Premier Division

Sudbury Athletic  3    Tiptree Jobserve  2

Saturday, 11 September 2010

Sudbury Athletic vs Tiptree Jobserve

Sudbury Take the Points in Game of Missed Opportunities.

With both sides under strength Sudbury started brightly and visiting keeper Gary Jackson comfortably held Scott Baxter’s cross from the left.

However it was the visitor’s who struck first and went into a three minute lead with their first attack when Mario Andrew’s squared the ball to SAM TRIM who from the inside of the box cooly placed his precise volley well wide of keeper Paul Pengelly.

The home side responded when two of several new signings combined. Phil Battell released Matt Whinney down the left flank and he cut in and from an angle drove across the face of the goal and moments later the same player fired wide from 20 yards. Ash Collins for Tiptree took advantage of winning possession from a throw in and ran a full 30 yards but drove over from 18 yards.

Both sides were looking to play some decent football and the visitors with nine absentees from their original squad hardly looked weakened. Jack Durey for the home side was looking lively with his electric pace and his cross was intercepted and following good work by Scott Baxter Durey then drove low but passed the post. Durey then gained possession from a long clearance and released Jamie Bradbury who turned his defender and fired wide of the post.

There was plenty of effort being expended on a warm sunny afternoon in Suffolk but both sides lacked real quality and a cutting edge to capitalise on the industrious play.

Baxter supplied a superb ball to Bradbury but he was quickly closed down and then the home side were fortunate when Keeper Paul Pengelly failed to take command of a cross from Mario Andrew and the loose ball was seized upon by Sam Trim whose shot took a deflection for another corner. Andrew produced some good work down the left that gave the visitors a further corner and from the ensuing kick Dean Harvey headed into the path of Dan Mancer whose scissor kick went wide.

The game largely ebbed and flowed but the home side were often guilty of over hitting balls for their front players.

Howeve, Sudbury were back on terms in the 38^th minute in the most fortuitous of circumstances when PHIL MOORE crossed an exceptionally high but hopeful ball from the left on target albeit from a height that completely deceived Jackson and as he tried to collect the ball it landed beyond the keeper at his far post and the ball nestled high into the net.  

This encouraged the home side and they went in front three minutes later when Baxter threaded a fine ball beyond a static defence finding JAMIE BRADBURY to go through and send a fine low left foot shot past the right of keeper Jackson. It had been a lively half and a well taken goal to give Sudbury Athletic the lead but on the balance of play it was perhaps a flattering lead nonetheless.  

Half-time:   Sudbury Athletic   2 v 1   Tiptree Jobserve

Tiptree quickly forced a corner following a good three man move that culminated with Andrew’s cross that Pengelly pushed away at the near post. Bradbury then produced a good cross that Coe headed clear and then Durey released Bradbury but James Nelson made a fine interception.

The home side were seeking to get on top and Chris McMahon’s pile driver was headed clear by Coe and Timmy Attwood had an effort well wide. At the other end Ash Collins did well seizing a loose ball and on the turn sent a fierce snap shot just wide.  

Home substitute Matt Chinnery sent Durey through on goal but he lacked composure and the chance missed. Attwood then played a fine diagonal ball to Bradbury but he needed too much time and the Tiptree defence were quick to clear the danger. Further opportunities for the home side were missed. Chinnery again released Durey but he wasted another fine chance and then the persistent Attwood picked out Matt Whinney who contrived to shoot tamely in front of goal.

The home side had made their compliment of substitutions and were generally in control and Attwood set up Durey through on goal but his effort was partially defended and Durey then released Baxter who drove just wide. The home side by this time really ought to have made their pressure count and put the game the game out sight of their opponents.

However against the run of play Danny Cross for Tiptree sent a powerful strike just over and following fine work by James Nelson Dan Mancer’s cross was headed to safety. Collins then took advantage of a pedestrian defence but typical of the game shot weakly and failed to trouble the keeper.

In the 76^th minute JAMIE BRADBURY put matters into perspective when he put the home side further ahead shooting home from close range.

One felt that Sudbury would now cruise home after so much of the second half play but in contrast the visitors struck within two minutes and pulled a goal back when a move down the left culminated with the ball being squared to ASH COLLINS who from the edge of the box drove home with a well taken low shot.    

The home side responded and created a great chance to ensure victory when Timmy Attwood released the hard working Jack Durey down the right channel and his cross to the far post picked out Jamie Bradbury who should have claimed a hat trick but inexplicably sent a tame powerless attempt straight at Gary Jackson.

In injury the home defence endured some pressure and Judd Coe’s header was kicked clear inside the six yard box and the same player flashed a shot wide. Then poor Bradbury had a final chance to get his hat trick but failed to capitalise with a one on one with the keeper. However the home side had done enough to claim the points but frankly in the second half made hard work against a plucky Tiptree side that fought to the final whistle.

Full Time: Sudbury Athletic  3 - 2  Tiptree Jobserve

Sudbury Athletic:

Paul Pengelly; Chris McMahon, Phil Moore, Timmy Attwood, Phil Battell; Mike Owen, Matt Whinney, Scott Baxter, Byrom Long; Jack Durey, Jamie Bradbury. 

Substitutes: Matt Chinnery, Jamie Ratcliffe, Dan Chinnery, Jamie Howe.

Tiptree Jobserve:

Gary Jackson; Dan Trussell, James Nelson, Danny Cross, Judd Coe; Mario Andrews, Ash Collins, Dean Harvey, Sam Trim; Dan Mancer, Matt Elderton.

Substitutes: Noel Gambling, Kevan Mather.

Referee:   Mr Richard Oakes (Colchester)

Man of the Match:  Timmy Attwood – Played well and was an influential performer.   

