ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

TUESDAY 17^th MARCH

TAKELEY 1 HULLBRIDGE SPORTS 1

From the start Hullbridge took command and came dangerously close as Lloyd Wilson hooked onto a throw in and had his shot cleared off the line by Ryan Williams. Joe Galsworthy forced his way into the penalty area on ten minutes passed to Chris Grove and a drive was tipped away for a corner by the tall Hullbridge keeper Adam Sinclair. However, Joe GALSWORTHY following a Michael Kennedy cross into a melee of players, hooked the ball into the net to put Takeley in front, with the only goal of the game.

14 mins...TAKELEY FC 1, HULLBRIDGE SPORTS FC 0. (Galsworthy)

Wilson again broke away, after a quarter of an hour, down the wing and pushed the ball onto Lee Davies, but the shot went wide. Ryan Williams gained a Yellow Card after a tackle on Lloyd Wilson minutes later. Finding a wide gap in the defence Joe Galsworthy shot wide causing a gasp from the spectators. As the first half came close to finish Tony Lane, Hullbridge full back fired in a sharp drive, that bounced from an Andros Demosthenous grasp onto Stefan Szajewski, back after a long absence, for him to pitch the ball away for a corner. 

With the single goal separation Takeley came out for the second half burning with determination and Michael Kennedy on the right wing was soon making attempts to put the game safely in Takeley’s favour. He hit a pass from Chris Grove a minute too high and with only three minutes past, a classic shot tested the able goalkeeper Adam Sinclair. Joe Galsworthy broke away from the defence again, passed to unmarked busy bee Alex Martin and his shot lifted over the goalkeeper and belted the underside of the crossbar and returned into the safe arms of Sinclair. On 55 minutes a high lob by Ryan Williams was just in reach for the tall Adam Sinclair. An opening came to the feet of Lee Davies (Hullbridge) but he shot wildly and the ball skewed safely away.

Josh Coulson came on for James Amott, but every penetration was blocked by some fine Hullbridge defending. Tom Clayton tried again for the visitors, but shot wide and from a free kick on the edge of the penalty box, Ryan Martin cracked his shot wide. It was a bit of a shock as Galsworthy advanced and was floored in a hard tackle by Lee Davies and he gained a Yellow Card booking. Tony Lane was replaced for Hullbridge by Neil Mason with 20 minutes left to play.

Some brilliant football skills set Michael Kennedy on the path towards the net  a couple more times, one of which was a beautiful curling shot that stretched Adam Sinclair. With only the keeper to beat Joe Galsworthy raced goalwards five minutes from time, but bent the ball away for a goal kick.

RESULT TAKELEY FC 1, HULLBRIDGE SPORTS FC 0.

Takeley looked certain to score so often, but are satisfied to have the three points and to stay in contention in second position. Hullbridge had opportunities and Lloyd Wilson was their most noticeable player. Man of the Match goes to MICHAEL KENNEDY playing a rare appearance for Takeley, on the right flank.

TAKELEY FC: Andros DEMOSTHENOUS; Michael GLIDDEN, Stefan SZAJEWSKI; Chris DORRIAN (Captain), Mark WATTERS, James AMOTT; Michael KENNEDY, Ryan WILLIAMS, Joe GALSWORTHY, Chris GROVE, Alex MARTIN. Substitutes: Josh COLSON, Scott SMITH.

HULLBRIDGE SPORTS FC: Adam SINCLAIR; Tony LANE, Tom CLAYTON; Stuart HEPBURN, Lee DAVIES, Ryan HODGSON (Captain); Ryan MARTIN, Nick STRACHEN, Michael HART, Lloyd WILSON, James WACKETT. Substitutes: Neil MASON.

Att: 59

David Edwards

On behalf of Chairman, administrators, players supporters of Takeley