FC Clacton's Under 18's player Danny Johnson played for the Essex Under 18's side at the weekend against Middlesex Under 18's and was the only Ridgeons League based player in the squad. Here is the match report courtesy of the Essex FA:
Middlesex Under 18's 5-2 Essex Under 18's
Sunday 28 September 2009, Farm Park , Kick-Off 1:00pm
Under 18s Representative Friendly
By Robert Craven
Essex Under 18s concluded their preparations for the upcoming FA County Youth Cup First Round fixture by slipping to a 5-2 defeat in Middlesex at the home of AFC Hayes.
Having kept clean sheets in their previous three outings, this experimental Essex outfit conceded twice in the first-half - including a bizarre goal three minutes before half-time - and then three more times during the second period.
However, boss Howard Mackler refused to be bowed by the result as he looked ahead to Saturday’s County Youth Cup tie at home to Hampshire. “We tried a few players in different positions today to see how they would react,” he revealed. “We also have four important players to bring back into the squad, so I’m pleased with our build-up to the new season.”
There was plenty for Mackler to be positive about during an entertaining first period, although Middlesex enjoyed the better chances during the opening gambits, with Johanan Adjei-Dawkins forcing Lewis Batchford into a decent save and Daniel Wishart prodding wide. Essex had made a bright start too, and Perry McIntyre came within inches of putting the visitors in front on 21 minutes when he latched onto Jack Gardner’s chipped through ball and directed his shot against the base of the right-hand post.
Within ninety seconds, Essex deservedly took the lead. This time McIntyre was the provider, sending strike partner Olli Dingli clear on the left-hand side and the Brentwood Town front-man made no mistake with an angled effort just inside the upright.
Home goalkeeper Dane Buss was beaten again shortly afterwards when Pearce Clark fired narrowly off-target from 30 yards, but Middlesex were level within five minutes of Essex taking the lead. Ryan Batchford was adjudged to have handled Wishart’s shot, and Dean Worman sent Lewis Batchford the wrong way with the resultant penalty.
Essex came close to restoring their advantage as Gareth Madden was unable to connect with James Love’s centre and McIntyre saw Joel Jacobs effect an excellent block as he attempted to turn in Madden’s own cross. Dingli’s run also ended in disappointment as no-one was able to keep pace with his speedy left-wing run. The hosts were not without their own chances, Batchford pushing Edward Clements’ shot around the post before gathering Alfie Arthur’s stabbed attempt.
Middlesex edged in front on 42 minutes in freakish circumstances. Danny Johnson’s back pass appeared to offer no threat, but Batchford’s clearance rebounded off of the persistent Wishart and careered into the net at an acute angle. Wishart doubled his personal tally within forty seconds of the restart with a more accomplished finish, cutting inside from the left before firing underneath substitute ‘keeper David Hughes.
Clark’s dipping shot was claimed by Buss as Essex looked to respond, but instead it was Middlesex who scored next midway through the half. Nathan Webb pushed the ball through to substitute Rory Jennings, whose driven shot eluded Hughes.
Two substitutes combined a little under a quarter-of-an-hour from the end to make it 5-1, with Jack Taylor squaring the ball from the left flank for Jennings to side-foot home. However, there was reward for Essex ’s persistence seven minutes from time as Dingli was shoved from behind and brushed himself down to convert the penalty kick himself.
Middlesex: Dane Buss (Ashford Town (Middlesex)), Mitchell Dunstall (Hayes & Yeading United), Joel Jacobs (Hayes & Yeading United), Chris Chambers (Wealdstone), Tom Brown (Forest United), Alfie Arthur (Staines Town), Nathan Webb (Hayes &Yeading United), Dean Worman (Hayes & Yeading United), Edward Clements (North Greenford United), Daniel Wishart (Hayes & Yeading United), Johanan Adjei-Dawkins (Northwood). Substitutes (Repeated): Jack Taylor ( Ashford Town (Middlesex)), Dougie Hillman (AFC Hayes), Mark Goodman (Hayes & Yeading United), Rory Jennings ( Hanwell Town ), Jordan Haynes (Harefield United).
Essex: Lewis Batchford (Chelmsford City), James Love (Brentwood Town), Christy O’Donoghue (Thurrock), Martyn Stokes (Brentwood Town), Ryan Batchford (Chelmsford City), Danny Johnson (FC Clacton), Gareth Madden (Thurrock), Jack Gardner (Concord Rangers), Perry McIntyre (Thurrock), Olli Dingli (Brentwood Town), Pearce Clark (Chelmsford City). Substitutes (Repeated): Connor McKay (Thurrock), David Hughes (Thurrock), Andy Elgar ( Chelmsford City ), Tom Wolfe ( Basildon Town ).
Referee: Michael Oakes (Uxbridge).
Assistant Referees: Dave Reeve (West Drayton) and Mark Sennett (Hayes). |
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