Wednesday 19th May 2010, Witham Town FC, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup Final.
Burnham Ramblers claimed their third Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup triumph in six years as Chris Lewis’ injury time winner handed them a 3-2 victory over Witham Town at Spa Road.
An enthralling encounter had looked to be heading into 30 additional minutes before Lewis’ intervention two minutes into stoppage time confirmed an incredible comeback from an early 2-0 deficit for Ramblers in front of a healthy crowd of 142. Competition Chairman Eddie Rhymes also later happily reported the evening had raised over £270 for the Essex County Football Association’s Benevolent Fund.
Burnham named a strong side but it was Witham that made the better start, taking the lead after just 5 minutes. Josh Goody’s left boot was a constant source of danger and his right-wing corner was met by a bullet header from centre-back Chris Tucker to beat Matt Belcher. The ‘keeper was left flailing again 60 seconds later as another Goody in-swinger picked out Tucker, who this time saw a hanging header land on the roof of the net.
Witham’s youthful side continued to hold their own, and Reece Farley-Hearn was the width of the bar away from making it 2-0 just before the half-hour when his header from Goody’s centre smacked into the woodwork. Fortunately for Town, Goody’s own touch was better when he was presented with an opportunity to double the advantage in the 33rd minute. Reg Appleby was the provider, flicking the ball into the path of the winger, who sprang the offside trap before coolly chipping over Belcher from 25 yards out.
It took ten minutes for Burnham to respond with their first meaningful effort on goal. Lewis was the creator, his slide-rule pass picking out Billy Hunt and he drew ‘keeper Stuart Chaplin out of his goal before slotting underneath him and into the net. Ramblers could even have gone in level at half-time as Scott Pethers jinked his way through three challenges before meeting the resolute Tucker in more familiar defensive surroundings.
Fortified by their fightback before the break, Burnham set out to build on their late first-half goal after half-time, with substitute John Bradley looking to make an immediate impact. His 20-yard drive bounced awkwardly in front of Chaplin, who turned the ball around the upright. The custodian then pushed out one Pethers corner before a second found the towering Reece Brandon and Andrew Letsch was forced to nod off the line.
Despite their visitors enjoying more of the play, Witham looked dangerous on the counter and Goody and Farley-Hearn combined to set up Appleby, who was denied by Lee Cornhill before Goody’s follow-up was smothered by Belcher. But two minutes after the hour mark, Ramblers were level. Again it was Pethers with a set-piece delivery and Ross Adams was on hand to plant an unstoppable header into the top corner.
Pethers then crossed for Ashley Hawkins, who saw a header pushed out by Chaplin whilst, at the other end, Farley-Hearn’s skimming free-kick was deflected around the right-hand post. A more stretched game leant itself to Mitchell Yeo’s raking pass and Farley-Hearn was unable to convert when Marcus Bowers flicked the ball into his path on the left. Then Witham had their hearts in their mouths seven minutes from time.
Adams’ glancing header was spilled by Chaplin and appeared to drop over the line, but the referee spotted an infringement and ruled the goal out. However, Burnham were ultimately not to be thwarted and Hunt picked out Lewis’ run, with the forward doing the rest as he slid the ball inside the right-hand post to seal a late victory.
Burnham Ramblers: Matt Belcher, Scott Pethers, Harry Stevens, Ross Adams, Reece Brandon, Lee Cornhill, Ashley Hawkins, Nick Judd (John Bradley, 46), Billy Hunt, Chris Lewis, Ricky Evans (Bradley Nobbs, 67). Unused Substitutes: Ricky Stubbs, Lee Thomas, Marc Gorbell.
Witham Town: Stuart Chaplin, Andrew Letsch, Chris Tucker (Andrew Hanes, 90+5), Shaun Axcell, Ryan Scofield (Stuart Gardner, 87), James Duckworth, Derrick Lefty, Marcus Bowers, Reg Appleby (Mitchell Yeo, 69), Reece Farley-Hearn, Josh Goody. Unused Substitutes: Ryan McCormack, Dean Grace.
Bookings: Burnham: Adams (77, foul). Witham: Tucker (83, dissent).
Referee: Andrew French (Halstead).
Assistant Referees: Kirk Mason (Colchester) and Martin Berry (Basildon).
Attendance: 142.