Month: October 2016
Essex Premier claw back to draw against Northampton
Essex Premier opened their first home game in the Inter County Championship with a 20-20 draw against Northampton, at StonyHills Indoor Bowls Club.
The home side came from six points behind to get the draw. But Essex remain currently bottom of the group but with have a game in hand.
In the opening session, Northampton got off to a flyer and caught Essex unaware as Alan Jones returned to singles duty but bumped in Lee Hall who won 25-7.
Mark Chittock was also well beaten in his first Premier singles game, as he lost to Callum Beale 22-11.
In the pairs, Shirley Walker and Greg Wade’s match went to the wire against Chris Hopkins and his partner, but were just edged out 15-14.
Chris Coates and Peter Fautley were Essex’s saving grace in the first session, as Coates’ last bowl came in to win it and take the game 15-13.
To get Essex’s only points of the session, as Northampton lead 6-2.
Essex had a better second session, as Ian Arthur, Linda Lambert and Dave Wooller won comfortably 15-9.
Although Mo Binstead, Alan Kay and Tony Ealham were narrowly beaten on the final end to lose 15-11.
Babs Morokutti, Steve Killington, Phil Banner and Keith Paxman sped to an early 13-0 lead. However, they were pegged back by Chris Western’s quartet but held on for the victory 14-10.
In the other fours, Shirley Banner, Brenda Crowe, John Pye and Mitchell Young came back from behind but could not find enough as they lost 12-8 against Edward Sawbridge’s four.
At the break, Essex trailed 10-6 in a game they much needed to win.
In the second half, the singles again struggled as Jones lost 14-7 to Beale.
Chittock gave it his best shot against Hall but just came up short on the final end as he lost 13-12 – as Northampton took the bonus points in the singles.
The pairs was better news for Essex, as Walker and Wade strode to a 16-7 victory against the Northampton duo.
Coates and Fautley looked to be in control, 11-8 up on the final end against Hopkins but dropped a three to draw 11-11. But held on to the bonus points in the pairs with Northampton now having a 17-11 lead.
Essex came back strong and Arthur, Lambert and Wooller ground out a 13-9 victory, to get Essex back on the comeback path.
Binstead, Kay and Ealham won 13-5 to secure the bonus points and level up the match 17-17.
Banner (Mrs), Crowe, Pye and Young made sure to win their second match and did 13-8 to give Essex the narrow overall lead 19-17.
Morokutti, Killington, Banner (Mr) and Paxman battled back from falling behind against Sawbridge’s quartet to nick the crucial last end. Despite defeat of 15-10 both sides split the bonus points in the fours to draw the overall match.
Essex’s next match is a tricky away game to Surrey where Essex need the victory to keep their qualification hopes on track.
Table:
Northampton Played 4 points 84
Norfolk Played 3 points 70
Surrey Played 4 points 70
Essex Played 3 points 56
Player Ratings:
Mark Chittock: 5/10
Alan Jones: 5/10
Shirley Walker: 7/10
Greg Wade: 7/10
Chris Coates: 7/10
Peter Fautley: 7.5/10
Ian Arthur: 8/10
Linda Lambert: 8/10
Dave Wooller: 8/10
Mo Binstead: 7.5/10
Alan Kay: 7/10
Tony Ealham: 7/10
Babs Morokutti: 7/10
Steve Killington: 7/10
Phil Banner: 7/10
Keith Paxman: 7/10
Shirley Banner: 6/10
Brenda Crowe: 6.5/10
John Pye: 7/10
Mitchell Young: 6/10
EFL League Two: Leyton Orient 1 Luton Town 2
Leyton Orient suffer their fourth successive home defeat, after they lost 2-1 to Luton Town at The Matchroom Stadium.
Luton Town’s Cameron McGeehan grabbed their opener midway through the first half as he tucked in from close range.
Danny Hylton doubled the away sides lead with a fierce strike, but Orient then struck back as Ollie Palmer slotted home from close range which was not enough as Orient now sit third from bottom.
Alberto Cavasin made three changes to his side that lost 1-0 at home to Portsmouth last week, as Nigel Atangana returned from injury, in midfield with Sandro Semedo and Ollie Palmer returned up top alongside Jay Simpson.
Orient lost their last six league games prior to this one and had only scored one goal in their last four home games.
Within the second minute, Luton had a shot from Hylton but his long range effort went over the bar.
Semedo’s over hit cross almost found the back of the net, as his out-swinging ball had to be parried-out by Christian Walton 11 minutes in.
