25/01/2020 – REPORT – Great Bentley FC versus Alresford Colne Rangers FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION.

GREAT BENTLEY FC: 2. ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC: 0.

Date: Saturday 25^th January 2020. Venue: The Green, Great Bentley.

By going to “The Green” at Great Bentley on Saturday it meant I had watched every Premier Division team at least once, I try to see them all both home and away so still plenty to do as well as picking up games in other Divisions. At the start of play the home team sat fourth on thirty-two points and the visitors sat fifth on thirty points having played one game more, with these statistics in mind I was expecting a close, competitive affair given that this is also one of the closest local derbies, mileage wise, on the ESBFL fixture list.

A cold, damp afternoon and a soft grassy pitch, greeted those hardy supporters whose numbers increased as this match progressed, a match with three appointed officials, Referee Richard Baker and his Assistants, Steven Tymms and Eric Bowers.

Alresford kicked off playing the ball back into defence before launching the ball wide to the left side where Great Bentley picked up possession and worked the ball forward through Herbert who firstly gained a throw-in, which he took but his long throw bounced once before keeper, Charles held the ball on the six yard line. Wightman and Vaughan clashed in a heavy challenge, no foul was given nor needed, just a competitive start to proceeding perhaps, then Great Bentley were awarded, a free kick for a foul, taken by Herbert whose cross found the head of Olymbios, but the header flew straight to keeper, Charles. Herbert was soon enjoying more space down the right side, dribbling past three retreating defenders before running out of space inside the penalty area and the home team kept up the early pressure. O’Brien was spoken too after a rash challenge on Wallis, his second offence already and more free-kicks followed, Aves on Brown, who got up to take the free-kick himself, lofting the ball to the far post where Baker got a good head on the ball but directed the ball wide of the goal. With ten minutes gone the home team held the upper hand, the visitors were having to defend in numbers and some clearances were panicked and gave possession back to the home team. Olymbios was chaser in chief, a tall player with strength and intent, no cause was not considered lawful or otherwise and his persistence with that of Vaughan reminded me of two wasps that you cannot swat away! The presence of Vaughan against Wightman forced the Alresford Captain to concede a throw-in, taken by Bowles to Olymbios who laid the ball back to Durling who struck a superb rising shot from twenty-five yards that cannoned back of the left hand upright, the home crowd on the far side were celebrating, too early, but a terrific hit none-the-less, with the loose ball was hit over the cross-bar by Herbert. It was clear the home team wanted to win this match, a local derby it may be, the players know each other well but league placing and putting distance between themselves was the order of the day. Newcombe fouled Olymbios close to the edge of he penalty area, Brown took the free-kick sending the ball to keeper, Charles at the far post and from his long clearance Runicles raced forward but his attempted lob of the advancing keeper was thwarted by a fine save by keeper, Allwood at the expense of a corner, The corner, taken by Aves was headed out by Baker to Wightman whose attempted low volley was deflected wide for a corner off Wallis.

With fifteen minutes elapsed this game was still bubbling nicely, numerous free-kicks had been awarded by an efficient referee, keeping a tight rein on proceedings, a cross on the run from Herbert just eluded Yarwood whose presence unsighted Brown whose header was placed wide of the goal. Vaughan gave chase against Hammerton, keeping the ball in play only for Wightman to sweep up as Vaughan approached the penalty area. On eighteen minutes a breakthrough, a corner taken by Herbert was headed home by the unmarked LOUIS OLYMBIOS despite the efforts of Newcombe on the goal-line a goal wildly celebrated by the home team and their supporters. Evans fouled Durling mid-half then Bowles did the same on Linnane with the home defender spoken too. Linnane in central midfield for Alresford was trying to prompt his team with the help of Juby, Aves and O’Brien but one defence splitting pass rolled on to keeper Allwood standing on the edge of his penalty area, I’d call that good anticipation. On twenty-five minutes a free-kick taken by Bowles was chested down by Baker only for the same player to then volley the ball wide, from the restart, the ball was played forward to Wightman who beat two players before shooting goal-wards through a crowd of players, keeper, Allwood saw the ball late and clawed it away towards the far post, O’Brien attacked the loose ball, got his head to it, collided with the goalkeeper and watched the ball hit the outside of the left hand upright and safety, both players receiving attention before play resumed. Burch headed clear the next Alresford attack, and it led to the home team breaking forward with Durling, Olymbios setting the ball through to Vaughan, who looked up but dragged his effort wide across the face of the goal.

With thirty-two minutes elapsed, a through ball was played forward for Runicles of Alresford to chase, defender Burch challenged and both players fell to the ground complaining, looked a bit of six-of-one and six-of the other, leading to Burch receiving the first caution of the match. From the free-kick a corner followed and when that corner arrived inside the six-yard box O’Brien stuck up a hand to needlessly handle the ball and he too received a caution, one apiece then! Hughes fouled Olymbios, the free-kick, was poor and was cleared, then Herbert sent over a great cross which Vaughan controlled before finding Olymbios who was tackled by Hughes. Herbert almost became provider when he got round Hammerton sending in a low cross that was met by both Vaughan and Brown who attacked the ball at the near post, keeper, Charles stuck out a leg and the ball ricocheted out to be cleared. The visitor’s frustration was compounded when Linnane ran the ball forward, lost control, then dived in, to clatter Bowles, a caution was inevitable, then a long ball from Evans cleared the home defence but Runicles was flagged off-side, one of the first such decisions in this game so far. Linnane, then rode his luck with another challenge on Durling, the free-kick from Herbert was cleared wide where Olymbios and Wightman got themselves in a tangle with a free-kick given and other players getting unnecessarily involved, with the two players spoken too.

HALF TIME: 1 – 0.

