Suffolk U18 0 Essex U18 0
FOR THE second time in four days Suffolk FA and Essex FA fought out a goalless draw.
Following the stalemate between the two counties’ under-16 sides at Brightlingsea Regent FC on Sunday, the respective under-18 sides were similarly unable to conjure up a goal in Thursday night’s East Anglian Counties Championship encounter at AFC Sudbury. The teams are pictured above taking part in the Respect handshake before the match.
The visitors will wonder how they were not ahead at half time, but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping ensured Suffolk retained parity.
In the second period it was the home side who were in the ascendency but they, too, were not able to make it count in terms of putting the ball in the net.
A point apiece means both sides draw level at the top of the table with Hertfordshire FA on four points, although Essex have played one fixture more.
James Philp had to be alert to make smart saves from Matt Bentley and Tarryn Allarakhia inside the opening ten minutes as the visitors took control.
Essex had appeals for a penalty waved aside when Tyler French, who impressed at left back for Suffolk, challenged Max Watters mid-way through the half.
Suffolk were struggling to create anything and the visitors missed a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead on the stroke of half time when Bentley was through one-on-one but dragged his shot wide of the near post.
Wayne Blackman, who had been playing as a central striker, dropped deeper after the interval and Suffolk started to look much more threatening. Indeed, it was Blackman who forced Joe Bowles to turn aside his 50th minute shot from just outside the area.
Suffolk spurned their best opportunity on the hour when Blackman set Luke Mallett free and he took the ball around Bowles but his heavy touch forced him wide and the chance went begging.
Skipper Stefano Mallardo, who was a rock in Suffolk’s three-man defence, headed over from Blackman’s left-wing corner, and then a good run by Lawrence Healey ended with Mallett shooting too high.
Essex came into the match more in the final ten minutes, but neither side was able to find a winning goal as honours ended even.
The teams
Suffolk FA: James Philp (Haverhill Rovers), Ryan Yallop (Bury Town), Tyler French (AFC Sudbury), James Baughurst (AFC Sudbury), Rhys Shulver (Haverhill Rovers), Stefano Mallardo (AFC Sudbury), Lawrence Healey (Haverhill Rovers), Luke Mallett (Braintree Town), Wayne Blackman (AFC Sudbury), George Mrozek (Hadleigh Utd), Taylor Bannister (Needham Market. Used subs: Ollie Dunlop (AFC Sudbury), James Axcell (AFC Sudbury), James Gaffer (Hadleigh Utd). Unused subs: Jake Dye (Needham Market), Will Gardner (Haverhill Rovers).
Essex FA: Joe Bowles, Toby Armolaran, Tom Dance, Mwetsi Matangi, William Baldry, Jamie Price, Max Watters, Lewis Jaggs, Joe O’Hare, Matt Bentley, Tarryn Allarakhia. Used subs: Andy Fennell, Afolabi Anderson.
Referee: Louis Dawson.
Read more at
www.suffolkfa.com/news/2016/feb/u18s-secure-point-in-a-goalless-draw#rgHYYg8vmCDrEG97.99
