|
Egbertian Reserves verses Enfield Old Grammarians Reserves
The Egbertian Football Club have won their first cup competition in their seventy nine
year history.
On a very hot day in front of a crowd of about 150 at the Redbridge Sports Centre in
Barkingside they defeated Enfield Old Grammarians II 3-1 in the LOB Intermediate Cup Final.
Enfield were a more physically imposing team and had much the better of a tight first
half which ended goalless. Much of the play was in the Egbertian half and despite the Egs
back four defending well Enfield should have gone into the half time break at least a goal
to the good after Tim Jackson missed several good chances after good work from Darren May on
the right who proved a constant threat during the first half. Steve Thorne in the Egbertian
goal actually had few saves to make as Enfield’s finishing was profligate. The only noteable
escape for Enfield was a missed header from Danny Rhone.
The Egs started the better of the two teams in the second half and had much more
of the play than before the break and it was with the run of play that Ryan Wood swept
in the first goal of the game with a left footed shot after 52 minutes after good work
from Adam McKinnon on the left. They increased their lead on 65 minutes when Dave Burnage
scored from an excellent through ball from Adam McKinnon, which was his second assist of
the game. It was an excellent goal from Dave who took the ball in his stride and drove
the ball past the oncoming keeper with aplomb. The game then ebbed and flowed without
either side really looking like scoring until second half substitute Jason Francis
effectively finished the game when he drilled in a low shot from 18 yards after 73 minutes.
It was a goal out of nothing and probably against the balance of play and made the score 3-0.
However, an obdurate Enfield never gave up and always looked dangerous from set pieces, as
they had all game, and the last fifteen minutes saw them come close on several occasions
including hitting the bar and it was no surprise when Tom Miller scored directly from a
free kick after 82 minutes to pull a goal back. But Enfield had left it too late and
the Egs finished 3-1 winners to win their first cup in their long history.
It was a good game played to a high standard in a good spirit despite the three
bookings and an excellent crowd were thoroughly entertained. The score line was
slightly flattering in that had Enfield taken their chances in the first half it
might have been different but it was a lesson to them in the art of clinical finishing.
The seconds now have the league title to concentrate on and if they win their
games in hand a league and cup double beckons. We shall see.
Jeff Thomas
April 16th 2007
|