Orient should have taken the lead with their first real threat on goal, as Captain Nicky Hunt’s early cross was flicked on by Gavin Massey to Palmer at the far post but his diving header went wide – from 12 yards out.
Alex Gilliead caused Callum Kennedy havoc down the right flank, as his cross to the far post had Alex Cisak at full stretch and looked to be heading in but fell just over the crossbar.
Luton then played a well drilled free-kick, as Jordan Cook pulled a low pass just inside the box to McGeeham to strike which was stopped by Cisak.
Orient found themselves behind on the half hour mark, as Luton intercepted Jay Simpson in his own half and Jack Marriott got his shot off inside the box which was saved by Cisak – only into the path of McGeehan to tap into the empty net.
The visitors almost extended their advantage, as Cook found some space out wide and ran all the way into the Orient box and his shot was blocked by Tom Parkes – to deny Luton their second.
In the second half, the away side nearly grabbed a second, as Cisak made a great double save as he originally palmed Marriott’s shot onto the post and then clawed the ball away from being tucked in by Cook facing goal – to keep the O’s in the game.
Hunt nearly got Orient their searching equaliser, as his shot got deflected and trickled just around the near post for a corner.
Orient were again after the leveller, as substitute Paul McCallum dispossessed the Luton defender in their half and gave Palmer some space, his rifled strike from outside the box was palmed away by Walton.
Luton extended their lead shortly after, as the ball was squared inside the box and Hylton fired in with Cisak given no chance.
Orient responded straight back, as McCallum got the ball out wide and pulled it back inside the box for Palmer whose shot went in off the post.
Luton looked to put the game to bed, as Hylton wriggled free of Yvan Erichot and Hunt but his strike was again stopped by Cisak – which was enough to claim all three points for the away side who move up to fourth.
Leyton Orient Lineup: 1 Alex Cisak, 16 Nicky Hunt ©, 37 Yvan Erichot, 6 Tom Parkes, 3 Callum Kennedy, 11 Gavin Massey, 15 Nigel Atangana (76), 46 Jens Jense, 22 Sandro Semedo, 9 Ollie Palmer, 27 Jay Simpson (68)
Substitutes: 24 Sam Sargeant, 25 Aaron Pollock, 5 Alan Dunne (76), 33 Zan Benedicic, 18 Ulrich Nnomo, 21 Jordan Bowery, 10 Paul McCallum (68)
Luton Town Lineup: 1 Christian Walton, 36 James Justin, 6 Scott Cuthbert ©, 44 Alan Sheenan, 3 Dan Potts, 16 Glen Rea, 8 Cameron McGeehan (83), 10 Jordan Cook (89), 15 Alex Gilliead (92), 9 Danny Hylton, 14 Jack Marriott
Substitutes: 31 Craig King, 2 Stephen O’Donnell, 4 J Smith (83), 5 J Mullins (89), 7 J Gray (92), 17 Pelly Ruddock, 20 Isaac Vassell
Attendance: 5,471
Essex fail test against ICC champions
Essex Premier lost their first Inter County group match of the season with a 25-15 away defeat to Norfolk Premier.
Essex were without key players once again, as Peter Fautley and Alan Kay were out with illness and Matt Dillon, Debbie Dillon and Chris Coates all unavailable.
The current ICC champions now go back to the top of the table after the comfortable victory, as Essex settle in third.
In the first session the singles was tight early on but Gary Best pulled away against Mitchell Young to win comfortably 16-9.
Barry Hedges was heading for the victory going into the final end, until Chris Mann picked up a three to snatch the win 13-12.
In the pairs, Mark Chittock and Heather Clement were beaten by the young duo of Morgan Warnes and Jack Pye 19-8 – to take the first three matches for Norfolk.
Shirley Walker and Greg Wade rescued Essex from the whitewash, as they secured their victory on the final end to win 13-10 against Simon Warnes and John Sparham, as Norfolk took an early 6-2 lead.
The second session, was much of the same for Essex as Mo Binstead, Pauline Childs and Tony Ealham lost 18-8 against Melvin Wood’s trio.
Andrea Philbrick, Paul Bax and John Pye almost got a result from their match on the final end, but could only manage to get three as they lost 10-9 to Keith Cooke’s reliable triple.
In the fours, Babs Morokutti, Steve Killington, Keith Paxman and Anthony Fautley struggled despite their fightback as they lost 13-6 against David Lamb’s quartet.
