27/11/2021 – report – Lawford Lads FC versus Alresford Colne Rangers FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

LAWFORD LADS FC:      2.       ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC:              3.

Date:               Saturday 27^th November 2021.         Venue:             School Lane, Lawford.

            What a day, four postponed matches, one abandoned match, none because of the weather, one hundred & eighty-four goals from thirty-one league fixtures and three from five teams progressed in Essex County & Suffolk County Cups, add to that some real wintry weather and everyone enjoyed themselves, or maybe not!

            On a cold and wet afternoon, I travelled to School Lane, Lawford to see rock bottom Lawford Lads FC play fourth placed Alresford Colne Rangers FC, the home team have won just three matches from half a season’s total of seventeen matches. The visitors had not lost a league match since the end of September and have progressed through two rounds of the Essex Premier Cup since then as well, their Management team have added some decent players to their squad this season and today had to call upon Reserve Team keeper, Gill to play between the sticks.

            Alresford kicked-off but Lawford got stuck in, gained possession, and kept it before the visitors engaged first gear, when Alresford did have the ball Hargreaves was played in by Higgleton whose left footed cross was fielded by home keeper, Thompson (A). Scott, for Lawford, thought he had set up Mann in a central position, but the Club Assistants flag was raised for off-side just outside the penalty area. Hargreaves, sent in a long throw-in with defender Upton heading out for a corner, Hargreaves then sent over a fine deep cross to the far post where Radford met the ball with his head only to head high and wide. Alresford had gained some territory and played a high line, kept, and controlled the ball well as Lawford were forced to defend, a couple of hefty challenges were seen before the match ball literally burst and had to be replaced! Higgleton was developing into a playmaker for Alresford, his long ball forward towards Lewis was stopped by Upton, at the expense of a corner. Hume had a glorious chance for the opening goal when he swung a boot at a driven cross from Higgleton but without any connection Lawford cleared their penalty area. A couple of niggly tackles led to some heated voices with the referee admonishing Upton and Stocker who felt a decision had not been made on the edge of their penalty area. At fifteen minutes it was Alresford who had the upper hand, they were quicker to the ball and Lawford were struggling to get forward whilst playing against the wind and rain.

            Mann, for Lawford was playing as the lone striker but he was prepared to run forward to any long ball played over the visitor’s defence, with Gray getting back to thwart one such chance, Ruth pushed Hume who got up to take the free-kick, long and high and out of play. By twenty-two minutes the visitors edged the possession but neither keeper, had actually had a shot to save and the best chance of the match so far fell to Hume who volleyed against the underside of the cross-bar from six-yards out, a right-wing cross by Hargreaves. Alresford continued to dominate midfield possession, Hume set up Higgleton whose driven shot was safely held by keeper, Thompson (J). A deep and challenging cross from Reynolds bounced once inside the penalty area and went out for a goal-kick, where were the forwards! The game continued in lively fashion, despite the inclement weather conditions, Robinson (H) found Scott, a young player who looked to take on his defender at any chance, only a well-timed tackle from Reynolds stopped an attack down the left side. The response from Alresford came from Higgleton who played the ball forward to Lewis who ran on to shoot but well wide this time, at the other end Hope was quickly across to tackle Mann.

            The first goal came on thirty-five minutes, Lawford had gained a throw-in deep in the Alresford half, Robinson (H) took an age, to take the throw-in leading to the referee overturning the throw-in to Alresford, this was quickly taken to Higgleton who sent a long searching ball high into the Lawford half, with the home defence out of position, Stocker missed his chance to control the ball, and with keeper Thompson (J) also out of position, RYAN LEWIS ran on to score, queue a verbal spat from Manager, Young who was cautioned for his pains! Now the worst time to concede a goal is just after you have scored so when Robinson (H) sent Mann away the return ball fell to Robinson (H) who rounded keeper, Gill and sent the ball rolling goal-wards from outside the penalty area, now whether the ball had sufficient pace to get to the goal is unknown but defender Hope ran across and rather than blasting the ball into touch his attempt to control led him to stumble and place the ball into his own net, for an OWN GOAL. Buoyed by this goal, Lawford pressed forward, Watson sent Mann on a chase and a shot at goal, no danger this time but the danger was there. The last play of the half saw Higgleton find Hughes whose rasping shot flew straight to keeper, Thompson (J) and from his clearance Robinson (H) ran around Gray before sending a searching cross-field pass that no one could reach.

