ESL Reserve Division One

Essex Senior League – Len Cordell Plate Final

Venue: Burroughs Park

Attendance: 122

2021-22 Season: Match 79

Monday 2nd May 2022 – 11am KO

Hashtag: Blue & Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts, Yellow Socks

Ensign: White Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

The glassware… The Cordell Plate (Image by Scott W)

Hashtag Reserves battle hard to overcome resilient Ensign Res in LCP Final

Hashtag Utd Res 2 – 1 White Ensign Res (AET)

Short Match Report by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

with Photos by Scott W & Katie Dorling (on behalf of ESL)

The first match of ‘ESL Finals Day’ saw an early kick-off for the Len Cordell Plate Final between Hashtag Utd Res and White Ensign Res. Both sides have good campaigns in their respective Reserve Divisions (One and Two) for different reasons, and the Tags side was looking to end the campaign on a high after losing out of the League title to Billericay Town U23 recently.

This match got underway with both sides looking to gain an early advantage but also content to keep things tight and give their opponents an edge. Central defender Joe Burgess had a header gathered by Tags stopper Jack Gannon and layer-boss Kiernan Hughes-Mason’s free-kick also came off the woodwork but there were relatively few chances. That was until the deadlock was broken on 25 minutes as forward Emmanuel Abudiore stole in ahead of his marker from yard out to head home past Gannon and give the Ensign team the lead.

Hashtag did respond well to that setback and importantly, they levelled before the break. Hughes-Mason was again involved as his set-piece was powerfully headed in by Brandon Chapman, who did have a strong all-round performance here. Ensign custodian Archie Matthews could do nothing to prevent that fine header. The tension was exacerbated just before the interval as Jonny Vandyck was given a straight red card for kicking out at an Ensign defender, after the Tags player had won a free-kick at the edge of the penalty area. Even so, we went into the break all-square and that feeling continued into the second half though Hashtag were having more ball time, with winger Ed Cooper having a few good darting runs down the flank, assisting creative forward Tommy Sykes, who was also posing problems.

The match itself was getting gritty with chances not overly apparent, although substitute Kieran Wilson-Fowler was giving Ensign an important outlet down the flanks to keep the Tags defence alert. They were well marshalled by Tags stalwart Marcus Stamp. Ensign nearly won it in added-time as Abudiore was in on goal with only Gannon to beat but the Tags stopper did well to gather the forward’s strike.

Full-Time (90 mins): Hashtag 1 – 1 Ensign

So Extra Time was required and seven minutes in, Hashtag replacement Brad Bunker did well to guide a header from another good Hughes-Mason centre on target, but Matthews did well to judge the trajectory of the ball and gather. As it turned out, that was a let off for the robust but tiring Ensign backline and four minutes into the second part of Extra Time, another Hughes-Mason free-kick was angled into the back post and Bunker was there to pounce with a firm header past Matthews.

The last chance of note for the Division Two side came seven minutes from time as a set-piece by Ensign skipper Zach Somerset-Butler was on target but lacking the power to bypass Gannon. The Final whistle blew and Hashtag could at last celebrate a victory in a match that will many watching may mention as gritty. Ensign have every reason to be proud of their efforts though some would debate that they needed to create more to test a good Hashtag backline here.

Full-Time (AET): Hashtag Res 2 – 1 Ensign Res

Congratulations to Hashtag Utd Res on their Plate victory and best wishes to White Ensign Res who made the Tags work hard for the win, despite them being a division below their opposition in the Reserve divisions.

You have to give the Tags’side credit though for pushing on well in extra time and they were the more attacking side in the latter stages of the contest, despite playing more than 75 minutes with ten men. Good performances in this match for Hashtag were led by captain Tommy Sykes who really looked to instigate forward moves by way of good passing & had several decent efforts on goal. Winger Ed Cooper and player-boss Kiernan Hughes-Mason also played their part in a good team performance, as did Brandon Chapman, who got awarded man of the match.

