MATCH REPORT
31 March 2007
Essex Olympian Football League
Reserve Division One
Epping 4 Galleywood 0
Every home game seems to affected by the wind and this one was no different!. Tactically Epping got it right. Due to absentees through injury , 21st birthdays and first team call ups the team was forced to adapt to a 3-5-2 formation and Theo Buttigieg received a call up from the thirds in goal. Depending on who won the toss the team would be tinkered with again. In the first half Epping faced the wind and put Russ Geraghty in midfield and Pete Beaumont up front. Despite being against the wind the home side created the better chances but were unable to take advantage. In the last ten minutes of the half the visitors pressurised the home side forcing Buttigieg into some excellent saves.
The second half was a different story. Beaumont and the hard working Geraghty swapped places and Epping began to get on top. James Kelly who once again worked tirelessly for the team was pivotal to the team giving it a focus up front. Ollie King playing the role in the centre of the park quickly learnt the reserves play the short ball and not long ball . This improved Olly's game and he began to influence the game alongside the outstanding Sam Shepherd. In the early stages of the game Sam was running midfield ,late in thefirst half he got into a spat with the other side and lost concentration. In the second half he regained it and was outstanding until a 80th minute substitution highlighting his need to get fitter.
By then his team were four nil up .Two from the impish Beaumont and two from King . The returning Chris Gormley could claim one of them but manager Phil Hernon said ' Olly clearly needs football and scoring two goals will give him some confidence. Nicky Dainton in midfield was outstanding today which goes to prove that if you possess skill and balance it does not matter how big you are. Thou, after last weeks game there is an argument that we need two teams one for the metropolitan sides and one for the Essex teams. Chris Benn and Tom and Russ were also outstanding as a back three . Chris has added the aerial power to our side and whilst centre half is not his preferred position he does it without any moans. The atmosphere in the changing room is fantastic I love these lads they have done me proud. I believe they are mates a number of them socialise together and this helps the bond. They are tremendous. '
Team: Buttigieg, Webster, Scriven, Benn, King, Mavin, Shepherd, Dainton, Kelly, Geraghty, Beaumont.
Subs: Gormley, Kairis.
Scorers: King 2, Beaumont 2.
EPPING FOOTBALL CLUB, STONARDS HILL, TIDYS LANE, EPPING