28/09/2019 – REPORT – FA Inter-League Cup – Round 1 – ESBFL versus Southern Combination League

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP – ROUND 1 {for STEP 7 LEAGUES}.

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE (ESBFL): 1.

SOUTHERN COMBINATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE (SCFL): 0.

Date: Saturday 28^th September 2019. Venue: The Royal Oak, Dovercourt, Harwich.

Yes, this FA sponsored bi-annual competition is back and after two recent friendlies, Manager, Tony Armstrong had assembled, or so he thought a squad that could compete in this National Competition played between thirty-two Leagues from the National League System (NLS) Step 7 or at the standard played by the ESBFL Premier Division. Well, players come, and players go, some are interested, some not so, despite appearing in the recent friendlies, football is a team game, there is no “I” in team and with some late withdrawals, some, Hale and Cook through injury, plus a player ineligibility, a changed squad was ready for Saturday’s eagerly awaited match where the first round opponents were “The Southern Combination Football League”, who hail from the South Coast, East & West Sussex. The SCFL Representative Team, players are drawn from their Division Two, the league running two higher divisions in the NLS pyramid, even so, the ESBFL would take every match seriously and prepare accordingly, both off and on the pitch, it’s called team-work!

The pitch at “The Royal Oak” looked in very good condition, the early start and the long journey up from Littlehampton, then having to face the infamous “Royal Oak” slope might be a telling factor. The match officials, who are appointed by the Football Association were Ayesemuate “Ike” Agho who would be assisted by Stephen Tymms and Rhys Collins, the latter two officiate regularly in the ESBFL. The “Respect” handshake was carried out on the pitch and in front of a small crowd we were ready for action, there will be some video footage available soon on “You-Tube”, courtesy of Spencer Hume.

ESBFL, keeper, Felgate sent his first clearance the length of the pitch to his opposite number Fox, who tried to return the compliment but found touch, for the first of many attempts over by the dug-outs. A long throw-in, and I mean, a really long throw-in, from Farley-Hearn found Yarwood, using his height inside the penalty area, keeper Fox was alert to that danger as defender Edmunds challenged Yarwood and the danger passed. Nial found space down the right side and used his pace against Edmunds to earn a free-kick. Another Farley-Hearn throw-in fell to Nial who slotted the ball into Cripps whose turn and left-footed shot rose over the cross-bar but encouraging signs from the home team. A left-footed cross from Taylor (L) was fielded by keeper Fox at the second attempt, Cave fouled Cripps on the half-way line for a free-kick with the kick being taken by Windred but straight to keeper, Fox, already the busier of the two keepers. The SCFL eventually put a few passes together, Bastin, on whom and about so much had been written, sent the ball forward to Parmiter who had strayed off-side, the ESBFL hit back with Hewes linking up with Cripps who rounded Gunn, firing straight to keeper, Fox. Bastin showed some good footwork again to work his way past three ESBFL players before Taylor (L) dived in but missed the ball and Windred eventually fouled the tricky player a few yards outside the penalty area. Cave lined up the free-kick, Parmiter peeled away to the right as the ESBFL defence failed to react, however, Parmiter also failed to read the crafty free-kick routine and the ball trickled out for a goal-kick. Ifield worked his way down the left side with help from Pannell and when his cross came in Hewes tried an over-head kick attempt but just failed to connect but the home team did get a throw-in on the far side. Farley-Hearn launched the ball towards Yarwood and from his knock-down Ifield rifled the ball high over the cross-bar, the netting and found, the road outside the ground.

The SCFL broke forward just past the fifteen-minute mark, Boutwood made ground down the left side, cutting in to shoot at goal but Windred charged the ball down with an excellent block. Ifield was beginning to see a lot of the ball for the ESBFL as they built steady attacks down the flanks gaining ground, from where the long throw-ins could be used. Keeper, Felgate sent a long and high clearance towards Cripps who headed on, almost into the path of Ifield but keeper, Fox was quickly out to thwart the danger. Beaney conceded a corner off a cross from Farley-Hearn, Ifield took the corner kick which was cleared by Edmunds but only to Durling who headed the ball to the keeper, Fox. Nial was set through by a pass from Taylor (L) but his shot cleared the cross-bar but spaces were now being found by the home team, they just needed to be patient with Yarwood tracking back only to foul Edmunds, Cave took the free-kick towards Parmiter at the far post however his tame header rolled out for a goal-kick. My learned colleague, in fact League Chairman, Brian Tatum, commented, this game needs a goal, never a truer word spoken, there had been plenty of effort from both, evenly matched teams but no real goal threat, thus far. Windred played the ball into the feet of Cripps who rounded Miles before shooting straight at keeper, Fox. More pressure followed from Farley-Hearn who found Cripps who laid the ball back to Taylor (L) with his drive being deflected away for a corner, taken by Nial but cleared by keeper, Fox to Parmiter who, despite being the lone SCFL player up front did his best to take on Windred who defended well, blocking any further advance just outside the penalty area.