HALF-TIME:    1 – 1.

            The rain continued as the players emerged from half-time, Lawford kicked-off and from Robinsons astute pass, Mann gave chase, keeper, Gill made a brave save at the feet of Mann, conceding a corner. I’m not sure if I had read the right script because Lawford took the lead on forty-seven minutes, having been awarded corner, REAGAN O’BRIEN, took the kick with his left foot and curled a superbly flighted ball straight into the back of the net with keeper, Gill floundering to punch the ball away inside the six-yard box. Before the re-start Alresford replaced Gray with Murphy, Smith fouled Mann who got up to send the free-kick high and wide with the assistance of the wind. A long ball forward from O’Brien set Mann away or so he thought, running with retreating defender, Smith however the flag was raised, correctly in my opinion but it was a close call. When Mann drifted wide to the left side, O’Brien played the ball back to Mann whose shot was cleared by Higgleton, but this home team turn-around might have been unexpected but on this showing, this half, Lawford deserved their lead, but there was still thirty minutes to play!

            Alresford equalised just after the hour mark, Hume scooped up a cross that headed high towards goal, keeper, Thompson (J) was challenged by Lewis on the six-yard line and when the ball fell free there was SAM HUME to slot the ball home, two goals apiece and all to play for. Alresford made another change bringing on Knill-Jones for Hargreaves, when play resumed, Higgleton fouled Watson, with play stopped Upton took the free-kick, into space behind the visitors, defence, just a shame there was nobody there and the ball rolled out for goal-kick, a strange one that! The game remained competitive, not quite end-to-end but some big challenges through midfield as both teams fought for possession. On seventy minutes, Allam set Mann away down the left side, from his driven cross, Watson had the ball in the net, but the flag was raised for off-side, no arguments on that one. The home defence had plugged away all this half stemming the sporadic attacks from Alresford but when Reynolds sent the ball forward, keeper, Thompson (J) decided to advance but Lewis nipped in the glance the ball past the keeper and fortunately the goal as well, close call though. Higgleton found Hume whose cross was cleared by Thompson ( A) and play once again moved to the other end where Scott almost got the better of Reynolds.

            Higgleton gained a corner off Stocker, taken by Hughes and punched clear by keeper, Thompson (J) and when the ball was played back inside the penalty area by Hughes, we all thought Knill-Jones should score, he made a good connection on the ball but keeper, Thompson (J) made a fine point-blank save on the ground. On seventy-eight minutes Lawford replaced Robinson (H) with Bolingbroke, Hope threaded the ball forward to Knill-Jones who laid the ball back to Lewis, lurking just outside the penalty area but his driven shot kept rising and cleared the cross-bar. Stocker made a good tackle on Hume and the next time the ball was not in play, Alresford, made their third change with Wightman replacing Radford. Alresford’s Reserve, keeper, Gill made another crucial save when Mann eluded the combined challenges of Hope and Smith, the keeper smothering the ball at the feet of the striker. When O’Brien sent the ball forward, it found Mann, shadowed by Smith with the Lawford player adjudged to have held the shirt of Smith to concede a free-kick. It was getting dark now as we entered the ninetieth minute of normal time, a draw would have been fair, especially to the home side who had belied their lowly league position, but its never over until the whistle blows! Lewis pressed forward from a pass from Reynolds, he passed the ball square to Hume who moved the ball on to the un-marked SAMUEL KNILL-JONES who scored at the near post, super sub or just a managerial stroke, the scorer was however cautioned for taking off his shirt when celebrating, too cold for that in my opinion but the exuberance of youth took over. The final whistle was sounded right after the re-start and the visitors had won by a very late goal indeed.

FULL TIME:     2 – 3.

            Given the weather conditions, both teams deserve credit for putting on a non-stop display, Lawford stay rooted to the bottom of the table but on this performance their results should surely improve sooner or later, for sure, it’s a competitive Division. Alresford will be relieved for getting that dramatic late winner, I thought a draw would have been fair, but it can be a cruel game, they remain fourth and are the only team to have taken points off leaders Stanway Pegasus FC who have now won sixteen of seventeen league matches to date.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player, for Lawford Lads FC, Ruth, O’Brien, Thompson (A) and Upton defended well for much of the match, Robinson, Watson, Allam and Scott had their work cut out through midfield and up-front Mann does what he is good at, holding the ball up, creating space with timely running on and off the ball and when he plays Lawford get more chances to score. For Alresford Colne Rangers FC, this was a good team effort backed by Reserve goalkeeper, Gill who made a couple of timely saves, Hope and Smith looked solid centrally, Hume and Lewis worked well together up-front and Gray, Hughes, Radford and Hargreaves swamp mid-field with both Reynolds and Higgleton vying for my choice of “Star Player” which this week goes to Higgleton, who created some good opportunities throughout.