The young Ensign side also put in a good display and kept things tight for long periods with a hard-working display. Forward Emmanuel Abudiore took his goal well and put a good shift in, while defender Owen Dixie also did well to make it difficult at times for the opposition forwards and made some good passes. Finally, Josh Reilly also made a difference when he came on or the last hour or so of the game and gave his team some more impetus with some timely tackles.

Teams

Hashtag Utd Res | Player-Manager: Kiernan Hughes-Mason | Assistant: Paul Prosser

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Jack Gannon (GK), 2 Nathan Wilson, 3 Matas Skarna (14 Ali Alanezi 84′), 5 Marcus Stamp (16 Joel Bevan 105′), 6 Brandon Chapman, 7 Ed Cooper (9 Brad Bunker 69′), 8 Jonny Vandyck, 4 Iyiola Adebayo, 12 Tommy Sykes (Capt), 10 Kiernan Hughes-Mason, 11 Rujorn Tuitt (15 Tommy Kilcast 116′)

Goal-scorers: Brandon Chapman [39′], Brad Bunker [109′]

Booked: Skarna, Stamp, Sykes | Sent Off: Vandyck [43′] | Subs Not Used: None

White Ensign Res | Manager: Liam Phillips | Assistant: Joe Phillips

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Archie Matthews (GK), 18 Owen Dixie, 16 Joe Burgess, 5 Joshua Hayward, 10 Joss Pountney (3 Josh Reilly 59′), 2 Yaw Danso, 7 Zach Somerset-Butler (Capt), 8 Daniel Wringe (15 Emmanuel Grey-Coker 98′), 13 Emmanuel Abudiore, 17 Lewis Brown (11 Kieran Wilson-Fowler 72′), 9 Shemarie Perkins-Palmer

Goal-scorer: Emmanuel Abudiore [25′]

Booked: Hayward, Dixie, Reilly, Grey-Coker | Subs Not Used: Curtis

Referee: Dwayne Uylett

Assistants: Andy Wheaton & Darrell Adams
Fourth Official: Joe Lannon

Essex Senior League – League Divisional Cup Final

Venue: Capershotts (Waltham Abbey FC)

Attendance: 165

2021-22 Season: Match 76

Sunday 24th April 2022 – 3pm KO

Billericay: Blue Shirts, Black Shorts, Blue Socks

Harlow: Red & White Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Harlow’s late winner sees them lift the ESL League Divisional Cup at Capershotts

Billericay Town Res 1 – 2 Harlow Town Res

Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

The second & final match of this last weekend of the League part of the ESL campaign saw a welcome ‘bonus’ match at Capershotts as Reserve League Division One Champions Billericay Town Reserves (or U23s) faced Harlow Town Reserves for the League Divisional Cup, which is a new competition in the Essex Senior this term. It is a rare pleasure to see Reserve teams and this was my third Reserves match of this campaign.

The good crowd of over 160 in attendance saw a very open-ended start to the game as both sides were looking to gain the advantage. In the early moments, Harlow forward Manny Phagura got in on goal evading his marker but his goalbound effort was gathered by Billericay stopper Jordan Williams. The Blues side was assisted by the good play down the left flank by Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo and one of his teasing crosses into the centre so nearly found the head of forward Louie Vesper who had a well-timed run in the eighteen yard area.

Harlow responded at the other end as forward Charles Nicol got ahead of his marker and powered a header off-target on 14 minutes. The decent approach play continued from both teams but it was Mbambo who curled in a good ball which evaded the unfortunate Horgan and came back off the post onto him and into the net with 31 minutes on the watch. The Hawks were undeterred though and responded barely two minutes later as attacking midfielder Henry Clark found the run of forward Marko Protic and he finished with aplomb, low under the dive of Williams to level things up.

Williams was called into action again four minutes before the break as a decent move that involved full-back Callum Berg and Protic ended with a curling strike that the Billericay stopper gathered.

Half-Time: Billericay 1 – 1 Harlow

It would be fair to say that the second period was not quite at the same pace as the first half, although there were a few decent chances for either side. Just shy of the hour mark, Billericay midfielder Freddy Cooper sent a header in on goal which Horgan gathered well enough. At the other end, Harlow’s creative forward Manny Phagura had been fizzing in some good passes and one of those on 69 minutes found Nicol who had narrowly strayed offside.

