Errington Challenge Cup 2018 – 19: Quarter-Final
2018-19 Season: Match 47
Friday 15th February 2019 – 8pm KO
Venue: Cricklefield
Attendance: 115
Barkingside: Purple Shirts, Purple Shorts, Purple Socks
Saffron Walden: Red & Black Striped Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks
Walden outclass ‘Side to reach the last four of the Errington Challenge Cup
Report & Photo by Scott W [Twitter: ScottMHC14]
The opening match of this weekend saw Barkingside welcome Saffron Walden in this Errington Challenge Cup Quarter-Final on Friday night, attended by a hefty posse of Ground-hoppers and ESL luminaries. The hosts fielded a front two of Max Bolton and Isaac Marfo with Jamie Marsh and Derek O’Halem in central defence and Ryan Karrer continuing in goal. Walden showed their intentions before kick-off as new signing Scott Pethers joining Ryan Fleming in defence, Jack Isherwood in central midfield and just the small matter of Daniel Trendall, (& former Sky Blues) Charlie Portway and Lewis Francis in attack.
Before the match, on behalf of the GFS team, I presented ‘Side boss Alex Goldstone with the ESL ‘Manager of the Month’ award for January.
The match had barely begun when Bloods forward Charlie Portway found himself eight yards out though his strike cannoned off a post. On the quarter-hour, strike partner Daniel Trendall unselfishly played in Portway though his strike was this time saved by home custodian Ryan Karrer. Two minutes later, Lewis Francis did round Karrer though he didn’t bank on centre-back Derek O’Halem’s good positioning as he blocked Francis’ effort on the goal-line. To be fair to the hosts, they held firm despite Walden building momentum & pressure, showing the guts they will need you feel in their present League predictament.
The hosts had a little of the ball going forward but in all honesty, they got little change out of the Walden back-line who were certainly up for the challenge. In the latter stages of the half, Walden struck twice to put themselves in a good position. First, livewire Daniel Trendall was well played in and he made no error, slotting home confidently past Karrer. And then right on the stroke of half-time, The Bloods were awarded a spot-kick, which Portway stepped up to take. Despite seeing him uncharacteristically missing one recently, you still had the feeling he’d strike and shock, horror – Portway made no mistake to double his side’s advantage.
Half-Time: Barkingside 0 – 2 Saffron Walden
Jason Maher’s side hardly took their ‘foot off the gas’ as less than a minute into the second half, they were three goals up. Portway continued his unquenchable thrust for goals as he broke free of the ‘Side defence, before rounding Karrer and slotting home calmly. Walden saved the best goal for last though as only four minutes later, centre-back Scott Pethers’ stunning over-head kick flew past Karrer and into the roof of the net. After a sedate passage of play which highlighted where the result was going, Walden did keep going with substitute James Crane driving down the right flank and Francis continuing to strive to create oppurtunities as well on the opposite flank. Late on, substitute Ronnie Ledwith made a good darting run through the middle before his strike was saved by Karrer’s legs. ‘Side will have better evenings going forward though in Max Bolton, they had a quick striker who kept the Walden defence alert at times here.
At the end of the evening, there was no doubt who deserved the win though ‘Side will have to re-focus quickly as they entertain Walthamstow on Monday night. Saffron Walden go on to the semi-finals and they will take some stopping.
Full-Time: Barkingside 0 – 4 Saffron Walden
Teams
Barkingside | Manager: Alex Goldstone
Ryan Karrer (GK), Abdul Musah, Edward Lang (Shaquain Maisara 60′), Harry Matthews (Capt), Jamie Marsh, Derek O’Halem, Dan Jones, Joe Oates, Max Bolton, Isaac Marfo, Darnell Goather-Braithwaite
Subs Not Used: Nascimento, Woodward | Booked: Lang, Marsh, O’Halem, Matthews
Saffron Walden Town | Manager: Jason Maher
Nicholas Eyre (GK), Spike Bell, Jack Mead, Ryan Fleming (Capt), Scott Pethers, Karolis Atutis (Ronnie Ledwith 55′), Craig Calver, Jack Isherwood (Tony Da Silva 49′), Daniel Trendall (James Crane 61′), Charlie Portway, Lewis Francis
Goal-scorers: Dan Trendall [38′], Charlie Portway [pen 45′ & 46′], Scott Pethers [50′]
Subs Not Used: Crowther, Maher
survivor16b 