Final Match Report for the 12th to 24th May 2009

DIVISION ONE CUP FINAL: Wickham Royals pick up their first silverware in the Invitation league after twice coming from behind to win 3-2 over Fox & Hounds in the Division One Cup Final. Despite a recent pick up in form, bottom of the table Wickham perhaps went into the match as underdogs against a Fox & Hounds side that had secured a top three finish and also a place in the League Cup Final. After a goalless first half with few chances Fox & Hounds went ahead through Ben Salmon early in the second half, Wickham drew level after Pete Copsey capitalized on a defensive mix up to make it 1-1. The second half had a much more open feel to it and Fox & Hounds once again went ahead, this time through Dan Gatward. Wickham though fought bravely and tied the scores again when Glenn Foulger took advantage of another defensive error to fire home. With the game poised to go to extra time though The Royals pushed forward and Derek Ballard popped up to snatch the winning goal at the death. PREMIER DIVISION CUP FINAL: Wickford Town win the Premier Division Cup after completing a 6-2 win over Wallis. Wallis had performed well in this year’s competition to reach their third cup final in 4 years but on the day came up against a Wickford Town side determined to add another cup to their ever growing trophy cabinet. Town perhaps held the psychological advantage over their opponents having triumphed 11-0 in a league fixture just four days earlier and goals from Jamie Newman, two each from Adam Harris and Luke Smith as well as a strike from Mike Pearce set up the win. Wallis battled throughout and goals from Adam Flack and Kyle Gench kept them in contention but Wickford proved too strong and in the end ran out comfortable winners. PREMIER DIVISION: Wickford Town complete a league and cup ‘double’ after winning 4-0 over Tsunami FC. Town knew that a point should be good enough going into the match but this was never going to be a ‘given’ against a very capable Tsunami side. Luke Smith settled the home sides nerves to put Wickford a goal up at the break and although the visitors threatened on occasions Wickford went from strength to strength, two goals from Jamie Newman not only put the game out of reach but also earnt Newman the top scorer title for the season. Mike Pearce grabbed a forth for Town towards the end to cap off a great few days for Wickford. There was also an outside chance of Hannakins Farm snatching the title if Wickford had slipped up, but in the end last season’s champions had to settle for the runners up spot after picking up a 5-1 win at Wallis. Wallis quickly put their cup disappointment behind them and took an early lead with a goal from Kyle Gench. Hannakins though squared things up before the break when Andy Southgate latched on to a Dave Staines flick on to slot home. The Farmers dominated proceedings in the second half, Staines made it 2-1 after capitalizing on a Wallis back pass, Jamie Walsh then made it 3-1 before further strikes from Duncan Donald and David Cole completed the scoring ensuring Hannakins leapfrog Baddow Spartak into second place. DIVISION ONE: Writtle Manor complete their league season with an impressive 7-1 triumph over Division runners up Maldon Saints. Manor took advantage of racing an ‘off colour’ Saints and produced an eye catching display, Callum McClean bagged a hat trick, Martin Young scored two with further strikes from Craig Judd and Ian Ellis wrapping up a great end of season display. Maldon’s consolation strike came from Tom Watson. LEAGUE CUP FINAL: Hannakins Farm become the most successful side in league cup history after picking up their forth win in seven years by triumphing 3-1 over Fox & Hounds. The Farmers began well and went in front through stalwart Glenn Southgate. Fox & Hounds battled back well though and showed a determination to gain something from their second cup final appearance of the season with Matt Bunting grabbing a well deserved equalizer before the break. A well contested final saw Hannakins edge in front again with Graeme Dean benefiting from a defensive error to make it 2-1. Fox & Hounds threw men forward in search of the equalizer but the ‘big game’ experience of Hannakins counted for a lot and the Farmers broke late on and Andy Southgate sealed the win with a third. Congratulations to Hannakins for yet another league cup win but commiserations to Fox & Hounds who fished their season empty handed after a 3rd place finish in Division One and runners up in now two cup competitions. DIVISION ONE: Gambles complete their league season finishing in forth place after picking up a 4-2 win at Durassic Park. Karl Rushen gave the visitors an early lead before further goals from Tony Jackson and Gavin Davis with his first for the club made it 3-0. Ben Dyer pulled a goal back before the break but Craig McIntyre wrapped up the points for Gambles midway through the second half. Dyer bagged his second of the match for Durassic but Gambles took the points.---------- I think everyone would agree it has been a great season in the Invitation League, with both the new teams and established sides putting in some great displays this term in their respective Divisions. There have been some very close run title battles that have also added to the quality of League. I will be standing down at the end of this season and would like to take this opportunity to wish all sides in the league good luck in the future and to thank each side’s contact for keeping me busy on a Sunday arvo’!------ Mark Allum

5 A SIDE TOURNAMENT 2009

The 3rd Invitation League tournament was held on 14th June. The weather was kind to us and the football was of a very high standard. After five hours of football the final was contested between Ravens A and Dutch B with Dutch running out the winners. Congratulations lads. Thanks to Broomfield FC for making their facilities available to us, to the eight referees in attendance and to the members of the Committee who were on hand from 8.30 to ensure everything was set up. Hope to see you all again next year. Steve Read.

