Tuesday 20th October 2009, Diss Town FC, Kick-Off 7:45pm, East Anglian Counties Under 18s Championship.
Essex Under 18s returned a positive response to their disappointing FA County Youth Cup exit with an encouraging 1-1 draw in their East Anglian Counties Championship opener with holders Norfolk at Diss Town FC.
“It was pretty much a game of two halves,” confessed Essex boss Howard Mackler afterwards. “I didn’t think we played particularly well in the first half, but made up for it after the break with a decent performance. We could have won the game late on, particularly with Ryan Smith’s effort, but I’m happy with what we are taking home from a Norfolk side who make it very difficult for you to play.”
A great save from Essex goalkeeper David Hughes as early as the 1st minute denied Jordan Rocastle after the Norfolk front man had been played clean through on goal. Essex debutant Nick Cardozi then sent a 25-yard effort wide of the post, but it was the hosts who grabbed the lead on 17 minutes, Rocastle latching onto a ball across the six-yard box before firing past Hughes into the roof of the net.
The visitors reacted well, though, and home ‘keeper Daniel Quantrill did excellently to push Tom Wolfe’s shot over the bar following a determined run across the edge of the area before the resulting James Norcott corner was headed over the top by Christy O’Donoghue.
Shortly before the break, home gloveman Quantrill was again called into action as he held onto a low Smith effort following good work by Norcott and O’Donoghue. Yet the second period belonged to Essex and home defender Sam Applegate bravely blocked a fierce Smith effort after a neat lay-off by Kofi Kessie.
On 62 minutes the visitors were level, a solo effort from Kessie bringing a strong run into the box and an impressive low finish beyond Quantrill. Essex could have stolen the three points when Quantrill was caught out of his goal though Smith’s long-range effort dropped inches over the unguarded net.
Norfolk: Daniel Quantrill, Ben Nichols, Jacob McCabe (Norwich United), Sam Applegate (Cromer Town), James Hadley (Dereham Town), Jacob Maitland (Great Yarmouth Town) (Jack Smith [Easton College]), Joel Brien (Dereham Town), George Wilson (Diss Town), Sam Page (Hempnall) (Gino Livotti [King’s Lynn]), Jordan Rocastle (Easton College), Ben Latimer (Wroxham). Unused Substitutes: Sam Goff (Norwich United), Joe Marsden (Lowestoft Town), Jordan Southgate (Norwich United).
Essex: David Hughes (Thurrock), Connor McKay (Thurrock), James Love (Brentwood Town) (Billy Radley [Billericay Town]), Martyn Stokes (Brentwood Town), Danny Johnson (FC Clacton), Nick Cardozi (Southend Manor), James Norcott (Brentwood Town), Tom Wolfe (Basildon Town) (Jack Gardner [Concord Rangers]), Kofi Kessie (Billericay Town), Ryan Smith (Southend Manor), Christy O’Donoghue (Thurrock) (Jamie Oates [Hullbridge Sports]). Unused Substitutes: Max Castledine (Brentwood Town).
Bookings: Norfolk: Maitland (29, unsporting behaviour). Essex: Smith (76, dissent).
Referee: Jason Chapman (Norwich).
Assistant Referees: Tom Balfour (Salhouse) and Chris Allen (Norwich).