30/01/2016 – ESBFL versus Spartan Midlands South Football League (FA Inter-League Cup – Round 3 (Q/F)

THE FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP
– ROUND THREE (Quarter Final)

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE:                      1.
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE (Division 2): 5.

Date: Saturday 30th January 2016.

Venue: The Royal Oak, Harwich. Kick-Off: 14:00pm

After the euphoria of the hard fought victory in Jersey back in late November 2015 the ESBFL were paired against the Spartan South Midlands League (Division 2) (SSMFL) for a third round (quarter-final) home tie that would be played at the Royal Oak, Harwich. As expected, anticipation was high with the ESBFL never having ventured this far in the FA Inter League Cup played by football leagues at Step 7 but knowing that whomever the opposition, the game would be tough.

At this time of year and with the inclement weather we have had recently the game only went ahead after an 8:30am pitch inspection by local referee, Maison Urwin, but the fact the game was actually playable is due to the hard work put in by Manager, Tony Armstrong and his son Adrian and probably supported by a host of die hard Harwich & Parkeston FC clubmen, take a bow gentlemen.

A close look at the respective squads reveals that both rely on players from a small number of clubs, the ESBFL have selected from five teams, the manager has kept faith in those players that want to be part of the Representative Team set-up and the players chosen have been a credit to not only their clubs but the league as well and have been loyal to the cause. The opposition for this match would use players from just three clubs, Kent Athletic FC, Old Bradwell FC and Hale Leys United FC who all play in Division 2 of the Spartan South Midlands League, the latter club once again, sit top of their league by a country mile, but cannot progress because their facilities do not meet the strict criteria for promotion, sort of sounds familiar for Essex clubs!

The match officials appointed by the Football Association were James Whittaker, Class 3, from Harlow and he would be assisted by Matthew Fletcher, Class 4, from Maldon and James Beal, Class 4, from Colchester with ESBFL referee Martin Avent, from Tiptree, acting as the 4th Official.

