Sunday 24th January 2010, Hillgrounds, Kick-Off 2:00pm, East Anglian Counties Under 16s Championship.
A late spot-kick denied Essex Under 16s a crucial victory in their penultimate East Anglian Counties fixture against Bedfordshire at AFC Kempston Rovers, home skipper Sam Peverall converting from twelve yards to earn the hosts a share of the spoils with just a minute remaining on the clock.
Essex looked to be strolling to victory and top-spot thanks to Ben Sartain’s 4th-minute opener but boss Dave Agass said afterwards: “We’re all a little disappointed with today’s performance. We knew a win would put us in a great position going into our final game, but after scoring a fine goal to take the lead we failed to take our opportunities, particularly in the first half, and Bedfordshire came back well in the second. We have no complains with the result and hopefully we can put that right in the final game.”
Agass’ side were quick out the blocks and Sartain’s opener was excellently taken, crashing a 25-yard half-volley beyond home ‘keeper Ryan Yule after James Jaconelli’s dangerous cross had been headed out only as far as the Grays Athletic midfielder. Peverall snapped at a half chance for the home side, but Essex could have doubled their lead through Sartain once more were it not for the firm hands of Yule who wasn’t required mid-way through the half when Moses Kamanda fired over the top from close range.
Further first half opportunities fell to Kamanda and Sartain for the visitors while Essex ‘keeper Lewis Wright did well to block Paul Cooper’s fierce shot from point-blank range. A tight second half then produced few early chances and it was the visitors who almost found a breakthrough on 63 minutes, substitute Daniel Galley lifting the ball inches wide from a tight angle before replacement stopper Joe Fowler produced a great intervention to keep Essex ahead, beating out Paul Cooper’s effort.
Sartain was denied again from range with five minutes remaining before Robbie Rees’ foul on Cooper gifted Bedfordshire a path back into the game from the spot. Peverall, bandaged up following an earlier knock, took on the responsibility and sent Fowler the wrong way. There was still time for a fight-back, though, and only a terrific save from Yule kept the scores level as the tipped Andre Gumb’s brilliant drive over in stoppage time. Essex now face Cambridgeshire in a fortnight looking to complete the job.
Bedfordshire: Ryan Yule (St Joseph’s), Kye Andrews (Bedford Town Eagles), Jordan Bates (Dunstable Town Icknield), Jordan Batchelor (Bedford Town Eagles), Jack Lauder (Dunstable Town), Shay McGreevy (St Joseph’s), Paul Cooper (AFC Kempston Colts), Sam Peverall (Cambridge United), Farrell Whitman (Hitchin Town), Macauley Mitchell (Hitchin Town), Joe Stacey (Bedford Town Eagles). Substitutes (repeated): Alex Smith (Bedford), Oliver Peters (Huntingdon Rowdies), Deon Savage (Barnfield Colts), Jordan Darvall (AFC Kempston Colts), Robbie Maclahan (Dunstable Town Icknield).
Essex: Lewis Wright (Chelmsford City), Moses Kamanda (Waltham Abbey), Robbie Rees (Brentwood Town), Geantan Bimaneu (Essex Schools), Ose Alli (Essex Schools), Joe Bilton (AFC Hornchurch), Albert Levett (Chelmsford City), Ben Sartain (Grays Athletic), Nivi Mahendran (Manford Way), James Jaconelli (Waltham Abbey), Curtley Yates (AFC Hornchurch). Substitutes (repeated): Daniel Galley (Cambridge United), Lewis Wright (Maldon Town), Andre Gumbs (Waltham Abbey), Tajamal Hussein (Essex Schools), Matt Allen (Heybridge Swifts).
Bookings: None.
Referee: David Aylott (Flitwick).
Assistant Referees: Matthew Slater (Lidlington) and Sam Brown (Bedford).