Essex Senior League
Venue: Mayesbrook Park
Attendance: 26
2017-18 Season – Match 16
Saturday 2nd September 2017 3pm KO
West Essex: Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Red Socks
Burnham Ramblers: Navy Blue & Sky Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Sky Blue Socks
Scott W reporting (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
On a lovely afternoon at Mayesbrook Park, West Essex took on Burnham Ramblers in another Essex Senior League encounter.
Burnham had more of the ball in the early stages of the match, though couldn’t quite supply their forwards with clear-cut chances. That said, Ramblers forward Charlee Hughes was still a threat down the right flank in particular. West Essex did have the odd counter-attack and talismanic forward Michael Mignot showed his intentions early-doors as he had a strike saved by Burnham goalkeeper Josh Strizovic on ten minutes. In the main though, Burnham were strong in defence and worked hard to wrestle the initiative from their hosts, who were depleted due to injuries.
The visitors had one effort cleared off the line midway through the first period as home goalkeeper Dan Russell came off his line but proceeded to clatter into an opposing forward, for which he was brandished with a booking. On 25 minutes, Ramblers forward Bradley Morgan had his strike saved by Dan Russell’s legs for a corner. From that resulting set-piece, midfielder Ben Burgess skied his header over the bar. Morgan had three other opportunities at goal before the break though couldn’t find a way past Dan Russell, the latter of the three chances forced a good save from the West Essex ‘keeper three minutes before the break.
For West Essex, Brad Russell headed over the bar from Mignot’s right-wing cross on the half-hour. Soon after, forward Isaac Marfo was one-on-one with Strizovic but the Burnham goalie snuffed out the chance and cleared. The visitors will no doubt be cursing the lack of clinical finishing as they certainly could have led at the break.
Half-Time: West Essex 0 – 0 Burnham Ramblers
The second half began with the hosts somewhat ‘finding their feet’ as full-back Tanvir Ahmed sent over a left-wing cross which struck the bar before Marfo’s shot was saved by Strizovic. Unfortunately for West Essex, goalkeeper Dan Russell further blotted his copybook and was dismissed by referee Steve Marr for a second bookable offence so the hosts were down to ten men and midfielder Brad Russell (Dan’s brother) had to take the gloves for the remaining 36 minutes.
Though this seemed to lift the hosts as minutes after the sending off, Marfo was poised to score though was denied by a great last-ditch block for a corner. With 58 minutes on the clock, Mignot showed his quality again with a mazy run past Burnham defenders after good work from Tanvir Ahmed on the left flank and struck a lovely curling drive into the right corner to give the hosts the lead.
Burgess drilled a shot wide seven minutes later though in truth, Burnham were starting to tire in the last twenty-five minutes of the match. With 20 to go, Burnham full-back Grant Webb attempted to lob stand-in goalie Brad Russell from a free-kick though it went just over the bar. West Essex extended their lead with 16 minutes left as winger Cameron Gray was found by Mignot and slotted home calmly. Burnham’s afternoon got ever harder as Burgess was also sent off for two bookings on 76 minutes.
The visitors had late chances to grab a consolation though substitute Aydin Coban and Hughes couldn’t find a way past stand-in ‘keeper Russell. West Essex could’ve made it three with moments remaining though substitute Tom Woodbridge was denied by the impressive Strizovic.
Full-Time: West Essex 2 – 0 Burnham Ramblers
Mignot 58’, Gray 74’
In summary, West Essex will be pleased with the win though will also know they ‘dodged a bullet’ here, particularly in the first half. Burnham will feel aggrieved that they couldn’t convert their chances though there are positives to take from this match. I’d also like to say thank you to Dan Reading, GM of West Essex for the welcome I received today. Best wishes to both clubs for the rest of the ESL campaign.
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Teams: |
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| West Essex
Manager: Kwame Kwateng (Team In formation order) |
Burnham Ramblers Manager: Lee Hughes |
| 1 Dan Russell (GK) | 1 Joshua Strizovic (GK) |
| 2 Jayvon Case-Jarrett | 2 Grant Webb |
| 23 Tanvir Ahmed | 3 Kareem Byam (Subbed 79’) |
| 21 Maamoon Khan | 4 Luke Moloney (C) |
| 6 Dan Christey (C) | 5 George Elliott |
| 4 Nick Carroll | 6 Bradley Smith (Subbed 68’) |
| 8 Brad Russell | 7 William Howard |
| 10 Fatos Zeqiri | 8 Ben Burgess |
| 7 Michael Mignot (Subbed 87’) | 9 Bradley Morgan (Subbed 68’) |
| 24 Isaac Marfo (Subbed 61’) | 10 Ryan Stillwell |
| 11 Cameron Gray (Subbed 80’) | 11 Charlee Hughes |
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Substitutes: |
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| 5 Nick Walk (On 61’) | 12 Sam Eve |
| 14 Josh French (On 80’) | 13 Adam French (GK) |
| 17 Matt Ford | 14 Alex Karkoski (On 68’) |
| 9 Tom Woodbridge (On 87’) | 15 Aydin Coban (On 68’) |
| 18 Ronell Rochester | 16 Albino Cristo (On 79’) |
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Referee: |
Steve Marr |
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Assistant Referees: |
Michael Iddenden-Smith
Trevor Williams |
| Booked: Khan, French | Booked: Hughes |
| Sent Off: D Russell (2 bookings) | Sent Off: Burgess (2 bookings) |
survivor16b 