Essex Senior League
Venue: Lower Road
Attendance: TBC
2018-19 Season – Match 21
Saturday 13th October 2018 – 3pm KO
Hullbridge Sports : Blue & White Striped Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
Leyton Athletic: Maroon Shirts, Maroon Shorts, Maroon Socks
Leyton give below-par Hullbridge a scare at Lower Road on Non-League Day 2018
Report & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14) with additional photo by Neil Hunwicks (Twitter: @Abridgetoofar16)
Essex Senior League leaders Hullbridge Sports welcomed Leyton Athletic to Lower Road in this encounter on Non-League Day 2018. The hosts were depleted with the likes of Perry Dunn, Ollie Sotoyinbo, Aundre Spencer and goalkeeper George Marsh all unavailable. Clarke Bogard, on-loan from Grays Athletic was between the sticks with a three-man forward line being comprised of skipper Jimmy Cox, Luke Hornsley and Michael Salako.
Leyton Athletic also deployed the wing-back system with Jayesh Gohil and Misha Djemaili on either side of the three-man defence and Christian Londono supporting forwards Dwade James and (new signing) Luwayne Greenwood.
The match began in a sprightly manner with centre-back Rob Hodgson and forward Luke Hornsley both unable to find the target for the hosts though home goalkeeper Clarke Bogard was called into action to claw away an well-directed over-head kick from Leyton top-scorer Dwade James on 7 minutes. In the next attack, Hornsley was denied a chance on goal by a good tackle by wing-back Jayesh Gohil in the area. Moments later, winger Christian Londono’s blistering 20-yard strike cannoned off the woodwork to reinforce the view they Leyton do have goals in them.
Unfortunately for the visitors though, the hosts went ahead on the quarter-hour as good work from Matt Dicks and Jimmy Cox led to Hornsley stroking home past visiting stopper James Scammell one-on-one. What followed was a quite a dominant passage of play for the visitors as Bogard was much the busier ‘keeper, doing well to deny James and fellow forward Luwayne Greenwood on several occasions as the visitors’ pace really stretched the Hullbridge back-line. Just after the twenty-minute mark, Greenwood in particular contrived to scoop the ball over from close range following a terrific run by Gohil down the right flank.
Having said that, forward Michael Salako perhaps could have extended the hosts’ lead as well before the half-hour marker. On the cusp of half-time, Leyton got the leveller they deserved as Bogard couldn’t stop Dwade James from rolling home, when the forward was again one-on-one with the ‘keeper.
Half-Time: Hullbridge Sports 1 – 1 Leyton Athletic
After the break, Hullbridge were still below their best, particularly in their attacking play as that precious final ball to the forwards was not really there. Even so, out of nowhere, a moment of brilliance from captain Jimmy Cox put the hosts back ahead nine minutes after the break. Cox surged down left the left flank, cut inside in the area and sailed a curling effort past Scammell.
Leyton continued to push forward and substitute Daniel Londono called Bogard into action again just the past the hour mark. Gaps were appearing in the visiting defence though substitute Nathan Scarborough’s 40-yard lob evaded Scammell but didn’t find the target. That perhaps was a turning point as on 71 minutes, Christian Londono carved open the home defence again, finding James well and he made no mistake beating Bogard when one-on-one. Bogard then bravely denied James at the striker’s feet in the latter stages though ‘Bridge held on to claim a point, despite what you could describe as a ;below-par’ performance.
Full-Time: Hullbridge Sports 2 – 2 Leyton Athletic
Leyton will be disappointed they didn’t claim all three points though doubts about them defensively remain. Skipper Eli Benoit was certainly giving his team a rollicking on-the-pitch. Christian Londono, Dwade James, Benoit and Gohil stood out for me today in a good performance from them. For the hosts, Clarke Bogard was without doubt the hero though this may prove to be ‘a point gained’ for the hosts come the latter stages of the season.
Finally, my thanks for the hospitality shown by Hullbridge, as ever showing the true club that they are in spirit.
Teams
Hullbridge Sports | Manager: Darren Manning
Clarke Bogard (GK), Matt Dicks, Matt Rose, Jamal Allen, Andre Gumbs, Rob Hodgson, Dan Okah, Matt Tapley (Nathan Scarborough 69′), Jimmy Cox (Capt), Luke Hornsley, Michael Salako (Arnold Achaempong 69′)
Goal-scorers: Luke Hornsley [15′], Jimmy Cox [54′]
Booked: Hodgson, Cox | Subs Not Used: Risk, Taylor, McLeavy
Leyton Athletic | Manager: Glen Kendall
James Scammell (GK), Jayesh Gohil, Misha Djemaili, Jason Brown, Eli Beniot (Capt), Cory Rider, Christian Londono, Mario Gjini, Dwade James, Luwayne Greenwood (Daniel Londono 57′), Sheriff Jinadu (Lance Ledgister 57′)
Goal-scorers: Dwade James [45′ +2, 71′]
Booked: Ledgister, Benoit, Gjini | Subs Not Used: Seidu, Walsh (GK)
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