ESSEX FOOTBALL

ESSEX SUNDAY JUNIOR TROPHY In 2008-09, Time 1075 eneterd into a partnership with the Essex FA, to help support football in the county at grass roots level. We backed the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy, and as well as bringing the results and stories from each round, broadcast the draws for the latter stages of the competition. Sunday football was inaugurated in Essex during 1963, but it was not until 1978 that the County’s third Sunday competition – the Junior Trophy – was initiated.   Concord Rangers Reserves were the very first winners as they defeated Bishop’s Park 4-0. Since then there have been a further thirty-one winners, with Oakwood Sports remaining the only club to have claimed the competition twice, in 1986 and 1996.   It is the largest competition in terms of numbers that the E.C.F.A. operates, with 177 adult male teams taking part across the County in 2008/09.   Once again in 09/10 we are pleased to be backing grass roots football in the county.

Snaresbrook Under 21s 0-2 Wakering Hart Essex Sunday Junior Trophy Final supported by Time 107.5.   By Mark Wallis at Thames Road (Concord Rangers FC)   A first-half brace from Paul Horwood saw Wakering Hart redeem their 2009 Sunday Junior Trophy Final defeat as they clinched the 2010 crown with victory over Snaresbrook Under 21s at Concord Rangers’ Thames Road.   “We’re absolutely over the moon to have won this time around,” said delighted Wakering boss Alex Tandy after the game, having seen his side lose to Noaklands the previous year. Snaresbrook were a good side and our first goal probably came against the run of play, but it came at a good time for us. It was certainly made sweeter by the fact we lost last year’s final and I believe a few of the players didn’t make it into work the next day!”   Wakering survived an early onslaught from young Snaresbrook who saw Jack Sim’s header thump the underside of the crossbar on just 4 minutes while Brandon Knight twice saw low efforts deflected wide. But it was on 20 minutes that Wakering grabbed the advantage, Horwood confidently firing home from a penalty after referee Ernie Forsyth spotted a handball, Aaron Golding’s shot having cannoned back off the crossbar.

Action From the Final

Holland then tipped a dipping Matthew Shrubsole effort over the top before the Wakering lead was doubled on 41, Horwood latching onto Matthew Stubbs’ through ball before coolly slotting past Snaresbrook ‘keeper Phillip Phillipou. Wakering were happy to soak up any Snaresbrook second half pressure and when the Under 21s side did find a way through they found stand-in ‘keeper Holland in inspired form.   He did well to push Drew Barbier’s grounded shot around the post and then pulled off the save of the game to tip Dominic Herbert’s fierce drive over the top. When Holland was finally beaten, Knight’s angled drive bounced back off a post. Wakering then survived a late penalty claim to successfully hold onto their two-goal lead and clinch the Sunday Junior Trophy, finally putting to bed the memory of the 2009 final.   Tandy concluded: “Our defence was brilliant and Dave made some fantastic saves - he’s not even a goalkeeper! Unfortunately our regular ‘keeper has had some ill-health recently and Dave has stepped-in for the last few games and played really well. Paul also produced two fine finishes, but our team spirit saw us through. That’s always been crucial to us.”

Wakering Hart With The Essex Sunday Junior Trophy

Match Details:   Snaresbrook Under 21s: Phillip Phillipou, Jack Sim, Mitchell Collymore, Cary Smith, Robert Caine (Scott Little, 35), Dominic Herbert, Matthew Shrubsole, Drew Barbier, Edward Holden (Jehmzil Lemonius, 56), Brandon Knight, Jay Sendell. Unused Substitutes: Charlie Rood, Elliott Mensah-Boakye, Thomas Mas.   Wakering Hart: David Holland, Tommy Taylor, Aaron Golding, Dominic Emmons, Conor Lewis (Matthew Swain, 56), Toby Marshall, Mark Smith, Matthew Stubbs, Shaun Bennett, Paul Horwood, David Webb. Unused Substitutes: Alex Tandy, James Bewers, Barry Lewis.   Referee: Ernest Forsyth (Dagenham). Assistant Referees: Keith Barron (Chelmsford) and Edward Smith (Hornchurch). Fourth Official: Maurice Cook (Black Notley). Attendance: 160.

THE ESSEX COUNTY FA The Essex County Football Association has come a long way since it was formed in Chelmsford over 125 years ago. Having recently moved into a new state-of-the-art building in Essex’s County Town, the E.C.F.A. now employ twenty-seven full-time staff covering a range of roles.   Their Governance Department deals with discipline, affiliations and the sixteen County Cup competitions that the 1,500-plus affiliated clubs are able to enter. Two Referee Development Officers are also employed, being held responsible for running courses aimed at new and current officials, as well as continuing to look after and offer guidance to over a thousand individuals.   The E.C.F.A.’s Development Team works to provide coaching and funding to children and adults throughout the area. Included within this sphere is the awarding of the Charter Standard mark to clubs and schools, the development of Women’s and Girls’ football, the promotion of minority groups within the game and the running of a series of courses to aid coaching standards.   Through their website, www.essexfa.com, and media partners, the E.C.F.A. promotes the activities and achievements of footballers and volunteers around Essex, and holds a glitzy annual Awards Evening to celebrate the successes of those individuals.   Through a brand new Strategy Document to cover the years from 2008-12, the Essex County Football Association has firmly set out its targets for the immediate future, with an eye on the next 125 years.

Get the lowdown on the activities of the Essex FA, with Chris Evans talking to Time 1075 by clicking the microphone icon…