ESBFL – COVID PLATE FINAL – SEASON 2020 / 2021.

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FELSTED ROVERS AFC.  1.                WORMINGFORD WANDERERS FC:  0.

Date:   Thursday 27^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 Plate” competition was pieced together at short notice by the ESBFL Management and was 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. Third Division Felsted Rovers AFC had reached the final care of victories against Gosfield United FC Reserves (3-0)., Dovercourt Rovers FC (4-0) and Tiptree Heath FC Reserves (4-0) whereas Second Division Wormingford Wanderers FC had victories over Barnston AFC Reserves (2-0) Cavendish FC (2-1)., Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves (1-0) and Ramsey & Mistley FC (3-2)

            A similar competition the “COVID Cup” competition was also arranged with whose competing teams being those from the Premier Division or Division One who had lost in the first two rounds of the Knock-Out Cup for this season. That final, albeit, one-sided was between ESBFL newcomers, Dunmow Town FC and Stanway Rovers FC Reserves and was played on Tuesday 25^th May 2021 with Dunmow Town FC winning by eight goals to one but fair credit was rightly given to the losers who battled away throughout and did not cave-in.

            The appointed Match Officials for this final were Michael Jarvis who would be assisted by Keith Ross and Benjamin Smith with Daniel Axente acting as the Fourth Official.

            For the third time in a week the League extended its thanks to Little Oakley FC for facilitating this final, the pitch, as usual was in excellent condition and a bright warm evening was perfect for the crowd, estimated to be just under one hundred and fifty.

            Felsted Rovers AFC, watched by a vociferous crowd from both sides, well sections of it at least, kicked off but soon conceded the first foul of this match, Felsted Rovers AFC kept up the early pressure with Buckland sending in a teasing cross from the right wing but the ball drifted out for a goal-kick. A long clearance from keeper, Lucas found Buckland who could only head the ball straight towards the advancing keeper, Lloyd, their intentions were in plain sight! Smith, for Felsted Rovers AFC then found Buckland who had drifted off-side then Prow sent the ball long again finding Buckland running into space, this time, keeper, Lloyd was equal to the task saving at the forwards feet. Heap was unceremoniously dumped on the ground right down by the corner flag by Barton, Heap took the free-kick which hit the cross-bar and thereafter the ball was akin to a ping-pong ball flashing this way and that with Fossey, Buckland and Heap al guilty of snatching shots at the loose ball resulting in a goal-kick. With only ten minutes gone it was Felsted Rovers AFC who held a significant upper hand but had yet to severely test the Wormingford Wanderers FC keeper who had shown a good pair of hands when dealing with crosses and shots. Heap set another move going with Hamill picking up the running through midfield, Constantinou ran in from the right wing but was forced wide by keeper, Lloyd who proceed to track the forward outside his penalty area, gone walkabout was a comment from a close standing supporter, but a corner did result as the Wormingford Wanderers FC defence held firm under pressure. The corner taken by Hamill was chested down by Buckland, at the far post, who lobbed the ball straight at the keeper, standing on his goal-line, then a free-kick taken by Burgess was headed goal-wards by Heap with keeper, Lloyd stooping low to gather the ball.

            Barton was guilty of charging into the back of defender Prow, then Meadows, for Wormingford Wanderers FC went down injured and had to leave the field of play for treatment, another corner driven in by Hamill was cleared back to Hamill whose cross was headed out for a corner by Fowler then Prow set up Constantinou whose cross was fielded by keeper, Lloyd. Angell for Wormingford Wanderers FC was the only player to receive a caution in this match, this for a foul from behind and that was around the twenty-minute mark, however the free-kick taken by Fossey was straight to the keeper. Fowler fouled Prow, Hamill took the free-kick but Buckland’s header went high and wide, and upon the restart Hamill launched a speculative shot from thirty yards but no danger as the ball went well wide. Despite the goal-less score-line this match had been well contested with league newcomers Felsted Rovers AFC generally on top.

            Harvey for Felsted Rovers AFC moved over the half-way line and progressed to a point where defender Fowler stuck out and arm for a handball incident but the free-kick from Buckland failed to trouble anyone. On thirty-five minutes Wormingford Wanderers FC made their first substitution, the stricken Meadows could not continue, and Farthing entered the fray in defence. Buckland seized on a loose clearance and sent the ball long to Constantinou who ran on, but defender Pyle was equal to the pace and shielded the ball out for a corner. Felsted Rovers AFC continued to have the lions share of possession, Wormingford Wanderers FC struggled to get going and when they crossed the half-way line the Felsted Rovers AFC defence stood rock solid with Burgess in command. Heap fouled Angell and was spoken too by the on-the-spot match official who had clearly set out to allow play to keep the game moving, often over-ruling calls for fouls which were not really fouls at all, you can perhaps call my bluff but not this referee! A fast raid by Fossey down the left side saw him sent in a fine cross to the far post where the diving Constantinou made a great effort to make contact with his head, he did but the ball was narrowly wide and the player sustained an injury that forced his early retirement with Collier entering the game just before half-time.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 0.

