Sporting Bengal United 0 Southend Manor 1

Essex Senior League, Wed 27th Feb 2013

Tonight took me to the Mile End stadium for a bottom six clash between Sporting Bengal and Southend Manor.  It was a very poor game it must be said played in cold conditions yet again as seems to be the norm these days!!!!  There were chances for both sides throughout the game but all in all it was a poor quality side with neither side having much in the way of going forward.  The only goal of the game was scored on 86 miuntes when Manor's Eddie Hart volleyed home from inside the area to give Manor their first win since January 12th.   But was largely a forgetful game which wont live long in the memory apart from the fact Manor managed to get 3 points!!!!!

Concord Rangers 1 Lowestoft Town 1

Ryman League Premier Division, Tues 26th Feb 2013

This was my first venture over to the Aspect Arena to see Concord Rangers this season, they have been having a fantastic season so I thought this a good opportunity to go and see them in action.   Lowestoft were the visitors and with them being 4th and Concord being 6th this had the potential to be a cracking game of football.   As it turned out both teams tended to cancel each other out in the first half with both teams showing good endeavour to get forward and try and create chances.   On the stroke of half time Jason Hallett headed Concord ahead.   In the second half Lowestoft had more control on the game and eventually equalised on 66 minutes through Lee Smith and thereafter both teams created half chances.   In the last couple of minutes both teams nearly stole all three points but a draw was probably a fair result in all honesty. The full time whistle was a welcome sound as I was very very cold!!!!   There was even a confrontation between Lowestoft players in the post match huddle on the pitch but I guess that shows the passion although it seemed a little unnecessary as it was a very good point earned.   All in all a very good competitive game.

Aveley 1 Harlow Town 0

Ryman League Division One North, Mon 25th Feb 2013

This was by all accounts a very poor game played in freezing conditions and rain at times.   Aveley came into this one off the back of a 5-0 thumping of struggling Ilford so they would of expected an easier match against another of the league's strugglers in Harlow Town.   Harlow to their credit more than matched their opponents and both teams huffed and puffed but couldn't find that killer instinct in front of goal.   The referee did his best to be the centre of attention which didn't help the cause and the linesman on my side made some rather interesting decisions!!!   That aside the game seemed destined to finish goalless....... that was until Aveley were awarded a rather dubious free kick about 20 yards out.....and second half substitute Petrit Elbi struck a cannon of a free kick into the bottom corner of the net giving the Harlow stopper no chance and sent the home fans and bench wild with delight as well as the BBC Essex commentator in the stand who sounded like he was on helium and was about to explode, was definitely a comical moment of the season!!!.   That was virtually the last kick of the game and sent Aveley into second place.  It was very harsh on Harlow it must be said but the goal was fitting to win any game of football such was the nature of the strike.

London APSA 3 Southend Manor 3

Essex Senior League, Saturday 23rd February 2013

This was a fantastic game of football!!! Manor took the lead in the first minute with a volley from Vyse and they doubled their lead on 35 minutes through Sisson after good work from Danso.  APSA pulled one back a minute later from a deflected shot from Beaupierre and then one minute before the break APSA equalised through Ogunwole after a mistake from Manor keeper Seal.  APSA went 3-2 ahead after 56 minutes through Mauthoor after Manor failed to deal with a ball into the six yard area before Manor made it 3-3 with a goal from centre back Griffiths from close range.  There were many many more chances in this game and was a game played with good spirit which is nice to see.

Southend Manor 3 Enfield 0 (abandoned at half time, fog)

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 19th February 2013

This was my first match in 13 days so was looking forward to seeing my beloved Manor take on high flying Enfield for this Senior League tie.   Manor started well and took the lead in the 6th minute when Ben Hudson  stroked home off the inside of the post.  Manor scored a second on 34 minutes through Yao Danso after Baldwin's shot was parried by the keeper and Danso followed in to tap home.  The third goal came on 39 minutes when Vyse squared for Baldwin to tap home.  Thereafter the fog rolled in and the game was duly abandoned by the referee after judging the conditions unplayable when coming to have a look just before the second half begun.   Very frustrating for Manor as they completely dominated their opponents.

Stansted 2 Great Wakering Rovers 2

Essex Senior League, 6th February 2013

An equaliser five minutes into injury saved Wakering from defeat against lowly Stansted in an entertaining battle at Hargreaves Park this evening.  Stansted took an early lead after 9 minutes when a dipping 20 yard effort deceived the goalkeeper and he allowed it to slip through his hands and through his legs into the net.  It didn't take Wakering long to reply when on 14 minutes Striker Danny Heale tapped home on the goal line following a goalmouth scramble.  It stayed this way until 83 minutes when a corner was missed by Wakering's keeper and the stansted forward pounced at the backpost to head home.  It seemed as though Stansted would hold onto a famous victory but deep deep deep into stoppage time Wakering player manager Dan Trenkel was fouled in the box and he picked himself up to send this keeper the wrong way and it turned out to be the last kick of the game.  A draw was probably a fair result as both teams battled well on a difficult surface.