The first of this season’s cup competitions saw Toosey and The Tips looking to be crowned winners of The Ernie Osborne Challenge Cup in the mid-April sun at Alresford Colne Rangers, where a large crowd had gathered for this fixture.
With both teams having completed their preparations and the game getting underway, the game started tentatively with both teams looking to retain possession and get a foothold in the game, however Toosey found their plans thrown into chaos after just 7 minutes, when Fletcher Hanna picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Robert Davis.
The Tips used this to their advantage as once the game re-started, they created their first opening of the game, with ‘keeper Robert Weller playing the ball forward which was chased by Harvey Evans, but he could only shoot straight at the Toosey ‘keeper.
Toosey managed to take control of the game after this, creating the majority of attacking opportunities, with Taylor McAndrews proving dangerous down the right-hand side and on 15 minutes he found himself in the box with a chance to shoot, but could only shoot wide.
This was shortly followed by a ball into the box where Wayne Chapman unleashed an overhead kick, only to be denied by an excellent save by The Tips ‘keeper Weller who stunned everyone with his ability to react and keep the ball out.
The game was as competitive as it was expected to be and just before the 20th minute several challenges went in from both teams followed by a slight scuffle following a tackle by Toosey’s Wayne Chapman, before Toosey went on to create their next big chance, with Cameron Dolphin shooting from distance which once again went wide of the post.
Taylor McAndrews continued to be lively for Toosey and next created a chance for Luke Barnard, however his shot was saved by ‘keeper Robert Weller, and collected at the second time of asking. In the 33rd minute, McAndrews had the next chance himself with a free kick in a good position, but he could only shoot over before trying to redeem himself a minute later with a volley which this time travelled wide.
It was the 40th minute when the next opportunity arose, with the chance coming for Toosey, who saw James Shuttlewood shoot towards the top corner, which ‘keeper Weller tipped over and the resulting corner was cleared.
The Tips gained momentum after this and took the lead in the 44th minute, when Jake Vaughan battled on the right wing for the ball before breaking away and playing in Blake Keogh-Kedar, who slid the ball past the onrushing keeper smartly to make it Toosey 0-1 The Tips.
Toosey looked to respond quickly before the half-time break, with a free kick delivered into The Tips box, mey by Oliver Lamb who could only head over, before Wayne Chapman switched play intelligently to Luke Barnard, however a great recovering tackle from Archie Herbert for The Tips prevented him from getting a shot away, before the half was brought to a close.
Half Time: Toosey 0-1 The Tips
The second half started slowly with The Tips looking to retain their lead and Toosey looking for an early way back in to the game, however it was the 52nd minute before the first real opportunity of the half, when Toosey broke into the box only to be denied by another great tackle from Archie Herbert in The Tips defence which allowed them to clear the ball.
The first yellow card of the game was shown minutes later to Toosey’s Wayne Chapman, who committed a foul just inside the half and allowed The Tips to mount another attack. The Tips created a chance in the 56th minute when Lewis Mounteney brought the ball down with his chest before shooting on the volley, however it travelled wide.
The next real action was in the 62nd minute when the next yellow card was shown, this time to Archie Herbert of The Tips, who delayed leaving the field when he was substituted.
It was the 67th minute before the next real chance, with The Tips breaking forward and releasing the dangerous Harvey Evans however Toosey saw ‘keeper Oscar Lawrence come out quickly and pull off a good stop allowing Toosey to clear the ball for a corner.
Not to be deterred, The Tips created another opportunity in the 69th minute which saw them extend their lead, with Harvey Evans getting into the box and finishing well across the ‘keeper.
Toosey 0-2 The Tips.
Upon the re-start Toosey once again tried to respond, however were stopped from mounting an attack by Jake Vaughan, who was shown a yellow card for an accumulation of fouls. In the 73rd minute, The Tips once again broke on the counterattack and the ball made its way to Harvey Evans who ensured that there was only one outcome with a calm finish.
Toosey 0-3 The Tips.
Despite Toosey continuing to battle, they were unable to create any clear cut opportunities and in the 83rd minute The Tips were able to kill the game off, when a throw into the box allowed Harvey Evans to roll his man and finish smartly across the ‘keeper, to claim his hat-trick and make sure of the victory for his side.
Toosey 0-4 The Tips.
Despite their best efforts, Toosey were unable to respond to this latest setback and The Tips were able to see the game out to claim victory and their first silverware since joining The Colchester & District Sunday League.
Full Time: Toosey 0-4 The Tips
Toosey : 1 Oscar Lawrence, #3 Thomas Heffer, #4 Oliver Lamb, #6 Cameron Dolphin, #8 Wayne Chapman, #9 Matthew Gray, #10 Toby Harms, #11 Luke Barnard, #12 Fletcher Hanna, #14 Taylor McAndrews, #16 James Shuttlewood. Subs. 2 James Letts, #7 James Webb, #15 Robert Davis, #18 Brandon Hunt, #27 Scott Wass
The Tips : #1 Robert Weller, #2 Archie Herbert, #3 James Whiting, #4 Jack Burch, #5 Alex Taylor, #6 Luke Craig, #7 Jack Gilson-Slater, #8 Lewis Mounteney, #9 Jake Vaughan, #10 Blake Keogh-Kedar, #99 Harvey Evans. Subs. #11 Sam Winney, #12 Dylan Beaird, #18 Joseph Whiting, #23 Matthew Beaird, #58 Callum Durrell
Match report and photos courtesy of League Sec. Aaron Finch.
The League was delighted to be joined by League President Ernie Osborne, who selected his man of the match as hattrick hero Harvey Evans of The Tips and also presented the runners up and winners’ trophies.
The Colchester & District Sunday League would like to extend it thanks to Alresford Colne Rangers FC for hosting this final on behalf of the League and to the match officials; Referee: Simon Lyons, Assistant Referees : John Watson & Mark Jones, Fourth Official: Andy Pitts.
trophy to The Tips’ Harvey Evans.
