Essex Olympian League – Division One
Venue: Stambridge Memorial Ground
Attendance: 10
2022-23 Season: Match 6
Saturday 13 August 2022 – 2pm KO
Corinthians: Sky Blue & White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks
ACD: Purple Shirts, Purple Shorts, Purple Socks
Late comeback sees Corinthians to good win over ACD at Stambridge
Corinthians 3 – 1 ACD Utd
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
The new Intermediate season began this weekend and it ended up that to mark said opening, I went to Stambridge to see two attack-minded sides duel in Corinthians and ACD Utd. The visitors were last term’s Division Two champions while Chris Stoneham’s team were keen to improve on last season’s fourth place in the Division One. The home side had Nathan Warren in goal, with a three-man central defence of Connor Summerhill, Brad Read and new recruit Daniel Frimley, captain Matt Burrell in central midfield, with a forward line of Bailey Moss and Jake Hodder, supported by Leo Clarke and Jordan Stoneham. ACD have a new boss in former goal-scoring wizard Michael Wade and he fielded Danny Mulrooney between the posts, with Brad Falco and Billy Rungay in central defence, full-backs Ollie Williams and skipper Mason Oakley and a forward line of Samuel Payne, Shaun Goddard and Scott Perkins.
The game got underway in what felt like 30 degree heat, and understandably this took its toll on the pace of the game in the early stages. Even so though, it was quite open as both teams looked to get down the channels to evade each other’s defences. Forward Jake Hodder and full-back Billy Wilton made early threatening downs down the flanks for the hosts, while forward Scott Perkins made one good left-wing run early on for ACD, who also had the first real chance of note when fellow forward Shaun Goddard struck off-target.
As the half-hour approached, it was a tale of two big moments. First on 26 minutes, a fine cross by Hodder found forward Bailey Moss and his powerful header was superbly clawed over by an acrobatic save from ACD stopper Danny Mulrooney. Immediately afterward, ACD countered quickly and forward Samuel Payne was well-found and struck low to fine left corner, beyond the grasp of home custodian Nathan Warren. ACD were enjoying their best phase of the game thus far and on 31 minutes Payne played in Goddard who sent in a lofted effort which cannoned off Warren’s crossbar.
The hosts had two further chances with Mulrooney gathering Moss’ 25-yard low strike and Mulrooney also did well to deny Wilton’s strike from close range. ACD’s stubborn defending held out and the hosts’ pasing was not at its condusive best as ACD went into the interval with a slender advantage.
Half-Time: Corinthians 0 – 1 ACD Utd
ACD maintained that resolve as the second half began as four minutes into it, Payne’s struike from 20 yards was well parried away by Warren. Slowly though, Corinthians did start to go through the gears and find their passing and forward Leo Clarke started to get on the ball more and test the Utd backline. Hodder’s strike off-target around the hour did serve as a warning but his side were level with 75 minutes on the watch.
Again, Hodder was involved as his astute pass found forward Bailey Moss who took it well before firing a powerful curling strike into left side of the net, giving Mulrooney little chance. In fairness, it was what Corinthians deserved on chances created but they still need to find another gear to stave off an enterprising ACD counter-attacking side. Warren was needed moments later as ACD responded with a low strike at the near post, only for Warren to get down well and deny them.
This seemed to spur the hosts on again and they did break the stalemate with three minutes left, with Hodder’s good low ball going all the way across goal to find Wilton who struck it over the goal-line. That was a little tough on ACD but the third goal in added time really did hammer home their misfortune. Mulrooney couldn’t get his clearance away with Moss closing him down quickly after a scramble, Moss was there to prod the ball home from a yard out.
Full-Time: Corinthians 3 – 1 ACD Utd
To sum up this entertaining but bruising battle in the considerable heat, ACD really made it hard for their hosts to maintain momentum, making several good interceptions and also countering well, which gave the home defence little time to recoup their positioning. However, in the latter stages they couldn’t keep the ball as well as they had done earlier. Despite that, they didn’t deserve to lose in the manner that they did. All credit to Corinthians though, they stepped up the work rate in the second half and they got their rewards for it.
There were several very good performances today. First for victors Corinthians, a word for energetic forward Leo Clarke who really drove his side on in the second half, showing good pace and passing at times. Full-back Bill Wilton also played his part with some neat passes, good energy levels and added a goal late on too. Forward Bailey Moss scored a fine leveller and brought out two good saves from ACD stopper Mulrooney as well as his usual aerial presence. Lastly, a mention for Jake Hodder who put in two assists and generally looked a threat down the right-side channel. Centre-back Daniel Frimley put a good display also on his competitive debut.
For ACD, there was plenty of positives to take. Goalkeeper Danny Mulrooney will be disappointed by manner of the third goal conceded here but that should not detract from an otherwise superb performance, making three very good sabes to deny Moss & Wilton during the game. Full-back Ollie Williams was a good outlet as well, from the left side and from set-pieces too. Forward Sam Payne took his goal well and had a good all-round game whilst centre-backs Brad Falco & Billy Rungay really made it tough for the hosts’ forward line with good aerial clearances and interceptions for much of the game.
Best wishes to both teams and I have little doubt they will both have good campaigns.
Teams (Rolling Subs used in EOFL matches)
Corinthians | Manager: Chris Stoneham | Assistants: Graham Owen & Les Moss
Starting XI: 1 Nathan Warren (GK), 2 Charlie Marden, 3 Bill Wilton, 6 Daniel Frimley, 17 Brad Read, 5 Connor Summerhill , 8 Matt Burrell (Capt), 7 Jordan Stoneham, 9 Jake Hodder, 20 Bailey Moss, 10 Leo Clarke
Goal-scorers: Bailey Moss [75′ & 90′ +2], Bill Wilton [87′]
Subs ON : 19 Luke Owen [46′], 12 Maxwell Sharpe [46′], 16 John Bolton-Smith [71′], 18 Brad Smith [82′], 14 Ethan Lemmon [87′]
ACD Utd | Manager: Michael Wade |
Starting XI: 1 Danny Mulrooney (GK), 2 Mason Oakley (Capt), 6 Billy Rungay, 35 Brad Falco, 4 Jamie Alexandrou, 3 Ollie Williams, 14 Jake Noble, 19 Warren Taylor, 7 Samuel Payne, 17 Shaun Goddard, 12 Scott Perkins
Goal-scorer: Samuel Payne [27′]
Booked: Oakley
Subs ON: 21 Frank Markham [43′] | Sub Not Used: Knock
Referee: Robert Walker
survivor16b 
The pitches all look so dry… we really need the rain to come!!
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