(Photo by Matt North)

Takeley 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 2

Essex Senior League

Saturday 28th September

Report by Matt North

Goals from Mike Castle, Jason Todd and Lewis Deamer see Takeley recover from a goal down to defeat Sawbridgeworth at Station Road. The home side, who were playing their first ESL game in over a month, continued their great start to the season by defeating the league’s basement club 3-2.

The match took some time to get going as the first chance of the game came in the 17th minute from the away side. A back pass from Matt Hurley was intercepted by Harry Bushell, who gets the ball past Yates but off the woodwork. With half of the second period, Takeley had an opportunity through Glen O’Hanlon but from outside the area, fired off target.

Two minutes later, Michael Folkes gave Ronnie Yates a slight scare as he nearly caught him out with his long-range effort. Fortunately for the Takeley shot stopper, the ball went inches over the bar. The home side were on the attack a few moments after as Deamer headed onto Dylan Florence, who raced in on goal but fired his attempt over.

Another chance for Takeley came from a corner which was delivered in where it came to Mike Castle, who put his shot over the crossbar. However, up the other end, minutes later, Sawbridgeworth broke the deadlock. A dreadful back pass played Bushell in on goal, where one-on-one with Yates, calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner. A clinical finish from the striker and his side were now in the lead.

That lead only lasted for five minutes though as Takeley scored up the other end. Some good work from Jason Todd crossed the ball where Castle was at the near post. Castle, from close range, hammered home to make it all square. The scoring didn’t stop there though as on the stroke of half time, the home side went in front. A shot by Florence was parried by the keeper and rebounded out to Todd who put it in the net. The skipper gave his side a 2-1 advantage going in at half time.

Despite a slow start to the game, there were three goals in the space of the final 13 minutes. The match was starting to become much livelier. Six minutes into the second period and Takeley scored to give themselves a two-goal cushion. Coby Miles delivered the ball into the penalty box and Deamer was there and put the ball home past Bullman to make it 3-1.

With just an hour on the clock, Sawbridgeworth had a chance. Bushell lofted the ball over to Prince Aloize who had his attempt by the on-rushing Yates saved and cleared. Four minutes later and a superb pass from Tom Jelliman found Deamer but could get a shot off. Another opportunity fell to the away side as a set piece was crossed in and a touch by Passley Myles went just wide.

Seconds later and Takeley caught Sawbo on the counterattack as substitute Steven Wade put the ball through to Miles. Miles, in on goal found his shot saved well by Bullman, who kept his side in the game. However, with 15 minutes to go, the away side’s hopes of getting back into the match were dealt a blow as they were reduced to ten men. Kie Steel, who was already on a yellow card gave away a foul resulting in him receiving a second yellow.

In the 80th minute, substitute Ryan Lynch had an opportunity that was cleared off the line then Wade crossed the ball into Todd but couldn’t keep his header down. With 90 minutes almost, up Lynch was played in on goal, but the keeper kept out his attempt.

Going into the dying embers of the game, Sawbridgeworth were awarded a penalty after Bushell was judged to have been brought down. Aloize stepped up to the task and calmly dispatched to make it 3-2. Unfortunately for Sawbo, it was too little, too late with the penalty having very little affect on the overall outcome. Takeley came away with all three points.

Takeley:  1. Ronnie Yates (GK), 2. Mike La Ronda, 3. Coby Miles, 4. Mike Castle, 5. Matt Hurley (Steven Wade 59′), 6. George Powell, 7. Jason Todd (Captain), 8. Tom Jelliman, 9. Lewis Deamer, 10. Glen O’Hanlon, 11. Dylan Florence (Ryan Lynch 69′).

Scorers –   Mike Castle (40′), Jason Todd (45+3′), Lewis Deamer (51′).

Sawbridgeworth Town:  1. Brandon Bullman, 2. Ryan Willsmer (Captain) (Kie Steel 22′), 3. Tommy Harris, 4. Michael Folkes, 5. Connor McQuilllan, 6. Angus William Poole, 7. Prince Aloize, 8. Aaron Donaldson (Leon Lewis 63′), 9. Harry Bushell, 10. Passley Myles, 11. Zechariah Walker (Tashan Randall 46′)

Scorers –  Harry Bushell (35′), Prince Aloize (90+4′ p).