DAVID MARSHALL CHARITY COMPETITION 

Representative teams of the Broch Group Mid-Essex Football League and the Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday League recently competed in their annual fixture at Maldon Town FC.

The charity game is played in the memory of local referee David Marshall and the money raised is donated to Moulsham Grange Children’s Centre.  The fixture has now raised £12,500 for the Centre, including a best ever fundraising effort of £2,400 this year.  Special mention must go to White Hart United who raised £525 themselves.  The cheque was presented to Claire White and Sally Bains by Broch Group Mid-Essex Football League Vice Chairman Chris Hearn, Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday League Vice President Colin Hambrook and Chelmsford Referees Vice-Chairman Alan Friend.

The game at Maldon Town was well contested as usual.  The Mid Essex team got into their stride slightly quicker than their opponents and had the best of the early attacking play going close on a couple occasions before breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes by some swift attacking down the left flank resulting in a cross come shot from Clint Hilling eluding the under pressure Pope & Smith keeper Daniel Moreton and nestling in the back of the net. This stung his side into life and some good attacking moves followed, the best falling to James Roberts, whose volley from 10 yards went close. The game flowed with both teams defending strongly, in particular Paul Sayers who made several fine tackles at the heart of the defence for the Pope & Smith side. The half was brought to a close with the Mid Essex side 1-0 up.

The second half started much as the first finished with both sides battling it out in midfield with Darren Hawes the Pope & Smith captain and George Harle of the Mid-Essex League outstanding. The best chances were falling to the Mid Essex team but fine defending from Darrel Tredgett and Mike Heggarty and a string of saves from Daniel Moreton kept their side in the game. With the game in the balance the Pope & Smith side pushed forward looking for an equaliser and strong midfielder Mike Dunform went agonisingly close with a couple of long range efforts. But with time almost up, the Mid Essex side struck on the break and Rob Topley finished from close range making it 2-0. This is how the game ended and the Mid Essex League team retained the trophy.  The game was played in a good spirit and was well refereed by Roger Barnard.  Winning Captain Gary Burdett of the Mid Essex League team was presented the trophy by David Marshall’s son and daughter.