Pedro's Local Footie Fix: Debden Sports 1 Theydon Green 6

Friendly Match (John Busby Trophy), Sunday April 4

Sunday saw me over at Debden Sports Club for a Charity match between Debden Sports and Theydon Green, the game had been arranged in memory of John Busby after the father of the visitor’s keeper Joe had sadly lost his battle against Bowl Cancer at the start of March, so it was decided that the sides would arrange a game in his memory and play for the ‘John Busby Trophy’.

John was a loving husband to his wife Dawn and a loving father to his son Joe, and with Debden Sports boss Martin Brazier being a dear friend to John and a neighbour too, it was something that both parties wanted to happen, and also some of Joe’s friends are collectively running 66 miles in a week in memory of him too and to raise money to help fund the funeral and they have set up a go fund me page so if you fancy donating then please do, I am sure all involved would be more than happy with anything you can spare. The link to that page is here.

After an immaculate minute’s silence before the game to remember John the teams got the game underway, and after seven minutes the visitors got their noses in front in comical fashion, as the home keeper attempted to clear the ball but struck it against the forward coming in to charge it down, and the ball went back past the keeper and into the net, an awful moment for the keeper but Theydon had the lead.

And only eight minutes after that Theydon doubled their lead when a shot from the edge of the box saw the keeper dive but was unable to keep the ball out as it crept just inside the post, and with the visitors all over their opponents they made it 0-3 on twenty minutes as they got in down the right and a ball squared across goal left a simple tap in, and you feared for the hosts at this point.

Soon after and midway through the first period the visitors made several changes to give others a chance of a run out for the remainder of the half, and whether or not this affected their rhythm or not who knows but Debden did get a bit more into the contest thereafter and seemed to have weathered the storm a bit, although Theydon should have made it four nil before the break but someone missed a one on one and hit the post rather that the target, but they held a comfortable 0-3 lead at the break.

Debden did manage to pull a goal back nine minutes into the second half when after Joe Busby had saved, the host attacker managed to slot home the rebound to at least get themselves on the board, but Theydon then restored their three-goal cushion after an hour in style when the visiting player cut inside and fired a brilliant effort into the far corner, it was a class strike and applauded by many who were there.

Keeper Joe Busby was moved up front for the final ten or so minutes, and with five minutes left came a wonderful moment when he got in on goal, rounded the keeper and finished superbly for a goal everyone wanted to see, and it was greeted with great cheers and a multi pile up on top of him from all of his teammates, what a moment, and a great moment to cap a fine day.

Theydon did net a sixth goal with the final kick of the contest when after a save was made, the rebound was poked home, and the visitors had run out convincing winners and fittingly had won the inaugural John Busby Trophy. Joe collected first the trophy from his mum Dawn who was awarding them out, and then the MOTM award too, it was so nice to see mother and son embrace, and it reminded us all of why we were all here.

Debden boss Martin Brazier also said some nice words too, which was nice, a great day for all and one that no doubt John would have been proud of too, well done to all who organised and took part, and also well done to all who attended to show their support too, it was a good day and I was proud to be part of it and to write about it, and finally, rest in peace John, you will be missed by all who knew you.

Full Time Debden Sports 1 Theydon Green 6