When the ESBFL committed players forward for a free-kick, a quick break followed for the SCFL, again Parmiter was the player on the ball, racing away, beating Farley-Hearn but keeper, Felgate was on hand for his first real save diverting the driven shot away, where Taylor (L) completed the defensive duties. Until thirty-five minutes the ESBFL had seen the lion’s share of the possession but with the score-line untroubled Curtis shot wide after some good build up play from Cave and Parmiter to give the ESBFL that warning that things are not going to be easy. Farley-Hearn found Cripps who turned to shoot but only managed to drag his shot wide but the chances are coming, an error by Windred set Parmiter through but with only the keeper to beat he fired into the side-netting and the half finished with the ESBFL on the ball despite, Ifield, Cripps and Hewes all competing for the same ball!

HALF TIME: 0 – 0.

Tea and biscuits were most welcome in the clubhouse at half-time, good to see some spectators make the most of the fare on offer and within fifteen minutes action was resumed with the ESBFL kicking off the second half, come-on, lets get this game by the scruff of the neck. Within two minutes our wishes were granted, Durling found Farley-Hearn then Durling sent the ball wide to Ifield who gained a free-kick on the far side. Ifield set himself up to take the free-kick, the defence, as expected, lined up on the edge of the penalty area, Nial, stood next to he keeper and just as the free-kick came in Nial walked away with his back to goal, therefore taking no part in proceedings, Yarwood challenged for the ball inside the six-yard box with defender Edmunds and keeper, Fox whose palmed clearance ran free but into the path of LUKE TAYLOR who rifled the ball, left-footed, through a crowded box and into the back of the net, brilliant, queue celebrations all around. Keeper, Felgate threw the ball out to Windred who set Yarwood away, driving through midfield, his control was good and hi rising shot forced keeper, Fox to make a great save, that’s better, relax, well that we can’t do the visitors have shown enough to still be a threat. Keeper, Felgate tried to do what Tottenham Hotspurs, keeper, Lloris failed to do and dribble past Cave and he was indebted to Durling who had the presence of mind to help-out in defence, if in doubt, kick-it-out!

The SCFL got back into the game, Curtis sent a volley fractionally too high, from outside the penalty area and when Beaney was turned, not for the first time by Cripps a foul followed and a caution, the first of the game. Taylor (L) took the centrally placed free-kick driving the ball past the defensive-wall and just wide of the left hand upright. On sixty minutes, the SCFL replaced Bastin and Boutwood with Taylor (J) and Harding, the latter sent a volley high over the cross-bar with his first involvement. Curtis fouled Durling on the half-way line but the free-kick was wasted, as the pass from Taylor (L) towards Nial failed to reach its target, and on sixty-five minutes the ESBFL replaced Yarwood with Gregory and when the match re-started Farley-Hearn found Taylor (L), in space and he sent a long range effort whistling past the goal. With the ESBFL caught upfield Gregory fouled his opposite number Taylor (J) to earn a rebuke from the referee however the free-kick, on the half-way line, taken by Miles went straight to keeper, Felgate. Durling tested keeper, Fox, who made a fine save, and from his clearance the SCFL pushed forward to gain a corner which having been cleared led to a foul by Gregory on Curtis, looked a bit soft, OK it was more than soft, but appeals went unheeded! Visiting keeper, Fox was forced to race outside his penalty area to clear into the stands when Nial ran through.