With a decent crowd forming in front of the main stand, the SSMFL kicked-off in bright sunshine on a heavy pitch that would clearly cut-up as the game progressed and would surely test the stamina of some players towards the end. Both teams adopted a careful start with players adapting to the soft ground on which a true bounce of the ball would rarely be seen. Palmer (M) worked the ball down the left side crossing towards Redman who had made up ground on the right but defender Bhasin comfortably cleared on three minutes. The ESBFL won their first corner soon after with Eaton playing the ball off Bell, Palmer (M) took the corner but Wood was adjudged to have fouled Hussey inside the penalty area, as the ball was floated over. As the SSNFL broke forward Redman intercepted a wide pass to find Dingli free down the right side however the cross lacked height and power and was cleared out to Williams who once again started an attacking move for the visitors. Gibson got too close to Daly and was pulled up for a foul, Daly took the free-kick short to Coles whose shot forced Bethell to make a fine save low to his right at the expense of a corner. Wood rose to head clear the high hanging corner from Ilyas with Polley galloping away to find Dingli but Ennis was on hand to defend and with Parsons breaking forward to find Coles it was left to Dobkin to make a timely challenge on ten minutes to concede a corner with another high hanging corner from Ilyas forcing Gibson to head clear for a throw-in.
On twelve minutes a break by Eaton and Dingli should have seen the ESBFL take advantage of the missing SSMFL defence but skipper Ennis recovered to put in a telling challenge and thwart the home forwards despite the award of a free-kick wide on the right side. Redman took the free-kick but it failed to trouble the SSMFL defence who cleared up-field and in quick time it was the ESBFL turn to defend as Coles and Parsons threatened on the right to such an extent that when Reddick hauled Parsons down he conceded not only a free-kick just outside the penalty area but earned a just caution, one for the team perhaps and after only twelve minutes! The low free-kick was deflected into the side netting by Parsons who had broken away from the end of the defensive wall. The ESBFL needed to calm down and play controlled football as at this point the visitors had already showed their attacking ability. A ball forward by Dobkin down the left side found Eaton in space but with Dingli running into the penalty spot area and screaming for a cross field pass, Bell made a telling interception for a corner kick. Palmer (M) took the corner kick and found the head of Gibson steaming in from the edge of the area only for the firm goal-bound header to hit the face of Bell standing on the goal-line, a better passage of play from the ESBFL. When Reddick lofted a long ball forward, Dingli, clearly in an off-side position gave chase, lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper, Jenkins, with both players colliding mid-half. Both players required treatment for facial injuries with the mockery of the law being that Dingli had to leave the pitch for treatment and only return upon being summonsed whereas the keeper stayed on despite on-field treatment from the physio!
When play restarted, a long ball forward from Jenkins was cleared by Dobkin with Ilyas again taking the corner kick, again high and curling towards tall players who had ventured forward and Parsons jumped highest amongst a group of players to head over the cross-bar. Dingli had rejoined the game for the ESBFL and a rare error by Dobkin almost set up Daly and Parsons with Redman just getting enough on the ball to divert it away for a corner which led to the home team struggling to clear the ball up-field. Daly, for the SSMFL was caught marginally off-side and from the clearance Dingli controlled the ball well only for his shot to be charged down by Ennis for a corner kick on the far side. As the half had progressed then Daly had started to show his skill when on the ball sending Gibson one way then the other before Redman intervened to concede another corner. The SSMFL had looked dangerous from these high hanging corners and on twenty-five minutes, despite Wood being fouled when jumping to clear this corner it was still fortunate that Polley was standing on the goal-line to clear the ball before the referee blew for the earlier foul inside the six-yard box. Warren and Reddick, in midfield for the ESBFL had grown into the midfield battle shrugging off numerous players in close attendance where Williams for the SSMFL was also fully employed having been targeted as the visitors play-maker, and when Warren played an astute ball forward to Eaton he was caught off-side.
As we approached the half-hour mark Dingli worked the ball past last defender Bell only for Jenkins to make a fine save diving to his right, a move set up by Palmer (M) and Warren and the ESBFL looked back on terms with their opposition who had shaded the first half up to this point. When Parsons drew Gibson out of central defence the ESBFL player impeded Daly just as he tried to skip past to concede a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Coles lined up a shot at goal and Bethell was alert to tip the ball over the cross-bar and from the corner taken by Ilyas, Bethell punched clear with Wood once again flattened in the process. Eaton tested Jenkins with Dingli on hand should the keeper spill the ball after his diving save and when play switched to the other end Daly seemed to be clean through until the referee brought play back for an infringement right on the edge of the penalty area. Daly took the free-kick himself placing the ball just wide of the left hand upright with the ESBFL players reminding the referee that a similar foul on Eaton had gone unpunished at the other end of the pitch during the initial stages of that last attack!
With ten minutes to half-time another telling interception by Ennis on Eaton from a pass from Dingli kept the visitors in the match and the ESBFL kept up the pressure with Warren feeding Dingli and then Eaton forced the visitors defence to panic resulting in a melee inside the six-yard box and despite two or three goal-bound shots raining in the visitors goal remained intact with Ennis eventually clearing to Hussey who played the ball back to Jenkins who inadvertently picked it up, back-pass. Palmer (M) feigned to take the free-kick and by touching the ball it allowed Wood to strike a rising ball high over the cross-bar, a wasted opportunity perhaps! The ESBFL defence was again at sixes & sevens trying to deal with corners taken by Ilyas with Bethell catching one at the second attempt, punching clear another with Gibson getting the better of Daly from a third. A poorly struck free-kick from the normally relaible Redman failed to reach the penalty area and the SSMFL broke forward in numbers with Dobkin covering to set Eaton away only to be fouled by Bhasin. Polley took the free-kick but keeper Jenkins punched clear for a throw-in, taken by Warren to win a corner, taken by Palmer (M) but headed clear by Hussey and the half ended all square.

