Fixtures from 3rd March 2004

Harlow 1 Wivenhoe Town 1

Saturday 1st May 2004

Team: Greenley, Leeke, Bethell A, Cranfield, Wignall, Hammond, Caton, Gregory, Turner, Coote, Brothers.  Subs unused: Abrahams, Haydon

Wivenhoe travelled to Harlow to end their season with an Essex derby and started the brighter of the two teams.  Within the first fifteen minutes Adam Bethell found Coote whose cross almost found Hammond as a defender headed away in the nick of time.  On the other flank good work by Ray Turner putting Coote whose cross found Brothers who then shot over when well positioned.  Gregory then found Brothers who was unable to steer his shot wide of the keeper.  In the 24^th minute the home side took the lead against the run of play.  Adam Bethell failed to close down Jimmy Lee who finished with a fine shot from 16 yards.  Chapman then found Fanibuyan who was only denied a second Harlow goal by a fine Greenley save low to his right.  In the 40^th minute were unlucky not to equalise when Hasler failed to collect a cross when running in to one of his defenders.  Unfortunately, Daniels cleared his lines.  Almost on the break Ray Turner headed wide and an Adam Bethell throw in was flicked on by Caton which the keeper caught under the bar in relative comfort.  The half never seemed to end and Goldblatt burst threw the visitors defence but Greenley sharply off his line snuffed out the danger. 

Immediately after the restart Warren attempted to lob Greenley after the latter’s poor clearance fell to him but thankfully Matt was always in command of the situation.  At the other end Coote burst threw only to see the keeper block with his legs before Caton curled a shot over from the edge of the box.  On the hour the Dragons forced the pace Turner won a corner after being put through by Leeke and Lee hacked Coote’s fine header off the line.  Almost immediately a Wignall back header in the box found Coote who rattled the bar with a thunderous header.  To go in behind was harsh but to still be trailing was particularly unfair.  Turner had another shot deflected before Lee burst down the right and a good cross was well dealt with by Josh Leeke.  Lee again had a shot straight at Greenley before Chapman shot wildly over when he should have tested the keeper.  In the 70^th minute Wivenhoe got their just rewards a fine run by Hammond found Sean Caton in the box who after good control shot on the turn but Ray Turner poked home from six yards to secure a deserved point and the Leading Goal Scorer of the Season award in one fell swoop.  Bell curled a free kick just wide at the other end before the troublesome Lee again produced a dangerous cross but this time it was Mark Cranfield who denied a Harlow forward with a superb tackle.  Michael Brothers had the ball in the net but unfortunately Luke Hammond was offside.  Greenley had to deal with efforts from Mensah and Chapman in the closing stages but he was well equal to the task.  Michael Brothers produced good work down the left to find Sean Caton who shot wide. 

Again another well deserved point on our travels on a bumpy pitch that was not conducive to quality football from either side and although one could claim a moral victory too many times on our travels this season we haven’t got what we deserved.

Wivenhoe Town 4    Great Wakering Rovers 2

Monday 12th April 2004

Team: Greenley, M. Cranfield (Hammond), Taylor, A. Bethell, Coote, B Bethell (Wignall), Caton, Gregory, Turner, Abrahams, Brothers (Leeke).  Subs unused: English

Wivenhoe completed an Easter double but this time the fare was a lot more entertaining.  Wivenhoe took the lead in the 6^th minute when Sean Caton flicked home Ross Taylor’s freekick.  Wakering almost immediately threatened but Adam Bethell cleared in the nick of time.  Bobby Bethell curled a shot wide before Abrahams brought a fine save from Jerome John in the Rovers’ goal.  In the 31^st minute the goalkeeper fumbled a corner and Ray Turner was on hand to put us two up.  The two-goal advantage lasted only four minutes when Adam Bethell felled Oshitola and was duly booked and Harrison dispatched the resultant spot kick with ease.  Wivenhoe restored their two-goal advantage immediately when in the next attack Brothers went down in the box under a challenge from Salmons to win a penalty.  David Gregory converted the penalty.  Wivenhoe continued to press Abrahams twice went close shooting wide and then seeing a header kicked off the line after he had beat the keeper.   

