MATCH REPORT
14 April 2007
Essex Olympian Football League
Reserve Division One
Epping 4 v 2 Kelvedon Hatch (played at Kelvedon)
An excellent performance after a
rocky start. Giving up home advantage proved to be a benefit in kind for the
second time this season. Kelvedon have shown signs of a recovery in the past few
weeks and their manager Nick Emmerson explained prior to the game that they had
managed to sign three or four youngsters from the local clubs. In the early
exchanges the Kelvedon side showed a new confidence and attacked the Epping
defence. The Epping side were reorganised due to holidays and the loss of a
couple to the first team showed great resilience in the first twenty minutes
when they were put under pressure by Hatch but with the back three expertly
marshalled by Andy Grey (playing with a broken toe) they rode the storm and
began to gain control. Russ Geraghty was having an outstanding game in the
centre of midfield with a mixture of effort and, surprisingly some will say,
aggression. Geraghty was the heart beat of the side in the first forty five.
After the first twenty the very impressive front duo of Chris Gormley and James
Kelly made some very intelligent moves up front creating opportunities from
nothing . Their effort was reflective on the entire team performance in the
first half one of effort to thwart an eager Hatch side. After half an hour
following a corner the ball broke to Russ Webster who slotted it away like a
seasoned centre forward ....I am sure it was down to Sam's boots. It was Russ's
first goal for the club and was followed on forty five by Dean Harpers first.
Dean who has been magnificent this season rose like a salmon at the far post to
head past the lunging dive of the Kelvedon keeper.
The second half was dominated by Epping. The introduction on the hour of Chris
Bailey brought more problems for the full back who was ran ragged by Pete
Beaumont in the first half . The full back had swapped sides at half time and
was now facing an even faster footballer and by the end of the match his
face was red, his cheeks sagging and his confidence shattered. Tactical
ingenuity from manager Phil Hernon. Bailey even with his hamstring problems came
on and showed a desire that he should be proud . Playing out of position he was
rewarded with an excellent goal from an equally superb Sam Shepherd cross. The
timing of Bailey's jump was impeccable, his finishing classy and surprisingly it
was his first League goal for the reserves. In between Chris Gormley scored a
third with a great finish. The team have had a number of draws this season it
would have been interesting if Chris had been around all season. Without doubt
he is a finisher.
Towards the end Epping took their foot off the gas and conceded two late goals.
Nevertheless, it cannot take away from the excellent team performance. Another
three points with a reshuffled side and a number of players out of position led
manager Phil Hernon to say, ' The strong point about this group is that they are
a team, no individuals, just a group of fellows who enjoy playing together. It
shows when there is a battle to be had they are there as a unit. I love them
all'.
Team: Christou, Harper, Webster, Grey, Whiteway, Shepherd, Dainton, Kelly, Geraghty, Beaumont, Gormley.
Subs: Mavin, Bailey, Saunders.
Scorers: Webster, Harper, Gormley, Bailey.
Man of the match: Harper.
EPPING FOOTBALL CLUB, STONARDS HILL, TIDYS LANE, EPPING