Right, fifteen minutes to go, all to play for from both teams, the SCFL replaced Beaney with Jenkins, whilst or the ESBFL Cripps was replaced by Harrington, a run forward by Hewes led to foul by Edwards who was cautioned. Ifield took the free-kick with Taylor (L) heading over the cross-bar, Farley-Hearn sent a thirty-yard throw-in straight to keeper, Fox, and when tracking back Taylor (L) fouled his namesake, Taylor (J) to receive a caution with Cave driving the free-kick well over the cross-bar. With five minutes of normal time remaining the tiring Ifield was replaced by Boreham-Knight, a player called up late when others dropped out, needs must as they say! Those final minutes wee played out as expected both teams still trying, the SCFL on the offensive, the ESBFL keeping the ball in forward, wide positions, game over!

FULL TIME: 1 – 0.

Did we expect a tight game, yes, of course we did, playing at this level week-in, week-out, the standard of football at Step 7 can be very good, that is not to say the football played in lower divisions, is poor, from my observations, it is not, as there are good teams and players in the lower divisions this season. The ESBFL Premier Division, this season is stronger than for several years, we might even see new Premier Division Champion, I said that last season, OK, the Gas might have their own opinion on that prediction, so please do not quote me on that!

Now, for my Player-of-the-Match choice, to be fair and I’ll give them credit, the Southern Combination Football League proved a hard obstacle to beat, they had clearly taken this competition seriously, their manager Kristian Sorensen had travelled up, mid-week, from the south coast to watch the ESBFL friendly against Coggeshall United FC, he said he was impressed, shame almost half of those players became unavailable! For the ESBFL this was undoubtedly a team effort, with players thrown in at the last minute they jelled well and played as a team, whilst lacking clear-cut chances up top, with half-chances spurned it was the midfield than purred with Yarwood and club-mate Durling pulling the strings WITH Nial and Ifield causing problems down the flanks. Defensively, but for a couple of errors the back-four, were sound, wing backs, Pannell and Farley-Hearn, he with the long throw got forward whenever possible whilst Windred grew in stature as the game progressed playing alongside the excellent, as always, Luke Taylor, who with the captain’s armband led his team well.

After the match conclusion, the ESBFL had laid on food and drinks for the match participants, our thanks go to Harwich & Parkeston FC for allowing their facilities to be used and providing the refreshments and lastly a big thanks you to all the players and to their respective clubs who allowed them to participate.

The draw for the Second Round was drawn on Friday with the winners of this match given a home tie against “The Southern Amateur League” who defeated “Thames Valley League by four goals to nil. Another hard game is expected, the tie is due to be played before 30^th November 2019, details will follow in due course.

Teams:

ESBFL:

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

Team:

Samuel Felgate Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves

Regan Farley-Hearn White Notley FC

Jack Pannell White Notley FC

Harry Windred Little Oakley FC Reserves

Luke Taylor Gas Recreation FC (Captain)

Aran Yarwood Great Bentley FC

Lewis Nial Hatfield Peverel FC

Charlie Durling Great Bentley FC

Sam Cripps West Bergholt FC

Harry Hewes Gas Recreation FC

Lee Ifield White Notley FC

Used Substitutes:

Jack Gregory Gas Recreation FC

Jack Harrington West Bergholt FC

Joseph Boreham-Knight Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves

Manager: Tony Armstrong

Assistants: Michael Wallace

& Gary Wood

Physio: Mark Newell

SCFL:

Colours: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Team:

Mark Fox TD Shipley FC

Liam Edwards Jarvis Brook FC

Regan Miles Rustington FC

John Beaney Rustington FC

Connor Edmunds Jarvis Brook FC

Sam Gunn Upper Beeding FC

Charlie Bastin Jarvis Brook FC

Brad Curtis TD Shipley FC

Barney Boutwood Little Hampton United FC

Charlie Parmiter Montpelier Villa FC

Mark Cave TD Shipley FC

Used Substitutes:

John Taylor Upper Beeding

Kristian Harding Upper Beeding FC

Declan Jenkins Rustington FC

Unused Substitutes:

Liam O’Hanlon Not known

George Holman Jarvis Brook FC

Manager: Kristian Sorensen

Assistants: Chris Simmons

& Mark Simpson

& Bob Lanford

Physio: Alan Laws

Referee: Ayesemuate “Ike” Agho

Assistant Referees: Stephen Tymms (Colchester)

and Rhys Collins. (Clacton-on-Sea)

Player of the Match: Luke TAYLOR (ESBFL / GAS RECREATION FC)

************************************************************************************

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.

****************************************************************************************

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: October

KO is 2:00pm in: November, December & January

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 )

************************************************************************************

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: