Tiptree Jobserve vs Chelmsford City Youth U11 Clarets

Chelmer & Crouch 9v9 U11 League Cup Semi-Final

The game started with both teams looking a little on edge and the first five minutes or so was a fairly even affair. Although the Clarets worked hard to create chances, Tiptree were defending strongly and seemed happy to bide their time waiting for a chance to launch a counter attack. After seven minutes the first real chance of the game came from one such break, with a lone Tiptree forward breaking through the Claret defence. For a moment things looked dangerous but his shot passed wide of the goal.

Despite the robustness of the Tiptree defence the Clarets continued to press on, with Christian Simioni and Thomas Ellis working hard in the midfield and looking to get the ball out to either Matt Nicholls or Isaac Campbell on the left and right wings. Time after time they tried to find their way past or around the Tiptree defence, but even the pace of Ben Tufnell up front was unable to get the breakthrough that they desired. It took nearly 12 minutes for the Clarets to get their first clear shot on goal, a fine strike from Christian Simioni that was comfortably held by the Tiptree keeper.

Tiptree were winning their share of the midfield battles as well, and barely a couple of minutes later we saw them counter attack once again, but some strong defending from Harrison Rackliff saw the threat wide. But for every Tiptree counter attack there was a response, and with not only Harrison but Brad Holder and Connor Boyle working hard to intercept, Tiptree saw most of their moves neutralised before they had a chance to reach Aaron Haley in goal.

As the stalemate continued, both teams started to look a little more frustrated at their inability to get the break they were both working so hard for. Changes followed with Josh King being brought on up front and Isaac Campbell making way for Ben Tufnell to move onto the right wing. With a few minutes left to play it was the Clarets that had the better of the chances. Ben Tufnell tried to capitalise on a fumbled ball from the Tiptree keeper but was unable to control his shot and then, with just three minutes remaining Ben brought the ball down the right wing and crossed it towards the goal. The Tiptree keeper was only just able to keep the ball out of the goal. Half time 0-0

The half time talk was all about keeping the ball, keeping it simple, short and under control. With this in mind the Clarets took to the field. Almost immediately it looked like the half time talk had taken effect, with Ben Tufnell running the ball down the right wing and crossing the ball to Thomas Ellis who passed it into Josh King on the edge of the Tiptree 6-yard box only to see his shot deflected by the keeper. Just a moment later Matt Nicholls had a chance, but also saw his attempt go wide. And then another Josh King shot was deflected by the keeper to the feet of Ben Tufnell whose shot bounced off the right hand upright. Finally the breakthrough came after five minutes, with a great shot from Thomas Ellis. Finding the ball at his feet on the edge of the penalty area, he turned and skilfully lofted the ball over the head of the Tiptree keeper and into the back of the net. 0-1.

Tiptree restarted the game and sought to establish themselves once more. However the Clarets were making the most of a period of dominance and were starting to look more comfortable on the ball. With just nine minutes played Matt Nicholls saw his chance. With a clear view of the net, he lost no time in putting the ball away. 0-2.

Tiptree were by no means out of the game. Despite the Clarets efforts, Tiptree were still able to maintain possession and create chances of their own and on more than one occasion Aaron Haley was called into action with some confident saves. But the Clarets kept up the pressure as well, and as we moved into the last ten minutes we saw another shot from Josh King saved, followed in quick succession by two efforts from Christian Simioni that both came close. With twenty-three minutes gone the Clarets were awarded a penalty after Ben Tufnell was brought down on the right hand side of the penalty area. Connor Boyle stepped up to take the shot. He drove it low into the right hand corner but unfortunately it was just a little too far to the right and deflected off the post.

As the game entered the last few minutes, both teams continued to keep up the pressure. Tiptree had nothing to lose and were pushing forwards, and their tenacity was rewarded when they were able to break through and pull a goal back with two minutes left to play. 1-2.

Sensing a late draw Tiptree threw everything into the last couple of moments but the Clarets clamped down and the final whistle blew with the score unchanged.

Man of the match: Thomas Ellis - not for only a fine midfield effort but also for a great goal.