HALF-TIME: 0 -0

I suppose if I was writing an end of term report on this match for either team then the term “could do better” might cover the first half proceedings, there were chances and half-chances but few clear-cut chances, maybe the second half will be better. There were no changes to playing personnel after the break although mutterings in the crowd in front of me suggested that both sides needed to change things around. The ESBFL kick-off and almost immediately a free-kick from Redman found the head of Dingli but Jenkins saved low to his left, that’s better for a start! Daly should have been flagged for being off-side but Gibson was sweeping up and play continued with Dingli breaking forward, calls for off-side were ignored and when Dingli was seemingly up-ended by Ennis, no foul was given. Dingli was again in the thick of the action turning one way then the other but rather than pass inside to Eaton or Palmer (M) he chose to go it alone only for his shot to lack any power and the keeper fielded the ball. Palmer (M) then set Dingli up again this time turning on the pass to clip a first time shot which Jenkins saved at the near post. Play-maker Williams only managed to find Bethell with a lobbed ball forward then Redman cleared the ball at the near post after Daly burst into second half action with Hussey heading the corner from Ilyas over the corner of the upright and cross-bar and Coles hit the foot of the post with a snap-shot from the edge of the penalty area.
At the hour mark the ESBFL had looked the better side after the break and whilst the game still looked disjointed both teams needed a spark of urgency to get the all important first goal. The ESBFL replaced Dingli with Oldhampstead whilst the SSMFL replaced Coles with Graham and Palmer (M) sent in a cross that Polley headed wide. On sixty-three minutes disaster for the ESBFL, PAT DALY picked up the ball and ran at firstly Reddick, then Redman before lifting the ball over the advancing Bethell for a well taken opening goal and two minutes later a cross from the right by Ilyas found the head of DANIEL PARSONS who dived forward to head home from close range despite looking suspiciously off-side. The ESBFL replaced Palmer (M) with Kioussis and five minutes later the tiring Reddick let Carvey into the action and when Warren pushed forward across the half-way line Bhasin was cautioned for physically holding back Warren. Daly, scorer of one goal already and capable of scoring again, was guilty of a clear miss when sweeping the ball over the cross-bar from six-yards out after good work by Ilyas. Oldhampstead attempted to get Eaton away using his pace but Ennis put in a huge block tackle to stop Eaton in his tracks and a corner kick.
On seventy minutes a clearance to the half-way line was met on the half-volley by Redman who watched as his speculative effort flew high towards the visitors goal however Jenkins had retreated far enough to catch the ball. For ten minutes play was fairly even, neither side creating a chance then Wood dived into a challenge, seemed to win the ball but was pulled up for not only a foul but a caution which did seem harsh. The SSMFL replaced Ilyas with Tattam then goal-scorer Parsons was replaced by Thrussell and these changes spurred the visitors on with PAT DALY taking on Redman, getting a rebound allowing him to score past Bethell for number three. A minute later and PAT DALY with the home defence, indecisive, he was allowed to waltz past two defenders and the keeper to complete his hat-trick and put his side four goals up and out of sight. The home side were shattered by these late goals and when the SSNFL broke forward again in a three against one defender situation the final pass from Williams was poor when he should really have had a shot at goal himself. At the ninety minute mark the ESBFL got a consolation goal, Eaton was up-ended going between two defenders and substitute SHAUN KIOUSSIS drove home the resulting penalty. A minute into injury time the ESBFL were again guilty of not clearing the ball effectively allowing NIALL WILLIAMS to score from close range, again a close call on an off-side situation with Williams seemingly between the advanced Bethell and Redman, ie one defender, when the ball was played forward. The ESBFL complained but to no avail, game over as they say.

FULL TIME: 1 – 5

Whilst the final score-line gives the impression that the ESBFL were well beaten and perhaps out-played, to many that was not the case, yes the SSMFL deserved to win over the course of the whole game and in Daly had a decisive goal-scorer, proven by his hat-trick. Late goals against a tiring side certainly did not help as in the first half missed goal scoring chances for the ESBFL proved to be their Achilles heel and despite a fifteen minutes spell after half-time they were not able to maintain that momentum.

The ESBFL wish the Spartan South Midlands Football League good luck in the semi-final against opposition yet to be determined however as I said at the start none of the teams remaining in the competition will be push-over’s but the ESBFL should be proud of having reaching this far in this national competition, which is run over two seasons.

