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Woodhurst 2 - Essex Minors Twos 3
Williams Trophy Final
Abridge Village Hall, Sunday 11th May 03
It was a typical end in this disappointing season as Woodhurst lost out to two late goals and let slip their last hope of silverware this season.
After the highs of Vicenza, the 2002/03 season started poorly for the Hurst as a scratch side including only three regulars, plus 2 new faces, took on The FA's staff outfit for the first game back in August and only a equaliser deep into injury time prevented the first even defeat against the boys from Soho Square. Nine months on and the season never really got started with too many points dropped due to lack of players.
However, though the League was taken out of reach in Kamara's first win at Parmiters in April, a very sorry display, the boys rallied for the final two games against the new champions in the league and cup final. The spirit returned, and though the Hurst were held 2-2 after a late equaliser from Essex Minors Twos, the boys though that in the Cup Final two weeks later we had the appetite to claim back the honour and retain the Williams Trophy.
And, even without the absences of Roy Lawley and Jan Souleyman, it was a perfect start for the Hurst in Abridge as, with only two minutes gone, top scorer Jamie Bradbury opened the scoring. A quick move down the left tore the so-called Champions apart, Tony taylor delivered a perfect cross to the back post. Bradbury, peeling away from his marker, had time to pick his spot and headed low down inside the near post.
A similar pattern followed throughout the half as Woodhurst looked dangerous on every attack tearing apart a rather ragged Minors defence, while they never really threatened at the other end. Simon Probert's deft chip from 30 yards ruled out for an offside that only the linesman with the flag could see and understand. But Woodhurst continued and it felt like only a matter of time before the second came.
It wasn't until 15 minutes after the break, though, that they extended their lead. Again it was Bradbury, holding off a challenge inside the box he made way for the shot and his left foot drive was only ever hitting the net. Paul McShea then had another goal chalked off, this time for an alleged hand-ball, but a victory for the hurst looked likely.
But football, the game we all love, is a strange game and a lapse at the back with 25 minutes left let in the Essex Minors number 9 to bury with aplomb.
The Champions now had a life line, but if the Hurst continued to play as they were, then it would be them, and not Essex, who go on to win. As it was though, injuries to both captain Nick Bashford, who'd had the number 9 in his pocket before the goal, and Jimmy Woodham, who was running the show in midfield, put the Hurst on the back foot and panic set in as ball after ball was given away to a side now looking for a leveller, and with only one sub on the bench, only one of the injured pair could go off.
That change coincided with the moment that change the game.
A 50/50 challenge on the right saw Jason Fullerton given his marching orders as the referee made no excuses with Essex Minors full-back, Paul Saunders laying prostrate on the ground, leaving the Hurst with 10 men, including the injured manager Woodham, opting to stay on as he was able to walk slightly better than Bashford, who'd been replaced by Matt Bradbury.
The thirty-minute delay as the two teams waited for an ambulance to collect young Saunders, who would later be told of his fate - a broken leg in four places - gave Essex Minors chance to build themselves up, as Woodhurst's confidence drained.
When the final 15 minutes did re-start, it was the 11 men who were in the obvious ascendancy as Woodhurst sat back to consolidate their lead. and they almost managed it. But with just over 5 minutes left the equaliser came. A disputed corner kick was awarded and as Woodhurst failed to clear, again Essex No 9, turned in to level.
Woodhurst now, heads down and with the prospect of 30 minutes extra-time, buckled. A long ball through the middle with two minutes left to the number 9 again, who was free and unmarked, provided him with time and space to tuck home for the winner.
A demoralising way to end the season, but it can only make a team stronger. An enjoyable evening back at the Nightingale as all players and family returned, underlined that the Woodhurst spirit hasn't disappeared, it's just been on holiday.
Next year, with some fresh blood, Woodhurst will be once again fighting on four fronts, with the treble and Essex Cup in their mind.
Team
Andrew Norton
Jason Fullerton
Tony Taylor
Paul McShea
Paul Jones
Nick Bashford (c)
Ryan Houlton
Simon Probert
Jamie Bradbury
Jimmy Woodham
Steve Hughes
Sub
Matt Bradbury (on for Nick Bashford, 75)
If you would ike to be a part of the Woodhurst revolution in 2003/2004, or know someone in the east London/Essex area who would like to play Sunday football with a great bunch of lads every week, contact us at [email protected]
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