Town played host to Herongate on Saturday in the first round of the Denny King Cup. Although Lee Humphrey was missing from their previous game, 2 weeks ago, against Potter Street, Town welcomed back Lodgey, Andy Allen & Grandy so for the first time for months Town had a squad of 14 players to select from although we weren't sure about Andy & Grandy's fitness so they started on the bench along with Lodgey who missed the previous game by going out and enjoying himself - that'll teach him !!! - such was the strength of the squad that a very recent recipient of the player of the match award, no other than WBB, didn't even make the bench.

Town started very brightly indeed: their passing and movement was excellent and for the first 15 minutes Town were in complete control and Gate were chasing shadows. Then for some reason Town got bored playing it nice and simple and thought it better to complicate the game: after all why play a nice simple 10 yard pass to a colleague and retain possession when you can play the "Hollywood" ball and give it away 99% of the time !!! - Gate took heart from Towns inability to keep possession, and against the run of play it has to be said, took the lead after 20 minutes, 0-1. Dave Martin then ran fully 30 yards to clear a goalbound shot just a few inches from the line to prevent Town going 2 goals behind. Town rallied and deservedly equalised after 30 minutes when Stuart Dallaway, did a very passable impression of Rory Delap and slung a long throw into the six yard box - a Gate player in trying to deal with the danger diverted the ball into his own net for Towns equaliser, 1-1. Town now regained control without really hitting the heights of the opening 15 minutes and without really creating any clear cut chances except for one: Dave Martin played a superb through ball to Polley who's first touch was superb and he made space on the edge of the box but dragged the shot wide. So half time arrived all square.

The advantages of passing to players wearing the same coloured shirt as you and not complicating the game were stressed at half time. Lodgey replaced Ready who was suffering a reoccurrence of his ankle injury and Town kicked off the second half in determined fashion. They huffed and puffed without really taking control of the game although you couldn't fault the effort but it was one of those slow paced games where urgency was at a premium, not helped by a bobbly, heavy pitch. Gate then had a goal disallowed for offside. After 22 minutes Headon and Flighty, who both had decent games but were tiring on the heavy pitch, were replaced by Grandy and Andy Allen and the fresh legs seemed to galvanise Town who upped the pace a bit and started to play nice neat possession football again. The remaining 23 minutes were all Town and they created several chances none of which they converted. Stuart Dallaway missed a couple of good "one of one" chances and the normally lethal Polley was having one of those days when "barn door" and "banjo" spring to mind !!! - so it looked like extra time was beckoning when, already into injury time, Stuart Dallaway broke down the left - it looked like the ball was going out of play but he never gave it up, rescued it and crossed for Polley who finished with a smart right foot volley from close range to break Gates hearts, 2-1. The full time whistle went very shortly afterwards.

Summary: an "OK" - 6 out of 10 sort of performance, which was lacking in urgency, although Town did play some excellent football in 2 spells, the first 15 minutes and the final 20 minutes - but its cup football and its all about getting in the next round and we have managed to achieve that.

Player of the match this week is young Ben Stone who, at right back, defended superbly and found the time to push forward and start some attacks with some good distribution.

El Col


Ongar Town play Leigh Ramblers at home in Round 2, date to be arranged.

Ed