05/11/2022 – REPORT – Silver End United FC versus Thorpe Athletic FC

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE

SILVER END UNITED FC.         5.       THORPE ATHLETIC FC.  1.

Date:               Saturday 05^th November 2022.        

Venue:             Conker Park, Broadway, Silver End.

            After last Saturday’s warm sunny weather, a complete contrast for this week, damp, wet, cold, time to air the thermals I suppose, however, the Division One match between second placed Silver End United FC and fifth placed Thorpe Athletic FC took my fancy. The hosts, who were close to promotion last season were undefeated in the league with six consecutive victories and comfortably beat Premier Division, Lawford Lads FC in the KO Cup last week. Thorpe Athletic FC had also beaten Premier Division, Brantham Athletic FC Reserves last week and with just one defeat to league leaders Brightlingsea Town FC were well placed again this season for a relative newcomer to the ESBFL.

            The referee for this match was Graham Moore, who was assisted by Club Assistants who did a decent job when close decisions were called for, the home incumbent being a former referee himself whilst a decent, if not vociferous home crowd was gathering, the visitors having brought a few themselves.

            So, after a welcome cup of tea from the cosy Clubhouse I ventured outside with umbrella and notebook in hand expecting a close game between, what on paper, are two footballing teams. Silver End United FC kicked-off hoping to use the slight slope to their advantage, Brown made a foray down the left side, he possesses a superb left foot, so whether he was making a cross to the far post, or having a shot, no one knows but the ball cannoned back off the cross-bar with keeper, Evenett struggling. The home team were pushing the ball around confidently in these early stages and Thorpe Athletic FC were struggling to gain and then keep possession, being closed down at every opportunity but Hunt did find McAndrews in space but Palmer got across to cover. Makanjuola fouled Spencer, looked a bit soft, but the first of many on the defender, play eventually moved up the pitch where home keeper, Hodgson (J), made a poor clearance, Hunt latched onto the loose ball finding Castle running inside him, once again good defensive work from Coney thwarted that attack. Coney fouled Fuller, wide on the left side, the free-kick fell into a crowded penalty area to be cleared and both teams found the ball too hot to handle and play was scrappy momentarily. McAndrews flicked the ball on to Castle whose weak cross was headed away for a corner by Edwards, which failed to threaten and the home team cleared the ball, Cocklin sent the ball long for Makanjuola to chase but defender, Power shielded the ball out for a goal-kick.

            McAndrews played the ball wide to Castle, the home team lashed the ball clear, Cocklin gave chase towards defender, Spencer, arrived too late and clattered into the player to earn the first and only caution of the match, the free-kick from Fuller, failed to trouble a dominant home defence. Hollocks (T) ran at a retreating visitors defence, to gain a corner, taken by Hollocks (T), keeper, Evenett, palmed the ball away to Hollocks (S) who sent the ball high over the cross-bar. A long clearance from keeper, Evenett, fell to Castle who was fouled by Edwards, Fuller, took the free-kick but sent it straight towards keeper, Hodgson (J) however, defender Claydon was taking no chances and booted the loose ball away to relieve the danger. A fine tackle by Hale stopped Coney running through, then Hollocks (T) did the same to McAndrews, Spencer got the better of Makanjuola who tried to use his pace, gaining a throw-in, taken by Cocklin and a corner followed. Hollocks (T) took the corner, driven low across the penalty area, no one got a touch until Coney retrieved the ball to send in a cross that Hale cleared. Hollocks (T) dribbled past three players before Hale intercepted the ball. Bolton fouled Hollocks (T), Brown took the free-kick, which was followed by another taken by Edwards, who found Brown and another rasping left footed shot flew over the goal. Silver End United FC had raised their game, Thorpe Athletic FC were either sitting back or allowing the home team to attack and defend before breaking out with a long ball forward, not a suitable game plan as the home defence was looking solid. McAndrews and Castle did exchange passes but Webb was unable to capitalise and the home team got the ball forward to Gage, a clever player, who holds the ball up well, Gage turned and ran at Spencer, who received a stray elbow to his face, a foul was given and Spencer required treatment on and off the field of play. Shuttlewood, was adjudged to have raised a high foot towards Cocklin, in his words, the ball was there to attack, a free-kick followed, taken by Cocklin but was closer to getting three points for a conversion than a goal.

