Thursday 17th September 2009, Champion Hill, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Under 18s Representative Friendly.
Essex Under 18s got their new campaign off to a perfect start as goals either side of half-time from James Love and Ollie Dingli set-up a 2-0 friendly victory over London at Dulwich Hamlet FC.
Boss Howard Mackler was duly delighted with the performance of his side, which included a number of new faces from the previous season’s successful campaign. “We had a few pockets of boys from the same clubs so they weren’t totally unfamiliar with each other and that worked well. We played some terrific football,” he explained.
“If we did make any mistakes we were quick to put them right and we’ve also kept a clean sheet, which is excellent. The boys did everything we asked of them, including getting the ball down and expressing themselves. We do still have two friendlies to go and we will look at some more boys in those as well as the ones who’ve played tonight. Hopefully we’ll be in good shape for the season,” continued Howard.
It was Essex custodian George Anderson who made the first telling stop of the evening, bravely blocking at the feet of London front man Rees Stephens, but it was the visitors who took the lead with 22 played via a stylish goal. Love, later presented with his County Cap for ten appearances, beat two men on the right flank before cutting into the penalty area and hitting a low shot past home ‘keeper David Cain inside the near post.
Matt Hawkes threatened to double the visitors’ advantage but his effort was well held by Cain before London showed their intent twice on the stroke of half-time. Firstly Lewis Taylor shot wide from the edge of the area before Ade Jinadu turned and fired just over the top. Essex raced out of the blocks after the break, however, and quickly doubled their lead on 49 minutes, Dingli firing a rebound beneath the substitute ‘keeper after Joe Mayer’s long-ranger had been parried.
London were unlucky not to haul themselves back into the clash when Jay Smales’ dipping shot bounced off the top of the crossbar but it was Essex who chalked-up an impressive victory after enjoying the best of the late exchanges. The final opening saw Hawkes’ neat turn and shot well blocked following good work by Love.
London: David Cain (VCD Athletic), Jack Caffrey (Eltham Town), Lanre Azeez (Ebbsfleet United), Wesley Bartlett (Bromley), Lewis Taylor (Bromley), Remi Mitchell (Bethnal Green), Akwasi Marlo (Unattached), Rowan Libbard (Bromley), Rees Stephens (Bromley), Jerald Aboagye-Noel (Bromley), Aaron Gayle (Bromley). Substitutes: George McMahon (VCD Athletic), Jay Smale (VCD Athletic), Jake Ferguson (Unattached), Kyle Farrar (Bromley), Steven Borner (Grays Athletic).
Essex: George Anderson (Bowers & Pitsea), James Love (Brentwood Town), Josh Brown (Chelmsford City), Ryan Batchford (Chelmsford City), Martyn Stokes (Brentwood Town), James Norcott (Brentwood Town), Pearce Clark (Chelmsford City), Danny Ford (Thurrock), Matt Hawkes (Brentwood Town), Ollie Dingli (Brentwood Town), Andy Elgar (Chelmsford City). Substitutes: Jamie Dicks (Thurrock), David Hughes (Thurrock), Joe Mayer (Chelmsford City), Gareth Madden (Thurrock).
Referee: Martyn Cannon (London).
Assistant Referees: Michael Davis (Dulwich) and Sikiru Idris (London).
Bookings: None.