Upminster take over at top

27 November 2009

UPMINSTER upset East Division One leaders Ramgarhia to take over at the top of the table.

But they will not get carried away, with a trip to Colchester tomorrow (Saturday), in an extremely tight division.

The hosts started well at Coopers, with Harry Trusler and Mike Joffe creating chances, but were reduced to 10 men when Mike Scrivener's mistimed strike hit a visiting player and he was sin-binned.

Upminster looked the more likely to score, though, and took the lead when Chris Abrey won the ball on the edge of his own D and found Glen Noller, who helped it on to Chris Knight.

After a superb run, Knight was fouled to earn a short corner, which he duly dispatched to put his side ahead.

Ramgarhia were reduced to 10 men soon after and the hosts doubled their lead through man of the match Joffe.

But Upminster were made to pay for a lapse in concentration as Ramgarhia netted twice in quick succession to draw level before half-time.

A poor Upminster start to the second half went unpunished, thanks to some fine saves from Danny Noller.

And the home side regained the lead when a nice move on the left created the chance of a tap-in at the far post for Scrivener.

Knight claimed his second goal of the game to make it 4-2 and Upminster were in no mood to relinquish their advantage this time, despite seeing Abrey sent to the sin-bin in the closing stages, as they extended their unbeaten run to six games.

The 2nd XI held leaders East London to a 2-2 draw in Division Three in a fine team display.

Upminster dominated the opening exchanges, but fell behind against the run of play before Will Murphy hauled them level in the closing minutes of the first half.

East regained the lead, but Tony Dance made a string of superb reflex saves to deny them further goals and Mike Pollock's mazy run from halfway and bullet shot from the top of the D earned a point five minutes from time.

Man of the match Alistair Stewart went close to a last-gasp winner, but his short corner shot was just wide.

The 4th XI bounced back to form with a win over Maldon 2nds to keep their hopes of

promotion alive.

Upminster overcame a slow start, as they conceded inside 10 minutes, to level midway through the first half when captain Lester Farrant fired home from a short corner.

Simon Powell's clearance then sent Farrant spinning past his marker and racing towards goal before producing a deft flick over the Maldon keeper, with Chris Eggleton firing home a 3-1 before the interval.

Man of the match Farrant completed his hat-trick with another short corner strike, then set up son Dave to fire home and clinch a 5-1 victory. Ian Loman took the defender of the match award.

The 6th XI battled to a goalless draw against Old Southendians 5ths.

Sam Singleton impressed with some fine running in midfield, but it was Dan Tyler who took Upminster's man of the match as goalkeeper John Daltrey claimed the defender prize.

*UPMINSTER'S women lost their unbeaten East League record in a 2-1 defeat at Basildon.

They made a shaky start, with numerous unforced errors, and fell behind midway through the first half.

Annabel Davies produced a fine run, but not the finish, before half-time, but Lucy Costello got Upminster back on terms soon after the restart.

Davies had an effort ruled out due to an injury to a Basildon player, while Upminster's Rebecca Harris was forced to go to hospital with a head injury, before the hosts grabbed a late winner.

The 2nd XI got off to a great start against Southend 3rds in their Essex Division One encounter with Hannah Marston netting in the opening minutes.

Marston struck again soon after and was joined on the scoresheet by Harriet Davies and Alexa Marston as Upminster built a 4-0 lead by the interval.

Beth Langston shone with a good supply to the forwards to share player of the match honours with Hannah Marston who went on to complete her hat-trick in the second half to seal a 5-0 win.

Alex Helsby, Georgia Marston, Tina Harris and defender of the match Aimee Daltry held firm as Upminster recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

The 4ths started well at Waltham Forest, with Carly Emes impressing at the back and setting up many plays for Elizabeth Burnham, Jessica Hull, Emily Shepherd and Siobhan McGlaughlin.

Nichola Emes made the breakthrough during a goalmouth scramble, but Forest hit back to beat Nevena McGarrel soon after and level before the break.

Excellent defending by Emma and Hannah King denied Forest after the restart.

But despite having chances of their own, as Alex Cadman and Emily Ward shone, Upminster had to settle for a point.