            At the half hour mark, this game remained tight, the home team had more possession whilst the visitors defended well under constant pressure, Makanjuola took a fine pass in his stride, took aim, and saw his shot deflected wide for a corner, taken by Hollocks (T) finding Gage whose shot was also deflected for another corner, which Thorpe cleared. When keeper, Evenett cleared high up-field, Palmer was guilty of fouling Castle, had his arms wrapped around the player, bit obvious that, the free-kick was poor and as play continued, Hunt fouled Coney just on the edge of the penalty area. Hollocks (S) took the free-kick short to the unmarked Makanjuola but keeper, Evenett, made a fine save, Gage followed up and keeper, Evenett saved again pushing the ball wide for a corner. Thorpe breathed a sigh of relief when Claydon struck the back stanchion of the goal, McAndrews kept going for Thorpe, his pass to Hunt was blocked and a break from Cocklin followed, but Gage tried to overplay the ball and Shuttlewood cleared. What I can’t always understand is the neat little flicks and tricks that players try, they may look good especially if they come off, but rarely does anything happen other than they lose possession! A foul by Spencer on Hollocks (S) saw him get a verbal warning, Browns free-kick cannoned off the defensive wall and Thorpe broke forward, Castle forced a corner, taken by Shuttlewood but the home defence scooped it out and broke away. On forty-seen minutes, a goal, a long time in coming but Coney found Cocklin who set ABIOLA MAKANJUOLA through to beat the advancing keeper. From the restart, Fuller played the ball back towards his colleagues, no one reacted, and ABIOLA MAKANJUOLA picked up a free pass to run on and score his second in as many minutes, half-time followed.

HALF-TIME:    2 – 0.

            Thorpe were clearly shaken by the disastrous ending to the first half, whatever was said at half time mattered little as within a minute of the restart, having kicked off, Fuller tried a spectacular effort from inside the centre circle, but Silver End countered quickly to score their third. From the half-way line and wide on the left side, Brown sent a fine cross to the far post where DAN GAGE rose to head home, one might have questioned the positioning of the keeper, though, beaten at the near post. Another fine pass from Brown again found Gage, this time Hale defended well but the ball fell to Cocklin whose pass inside found Hollocks (S) who jinxed in then out before shooting only for the ball to be deflected away for a corner. On fifty three minutes Thorpe replaced Fuller with Lawal, a fierce shot from Hollocks (T) forced keeper, Evenett into a great flying save as the ball moved away him. With just nine minutes of the half elapsed, another goal, an in-swinging corner taken by Hollocks (T) was headed home by DAN GAGE, judging by the reaction of the home supporters, headed goals from him are rare and today he has two! Before the restart, Thorpe made another change, the injured Webb being replaced by Brownsdon, surely it was time for some damage limitation from the visitors, certainly this game was over with the home team now dominant throughout and they sported some useful substitutes on the bench!

            Just before the hour mark, the home team made changes themselves replacing Claydon and Coney with Hewitt and Hodgson (H) then Brown was replaced by Lindsell, Brownsdon persisted for the visitors and gained a corner off Cocklin, then as the ball bounced around, McAndrews and Castle worked an angle for a shot which hit an outstretched hand with the visitors awarded a penalty kick, despatched by TAYLOR McANDREWS. When are you most vulnerable to concede, after scoring of course, Cocklin pushed the ball forward and wide for Gage to chase and when the return pass came into the penalty area there was TOM COCKLIN to control the ball move to his left beating two static defenders before slotting home for number five. Home keeper, Hodgson (J) had been a virtual spectator this half, his defence was sound and his team kept the ball better than the visitors who really had capitulated this half.

