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Dedham Old Boys:

Kevin Wakefield; Jon Pearce; Danny Bell; Dean Saunders; Stewart Tomkinson; Steve Coote; Tony Chatters; Liam Macklin; Ryan Leeworthy; Michael Owen; James Morris; Kieren Webb

Substitutes: Kieran Webb; Blake Marangou; Dan Charles; Colin Knight

 

Hatfield Peverel:

Spencer Mead; Luke Turner; Ellis Mead; James Radley; Robbie Jay; Richard Carter; Joe Smith; Ben Lapwood; Tom Robinson; Nathen Smith; Benson Hiyoba

Substitutes: George Garland; Bret McQuiston; Danny Jay; Andy Chipperfield; Anthony Cook

 

Referee: Mr Paul Lawrie (Thorpe Le Soken)

 

Dedham Old Boys have had a remarkable sequence of seven victories to push them within distance of a top three finish in the Premier Division whilst the League Cup winners Hatfield Peverel have had a disappointing run since their strong cup winning performance when they defeated White Notley.  On a bright sunny day and on arguably the best playing surface for this time of the season anywhere within the league it was Dedham who maintained their form to record a further success leaving them with a victory from the last game on Wednesday to snatch third position.

The game had an element of controversy which possibly proved vital but few could deny that Gary Wood's side were good value for their win albeit it was not finally clinched until the second minute of injury time.

The home side had a great opportunity to get ahead early on when Hatfield's James Radley misplaced a back pass enabling Ryan Leeworthy time to move to the edge of the box but with the visiting keeper Spencer Mead reducing the angle the shot was sliced well wide.

Dedham appeared to have gone in front when Liam Macklin released Leeworthy whose shot beat he keeper but the effort was ruled off side.

Hatfield then went close in the 14th minute when Luke Turner's diagonal ball into the area but Joe Smith's diving glanced header went wide and then full back John Pearce did well to head clear under pressure following a cross from the right flank.

At the other end Stewart Tomkinson tested Mead from long range and then the visitors Tom Robinson was deemed to be in an off side position before netting a through ball.  The game ebbed and flowed with both sides showing plenty of creativity and home defender Pearce had a good low shot comfortably saved by Mead.

After an intriguing opening quarter Dedham went ahead in the 25th minute when Macklin provided a well weighted pass in to the path of MICHAEL OWEN who rounded the keeper and tapped home from an angle.  The home side went further ahead six minutes later in rather controversial circumstances.  There appeared to be an infringement just outside the Hatfield penalty area suggesting that a free kick would be awarded the visitors but as play continued Radley inexplicably handled the ball in the box anticipating a whistle from referee Mr Lawrie which failed to materialise and instead the referee awarded a penalty for the hand ball offence much to the dismay of the Hatfield players and management from which RYAN LEEWORTHY converted the spot kick.

Hatfield went close in the 39th minute when Robbie Jay's free kick found the head of Radley who headed to the near post but Robinson's effort was deflected for a corner.  Hatfield the League Cup Holders applied pressure before the break but the home defence had competed well and were resolute.

 

Half Time: Dedham Old Boys 2 - Hatfield Peveral 0

 

It was an action packed second half and the visitors had an early chance when Robinson delivered a fine cross into the box but Nathan Smith wasted a good chance heading over.  At the other end there was some fine inter passing involving both Leeworthy and Owen that culminated in Leeworthy striking the post with the keeper beaten whilst as the ball moved up field Steve Coote needed to be alert to head clear Turner's cross with pace into the 6 yard area at the expense of a corner.  Owen then set up a good chance for substitute Dan Charles but he fired weakly and Mead comfortably saved.

Hatfield pulled a goal back in the 59th minute when they capitalised following a poor uncharacteristic clearance from defender Danny Bell and a fluent decisive move culminated in Joe Smith being played in and he beat his defender before sending a low shot inside Wakefield's far post.

The visitors maintained some impetus and Lapwood sent a rasping shot to the near post that the keeper palmed away and from the resultant corner Radley headed over and then from a good position Nathan Smith headed over.

