Garnon Epping 2 Inter Epping 2 after extra time (1-1 90mins) Inter Epping won 3-2 on Penalties
A thoroughly entertaining derby final on Sunday in front of a passionate crowd see Inter Epping take the honours on penalties, thanks to two penalty kick saves by the stand in goalkeeper James Simpson.
In the opening battles it was clearly going to be a hard fought battle between two clubs from Epping. It was Peter McGregor who was first to ask the question of the goalkeeper when the Garnon strikers effort was well saved by Simpson. A Shaun McDuff long throw was not convincingly cleared allowing Russell Pamplin to have a striking goal which sailed over the bar from 20 yards to the delight of the Inter Epping fans. On ten minutes Dru Oakes had the first real Inter effort which caught out a save from Garnon’s Scott Kelly, it was again a McDuff long throw which was to cause a problem for Inter when McGregor headed over from six yards. Garnon were now starting to apply pressure with Paul Marshall, Tony Ruff and McDuff creating a number of chances which the Inter defence, marshalled by Simpson in goal. It was against the run of play on nineteen minutes that a through ball by Daniel Matthews sent through Sean Marshall who slotted the ball home from eight yards to give Inter the lead. Garnon went on the offensive again and it took a goal line clearance by Joe Lawrence to deny Michael Winterburn an equaliser. With half an hour passed Olly Thompson see his shot deflected wide from the resulting corner Garnon cleared their lines and went on the attack with Paul Marshall bringing out a fine save by Simpson to keep the score 1-0. Simpson was also on hand to deny McGregor’s fifteen yard drive from going in, but on thirty eight minutes a Tony Ruff cross was headed home from eight yards by Melvin Smith to bring the scores level.
Inter Epping made one change with Ben Russell replacing Daniel Midwinter and Russell was involved straight away when he linked well with Matthews and his shot brought out a fine save from Simpson and the resulting rebound Russell put wide. Russell was soon involved again when his blast from eighteen yards clipped the cross bar and went over. It was Garnons turn when McDuff put Paul Marshall thought only to see his shot dragged wide. Matthew Coomer sent through Sean Marshall but Scott Kelly whom by now is playing with a dislocated finger, suffered in the first half, made a save. With sixty five minutes passed Gem Mahmut tried to beat Kelly with a free kick in his own half just clearing the cross bar. Inter made their last substitution with Tom Willmott replacing Tommee O’Hara. The first caution of the day see Tony Ruff in the book for a late challenge this seemed to inspire Garnon into life with Paul Marshall bringing out a super save by Simpson, diving low to his post to deny Garnon their second goal. It was the turn of Kelly to deny Inter their second goal, pulling off a fantastic save from Sean Marshall and just a few minutes later from Matthews. With full time approaching both teams keen to avoid extra time chances were coming thick and fast and a twenty five yard volley by Sean Marshall clipped the Garnon Bar soon after Kelly was to deny Oakes a late winner. It was Garnon who threatened in the closing moment s when a Melvin Smith cross went straight through the Inter box but found no Garnon striker to knock home. With the game now entering extra time Garnon made two changes with Andy Wackett and Glen Bowers replacing James Ruff and Mark Buglione but Wackett’s game only lasted two minutes when himself and Daniel Matthews contested for a header and clashed heads which resulted in a nasty gash for Wackett and concussion for Matthews, Wackett was replaced by Bradley Potter but with Inter only having 2 substitutes available they were now down to ten men. Garnon now took control and were on the offensive with Paul Marshall, McGregor and McDuff all having chances to give Garnon the lead. It was a Tony Ruff cross which found Glen Bowers ten yards out to volley home in off the post to give Garnon lead which is how it stayed until half time in extra time. It was McGregor who almost increased the lead when his chip clipped the cross bar and went over. The extra man was starting to show and Garnon were in control of the game but could not make the break through to put the game to rest, but soon after Tony Ruff got his second caution of the game for dissent and was sent off. Inter were now spurred on by sending off and it was Sean Marshall whom went close only to see Kelly save well. With the game heading for full time a further twist to the tale occurred when Dru Oakes smashed home from ten yards to equalise for Inter which sent the Inter fans wild with delight. Both teams now suffering from fatigue after 120mins of football the final few minutes were played out without any clear chances sending the game in to penalties.
It was Inter to go first with Sam Griffiths smashing his penalty hard against the cross bar, up next was Paul Marshall for Garnon, but he dragged his penalty on to the left post and out wide. Tom Willmott’s effort was hit straight at Kelly in the Garnon goal. Peter McGregor hit a perfect penalty high in to the left corner of the net, Garnon now had the lead, but it was Sean Marshall next and he made no mistake hitting his penalty hard in to the left hand corner to draw level. Russell Pamplin was nexst and Simpson made a fantastic save to deny him. So after three penalties each it was 1 a piece. Up next stepped Dru Oakes who gave the keeper no chance, smashing hard in to the right corner. Michael Winterburn was up next for Garnon and smashed straight down the middle to level the scores again. Ben Russell stepped up next and again found the right hand corner to give Inter a 3-2 lead. It was down to Tom Casey to step up knowing he had find the net, but he see his effort saved well by the hero of the day, James Simpson, sending the players and fans in to rapturous applause. It had been a fantastic battle with many twists and turns but new boys Inter Epping took the prize. After the game James Simpson said “ It was a bit of a battle but we got there in the end and it was a good game to be involved in.”
Match Report by Paul Groves, Chairman of Harlow and District Football League.
Photos by Francesca Ingram, Registration Secretary of Harlow and District Football League. |
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