Once again, given that I considered this match to have been played by the whole team I’m again resisting any chance of naming an individual or overall “Man of the Match” but instead will nominate a “Star Player” from each team. For the ESBFL, Matthew Warren again stood out as a player with a winning mentality, strong in the tackle, reading the flow of the game well and instigating much of the forward play for his team whilst also defending when required. For the SSMFL several players stood out, Parsons was a constant thorn with his running, Williams was more like the immovable object as he anchored the midfield and acted as play-maker, but in Daly they had a proven match winner, three goals in round two and three more today speaks for itself!

As usual it would be remiss of me not to mention and give a deserved thank you’ to the following people:
* to the ESBFL team sponsors “The Carl Pentney Goal-Keeper Academy” and “Andreas-Carter Gym 4 U” who sponsored both the player and team with equipment holdalls as well as the tracksuits tops worn by players,
* to Harwich & Parkeston FC, the oldest registered club in Essex, for allowing the use of their pitch and facilities,
* to Andy & Mrs Schooler for preparing and serving the half-time refreshments and after match meals,
*to Tim Tricker for his carefully constructed and informative programme,
* to the clubs who allowed their players to take part in this competition which commenced back in April 2015,
* to the ESBFL Committee who have helped facilitate and fund every match either home or away, a tough ask if the Jersey trip was anything to go by,
*to the Management Team from whom the players have been given sound advice and guidance, listening accordingly to gel into a close knit group willing to play not just for the league but that Management Team.
* to anyone else I have not mentioned………………………
Teams:

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Colours: Black & White Striped Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks

Staring Eleven:
1. Luke Bethell West Bergholt FC
2. Luke Redman University of Essex FC
3. Jamie Dobkin Little Oakley FC
4. Lewis Wood Little Oakley FC (C)
5. Gareth Gibson (Captain) West Bergholt FC
6. Stuart Reddick West Bergholt FC (C) (Sub: 70m)
7. Stephen Polley Little Oakley FC
8. Matthew Warren University of Essex FC
9. Jacob Dingli University of Essex FC (Sub: 61m)
10. Steven Eaton Holland FC
11. Mark Palmer Little Oakley FC (Sub: 65m)

Substitutes:
12. Ryan Carvey West Bergholt FC (Sub: 70m)
13. Samuel Felgate (G/K) Harwich & Parkeston FC
14. Steven Oldhampstead Holland FC (Sub: 61m)
15. Shaun Kioussis Little Oakley FC (1)(pen) (Sub: 65m)
16. Nicky Palmer Holland FC

Manager: Tony Armstrong.
Assistant Managers: Lloyd Pentney.
Coach: Matthew Carmichael.
Physio: Mark Sharpe.
Kit-men: Barry Vernon.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE (Division 2):
Colours: Yellow Shirts, Green Shorts and Yellow Socks

Starting Eleven:
1. Ashley Jenkins Hale Leys United FC
2. Alec Bell Hale Leys United FC
3. Aaron Bhasin Old Bradwell United FC (C)
4. Shawn Ennis (Captain) Old Bradwell United FC
5. Marcus Hussey Hale Leys United FC
6. Niall Williams Hale Leys United FC (1)
7. Sean Coles Hale Leys United FC (Sub: 61m)
8. Anthony Kew Hale Leys United FC
9. Pat Daly Kent Athletic FC (3)
10. Daniel Parsons Hale Leys United FC (1) (Sub: 82m)
11. Unas Ilyas Hale Leys United FC (Sub: 80m)

Substitutes:
12. Mark Tattam Hale Leys United FC (Sub: 80m)
13.
14. Nathan Graham Hale Leys United FC (Sub: 61m)
15. Ryan Thrussell Hale Leys United FC (Sub: 82m)
Manager: Paul Alleyne.
Assistant Managers: Stephen Garbutt.
Coach: Jordan Oxley.

Match Officials:
Referee: James Whittaker (Level 3) (Harlow, Essex)
Assistant referee: Matthew Fletcher (Level 4) (Maldon, Essex)
Assistant Referee: James Beal (Level 4) (Colchester, Essex)

4th Official: Martin Avent (Tiptree, Essex)
Star Players:
Essex & Suffolk Border League: Matthew Warren.
Spartan South Midlands League: Pat Daly.