIME: 0 – 3.

So what was missing from this match, well only four players were spoken too throughout, there were no cautions, dismissals or “sin-bins” and hopefully everyone enjoyed themselves, you see it can be done! With this win, Thorpe remain top-dogs, but there is a keen chasing pack behind them, they deserved their victory with a solid team effort and showed a lot of composure and skill coupled with a non-stop attacking philosophy, encouraged from the side by Manager, James Bolton and numerous supporters, its good to see a new club have a following and so far being run the right way. The home team, Colne, will have better days, in this match they were second best as the score-line shows, onwards and upwards from now on then, good luck to both teams in this, on the face of it, competitive division.

Now let’s turn to my Star Player, for Colne, captain Edmonds tried to lead by example despite having his work cut-out when trying to stop Gray and Barnard (B), Price, Milburn and Malone found it hard in midfield, meaning service to the forwards was rushed. For Thorpe, and I now many of their players from previous Clubs, the looked a compact team, working for each other, up front in Gray and Barnard (B) they have players who are always looking to score, the midfield is packed with Harms, Hunt, Barnard (H) and Shuttlewood the creative engine room whilst defensively, keeper, Hall was well covered by Bolton, Hulstrom, Hale and particularly Bates who, as per the Cubs entry on FA Full-Time is my choice for this match, but there were several contenders.

Teams:

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

Elliot Ringe., Marc Yearling., Joshua Saunders., Jamie Edmonds (C)., Gary Machin., Cheyton Malone, Keelan Milburn., Daniel Price., Joe Chevalier., Charlie Usher., Mehdi Rashid.

Manager: Jamie Thomson & Matt Langmead.

Used Substitutes: Jay Macklin., Connor McSweeney., Ryan Gooch.

Unused Substitutes: Karl Brooks., Joe Steel.

THORPE ATHLETIC FC: Colours: Blue & Red Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Gary Hall., Oliver Hale., Max Bates., Harry Hulstrom., Harrison Barnard., William Bolton., Kalon Harms., Brandon Hunt (C)., Matthew Gray., Bailey Barnard., James Shuttleworth.

Manager: James Bolton.

Used Substitutes: Alfie Taylor., Louis Buck.

Unused Substitutes: Joe Power

Referee: Eric BOWERS

Star Player: Max BATES (THORPE ATHLETIC FC)

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“COVID-19” “CORONAVIRUS”

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

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