Danny Brown’s side responded with two decent chances, first after a good move involving substitute Nyan Mesuria and Vosper led to Cooper firing his effort wide. Soon afterward, decent build-up play by Mbambo led to full-back George Cornwell having a go at goal, forcing a decent save from Horgan.

Cornwell (2) making a good run down the right flank for Blues (Image by Scott W)

But just when it looked as though it would would finish level after the 90 minutes, Harlow got a crucial winning goal on eighty-four minutes as decent play in the build-up ended with full-back Sammy Bayon drilling in a good low strike which left the unfortunate Williams stranded as it found the net. The Blues could not respond and had to settle for their runners-up medals in what has still been a good campaign for them.

Charles Nicol (far right) jostling for possession with Billericay’s Tom Duffy

Full-Time: Billericay Town Res 1 – 2 Harlow Town Res

To summarise this match, a really energetic first-half meant that both sides were finding it tricky to match said energy levels after the interval. The Billericay side showed enough to display why they had won the ESL Reserve League Division One title but they could not dominate a good Harlow side, whose main focus ended up being this competition. The late winner really did come at a good time as we were hurtling towards another 30 minutes, for the second time this weekend. It was hard to deny Harlow their win as they put in a good all-round effort.

There were some really good performances in this game. For Harlow Res, I felt forward Charles Nicol had a really good game, provuding his team with a good focal point in attack and show good physicality and passing. Fellow forwards Marko Protic and Manny Phagura also shone, with Protic taking his goal well and being a constant threat to the Billericay backline, while Phagura was the creative passer & dribbler just behind them in the formation. Finally, a word for full-back Sammy Bayon who already put in a hard-working performance before producing a fine strike for the winning goal.

For the Billericay side, I thought winger Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo showed why he’s had loan spells elsewhere in Senior football this term, showcasing good pace, passing and movement in addition to his goal. Freddy Cooper had a fine game in central midfield and made several good passes, while forward Louie Vosper did test the stout Harlow backline with his pace and trickery. Lastly, full-back George Cornwell did well to provide an attacking option at times, making several good runs down the right flank & added some good passes as well.

Here are your winners – Harlow Town Reserves!

Congrats to the victors Harlow but I will add it was good to see both teams looking to play the game in a fast, enterprising style.

I’ll end with some thanks, firstly to Essex Senior League President Rob Errington and also to Match Referee Craig Wood, for his assistance pre-match. Thank you.

Teams

Billericay Town Res | Manager: Danny Brown

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Jordan Williams (GK), 2 George Cornwell, 3 James Drake, 18 Henry Lukombo, 16 Tom Duffy (Capt), 5 Josh Brown (7 Nyan Mesuria 63′), 17 Freddy Cooper, 8 Jack Taylor, 14 Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo, 11 Robert Adams, 9 Louie Vosper (19 Kaylen Harris 87′)

Goal-scorer: Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo [31′]

Booked: Mesuria | Sub Not Used: Davey, Bassa, Clubb

Harlow Town Res | Manager: Adam Connolly

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Robert Horgan (GK), 2 Sammy Bayon, 3 Callum Berg, 5 Reece Hardwick, 6 Greame Butler (Capt), 4 Jamie Brooker (18 Harry Yorke 90′), 14 Eden Hayday, 10 Henry Clark, 19 Manny Phagura, 9 Marko Protic, 7 Charles Nicol (8 Ishmeal Fiadzomor 84′),

Goal-scorers: Marko Protic [34′], Sammy Bayon [84′]

Booked: Clark | Subs Not Used: Harwood, Ambrose, Parker

Referee: Craig Wood
Assistants: Yaron Woolf & Katie Dorling

Fourth Official: James Latham

Tag: ESL Reserve Division One

S21-22 Match Report: Hashtag Utd Res 2 – 1 White Ensign Res [AET] (Mon 2 May) [LCP 3.2.22)

S21-22 Match Report: Billericay Town U23 1 – 2 Harlow Town Res (Sun 24 Apr) (ESL LDC Final 25.4.22)