Man of the match John Rush replicated what Del Mason had done 25 years ago and scored the only goal of the game to win a county cup competition, Boreham football clubs first trophey in well over a decade on a sunny and warm day in Saffron Waldon. The venue had been questioned in the lead up to the game, the 50 minute journey making for an early 8 o'clock meet and may have put a few potential fans off coming to support the team. However, the loyal army were out in force to see the Clems bring it home despite a tight and nervous game and the celerbrations that followed will live long in the memory for everyone involved..
The day didn't start as planned as club steward, sponsor and team bus driver for the day, Harrington was having trouble reversing the heavily laden vehicle, stalling it at least four times before we had left the carpark! However, the long drive through rural Essex was a fairly quiet one as the players righlty stayed relaxed and concentrated on the task ahead. Unfortunatly, on arriving, it became apparant that the team had arrived at the venue without their shorts! With panic and horror setting in amongst the team, and the realisation that kick off was fast approaching it certainly didn't help the prematch preperation, but luckily Parkhurst used his natural charm and charisma to persuade the games hosts, Saffron Waldon Town F.C to bail us out with 16 pairs of navy shorts so many thanks to them for that.
The squad was almost at full strength, although there was disapointment for Darren Ince as he picked up an injury and was unable to play, but he kitted up and took a place on the bench alongside Coleman, Hawthorne, Joughin and Parkhurst who was delighted to sneak in to the squad adding some big game experience to the dressing room. Thankfully, there was good news for both Parks and Gothard who's costly red cards a fortnight ago didn't rule them out of the final, and the gaffa was able to take the gloves despite his troublesome ankle allowing Rush to play his familier role in attack.
The back four and midfield picks itself with Chittock and Mr Versatility, Jay Dale, either side of Stammers and Tom Wright. Ryan Ince hoping to be the first Boreham captain to lift a trophy this Century, was joined in the middle by Ansell and Jon Wright. Rush led the line up top with Parks and Gothard as his wingmen. The game understandedly began a little nervously for both sides, with few chances to speak of in the opening exchanges as Boreham felt their opponents out and tried to settle down on a slightly bobbly sandy surface.
As the half went on Boreham perhaps realised that they had nothing much to fear from the opposition and grew in confidence with Gothard in particular looking very dangerous in the final third with his mesmeric quick feet and dribbling skills complementing Rush's industrious workrate and arial dominance. Parks with pace to burn was finding some space down the right handside with Chittock playing exellently behind him. The Dagenham outfit had pace up front and might have been a threat on the break, but Becontree were struggling to get foward very often under the guidance of their apparently inept manager who's extent of helpful instructions were repeatedly shouting at several hundres decibells 'Get in to him...He don't wannit'! This wasn't true of course, as every Clem in the ground clearly wanted it massively and were obviously the better side.
Rush's cross on 20 minutes found Gothard at the far post, from a tricky angle, 'Dicky' failed to control his volley connecting well enough but putting it over the bar. Becontree's best player was a 16 stone lumpy sweeper who clearly knew his way around the pitch, although actually getting around the pitch was another matter for the weighty defender. He was playing very deep making it difficult to get in behind the back line until a fine first time ball through from the impressive Rush sent Parkes on his way to goal on the half hour mark but having rounded the onrushing 'Phil Collins' in goal for Becontree, 'JP' had taken it wide and failed to pull the trigger in time before being closed down by a covering defender. The Boreham midfield were certainly winning the battle for posession in the middle of the park, but were perhaps a little deep themselves maybe giving Becontree Ave a little more respect than their ability waranted. This did however leave a great deal of space to exploit between the defence and midfield and Ince in particular was constantly looking to take aim fom 25 yards and managed one such effort on 25 minutes, struck with venom but again clearing the horizontal.
Half time came with the game remaining scoreless and it was time for another warcry from the passionate gaffa. His positive and stiring words of encouragement rallied the troops and out of the tunnel the players came for a second time. Despite Dales best efforts his boys didn't start the second period with as much energy or composure as he was demanding, and Becontree looked as if they were in the accendancy for fifteen minutes without creating a great deal. Frustratingly for Ansell, he was struggling with a muscle pull and his lack of mobility was hurting Boreham in the middle of the park; so on came Coleman who himself was unlucky not to start the game. Jay Dale had been superb at leftback and was pushed foward into midfield to utilise his energy, pace and goalthreat for the final thirty minutes.
Within five minutes of the change Boreham came close to breaking the deadlock, with fresh legged Coleman who was looking to make an instant impression, foward for a corner, was first to react as Becontree failed to clear, but his shot grazed the bar from five yards out. With a little over twenty minutes left, the game was very much in the balance, when Rush got exactly what his workrate deserved. He chased down a hopeful ball between two defenders. Phil Collins was qick off his line and got there first, but 'Against all Odds' he struck his clearance straight againt Rush who was bearing down at pace. The ball struck his shoulder 20 yards out and went goalbound. Rush followed as the ball rolled into the net to set up 'Another day in Paradise' for the Clems. GET IN THERE RUSHY BOY!! It was later suggested by the Becontree manger that his keeper 'didn't wannit'!
Becontree Ave had one great chance to equalise with just over ten minutes left as a second moment to forget in two games for the usually reliable Stammers let their foward in, but he never looked confidant, and seemed to take an age before hitting his shot straight at Dale who parried well from point blank range and the rebound was shanked wide. Gothard and Parks seemed to be tiring in the closing stages as Hawthorne and Joughin replaced them on the wings, and Parkhurst got a bromantic swansong appearance for the last few minutes allowing Rush the standing avation he richly deserved from the appreciative crowd.
The final wistle sounded and the Clems had done it! Essex Junior Trophey winners, starting way back at the begining of October in Basildon, and beating seven teams along the way, including a memorable semifinal win againt the local rivals. Dale spoke to the press after the intitial celebration party.“We made a little hard work of it at times, but I think we deserved the win,” he explained. “I said to the lads beforehand that if they give 110 per cent and work hard they’ll earn some luck, and that proved to be the case. We missed some good chances before that and they [Becontree] only really had one good opportunity. We got the result in the end, though, and we’re delighted to win this trophy for the first time. The task now is to try and do it again by Shopping Sidekick Plugin" href="/">next season!”
Of course this season is far from over for the mighty Clems, and we should take confidence from this landmark victory into next weeks game against Invitation Premier division champions of the last 4 years, Wickford Town, in the league cup quarter final at the home of football. Get through that game and we could well be enjoying another final yet so lets keep hungry and get greedy for more success because the future's bright...the future's orange!!