            With thirteen minutes remaining Silver End replaced Edwards with Vidler, Hodgson hit the cross-bar with a rasping shot from thirty yards out, a corner from Hollocks (T) curled onto the cross-bar and most of the positive moves from the home team came from him. A deep free-kick taken by Spencer was attacked by McAndrews and Lawal but the final pass was poor then Lawal tried a solo attack forcing keeper, Hodgson (J) to save, too little, too late. With ten minutes to go a last change from Silver End with Nial replacing Makanjuola, Bolton got forward for Thorpe finding Brownsdon who forced a fine save from keeper, Hodgson (J) at the expense of a corner. Brownsdon took the corner and a defender headed over his own goal, the second corner was easily cleared as Silver End pushed forward, Gage used his strength to get past Shuttlewood and when the loose ball reached the far post there was the unmarked Vidler to score, well he should have done but somehow contrived to make the miss of the season dragging the ball wide of the empty goal. As the game eased to a close, Hollocks (S) forced another fine save from keeper, Evenett and Vidler struck the cross-bar from close range.

FULL TIME:     5 – 1.

            Thorpe Athletic FC were clearly gladdened to hear the final whistle, the final score-line rarely lies, should there have been more goals, yes, were the home team the better team, undoubtably, yes, will the home team be contenders for promotion, almost certainly, they remain second but have a game in hand on Brightlingsea Town FC whom they play at the end of the month.

            Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player”, Thorpe Athletic FC seemed out of sorts from the start, not being able to handle the often strong commitment, physical presence and direct approach from Silver End United FC. Keeper, Evenett made a number of useful saves to keep the score down, few other players stood up to the fight, Power, Spencer, and Hale were overworked, McAndrews worked hard but despite showing some good touches he had little support around him. Turning to Silver End United FC, they had players who gave their all throughout, its hard to name a player who did not contribute to this fine team effort, even the substitutes did their bit when asked. So, to name a player who stood out, Dan Gage is always a handful, scoring twice but once again for me, it was midfielder, Todd Hollocks, excellent attitude, good on the ball, excellent free-kick’s and corners, creating numerous chances throughout.           

Teams:

SILVER END UNITED FC:      

Colours:                        Orange Shirts, Blue Socks & Blue Socks.

Team:

Joe Hodgson., Ben Palmer., Spencer Claydon., Reece Edwards (C)., Mitchell Brown., Liam Coney., Sam Hollocks., Todd Hollocks., Dan Gage., Abiola Makanjuola., Tom Cocklin.

Manager:                      Dave Harrison

Used Substitutes:           Thomas Nial., Shane Lindsell., Adam Hewitt., Jack Vidler., Henry Hodgson.

THORPE ATHLETIC FC

Colours:                        Yellow & Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts and Yellow Socks.

Team:

George Evenett., William Bolton., James Shuttlewood., Joe Power., Nathaniel Spencer., Oliver hale., James Webb (C)., Brandon Hunt., Harry Castle., Taylor McAndrews., Jack Fuller.

Manager:                      Nathaniel Spencer.

Used Substitutes:           Joshua Lawal., Jack Brownsdon

Referee:                        Graham Moore.

Star Player:                Todd HOLLOCKS                     (SILVER END UNITED FC)

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 ESBFL Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

SUBSTITUTES

The ESBFL allows ONLY FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off and ONLY those FIVE may be allowed to participate. Referees have been advised to consider any other named substitutes as ineligible.

Note:

In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior & Trophy) 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, fully completed, 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.

(Allowances have been made for weeks where “Postal Strikes” have occurred)

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.

“MATCH DAY APP”

This “App” is run by the Football Association and if Clubs have any issues on its use, then please refer to ECFA in the first instance.

As a Competition, the ESBFL does not recommend use of the “Match Day App”, it has known faults and any Club using it should check that all details are fully recorded before exiting the application.

A known issue is “Referees Marks” which have a habit of dropping off once the team statistics are entered, a number of Clubs have had Fine Warnings and / or Fines for these details being omitted.

DISCIPLINE

Since the start of the season, till the end of October, there have been 35+ players dismissed and over 550 cautions, there have also been 9 reported 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

The Rule {Rule 20(A)} on Page 120 of the ESBFL Handbook states:

Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these have been declined before the game.

Clubs in default shall be fined (£15.00).

NB: Whilst the Rule does not actually detail what constitutes “refreshments”, for clarity, it is in the form of drinks, these can be hot, in the form of tea or coffee or cold, eg bottled water, diluted squash or bottled energy drinks are sufficient.