MATCH REPORT
17 March 2007
Essex Olympian Football League
Senior Division One
Frenford Senior
1 Epping 1
Epping returned
to action for the first time in a month, following several weeks of frustration
through cancelled matches. They had suffered a setback before the match with
first choice defenders Phil Bulled and Dave Costello being ruled out through
injury, having picked up groin and hamstring injuries respectively whilst
playing for the Essex Olympian League respresentative side the preceding
Wednesday night. Tommy Brinkman, who has re-joined Epping for his third spell
from Shenfield, made his debut at left-back, with skipper Billy Saunders
reverting to the centre of defence. Despite their lack of match sharpness it was
Epping who took the game to Frenford, Ashley Conlan setting the tone with a
stinging 20 yard shot in the first couple of minutes that had Frenford keeper
Danny Fenn beaten all ends up, the ball however, hitting the post and bouncing
across the goal line to safety. However, Epping didn't have to wait too long for
their breakthrough when minutes later Richard Hilson received the ball into his
feet and rolled his defender, the ball bounced up and he smashed it into the top
corner of the Frenford net from fully 30 yards on the volley. Epping then had
further chances to increase their lead when Adam Connolly's overhead kick went
narrowly wide from 5 yards out. The visitors continued to dominate the first
half, with the Epping back four of Nick Godwin, Kelvin Taaffe, Saunders and
Brinkman, defending resolutely. The 2nd half saw Epping continue to dominate and
they had a gilt-edged opportunity to increase their lead when Ash Conlan played
a delightful one-two with Richard Hilson only to see his shot saved by keeper
Fenn. Epping then had a further chance when keeper Fenn's mis-kicked clearance
fell at the feet of Adam Connolly, but his first time shot from all of 40 yards
went wide of the open goal. The lack of football for Epping in recent weeks
began to take it's toll mid-way through the 2nd half and Frenford sensing they
could get back into the game began to press. It was no real shock when Frenford
captain, Neil Grant's shot was deflected past Epping keeper Jonathan Thomas, for
the equalizer. The home side then pressed for a winner and Thomas had to make
two fantastic goalline stops to keep them at bay. Epping almost had a chance to
sneak a winner when substitute Danny Hopkins received the ball on the edge of
the Frenford penalty area with minutes remaining but he wasn't able to get his
shot on goal. Overall a draw was probably a fair result for both sides, in what
was an entertaining and even contest. The Gaffer said "Before the game I
would undoubtedly have been happy to take a point from this match, particularly
having lost Phil Bulled and Dave Costello to injury, but I suppose we're all
slightly disappointed that we coudn't hang on to our lead or even increase it to
make the game safe. Having said that, we have not had a lot of football in
recent weeks whereas Frenford have, and that was the difference. Overall though,
this was a very good performance and a lot of teams will struggle to come here
and get a result."
Team: Thomas,
Godwin, Brinkman, King, Saunders (c), Taaffe, Godden, Ellice, Connolly, Conlan,
Hilson. Subs: Rolle, Hopkins, Ryan (nu)
Scorer: Richard Hilson
EPPING FOOTBALL CLUB, STONARDS HILL, TIDYS LANE, EPPING