The crowd was enjoying their afternoon in the sunshine.  Scopes had an effort for the visitors while at the other end a cute Abrahams’ lob found Turner who was dispossessed by Heffer when well placed.  Coote and Turner linked to find Abrahams who passed to Bobby Bethell who was only denied by a fine save by John.  It would be fair to say that although the home side looked the more likely Great Wakering were contributing to a good game and it was no surprise when Dennis headed home a corner in the 73^rd minute to reduce the arrears.  Things nearly got worse when not for the first time Greenley charged off his line and was lobbed but Ross Taylor covering him saved the day with a clearance off the line.  Wivenhoe finally put the match beyond Rovers when Bobby Bethell found Turner on the left and his super cross was volleyed home exquisitely by Paul Abrahams on the far post.  Abrahams went in search of another but was denied by a great tackle from Heffer before Tobi Oshitola the Great Wakering forward shot high wide and handsome and not for the first time caused much mirth from the SOB’s behind the goal!

Enfield 0   Wivenhoe Town 1

Saturday 10th April 2004

Team: Greenley, M. Cranfield, Taylor, A. Bethell, Coote (Leeke), Wignall (Gregory), Caton, B. Bethell (Hammond), Turner, Abrahams, Brothers.  Subs unused: Hanna

Dragons travelled to bottom club Enfield or rather Boreham Wood; their current home to feature in an Easter bore.  There was a distinct lack of action a Coote flick put in Abrahams but he fell as he shot and failed to trouble the keeper.  Brothers had an outrageous effort from 40 yards before Hutchinson shot wildly over for the home side.  It was the 22^nd minute before there was any real quality when Bobby Bethell fed Ray Turner whose lob just failed to clear Collier’s hand and Nelson was able to hack the ball clear as Abrahams charged in.  An Abrahams’ freekick was punched off Ray Turner’s head in the nick of time before the same two linked and Collier in the Enfield goal saved Turner’s effort at full stretch.  Faulkner lobbed wide of the goal for Enfield’s best chance after Adam Bethell misread the bounce.

The second half saw Caton head wide Abrahams’ corner and Bobby Bethell shoot across the goal.  Abrahams was in a continual battle with the linesman as it appeared every time he moved he was flagged offside as Paul in the main kept his own counsel.  Wivenhoe continued to press and surely it would only be a matter of time before they took the lead.  A flowing movement involving Bobby Bethell and Wignall found Brothers who shot wide as did Turner after being put through by Abrahams.  Wivenhoe had the ball in the net through Caton following a goalmouth scramble but it was clearly offside.  Eventually in the 73^rd minute Dragons took the lead when Turner found Abrahams who rounded the keeper and shot home from an acute angle despite the valiant attempts of Enfield defender Price to prevent the ball from crossing the line.  Taylor and Abrahams combined again to find Brothers whose shot was blocked by the keeper and Wignall headed wide an Abrahams’ corner.  Right at the death Enfield substitute Krasiniqi saw his shot from the edge of the box comfortably tipped over the bar by Greenley.

Uxbridge 2   Wivenhoe Town 0

Tuesday 30^th March 2004

Team: Greenley, M. Cranfield, Wilson, A. Bethell, Coote, Hammond, Caton, Gregory (Taylor), Turner, English (Wignall), B. Bethell (Brothers). 

The highlight of the half was in the 8^th minute when Adrian Coote’s left foot thunder bolt forced Francis in the Uxbridge goal did superbly to turn it on to the post.  Bobby Bethell has a couple of promising runs and English and Turner combined well before Turner shot just wide.  To say nothing happened in the first half is an understatement.

