![Match Report: Stansted 1 – 0 West Essex (Mon 6 May) [ECC Final 6.5.19]](https://survivor16b.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/20190506_134008.jpg?w=1200)
Errington Challenge Cup Final
Venue: Woodside (Bishop’s Stortford FC)
Attendance: 417
2018-19 Season – Match 78
Monday 6th May 2019 – 3pm KO
Stansted: Royal Blue Shirt, Royal Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
West Essex: Yellow & Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Yellow Socks
Stansted secure Errington Cup triumph with last-gasp winner at Woodside
Report & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
On Bank Holiday Monday, another ESL-related season concluded with the Errington Challenge Cup Final at Woodside with League runners-up Stansted looking for a Cup double as they faced mid-table West Essex, who let’s not forget are only in their third season at this level. Stansted were heavily depleted, with both West brothers (Sam & Jack), defensive rock Paul Clayton, midfielder Charlie Barlow and goal-getter James Peagram all unavailable. Moses Carvalho was drafted in at centre-back, with James Briggs making a rare appearance from the start, alongside Rob Norris in midfield. Callum Ibe and Jordan Palmer led the attack with Carl Mullings among those on the bench.
West were fortunate enough to name a near full-strength team with glovesman Jack Coker between the posts, Emanuel Wazola and Sanchez Hardy the full-backs, Tom Macleod skippering the side and a strong front three of Michael Mignot, Symeon Taylor and Samraj Gill. Cameron Gray and Izzy Ogedi-Uzokwe were among the substitutes.
The match didn’t take long to get going in fairness. In the first minute, full-back Jamie Bennett struck wide over the upright for the Airportmen though it was West who nearly took the lead five minutes in. Samraj Gill’s corner was powerfully met by midfielder Tom MacLeod though James Briggs did well to head clear on the goal-line. ‘Blue Brazil’ goalkeeper Charlie Turner was called into action soon afterward with the ESL ‘Golden Glove’ winner doing well to deny Joe Lefley’s low drive and Michael Mignot’s effort on goal. The Stags were having some joy going forward with Callum Bloss sending through more telling passes to the forward line as well as running down the channel.
Midway through the half, the Airportmen made sure Coker was alert as a sweet centre from the right by winger Jack Mitchell found forward Jordan Palmer, though he could only head straight at the Stags custodian who held well. Apart from two James Briggs efforts that went just over the woodwork, Paul Pittuck & Marc Benterman’s team had to rally to keep things level. In the last ten minutes or so of the half, West forward Symeon Taylor fizzed a strike wide while Bloss fed Mignot well though the latter could only dribble his effort wide. A telling moment came two minutes before the interval as Mignot did superbly to round Turner though he went for precision with the finish though the lack of power on it told as centre-back Joe Clark did well to clear off the line.
Half-Time: Stansted 0 – 0 West Essex
Goal-less it was at the break though no lack of entertainment or good attacking play. The Stags were guilty of missing chances and but for impressive defending by the Stansted back four, led by Moses Carvalho, they could have had even more. Ten minutes into the second half, lively forward Samraj Gill burst through the middle and curled a sweet strike which just escaped the attentions of the woodwork. Stansted ‘keeper Turner did well to deny Lefley’s drive at the second time of asking near the hour mark.
Stansted substitute Harvey Brown was well-found by a left-wing cross though he blazed wide as we entered the last twenty minutes of the contest. Carl Mullings came off the bench to add more physicality to their forward line as although Callum Ibe was causing some nervous moments for the Stags back-line, the ‘Blue Brazil’ top-scorer wasn’t having much joy when it came to chances. Into the latter stages now and West substitute Izzy Ogedi-Uzokwe fired straight at Turner when handily-placed and you started to get an unerring sense that Kwame Kwateng’s side would pay a price for not being comfortably ahead as they could have been.
That feeling was only exacerbated when on the stroke of the ninety, a 40-yard surging run by Mignot ended with only Turner to beat though the Blues stopper showed his class again by gathering bravely at the forward’s feet when well-poised to strike.
And then, in added-time, the ‘clang’ well & truly struck. Brown’s angled free-kick was headed on to Ibe at the near post who headed in past Coker to ‘raise the roof’ among the Stansted contingent. Moments later, the full-time whistle struck and the celebrations began for the Airportmen whilst the desolation and disappointment among the West players was hard to deny.
Full-time: Stansted 1 – 0 West Essex
Firstly, how this match didn’t bring about five or six goals I don’t think we’ll ever know and that is a credit to both sides today – it added to what was a really good occasion.
All in all, the Airportmen got the result they wanted to complete the Cup ‘Double’ this term (the Gordon Brasted Trophy as well as this triumph) through defending in their characteristically strong manner, a bit of luck and having a forward who makes things happen in Callum Ibe. As far as stand-out performances go for the ‘Blue Brazil’, goalkeeper Charlie Turner arguably kept his side in the game to begin with, plus emergency centre-back Moses Carvalho shone alongside central defensive partner Joe Clark. Ibe was a threat as per usual, as was winger Jack Mitchell and substitute Harvey Brown in his half-hour on-the-field.
West Essex will feel it was ‘so near, yet so far’ and it’s tough to disagree with that assertion. When the frustration has died down for them, they have quite a lot to be proud of. Their brand of attacking football was on-show in front of a big crowd – even if they did not put away the plethora of chances they had created. Midfielder Callum Bloss had another strong match, with tricky forward Samraj Gill, fellow midfielder Joe Lefley and the ever-dangerous Michael Mignot also impressing, being a thorn in the opposition’s side all match. Their recent improvement defensively was also their to see and centre-backs Nick Walk and Josh French played their part in that.
Finally, as this is my last report of the ESL 2018/19 campaign, I feel it would be remiss not to mention the following – it’s been a quite a season. Twists, turns, quality, grit and guts have all been part of it. Seeing players, managers & clubs write chapters in their history is gratifying to be a part of, as is being part of the Non-League ‘family’. Thank you to all the clubs, countless players, managers and club/league officials who have welcomed me this term – I do notice it and it helps keep me going during tough weeks/months. Thank you also to all that have read these reports this season… and enjoy your summer.
Teams
Stansted | Co-Managers: Paul Pittuck & Marc Benterman
Charlie Turner (GK), Jamie Bennett, Billy Coyne (Capt), Joe Clark, Moses Carvalho, Jack Mitchell, James Briggs (Harvey Brown 61′), Rob Norris, Callum Ibe, Ollie Bell (Lewis Stantiall 83′), Jordan Palmer (Carl Mullings 71′)
Goal-scorer: Callum Ibe [90’+3]
Booked: Norris, Ibe | Subs Not Used: Buffin, Tyrell
West Essex | Manager: Kwame Kwateng
Jack Coker (GK), Emanuel Wazola, Sanchez Hardy, Nick Walk, Josh French, Tom MacLeod (Capt), Callum Bloss (Cameron Gray 67′), Joe Lefley, Michael Mignot, Symeon Taylor (Izzy Ogedi-Uzokwe 79′), Samraj Gill (James Jewers 83′)
Booked: MacLeod | Subs Not Used: McNally, Woodbridge
Referee: Mark Pond
Assistant Referees: Eddie Andrews & Charlie Roberts
Fourth Official: Joseph Gray
survivor16b 