Eastern Senior League – Division South
Venue: Jack Carter Centre 3G
Attendance: 48
2022-23 Season: Match 35
Saturday 14th January 2023 – 3pm KO
Frenford: Red & White Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
St Margaretsbury: Yellow Shirts, Yellow Shorts, Yellow Socks
Excellent St Margaretsbury performance sees them win at leaders Frenford
Frenford 0 – 3 St Margaretsbury
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
This weekend saw a welcome trip to Jack Carter Centre 3G in Gants Hill for the Eastern Senior League South match between leaders Frenford and St Margaretsbury. Dave Forbes’ side were looking to build on their five-point lead at the summit, following Stanway Pegasus’ narrow win at May & Baker 16 hours previously. He named recent signing Josh Blackburn in goal, with a defence of full-backs Augustine Appiah & Jack Sykes and skipper Lewis Bartrip & Sam Cross in central defence. The midfield included Tom Potter, Billy Karby and Charlie Munns, with centre forward Nick Reynolds being supported by Raheem Gray & Johnathon Vandyck on the flanks. St Mags have found it tough to get points away from home since I saw them win at Benfleet in August, but nevertheless they are a tricky mid-table side. Co-managers Paul Holding & Adam Connolly fielded Sidi Haidara as their custodian, with their defence being comprised of Bayon, Berg, Hayden-Eley & Daniels. The hard-working duo of Mulqueen & Moutawafiq were in central midfield, with forwards Marko Protic & Isaac Stevens being supported by Jacob Waring & captain Kamarni Collington.
The visitors started the game well, looking to get in behind the Frenford defence, utilising the artificial playing surface to good effect. They took the lead after only 12 minutes as a surging run by skipper Kamarni Collington down the right flank ended with a good ball into the box which ended up finding forward Marko Protic who fired in a low strike into the net, beyond Frenford stopper Josh Blackburn. The hosts were unable to rally and retain the ball, as the spirited St Mags forward line were understandably buoyed by this early goal. They added a second goal seven minutes later as Collington was well-found this time, and his low finish calmly doubled his team’s advantage, also netting his fifth league goal this term.
The first chance of note really for Frenford came midway through the half as strong centre-back Lewis Bartrip powered a header off-target from a set-piece. But the concern was at the other end, as an effort from close range by forward Isaac Stevens was denied by Blackburn just befote the half-hour mark. Strikes from range by Charlie Munns & Billy Karby kept St Mags custodian Sidi Haidara alert, with Munns’ effort being spilled by the goalkeeper initially before he gathered the ball just before Frenford forward Nick Reynolds could pounce. Sam Cross also fired in a set-piece just before the break which Haidara gathered, but in the main it was the visitors who looked energetic & composed in attack.
Half-Time: Frenford 0 – 2 St Margaretsbury
After the break, St Mags set about their task with renewed vigour and added a vital third goal five minutes into the half. A good break down the right flank by creative midfielder Sami Moutawafiq, bypassing his marker ended with picking out Collington who again showed calm finishing by slotting the ball into the left corner, for his second goal of the day. Not long after that, Frenford boss Dave Forbes made changes from the bench, as Tim Dennis & Sam Munton replaced Jonathan Vandyck & Jack Sykes respectively. The hosts did gradually push on in attack, as the visitors were more content to defend their advantage.
Midway through the half, quick winger Raheem Gray saw his strike for the hosts blocked, and very shortly afterwards, a good strike on goal forced an excellent save by Haidara to turn it beyond the post. For the post part, the hard-working central defence of Callum Berg and Jake Hayden-Eley made it tough for the hosts to find the likes of Reynolds & Munns and latterly Wisley Baltazar, who came on for the last ten minutes. The St Mags defence was well supported by the team as a whole who assisted them well, as they completed a fine win in NE London.
Full-Time: Frenford 0 – 3 St Margaretsbury
In summary, this was a good, enterprising game played in wintry, windy conditions. St Mags more than deserved the points and the combination of rapid counter-attacking play, good passing & calm finishing secured the points for Paul Holding & Adam Connolly’s team. Frenford found it hard to retain possession after conceding early doors, against a hard-working visiting side. Resilent defending by St Mags also negated the amount of forward moves by the hosts, although thry had to defend well in the last half hour to keep the conclusive score-line.
There were a lot of good performances from the St Mags side today. They were led by captain Kamarni Collington who scored two calm goals, put a number of good crosses into the box and generally put in a high-energy performance. Tricky midfielder Sami Moutawafiq also made a few good dribbling runs in midfield, providing a good assist as well. Tom Mulqueen had a good game, tracking the hosts’ midfield well and assisting in forward moves too. Lastly, full-back Sammy Bayon was tireless in providing a good outlet on the right flank, putting in good passes and tracking back well
For Frenford, skipper Lewis Bartrip led his defence well, clearing several dangerous balls into the box, as well as posing a threat from attacking set-pieces. Winger Raheem Gray made good intelligent breaks down the channels as well as neat passing at times. Lastly, midfielder Billy Karby & right-back Augustine Appiah put in solid displays, showing high work rate and giving their team an option in counter-attacks, particularly in the second-half on what was a frustrating day for them.
Congrats to St Mags on their win & I’d like to wish both teams well for the season ahead.
Teams
Frenford | Manager: Dave Forbes | Assistants: Lee Forbes, Ali Choroomi & Anthony Cook
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Josh Blackburn (GK), 2 Augustine Appiah, 3 Jack Sykes (15 Sam Munton 59′), 5 Lewis Bartrip (Capt), 4 Tom Potter, 6 Sam Cross, 8 Billy Karby, 7 Johnathon Vandyck (12 Tim Dennis 59′), 10 Charlie Munns (16 Liam Newton 83′), 9 Nick Reynolds (14 Chris Reed 76′), 11 Raheem Gray (17 Wisley Baltazar 79′)
Subs Not Used: None | Booked: None
St Margaretsbury | Manager: Paul Holding & Adam Connolly
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Sidi Haidara (GK), 2 Sammy Bayon, 5 Callum Berg, 6 Jake Hayden-Eley, 3 Kai Daniel, 4 Sami Moutawafiq, 7 Tom Mulqueen (18 Charles Nicol 75′), 10 Jacob Waring, 11 Marko Protic (8 Gerson Artur 82′), 9 Isaac Stevens (12 Miles Holding 75′), 14 Kamarni Collington (Capt)
Goal-scorers: Marko Protic [12′], Kamarni Collington [19′ & 50′]
Subs Not Used: Ndukwu | Booked: Haidara, Bayon
Referee: Dumitru Vasile
Assistants: Jamie Wood & Liam Dawson
![S22-23 Match Report: Frenford 3 – 3 May & Baker (Tues 2 Aug) [EaSL Sth 22/23 3.8.22]](https://survivor16b.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/20220802_205229.jpg?w=1200)
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