28/10/2023 – REPORT – Oyster FC versus Boxford Rovers FC

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION FOUR

OYSTER FC.           5.                 BOXFORD ROVERS FC.   4.

Date:   Saturday 28^th October 2023.                         Venue: The Glebe, West Mersea.

            Sometimes families take precedence so after three idle Saturdays, it was back to reporting duties last Saturday, so where better to go than the Glebe at West Mersea, a Division Four match between fourth placed, Oyster FC and fifth placed, Boxford Rovers FC. Last season these two teams played in Division Five and were neck and neck until virtually the last match of the season when Boxford Rovers FC beat Divisional Champions Gas Recreation FC Reserves to finish Runners-Up leaving Oyster FC in third placed but both teams were promoted. Oyster FC had already beaten today’s opposition, back in mid-September and had only one defeat to date, I was of course expecting a close game despite both teams apparently having numerous players missing and I had not seen the home team since their re-admission to the Competition, not visited the venue for three seasons.

For once this week, the sun was shining, there was no discernible breeze, and I left late enough to avoid the high tide across both Haven Road at the Hythe and “The Strood”, having chosen not to venture anywhere near the A12 which caused many teams and officials to arrive late at their intended destinations. The pitches at the Glebe looked in good condition and this match was played on the smaller, more compact pitch alongside the main road. Today’s Match Official was Stuart Franklin, who has a no-nonsense approach, who would be assisted by volunteer Club Assistant’s and they did a decent job as well as very few decisions were contested.

Oyster kicked-off, Boxford Rovers gained possession through Egglestone who set Chokowry away but Cook (D) got back to defend and put Burgess away down the right side and from his cross Cook (C), fired over and wide with his left foot. Two minutes and the first goal, Fletcher for Boxford Rovers failed to clear the ball Cook (C), gained possession and crossed low into the penalty area where ISAAC GREGOIRE was handily placed to ram the ball home, a real poacher’s goal. Cook (D) forced keeper, Montgomery to save with a rasping shot which he parried despite Pamment being flagged for off-side, from the re-start Cook (C), was heavy into a challenge on Evans, a free-kick was awarded and when Cook (C) kicked the ball away a yellow card was shown, with only five minutes on the clock. A free-kick from Joyce was flicked on by Gregoire but just wide and this first ten minutes had been dominated by the home team Cook (C), Cook (D) and Joyce had control of midfield with Boxford Rovers out of sorts, they seemed to lack commitment and cohesion making numerous mistakes to lose possession far too easily. Tatum won a challenge on the half-way line and sent the ball forward towards Egglestone, last season’s second top league scorer, his chase was stopped with keeper, Green collecting the ball right on the edge of his penalty area, the danger was there if the right ball was played. Just when you think a cross-field ball is a lost cause, Gregoire gave chase reaching the ball before Fletcher who had a twenty-yard start, having reached the ball he ran forward only to be denied by keeper, Montgomery who made a fine save, when advancing forward.

Tester scythed down Tatum just on the edge of the “D”, the free-kick taken by Chokowry hit the defensive wall and looped away for a corner, taken by Chokowry but hit far too long on the small pitch, and Oyster broke forward. From this break Elliott, sent over a cross-field ball to Burgess whose left-footed effort flew harmlessly wide but good movement from the young defender. When keeper, Montgomery, fumbled a loose chance a corner was awarded Cook (C), took the corner with Gartland heading clear, but the visitors defence had been pulled around more than once already, Oyster had been quicker to the ball and used it with far more purpose. A free-kick taken by keeper, Montgomery was headed away for a corner by Joyce, taken by Chokowry to Tatum whose left-footed volley was charged down by Elliott. Pamment fouled Pearce on the half-way line but when the free-kick was played forward a high foot from Tatum conceded a free-kick. When in possession, Oyster, were playing some good football, their strengths were the industry of the two Cook’s and the unselfish running of Gregoire who was proving to be a real handful. Marsh managed to get the ball forward to Egglestone, but Tester intercepted the next pass but from his pass Ponsford dived in on Egglestone to see a yellow card brandished. At this point, twenty-eight minutes, Boxford Rovers were forced to replace the injured Fletcher with Collis, the free-kick taken by the eager Egglestone flew narrowly wide but he like Gregoire posed the most threat to the relative defences.

Savory, for Oyster ran forward to unleash a shot from thirty yards but failed to test keeper, Montgomery, then a poor clearance from Burgess, set up Gartland who shot over the cross-bar from close range, the same player fired over when a corner, taken by Chokowry fell at his feet at the far post, but the visitors were still in this match. At the other end, keeper, Montgomery, made a good catch from a corner taken by Cook (C), he was however, fouled in the process, from his clearance, a lofted pass by Collis was headed on by Egglestone who had evaded his marker, but the ball fell agonisingly wide of the goal with keeper, Green totally stranded. Possession wise, Oyster, were in the ascendency but Boxford Rovers were causing problems when the right pass was made and defensively Oyster, were beginning to be tested. On thirty-eight minutes a corner taken by Chokowry was headed down at the far post by Tatum towards WILL EGGLESTONE, with his back to goal on the edge of the penalty area, he turned and ran away to the right side before turning to lob the ball goalwards from a falling position near the corner of the penalty area, the ball was high, it looked innocuous but fell over the head of everyone into the back of the net, was it luck, a total fluke or a piece of brilliance, seeing it live I’d go for the last option, he meant it. That goal set the tone for the last five minutes of the half Cook (C), having made numerous tidy passes wide on the left side, decided to play the ball back to his defence, but what he played was a defence splitting pass to WILL EGGLESTONE who took the ball in his stride before beating keeper, Green and the visitors were surprised to be ahead. The Oyster response was immediate, Savory, from wide on the right side sent in a cross, keeper, Montgomery, under pressure could only palm the ball away but showing some quick feet, there was ISAAC GREGOIRE to score the equaliser, again poor defence, if I’m honest.

