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UNDER 18
 
 
Suffolk  4 - 1  Essex
Thu 10th Jan 2008 at Millfield
East Anglian Counties Under 18s Championship
 
Essex Under 18s Representative boss Howard Mackler was rendered speechless after watching his side slip to defeat against Suffolk at Hadleigh United F.C.

"I can't believe we lost that match 4-1," he revealed. "I thought we played really well - as well as in any match this season - and that may sound funny after being beaten so heavily. I couldn't fault any of the players for their effort, and the quality and commitment were also there. We were allowed to play by Suffolk, who are a good, well-organised team, and even their manager said that the result was a travesty," the former Galleywood coach added.

The hosts took the lead in first-half stoppage time, just minutes after Essex forward Tony Russ had twice spurned the opportunity to put his team in front. The Brentwood Town player first scuffed a shot into the gloves of Chris Stacey before glancing a header straight at the Suffolk stopper.

Luke Read had already seen Essex goalkeeper Danny Fowler turn a low shot away when he again struck at goal and, despite defender Tony Fraser's desperate attempts to hoist the ball over the crossbar, it flew into the roof of the net.

Having suffered that blow, the visitors were dealt a further handicap two minutes after the break when Chris Henderson exchanged passes with Read on the edge of the penalty area and blasted the ball past Fowler at his near post.

Mackler then threw on Thurrock's Bostry Bansande, and the substitute almost made an instant impact when he headed Luke Wilson's free-kick goalwards, only for Luke Bailey to head off of the line.

It was then the turn of Bailey's central defensive partner, Dale Smith, to take centre stage at the other end. Camillo Douglas' first attempt at a free-kick was blocked by the wall, but he recovered possession to swing another ball into the box and Smith planted his header into the bottom left-hand corner.

"At 3-0 down we changed our formation to 3-4-3 as I believe that you should always try to score goals," Mackler explained. "The move worked as we went on to hit the post twice and also had two more efforts cleared off the line."

Russ was the first unlucky party as he slipped inside Scott Manning to smash a low effort against the base of the right-hand upright, with Bansande's follow-up nodded away by Smith. Bansande then flicked a header from Reiss Gilbey's corner against the same post, with Stacey palming a Russ header away in between the woodwork's interventions.
 
Essex did record a goal in stoppage time, referee John Mitchell awarding the County a penalty for handball inside the area. Sam Eldridge stepped up to blast the spot-kick into the top left-hand corner.

However, that effort was tempered by a fourth for Suffolk ninety seconds later. Substitute Ben Seaman jinked down the left flank before chipping the ball over Fowler for the final act of an exciting second period.

"The basic difference between the teams was the finishing," Mackler judged. "Suffolk scored more goals from fewer chances. The positive is that nine of the fifteen boys involved tonight are under seventeen and that means that they will be available next season as well."

Suffolk: Chris Stacey (Bury Town), James Ward (Stowmarket Town), Scott Manning (Kirkley), John Sargent (Bury Town) (Ben Seaman [Woodbridge Town], 73), Dale Smith (Lowestoft Town), Luke Bailey (Bury Town), Camillo Douglas (Whitton United), Ben Garnham (Woodbridge Town) (Joe Broomfield [Felixstowe & Walton United], 46), Richard Gammon (Newmarket Town) (Nick Middlebrook [Bury Town], 67), Luke Read (Woodbridge Town), Chris Henderson (Kirkley).

Essex: Danny Fowler (Billericay Town), Luke Wilson (Aveley), Tony Fraser (A.F.C. Hornchurch), Lee Peacock (Harwich & Parkeston), Billy Mahoney (Thurrock) (Max Holt [A.F.C. Hornchurch], 46), Richard Williamson (Thurrock) (Luke Good [Harwich & Parkeston], 60), Michael Ramkin (A.F.C. Hornchurch), Daniel Barrington (Hullbridge Sports) (Bostry Bansande [Thurrock], 55), Sam Eldridge (Harwich & Parkeston), Tony Russ (Brentwood Town), Reiss Gilbey (Thurrock). Unused Substitute: Elliot Harrison (Harwich & Parkeston).

Bookings: None.

Referee: John Mitchell (Ipswich).

Assistant Referees: Louis Dawson (Woodbridge) and Glenn Yellop (Ipswich).