Saturday 3rd October 2009, Burroughs Park, Kick-Off 2:00pm, FA County Youth Cup First Round.
Breon Graham’s first half hat-trick helped to consign Essex to a devastating 7-1 FA County Youth Cup defeat at home to Hampshire, shell-shocked home Manager Howard Mackler claiming: “we made a number of individual mistakes defensively and anyone who saw the pre-season matches against London and Kent would not believe this was the same team.”
Essex began the game at Great Wakering Rovers FC in a bright fashion, with Jack Gardner making a number of forays forward from midfield. However, they slipped behind just 9 minutes into the First Round tie when Steve Hall’s corner was allowed to bounce in the penalty area. Sam Griffin attempted to prod home, but the final touch appeared to come off of an Essex defender for an own goal.
Concord Rangers’ Gardner enjoyed the first sight on goal for the hosts, sending a driven effort from 30 yards into the gloves of Hampshire goalkeeper Gareth Hicks, whilst Gareth Madden saw his shot blocked after Martyn Stokes had nodded a long free-kick into his path. But in the 24th minute, another incisive Hampshire attack was rewarded with their second goal. Martyn Stokes was dispossessed on the edge of his own penalty area and Griffin darted towards the bye-line before cutting back to Graham, who slotted past Lewis Batchford into the bottom left-hand corner.
Seconds later Graham had another shot blocked, with Danny Mackney prodding the follow-up wide, and Hampshire were punished when Essex reduced their arrears on 34 minutes. Gardner was the instigator of the move, spreading play to the left where Andrew Elgar delivered a cross to the near post. Chelmsford City marksman Joe Mayer got across his defender to glance a header past Hicks.
Unfortunately, having built up some momentum, Essex were rocked by three Hampshire goals inside seven minutes leading up to half-time. The first arrived on 38 minutes when a high ball pumped into the penalty area was nodded across goal by Harry Jeffries and Graham connected with a sweet volley from close range. The goal of the game made it 4-1 in the 42nd minute as Graham took possession of the ball just inside the Essex area. The Eastleigh forward was allowed the time to turn and then cut back onto his right foot, dispatching a delicately-curled shot over Batchford and into the top corner.
Mackney added the fifth just seconds before the break, sending Batchford the wrong way from the penalty spot after he was upended by Danny Johnson. Mackler asked his team to show some pride after the interval and swiftly introduced Perry McIntyre and Christy O’Donoghue in an attacking 4-3-3 formation. James Norcott half-volleyed Gardner’s corner wide four minutes after the restart, but Hampshire continued to dominate the chances.
Lewis Batchford pawed away Graham’s scuffed effort from a dangerous Hall cross before palming out Rob Tambling’s header, whilst Ryan Batchford managed to clear Graham’s glanced header off of the goal line after his brother had got a hand to the ball.
Mid-way through the period, the visitors did record their sixth as Lewis Robinson raced down the right-hand side. He centred for Hall, ghosting in from the left flank, and the winger smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Tambling planted a header wide before substitute James Barnard completed the scoring 16 minutes from time, nodding Griffin’s pinpoint flag-kick into the net from close range.
Essex: Lewis Batchford (Chelmsford City), Ryan Batchford (Chelmsford City) (Connor McKay [Thurrock], 90), Andrew Elgar (Chelmsford City), Martyn Stokes (Brentwood Town), Danny Johnson (FC Clacton), Gareth Madden (Thurrock) (Christy O’Donoghue [Thurrock], 55), James Norcott (Brentwood Town), Pearce Clark (Chelmsford City), Joe Mayer (Chelmsford City), Jack Gardner (Concord Rangers), Olli Dingli (Brentwood Town) (Perry McIntyre [Thurrock], 46). Unused Substitutes: David Hughes (Thurrock), Tom Wolfe (Basildon Town).
Hampshire: Gareth Hicks (Christchurch), Lewis Robinson (Eastleigh) (Alex Jackson [AFC Totton], 73), Aaron Blaxall (Eastleigh), Danny Mackney (Havant & Waterlooville), Ashley Johnson (Salisbury City), Harry Jeffries (Christchurch), Sam Griffin (Christchurch), Luke Dempsey (VT) (Alex Easton [Eastleigh], 62), Rob Tambling (Gosport Borough), Breon Graham (Eastleigh), Steve Hall (Eastleigh) (James Barnard [Christchurch], 73). Unused Substitutes: Keiran Burgess (New Milton Town Robins).
Bookings: Essex: McIntyre (66, foul tackle).
Referee: Chris Francis (Ely).
Assistant Referees: Colin Warn (Newmarket) and Nigel Phillips (Ely).