Great Bentley restarted this match, everything was still to play for, one goal was never going to be a winning margin the football purists probably wanted a draw, but there were none of them supporting the home team. Brown was caught off-side after good approach work from Burch and Vaughan with Juby getting a knock along the way. Evans dragged a weak effort wide from outside the penalty area, and then a moment of controversy, Alresford keeper, Charles launched a long, high clearance, Baker was caught out by the flight of the ball which bounced behind him, the last defender, allowing Runicles to run through onto the ball which hit his chest, hitting his raised arm and falling in front before being despatched past the static keeper, however, goal celebrations were short-lived as a handball offence was upheld, no VAR here, I personally thought the player had gained an advantage from the ball hitting his arm, so no goal. Yarwood, who had been quiet in this match bull-dozed his way through three challenges to thwart the visitors improved second half performance and with Durling and Wallis competed in midfield throughout. On fifty-two minutes a foul by Vaughan on Hammerton led to his caution, Aves led a charge to gain a corner which, when it reached Wightman was despatched high and wide, Runicles chased another ball forward, thought he was fouled, showed dissent when play continued and so he spent the next ten minutes in the “Sin-Bin”.

On the hour mark, Great Bentley replaced Burch with Brough who also took over the Captains armband from Yarwood, Olymbios was once again causing problems, prepared to chase down any attempt by the visitors to play the ball out of defence, Three minutes later and Great Bentley made a double substitution replacing Brown and Vaughan with Hurd and Daly. When Durling found himself in space with the ball at his feet his attempt to lob keeper, Charles, was not his finest piece of action but Alresford failed to clear properly and Olymbios won possession to find Daly who shot wide from twenty-five yards. Another substitution followed on sixty-eight minutes, Linnane being replaced by Wilson and Runicles re-joined the action. Brough fouled Runicles, the free-kick, was cleared to the other end where Aves in trying to guide the ball back to his keeper, Charles, made a right hash of it with Daly almost getting onto a free ball. Wallis dived into a challenge on Runicles to earn a caution, that’s three against two now and Alresford replaced O’Brien with Mucaj.

Great Bentley continued to try their pass and move football, clearly some training has gone into their organised fashion of play and if you are young and fit then its makes life easy and this was not an easy game. With ten minutes remaining Alresford made their third and final change replacing the injured Juby with Harrington, but from the poor goal-kick by Charles, the ball fell to Olymbios who played in Daly, but Wightman recovered quickly to stop the attack. The combative Olymbios was cautioned for, what looked like a soft challenge on Hammerton, the ball was cleared upfield to Wilson who won a corner. Hammerton and Mucaj worked a short corner with the latter player having his goal bound shot diverted for another corner by Wallis, taken by Hammerton with keeper, Allwood, calling for and catching the high ball. Great Bentley were still looking for a second goal, Bowles sent Olymbios away finding Hurd whose effort was stopped by keeper, Charles. Brough was guilty of a high foot against Evans for caution number five, nothing came from the free-kick so the home team started again and worked the ball forward to Daly who skipped round Wightman who dived into a tackle, Daly went down, Wightman had the ball wedged between his feet but with the tackle made technically from behind a penalty kick was awarded. Now who or what do you need for a last-minute spot kick, well, Mr Cool himself, KIERON BAKER strode forward to slot the ball home, game over. Despite Alresford trying to get something out of this match it was the home team that threatened again, Daly set up Durling who was fouled, Durling took the free-kick himself and keeper, Charles saved low on his goal-line.

FULL TIME: 2 – 0.

This game lived up to expectations, two fairly evenly matched teams, both had players missing, no matter, the football fare served up was very good and both teams are a credit to the ESBFL and I’m sure they will both be in the mix at the end of an intriguing Premier Division season where six or seven teams might triumph, it’s still early days and there are crucial matches to follow. Today honours went to the home team by far the better team in the first half, but pegged back a bit in the second half as Alresford rallied, if there was a down-side it was the overall tally of seven cautions and a “sin-bin”, I suppose that’s called passion and playing and taking one for their respective teams!

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, Alresford huffed and puffed throughout, they never really got hold of the ball with any purpose despite the efforts of Juby, Linnane, O’Brien and Aves and with Evans and Runicles starved of any service to make any impact which saw them have only a handful of shots at goal. Turning to Great Bentley, this was team performance from the very first minute, in Allwood they have found a young keeper who shows promise, good handling and distribution today, but few saves of note to make. Defensively, Herbert, Bowles, Burch and the impressive Baker snuffed out any danger, in midfield Wallis, Brown, Yarwood and workaholic Durling, pulling the attacking strings which allowed forward Vaughan and Olymbios to run and chase throughout. So, with one goal and an overall high work-rate I’ve opted for Olymbios but to be honest several others were in contention.

Teams:

GREAT BENTLEY FC: Colours: White Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Jake Allwood., Archie Herbert., Christopher Bowles., Darryl Wallis., Kieron Baker., Jack Burch., Dale Brown., Aran Yarwood (C)., Jake Vaughan., Louis Olymbios., Charlie Durling.

Manager: Jack Murray.

Used Substitutes: Joe Hurd., Quentin Daly., Peter Brough.

Unused Substitutes: Jack Murray

ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC: Colours: Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Daniel Charles., Robert Wightman (C)., Chay Hammerton., Winston Juby., Ben Hughes., Glen Linnane., Gavin Newcombe., Aiden O’Brien., Michael Runicles., Gareth Evans., Elliot Aves.

Manager: Andrew Smith.

Assistant Manager: Darren Macrae.

Used Substitutes: Ermal Mucaj., Laurence Wilson. Luke Harrington.

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Smith

Referee: Richard Baker.

Assistants: Steven Tymms.

and Eric Bowers.

Player of the Match: Louis OLYMBIOS (GREAT BENTLEY 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 )

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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,