30/10/2021 – REPORT – Gas Recreation FC versus West Bergholt FC

PREMIER DIVISION.

GAS RECREATION FC:             1.                 WEST BERGHOLT FC:               3.

Date:               Saturday 30^th October 2021.             Venue:             Bromley Road, Colchester

            The last matches for this year, at least with a three o’clock kick-off, were played on Saturday, I visited Bromley Road, Colchester for the match between sixth placed Gas Recreation FC and third placed West Bergholt FC, a local derby that usually is a full-blooded affair, bit like the Spanish “El Classico”. Upon my arrival, I was informed that Mick Turner, “Mr Gas” had passed away the day before, Mick was a legend for “The Gas” having played for and been linked with the Club for decades. Mick was an old school footballing man keeping meticulous notebooks of the various teams he watched over the years and he rarely missed a match, home or away, his passing was commemorated with a perfect minute’s silence before kick-off.

            This season has seen a change of fortune for “The Gas”, First Team Manager’s, have come and gone, players likewise, results have not been good, in fact today’s opposition sported at least three former “Gas” players in Firkins, Bergin and Davidson, new players have come in, but many have little experience at Premier Division level. West Bergholt FC also have a new management team and they have recruited well, it seems, one defeat to date and a win here would put them top of the pile with neither leaders Chelmsford City FC Reserves nor second placed, Stanway Pegasus FC having a game!

            After the recent wet weather, the grass on the pitch was seemingly longer than usual, maybe a tactic of course, the sun was out but a cold afternoon followed with the referee for this match being Mariusz Burchan who was assisted by Philip Barham and Keith Succamore.

            Gas Recreation FC kicked-off, lost possession and Davidson sent a long ball forward for Firkins to chase, a goal-kick followed, the same defender then sent a long cross to the far post where keeper, Giddings (Jo) caught the ball under the cross-bar. Keating forced a corner off Cook (D), taken by Firkins but keeper, Giddings (Jo) held the ball six yards out, Firkins was then guilty of handling the ball, the free-kick taken by Cook (D) flew straight to keeper, Rouse. The game had started with a quick pace Cook (D) fouled Bergin just near the centre circle, Firkins took the free-kick, the defensive wall did its job and when the ball rebounded to Firkins, his low drive saw the ball saved low down by keeper, Giddings (Jo). A poor back-pass by Laval-Chesterton failed to reach keeper, Giddings (Jo), Firkins ran on but screwed his attempt at goal just wide of the far post, a real let-off for the home team. Several more errors were made by Gas players, poor control or wayward passes allowed West Bergholt FC to gain an advantage, one error in timing for a tackle by Laval-Chesterton let Firkins through but despite his cross being wells truck there were no team colleagues there to attack it. The outlet for West Bergholt FC was always likely to be through Firkins, whose pace and general ball control will be challenging for any defender, especially a retreating one, another long cross from Firkins only just failed to reach Blanchett running in from the right side. When West (W) embarked on the first of several positive runs forward he was upended by Bergin just past the half-way line, from the free-kick, Craig lofted the ball forward towards Hooper whose low shot was blocked. On eleven minutes and against the general run of play the home team took the lead, WESLEY WEST picked up the ball inside his own half and ran past and through several challenges before despatching a low shot past keeper, Rouse, a fine individual goal. The West Bergholt FC response was immediate, Andrade who had been quiet up to this point snatched at a shot at goal, keeper, Giddings (Jo) tipped the ball away for a corner kick, taken by Firkins, keeper Giddings (Jo) made a good attempt to save the in-swinging ball which dropped into a melee of players only for Giddings (Jo) to make a point blank save with Dale completing the clearance from six yards.

            Craig was adjudged to have fouled Blanchett, right on the edge of the penalty area, a clumsy challenge but perhaps pre-empted by the visiting player, the free-kick was driven against the defensive wall to be further cleared up-field. The central defence partnership of Hooper and Craig was certainly working well, the latter encouraging his beleaguered players especially wing backs Laval-Chesterton and Soton, two new players to the home first team ranks. West (W) pushed the ball through to Cook (C), no off-side but the midfielders lob was marginally too high and fell onto the netting behind the goal, then Cook (C) sent in a high cross towards Kouassi who was beaten in the air by Townrow, himself adapting to playing in defence. On twenty-five minutes a moment of controversy, a throw-in for Gas Recreation FC seemingly reached Kouassi who ran on to despatch the ball into the back of the net, queue celebrations, however, the Referees Assistant had his flag raised, and rightly so, as the throw-in had been touched on by West (W) making Kouassi off-side from the pass rather than receiving the ball directly from the throw-in. The midfield, of West Bergholt FC were now running most of the midfield area, Bergin, the dependable Bethell and Keating assisted by wide players Firkins and Blanchett were starting to pull the home team all over the pitch although that final ball into leading goal-scorer Andrade was still missing. Cook (D) fouled Firkins wide on the left side, bit of desperation in that challenge, Townrow took the free-kick but Dale headed clear from around the penalty spot, good defending as the visitors piled forward.