Disaster struck the Dragons in the first minute after the break when Adam Bethell fouled Swaysland.  Gavin Bamford slotted home the penalty despite a valiant attempt by Greenley who turned it onto the inside of the post, but alas he couldn’t keep it out.  The game livened up after this but only just when Swaysland hit a post.  It would be fair to say that the scoreline was harsh on Wivenhoe who were having plenty of possession but who couldn’t quite find the final ball.  Turner looked to have a good chance as he burst into the box and we witnessed the rare sight of a defender actually out-muscling him in a challenge.  Brothers after a promising run could only shoot straight at the keeper and a Caton in-swinging free kick was mis-kicked clear and Uxbridge were fortunate it didn’t run to a Wivenhoe forward.  Wivenhoe tried to force an equaliser when Coote had a shot charged down but with four minutes to go it was all up as Mark Royal shot across Greenley with a fine finish.  The same player shortly after got free and lobbed Greenley but thankfully missed the target.

Apologies for the short report as there was a distinct lack of meaningful action although it has to be stressed the score-line was harsh on the Dragons. 

East Thurrock Utd 2 Wivenhoe Town 3

Saturday 27 March 2004

Team: Greenley, Carter (Cranfield M), Wilson, Bethell A., Coote, Hammond, Caton, Gregory, Turner, Abrahams (Cranfield B), Bethell B (Brothers).  Subs unused: Hanna 

On a dry and dusty pitch Wivenhoe started the brighter illustrated by the fact that Abrahams put defender Holding under so much pressure that he headed against the inside of the post but the ball bounced across the face of the goal just eluding Abrahams’ lunge.  New signing Chris Wilson was showing off his adept left foot as he curled in an in-swinging comer which keeper Marrable made an awful mess off as his punch could have gone anywhere but luckily for him it cleared the bar.  Turner and Abrahams linked well but this time the keeper blocked the shot and was able to pounce on the rebound as Turner followed up.  Holding tried his luck from long range but shot at Greenley in a rare home sortie.  Amazingly East Thurrock held out until the 28^th minute when at last the Dragons got their just rewards (including £30 for the behind the goal mob for the golden goal.  Thank you lads!)  Abrahams was giving Holding a torrid time and winning a free kick on the right wing.  Wilson’s left foot came into play with a curling left foot shot into the top corner (despite Abrahams’ assertion that he folliclely connected with the freekick but his versions varied from stomach to head).  Six minutes later Turner’s knock-down found Paul Abrahams whose superb angled shot from 18 yards made it two nil.  Four minutes later Wivenhoe increased their lead with an imaginative corner pulled short to Hammond whose far post lob was met by a delighted Coote who headed home.  New boy Carter produced a last ditch tackle on the edge of his box to deny a rare East Thurrock threat. 

Bobby Bethell shot wide at the start of the second half and if the first half was dominated by Wivenhoe then boy did East Thurrock United claim the second.  Blaney hit the post, Greenley blocked a goal bound shot with his legs and Grieves lashed handsomely wide.  Coote got a shot in following a corner but it didn’t trouble Marrable.  Carter cleared off the line following a weak Greenley punch and just when it looked as though we had seen off the storm Thurrock pulled one back in the 59^th minute.  A left wing  cross seemed harmless enough but Greives headed home when it appeared Greenley had caught the ball.  Twice Greenley came to the rescue with timely blocks and Wivenhoe looked fortunate not to concede a penalty when two forwards went to ground in the space of seconds when defenders appeared to help them with their fall.  Burns then hit a tremendous volley just wide, Greenley again blocked. a shot before a mass scramble saw the ball go everywhere but thankfully not the net.  With 5 minutes to go United scored again a cross sailed across the goal Greenley with his eyes on the ball flattened Budge to concede a penalty.  Blaney stepped up to convert the spot kick with ease. Thankfully that was the end of the scoring thanks to a great Coote tackle and another glaring miss by Blaney.

That was too close for comfort as we didn’t repeat the Cheshunt game where we lost after being three up at the break..  

Wivenhoe Town 2 Tilbury 1
Tuesday 23^rd March 2004

Team: Greenley, M.Cranfield, Hearn, A.Bethell, Coote, Hammond, Caton, Gregory (Henson), Turner, B.Cranfield, B.Bethell (Hanna)..Unused Subs: Woods, Reames.

