ESBFL – COVID CUP FINAL – SEASON 2020 / 2021.

COVID CUP FINAL – SEASON 2020 / 2021.

STANWAY ROVERS FC RESERVES: 1. DUNMOW TOWN FC: 8

Date: Tuesday 25^th May 2021. Venue: War Memorial Ground, Little Oakley.

Once again for an ESBFL Cup Final this season, there was a minute’s silence for Brian Tatum, ESBFL Chairman who sadly passed-away last week, this action as a mark of respect, will be seen at all this year’s Cup Finals.

This “COVID Cup” competition was pieced together at short notice by the ESBFL Management, competing teams would be those from the Premier Division or Division One who had lost in the first two rounds of the Knock-Out Cup for this season. Stanway Rovers FC Reserves had reached the final care of victories against Alresford Colne Rangers FC (6-0)., Gosfield United FC (2-0) and Cressing United FC (4-0) whereas Dunmow Town FC had victories over Silver End United FC (4-0)., Belle Vue Social FC (2-0) and Great Bentley FC (9-1)

A similar competition, the “COVID Plate” was also arranged for those teams from Divisions Two, Three and Four who had lost in the first two rounds of the Knock-Out Cup for this season. For information purposes, that final is to be played on Thursday 27^th May 2021 between Felsted Rovers AFC and Wormingford Wanderers FC.

The appointed Match Officials were Neil Strachan who would be assisted by Pedro Das Navas Ferreira and Philip Barham with Harry Arnot acting as the Fourth Official.

The League extended its thanks to Little Oakley FC for facilitating this final, the pitch, as usual was in excellent condition and after last Friday nights, strong winds and pouring rain this evening was perfect for the crowd, estimated to be one hundred and sixty-two.

Stanway Rovers FC kicked-off and played the ball deep into the Dunmow Town FC half to concede a throw-in, the ball remained there on the right side as Dunmow Town FC made their first foray forward, defended by Stanway Rovers FC reserves where Gray sent Sherlock running through forcing keeper Ohman to save, however that forward was deemed to be off-side. It was interesting to see what I thought was a group of young Stanway Rovers FC Youth players, there experience watching this match unfold should give them a realisation that it can be tough, and defeats come with both small and large margins! In the third minute a goal, keeper, Ohman for Dunmow Town FC launched a long ball forward finding GEORGE PURCELL unmarked inside the Stanway Rovers FC Reserves half, instant control saw him look up and realising that keeper, Skinner was way off his goal-line, lobbed the ball home from twenty-five yards or more a fine goal from the experienced forward. Dunmow Town FC, led from the back by Captain, Wallace had adopted a high defensive line meaning that the eager Stanway Rovers FC Reserves players were often caught off-side in the first fifteen minutes. On seven minutes James took the ball in his long stride down the left side and proceeded to thrash a cross, right across the penalty area, the danger signs were there already! A minute later and Wallace was beaten for pace by Gray, proceeded to foul the player and picked up the first caution of the match, Stanway Rovers FC kept up their early promise with Gray feeding Nydam but his scuffed shot took a deflection before hitting the base of the left hand upright. The first corner came on ten minutes Grimme-Yaxley swung over the ball with keeper, Skinner punching clear under pressure with the taker being caught off-side as Dunmow Town FC looked to force more goal-mouth action. Dunmow Town FC had already imposed themselves on this match, a goal up and numerous attacking moves had been created from all areas of the pitch.

The Stanway Rovers FC Reserves midfield had stuck to their ask and through Nydam created a decent attack that was stopped when the referee brought back play after MacKenzie had dived into a challenge to disrupt the move, however, the free-kick taken by Gray had more chance of testing those players in the fenced off artificial practice area. HARRY HOPE increased the Dunmow Town FC lead on seventeen minutes rasping home after a cross from the left side by Davidson who had eluded the challenge of Howe. Five minutes later and it was three goals to nil, De Silva fouled Grimme-Yaxley wide on the right side, the free-kick taken by Hope was high and deep and met by defender Clements whose firm, close range header was only parried by keeper, Skinner, with KYRAN CLEMENTS first to react to force the ball over the goal-line. Stanway Rovers FC Reserves through Sherlock forced a decent chance, running into space on the edge of the penalty area but he dragged his shot wide.

On thirty minutes, another testing corner from Grimme-Yaxley again saw keeper, Skinner, elect to punch clear with his defence completing the clearance but conceding possession on the half-way line, the ball was played forward to James who turned to stroke the ball inside to GEORGE PURCELL, who despite having his back to goal, managed to turn Seymour and fire home from just inside the penalty area, another predatory goal from this prolific marksman. Defender, MacKenzie put in two robust challenges on Lewis and Thomas but Nydam kept the ball going finding Thomas whose shot flew straight to keeper, Ohman who had been largely untroubled this half. De Silva fouled Grimme-Yaxley, the free-kick was defended well but Dunmow Town FC pressed forward and forced defender Seymour into playing a high back-pass to his keeper, Skinner, who had little choice but to try to control the ball on his chest, the ball fell free and the ever alert DWADE JAMES had a simple task to round the keeper and score number five, the half-time whistle blew soon after when Sherlock was caught off-side.

HALF-TIME: 0 – 5.

