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ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX FC v HATFIELD PEVEREL FC 1 1 Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 Venue: University of Essex Ground, Wivenhoe Park. It was honours even over at the University of Essex Ground on Saturday, the home side, sitting, just below mid-table and with only nine games remaining arrested a run of six consecutive defeats, whereas the visitors had steadily climbed the table with only one defeat since mid-October. Hatfield Peverel FC, Manager, Andy Chipperfield advised that he had several regular players missing hence his own inclusion in the starting line-up! The home side kicked off in bright sunlight but there were some ominous dark clouds heading our way. Maher made an early run down the right wing pulling the ball back to Goodlake but his miss-hit shot bounced safely to keeper, Rolfe. Gainsford then took up the ball beating three players when advancing towards goal but Rolfe saved again before launching a log kick downfield which the home defence cleared for a throw-in. When referee Arnott pulled play back for a free-kick, keeper Little safely held the high ball from the kick taken by Lapwood. Play immediately moved to the other end through Maher down the right side, he passed the ball to Gainsford who stumbled under a clumsy challenge but the University penalty appeals were turned down and play continued. With only nine minutes gone Hatfield Peverel FC took the lead, a mix up between keeper Little and defender Brown allowed JOE SMITH to slide in and side-foot the ball into the unguarded net. Longman advanced, not for the first or last time down the right wing for the home side, beating two players before sending over a cross which was headed over his cross-bar by the dependable Turner, skipper of the visitors. Already a feature was the non-stop running and encouragement given by the diminutive Nyasha, in midfield for the home team and he set up Maher who crossed to Gainsford who headed wide when well placed at the far post. After fifteen minutes the home team equalised despite protests from the visitors for an apparent offside situation but after consultation with the club-linesman referee Arnott allowed the goal to stand. The University had been awarded a free-kick wide on the left side, as the ball drifted across Gainsford won his header at the far post, heading back across goal where CHARLIE GOODLAKE found space to head home off the underside of the cross-bar. The University had raised their game and pushed forward through Nyasha who put Gainsford through on goal but Rolfe saved well with his feet and Hatfield Peverel, were having to defend in depth with some strong tackles. Goodlake had another chance followed by one from Maher who won a corner off Pye. Rumbelow shot straight at Little for the visitors after picking the ball up from a quickly taken throw-in and when play switched again it was Nyasha and Maher working the right flank to win another corner. Byrons cross drifted onto the top of the visitors net then Longman put Maher away but his cross found Gainsford in an offside position. Hatfield Peverel were guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply and were forced to defend with Turner and Jarvis in command but Nyasha was prepared to drop back, pick up the ball and start the next attack for the University. On the half-hour mark Smith picked up the first caution of the game cutting across the back of Gainsford as he ran across the pitch with the ball and as he received lengthy treatment the rain clouds had arrived and we were going to get a soaking before half-time was reached. Hatfield Peverel introduced Barden for Pye who had been struggling for some time now then Chipperfield cleared the resulting free-kick up-field. Smith chased a through ball for the visitors but Little had advanced to smother the danger then Maher caused problems down the right cutting back before crossing goal-wards, keeper Rolfe called for the cross but Goodlake just got in front directing his header towards the unguarded net however, Jackson saved the day clearing almost off the goal-line. Pardoe used his pace to get past Jackson and should have scored but his effort was weak and Rolfe comfortably saved. Just on half-time a rare Hatfield Peverel attack saw Smith shoot just past the post. HALF-TIME: 1 - 1 It was still raining as the teams emerged for the second half and the ball was skimming off the wet surface at pace as Hatfield Peverel kicked off and they looked far brighter than during the first half where the home side had been the better side. Goodlake had an effort saved from Maher's run down the wing before Smith from a corner, setting up Rumbelow who headed over. Referee Arnott had a word with Turner and Jackson after a couple of high challenges and when things calmed down Rolfe launched a long ball down the middle only for Brown to clear the danger. Lapwood received his caution for a rash challenge in midfield, then on fifty-eight minutes Smith slipped when shooting at goal and the danger passed before the same player got past the defensive line and flashed the ball across goal where Thurston threw himself at the ball but was inches away from connecting. Green replaced University goal-scorer Goodlake with thirty minutes remaining then Longman passed to Gainsford who laid the ball back to Nyasha who shot straight at Rolfe. Davis replaced skipper, Maher, who had a good game for the home side. With twenty minutes to go Longman put in a great tackle on Turner then Pardoe used his pace to track back to win a goal-kick as Hatfield threatened. Substitute Green looked lively immediately from his introduction, skipping past two flying tackles before shooting wide. Kirkham pushed forward and Green was again the recipient of a pass but a left footed effort was wide of the post, then Nyasha found the same player in space but Rolfe saved easily. Jackson had to be alert when a fine move via Longman, Nyasha, Byron, Nyasha again before he released Pardoe whose cross was blocked at the expense of a corner by Jackson. The University put another flowing move together as we entered the last ten minutes, Nyasha was in the thick of the move as always, Green and Gainsford were involved the latter back-heeling the ball into the path of Davis who somehow contrived to miss an empty net! Hatfield Peverel made one more change with Burton replacing Baxter who made an early tackle on Davis as he tried to move down the left wing and as time petered out the game ended in a draw. FULL TIME: 1 - 1 On reflection a draw seemed to be the best result, perhaps the University of Essex on the number of chances created, did enough to gain all three points, but Hatfield Peverel, who defended well, may consider this a point gained, given their reduced playing strength this weekend! Teams: University of Essex FC: Colours: Red & Black Samuel Little., James Longman., Daniel Kirkham., Daniel Bonny., Shaun Brown., Daniel Byron., George Maher (C)., Majome Nyasha., Patrick Gainsford., Charlie Goodlake., Calum Pardoe. Manager: David Williams Used Substitutes: Tom Green., Ryan Davies Unused Substitutes: Robert Brackley., David Williams Hatfield Peverel FC: Colours: Blue & Black Paul Rolfe., Jamie Baxter., Christopher Pye., Andrew Chipperfield., Luke Turner (C)., Gary Jackson., Craig Rumbelow., Ben Lapwood., George Jarvis., Joe Smith., Luke Thurston. Manager: Andrew Chipperfield Used Substitutes: Kieran Burton., Sam Barden Used Substitutes: Craig Jay Referee: Adrian ARNOTT Man of the Match: Majome NYASHA (University of Essex FC) ***** |