Essex Senior League – Premier Division
Venue: Rush Green Bowl
Attendance: 127
2022-23 Season: Match 49
Saturday 25th March 2023 – 3pm KO
Clacton: White Shirts, Blue Shorts & Socks
Sawbridgeworth: Red & Black Shirts, Red Shorts & Socks
Clacton hold firm to earn another victory at home to Sawbridgeworth
FC Clacton 1 – 0 Sawbridgeworth Town
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
The first of two matches to mark a special Essex Senior weekend to mark this year’s Non-League Day saw a first visit to the Rush Green Bowl to see FC Clacton take on visitors Sawbridgeworth Town. Tom Auston’s side are still pushing for a top-three finish which would crown off a terrific campaign. They fielded Luke Avenell in goal, with a backline of centre-backs Michael Okafor & Chris Ribchester, with full-backs Jenson Mulqueen and skipper Billy Wales. Kyelan Marvell & Jack Marshall were the hard-working central midfield, with Teddy Collis & Rueben Cowler on the flanks in support of forwards Mekhi McKenzie & Charlie Collis. Sawbridgeworth were looking to pull further clear of the bottom three and co-bosses Kieran Amos & Ben Taylor named George Edgeworth in goal, with a defence comprised of full-backs Zachary Davidson & Luke Clark, alongside the central defence led by Marcus Dowdeswell & Elliott George. Danny Palmer & Jaydon Charles were in in central midfield, with wingers Ayub Kadiri and Louis Monk. The forward line was led by Bruno Gomes, with support from David Etcheri.
As was the case with several matches in recent weeks, this match took some time to truly find the impetus, not assisted by several stoppages early-doors. The hosts had the better of the early chances, with centre-back Chris Ribchester’s header over the crossbar from a set-piece and winger Teddy Collis also firing a decent strike off-target. On the half-hour, Tom Austin’s team went close after centre forward Mekhi McKenzie’s good pass found Teddy Collis, whose fierce strike at goal was parried away well by visiting stopper George Edgeworth. Sawbo were defending admirably to stifle the hosts who couldn’t find their attacking, passing rhythm during the first half. At the other end, Sawbridgeworth didn’t have a large amount of ball time, but did have a few runs down the channels, and Clacton did not fall to what would have been a ‘sucker punch’ in the latter parts of the first half, with centre-back Michael Okafor in particular being well-placed to rebuff passes into the visiting forward line.
HT: Clacton 0 – 0 Sawbridgeworth
After a nice burger from the food hut at the break, the second half began in a similar tightly-contested vein, as the inveitable array of substitutes entering proceedings also broke up the rhythm a bit as well. Ferguson, Lartey & Tilson came on for the hosts to replace Teddy Collis, full-back Mulqueen & midfielder Marvell and one of those substitutes had a big part to play just moments after coming on. Midway through the second-half, a good move involving tall midfielder Jack Marshall and forward Mekhi McKenzie ended with the ball finding Jordan Lartey at the far post who evaded his marker well enough to strike from close-range to finally break the stern resistance of Sawbo.
So, Clacton had a lead to defend now and Sawbo had a bit more possession in midfield, but a wayward strike by centre forward Bruno Gomes with 15 minutes remaining, which didn’t trouble goalkeeper Luke Avenell. The Seasiders were helped on by a good home crowd, and came close to ,make it two with moments remaining, from substitute Jack Johnson’s free-kick, the ball found its way to Marshall & his fine header was superbly kept out by Edgeworth’s sprawling save.
Full-Time: FC Clacton 1 – 0 Sawbridgeworth Town
In summary, this was a gritty battle which Clacton did enough to earn the points, as they did have enough chances & ball time. Sawbridgeworth did defend well as well, with goalkeeper George Edgeworth effectively keeping them in the contest with two fine saves here, but ultimately they could not nullify a strong Seasiders backline and test home custodian Luke Avenell often enough.
The stand-outs here begin wiith victors Clacton. Forward Mekhi McKenzie put in a hard-working display, looking to turn past his marker well and also put in some good passes too to contribute to his team’s attacking moves. Secondly, midfielder Jack Marshall also was a good outlet with his passing and threat aerially too, as welll as contributing to the build-up for the only goal of the game. Lastly, centre-back Michael Okafor led the defence well, showing good positioning and making crucial interceptions as well.
For Sawbridgeworth, centre-back Marcus Dowdeswell had a good game, making several good tackles and his defence made it tough for Clacton to break through as they deallt with crosses well in the air. Goalkeeper George Edgeworth was a good presence for his team and pulled off two very good saves as mentioned & finally, full-back Zachary Davidson bolstered his team’s defensive efforts and offered a decent outlet going forward as well, in support of winger Ayub Kadiri.
Finally, would like to pass on my thanks to Clacton for their hospitality, was good to finally visit the Rush Green Bowl.
Teams
FC Clacton | Manager: Tom Austin | Assistant: Adam Daniels |
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Luke Avenell (GK), 2 Jenson Mulqueen (15 Jordan Lartey 62′), 3 Billy Wales, 5 Chris Ribchester, 6 Michael Okafor, 4 Kyelan Marvell (14 Adam Tilson 65′), 8 Jack Marshall, 7 Teddy Collis (12 Kyle Ferguson 56′), 9 Mekhi McKenzie (16 Jack Johnson 87′), 10 Charlie Collis, 11 Rueben Cowler (17 Harry Miller 83′)
Goal-scorer: Jordan Lartey [68′]
Booked: Marshall, Mulqueen | Subs Not Used: None
Sawbridgeworth Town | Co-Managers: Kieran Amos & Ben Taylor | Assistant: Paul Gissing
Starting XI (Subs): 1 George Edgeworth (GK), 2 Zachary Davidson, 3 Luke Clark (16 Shadrac Malembe 62′), 5 Elliott George, 6 Marcus Dowdeswell (Capt), 4 Danny Palmer (12 George Spillane 83′), 8 Jaydon Charles (14 Joshua Bardouleau 62′), 7 Ayub Kadiri, 9 Bruno Gomes, 10 David Etcheri (15 Austen Garrod 74′), 11 Louis Monk
Booked: Gomes, Dowdeswell, Monk | Subs Not Used: Amos
Referee: Nathan Kitteridge
Assistants: Michael Wallace & Trevor Williams
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