Entertainment Value:   * * *   

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Pre Match Thoughts:

A visit to Sudbury Athletic is always a pleasing trip on my calendar particularly after their creditable exploits last season in not only gaining promotion from the First Division but also their epic run in the Suffolk Junior Cup where they went down in the final at Portman Road. There is a sense of a family orientated environment at The Delphi Sports Ground combined with a sense of purposeful organisation.

I met up with two of the most experienced Club Secretaries in the business-  Pat Rocket of Athletic” and the lovable – well sometimes - Tiptree supremo Eric Coleman. These two engaged in conversation is well worth the entrance fee alone not to mention the acquisition of a nicely prepared program – price £1 – come on you ground hoppers a warm welcome awaits you at the Delphi.

Some of the duties of Secretaries these days stretch far and beyond the call of duty. Consider Pat’s dilemma when faced with a mid week game at Harwich at the beginning of the season and the necessity to sign on players prior to the game being played at the “Royal Oak” and providing the necessary paperwork to permit players to play. It can be difficult especially when you do not drive and poor Pat had to make the journey by public transport. He caught a bus from Sudbury to Colchester then another bus to Clacton – home of Fixture Secretary – Mick Willmore. Having arrived at Clacton he telephoned Mick to find out the best way of reaching his house – a 25 minute route march. To summarise the epic event, after two hours and fifty five minutes the forms were presented and Mick drove him to Harwich to watch the game whereupon he secured a lift home. Well done mate.

A discussion with Eric Coleman is always of interest and he is especially delighted with the new pitch that has been laid at “Warriers”. As Clubs will testify there were considerable problems endured by the Tiptree Club last season and my good friend Chairman Francis Morley present at this afternoon’s game asked me to take this opportunity to thank those clubs who supported their problems during a difficult season. Anyway Eric is extremely proud of the work that has occupied many moths of officials time and effort not too mention the sponsorship that has greatly aided the significant improvements. £20,000 has been spent on the splendid playing surface and I believe The Darcy Trophy may well be played at Tiptree next season a fine venue for this prestigious competition. I visited the club at their ground opening on the 7^th August and I assure all Clubs who visit that they will receive a warm welcome.

I was delighted to meet up with both Chairman - Sudbury’s Jack Owen and Tiptree’s Francis G Morley. Jack in fact is the home side’s assistant linesman and who officiates in a good natured way unless you are in the middle taking all that crap! 

Out of the pitch both sides are going through their routines but the visitors appear somewhat handicapped with nine call offs during the week and two at 1.00pm not ideal for the joint managers of Noel Gambling and Kevan Mather’s preparation for a Premier League fixture.

I notice “The Cat” - Athletic’s” famed goal keeper Nick Marlow- has now joined the coaching staff and strengthened the managerial team of Jules Mumford and his assistants Jamie Howe and Lee Owen.

I greeted match official Richard Oakes who I saw earlier at the University v Gas Recreation game some weeks ago and explained that I was not purposely following him around albeit pleased to meet up with him again.

With the kick off due I was delighted to see Maureen and Fred Mumford - Jules proud parents – very nice people. And finally I was interested to note that Tiptree had a lady physiotherapist whose name I wrote down but in the excitement of the moment I could not read what I had written but she made her first appearance in the 25^th minute. On reflection it may have been Harriott anyway Ash Collins was the lucky recipient receiving treatment.   

I felt that this would be a close game with Tiptree depleted whilst Sudbury have a lengthy injury list. Both sides were indeed in need of points to draw away from the early season strugglers.          

Post Match Thoughts:

In part it was a somewhat disappointing game because had all the chances been taken or even a small percentage I might have been reporting on a goal spree. Danny Twyman one of last season’s heroes for the home side has apparently quit Saturday football - a curious decision I thought. I was interested to note some of the new signings namely Paul Pengelly from AFC Sudbury Reserves and sprinkling of other players from local Clubs such as Timmy Attwood, Phil Battell and Jamie Bradbury who I believe signed from Boxted Lodgers. Other newcomers included brothers Matt and Dan Chinnery – all useful acquisitions. I feel that both “Athletic” and Tiptree will be mid table or there about but will do well to test the top sides.

I felt sorry for Jamie Bradbury who looks a decent striker but probably won’t be too happy reading this report. In fairness he took his goals well but it was a great opportunity to have really sunk Tiptree in the second half nevertheless he lead the line well and got into good positions. I was impressed with Jack Durey - a workaholic who if he had that composure would be something else! He will improve he has a good foundation to work on. Mike Owen is Mr dependable and I did like Timmy Attwood in mid field.

It was difficult to assess the visitors who were depleted but I thought acquitted them selves well in the first half and were unlucky to be behind at the break with a somewhat freak goal that Jules Mumford described as “Phil Moore’s wonder strike”. Try it again next week Phil! Two players who caught the eye were defender Judd Coe and decent contribution from Danny Cross.

It was a very good display from referee Richard Oakes who was well in control and did not brandish a card. I like his style.  He allowed the play to flow without unnecessary stoppages – well done Sir. And coincidently it looks as though I will see you again next week due to my match choice unless there is a change of official!

Final goodbyes to all and sundry including Eric Coleman who appeared to watch the game from the comfort of his car – nice one Eric!

And Finally:

I note that my tipped teams all did well but the dark horses emerging from Division One are Richard Elms Lawford Lads. I heard a rumour about them this afternoon – interesting!

The league side will travel to Framlingham Town on Tuesday 21^st September to meet the Suffolk and Ipswich Representative side KO 7.45pm

Next Week’s Match Report – West Bergholt v White Notley

John Campany

^{email:  ja.campany@gmail.com}