Macklin moving forward drilled a fine 25 yard shot but Mead was well positioned to comfortably hold and then Owen crossing from the right found Owen whose firm strike was superbly saved by the keeper.  Dedham had a great chance to make the game safe when Macklin threaded and inch perfect ball into the path of substitute Blake Marangou, but from a great position he should have done better. Then "man of the match" Macklin released a square ball to Owen who played a short pass to Charles but his firm shot was brilliantly saved by Mead.

In a counter attack Nathen Smith's pin-point cross found Joe Smith but with a great opportunity he headed over, then substitute Bret McQuiston flashed a shot wide of the far post.  Mead then kept his side in the game with fine saves from Macklin, Leeworthy and Owen. However, Dedham were not to be denied and in the 2nd minute of injury time Marangou set up LEEWORTHY, who tapped home from close range to secure the points.

It was an impressive display by the Dedham side and it will be interesting to see whether they can make it nine straight wins to give April's 'Manager of the Month' Gary Wood, a third place position, in his final game as Manager, before he takes up his new position at West Bergholt next season.

 

Full Time: Dedham Old Boys 3 - Hatfield Peverel 1

 

Referee Paul Lawrie probably did not endear himself to the visitors for the penalty awarded to Dedham but there is an old adage - play to the whistle. Paul remains one of the League's best referees but, as we know, at what-ever level, there is always likely to be some controversy in the heat of the battle.

I think it important to comment upon the quality of both sides in a game that had everything. Hatfield had fallen from grace since their League Cup success but were at full strength and gave evidence why they have had such a good season and will be amongst the favourites to do well again next season if they retain much of their squad.

A solid defence has been the back bone of their strength with Skipper Richard Carter and Ellis Mead at the heart of their defence underpinned by the experienced 35 year old keeper Spencer Mead who manager Mark Hawkes rates as the joint No. 1 keeper in the league - and in this game he was at his best with some outstanding saves. Their Management team of Hawkes and Danny Jay ably backed up ably backed up by Leeroy Allen all resplendent in their uniform coloured outfit has the drive to give Hatfield a real chance next season to take closer order in the title race.

 

As for Dedham Old Boys some might suggest that they have punched beyond their weight but the facts are simple. This is another good side with a solid support unit both at managerial level and off the field ably led by Chairman Chris Clark. Manager Garry Woods who finishes on Wednesday has exacted every sinew from his players together with his number two Colin Knights and the hard working back room people notably John Coote. With the prospect of a third position place and having reached two Cup Semi Finals - The Essex Premier Cup and the League Cup this has probably been one of their best ever seasons since being founded in 1876.

 

Chris Clark's dilemma will now be to replace Wood and maintain the continuity within the ranks and ensure that the Club players remain loyal for next season. What ever transpires good luck to Dedham and to Gary Wood.

Finally I must mention the immaculate playing surface at Dedham. This game allowed players to play football on an exceptional pitch. Dedham may be a village side but their facilities do them credit.  Equally there are other Clubs within the league whose playing surfaces are excellent. When football people compare the immediate so called higher league there is little doubt that the football played in the Premier Division is largely superior and have playing facilities that are significantly better than those of higher status Clubs. Also it makes me laugh when one of our Clubs aspire to more senior football for next season and then compare playing surfaces of the majority of our Senior Clubs it becomes an interesting debating point. There was a decent size attendance at the game which included Hull supporters down for the Championship game on Sunday - Sunderland and Reading in a family reunion that helped swell the bar takings but importantly were keen to point out the quality if the game. As for the championship game - good luck to both Ipswich and Hull. From a personal point of view I have my own problems - I follow Millwall !!     Finally to comment that despite a mild fracas at the end of the game both sets of players and officials were drinking in the bar after the game - yes there are plenty of positives within our League and long may that continue.

Hope to be back next season - meanwhile to readers have a great summer.   John Campany

 

 

Dedham Old Boys 3 - Hatfield Peverel 1.   Report by John Campany.