Essex Senior League – Premier Division
Venue: Roding Lane
Attendance: 83
2022-23 Season: Match 30
Friday 3rd December 2022 – 7.45pm KO
Buckhurst H: Blue & Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks
W Ensign: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
Ensign grab another fine away win, this time at Roding Lane
Buckhurst Hill 1 – 2 White Ensign
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
A rare Friday night outing of late saw a welcome return to Roding Lane to see Buckhurst Hill take on White Ensign in the Essex Senior League. Recent departures from the home side were compounded here by a host of players being unavailable for Mark Williams’ side for this game. Goalkeeper Daniel Blockley was again between the posts, with a defence comprised of Olabajuwon Olagbaju, Will Halford, Alfie Harris & skipper Conor Tyrrell. Jake Moss, Harry Markatis & Oliver Williams were in midfield, supporting a forward line led by Hassan Nalbant and Ezekiel Bademosi, with support from James Deaney. Ensign were looking to vanquish the pain of a heavy loss in their last game, as Aaron Bloxham named Charlie Martin as goalkeeper, with their defence featuring full-backs Ben Sargent & Daniel Monk, with centre-halves Montel Shonubi and Lee Delf. Their high-energy midfield trio here were Iyiola Adebayo, Kyle McAlindon and captain Ethan Evison and in attack, Alfie Lindfield led the line with support from Billy Bonham-Dare & Harry Kateley.
The visitors looked to pinch an early advantage and forward Harry Kateley put the ball wide from a yard or so out, thanks to brave goalkeeping by Hill’s Daniel Blockley, who required some teatment. However, it was Ensign who took the lead after only five minutes as fellow forward Alfie Lindfield’s strike hit the left-side post, only for the ball to curl towards the opposite post and nestle into the net. Buckhurst also had to reconfigure their side after full-back Olabajuwon Olagbaju had to be substituted through injury after 12 minutes, with forward Fehinti Falola replacing him and James Deaney reverting to right wing-back. As the half wore on, Buckhurst did find their possession game and ventured forward to decent effect, with forward Hassan Nalbant having a few decent chances but a combination of good defending and striking off-target meant the hosts were still chasing.
Ensign were a danger on the counter-attack with Harry Kateley breaking down the left side, and another effort on goal from him brought out a good save from Blockley. Buckhurst Hill was also uncharacteristically hesitant in defence, with centre-back Alfie Harris making a few decent interceptions. At the other end, forward Ezekiel Bademosi had a powerful strike at Charlie Martin’s goal, and it came off the woodwork, as the first half was entering its last phase. Mark Williams’ side did get a deserved equaliser four minutes before the interval, as a good run down the channel by substitute Fehinti Falola found Bademosi, who fired home a good effort past Martin and into the corner.
Half-Time: Buckhurst Hill 1 – 1 White Ensign
After the break, Buckhurst’s plans to push on and gain the upper hand suffered a setback as Ensign re-took the lead four minutes after the restart. An errant clearance allowed Lindfield to strive towards goal and slot home comfortably, low into the right corner. Unsurprisingly, this spurred on the hosts to claw their back into proceedings, and Nalbant again was in the action midway through the half, as his fierce drive was well parried away by Martin. Ensign did respond once again on the counter, with midfielder Iyiola Adebayo advancing towards the 18-yard box before powering a good effort which cannoned off the woodwork.
The tempo wasn’t quite as high in the latter stages which was understandable given the freezing conditions, but Ensign could have made the points safe five minutes from time as Adebayo again garnered some space before his effort on goal was denied well by Blockley. Ensign had to hold firm defensively in the last moments of this game, as from a set-piece, Buckhurst midfielder Harry Markatis brought a fine save from Martin, as Markatis’ 20-yarder forced the visiting custodian to dive away low to his left to claw the ball away from danger.
Full-Time: Buckhurst Hill 1 – 2 White Ensign
In summary, whilst the depleted hosts did show good intent going forward, they were thwarted by several errors – particularly in defence. Ensign showed again that they are up for the tough battles away from home and after a heavy defeat 48 hours before this game, they showed a lot of grit, as well as some neat play at times.
For this game’s ‘stand-out’ mentions, I’ll start with the victors Ensign. Alfie Lindfield had a very good evening, scoring two decent goals and also tested the Buckhurst defence at times as well, having a few other glimpses at goal. Iyiola Adebayo put in a high-energy display in midfield, pushing forward with good movement & passing to go with it as well. Goalkeeper Charlie Martin was a reassuring presence too, making some decent saves to frustrate a fast home forward line. Lastly, a word for full-back Ben Sargent who again put in a good display, making several rapid runs down the right side to add an attacking dimension to the visitors’ counter-attacks.
For Buckhurst Hill, forward Ezekiel Bademosi took his goal well and posed problems with his good running and pace and together with fellow forward Hassan Nalbant, they looked a good forward line, getting down the channels well and putting in good crosses into the box. Early replacement Fehinti Falola also put in a good display and got a good assist, while midfielder Harry Markatis made several good interceptions to assist his team’s defending, as well as sending good forward passes as well.
Teams
Buckhurst Hill | Manager: Mark Williams | Assistant: JP Kent
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Daniel Blockley (GK), 2 Olabajuwon Olagbaju (10 Fehinti Falola 12′), 3 Will Halford, 4 Alfie Harris, 5 Conor Tyrrell (Capt), 6 Harry Markatis, 7 Jake Moss (14 Sajid Aziz 76′), 8 Oliver Williams, 11 James Deaney, 9 Hassan Nalbant (15 Ayomide Ademokun 71′), 12 Ezekiel Bademosi
Goal-scorer: Ezekiel Bademosi [41′]
Booked: Bademosi, Halford | Subs Not Used: Ferris
White Ensign | Manager: Aaron Bloxham | Assistant: Enrico Tiritera
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Charlie Martin (GK), 2 Ben Sargent, 3 Daniel Monk, 5 Montel Shonubi, 6 Lee Delf, 4 Kyle McAlindon (12 Teddy Rumsey 64′), 8 Ethan Evison (Capt), 7 Iyiola Adebayo (16 Jack Allen 88′), 9 Billy Bonham-Dare (15 Callum Ferris 88′), 10 Alfie Lindfield, 11 Harry Kateley (14 Jordan Chambers 64′)
Goal-scorers: Alfie Lindfield [5′ & 49′]
Booked: Evison | Subs Not Used: Summers
Referee: Michael Iddenden-Smith
Assistants: James Latham & Olabisi Omotosho
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