30/04/2019 – REPORT – Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves versus Great Bentley FC Reserves

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION THREE

DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES: 1. GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES: 3.

Date: Tuesday 30th April 2019. Venue: Southfields, The Drift, Dedham.

A few weeks ago, these two Division Three teams battled out a close fought Reserve Knock-Out Cup Semi-Final over on “The Green” with Great Bentley FC Reserves going on to lift the trophy in the final against Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves. Tonight, second placed Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves were hosts to third placed Great Bentley FC Reserves in “their” last league game of the season. A win for the visitors would mean almost certainly finishing second to Gosfield United FC and they still have another game to play, plus they have a greater goal difference. Both teams had numerous enforced player changes for a variety of reasons if not for the fact that this was a mid-week fixture, and both teams included the odd “First Team” player.

On a bright but cold evening the match referee was Joe Buda.

Great Bentley FC Reserves kicked-off backed by a vociferous crowd, Kiernan fouled Bowles, the free-kick led to a corner taken by Bennett with Kiernan heading clear and the tempo of the game was already fast. Vaughan fired over from outside the penalty area, a free kick from Herbert was missed by Yarwood with Hooton clearing for Dedham. Kiernan set up Windsor for a shot which keeper, Kirk saved low down, a free-kick from Peace fell to Bell (J) who set up Bennett who lost possession and Dedham broke forward and when Bowles totally missed his attempt to clear, Rush ran through only to drag his effort wide of the advancing keeper, Kirk and this with the unmarked Oboy up in support as the visitors defence floundered, a chance missed indeed! Another Dedham attack through midfield saw two Great Bentley players collide and the move ended with an over-head kick attempt by Windsor at the far post. The visitors hit back, Bennett, found Yarwood who set up Bell (J) but his left footed rising effort cleared the cross-bar. Dedham to their credit tried to play the ball out from the back, Great Bentley looked to kicks from the keeper finding Yarwood and Powell in midfield, both ways seemed to work.

On fifteen minutes Hooton broke through, was fouled, took the free-kick which saw Oboy sandwiched between Bennett and Bowles, however Windsor placed the free-kick over the cross-bar. Five minutes later and a long throw-in from Herbert flicked off the back of the head of Bell (D) forcing keeper, Bentley to react and save across his goalmouth. Both teams had shown attacking intent, Dedham slightly more positive but the visitors had shown enough to be dangerous if given the chance. A break by Herbert forced a corner off Bell (D), then Herbert ran down the right side delivering a great cross which keeper, Bentley clutched out of the air inside his six-yard box. At this point, just as Bennett ran through to hit a volley just wide, I wrote down, “game is warming up”, unlike my hands which were beginning to feel the cold as the temperature dropped markedly.

The first goal came on thirty-two minutes, Dedham failed to clear on more than one occasion and as usual given a chance to shoot, JAKE VAUGHAN fired home, low across goal where keeper, Bentley let the ball go under his body, perhaps he was un-sited when the shot was first made! At the other end, in an immediate response, keeper, Kirk, saved from Windsor after Rush had set him up, and from his throw-out Bowles and Bennett made ground down the left side as the visitors started to dominate. It took six minutes after that first goal for Dedham to equalise, this time the visitors normally mean defence, stood off as Dedham attacked and when the ball was played wide by Oboy to LIAM MACKLIN he scored with is left foot. When play resumed, Rush chased back to defend but he only ended up fouling Bennett on the half-way line and received the first yellow card of the match. From the free-kick Peace played in Herbert and when his driven cross from the right side came in, the ball struck the hand of Ruffles, pretty blatant to me, and the referee, who awarded a spot-kick, driven home to the keeper’s right side by CONNOR BENNETT and before play resumed Rush was replaced by Oscar.

HALF-TIME: 1 – 2.

Before Dedham restarted the half, Great Bentley replaced Byford with McMillan, Dedham had a shout for a penalty kick turned down, close call, seen them given and moments later, with a typical rush of blood to the head Bell (J) was cautioned for a foul on Oscar. Ideally, Dedham, needed more confidence in their approach play, they would have to graft against a well-organised and robust opposition, especially their defence, shorn of their two normal central defenders but with more than capable deputies on the field. Powell fouled Macklin, twenty-five yards out, after Macklin had managed to retain the ball in a tight situation, and from the free-kick Windsor played in Macklin for a shot at goal which keeper, Kirk, palmed away with Macklin actually, flagged for off-side. Kiernan was injured when he fell heavily after an aerial challenge with Yarwood, receiving treatment before returning to the game. Thirteen minutes into the second half and Great Bentley FC Reserves increased their lead, Dedham stood off and allowed a cross to come in from Herbert, keeper, Bentley palmed the ball away and gave chase after it with JAKE VAUGHAN who controlled the ball, turned and scored from a wide angle. At a break in play, Macklin was replaced by Randall and when the free-kick from Windsor flew high into the visitor’s penalty area, keeper, Kirk, called for the ball but was clattered by Oboy and Bell (D).