Ian Arthur, Linda Lambert, Pat Goodchild and Phil Banner were Essex’s saving grace, as they won with ease 15-1 to give Essex a glimmer of hope for the second half.
Norfolk took a healthy 12-4 lead going into the break.
In the second half, Essex battled back as Hedges edged past Best on the last end to take a narrow 12-11 victory.
Young and Mann were tight throughout but Mann clawed back the two shot deficit on the final end to draw 13-13 as Norfolk claimed the bonus points.
In the pairs, Wade and Walker were kept at arms length by Warnes (Junior) and Pye to win 18-13.
Whereas Clement and Chittock came back from 12-7 down to win 16-13 and take the session win but lost the bonus points in the pairs.
Norfolk went into the last session with a 19-9 advantage and needed just one point to secure the overall victory.
Essex put in a better second half display, as Morokutti, Killington, Paxman and Fautley won comfortably 15-5 against substitute skip Selwyn Goldsmith and his four.
Arthur, Lambert, Goodchild and Banner almost pulled back at the death from 11-6 down but lost 11-10 to Lamb’s rink and claimed the bonus points in the fours for Essex.
In the triples, Binstead, Childs and Ealham fought hard for their narrow 12-11 victory over Cooke’s trio.
Although Philbrick, Bax and Pye fell to a heavy defeat 16-6 to Wood’s triple and dropped the bonus points in the triples to finish 25-15 to Norfolk.
This send Norfolk back to the top of the table, as Essex clamber into third two points behind Northampton.
Essex’s next test is the outfit of Northampton on 23rd October, for Essex’s first home match of the season.
Players Ratings:
Barry Hedges 7/10
Mitchell Young 6/10
Mark Chittock 7/10
Heather Clement 6/10
Greg Wade 7/10
Shirley Walker 7/10
Mo Binstead 8/10
Pauline Childs 7/10
Tony Ealham 6.5/10
Andrea Philbrick 7/10
Paul Bax 7/10
John Pye 6.5/10
Babs Morokutti 7/10
Steve Killington 7/10
Keith Paxman 7/10
Anthony Fautley 7/10
Ian Arthur 7/10
Linda Lambert 7/10
Pat Goodchild 8/10
Phil Banner 7/10
EFL League Two: Leyton Orient 0 Portsmouth 1
Alberto Cavasin suffered his first home league defeat in charge of Leyton Orient, as they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth at the Matchroom Stadium.
Christian Burgess grabbed the only goal of the match, with a second half header to take all three points as the visitors move up to fourth in the table.
Cavasin made five changes to his side that were beaten 1-0 in the Checkatrade Trophy at Southend in midweek with Alex Cisak, Yvan Erichot, Jens Janse, Paul McCallum and Jay Simpson all stepped in.
Orient put Portsmouth under some early pressure, as Simpson went passed his marker and McCallum took the ball off his strike partner and his shot was stopped by the feet of David Forde.
The visitors then had a spell themselves, as Conor Chaplin slotted the ball into the bottom corner but the linesman flagged offside.
Orient were forced into an early change, as Captain Kelly had to be stretchered off due to an injury just five minutes in.
The home fans called for a penalty, after a challenge on Erichot inside the six-yard box, which was not given by the referee.
Alex Cisak almost gifted Portsmouth the lead, as he passed the ball straight to Gary Roberts who squared the ball to Chaplin but strike was saved by Cisak – who make up for his mistake.
Portsmouth’s Kyle Bennett went down inside the box, which the referee looked to have pointed to the spot but gave a free-kick to Orient and booked the striker for simulation.
In the second half, Orient made their second change as Alan Dunne replaced McCallum and the home side shifted their formation from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1.
Newly introduced Dunne nearly make the perfect introduction, as he intercepted the Portsmouth midfielder and went to lob one of his former teammates Forde but he was equal to it.
Portsmouth then took the lead just before the hour mark, as Carl Baker’s corner was headed in by Stevens into the bottom corner.
The away side were nearly gifted a second, as a harmless cross was nearly headed in by Nicky Hunt as it came back off the woodwork at the near post.
Orient pushed for an equaliser but Portsmouth held off the late pressure to stop their run of back-to-back defeats, with Orient now lying just above the relegation zone.
