25/05/2024 – REPORT – COVID Cup Final

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

COVID CUP FINAL

GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES.        1.       DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES  2.

Date:   Saturday 25^th May 2024.                   Venue: “The Crops”, Coggeshall Town FC.

            This was the last Saturday of the season, all league titles had been settled and all but one Cup Final, the “COVID Cup Final”, had been played, once again the ESBFL secured the use of “The Crops” home of Coggeshall Town FC, I have to say that even at this late stage of the season the pitch looked in perfect condition, a credit to the groundsman, and the ESBFL thanks the Club for the use of their facilities. Surprisingly, a decent sized crowd of over one hundred, had gathered on a fine, warm afternoon, rain had been threatened but thankfully, stayed away, kick-off had been moved forward to mid-day, this would allow people to watch the FA Cup Final in the Clubhouse afterwards. These two teams both play in Division Three and both league fixtures had ended all square, here was a chance for one team to put one over the other, if only for seasonal bragging rights, the teams finished fourth and fifth with just one point separating them.

The League appointed referee for this match, was Dean Welham, an experienced referee who would be assisted by David Owen and Zac Adams, both new to the competition this season with David Stacey acting as Fourth Official.

            Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves kicked off and pushed forward, Vitelli was fouled by McMillan, after O’Hart and McLean had worked the ball forward down the right side, Grimsey took the free kick, but Dorling headed clear, then O’Hart was allowed to run along the goal line, to send in a low driven cross that neither McLean, or Vitelli could capitalise on, close call though. Winney, leading goal-scorer for Great Bentley FC Reserves tried to use his pace to get round Findlay who put on the afterburners to match the younger player, to concede a corner. Vitelli had a run against Vaughan, but was fouled, Green took the free kick, low toward Vitelli, Dorling defended well and another corner followed, Green took the corner kick, Vitelli swivelled on to the ball, which struck the arm of Dorling standing on the near post, shouts for a penalty kick went up, the referee was unmoved but Nash was ordered to the “sin-bin” for questioning the non-decision, was it a penalty or not, seen them given but a ball struck at close range and at pace, hardly gives a defender a chance to move from a natural defensive stance on the goal-line! O’Hart was fouled by Dorling, Green took the free kick finding McLean whose darting run forward ended with a corner kick, again this was cleared and from a beak forward Winney raced clear, he beat the advancing keeper, Bentley but a defender got back to clear, minutes later and Winney was again foiled by keeper, Bentley diving low to his left side.

            Once Great Bentley FC Reserves got going, the game opened-up, Morton and Whitehead found Smith who forced a throw-in, and their possession percentage improved, Vaughan forced Grimsey to concede possession and from his cross, Smith shot high over the cross bar. Nash had now rejoined the match, Great Bentley FC Reserves held possession and pushed forward, midfielder, Whitehead, played the ball into the path of ADAM MORTON who struck a fine goal bound effort that keeper, Bentley, seemed to have had covered, but when the ball took the slightest of deflections, of an un-named defender, it looped over the stranded keeper for the opening goal, mid-way through the first half. Keeper, Bentley, was perhaps fortunate when he chased a loose ball that would have gone out for a goal kick, but Smith had not given up the chase and was bundled over by the keeper, a goal-kick was awarded, despite protestations from players and management alike! When Durrell fouled McLean, the free kick was cleared by Wainer but back to McLean who fired over the crossbar, Smith picked up a needless caution for “delaying the restart” at another stoppage, Parker got the ball wide to O’Hart, from his deep cross, Dorling headed clear. McLean and Macklin linked up before Wainer blocked the shot from Macklin, and with the ball played wide to the right side, Vitelli turned and shot goalwards, or was it a cross, either way the ball struck the crossbar and rebounded into play.

            Great Bentley, keeper, French had not seen much of the ball at the thirty minute mark but he reacted quickly when Vitelli threatened after latching onto a pass from McLean, and when the ball broke forward for Great Bentley, Parker was struck by a shot to the “unmentionables”, years ago, the thought of that cold sponge soon made players recover quicker, today, take a deep breath and get on with the game! This game had lived up to my expectations, closely fought, not many chances with midfield and defences on top, barring the goal, that is. A shot from Vitelli, flew straight to keeper, French, McLean passed through the defence to Vitelli, who was caught off-side, McLean found Nash who passed inside to Vitelli, who let fly, the ball struck the hand of defender, Wainer, but again no penalty kick was given, where is VAR when you want it! Vaughan, set another Great Bentley FC Reserves move going, finding Evans, who moved the ball on to Winney, but Findlay was there to block. When Findlay lost the ball in a forward foray, Durrell, Vaughan, and Smith attacked down the right side, but that final pass was hit too hard, and a goal kick followed. As we approached, half-time, this game had ebbed and flowed, McLean found Nash who passed to Vitelli whose shot was blocked by Durrell who sent the ball long to Morton and from his pass, Winney was caught off-side.

HALF-TIME:    1 – 0.

            Great Bentley FC Reserves restarted this match, forty-five minutes till the end of the season, Wainer launched an “up-and-under” ball that keeper, Bentley dealt with, once again, Findlay and Winney had a head-to-head chase, the defender did well to clear his lines. A cross from Evans was headed over by Smith, and from the same supply line, Morton headed wide. When McLean was fouled by Durrell, Newman took the free kick, but the ball drifted wide, Vaughan fouled, O’Hart, then Vitelli was caught off-side coming back from an attack, to meet a fine headed clearance from Parker. Parker fouled Morton, in a central position, on the edge of the “D”, Whitehead lined up his shot, well struck, round the defensive wall, keeper, Bentley failed to hold the ball and McLean cleared the ball away from danger. When Newman was robbed of the ball, Winney had two attempts at goal, the first was blocked by Parker, the second cleared the goal.

