County Cups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP
 

MAURITIUS SPORTS & PENNANT   1 - 4   CLAPTON
 
Mauritius Sports & Pennant secretary Feizal Sobratty refused to be downcast after seeing his side lose their first ever FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup match 4-1 at home to Clapton.

"Of course it is disappointing to lose, but this will be a real experience for the players, and it was only our first attempt in the competition. We will endeavour to do better next time around," he told essexfa.com.

Indeed, Mauritius started the stronger against Clapton, themselves making their bow in the newly-sponsored competition after a three-season hiatus, with both Roy Jones and Michael Marin testing visiting goalkeeper Blessing Kwambana with low shots from close range.

"We have shown poor League form so far, with just one point from six matches, but tonight's start typified how we have been playing. We begin matches brightly and create some chances, but we just need a bit of luck," Sobratty mused as Abdul Hussain hoisted a shot over the bar.

The away side soon hit their stride, and Oliver King hit the crossbar with a cross-come-shot that caught Doyin Atunrase unawares. On 27 minutes, the five-time winners opened the scoring as a lofted pass split the Mauritius defence and Chris Thomas took control to drill a low shot past Atunrase.

Soon afterwards, the custodian saved from Thomas' header before the marksman's strike partner, Dave Armstrong, had an effort deflected onto the woodwork. Finally, seven minutes before the break, Neil Matthews' free-kick was beaten out to Armstrong, who squared for skipper Nathan Fletcher to tap in.

The hosts continued to press, Roy Jones having a strong header palmed over before the break and, two minutes after half-time, their persistence paid as substitute Daniel Mathieu latched onto a dinked through-ball to smash low into the net.

"The way we fought back shows we have committed players," Sobratty enthused. "We have some promise, but we also have to execute a game-plan. When we create a couple of opportunities we have to make sure we put at least one away."

His optimism, on this occasion, was misplaced. Just eight minutes after establishing a foothold, Mauritius again had a two-goal mountain to climb. Thomas was held back as he attempted to add his second of the night, and referee Glen Tilley pointed to the spot. Armstrong lashed the subsequent penalty into the roof of the net.

However, Clapton were again handed the chance to score from 12 yards after a cross was handled in the penalty area, and this time Matthews picked his spot in the bottom left-hand corner to complete the scoring" instead of "However, Armstrong was again handed the chance to score after a cross was handled in the penalty area, and this time he picked his spot in the bottom left-hand corner to complete the scoring.

Sobratty, however, continued to focus on the positives, looking to the future for the former Middlesex County League outfit: "We are building a club from a small base, with an excellent Management Team of Michael Leslie and Rodney Gordon. The Essex Senior League has been a step up, but this is a learning curve."

Mauritius Sports & Pennant:   Doyin Atunrase, Haffitte Olusegun, Kwante Agyei, Michael Leslie, Dean Leech, Vincent Edozie (Daniel Mathieu, 46), Michael Marin, Paul Williams, Roy Jones, Abdul Hussain, Stephen Opoka. Unused Substitutes: Allan Browne, Fitzroy McAulksy.

Clapton:   Blessing Kwambana, Craig Leader, Chris Rothan, Harry Chalk, Nathan Fletcher, Neil Matthews (Danny Leigh, 84), Oliver King, L Jones, Dave Armstrong (Marlon Agard, 65), Chris Thomas, Daniel Hopkins (B Kwanye, 63). Unused Substitute: Steve Moniz.

Bookings: Clapton: Matthews (42, unsporting behaviour).

Referee: Glen Tilley (Basildon).

Assistant Referees:   Clint Borley (Basildon) and Garry Maskell (Westcliff-on-Sea).

Attendance: T.B.C.

Man of the Match:   Chris Thomas (Clapton) - The tall centre-forward was a constant handful for the Mauritius defence, scoring the opener and winning the penalty for the decisive third goal.