Colchester United FCACP Elite, Match Reports
ACP Elite (Thurstable) Vs South East Essex College
February 24th 2010
BCS Mens Cup - Round 3
It was the quarterfinals so even before we started we needed to be prepared for a mentally and physically hard game against a difficult SEEC side. This game had been played a week earlier and was a tight game however we were close to edging in front with the opportunities we created. It was eighty minutes in to the game as a blizzard of snow covered the pitch within minutes leaving the referee no choice but to abandon the game. The match was organised again and the whole team had believe in winning the game. This showed in the first 15 minutes as Tom Clark leaped above every player and headed in our first goal from a whipped in cross from Ryan Scillitoe. Every player was giving there best especially Ryan Henshaw controlling the midfield and looking to play the attacking player through. Ryan had a couple of cracking shots, unfortunately for us these both hit the cross bar. These goal-scoring opportunities gave the team confidence and our attacking play improved through the first half. The majority of the first half SEEC were on the defensive side with a couple of half chances from there number ten however we were confident with Ben Elmer on top form and Tom Clark clearing up any lose balls. Before the half ended our manager Sean Hillier saw that SEEC had no attacking threat so a three five two formation was set to give us another player in our attacking opportunities.
The second half begun and SEEC started with some flare about them meaning our work rate needed to be consistent. SEEC created more chances in the second half but this was not a big worry with Danny Johnson and Tom Clark winning every header that came there way. It was the opposite with us as we created not so many chances however Billy Wales was getting back to pick up the ball and start an attack. It was nearing the end of then game and SEEC had the ball in our half for the majority of the last 10 minutes. Sean decided to have a defensive formation so he brought back George Coles and Josh Leavett in to a right back and left back position. Everyone was attempting to help defend our goal and was not going to concede easily. The last few minutes of the game was a relieve for us as Ryan Henshaw pinged a ball from thirty yards into the path of Billy Wales who had a defender and a goalie to beat. Billy kept his composure by flicking the ball over the defender and smashing a half volley past the keeper. The game ended 2-0 and was well deserved.
Final score: Thurstable 2 – South East Essex College 0
George Coles.
ACP Elite (Thurstable) Vs Seevic
February 26th 2010
BCS Mens Cup - Semi Final
The Game Kicked off with Thurstable kicking uphill and against the driving wind. It was a very slow start from Thurstable when they found themselves 1-0 down just after 5 minutes from a flicked on header which found the far corner of the goal.
Thurstable started to see much more of the ball and played some impressive football when we could get the ball on the ground. Thurstable took advantage of this possession and the ball finally fell to Ryan Henshaw on the edge of the area, which he placed in to the bottom right corner bringing the match back to level pegging at 1-1.
Thurstable kept the pressure on and found themselves 2-1 up after a corner from Ryan Henshaw from which Josh Leavett powerfully headed home giving the Seevic goalkeeper no chance. Just before Half time, Seevic against play netted a back post header from a deep corner.
After half-time Thurstable had another slow start and fell behind once again when a long ball was not dealt with and found it’s way through to a Seevic striker who put the ball in the net. Shortly after Ben Elmer pulled off a super sliding save from a Seevic quick free kick.
Thurstable then won a free kick when a Seevic defender miss-timed a tackle on Ben Houlding about 35 yards out. Ryan Henshaw stepped up and surprised the Seevic goalkeeper when the ball was whipped into the corner with pace to make it 3-3.
The game then started to get heated and physical with big tackles from Ben Houlding, Billy Wales, George Coles and last ditch tackles from Danny Johnson. Unfortunately Thurstable conceded a penalty when a Seevic striker shot the ball against Danny Johnson’s hand. The penalty was converted with pace which gave Ben Elmer no chance once again making the score 4-3.
With time starting to run out, Thurstable then started to throw players forward. Unfortunately this led to Thurstable being caught on the break and when the ball was crossed in high the Thurstable defender Tom Clark could only flick the ball on to a Seevic forward for a tap in to bring the match to 5-3 which brought the exciting but disappointing end to the tie.
Final score: Thurstable 3 – SEEVIC 5
Ryan Henshaw.
