MATCH REPORT
16 December 2007
Essex Olympian Football League
Essex Junior Cup
Hannakins Farm 3
Epping FC 2 (aet)
The story of this match is that the better footballing side lost but only have
themselves to blame. Despite the visitors slow start they could have easily been
three up within fifteen minutes a missed penaly, a missed open goal and a goal
from Chris Bailey was the story. Bailey scored a great headed goal but the home
side responded well and only a couple of fantastic saves from Theo Buttigieg in
the Epping goal thwarted the Hannakins forwards. Nevertheless, slack sloppy
defending by Epping eventually allowed the home side to level midway through the
half. It stayed that way until the end of normal time but with the chances that
fell to Epping they should have wrapped the game up well before the end of 90
mins.
Early in extra time Epping were knocked back when the referee awarded a very
harsh penalty to Hannakins which was well converted by the home side. Following
the penalty Epping were forced to attack and once again created a number of a
good chances as they managed to get round the back of the pedestrian visitors
backline. Midway through the shortened extra time with Epping flowing forward
the home side broke free to score the decisive third goal. With minutes left a
scramble in the home defence resulted in an own goal but with only minutes left
the Epping side were unable to find a way back and had to settle with an exit
from a cup that they could have won.
Team: Theo Buttigieg, Dean Harper, Tom Scriven, Andy Grey, Ollie Seymour, Nick
Dainton, Andy Mavin, Tony Whiteway, Sam Shepherd, Chris Bailey, Danny Turpin.
Subs: Russ Webster, James Kelly, Sam Payne.
Scorers: Bailey, OG.
EPPING FOOTBALL CLUB, STONARDS HILL, TIDYS LANE, EPPING