HALF-TIME:    2 – 2.

            Boxford Rovers were to restart this tight match, early pressure from the non-stop, Gregoire, gained a corner with Elliott heading wide from the long delivery by Cook (C), Egglestone was also full of running chasing forward and back when his team had to defend, one shot on the run flew wide. Cook (C) was another player who covered every blade of grass, getting forward to make a cross which was over-hit and a goal-kick followed. Keeper, Montgomery, launched a long high ball but Tester headed calmly back to his keeper, Green, with Egglestone bearing down. On fifty minutes, another goal, which way, you ask, well ISAAC GREGOIRE was played in behind the Boxford Rovers defence and without changing his stride he hit a ferocious shot that keeper, Montgomery had little chance to see, let alone save, a great strike. Joyce was cautioned for a foul on Evans, his leading foot skimming the top of the ball, the free-kick taken on the half-way line was easily cleared. Chokowry sent in a long cross that was met by the head of Dinnell, but the ball drifted narrowly wide, decent chance though. Keeper, Montgomery had to climb high to catch a cross from Cook (C), just as Cook (D) challenged and as in the start of the first half, Oyster, were on top.

The combination of Cook (C) and Gregoire almost paid dividends again, but keeper, Montgomery made a fine save outside of the penalty area to thwart Gregoire who already had a hat-trick. Elliott passed out to Gregoire, and he forced Evans to concede a corner kick, taken by Cook (C), Gregoire attacked the ball only for keeper, Montgomery to make another fine save, this time at full stretch. On sixty-three minutes, Oyster increased their lead, poor defending by the Boxford Rovers central defenders, bit like, to you, to me, to you, and that hesitation allowed DEAN COOK to rifle the ball home from the edge of the penalty area. At this stoppage, Boxford Rovers replaced, Tatum with Gregg, but Oyster smelt more goals and it duly arrived, Savory embarked on a left side run and from his lay back he picked out ISAAC GREGOIRE, you know the rest! Oyster did not let up and Boxford Rovers were struggling to clear the ball, finding a colleague with a pass was a problem, their confidence seemingly shot, and Gregoire cleared the bar with a rising shot having been set up by Pamment.

            As we reached the last fifteen minutes, Oyster replaced Pamment with Lerwill and captain Cook (D), was spoken too at length by the referee, the player having questioned a number of decisions throughout the match. When Egglestone chased forward, keeper Green tried to dribble the ball away, Egglestone is quick and got in front only to be fouled from behind by the keeper and a penalty kick was awarded. There was no question who was going to take the spot kick, up-stepped WILL EGGLESTONE to place the ball to the right of the keeper who had moved the other way, that’s the second hat-trick in this match. Oyster made another player change, promising young player Burgess was taken off with Holdbrook taking his place Cook (C), forced another corner sending the ball deep to Joyce whose header was clutched on his goal-line by keeper, Montgomery. Just on the ninetieth minute, Boxford Rovers scored again, having played the ball out from the keeper, the ball was passed several times down the right side before a driven cross was unleashed, not sure who made the cross, most of those watching thought, what a waste, no so, WILL EGGLESTONE who fairly launched himself at the ball, about four feet off the ground and his header flashed past keeper, Green into the bottom of the net, great cross and a superb finish from Boxford Rovers best move of the match. With a few minutes of added-time still to play, it was getting intense, Collis went over the top in a tackle to be cautioned and when play resumed his final shot at goal flew wide. And breath!

FULL TIME:     5 – 4.

            A decent contest this, nine goals, that’s entertainment, a Managers’, nightmare perhaps, where were the defences, yes, there were mistakes at both ends but there were several quality goals as well with two players scoring four goals!

            Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player/s”, For Boxford Rovers FC, keeper Montgomery, not the tallest by any means but he shows good handling and positioning, to be honest he had no chance with any of the goals conceded. Captain, Chokowry worked hard in midfield, but some team-mates were only going through the motions unlike Egglestone whose never say die attitude saw him score four goals and still end up on the losing side. For Oyster FC, they had far more attacking options, defensively they coped well, yes, they conceded four goals but through midfield, Tester, Joyce, Cook (C) and Cook (D) were the mainstay combining to set up Gregoire whose tally of four might easily have been more. So this week both Gregoire and Egglestone share my nomination, hard to choose between them as they both did far more than score four goals.

Teams:

OYSTER FC:   

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

Team:

Jason Green., Toby Elliott., Alex Ponsford., Sam Tester., Fletcher Burgess., Joel Savory., Dean Cook (C)., Samuel Joyce., Charley Cook., Isaac Gregoire., James Pamment.

Manager:                      Gordon (Rob) Robertson.

Used Substitutes:          Nathan Lerwill., Harry Holdbrook.

Unused Substitutes:      Kyle Payne., Martin Eley., Oberon Atkins.

BOXFORD ROVERS FC:

Colours:                        White Shirts/ Red Sash Shirts, White Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

Jack Montgomery., Bryn Gartland., Lewis Fletcher., Olly Dinnell., Anthony Pearce., Jake Evans., Aadam Chokowry., Liam Hazell., Ben Tatum., Joe Marsh., Will Egglestone.

Manager:                      Richard Robinson.

Used Substitutes:          Mike Collis., Connor Gregg.

Referee:                       Stuart Franklin.

Star Players:              Isaac GREGOIRE                    (OYSTER FC)

                                    Will EGGLESTONE                  (BOXFORD ROVERS FC)