Teams:

LAWFORD LADS FC:  

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

Team:

James Thompson (C)., Thomas Ruth., Reagan O’Brien., Adam Thompson., Ben Upton., Alex Stocker., Harvey Robinson., Macorley Watson., Oliver Mann., Jack Allam., Finley Scott.

Manager:                      Andrew Young.

Used Substitutes:           Nicholas Bolingbroke.

Unused Substitute:         Jamie Calladine., Luke Robinson

ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC:               

Colours:            Black & White Shirts, Black Shorts and Yellow Socks.

Team:

James Gill., Tyler Smith., Jack Higgleton., Joshua Gray., Stephen Hope., Benjamin Hughes., Ben Reynolds., Kieran Radford., Ryan Lewis., Sam Hume., Lewis Hargreaves.

Management:                David Dance., Lee Purchase & Andy Smith.

Used Substitutes:           Robert Wightman., Jerome Murphy., Samuel Knill-Jones.

Referee:                        Rob Giles.

Star Player:                Jack HIGGLETON                    (ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC)

REMINDERS:

MATCH NOTIFICATIONS

Fixture Secretaries of Clubs are required to notify all match details, date, venue, kick-off time, colours etc, to their opposition and any appointed official/s, at least FIVE days before the match.

KICK-OFF TIMES

December & January:                                                    14:00pm

February:                                                                      14:30pm

March, to end of season:                                               15:00pm

ESBFL CUP TIES:                                                           30 minutes earlier, if necessary.

ECFA CUP TIES:                                                            Kick-Off as advertised

CUP TIES

There will be NO requirement for “Extra-Time” to be played in Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

SUBSTITUTES

The ESBFL continues to allow FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off but only “THREE SUBSTITUTES” may be allowed to participate.

Note:

In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior) the Rule allows FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named and those FIVE SUBSTITUTUES may be used on a “Roll-On / Roll-Off” basis.

TEAM SHEETS

Team Sheets should be shown or sent to the Referee and the Opposition team either by text, email etc

The BLUE “League Copy” of the Team Sheet should be sent by First Class Post to reach Mick Willmore by the Thursday after a Saturday match, this is the ONLY item of correspondence that is required by post.

RESULTS REPORTING

Rule 21(B)

BOTH Clubs shall notify/SMS the result of each Competition Match to the Competition within 30 minutes of the finish of the match. This will include Football Association and County Football Association matches. The results of all League and Cup matches in the Competition should be reported by the FA Full-Time “SMS” (text) System. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

FA FULL-TIME

The Referees marks, team, players, substitutes, goal scorers, red / yellow cards, and sin-bin, etc MUST be entered to FA Full-Time by the end of the Tuesday following a Saturday match (ie 48 hours after any match). Failure to complete FAFT correctly and on time WILL incur a League Fine/s.

DISCIPLINE

Since the start of the season there have been 45+ players dismissed and over 600 cautions, there have also been several incidences of misconduct towards players, Match officials, members of the public and county officials. These are situations the ESBFL Management feel very strongly about, and the statistics make poor reading, the ECFA will deal with all these cases as deemed appropriate but bear in mind these actions can be very costly both for players and your, Clubs.

WHOLE GAME SYSTEM (“WGS”)

All Club Secretaries should check “WGS” on a regular basis, if you don’t, the ECFA levy a fine (25%) for late acknowledgements and payments of fines and the Club could be put into a “SINE-DIE” situation meaning they cannot play until those debts are cleared.

Club Secretaries are also responsible for adding the matches missed by players who have been suspended.

Whilst the ESBFL regularly reviews the whole Club contents on “WGS” it is not their responsibility to monitor failures by Member Clubs to follow basic procedure/s.

REFRESHMENTS

Rule 20A

Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these are declined before the game. Clubs in default shall be fined.