Here were no changes to playing personnel at half-time but Dunmow Town FC continued their assault on the Stanway Rovers FC Reserves goal and were rewarded as early as the second minute when a corner, taken by Miskin was headed firmly home by defender KIRTYS MacKENZIE, time for some damage limitation by Stanway Rovers FC Reserves me thinks! Stanway Rovers FC Reserves did not drop their heads and continued to try a passing game without really threatening the Dunmow Town FC defence. Grimme-Yaxley got down the right side and his perfectly flighted cross was met by the head of the unmarked Scarborough who held his head in his hands as he missed a sitter with his head at the far post, steering the ball wide. Purcell, when in possession of the ball inside the penalty area was always a threat, a move one way then the other, after being gifted the ball by keeper, Skinner, was then thwarted by keeper, Skinner, who made amends for his poor clearance. On fifty-six minutes Stanway Rovers FC Reserves replaced Gray with Rutter, but James strode down the left side and sent in a cross that Purcell tried to score from with an over-head kick, fortunately wide of the target.

Just past the hour mark, Stanway Rovers FC Reserves pulled a goal back, defender MacKenzie tried to softly head the ball back to his keeper but slipped in the process whereupon JOSHUA RUTTER announced his recent arrival by expertly lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper. Did that deter, Dunmow Town FC, not a chance, as James ran through beating the advancing keeper but striking the base of the right hand upright and with play stopped Stanway Rovers FC Reserves made another change replacing Theobald with Tiffney. Stanway Rovers FC Reserves did have the ball in the net, but Sherlock was adjudged off-side from a pass from Lewis and before that restart Dunmow Town FC made their first change bringing on Cox for Scarborough. Dunmow Town FC remained on top and another substitution was made by Stanway Rovers FC Reserves when Thomas was replaced by Malloy. A trip by MacKenzie on Rutter saw the free-kick taken by Tiffney with Lewis heading wide.

The goals kept coming, a fine run down the right by Davidson saw his cross turned home by MACK MISKIN who like his fellow wing-back, Grimme-Yaxley had been up and down the wings all evening so fair reward for a decent performance. Now when the chips are down what do you not want to see, well from a Stanway Rovers FC Reserves perspective it looked ominous as Dunmow Town FC replaced MacKenzie and Hope with McQuillan (6’ 6”) and Da Silva (6’ 10”), two giants of the game! Sherlock for Stanway Rovers FC Reserves did hit the post in the eighty-second minute then Tiffney picked up a caution for a lazy challenge on the half-way line. The final goal came through the middle, Miskin set DWADE JAMES through and he ran on to score with ease and the same player had the final shot of the evening, but it rattled the left-hand post, thus completing a slightly one-sided contest.

FULL TIME: 1 – 8.

Lets forget the score-line for a moment, much has been said and written about Dunmow Town FC, both on and off the pitch, this is their first season in the ESBFL, we expected their Club to be strong and competitive but after perhaps a shaky start they improved, then came the lock-down, after which they have added many players with experience playing at a higher level, to their already strong squad. Many of the goals scored had a touch of quality about them, none-more-so than the first after three minutes with perhaps two coming from defensive errors, that’s life, I suppose! Finally, credit goes to the players from Stanway Rovers FC Reserves who did not give up, heads did not drop and they were still running at the end of a fast and furious cup-tie, their day will come but tonight they were up against a classy footballing team.

Now let me turn to my “Star Player” as it was a Cup Final, I usually choose a player from each team, sometimes its difficult to differentiate who had stood out and who has not, so having stood with three neutral ground-hoppers from Aylesbury, yes Aylesbury, one of them even a Wycombe Wanderers FC supporter, I asked for their views!

For the young Stanway Rovers FC Reserves, having been under-the-cosh” for most of the match their selection was defender Alejandro Sloane-Barber who did his level best to keep his overworked defence motivated whilst putting in a big shift whilst defending.

For Dunmow Town FC, a big team effort from the experienced squad, there were numerous contenders, goals had been scored and squandered by six players with a strong midfield that ran the game throughout, eventually it was decided that Dwade James with two goals just edged out George Purcell, also with two goals, both players also hitting the woodwork at least twice and generally causing he opposition defence many problems.

After the match, John Campany, Vice-Chairman of the ESBFL made a short speech commending both teams for providing a fine, albeit one-sided match for the many spectators must have enjoyed the pleasant evening and surroundings.

Finally, the Match Officials were given a round of applause, Stanway Rovers FC Reserves, Captain Miquel Nydam, lifted the Runners-Up Cup whilst Dean Wallace, Captain of victors Dunmow Town FC picked up the impressive and recently sourced COVID Cup.

Teams:

STANWAY ROVERS FC RESERVES:

Colours: Yellow Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Team:

Luke Skinner., Samuel Howe., Jonny De Silva., Lewis Theobald., Connor Seymour., Alejandro Sloane-Barber., Max Gray., Miquel Nydam (C))., Harry Thomas., Thomas Lewis., Max Sherlock.

Managers: Liam Joyce & Andy Partner.

Used Substitutes: Bleu Malloy., Frank Tiffney., Joshua Rutter.

Unused Substitutes: Dylan Hughes., Tyler Mount

DUNMOW TOWN FC:

Colours: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts., Blue Socks.

Team:

Patrick Ohman., Charles Grimme-Yaxley., Mack Miskin., Dean Wallace., Kyran Clements., Kirtys MacKenzie., Harry Hope., Correy Davidson., Dwade James., George Purcell., Nathan Scarborough.

Manager: Andrew Fenn.

Assistant manager: Keith Wilkins

Used Substitutes: James Cox., Connor McQuillan., Tony Da Silva.

Unused Substitutes: Milos Vukasinovic., Gabriel Piorkowski.

Referee: Neil Strachan.

Assistant Referees: Pedro das Navas Ferreira and Philip Barham

4^th Official: Harry Arnot.

Star Players: Alejandro SLOANE-BARBER (STANWAY ROVERS FC RESERVES)

Dwade JAMES (DUNMOW TOWN FC)