Essex Junior Cup Preliminary & Round 1 & 2 2008-09

Group 10 - Preliminary Round, Great Parndon C A Reserves 3, Hannakins Farm 2,Game played on the 28th September 08,- Group 9 - Round One, - Hullbridge Sports 2, Baddow Spartak 3, - Wickford Town 7, Justin Sims Seabrights 3, Games played on the 12th October 08 - Round Two, Baddow Spartak 1, Gallow Utd 2,- Wickford Town1, Howbridge Swifts2, Games played on the 9th November 08

Junior Trophy Prelim & Round 1,2,&3. 2008-09

Group13, Preliminary Round, Dengie 6, FC Straws 0, Game played 28th September 2008, Round 1, Headhunters 1, Maldon Saints 4, Dengie 5, AFC Lexden 1 Games played 12th October 2008, Group 14, Preliminary Round, Harberts 6, Ravens 4,-City Supporters 1, Fox & Hounds 4,- Athletico Billericay 3, Red Beret 0,- Bridge St Hearts 7, FC Flojet 0, - Writtle Manor 7, Archers Dart 2, Games played 28th September 08, Dutch had a bye in this round but will now play Bridge Street Hearts in the next round. 1st Round, Group 13, Dengie 5, AFC Lexden 1,- Headhunters 1, Maldon Saints Res 4, - Group 14,- Bridge Street Hearts 0, Dutch FC 6,- Epping Athletic 5, Wickham Royals 1,- Fox & Hounds 2, Barlow Park Rangers 3,- Springfield 1, Athletico Billericay 4,- Writtle Manor 4, Noaklands 16, Games played on the 12th October 08. Round Two - AFC Pegasus Res 4, Dengie Utd 3, (AET),- Athletico Billericay 6, St Germaine 4,- Dutch F.C.8, Rouge Lyon A 0,-Shotgate Manor 0, Maldon Saints 4, Games played on the 9th November 08--3rd Round FC Sparta,6 Maldon Saints,3- Rivermead,3 Athletico Billericay,0- Sevens,6 Dutch FC,4- Games played 14th Dec 08

Podd Memorial Trophy

1ST ROUND, --- Baddow Spartak Reserves,3 Wallis,6,--Wickham Royals Reserves,2 Durassic Park,3,-- Gallow United v S & A United Match awarded to Gallow Utd,--Stanly Ramblers,6 Astech's Warriors,5 (AET),--Tsunami FC 7, Woodham Radars 1, -- 2ND ROUND, --- Burntwood 4 Durassic Park 0, - Danbury,6 Old Colombians,0 -- Gambles,0 Gallow United, 7 - Ingatestone Rovers,4 Stanly Ramblers, 1 -- M & G,2 Tsunami FC,3 -- Panama City 2 Ravens Reserves 7, -- Queens Park Rovers v Meadow FC, - Wallis 6 Bicknacre 4,-- QUARTER FINAL, --- Burntwood,2 Danbury,5 -- Gallow Utd,4 Wallis,2 -- Ravens Res,1 Ingatestone Rovers,0 -- Tsunami,3 Meadow,2,--- SEMI FINAL, -- Tsunami,2 Ravens Res,1-- Danbury,2 Gallow Utd,3.---------CUP FINAL RESULT---28th April 2009 at Witham Town F.C. Kick Off 7-45pm,-- Tsunami, 1 Gallow Utd, 0--Match Officials Referee, Francis Cotton, Asst Referees, Martin Lawrece, & Perry Reed, 4th Official Andy Russell

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MessageTo All Clubs

If you dont have a referee it is not good cause to postpone a game. If there is no ref appointed you MUST arrange a referee between yourself and the opposition team.. Please do not call me and ask if you can postpone the match. You cannot postpone a game because you dont have a referee, If you do the committee are likely to award the game against you and FINE YOU for non fulfillment of a fixture. Trevor Williams, Fixture Secretary.

Clubs requesting a Fixture Free Sunday

Any club requesting a free Sunday, ( before fixtures are issued), should put their request IN WRITING to Trevor Williams the Fixtures Secretary from now on. Telephone requests will not be considered.