Essex Senior League
Venue: Cricklefield
Attendance: 48
2017-18 Season – Match 26
Saturday 30th September 2017 3pm KO
Barkingside: Sky Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Navy Blue Socks
Sawbridgeworth Town: Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Red Socks
Scott W reporting (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
On a cloudy afternoon at Cricklefield, Barkingside took on Sawbridgeworth Town in another Essex Senior League encounter. For the hosts, new signings Bradley Gayer and Kadeem Brightly made the starting XI while fellow newcomer Josh Coulson was named on the bench. Sawbridgeworth were missing a number of players including influential defender Chris Ratambwa (suspended).
The visitors started the match brightly as they had more of the ball and tried to get their possession game going. Sawbridgeworth goalkeeper Matt Ponter still had to be alert though to deny Barkingside forward Tony Cookey seven minutes in. Only a minute later, a good one-two between visiting forwards saw hot-shot Lewis Francis fire wide from an acute angle. The visitors continued to search for clear-cut opportunities and home full-back Aaron Lesta had a bit of a let-off when he missed a defensive header leaving Francis one-on-one with home goalkeeper Will Hunt though the Town forward was off-side. As the half-hour mark approached, Sawbridgeworth midfielder Billy Skinner shot wide of the post. The visitors then had a free-kick on the half-hour, with a knock-down that allowed Skinner to head past Hunt for a debut goal to put the visitors ahead.
The hosts couldn’t quite create any clear-cut chances themselves, finding themselves up against a committed and determined visiting back four. Town led by a single goal at the break.
Half-Time: Barkingside 0 – 1 Sawbridgeworth Town
Three minutes into the second-half, a long throw from home defender Euan Taylor-Reid caused a split-second of concern for custodian Ponter, who gathered at the second attempt. The visitors had another great opportunity nine minutes after the re-start as Francis’ powerful drive crashed against the crossbar from little more than six yards out. The Sawbridgeworth defence, led by skipper Daryl Doolan were composed and made several good challenges and interceptions during the match. On 56 minutes, ‘Side substitute Michael Sherwood’s header forced a save from Ponter.
In the last twenty-five minutes, the hosts did push forward and to their credit kept going. Town did seem to defend deep at times, which in turn made it difficult for them to find an outlet going forward. On 66 minutes, Taylor-Reid’s header from winger Jason Fontaine’s free-kick was saved by Ponter. Town spurned another good chance as from Joe Wright’s right-wing centre, forward Aaron Thomas lifted his slot over the bar from close range. As we entered the last ten minutes, Fontaine’s shot was parried by Ponter, before bustling forward Sherwood’s follow-up shot was blocked by defender Josh Knight.
Barkingside did get the leveller as we crept into added-time as substitute Gareth Jones fired past Ponter in a good position to give Michael Walther’s side a point in a match they could have lost, if Sawbridgeworth had been more clinical though John Watters will undoubtedly be proud of his side today. Will Hunt, Matteus Santos and substitute Michael Sherwood did well for the hosts today, while skipper Daryl Doolan, full-back Louis Monk and debutant Billy Skinner stood out for the visitors in my view today.
FT: Barkingside 1 – 1 Sawbridgeworth Town
Jones 90 +1 Skinner 30’
|
Teams: |
|
| Barkingside
Manager: Michael Walther |
Sawbridgeworth Town Manager: John Watters |
| 1 Will Hunt (GK) | 1 Matt Ponter (GK) |
| 2 Aaron Lesta (Subbed 46’) | 2 Ross Gill |
| 3 Bradley Gayer | 3 Louis Monk |
| 4 Jayden Mitchell-Brown (C) | 4 Josh Knight |
| 5 Euan Taylor-Reid | 5 Antony Deyonte (Subbed 67’) |
| 6 Kadeem Brightly (Subbed 53’) | 6 James Mays |
| 7 Matteus Santos | 7 Daryl Doolan (C) |
| 8 Raphael Duyile | 8 Billy Skinner (Subbed 74’) |
| 9 Michael Ogboin (Subbed 69’) | 9 Aaron Thomas |
| 10 Tony Cookey | 10 Lewis Francis |
| 11 Jason Fontaine | 11 Joe Wright |
|
Substitutes: |
|
| 12 Gareth Jones (On 69’) | 12 Danny Wickenden (On 67’) |
| 14 Michael Sherwood (On 46’) | 14 Alec Lennon (On 74’) |
| 15 David Etcheri | 15 Neil Tillotson |
| 16 Josh Coulson (On 53’) | |
| 17 Michael Bottone | |
|
Referee: |
Steve Marr |
| Assistant Referees: |
Martin Quinn Jeremy Mott |
| Booked: Taylor-Reid, Sherwood | Booked: Knight |
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