Home to West Essex Reserves

It was back to league action for the Vets with a home game against West Essex. After last week’s cup exit

it was important to get straight back to winning ways. West Essex had given us a scare in the away fixture

so we knew we were in for a tough game.

More enforced changes to the starting eleven as the injury list continues grow...but the Vets are used

to changes as we’ve not managed field the same eleven for two consecutive games this season. Sean

Windeatt moved into the centre of defence with the versatile Trevor Burton fresh from his two games

as a forward moving to right back. Both teams made a cagey start to the game and the tempo was

painfully slow. Neither side managing a serious attempt on goal inside the first 15 minutes. We began

to find another gear and some neat football created the first chance which forced a fine save from the

West Essex ‘keeper. We were staring to dominate the game and playing some fine possession football.

A patient build up from the back followed by a great ball inside fell for Martin Treadway to smash

the ball inside the right upright to make it 1-0. This was Martin’s 300th goal for Hale End. A fantastic

achievement from a great servant to the club. The Vets certainly look forward to Martin adding to that

milestone and his addition to the side this season has given us a greater attacking edge. We continued to

dominate proceedings and goals number two and three were added in the space of a minute. A fantastic

cross from Martin from the left hand side found Tony Graves steaming down the right and with great

composure fired a fierce shot giving the ‘keeper no chance. The third happened straight from the kickoff

when Tony hassled the defender and rounded the ‘keeper for a cool finish to make it 3-0. HT

It was the quietest half time team talk of the season which was a positive sign and makes a change from

the usual moaning! The second half started much the same as the first. Gone was our free flowing football

and this allowed West Essex a 15 minute period of dominance. Our defence was playing well and we held

our shape during this period of pressure. A great save from Gary from a header followed by another brave

dive at the feet of Essex forward resulted in an injury and he was replaced by Paul Walters for the final

20 minutes. After a poor second half at least we finished strongly added two goals at the end of the game.

Good work by Taju who unselfishly squared the ball for Trevor Burton to slot home. A few minutes

later Taju got himself on the score sheet poking home from inside the box 5-0

A very satisfactory result against potentially tricky opposition. For periods of this game we finally found

an extra gear. We were taught a footballing lesson last week. This week it was our turn. Imagine what we

would be like if we could play that well for 90 minutes. FT 5-0. Report Sean Windeatt

Team

Gary Doodes(Capt),Sean Windeatt, Trevor Burton, Halil Hassan, Kevin Whitworth, Roger Gayle,

Darren Foss, Martin Treadway, Tony Graves, Barry Smith Subs, Bill Howard, Paul Walters, Martin

Tribe, Taju Oyedeji,