Wivenhoe were hoping for another home win against a team level with them in the league but this looked a tall order with the preparation for the match they’d had.  Forced into 5 signings to cover for injuries, suspension and the recently departed David Bastian it wasn’t perhaps the best time to play Tilbury whose form had picked up of late.  Tilbury started the brighter and Edwards fired a shot across goal before Matt Greenley palmed away a close range header a super save.  In the 15^th minute it was Wivenhoe who took the lead with a stunning strike.  Ben Cranfield held the ball up well before playing it to Sean Caton who rifled the ball past the helpless Baker from the best part of 30 yards.  Edwards headed wide Cleaver’s excellent cross, Cobb had a header ruled out for offside and Greenley twice blocked goalbound shots.  Turner saw a shot blocked by two defenders after Ben Cranfield had beaten the keeper to the ball.  It was no surprise when the visitors levelled after 34 minutes Ritchie applying the finishing touch after the defence failed to clear a corner.

At the restart Greenley was into immediate action to stop Edwards and Cobb shot wide when in a good position. Coote and Turner were both involved in a goalmouth scramble as Baker blocked one effort before Jopson headed clear.  Tilbury then struck a post before that man Turner came up with the goods again.  Forced wide he cut back in before shooting across Baker into the bottom corner another fine goal.  The woodwork and Greenley twice denied Tilbury a share of the spoils who deserved more than what they went home with.  It also has to be said that was nothing wrong with the Dragons performance but they have played a lot better and got nothing.

Team: Greenley, Hammond, Bastian, Haydon, B.Cranfield, Taylor, Caton, Gregory, Turner, Abrahams, B.Bethell. Subs: A.Bethell, M.Cranfield .

Congratulations to Oxford City for their sterling efforts (ably assisted by a referee who was willing to compromise and Mike Boyle our secretary who arrived at 10.30 and was still removing water at 2.50) to ensure the fixture took place.  Two inches of snow on Friday plus heavy overnight rain on top of the thaw left the pitch sodden.  The home team persuaded the referee that they could clear the water and despite another downpour at 1.45 which meant it was “mops out again” it was surprising how little water remained.

The referee Mr Phipps applied commonsense the pitch was not good but in “them old days” boys you just got on with it.  Whether the pitch survives that’s another question.

Greenley was quickly in action with a block and then smothered a loose ball while Abrahams supplied a dangerous cross after a mix up in the home defence. Paul Abrahams had the ball in the net but he handled the ball.  Oxford took the lead in the 19^th minute. Ferriera broke at pace shot Greenley parried and Harpers’ shot was deflected off Bastian into the net.  Harper, Champelovier and Brown all went close to adding to the home sides lead while Caton and Turner were denied at the other end.  A Bastian cross found Caton whose effort was stopped by Benbow who cleared at the second attempt from the advancing Abrahams.  Greenley at the other end foiled Harper at the expense of a corner.

Wivenhoe got better as the half progressed despite surviving several efforts the only scare being when Harper spotted the keeper off his line and his lob struck the upright.

Gregory and Abrahams couldn’t quite finish off good approach work and Turner shot wide. A Bastian cross forced the keeper to step back and Caton and Abrahams appealed that he’d carried the ball over the line.  A great run across the box by Ray Turner ended when he was tripped. Haydon's free kick was only half cleared and the alert Abrahams squared the ball to Sean Caton who made no mistake from close range.  Dragons only had to survive four minutes to get the point their endeavour deserved and in fact Gregory and Caton went close but that would have been harsh on Oxford. 

Muddy marvellous as they say!!!

Team: Greenley, Hammond, Bastian, Haydon, Coote, Taylor, Caton, B.Bethell (A.Bethell), Turner, Abrahams, Brothers (B.Cranfield) Unused Subs: M.Cranfield, Gregory .

