Essex Olympian League – Division Three
Venue: Shoebury Park
2019 – 20 Season: Match 51
Saturday 11th January 2020 – 2.00pm KO
Wakebury: Blue & White Striped Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue & White Socks
Corinthians Res: Pink Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks
Wakebury end Corinthians Ressies’ unbeaten league run with hard-fought win
Wakebury 3 – 1 Corinthians Res
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
This weekend’s match took me to a new ground and to see two new teams as I travelled to Shoebury Park to see the Essex Olympian League Division Three encounter between newcomers Wakebury and last season’s Division Five champions Corinthians Res. Having seen the visitors’ first-team earlier this season, it would be intriguing to see how the second-side fared. Factor in that this was at kick-off a top-two clash then it just added to the pressure perhaps for both sides. Terry Rose’s visitors also were unbeaten prior to this match it must be noted. Anyway, Wakebury boss Matt Cardy named a strong side with Joe Robbins between the sticks, Elliot Khupe and Sam Rowe as full-backs alongside centre-backs Jack Smith and Ben Perry with Chris Gore skippering the side. Charlie Little, Danny Buglione and Ben Munway led the attack for Wakebury, who are in their first season as an Olympian League side. Harry Kateley and Mitchell Keen were among the substitutes for the hosts. Corinthians Reserves named Freddy Miglec in goal, Steve Solarin in midfield and a front two of Max Hall and Ryan Woodley, with Sonny Woodward, Matt Lee and Chay Saggers among the replacements.
The early stages of this match may have lacked a bit of finesse but it did not lack drama. Only six minutes in, the hosts were awarded a spot-kick, with forward Ben Munday taking responsibility. Unfortunately, his effort from 12 yards lacked the precision to bypass Corinthians goalkeeper Freddy Miglec who made a decent save to keep the score-line level. Credit to Wakebury though as the in the next phase of the match, they exerted heavy pressure on their opposition, with an array of set-pieces arrowing in towards the goal-mouth though Munday could only skew his effort wide of the target.
On the quarter-hour, Corinthians winger Taner Dagyaran fizzed in a cross in a neat counter-attack, though it was cleared by an observant defender with winger Luke Smith lurking behind him, poised to strike. The heat of battle was certainly rising as the half wore on though there wasn’t a huge array of guilt-edged chances to go with it. Just shy of the half-hour, visiting forward Max Hall sent a fierce drive which crashed back off the woodwork, although it wouldn’t have counted due to an assistant’s waving flag.
Former Basildon Utd and White Ensign forward Little was certainly a great outlet down the channels although when faced with a decreasing angle on 34 minutes, he could only fire wide and Munday also struck over moments later. It was the home side who had more of the chances though the next two chances were shared as Dagyran had an effort sail wide and moments later, ‘Bury defender Ben Perry’s header was also denied by Miglec from close range. The hosts’ frustrations were compounded on the stroke of half-time as from Sam Rowe’s free-kick from deep, forward Danny Buglione’s header went over the goal frame.
Half-Time: Wakebury 0 – 0 Corinthians Res
Photo
Goal-less it stood at the break, but it certainly didn’t stay that way for long as barely a minute into the restart, after home custodian Joe Robbins had made a smart initial save, forward Max Hall was there to strike home from close range, much to the delight of his side on the touchline. However, the lead was not to last. Four minutes afterward, Wakebury levelled as Little showed a touch of class by lashing home a dipping drive from 20 yards past the helpless Miglec into the roof of the net. Munday had a similarly powerful strike ruled out for off-side minutes later, though the hosts were increasingly in the ascendency.
Wakebury took the lead midway through the half as a neat curling finish from Little got his & his side’s second after peeling off to find that crucial half-yard of space from a slightly napping visiting defence on a corner. Corinthians tried hard to get their passing game going and although they had neat build-up play and pace to boot, they didn’t quite have the finishing or the physicality to overcome a tough Wakebury side. Dagyaran did have a half-chance for the visitors late on from another set-piece though his header was straight at Robbins. Then to add to their frustration, substitute Charlie Marden was dismissed for a tough challenge as we entered added time. It was the hosts who had the last word as Ben Munday powerfully struck past Miglec to secure ‘Bury’s tenth win of the campaign.
Full-Time: Wakebury 3 – 1 Corinthians Res
So it was ‘the Berries’ who took home the points and after abatting display at times, they ended the unbeaten league streak of Corinthians’ second-side. Without being churlish, it certainly helps to have a forward like Charlie Little in your side and although Little had a fine game, a number of other players stood out in my opinion for Matt Cardy’s team today. Winger Ben Munday was a threat and secured the win late on, with centre-back Jack Smith an absolute rock at the heart of the defence as well. Sam Rowe also put in a very energetic display at full-back, with the added option of his long throw-ins too. Corinthians had goalkeeper Freddy Miglec to thank for keeping them in the match early on as he made two very good saves from close range. Tricky winger Taner Dagyaran was promising down the flanks and centre-back Jamie Milbourn also did well for Terry Rose’s team.
Finally, I’d like to thank Wakebury’s management team of Matt Cardy, Daniel Blewett and secretary Jeff Cardy for the welcome they gave, it is appreciated. It was also good to see Terry Rose’s side in action for the first time, and although they may be quite raw in some facets of the game, it is also true that they are on a journey quite similar to the first-team as they also look to keep on an ‘upward curve’
Teams
Wakebury | Manager: Matt Cardy | Assistant: Daniel Blewett
Starting XI: 1 Joe Robbins (GK), 12 Elliot Khupe, 3 Sam Rowe, 4 Chris Gore (Capt), 5 Jack Smith, 6 Ben Perry, 7 Charlie Little, 8 Liam Jarrett, 16 Riley Oliver, 10 Danny Buglione, 11 Ben Munday
Goal-scorers: Charlie Little [50’ & 65’], Ben Munday [90’+2]
Subs On: 9 Harry Kateley, 14 Shaun Lewis, 2 Charlie Brewster & 21 Mitchell Keen | Subs Unused: None
Booked: Gore
Corinthians Res | Manager: Terry Rose | Assistant: Ben Adams
Starting XI: 1 Freddy Miglec (GK), 11 Charlie Coker, 4 Liam Ellis, 12 Charlie Brown, 5 Jamie Milbourn, 6 Steve Solarin, 7 Luke Smith, 8 Ashley Webb (Capt), 9 Max Hall, 10 Ryan Woodley, 3 Taner Dagyaran
Goal-scorer: Max Hall [ 46’]
Subs On: 14 Sonny Woodward, 17 Matt Lee, 19 Chay Saggers, 20 Charlie Marden, 2 Will Quirke | Subs Unused: None
Booked: Ellis, Woodward | Sent Off: Marden (90’+1)
Referee: Mark Irvine
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