The FA Vase – First Round Qualifying
Venue: Cricklefield
2019-20 Season: Match 18
Saturday 31st August 2019 – 3pm KO
Ilford: Blue & White Hooped Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
Enfield: Green Shirts, Green Shorts, Yellow Socks
Enfield battle hard to defeat Ilford in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Ilford 1 – 2 Enfield
Summary & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello readers, due to the chaos that lined the A13 in Western Essex on Saturday, it was tough to even get to a game (annoyingly) so we had to divert to this still intriguing all-ESL FA Vase tie at Cricklefield between Ilford and Enfield. Because I missed the start of the match, the following will be a shorter report than usual, apologies in advance but I still wanted to get something out regarding this match.
Ilford named a fairly strong XI for this one with mainstay Hugo Rossetti retaining the gloves, Tyson Talanya and Lewis Wicker as the full-backs, and Valter Simao and Nicholas Keyamo on the flanks, with youth product Ryan O’Connell and Josh Kraus among those on the bench. Enfield also named a strong side, with Josh Flynn at right-back, loanee Michael Salako joining Alfie Mason in attack with Alfie Cleal and Dean Wallace among the options from the substitutes’ bench.
Ilford had raced into a first-minute lead through Jerold Cobblah, though that early advantage was erased as the E’s restored parity with Michael Salako getting the final touch, and that was after the referee had over-ruled his assistant’s initial flag, presumably for off-side.
After the unorthodox leveller, there were a number of tussles in midfield as both sides looked to grab the momentum. On the half-hour, Ilf centre-back Clifford Newby-Harris poked wide of the right-side post as the edged that phase of the game. Enfield were starting to come back into things in terms of ball retention though still couldn’t quite test Rossetti enough in the Ilford goal. That was until five minutes before the interval as E’s centre-back Josh Woodcock aimed well with a low drive that crept under the goalkeeper’s legs to pass into the net.
The drama wasn’t over there though in an increasingly bizarre period of the match as not one but two Enfield players were sin-binned within seconds of each other, it was midfielder Nana Asamoah and forward Michael Salako who both had to sit out the opening part of the second half.
Half-Time: Ilford 1 – 2 Enfield
Ilford showed they were not out of the contest seven after the break as midfielder Freddie Oakman curled a lovely effort which cannoned off the crossbar before a good pass in by Enfield forward Alfie Mason fed Salako though he couldn’t get the power on the header so Rossetti could come in to gather. It has to be mentioned that Ilf winger Nicolas Keyamo certainly was a headache for the opposition with his pace, trickery and crossing.
Salako was certainly posing a threat for Matt Hanning’s team with his pace and strength though as we entered the latter stages of the tie, it was Mason’s fierce drive that needed a good save by Rossetti to parry the ball out of danger. Ilford certainly put their visitors under pressure in the latter stages though Enfield could have sealed the match as a surging run by Mason down the middle was only denied by a adept interception by Newby-Harris. E’s midfielder Joe Pattison also struck the right-sided post with a firm header in added-time and it was the E’s who ultimately went through to the next round where I believe they will face Enfield Borough.
Full-Time: Ilford 1 – 2 Enfield
The frustration for the hosts was understandable though they did have some notable performances today. Defender Clifford Newby-Harris had another good display, as did winger Nicolas Keyamo. For Enfield, the stern backline of Lleweyn-Reid and Woodcock recovered from a few shaky moments, with Thoma the additional anchor in front of them. Messrs Salako and Mason also linked up well in the forward line.
Teams
Ilford | Manager: Morgan LaForce
Hugo Rossetti (GK), Tyson Talanya, Lewis Wicker, Santana Porter, Clifford Newby-Harris, Freddie Oakman (Haaroon Belaid 61’), Valter Simao, Said Ali, Felix Laws-Cochrane, Jerold Cobblah, Nicolas Keyamo (Josh Kraus 72’)
Goal-scorers: Jerold Cobblah [1’]
Subs Not Used: O’Connell, A Embalo, Tolley
Enfield | Manager: Matt Hanning
Lewis Hawley (GK), Josh Flynn, Kevin Bondjanga, Komal Lleweyn-Reid, Josh Woodcock, Matt Thoma (Alfie Cleal 62’), Joe Pattison, Nana Asamoah (Dean Wallace 65’), Michael Salako, Alfie Mason, Ben Bradbury (Capt) (Josiah Ereku 80’)
Goal-scorers: Michael Salako [11’], Josh Woodcock [40’]
Booked: Pattison | Sin-Binned: Asamoah & Salako | Subs Not Used: Shakes, Gormley
survivor16b 