29/03/2024 – RESERVE KNOCK-OUT CUP FINAL RESULT & REPORT

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

RESERVE KNOCK-OUT CUP FINAL

WHITE NOTLEY FC RESERVES. 2. DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES 4.

Date: Friday 29^th March 2024. Venue: Little Oakley FC, Little Oakley Memorial Club

The first Cup Final of the season, the Reserve Knock-Out Cup, saw Third Division, Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves play Second Division, White Notley FC Reserves was played out at Little Oakley FC on Good Friday, morning, in front of a crowd, estimated to be in excess, of one hundred & fifty people. Once again, the ESBFL extends their thanks, to Little Oakley FC who allowed their facilities to be used for this final, it was also good to see County Officials in attendance as well as numerous representatives from Clubs who play in all Divisions.

On a fine, but cold Good Friday morning the appointed referee for this match, was Gregory Hart and he would be aided by Assistant Referees, Pierce Campbell and Alex Hodder, two relatively new referees in the competition, with Andrew Denikiewicz acting as the Fourth Official.

White Notley FC Reserves kicked off, Clifford (O) made a strong run forward to find sibling Clifford (L) who gave chase but keeper, Bentley was quickly out to the edge of the penalty area to clear up field, Killin won the ball back and once again looked for Clifford (L) whose pace was matched by that of defender, Parker, who with veteran defender, Findlay cleared the ball out for a corner. Clifford (O) took that first corner, reaching Pike at the far post but the header flew wide, Clifford (L) looked lively when on the ball but when in a good position he seemed to stand on the ball and lost possession just outside the penalty area, the Assistant Referee flagged for a foul by Parker, Pike took the free-kick striking the ball against the defensive wall, Pike retrieved the ball finding Clifford (L) who shot wide, an encouraging start though. When Macklin fouled Craig, Moodie kicked the ball away to earn the first caution of the match, nothing came of the free kick, the pace of Clifford (L) could be a winning strategy for White Notley Reserves, they just need to get past Parker and Findlay, the latter conceding a corner. Keeper, Bentley clutched the ball out of the air from the corner and sent the ball long towards McLean whose flick on saw Nash, running on from the half-way line, now whilst Nash no longer has the pace of his youth, however, his hold up play and ability to beat a defender was shown when he got around Turner and sent a low shot across the face of the goal with keeper, Symonds gathering on his goal-line.

On fifteen minutes, Macklin had a first direct shot at goal after being set up by McLean who had linked up with Nash and Macklin and it was that combination that set up the first goal, firstly White Notley Reserves failed to clear the ball outside the penalty area, McLean, quick and alert as ever, latched onto the loose ball and found JOHN VITELLI whose shot on the turn beat keeper, Symonds with ease, a goal against the initial run of play perhaps but crucial none-the-less. Nash picked up the ball wide on the right and ran forward before laying the ball back to McLean, who was leaning back when he sent the ball towards the Clubhouse! At the other end Craig skied an effort high and wide, speculative maybe but worth a chance as defenders backed off, with play immediately down the other end Vitelli tried to catch the keeper out with a shot on the turn but keeper, Symonds was equal to the effort. Defender Turner ventured forward beating Newman and his cross was headed on by Clifford (L) to Craig, but McLean was there to clear for a corner. White Notley Reserves tried to raise their game, Clifford (O) sent the ball wide to Smith who worked the ball inside before Findlay stepped across to block the dribble and send the ball long to O’Hart who gave chase but was beaten to the ball by keeper, Symonds. The game was now end-to-end, Findlay found Nash and he in turn passed to Mclean and after a tricky bit footwork, Pike scuffed the ball away but only towards Killin who fouled Vitelli in the process, this saw the second caution of the match.

At the half-hour mark, White Notley had played the better passing game but that broke down at the final third with the Dedham Old Boys reserves defence in resolute mood, Parker cleared to Nash who sent a long and deep cross that eluded everyone for a goal-kick. On thirty-five minutes Dedham Old Boys Reserves replaced O’Hart with Ruffles, and Macklin and Clifford (L) had a verbal exchange after a strong but fair challenge, Papple defended well against Vitelli, beaten once he recovered to win the next tackle. On forty minutes, another defensive mistake, this time by Killin, Vitelli persisted in hassling the defender, the ball fell kindly to ROSS NASH, who having been denied by keeper, Symons with his first effort, slammed the loose ball home from close range. Moodie and Clifford (L) had a friendly spat through midfield, the former was already on a caution, so needed to be careful, from the restart White Notley worked the ball into, LEWIS CLIFFORD and he drew the keeper before slotting home right on the stroke of half-time, that should at least make the second half interesting.

HALF-TIME: 1 – 2.

White Notley Reserves made numerous changes at half time, Koenick, Corr and Tighe entered the match, but within a minute of the restart, McLean, skipped down the right side, cut inside and was brought down by the outstretched leg of Koenick, no question, no arguments, a penalty, ROSS NASH who rarely misses, stepped up to score, placing the ball wide of the keeper. Dedham Old Boys Reserves pushed forward again, this time Ruffles ran forward but shot high over the cross bar, McLean continued to run with and without the ball pulling White Notley Reserves players out of position, creating space for Vitelli and Nash, Pike and Ruffles felt the effects of a heavy tackle, then Pike and Moodie did likewise with Moodie helping his victim up with a handshake.

