White Ensign v Erith & Belvedere

By Michelle Dorling

FA Vase 4th Round - Erith & Belvedere prevail on spot-kicks after tight battle with Ensign

White Ensign 1 – 1 Erith & Belvedere
(Erith won 4 – 2 on penalty kicks)

The next stop on the Non-League road this term was the continuation of White Ensign’s superb run in the FA Vase as they welcomed Southern Counties East Premier side Erith & Belvedere to Burroughs Park in this Round Four tie. The club were positive before kick-off though from the statistics this Vase term, Erith are a tough, well-drilled side under co-managers Billy Hamlin & Jamie Phipps. Those stats were borne out as this tie got underway. Chances were few & far between in the early going, with left-back AJ Morrison blasting wide from 25 yards in the opening minutes for the ‘Deres. Ensign winger Taylor Jacobi was causing problems down the left flank, and referee Simon Cutler was in the game right from the start as there were a number of tackles going in by both sides. The assistant’s flag prevented Jacobi from having a one-on-one chance to defeat visiting custodian Charlie Cottrell on nine minutes. The Deres responded as a good run by winger Chalker found the run of Freddie Baker, and his cross fell to winger Tyller Davis-Whitlock but this strike was well-blocked.

This triggered a response from Aaron Bloxham’s team, with forward Jonathan Evans firing not far wide of the top left corner & a good run by forward Ellis Devereux ghosting in past the off-side trap which ended with his effort denied by a superb clearing header by Erith centre-back Freddie Cray. Ensign were edging it on chances at this point though they could not build up a torrent of momentum as the Deres were battling in defence & midfield. Full-back AJ Morrison and winger Joe Chalker were sending in good passes forward for the visitors, testing the likes of Joseph Atoki & skipper Nathan Wilson in Ensign’s defence. The frustration for the hosts was elevated slightly as five minutes before the break, a good cross by forward Riley Weir found the onrushing midfielder Albie Keith but he couldn’t get past Cottrell from about ten yards out.

Jacobi (#7) in possession in first half for Ensign
HT: Ensign 0 – 0 Erith & B

My instinct at the break was that the game’s tempo was going to rise and that may bring it a rise in tensions and that is what transpired. Ensign had another decent chance ten minutes after the resumption as midfielder Teddy Rumsby’s good effort brought a good, low save out of Cottrell to deny him. Ensign took the lead on the hour after Cottrell advanced off his goal-line to make another good save, the follow-up strike by the Reds were denied on the line, with referee Cutler pointing to the penalty spot for an adjudged hand-ball by a defender. Erith’s management were angered by that decision but it stood, with Taylor Jacobi netting the spot-kick to give the game a shot in the arm. However, that lead only lasted four minutes. You can debate that their frustrations fired the Deres up and a good corner by Chalker found forward Tommy Whitnell and his superb header found the top left corner, giving Ensign stopper Davison zero chance. The goal came at a critical time as it further motivated the SCE side.

The home side did respond but substitute Harry Kateley could not take a big chance to get past Cottrell after being played in well, but his strike drifted wide. Keith also blasted an effort over the woodwork, and that also brought about a strong finish by the Deres. Both sides had penalty appeals turned down by the referee, as Erith & Belvedere had two strong chances in the latter stages. Chalker’s decent lob only just went over the woodwork, before a fine strike by Baker was well tipped over by Davison. In the next phase of the attack deep in added time at the end of the 90, the visitors were adamant the ball had crossed the line but the officials said no.

Full-Time (90 mins): White Ensign 1 – 1 Erith & Belvedere

The shoot-out saw the Deres take control as Ensign missed two spot-kicks and after the visitors scored their first three, full-back AJ Morrison struck his penalty well as it went into the left corner to win the spot-kick lottery 4 – 2 & seal a memorable day for the Southern Counties East side. We wish them well in the next round as they welcome Daventry Town to their home ground in early February.

In summary, Ensign were not quite at their fluent best and to some degree, they were thwarted by a robust Erith & Belvedere side who defended strongly and were supported vercifiously by the travelling contingent in the stands. While the hosts edged the first half, the Deres returned the favour in the second period and Aaron Bloxham’s side were left to rue missed chances. In fairness, Erith were never really out of the contest and they executed their plan to engage in a more gritty match to stifle the goal-hungry Ensign team to good effect.
For victors Erith & Belvedere, their mentions start with full-back Sam Smith who typified their resilient attitude and made a number of important interceptions throughout the game and put in a hard-working shift. Forward Danny Lear also put in a good display as he played off the shoulder of the defence and kept the Ensign alert. Goalkeeper Charlie Cottrell also had a fine game, making some good saves and was an assured presence for his team all match. Finally, winger Joe Chalker also contributed to his team’s attacks well and made several good passes and was a threat from set-pieces as well.

For Ensign, winger Taylor Jacobi had another strong match, particularly in the first hour and good defending by Erith denied him having another telling impact on a match here. Midfielder Teddy Rumsby was a key cog in the midfield engine room, making good passes and having a few chances at goal too. Full-back Ben Sargent had another strong match, particularly in defence as he stood up to the test well. Lastly, teenage forward Riley Weir kept running, with good work rate and kept the Erith backline alert.

Teams

White Ensign | Manager: Aaron Bloxham | Assistants: Enrico Tiritera, Kurt Smith & April Smith

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Bradley Davison (GK), 2 Ben Sargent, 3 Daniel Monk (12 Callum Ferris 90’+6), 5 Joseph Atoki, 4 Nathan Wilson (Capt), 8 Albie Keith (9 Chinedu Duru 87’), 10 Jonathan Evans (15 Trevor Harding 46’), 6 Teddy Rumsby, 11 Riley Weir (14 Harry Kateley 70’), 16 Ellis Devereux (17 Billy Bonham-Dare 75’), 7 Taylor Jacobi

Goal-scorer: Taylor Jacobi [pen 60’]

Booked: Jacobi | Subs Not Used: None

Erith & Belvedere | Co-Managers: Billy Hamlin & Jamie Phipps | Coach: Freddy Hamlin

Starting XI: 1 Charlie Cottrell (GK), 2 Sam Smith, 3 AJ Morrison, 5 Rob Curtis, 6 Freddie Cray, 4 Ryan Fowler (Capt), 7 Joe Chalker, 8 Freddie Baker, 9 Danny Lear, 10 Tommy Whitnell, 11 Tyller Davis-Whitlock

Goal-scorer: Tommy Whitnell [64’]

Booked: Cray, Whitnell | Subs Not Used: Anderson, Ford, Cheeseman, Sanford, Stratchan

Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

Where next?

A look into History 211 A look into history 211

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