Smith was in action immediately in the visitors’ goal stopping a fierce Taylor drive Brothers just failed to steer in the rebound. A poor clearance was nearly intercepted by Turner who then forced a good block out of the keeper.  This was the home side's best start at home for ages but Haydon kept them on level terms as he headed Merritt’s effort off the line.  Dragons soon took the lead their play deserved Abrahams sniping down the right dispossessed Joyce who conceded a free kick by pulling him back.  Abrahams then got across the keeper to steer Taylor’s free kick in with a deft header.  Six minutes later it got even better as Paul Abrahams turned Joyce inside out before finding the bottom corner with a shot from just outside the penalty area.  How Dragons didn’t add a third was a mystery the keeper blocked a couple of shots Turner was just wide before Brothers went closest when he rattled the bar.  Thame then hit the bar with Greenley watching in relief as the rebound was drilled wastefully wide.

Wivenhoe started the second half as they finished the first the surprise being that it took 20 minutes to add to the score.  When it came it was certainly worth waiting for. Thame had failed to clear several attacks before Ray Turner cut in from the right leaving a couple of defenders in his wake before letting go a thumping left footer from 18 yards to surely seal the win.  Within a minute a needless free kick was conceded and Jones from 30 yards lifted the ball over the flat footed Greenley to reduce the arrears.  On 71 minutes Turner grabbed his second when the Thame keeper collided with a couple of defenders and dropped the ball at Turner’s feet the first kind bounce in the box for ages.  Taylor and Caton both went close to getting a fifth and Bastian cleared off the line at the other end when Greenley was lobbed.

Team: Greenley, Cranfield M (Hammond), Bastian, Haydon, Coote, Bethell B (Cranfield B), Caton, Abrahams, Turner, Brothers, Taylor.  Subs unused: Gregory, Bethell A.

Wivenhoe were disrupted almost immediately when Hammond had to replace the injured Mark Cranfield.  Yet again a slow start to the game with a lack of goalmouth action but the rest of the half was almost about to turn into the “Ray Turner Show”.  On 22 minutes he was beaten by the keeper off the line as he chased a through ball and almost immediately saw Taylor push away his angled drive for a corner.  Greenley at the other end was forced to stop a close range header.  Brothers shot over after a Ray Turner pass and Haydon headed Carney’s lob off the line.  The same player was foiled by Greenley after good work by Hayes.  Ross Taylor found Brothers who shot was blocked by the keeper before Turner again shot wide and also saw another shot deflected for a corner.  In the 41^st minute Paul Taylor produced the save of the match as he palmed away Ray Turner’s shot for a corner.  Coote headed Ross Taylor’s corner over the bar.  A Turner dummy set up Caton but the ball cannoned off his chest and a defender was able to clear. 

After the restart Caton forced a corner and Abrahams and Coote had shots blocked.  Caton then put Turner through who shot over.  On the hour Lorenzo Silvestri and Ross Taylor were both sent off after an apparent scuffle.  Brothers then turned Harvey inside out but unfortunately his shot went wide.  Dunstable no doubt buoyed by Dragons inability to score were beginning to threaten for the first time in the match.  Hayes skipped past two defenders before blazing his shot over the bar.  Turner was put in by Brothers but shot at the keeper.  After 71 minutes Abrahams produced a fine run into the box and Caton shot wide.  Brothers then produced a similar sort of run which again produced a block shot.  Abrahams again was prominent as Taylor held Turner’s shot with ease.  Meanwhile at the other end superb control by Grant Carney as he lobbed the ball over Coote and beat Greenley with ease only to find Luke Hammond with a timely goal line clearance.  Seconds later Barnett gave Dunstable the lead with a stunning 25 yarder that gave Greenley no chance.  He almost made it two straight after when he shot over when well placed.  Haydon and Brother produced some response but alas there was no finish and a superb lobbed pass by Abrahams found Brothers but the ball ran away from him as he tried to control it.  In the last minute Barnett completed Dragons’ misery with another 25 yard goal bound effort which appeared to take a slight deflection off of Coote.