ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

SATURDAY 17^TH JANUARY

ETON MANOR 0  TAKELEY 2

TAKELEY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AFTER THREE WEEKS BREAK

Takeley had so many chances to wrap the game up at Waltham Abbey, against Eton Manor but it took well over an hour before the ball finally hit the back of the net twice within five minutes.

Joe Galsworthy fired across the face of the Eton Manor goalmouth four minutes into the match, which gave Gregg Williams an open chance to crack the ball past Wilson. However, the keeper stood his ground and had no problem holding onto the ball. Within minutes Gregg had two further attempts that lacked power, Joe Galsworthy ran out of space after an opportunity fell away to nothing. It was past the half hour mark when Lovett spliced the ball into the Takeley side netting from six yards out. ‘The Manor’ supporters gasped later as Nkrumah popped the ball over the visitors’ cross bar again, within the goal area with no opponent guarding. A scramble in the Takeley goalmouth could have been positive for ‘The Manor’ forwards, but the astute defence held, to force the ball away. At half time there no score, but both teams had wasted chances. Eton Manor had 9 shots waylaid and Takeley five.

Both teams were playing scrappy football at the start of the second half. Tobi Oshitola replaced Ryan Lee after ten minutes, but a badly cut up pitch played havoc on the fast runs forward. Yellow cards were raised against Adam Sontag (TFC) and M Benterman (EM). James Amott had a great chance scurried away by the big Eton Manor defenders deep into the period. A formidable football movement started in midfield by Mark Watters pushing through to Adam Sontag and Alex Martin linked with Joe Galsworthy on the left wing and a beautiful centre for a James Amott  header was only inches wide of the mark. Immediately, Takeley settled and Galsworthy put in a high ball that fell to Alex Martin and he fired in a close shot. A magnificent rebirth put Eton Manor on the back foot, Takeley won every ball and set up a concentrated attack. The icing on the cake was a brilliant finish on 74 minutes as Joe GALSWORTHY made his way past four players and rifled in an accurate shot past Wilson.

Dan Crook was floored by N Barratt, for which he received a Yellow Card, immediately after the Eton Manor captain R Simpson received a Yellow Card, for a terrible tackle on Tobi Oshitola as he advanced into the penalty box, ready to shoot. The Referee was on the mark as he awarded Takeley the penalty, which Gregg WILLIAMS converted at 78 minutes. Linton was replaced for ‘The Manor’ by Danny Alleyne, but it was too late for the hosts to pull back the deficit. Ross Tobolewski, after a long period out of the team, because of a complicated knee injury he had sustained early in the season, replaced Chris Dorrian. S Willis received Eton Manor’s fourth Yellow Card with only three minutes to play. James Whitbread managed to play 2 minutes plus 4 minutes added time, as he replaced Joe Galsworthy.

Following the great exhibition three weeks ago at Southend Manor this was not the greatest of games for Takeley, but they deserved the two goal result. The referee kept the lid on a game that at times looked ready to spark for some decisions, given on advise from his assistants, in some cases, but in the sticky and slippery conditions it seemed a likelihood that careless tackles would evolve.

It was difficult to establish a clear Man of the Match declaration for Takeley. The back line Charlie Pollard, Mark Watters and Chris Dorrian were solid, but Adam Sontag received the Manager’s recognition, for his continual involvement. Joe Galsworthy and Alex Martin put in some spirited attempts and James Amott was unlucky not to add to the scorecard.

TAKELEY FC: Andros DEMOSTHENOUS; Chris DORRIAN (Captain), Charlie POLLARD; Dan CROOK, Mark WATTERS, Adam SONTAG; Ryan LEE, Gregg WILLIAMS, Joe GALSWORTHY, James AMOTT, Alex MARTIN. Subs: Tobi OSHITOLA, James WHITBREAD .Ross TOBOLEWSKI.

 Scorers: Galsworthy (74 mins), Williams pen. (78 mins)

ETON MANOR: N WILSON; M BENTERMAN, N BARRATT; S WILLIS, R SIMPSON (Captain), M GIORGIOU; J MAY, D FRETT, J NKRUMAH, S LOVETT, C LINTON. Subs: D ALLEYNE.

David Edwards

On behalf of Chairman, administrators, players supporters of Takeley