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Sat 01 Dec 2012 · Premier Division
First TeamBurnham Ramblers
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ESL Premier: ROVERS 0 - 2 BURNHAM RAMBLERS
Daniel Ellis1 Dec 2012 - 20:41
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Match Report by Brian Jeeves
The bumper crowd of 113 left Burroughs Park a frustrated bunch after Great Wakering Rovers huffed and puffed, but ultimately failed to blow down league leaders Burnham Ramblers solid defense.
With so much at stake, it wasn’t too surprising that there was an air of nervousness about the Rovers during the early stages. Ramblers, sensing their fear, took full advantage. After four minutes, Charlie Kirby set up an opportunity for Ross Wall who in turn beat Rovers custodian Louis Godwin-Green with a crisp left foot finish.
Buoyed by the lightening start, Ramblers looked to build on their lead. After nine minutes, they stunned the home side when Ricky Evans scorching free kick flew into the net with Godwin-Green rooted to the spot.
The visitors were in command; only a decent save from Godwin-Green denied Bradley Nobbs a third goal before the quarter of an hour mark.
Ramblers were now brimming with confidence, winning every tackle and moving the ball around far sharper than the hosts. Nobbs found another opening in the Rovers rearguard but his strike was wayward, while Brad Hunter tested Godwin-Green from distance following another sweeping move.
The home side finally had a sight at goal when Danny Heale’s twenty-five yarder had Ramblers keeper Jack Parr scrambling across his goal, but the former Canvey players effort was just off target.
Despite Rovers coming more into the game, Ramblers looked more than capable on the break, they almost added to their lead when Godwin-Green’s clearance was charged down but Nobbs failed to make anything of the chance.
Rovers attacked with renewed vigour. Richard Halle set up Jay Nash, but the Rovers striker could only look on in anguish as his thundering effort cannoned off an upright and into the arms of a grateful Parr.
The Burroughs Park crowd believed the visitors lead had been halved when player-boss Dan Trenkel headed Jimmy Webb’s corner goalwards only for Danny Heale to find the net from an offside position. The incident seemed to fire the home side who then saw Parr save after Webb and Nash had worked an opening, then Nash passed up another chance after good work from Trenkel.
Just before the break, both teams had great chances to find the net. Firstly, Parr expertly handled Max Kent’s shot, then the impressive Nobbs was inches away from reaching an exquisite centre from Ben Sartain.
Having finished the first period so strongly, Rovers needed to find their goal touch. However, so often the good build-up play was spoiled by a disappointing end product. Ramblers were happy to let the home side dominate possession as they continued to confidently deal with whatever was thrown at them.
Jimmy Webb had worked hard to create something for the Rovers; it looked like he had pulled a goal back after skilfully beating Parr only to see his goal bound effort brilliantly cleared off the line.
Danny Heale was next to close in on the Ramblers goal, shooting wide after appearing to be felled by Danny Crossington, referee Peter Wilson waved away the home sides appeals for a spot kick. Minutes later Kent’s cross was hooked on by Nash but the Ramblers backline once again averted the danger.
The home crowd were roused by the Rovers improved performance but still Ramblers were looking to snub out any chance of a comeback. Charlie Kirby forced a save from Godwin-Green, and then Sartain found Wall whose scuffed shot hit the outside of a post. Soon after Ross Wall forced a smart stop from Godwin-Green, the Rovers goalkeeper doing well to deal with an effort he must have seen late as it whistled through a clutch of players.
Nevertheless, the Rovers continued to create the lion’s share of the chances. Halle’s thundering shot brought a spectacular save out of Parr, then Webb’s free-kick found substitute James Pugsley, but his excellent turn and shot came back off a post.
In the final seconds Halle saw another effort, this time from a free kick go just past the post, but it was the Ramblers day. They looked well drilled and despite still being a long way to go they will be strong contenders for the Essex Senior League title.
With so much at stake, it wasn’t too surprising that there was an air of nervousness about the Rovers during the early stages. Ramblers, sensing their fear, took full advantage. After four minutes, Charlie Kirby set up an opportunity for Ross Wall who in turn beat Rovers custodian Louis Godwin-Green with a crisp left foot finish.
Buoyed by the lightening start, Ramblers looked to build on their lead. After nine minutes, they stunned the home side when Ricky Evans scorching free kick flew into the net with Godwin-Green rooted to the spot.
The visitors were in command; only a decent save from Godwin-Green denied Bradley Nobbs a third goal before the quarter of an hour mark.
Ramblers were now brimming with confidence, winning every tackle and moving the ball around far sharper than the hosts. Nobbs found another opening in the Rovers rearguard but his strike was wayward, while Brad Hunter tested Godwin-Green from distance following another sweeping move.
The home side finally had a sight at goal when Danny Heale’s twenty-five yarder had Ramblers keeper Jack Parr scrambling across his goal, but the former Canvey players effort was just off target.
Despite Rovers coming more into the game, Ramblers looked more than capable on the break, they almost added to their lead when Godwin-Green’s clearance was charged down but Nobbs failed to make anything of the chance.
Rovers attacked with renewed vigour. Richard Halle set up Jay Nash, but the Rovers striker could only look on in anguish as his thundering effort cannoned off an upright and into the arms of a grateful Parr.
The Burroughs Park crowd believed the visitors lead had been halved when player-boss Dan Trenkel headed Jimmy Webb’s corner goalwards only for Danny Heale to find the net from an offside position. The incident seemed to fire the home side who then saw Parr save after Webb and Nash had worked an opening, then Nash passed up another chance after good work from Trenkel.
Just before the break, both teams had great chances to find the net. Firstly, Parr expertly handled Max Kent’s shot, then the impressive Nobbs was inches away from reaching an exquisite centre from Ben Sartain.
Having finished the first period so strongly, Rovers needed to find their goal touch. However, so often the good build-up play was spoiled by a disappointing end product. Ramblers were happy to let the home side dominate possession as they continued to confidently deal with whatever was thrown at them.
Jimmy Webb had worked hard to create something for the Rovers; it looked like he had pulled a goal back after skilfully beating Parr only to see his goal bound effort brilliantly cleared off the line.
Danny Heale was next to close in on the Ramblers goal, shooting wide after appearing to be felled by Danny Crossington, referee Peter Wilson waved away the home sides appeals for a spot kick. Minutes later Kent’s cross was hooked on by Nash but the Ramblers backline once again averted the danger.
The home crowd were roused by the Rovers improved performance but still Ramblers were looking to snub out any chance of a comeback. Charlie Kirby forced a save from Godwin-Green, and then Sartain found Wall whose scuffed shot hit the outside of a post. Soon after Ross Wall forced a smart stop from Godwin-Green, the Rovers goalkeeper doing well to deal with an effort he must have seen late as it whistled through a clutch of players.
Nevertheless, the Rovers continued to create the lion’s share of the chances. Halle’s thundering shot brought a spectacular save out of Parr, then Webb’s free-kick found substitute James Pugsley, but his excellent turn and shot came back off a post.
In the final seconds Halle saw another effort, this time from a free kick go just past the post, but it was the Ramblers day. They looked well drilled and despite still being a long way to go they will be strong contenders for the Essex Senior League title.
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