
Essex Olympian League – Premier Division
Venue: Garon Park [3G]
2019 – 20 Season: Match 47
Saturday 21st December 2019 – 2.00pm KO
Old Southendian: Green Shirts, Black Shorts, Green Socks
Kelvedon Hatch: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
OS Firsts edge an entertaining battle in New Garon Park pitch bow
Old Southendian 2 – 1 Kelvedon Hatch
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] with additional photos by Peter Dudley [Twitter: @ped1980]
With this week’s near-endless rain heavily affecting this weekend’s action in Steps 4, 5 & 6, the featured match was from the Essex Olympian League Premier Division (Step 7) which saw Old Southendian welcome Kelvedon Hatch. This was the first match staged at the new Garon Park 3G pitch, after a three-month renovation of the old grass area was completed earlier this month. It wasn’t plain-sailing though for the hosts, who had to start with manager Connor Lane in goal, with a defence of Charlie Kernott, Steven Sharpe, Matt Wilson and Connor Burrows. Burrows has made eight appearances for Essex Senior side Southend Manor earlier this season. Craig Paton, Nick Henesy and Ed Gould made up the forward line with Elliot Hemmings, Nico Dubouchet and Harry DaCosta were among the substitutes, as was the unfortunate goalkeeper Ryan Smith. Kelvedon fielded Rob Hatton between the posts, with Dan Johnson skippering the side and ex-Barking forward Ashley Wackers leading the line, supported by Ade Cole and Dan Hawkes. Glen Golby was among their substitutes.
As we entered the initial phases of the match, it was the home side that the better of the early opportunities though forward Nick Henesy was unable to create the power behind his goal-bound effort from close range as Hatch goalkeeper Rob Hatton did well to deny him low down, closing the angle. On nine minutes, Stuart Paton sent in a good ball from the right which found Craig Paton though he could only loft his shot over the top corner. Connor Lane’s side did break the stalemate with eighteen minutes on the watch as Stuart Paton struck home from close range past Hatton.
As we moved into the midway point of the half, Kelvedon midfielder Richard Kadima had a effort which fizzed over the woodwork before the same player made buccaneering 40-yard run through the middle before being brought down. The chilly air was drawing in by this point as was the intermittent rain which glistened off of the damp surface. OS had a few more half-chances though Hatton was not unduly troubled really. Just past the half-hour, the visitors responded and found their rhythm though forwards Ashley Wackers and Dan Hawkes were both comfortably denied by stand-in ‘keeper Connor Lane. Energetic midfielder Ade Cole also had a sighter at goal though blazed wide from a decent position, 20 yards out.
The last major chance of the half saw forward Craig Paton do well to elude his marker and his strike was well-saved by Hatton, who got down smartly to parry it away strongly.
Half-Time: Old Southendian 2 – 1 Kelvedon Hatch
Full-Time: Old Southendian 2 – 1 Kelvedon Hatch
Finally, my thanks to the OS manager Connor Lane, my Non-League colleague Pete Dudley for the additional photos which have been credited, and I wish both clubs well for the remainder of the Premier Division campaign. I would also like to wish all my readers of this blog a very Merry Christmas & very happy & peaceful new year in 2020.
Teams
Old Southendian | Player-Manager: Connor Lane
Starting XI: 1 Connor Lane (GK), 2 Charlie Kernott, 3 Steven Sharpe, 4 Luke Moloney, 5 Matt Wilson, 6 Connor Burrows, 7 Ryan Stillwell, 8 Stuart Paton, 9 Craig Paton, 10 Nick Henesy, 11 Ed Gould
Goal-scorer: Stuart Paton [18’], Ed Gould [50’]
Subs On: Ryan Smith (GK), 12 Elliot Hemmings, 15 Nico Debouchet, 14 Harry Da Costa, 16 Matt Tonking
Booked: Burrows, Stillwell
Kelvedon Hatch | Co-Managers: Steve Willis & Glen Golby
Starting XI: 1 Rob Hatton (GK), 2 Tom Mann, 3 Oluwatobi Popoola, 4 Daniel Johnson (Capt), 5 Charlie Parish, 14 Josh Smith, 7 Ade Cole, 15 Richard Kadima, 9 Ashley Wackers, 10 Dan Hawkes, 12 Oliver Slater
Goal-scorers: Richard Kadima [ 83’],
Subs On: 6 Glen Golby | Subs Unused: Nougher, Elbi, Aylett |Booked: Hawkes
Referee: Luke Woolf