            With the floodlights now on, it was Division Two, Wormingford Wanderers FC who restarted this final, Fowler conceded a foul on the half-way line and as players dithered Felsted Rovers AFC  set heap away only for his shot to go straight to keeper, Lloyd, by far the busier of the two custodians so far. Collier was quick to announce the full potential of his appearance after the break sending in a rasping left-footed shot that crashed onto the cross-bar with the aid of a deflection from Mortlock, just getting his sight in then, the resulting corner taken by Fossey was claimed by keeper, Lloyd, once again showing good handling. The Felsted Rovers AFC, long ball tactic certainly kept the Wormingford Wanderers FC defence on the alert as the Felsted Rovers AFC outfit were fit and eager to run at pace when on the attack, defenders Mortlock and Fowler had used their height to quell the ariel threat. When Fowler conceded a throw-in, Hamill then Fossey, forced Fowler to concede another corner taken by Collier who found Prow whose free header sailed over the cross-bar, he should have scored there! On fifty-five minutes Mortlock fouled Collier about twenty-five yards from goal, slightly to the left of the penalty area, a four man wall was set-up, but AARON COLLIER sent a fine curling low free-kick around the left side of the defensive wall, striking the inside of the post to nestle in the back of the net, keeper, Lloyd had not moved, a fine strike, worth paying our entrance money for. The Wormingford Wanderers FC response created a chance for Budd who controlled the ball, but his shot from outside the penalty area was deflected wide. On fifty-eight minutes Wormingford Wanderers FC replaced Lamb with O’Hare.

            A corner taken by Collier struck the top of the cross-bar and Collier was then put through on goal only for keeper, Lloyd to advance to smother the ball near the edge of the penalty area. Nicholson was adjudged to have fouled Fowler, Angell sent the ball goal-wards, keeper, Lucas called for the ball but central defender Burgess headed over for a corner. On sixty-six minutes, Heap was replaced for Felsted Rovers AFC by Jones, and Wormingford Wanderers FC made their third and last change with Ince replacing Budd. Despite Felsted Rovers AFC having most of the possession and creating the better chances, at one nil there was still a chance that Wormingford Wanderers FC could score and they almost did so when Hamill fouled Barton, a goal-mouth scramble ensued, substitute Ince fired goal-wards and but for a superb block on the six yard line, by Prow, they might well have equalised, great defending, body-on-the-line stuff.

            Smith sent Collier away and his pace took him clear on goal and but for a fine save, with his foot, by keeper, Lloyd, then the game would have been put to bed, as it was a single goal lead was still precarious, another Felsted Rovers AFC attack followed, Smith almost had a chance but the Wormingford Wanderers FC defence did well to clear the ball to Angell whose cross fell to O’Hare whose effort went narrowly wide. With ten minutes remaining a free-kick taken by Angel fell at the feet of Moss but O’Hare was just shy of the target, time was running out now! Mortlock went down with a touch of cramp, hardly surprising, this game had been fast and furious at times and he had bee defending solidly throughout. This stoppage only added a few more minutes to this close contest, Collier, with his eye once again on a goal, drove a fierce free-kick straight at the keeper. With two minutes remaining Felsted Rovers AFC made their last change bringing on Calvino for Buckland who had led his forward line well and soon after, the final whistle was blown much to the delight of the victors.

FULL TIME:     1 – 0.

            So, with three finals already played there are still three to play, the Knock-Out Cup on Saturday 29^th May, the Reserve Knock-Out Cup on Monday 31^st May and the Tommy Thompson Cup on Tuesday 1^st June 2021.

            Despite Felsted Rovers AFC having most of the possession, their chances were numerous but only once did the ball enter the net, a well struck free-kick from Collier, Wormingford Wanderers FC had defended well throughout and stuck to their task manfully, just a shame they lacked a bit more attacking flair in advanced positions but still a commendable rear-guard action.

            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.

            For Wormingford Wanders FC, having been “under-the-cosh” for much of the match, keeper, Lloyd played well, beaten only once to a fine free-kick, Barton and Angell needed more assistance through midfield but defensively they dealt with everything with Mortlock probably the best of the back four.

            For Felsted Rovers AFC, a team effort from the young and fit squad, there were numerous contenders, Hamill, Heap, Smith and Nicholson ran mid-field, Buckland and Constantinou, until his enforced substitution then Collier led the line well however, at the back, defensively they were strong, Prow missed very little but Burgess missed nothing, tackles, headers, good clearances and encouragement kept his team going.

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

            Finally, the Match Officials were given a round of applause, Wormingford Wanderers FC, Captain, Ben Lloyd, lifted the Runners-Up Plate whilst Liam Smith, Captain, of victors Felsted Rovers AFC received the winners plate, both trophies were donated by Colchester Trophies.

Teams:

FELSTED ROVERS AFC:

Colours:            Yellow Shirts, Yellow Shorts and Yellow Socks.

Team:

Josh Lucas., Jordan Fossey., Josh Burgess., Charlie Prow., Scott Harvey., George Hamill., Keiran Head., Taylor Nicholson., Lefkos Constantinou., Jake Buckland., Liam Smith (C)).

Managers:                     Jake Buckland.

Assistant Manager:        Chris Moore.

Used Substitutes:           Matteo Calvino., Aaron Collier., Joshua Jones.

Unused Substitutes:       Mark Hopkins., Samuel Scott.

WORMINGFORD WANDERERS FC:

Colours:            Red Shirts, Red Shorts., Red & Black Socks.

Team:

Ben Lloyd (C))., Liam Meadows., Sebastian Pyle., Sam Mortlock., Joe Fowler., Brett Angell., Ben Fowler., Elliot Lamb., Joel Barton., Jacob Budd., Sam Moss.

Manager:                      Liam Meadows.

Assistant manager:        Mark Norman.

Used Substitutes:           Oliver O’Hare., Keiran Farthing., Alex Ince.

Unused Substitutes:       Callum Leech., Declan Thorpe.

Referee:                        Michael Jarvis.

Assistant Referees:        Keith Ross., Benjamin Smith.

4^th Official:                    Daniel Axente.

Star Players:              Josh BURGESS                        (FELSTED ROVERS AFC)

                                    Sam MORTLOCK                     (WORMINGFORD WANDERERS FC)