No.17 - Sat. 6th November 2010; Middlesex County League Division 1 C & E;                        2.00pm at Rolls Park, Hickman Avenue, Highams Park, London E4.

 

Matchday images (36) http://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/WestEssexFC

West Essex (0) 1  St Johns Arsenal Deaf (0) 1

The late show

Spectators were certainly made to wait a long time before seeing any goals at Rolls Park this afternoon. Just when it looked as though this Middlesex County League Div One Central and East fixture, my first incidentally in this particular division, was going to end goalless, the match suddenly sparked into life with barely eight minutes of 'normal' time remaining. And what a controversial ending it was too with both sides eventually grabbing a goal each in a most breath-taking, hectic and, dare I say it, somewhat drawn out finale.

 

On the balance of play hosts West Essex will probably feel rather fortunate to get a point when they look back on the events of the afternoon. Having said that though they had the best of the ealy chances when their speedy centre forward Daniel Jolley came close on two occasions. Firstly, when he nipped into the six yard box to toe poke a loose ball home (57) he was very unlucky to have his effort disallowed for an offside infringement and secondly, when his dead ball strike curled majestically around the wall only for it to be denied from going in to the goal by the width of the left hand post (73).

 

However against the run of play it was Southgate based opponents St Johns Arsenal Deaf wearing distinctive maroon shirts who were first to open the scoring. A corner taken by Alistair Dalziel on the right floated high into the area before coming down and taking a wicked bounce off defender Davut Jarchlow's (82) left foot. The ball was immediately deflected back over the goal line and into the net recording a most fluky own goal. With time running out the hosts made a concerted effort to get back into the game, the breakthrough coming in rather fortunate circumstances. It was busy font runner Jolley (86) who cut inside defender Ross Edwards to make room for a right foot shot. His well placed effort was just about to cross the line when St John's defender Matt Wilson stuck out his left hand to stop the ball going into the goal. As the referee blew for 'hand ball' the defender frustratingly kicked the ball into the back of his own net. To his disbelief and utter dismay the official then surprisingly turned towards the centre of the field and signalled that a goal had in fact been scored. Within seconds the man in black was quickly surrounded by at least half a dozen players all of whom were protesting vehemently, indicating that he had surely made a gross error having already blown for a penalty. To be fair, you could see their point. The burly official was having none of it though and cautioned two visiting players who continued to remonstate with him thus delaying the subsequent kick-off by a couple of minutes in the process! Needless to say the goal was allowed to stand making the score 1-1.

 

But just when you thought the game was over amazingly to everyone present (players, managers and spectators) play continued well beyond full-time by a further SEVENTEEN minutes. As we each looked at our wristwatches none of us could quite believe where the additional time had come from. Eventually the match which started at 14:07 finished in semi darkness just after 16:02 - surely some sort of record!!? The game played in bright sunny conditions was attended by 26 spectators which included fellow hoppers Keith Aslan and Andy Marnoch who had travelled independently to the match. As always nice to meet up with you fellas!!

 

A special mention must go to Mr Smith, today's referee. Before the match started we learned that he is also a qualified black belt in karate. In conversation he explained some startling revelations about the game he covered only last week at Wormwood Scrubs when one player he was about to send off threatened to kill him after the game. After informing him about his latest Dan the young thug decided to keep walking and apparently disappeared without trace into the sunset. Unbelievable. It's no wonder some competitions find it hard to attract and even hold on to their officials, is it!!  

 

West Essex Football Club play their home games at The Rolls recreation ground in Highams Park, a venue that shares with the local cricket club and is literally a stone's throw from the A406 North Circular Ring Road coming off at the Crooked Billet roundabout. Access off Hickman Avenue leads you through a small industrial estate with the main entrance 300 yards on the right, opposite a fitness/leisure centre. On entering the small car park you will notice a changing pavilion and equipment store building immediately in front of you - this one is used solely by the visiting team. The home players actually change in the main clubhouse pavilion found beyond some trees at the end of a narrow path to the left. This incorporates a well stocked bar, lounge with Sky TV, kitchen area and toilets. Visitors will be impressed by the lovely facade and the array of photos mounted on the wall inside.

 

The main pitch is marked out to the left of the far side of the expansive playing field. Bordered closely by two perimeter fences and tall trees, the leafy setting looked most picturesque as different shades of golden brown and russett made for a lovely backdrop. The pitch has a significant side to side slope which drops down markedly towards the pavilion. Without a perimeter rope, cover or even dug outs facilities at pitchside are very basic to say the least. However it was not hard to spot the bright orange plastic corner flag posts even in the fading light towards the end of the game - they certainly stood out!! Interestingly the second team play on a field some two blocks around the corner and have to cut through a gap in the trees at the side of the main pitch to get there.

 

This season the club is producing a smart 8-page photocopied programme for all home games. Although some of the competition details printed on the front of today's cover were incorrect, there's nevertheless plenty to read inside with a lengthy news report on the previous first team game against Regent's Park; a tongue-in-cheek player portrait and a couple of sponsors' adverts. The teams are listed on the back for convenience. Mini logos depicting the club crest and the MCL badge are both printed at the bottom of each page, making for a nice, well presented touch. Interestingly the programme is edited by a different person each week to add a bit of variety and no doubt lighten the load on one person having to commit themselves rgularly. How cool is that?! Hoppers keen to get their hands on programmes before the game need not worry as proactive club secretary Stuart Higson is on hand to sort out the necessary bits of paper for you. He actually approached us in the main pavilion and asked how many we would like...do neutrals really stand out that much? What great service!!

 

And finally, if you get chance, log on to the club website at the address shown below. In terms of statistical analysis this simply has to be one of the best out there. On the home page under the 'West Essex FC - The Teams' tab, scroll down and select the 'Team Stats' option to open a fantastic array of information. Anorak heaven! There's also some useful reference pages including a map and directions on how to reach the ground. 

 

A visit to West Essex Football Club is well worth it. It's certainly a lovely club run by a band of helpful officials who are only too pleased to make travellers feel at home during their short stay at The Rolls. With the bonus of watching a decent game of football (at the time of writing the club is currently at top of the division) and picking up that much coveted matchday programme, what are you waiting for?! Another terrific find. Have fun when you go there...             

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) D Jolley (86) and (A) B Newton (82og)

Attendance: 26; Admission: None; Programme: Donation, 8pp; Match rating: 4/5; Ground rating: 3/5.

Club website: http://www.westessex.co.uk/

 

edited 07/11/10