The hour mark had been reached, White Notley Reserves continued their pass and move game, having a lot of possession but lacked that finish in the final third, Symonds had to save a shot from Moodie, who, having already been cautioned, was perhaps fortunate to still be on the pitch for his persistent fouling, but he was not alone as both teams dug-in through midfield. Moodie was then substituted with Rush his replacement, with his first taste of the action being to foul Clifford (O) who was quicker to the ball. Leading scorer, Clifford (L) skipped past Findlay only to be denied by keeper, Bentley who saved with his outstretched foot, however, keeper, Bentley was well beaten when LEVI GRAY turned onto the bouncing ball before volleying, left-footed, from outside the penalty area, a great strike which hopefully would re-enliven this cup final match. On sixty-seven minutes White Notley Reserves replaced Turner with Heard, and his team still had the larger share of ball possession, a quickly taken free kick from Pike found Clifford (L) who turned past Findlay but failed to do likewise with Parker standing firm, on the edge of the penalty area, then a high cross from Clifford (L) was just too high for Koenick.

As we entered the final fifteen minutes, Dedham Old Boys Reserves stepped up a gear, or so it seemed, having been content to stem the attacks from their opponents, Macklin found Nash who rolled around Corr, shot goalwards, beating keeper Symonds on the six yard line but Killin blocked the shot, the ball rebounded to Vitelli whose first time effort was blocked at close range by Corr, good defending all round there. A long free kick, taken by Killin was heading for Pike at the far post, that was until Parker got up to head the ball away, conceding a corner. From the corner, Koenick headed goalwards, Parker headed out and Macklin completed the clearance, Vitelli, whose pace these days is not what it was several years ago, chased up field, moving the ball onto his right foot he forced keeper Symonds to dive to his right to save, the ball bounced off the left hand upright and back across the empty goal where JAMIE RUSH, three yards out, looked right towards the Assistant Referee, before tapping the ball into the empty net. Parker fouled Clifford (L) wide on the left side, Pike took the free kick which was overhit and curled away over the cross bar, another free kick, this time taken by Koenick, was headed out at the far post by Findlay, Koenick took the corner which was cleared away by Mclean. In the final minute of normal time, Vitelli picked up the ball on the half-way line, wide on the left side, leaving two retreating defenders behind he ran forward with only Pike in his way, the two players had an early coming together outside the penalty area, the tussle continued inside the penalty area, no quarter given on who wanted the ball the most, but both players fell in a heap on the ground and the game was stopped. Vitelli, called for treatment whilst the Match Official consulted his Assistant Referee, treatment was administered but Vitelli took no further part as he was dismissed for an act of violent conduct during that final action when both players were on the ground. It was a shame that this game ended on that rather sour note as both teams had made the game competitive, six goals and plenty for the large crowd to enjoy.

FULL TIME: 2 – 4.

Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, whose older more experienced players, and whose physicality was probably greater, had last won this cup in season 2017 / 2018, today they had to grind out a result against the younger team from White Notley FC Reserves, they played some good attacking football, and you can see why they are vying for promotion from Division Two, but well done to both teams.

League Chairman, John Campany assisted by League Secretary, Alison Stanford handed out mementoes to the four Match Officials, followed by the losing team, White Notley FC Reserves and finally the winners, Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, who celebrated in the style that is now synonymous with cup wins.

Now, let’s turn to my “Star Players”, usually for Cup Finals I chose a player from each team, for White Notley FC Reserves, I’m opting for Lewis Clifford, always looking for space and you can see why he is their leading goal scorer, today the service was lacking but he did get one goal. For Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, they have a mixture of experience and youth, defensively Parker and Findlay were rarely troubled, in midfield Macklin and McLean do the hard graft and running, up front Vitelli and Nash will score goals, today Nash gets my vote, two goals but plenty of hard work, holding the ball up in high positions, enabling his team mates to get forward.

Teams:

WHITE NOTLEY FC RESERVES:

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

Team:

Stephen Simmonds (C)., Bradley Turner., Callan Papple., Ed Killin., Bobby Pike., Josha Preston., Oliver Clifford., Levi Gray., Lewis Clifford., George Smith., George Alderton.

Manager: Shaun Clifford.

Assistant Manager: Robin Smart.

Coach: Brett Bellamy.

Used Substitutes: Chris Webster., Shay Koenick., Adam Heard., Dann Corr., Freddie Tighe.

DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES:

Colours: Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

Ryan Bentley., Archie Grimsey., Toby Newman., James Parker., Daniel Findlay., Nathan Moodie., Russell Mclean., Liam Macklin., Ross Nash., John Vitelli., Aiden O’Hart.

Manager: Darren Tarling.

Assistant Manager: Will Henderson.

Used Substitutes: James Ruffles., Jamie Rush.

Unused Substitutes: Luke Brady., Jude Green., Reuben Patrick.

Referee: Gregory Hart.

Assistant Referees: Alex Hodder & Pierce Campbell.

4^th Official: Andrew Denikiewicz.

Star Player: Lewis CLIFFORD (WHITE NOTLEY FC RESERVES)

Ross NASH (DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES)