Wednesday 21st April 2010, Great Wakering Rovers FC, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Essex Saturday Junior Cup Final.
“The spectators have enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining game,” was the verdict of Old Southendian player-manager Mark Hampshire after his team emerged as winners of the Essex Saturday Junior Cup with a 1-0 victory over Byfleet Rangers at Great Wakering Rovers FC’s Burroughs Park ground.
Southendian claimed the Essex County FA’s second-oldest competition in front of a bumper crowd of 286, with Hampshire claiming: “It was real end-to-end stuff out there; both teams gave their all and the match was played in a particularly good spirit. I’m sorry there had to be a loser but, for the effort we put in, not just today but in the quarter and semi-finals as well, the team deserves to have its name on the cup.”
Both teams made a blistering start as first Southendian’s Mark McHugh struck a speculative 30-yard effort past the post and then Byfleet’s Robbie Topley held off Hampshire to fire across the face of goal, both chances coming inside the opening 5 minutes. In the 11th, Billy Field went even closer for Rangers when he headed Scott Sellick’s left-wing cross against the base of the left-hand post.
After Topley headed narrowly off-target himself, Southendian responded as Andy Turner rifled Hampshire’s cross against the top of the bar. There was no letting up in the pace of the thrilling encounter and Tom Breakley blasted Turner’s cushioned pass over before Chris Leonard somehow got the faintest of touches to Topley’s right-footed snap-shot.
Southendian, who are largely comprised of former students at Southend High School for Boys, could have taken the lead on three occasions just after the half-hour mark but Hampshire wearily shot at ‘keeper Billy Bartlett after a lengthy run and Greg Smith saw his hopeful punt tipped over either side of Turner firing into the side-netting.
Swift passing between Turner and Hampshire then released McHugh down the inside-left channel, although a targeted finish eluded the front-man as he cut inside and drove wide. The opening 45 minutes finished with Bartlett diving at the feet of the onrushing Turner. “I knew if the lads maintained their effort from the first half something would come our way and, in the end, one goal was enough to win it,” Hampshire revealed.
The second half was less evenly-matched than its predecessor, with Southendian slowly but surely becoming more dominant. McHugh was a major presence in the early exchanges, playing a one-two on the edge of the area before forcing Bartlett into a flying save and then setting-up Turner for a stinging shot at the eccentric custodian.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 56th minute when Turner gave them the lead. Breakley’s long throws had been a feature of Southendian’s attacking intent and, when he propelled another missile into the penalty area, tall front-runner Turner flicked the ball in at the near post. A further long throw later caused havoc in the Byfleet box as Turner attempted an audacious back-heel and Hampshire poked the ball past the far post.
However, with the match nearing the end of the regulation 90 minutes, Rangers went close to forcing extra time. First Scott Phillips’ header was cleared off of the goal-line by Smith before Stuart Paton saw a drilled attempt saved by Leonard. The ‘keeper spilt the ball, though, and was delighted to see Topley’s follow-up blocked before another effort went inches wide of the right-hand upright. In stoppage time Turner could have wrapped the game up, but he nodded over then saw Bartlett thwart him again with a fine block.
“It could easily have finished 6-5,” declared Hampshire. “It’s fantastic to win this trophy for the first time in our history and everyone at the club can look back on a special achievement. It is reward for the efforts of the whole squad; if they can stay together then, with the constant supply of new players that we get from the school, hopefully we can aspire to come back and win it again.”
Byfleet Rangers: Billy Bartlett, Scott Sellick, Mitchell Gleeson, Chris Love (Mark Gardener, 76), James Martin, Matthew Brinklow, Scott Philips, Tony Cawte (Ben Fullbrook, 22), Stuart Paton, Billy Field (Darren Ridgway, 46), Robbie Topley. Unused Substitutes: James Braithwaite, Jon Fulcher.
Old Southendian: Chris Leonard, Mark Hampshire, Tom Breakley, Greg Smith, Ben Manley, Dan Woodman, Rob Johnson (Dan Stannard, 69), Tom Judge, Mark McHugh, Andy Turner, Dave Polley. Unused Substitutes: Nick Cardosi, Ollie Tatton-Bennett, Rob Meldrum, Chris Sawyer.
Bookings: Byfleet: Philips (75, foul), Topley (79, foul), Gleeson (90+1, foul).
Referee: Michael Jarvis (Braintree).
Assistant Referees: Andrew Chaplin (Witham) and Simon Bird (Colchester).
Fourth Official: Neil Morrison (Colchester).
Attendance: 286.