On sixty-two minutes Dedham replaced Windsor with Tarling, Donaldson fouled Oboy leading to a free-kick taken by Kiernan, Bell (D) attacked the ball with his head, which he then held, as keeper, Kirk made an excellent reaction save pushing the ball onto the upright and safety. Halsey fouled Bennett, who then fouled Oboy and once again, keeper, Kirk was dominating his area, punching clear from the kick taken by Kiernan. Herbert chased back to help his defence on more than one occasion, conceding a corner when Tarling and Oboy threatened, then Tarling floated in a free-kick which keeper Kirk and Yarwood scrambled clear as Randall approached. Vaughan picked up a yellow card for a rash attempt to tackle, good job he missed the Dedham player though!

McMillan waltzed through three challenges to gain a corner off Bell (D) and from the corner taken by Herbert, Bell (J) headed into the outstretched arms of keeper, Bentley who cleared the ball downfield to his opposite number, Kirk. Good approach work, again on the right by Herbert set up Vaughan, unfortunately he leant back to fire the ball over the cross-bar when he should really have scored as the ball rebounded into his path. With twenty minutes remaining, the visitors replaced Herbert with Gray, Oscar, who had run the London Marathon on Sunday, was cautioned for persistent misconduct then Great Bentley sent French on for Bennett and the game petered out as the evening light faded, as did Dedham’s hopes of a runners-up spot.

FULL TIME: 1 – 3.

A gritty top of the table clash, won by Great Bentley FC Reserves and I must say that afterwards, in the bar, the Dedham Old Boys management were very complimentary about their opponents on the night. That’s the second time I’ve heard of compliments about another team from tonight’s hosts, a good honest and well-run club. Thanks Andy, mine was a Broadside.

Now for my Player-of-the-Match choice, Dedham were indebted to solid defensive performances from Ruffles and Bell (D) in between Hooton and Parsons and when their early first half approach play was countered the team struggled to gain any momentum. For Great Bentley, this was another team effort, literally from back to front, keeper, Kirk or his understudy have only conceded nineteen goals in the league which is a statement of how well they play defensively. Their defence was solid even without McMahon and Taylor, the midfield may have missed Gallant but Yarwood, Powell, Bennett and Bowles were solid with Vaughan chasing everything and everyone as usual in attack, however, I was really impressed by Herbert, full of running and skill and a bright prospect for Great Bentley FC.

Teams:

DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES: Colours: Red Shirts., Black Shorts and Red Socks

Ryan Bentley., Miles Hooton., Ryan Parsons., James Ruffles., Daniel Bell (C)., Daniel Kiernan., Matthew Halsey., Liam Macklin., Jamie Rush., Keenan Oboy., Leyton Windsor.

Manager: Luke Tuttlebee.

Assistant Manager: Daniel Coote.

Used Substitutes: Matthew Randall., Luke Oscar., Darren Tarling.

GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES: Colours: Silver Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Trevor Kirk., Ben Peace., Christopher Bowles., Jake Bell., Grant Donaldson (C)., Aran Yarwood., Archie Herbert., Christopher Powell., Jake Vaughan., Connor Bennett., Nathan Byford.

Managers: Richard Herbert & Gordon Lawrence.

Used Substitutes: Tom Gray., Louie French., Elliot McMillan.

Unused Substitutes: Jake Allwood.

Referee: Joe Buda (Clacton-on-Sea)

Player-of-the-Match: Archie HERBERT (GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES)

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Additional Reporting – FACEBOOK (x2) & TWITTER

This season the ESBFL is widening its match-day reporting coverage, in addition to a full report written by Brian Reed, the league has enlisted the help of a young volunteer, Spencer Hume, who will also attend games using Facebook and Twitter to communicate up-to-date information and replicate other match reports, please make him welcome.

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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: April to end of season

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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 )

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ESBFL “web-site”

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ESBFL Handbook,

Player Registration Sheet,

Player “Signed-On-Match-Day” Form,