            An hour had now elapsed, goal-scoring chances were at a premium, but the game still had pace and intent from both teams, McLean and O’Hart got forward to supply Vitelli, whose shot went straight to keeper, French. Whitehead and O’Hart were both injured in a tasty challenge on the half-way line, Findlay defended well against Smith, then a long ball from Parker fell to Vitelli, but he had too much to do to gain any advantage. On sixty-five minutes Nash and Newman were replaced by Clarke-Jackson and Slack, the former making a rash challenge in his first involvement. O’Hart ran onto a long ball from Grimsey, to gain a corner, taken by Green but safely cleared by McMillan. Great Bentley FC Reserves replaced Dorling with Grimshaw, and when Whitehead cleared the ball out of play, Evans was the first player to suffer from a touch of cramp. Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves replaced O’Hart with Oscar, from the free kick taken by Morton, Parker headed clear, Evans being replaced by Hutchings.

            Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, kept plugging away, Great Bentley FC Reserves seemed to be content with a single goal lead but with fifteen minutes remaining that could be the wrong tactic and so it proved, Parker played the ball out of defence, Slack took up the running before threading a fine pass between the retreating central defenders and there was JOHN VITELLI, one touch to control, two more paces and his deft right footed effort beat keeper, French, for the equaliser, game on! Macklin fouled Whitehead in a central position, that had been a fair contest between two experienced players, all game, and I’m starting to think about penalty kicks, even drawing a grid in my notebook! On eight-seven minutes Great Bentley FC Reserves replaced Winney with Duce, is he a spot kick expert, I thought, Durrell fouled Oscar, wide on the left side, Green struck a fine flighted free kick goalwards, the ball was dipping and keeper, French was forced into making a fine save, tipping the ball against the crossbar and over for a corner kick. A low cross from Green, fell to Grimsey, Duce blocked the shot, then Duce fouled Clarke-Jackson. Green took the free kick, low into the crowded penalty area, a goalmouth scramble followed and a defender, in trying to clear could only hit LIAM MACKLIN who scored from very close range, I timed that goal at ninety-four minutes. Oscar was shown a yellow card for his over-the-top celebrations and a member of the Great Bentley FC Reserves, Management team also saw yellow, it had not been that sort of game though. A further few minutes of play followed before the referee blew the final whistle to set up some lively celebrations by Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, this was their second cup triumph this season having lifted the “Reserve Knock-Out Cup” back in late March.

FULL TIME:     1 – 2.

            That’s it, the season is over, now we start planning for the next, no peace for the wicked, as they say! Not a classic cup final, two evenly matched teams that had chances, but they were not taken as defences held firm, for the most part. Both teams should take credit for the manner, in which the game was played, hard and fair, plenty of passing and movement, cancelled out by the other team.

            League Chairman, John Campany assisted by League Vice-Chairman, Richard Degville then handed over the Division Five, Runners-Up trophy, to three young members of the Great Bentley FC “A” team who had played today, well done to them.

League Chairman, John Campany assisted by League Secretary, Alison Stanford handed out mementoes to the four Match Officials, followed by the losing team, Great Bentley FC Reserves and finally to the winners, Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves who celebrated long into the afternoon, apparently, there was no draught beer left!

            Now, let’s turn to my “Star Players”, usually for Cup Finals I chose a player from each team, for Great Bentley FC Reserves, a team effort, but Whitehead stood out, being central to most attacking play from midfield. For Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, again a team effort, Vitelli scored as he usually does in one-on-one situations, Macklin and McLean ran their midfield but dependable Parker, at the back with Findlay defended well throughout, Parker getting the edge for his positive runs forward when allowed to roam, taking no prisoners in any tackle and he also won a fair share of the aerial balls played forward.

Teams:

GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES:       

Colours:                        Blue & White Shirts, Blue Shorts and White Socks.

Team:

Jack French., Jake Vaughan., Charlie Dorling., Callum Durrell., Greg Wainer (C)., Elliot McMillan., Archie Smith., Liam Whitehead., Samuel Winney., Adam Morton., Lewis Evans.

Manager:                      William Archibald.

Used Substitutes:          Pacey Grimshaw., Flynn Hutchings., Adam Duce.

Unused Substitutes:      Oscar Herbert., Gareth Evans.

DEDHAM POLD BOYS FC RESERVES:

Colours:                        Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

Ryan Bentley., Archie Grimsey., Jack Green., James Parker., Daniel Findlay., Toby Newman., Russell McLean., Liam Macklin., Ross Nash., John Vitelli., Aiden O’Hart.

Manager:                      Luke Tuttlebee.

Assistant Manager:       Daniel Coote.

Used Substitutes:          Harrison Clarke- Jackson., Luke Oscar., Ryan Slack.

Unused Substitutes:      Ruben Patrick., Jamie Rush.

Referee:                       Dean Welham.

Assistant Referees:       David Owen & Zac Adams.

4^th Official:                    David Stacey.

Star Player:                Liam WHITEHEAD                  (GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES)

                                    James PARKER                       (DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES)