Non-League and Academy football writer

Fairlop Rovers’ home Essex Alliance Football League Senior Division fixture with Chadwell Heath Spartans, was played at Parsloes Park Hub, on Monday night. Fairlop Rovers came in to this game in really fine form, and they started this match in tenth place in the Senior Division table, after 25 matches played. Chadwell Heath Spartans started this match in sixth place in the league table, after 25 matches played. It was Fairlop Rovers who won this match, 4-1. Shortly after Billy Gipp had done well to work the space to get an effort away on the Fairlop goal (from 25 yards out), which was held by Fairlop goalkeeper, Kufre Inua, the home side would take an early lead. A clever bit of skill from Jean-Pierre Alexander would see him knock the ball around a Spartans defender, down the right-hand side of the pitch, before he went forward with the ball and then played a pass to Jack Kibblewhite, on the right-hand side of the visitor’s penalty area. He would then pass the ball across to Matthew Stratton, on the opposite side of the box, from where he would finish low into the goal past the outrushing goalkeeper, 1-0.

Shortly after having taken the lead, Fairlop would go close to doubling their advantage. As Jack Kibblewhite’s low cross into the away team’s box, was met by Jayden Francis, whose effort was however, saved and closed down well by the Spartans’ goalkeeper, Dino Maras, who did well. Despite a really fine start to this contest, Fairlop would concede a penalty, soon after that chance for Jayden Francis. As after Spartans player Billy Mucheri had managed to get to a good lofted pass down the right-hand side of the Fairlop penalty area, he was fouled under pressure by a defender, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. However, Billy Gipp’s low effort on goal, was well saved and then gathered to his left, by Kufre Inua. After Jack Kibblewhite had skilfully managed to turn his way past a Spartans player, he would then continue forward with the ball to the edge of the penalty area, before hitting a powerful effort wide of the goal.

Shortly after a free-kick had been awarded to Aaron Hunwicks’ Spartans side on the edge of the Fairlop penalty area, Billy Gipp would elect to take it. His low effort underneath the Fairlop wall, was well parried by Kufre Inua, before the ball was then crossed back in to the penalty area, with George Mariner glancing a header wide of the goal, after meeting the ball. It was Fairlop who would finish the half the better of the two sides, however. The home side would soon double their lead. After a Fairlop player had been challenged on the left-hand side of the Spartans’ penalty area, the ball would roll across to Jayden Francis, who clinically finished into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, 2-0. Fairlop did have chances to extend their lead before half-time, and after Jean-Pierre Alexander had seen his effort from the left-hand side of the Spartans box, be gathered by Dino Maras, Joseph Head would then seen his effort from the right-hand side of the box, parried by Dino Maras. And just before half-time, Jean-Pierre Alexander would get to a lofted pass on the left-hand side of the visitor’s box, but, his lobbed effort over Dino Maras, would go narrowly wide of the goal.

Fairlop Rovers would start the second half in excellent fashion, quickly making it 3-0. A good lofted forward pass, was flicked on by a teammate to Jayden Francis, on the right-hand side of the Spartans’ box. Francis would then finish powerfully into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, 3-0. Around five minutes later, Francis would lay the ball off to Jean-Pierre Alexander, who was just inside of the away side’s box, and Alexander’s first time curling effort would go just over the goal. After a very uneventful spell in the game, Billy Gipp would hit a free-kick effort (some 20 yards out from goal) which was well kept out by Kufre Inua. During the very latter stages of the game, the Spartans would get a goal back. As some good play saw Ryan O’Connell play a one-two pass with Thomas Callagher, with O’Connell receiving the ball inside of the Fairlop box, before working the space to finish low into the goal, 3-1.

During the final moments of the game and after a Spartans defender had conceded a foul on the left-hand side of their penalty area, the referee would award a penalty to Fairlop. And Harry Rouse’s well taken effort from the penalty spot, would find the left-hand corner of the goal, 4-1. Fairlop Rovers were very clinical in front of goal, they played the game with good balance, and they defended strongly throughout. Fairlop also played some very good and effective football, against a Spartans side who weren’t at their creative best, particularly in the second half. Fairlop’s great form continues, and regarding my player of the match award on Monday, there were a lot of contenders. Fairlop Rovers’ captain Ellis Simmonds, the excellent Matthew Stratton, goalkeeper Kufre Inua, skilful and hardworking forward Jack Kibblewhite, and Jean-Pierre Alexander, were all contenders, having played really well against the Spartans. However, with two goals and a fine all-round performance in the forward areas, Jayden Francis was my player of the match. Billy Gipp was my Spartans player of the match, against Fairlop Rovers.