Essex & Suffolk Border League
Premier Division
Saturday 9th November 2019
Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.03
Tiptree Engaine 5 Alresford Colne Rangers 6, attendance 14
6’ 1-0
9’ 2-0
13’ 3-0
17’ 4-0
19’ 5-0
20’ 5-1
22’ 5-2
51’ 5-3
63’ 5-4
87’ 5-5
90’ + 4, 5-6
@ Burches Meadow
Pebmarsh Road
Colne Engaine
CO5 2HD
No Admission or Programme.
Back during my time living in Belgium, I saw what I thought was the most remarkable comeback I would ever witness at a ‘live’ match. On 23rd January 2014, at a Brabant Provincial 3B match between F.C. Limelette and Union Sportive D’ Ophain, I saw the visitors race into a 0-5 lead after 37 minutes. Somehow, Limelette clawed their way back, levelling it up at 5-5 with sixteen minutes left and they nearly pulled off an incredible turnaround when they hit the crossbar with the last kick of the match.
As we approach six years since that unbelievable night, I was to see a five goal deficit actually turned round again, but this time it went one better, as it finished with a winner. Tiptree Engaine came into this match in twelfth place in the league table, in what is their first season in the Premier Division, having only been formed in 2013. Alresford Colne Rangers were third and could even end the day in second place if other results went their way.
When Tiptree scored an early opener, I thought “at least it makes a game of it”. A second goal, a superb volley from the edge of the 18 yard box, soon followed. Four minutes later it was 3-0, then 4-0 and very quickly 5-0, and we had only been playing nineteen minutes!
Surely the game was out of reach for Alresford. Within three minutes though, it was 5-2, and we had already seen seven goals in the opening twenty two minutes. Tiptree missed two absolute sitters and had an effort hit the crossbar, but somehow we reached halftime with no further goals scored.
A header was glanced in to pull it back to 5-3 early in the second half. Could the comeback really be on. Just after the hour mark it was 5-4 and there was plenty of time for an equaliser. Both teams were still going all out for goals, which was the best tactic, as neither defence looked like they were capable of holding out. Tiptree were visibly tiring, playing on the break, whilst Alresford really began to build the pressure. Tiptree missed three or four great chances, which at least forced the ‘keeper to make a save each time and then hit the crossbar with an effort that would have surely sewn the game up. Alresford finally got the goal their second half performance deserved, to make it 5-5 after 87 minutes. They weren’t satisfied with that though. Four minutes into stoppage time they were awarded a free kick ten yards into the Tiptree half of the pitch, but wide on the left touch line. The ball was played high into the box and a combination of strikers, defenders, and the home ‘keeper challenged for the dropping ball and somehow it managed to fall perfectly for Alresford to force the ball over the line for an unbelievable winner.
It would be nice to think I will see a better game than this as the season progresses, but somehow, I don’t think I will. Just brilliant!