            Thirty minutes had elapsed when Blanchett switched to the right side, again his close control would cause problems but whenever a cross was despatched towards the penalty area, there was either Hooper or Craig tigerishly defending, Hooper did pole-axe Blanchett and was spoken too by the referee who had let this game flow whenever possible. Blanchett took the free-kick himself, but Hooper rose to head clear the chipped free-kick then Bergin volleyed the ball just over the cross-bar and an equaliser seemed inevitable from the number of created chances that had kept keeper, Giddings (Jo) on his toes, whereas Gas Recreation FC had created two chances and scored from one of them! Another cross from the left side by Firkins flashed across the penalty area but no other visiting player was there to challenge, a long clearance from keeper, Rouse fell to Firkins who was upended by Laval-Chesterton, no one was going past him today! Townrow took the free-kick, nobody picked up Keating racing in at the far post however his header hit the back stanchion, getting closer though! In reply, Laval-Chesterton pushed the ball forward to Kouassi who laid the ball off to Cook (C) who jinxed in, then out before chipping the ball onto the roof of the net. Keating put in a heavy challenge on West (W) who crashed into the side fencing and fortunately kept his cool as he stormed back onto the field of play, the players made up a few minutes later. Craig matched Andrade for pace when the forward threatened on the left side ring to reach a pass from Bethell. The long sought-after equaliser came on thirty-three minutes, Blanchett managed to wriggle past Soton and put in a low cross that was latched onto by ASTEN FIRKINS unmarked and six-yards out, and from the re-start, West (W) broke away to find Giddings (Ja) who forced an excellent save from keeper, Rouse, mostly a spectator this half.

HALF-TIME:    1 – 1

            This was a close game so far, what could happen in these last forty-five minutes, Dale caught Bethell with a high challenge inside the centre-circle, a bit of treatment and off we go again, Firkens took the free-kick who found Hayes, but a goal-kick followed. Keating tracked back to stop Soton, Cook (C) fouled Bergin, Townrow took the free-kick but Firkins for once failed to control the ball and Gas Recreation FC cleared that danger. Blanchett crashed a fine effort against the cross-bar from outside the penalty area and West Bergholt FC kept the ball recycling it to the unmarked Blanchett who contrived to lift the ball over the cross-bar from six-yards out, miss of the season especially as there was no-one in front of him! The all important second goal came on fifty-five minutes, Firkins eluded two challenges down the left side, seems the home defence thought the ball was going out of play and stopped, Firkins kept the ball alive crossing low into the six-yard box area where LEWIS BLANCHETT tucked the ball home at the near post, a reversed sequence from their first half-equaliser.

            With their tails up West Bergholt FC pushed for goal number three, Bethell, found Blanchett and his cross was just screwed wide by Firkins. That third goal duly arrived on sixty-one minutes, a big error by Hooper saw him dither on the ball, losing out to Blanchett who sent KARL ANDRADE through for a poacher’s goal, somehow don’t think any team would claw this match back now. Soton fouled Keeble but Gas Recreation FC spurred on vociferously by Craig defended the free-kick, defender Keeble was then replaced by Donaldson, a leggy player with pace and control so no let up for Gas Recreation FC then! The home team replaced Cook (D) with veteran Hawes who got stuck into a challenge in legendary style wide on the right side.

            The first and only caution of the match saw Craig in the book for a crude challenge on Firkins, mistimed, deliberate or accidental, no matter the defender was rightly shown a yellow card, his only transgression in this competitive match. Gas Recreation made their second change with West (W), this was his first match since transferring, being replaced by Manager, West (J) and the home team put together a decent move started by Craig, West (J) ending with Kouassi running the ball out for a goal-kick. Gas Recreation FC had one more attack before the visitors forced them to defend the last few minutes.

FULL TIME:     1 – 3.

            How fortunes have changed, these two leading Clubs from the Premier Division are being pressurised by local rivals Stanway Pegasus FC (34 points) and new kids on the block Chelmsford City FC Reserves (34 points), this victory takes West Bergholt FC top (36 points) albeit having played more games. Their three-pronged goal attack has produced forty-seven goals, equal with Chelmsford City FC Reserves with Andrade (17), Blanchett (12 and Firkins (9) the most prolific, so far. Unbelievably, Gas Recreation FC have scored forty-two goals but with seven defeats have leaked the same number, so this season is all about rebuilding, we wish them well on that front.

            For my weekly “Star Player”, for Gas Recreation FC you could not fault the effort of the team collectively, Craig and Hooper marshalled the defence well with two rookie assistants, Dale and Cook (D) did a lot of the hard work through midfield with West (W) and Cook (C) particularly prominent whilst up-front Kouassi battled well but found the visitors defence too strong. Moving to West Bergholt FC, again a big team effort, any thought that “The Gas” might roll-over were unfounded, firstly, its not in their nature and secondly this was “the big one” a local derby against former players. Defensively Hayes and Townrow were solid, no frills either from Keeble and Davidson, midfield is their engine room, Bethell, Bergin, and Keating did not stop, likewise wide players Firkins and Blanchett, tricky players at all times and with Andrade in fine goal-scoring form they are a constant threat. To pick one player was always going to difficult but for an all-round performance all over the pitch I’m opting for Reece Keating.

Teams:

GAS RECREATION FC:           

Colours:            Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

Jordan Giddings., Lewis Laval-Chesterton., Dylan Soton., Den Cook., Scott Hooper., Charley Cook., Eldon Craig., Ryan Dale (C)., Emmanuel Kouassi., Wesley West., Jay Giddings.

Manager:                      Jay West.

Assistant Manager:        Simon Hayward.

Used Substitutes:           Darren Hawes., Jay West.

Unused Substitute:         John Bulmer., Fred Harrison.

WEST BERGHOLT FC:            

Colours:            Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Team:

Tom Rouse., Dan Keeble., Connor Davidson., Jake Bethell (C)., Charlie Hayes., Lee Townrow., Asten Firkins., Kyle Bergin., Karl Andrade., Reece Keating., Lewis Blanchett.

Manager:                      Ryan Lines & Keiron Shelly

Used Substitutes:           Luke Payne., Aaron Donaldson.

Unused Substitutes:       Ryan Lines., Michael Schofield., Jake Plane

Referee:                        Mariusz Burchan.

Assistant Referees:        Philip Barham & Keith Succamore

Star Player:                Reece KEATING                      (WEST BERGHOLT 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

November, 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 30+ players dismissed and over 400 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.