Leyton Orient Lineup: 1 Alex Cisak, 16 Nicky Hunt, 37 Yvan Erichot, 6 Tom Parkes, 3 Callum Kennedy, 46 Jens Janse, 11 Gavin Massey, 4 Liam Kelly © (9), 18 Ulrich Nnomo (82), 10 Paul McCallum (45), 27 Jay Simpson
Substitutes: 24 Sam Sargeant, 25 Aron Pollock, 5 Alan Dunne (45), 33 Zan Benedicic, 22 Sandro Semedo (9), 21 Jordan Bowery, 9 Ollie Palmer (82)
Portsmouth Lineup: 1 David Forde, 3 Enda Stevens, 5 Matt Clarke, 6 Christian Burgess, 7 Carl Baker, 8 Michael Doyle ©, 11 Gary Roberts, 19 Conor Chaplin (67), 23 Kyle Bennett, 24 Amine Linganzi (67), 26 Gareth Evans
Substitutes: 13 Liam O’Brien, 2 Tom Davies, 4 Danny Rose (67), 9 Michael Smith, 10 Milan Lalkovic (82), 14 Curtis Main (67), 22 Kal Naismith
Attendance: 6,078
EFL Checkatrade Trophy: Southend United 1 Leyton Orient 0
Southend United snatched a narrow 1-0 victory in the EFL Checkatrade Trophy over Leyton Orient at Roots Hall.
Marco Antoine-Fortune grabbed the only goal of the night late on in the second half, to top the Southern Group G and secure their place in the knockout stages with the final group match still to play.
Alberto Cavasin’s first game in charge saw six changes to the side that drew 0-0 in league action away at Barnet at the weekend under Andy Edwards.
Phil Brown also made six changes to his side that drew 1-1 against Peterborough.
Orient’s had the first hint at goal, as Ulrich Nnomo went passed the Southend midfield and unleashed a shot which went well over.
A dangerous free-kick from the O’s fell to Tom Parkes whose shot was miss timed due to Captain Robbie Weir also going for the ball.
Southend had their first real opportunity of the match 25 minutes in, as Luke O’Neill drilled shot from outside the box went wide of the target.
Ben Coker’s free-kick was won by the aerial threat of centre-back Ryan Inniss, which was comfortable for Sam Sargeant.
Southend had a great chance to take the lead, as Simon Cox cut in from the left hand side and his snap shot was stopped by Sargeant but came out only to Ryan Leonard whose strike hit the side netting.
In the second half, the O’s made a double substitution as Jens Janse and Alan Dunne replaced Gavin Massey and Parkes.
Newly introduced Janse’s cross was met by a brilliant leap from Nnomo but his header went just over the bar.
Orient nearly took the lead, as Janse burst into the space on the right flank he then squared it to Jordan Bowery whose curling effort was parried by Mark Oxley.
A great move by Orient could not be converted, as Janse slotted in Dunne who whipped in a first time ball to the far post for Nnomo to head unmarked into the side netting.
Southend then took advantage of the visitors missed chances and took the lead with just seven minutes remaining, as Cox played the ball into Antoine-Fortune’s path he fended off his marker, cut back inside and bent his shot into the far corner.
Orient will now need at least a point in their final group match away at Brighton U23’s on Tuesday 8th November if they are to qualify for the knockout stages, after Brighton and Stevenage both drew however Brighton took the bonus point after the penalty shootout victory.
Cavasin’s team will now turn back to league action with a tough home encounter against Portsmouth at the weekend.
Leyton Orient Lineup: 24 Sam Sargeant, 16 Nicky Hunt, 25 Aaron Pollock, 6 Tom Parkes (45), 3 Callum Kennedy, 11 Gavin Massey (45), 8 Robbie Weir © (87), 4 Liam Kelly, 18 Ulrich Nnomo, 21 Jordan Bowery, 9 Ollie Palmer
Substitutes: 1 Alex Cisak, 5 Alan Dunne (45), 46 Jens Janse (45), 33 Zan Beneficic, 31 Steven Alzate, 27 Jay Simpson (87)
Southend United Lineup: 1 Mark Oxley, 2 John White, 33 Ryan Inniss, 5 Adam Thompson, 3 Ben Coker, 7 Luke O’Neill (82), 16 Adam King (59), 18 Ryan Leonard, 4 Anthony Wordsworth (58), 10 Simon Cox, 14 Marco Antoine-Fortune
Substitutes: 22 Ted Smith, 27 Harry Kyprianou, 15 Jakub Sokolik, 12 Will Atkinson (59), 11 Stephen McLaughlin (58), 19 Jack Bridge (82), 9 David Mooney
Attendance: 2,383 (413)
mitchymillwoll's Blog 