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	Thirds Defeated in Cup Final
	by David Park
	Sometimes a mismatch produces a memorable story as well as an end result. Beacon Hill had earned their place in this final with valiant, albeit slender victories, but now stood to face their greatest test. Great Baddow had overwhelmed all before them on their way to the final and scored over one hundred and thirty goals in total this season. Whether Hill would suffer the same fate as the Spartan three hundred at Thermopylae or prevail against all odds like Sitting Bull's warriors at Little Bighorn was the ninety minutes' traffic of their stage at the home of Maldon Town FC. The first quarter of an hour did indeed resemble an onslaught of epic proportions. Baddow hit the bar and forced desperate clearances as they sent forward wave after wave of attack. Beacon Hill were reeling and the nerves of the team, the majority of whom were playing in their first adult cup final, were sorely tested. Yet their goal was not breached, the defence held firm with Rob Hill making some fine challenges, the superb Sean Downing covering in the centre, and both full backs, Alex Mickelsen and Chris Yabsley pitching with robust tackles and confident clearing. After those initial first fifteen minutes however, Hill found their shape that had proved so successful in previous rounds. Concomitantly, a quick succession of tackles in the middle of the park from Rob Smith, Chris Osborne and David Park lifted the team and signalled that they were not going to be brushed aside without a fight. Hill kept their composure and waited for Baddow to make a mistake. With consistent, intelligent pressing Beacon forced the error that allowed Rob Smith to deliver an inch-perfect pass that picked out Tom Stimson in space on the right. The irrepressible seventeen year-old then went on to net a superb finish that stunned the Baddow team and sent the sizeable Beacon Hill support into raptures. Hill's midfield then continued to work tirelessly up to the break, and with some superb defending the team soaked up Baddow's subsequent salvos to take their one goal advantage into half-time and give Dan Gardner a chance to offer his erudite counsel. Immediately after the restart, a break down Baddow's left wing ended in a deflection that ballooned over Beacon's keeper to draw level. Less than ten minutes later Baddow added a second when more work down their left, and a subsequently missed clearance, immediately preceded the ball being buried into the bottom corner of Hill's net. Impressively, after the initial shock of this double blow, Hill heads did not go down; they kept their shape and did not fold. Conversely, for the next ten minutes Rovers put together their brightest period of the game. A speculative long range effort from David Park tested the keeper's hands. Stimson cut inside and crossed to Rob Smith who skillfully rolled his marker only to see Baddow's keeper turn his low, goal-bound shot just wide. The influential Christos Ryan delivered telling passes, showed his skills on the wing and held the ball up as Beacon's main target. Steve Shelley, working ceaselessly as a lone striker against the strongest defence in the league, broke into the box only to be curtailed by a superb lunging challenge. Chris Osborne, with clever passes and constant harrying, joined in to set up the best move of the period. After some great build up play, a carbon-copy of Beacon's first goal looked imminent but as Stimson shot, an incoming Baddow defender made a fine last ditch block. Baddow's tempers were becoming frayed and, at this point with their tails up, it looked as though Hill might well fight their way back. Then came the most telling blow. After some pressure of their own which produced a collection of superb saves from Beacon's capital keeper Steve Turner, Baddow were fortuitously gifted their third and decisive goal after a goalmouth scramble from a corner. Even after this, Rovers continued to battle as weary legs made way for substitutes. Jordan Crozier showed his tougher side in taming Baddow's threat down the left and delivered some good balls late-on. Aaron Kemp made positive, darting runs and Jon Smith proved a welcome replacement for his brother Rob, who had taken a knock. Mark Yabsley and Will Sargeant were unfortunate not to get on the pitch, yet their positive input on the night and throughout the season was evidently highly valued. By the final whistle an exhausted Hill justifiably left the pitch with their heads held high, having given it everything in their quest to overturn their lofty opponents. So no extraordinary tale akin to bringing down Custer's Cavalry or the Persian hordes, but something to remember nonetheless. They pushed a very good Baddow team right to the end and were not too far away from taking more from the game. The runaway leaders in the division might not have expected such a close match, but Beacon Hill Rovers 'A', in their first season in the Mid Essex League demonstrated determination, tenacity and resolve added to periods of attractive football. While this Great Baddow team will almost certainly go on to pit their wits against Division 4 opponents next season, this young Beacon Hill side must surely grow from the experience and look forward to building on this superb cup campaign. Manager Rob Smith said after the match, 'That was a fantastic performance by the lads tonight - I'm really proud of them. A couple of pieces of bad luck cost us, but we showed a lot of character and if we can take that through to the end of the season it will cap a fantastic year for us.' Captain Rob Hill added, 'It was great to see such fantastic support from the whole club, their encouragement made a huge difference to the team and made it a special night.' Beacon Hill Rovers 'A' Team: Steve Turner; Chris Yabsley (Jordan Crozier 65), Sean Downing, Rob Hill, Alex Mickelsen; Tom Stimson (Aaron Kemp 75), Chris Osborne, David Park, Rob Smith (Jon Smith 85), Christos Ryan; Steve Shelley. Subs not used: Will Sargeant, Mark Yabsley. Assistant Manager: Dan Gardner.

	15/4/2009
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