21st April 2009
TAKELEY LOOKED TIRED FOR LAST LEAGUE GAME AT HOME TO BARKING
TAKELEY FC 1, BARKING 1.
Too many games in a short period of time caused Takeley to pay the price for their final league game at Station Road. Barking players were filled with determination to make their mark after losing earlier in the season, when Takeley were in top condition. The weather caused havoc on the fixture list during January and February. Amateur football players have suffered by needing to fulfil the league and cup commitments with a cluster of evening matches. After a day at work, travelling and kicking a ball around for ninety minutes sometimes twice, or three times a week is weakening, as well as a team with a list of injured men.
In the initial 20 minutes Joe Galsworthy rushed opportunities to give Takeley an easy road to victory but after shooting high over the bar after a spectacular run and an unlucky break as Mark Parker for Barking pulled off a great save. The visitors were equally opportunistic when on 35 minutes Mark Doyle was forced off the ball, whilst making progress towards goal. The free kick which followed was bravely intercepted by goalkeeper James May, who was himself manhandled to gain a free kick in favour of the home side. Pollard called off as he made progress to clear a Barking move, by the Takeley captain that let in Scott BORTHWICK for a free header into the net, two minutes from half time. 43 mins… TAKELEY 0, BARKING 1 (Borthwick)
A well timed excellent tackle by Stefan Szajewski prevented Richard Whiteman grasping a second goal on half time.
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Dan Hopkins made the running to set up Matthew Knight with a great position to give a cross over the keeper to Shamraz Darr, but he gave up an opportunity to connect. A moment later on 52 minutes Louis Bristow made a break through the middle passed to Michael Glidden and his blast at goal was well saved by Mark Parker. On 58 minutes Jared Small put a low cross for Dan Hopkins but the Barking winger could not reach in his stride and the ball went wide. Chris GROVE took up position to receive a great pass by Michael Kennedy from a Gregg Williams free kick to equal the score line. 60 mins… TAKELEY 1, BARKING 1 (Grove)
Mark Watters was unlucky within a minute to head wide another Gregg Williams freekick and yet another free kick for an infringement proved the athleticism of Mark Parker as Gregg Williams shot was tipped over the crossbar. On 80 minutes Gregg Williams’ fourth free kick found James head and the ball fell to a copetition between Mark Parker and Joe Galsworthy, which the Barking keeper managed to punch away onto Chris Grove, but his connection was whipped over the bar. The continual bombardment of the Barking goal seemed endless, but the visitors defence held and eventually Jared Small carried the ball for a run downfield, whilst tackling by Charlie Pollard and Michael Glidden failed to stop the agile number ten, he managed a cross but no other Barking forward could make up the distance to connect. James May then held onto a punishing drive by Matthew Knight as time was called on the match. If Takeley had played as well in the first half as they did in the second half the result would have been a successful three points, however with a point each both sides were rewarded fairly.
Compliments are due to the referee, Mr Reilly and his assistants, Mr Pavitt and John Farrant to allow the game to keep flowing. It was a delight to watch a game for 90 minutes without continual whistle blowing.
For Takeley - Michael Glidden deserved recognition as Man of the Match and Jared Small for Barking made his presence felt. James May looks more confident in goal, as does Mark Parker for the visitors. Stefan Szajewski and Charlie Pollard stood firm and James Amott was always a danger. The free kicks by Gregg Williams caused nervousness in the opponents defence. Matthew Knight and Scott Borthwick played well, too.
Teams:TAKELEY: James MAY; Charlie POLLARD, Stefan SZAJEWSKI; Michael GLIDDEN, Mark WATTERS (Captain), James AMOTT; Louis BRISTOW, Gregg WILLIAMS, Chris GROVE, Joe GALSWORTHY, Lewis BARKER. Substitutes: Scott SMITH. Subs Not played: Chris DORRIAN, Jack PARKER, John WATTERS.
BARKING: Mark PARKER; Mark DOYLE, Sam DENNIS; Craig LEADER, Scott BORTHWICK, Joe TUNGATE;Shamraz DARR, Matthew KNIGHT (Captain), Richard WHITEMAN, Jared SMALL, Daniel HOPKINS. Substitutes: Dave ARMSTRONG, Craig GREENWOOD, James FALAISE, Abraham ADEJOKUN.
***** Sunday 10 May Anagram Records Trophy Final Kick off 3.00pm,
Hertfordshire County FA Ltd, County Ground, Baldock Road, Letchworth, SG6 2EN
TAKELEY FC vs PARK STREET VILLAGE
David Edwards
David ‘Scoop’ Edwards
NEWS from the DUGOUT
Press Liaison, Programme Editor
On behalf of Chairman, administrators, players supporters of Takeley FC