Sporting Bengal United 1 Brentwood Town 3

The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay, Wednesday 29th August 2018

Oluwatobi Joseph, Alfie Hilton and Albert Levett netted for Brentwood Town as they saw off a strong challenge from Sporting Bengal United at Mile End too win their Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round replay and progress into the First Qualifying Round, setting up a home tie with Haringey Borough.

The teams had drawn their original tie at The Brentwood Arena on Saturday and it was the hosts who had the first opening after nine minutes when Steve Carvell flashed a ball across goal, and then two minutes later Bobby Redwood hit an effort straight at Brentwood keeper Robert Budd.

But in the 13th minute the visitors who were the ones who took the lead when full back Joseph headed home at the far post unmarked, and three minutes later he almost netted again for the visitors but his effort was straight at Suleyman Mahmood.

Visiting keeper Budd then brought down Redwood for a penalty for the home side in the 27th minute, however Ashaan Siddik saw his poor penalty saved by Budd, and then just past the half hour mark the visitors saw Levett hit a free-kick over from a decent position.

Six minutes before half time Joseph burst into the hosts area and found himself right in front of goal but he miscued an effort which Mahmood managed to just about gather at his feet, and then three minutes later the hosts saw Carvell play a brilliant ball into the dangerzone although it just invaded Anthony Bruce's head.

And in first half stoppage time Sporting went close again as Budd beat away an effort from Redwood before a follow up effort saw Budd tip wide, meaning the visitors went into the break with a slender lead.

Half Time Sporting Bengal United 0 Brentwood Town 1

Sporting came out in positive fashion immediately after the break and saw Siddik strike a decent effort over the bar, before Carvell then touched an effort onto the post and then in the 56th minute Kamarl Duncan so nearly got on the end of a cross but it was just too high for the centre half.

Hosts keeper Mahmood then flapped at a cross from the visitors but got away with it as the ball drifted away from danger, and then just before the hour mark the hosts saw substitute David Vaughan somehow head a point blank range effort at a defender on the line who managed to prevent a certain goal.

But in the 69th minute the hosts found a deserved leveller as they were awarded another penalty for a foul on Redwood once again, and this time full-back Jon Watson stepped up to convert the spot kick via Budd's hand, and it was all square in this tie once again.

But parity only lasted for two minutes as Brentwood managed to retake the lead as a ball laid back to Hilton saw him fire into the bottom corner and Sporting had to do it all again.

The home side somehow missed a chance in the 79th minute when a corner looked to have been bundled in but Budd managed to dive on the ball right on the goal-line and prevent another equaliser, and with the hosts now piling on the pressure Redwood saw a fierce volley blocked.

Brentwood substitute Harry Cuthbert was then shown a second yellow with seven minutes remaining for kicking the ball away after a break out, but just two minutes later Joshua Adeji was shown a second yellow for pulling back a visiting player, meaning it was now ten a side.

Sporting continued to pressurise the visitors and saw Cody Cameron head wide before Carvell drilled another effort across goal and wide of the far post.

And then two minutes into added on time Brentwood skipper Levett was presented with the ball in midfield and with keeper Mahmood nowhere near his goal he sent a thirty yard plus effort into the net and seal the tie for the visitors.


Full Time Sporting Bengal United 1 Brentwood Town 3  

Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 3

Essex Senior League Premier Division, Tuesday 28th August 2018

Goals from Julian Simon-Parson, Charlie Portway and Gregg Strong helped see Saffron Walden Town to victory at The Old Spotted Dog against Clapton on Tuesday night in the Essex Senior League Premier Division.

The visitors arrived late due to traffic issues around the capital but it didn't seem to affect them as they were quickly in control of this contest, taking the lead after seven minutes when Simon-Parson burst though the hosts defence to slot beyond Dan Martin, and then six minutes later Portway broke the offside trap to run through and slot home and double the visitors lead.

The hosts had their first opening on 16 minutes but the effort was scuffed into Neil O'Sullivan's hands, and the next opportunity didn't arrive until nine minutes from time when Reed whipped a dangerous free-kick into the visitors area but O'Sullivan managed to punch away the danger.

The visitors then saw a cross headed out from underneath the hosts bar, before Portway headed straight at Tons keeper Martin four minutes before the break, and then just before the break Jeffrey Cobblah cut inside and fired an effort at the visitors goal, but it was straight at O'Sullivan in the Walden net.

And in first half stoppage time the Tons went close to reducing the arrears when Andy Greenslade got in down the right and his cut-back was almost turned home by a defender but O'Sullivan managed to save.  It meant the visitors went into the break with a two goal cushion.

Half Time Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 2

The Tons went close two minutes after the restart when Ryan Reed swiveled and struck a left footed effort just wide of the far post, but seven minutes into the half Walden made it three when a header back across goal was bundled home by Strong and the Catons Lane outfit were three goals clear.

Walden then saw two headers saved by Martin, before life got even tougher for the hosts when Eusebio Da Silva went over inside the box, but he was deemed to have dived and as it was his second yellow, he was dismissed leaving Clapton with ten men.

Six minutes later Walden substitute Dan Trendall fired an effort at goal but saw Martin save the effort, and then moments later visiting defender Ryan Flemming was shown a second yellow for a late challenge, meaning it was now ten vs ten for the remaining quarter of the contest.

Walden then saw Lewis Francis volley an effort against the inside of the post, before Trendall then headed over from six yards out.  With ten minutes to go Tons substitute Jay Morris turned and struck a decent effort wide of the Walden net, and then with four minutes remaining saw another substitute Valentino Iheanyiogo header deflect over.

The Tons, who were trying to find a consolation goal, forced O'Sullivan into a decent near post save, before Walden broke through substitute Tom Lakin but he could only slice wide, and then moments later he volleyed against the post from an acute angle.

Tons had one last chance to snatch a late goal but saw the effort scuffed straight at O'Sullivan, and it meant a clean sheet for the visitors and three points too.


Full Time Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 3 

Concord Rangers 0 Welling United 5

Vanarama National League South, Monday 27th August 2018

Gavin McCullum netted a brace as he helped Welling United end Concord Rangers unbeaten start to the season in spectacular style as the visitors netted five without reply at The Aspect Arena on Bank Holiday Monday.

The hosts came into this one having won four and drawing two of their six games played so far, whilst the visitors had also played six, but had two wins, two draws and two defeats in what had been a mixed start for them.

Concord had the first sniff after eight minutes when Nana Boakye-Yiadom got free down the right and flashed a dangerous ball across the area but it was to far in front of the players coming in and the chance went away, but just before the quarter hour mark Welling struck with their first real attempt as Danny Mills squared for Brendan Kiernan who thumped home and gave the visitors the lead.

And three minutes later Welling attacked again and saw a Kiernan effort blocked, but the ball deflected to McCullum although his effort was sliced well wide, and then moments later McCullum saw an effort roll inches wide of the hosts far post, and the home side were most certainly on the back foot.

In the 20^th minute it looked as though Welling had doubled their advantage when Kiernan tapped home, only to see the linesman’s flag go up for offside, and then just past the half hour mark Concord managed to attack through Boakye-Yiadom as the winger hooked a ball into the danger zone, but Jack Midson could not get the ball under control and eventually hooked his effort over the visitor’s bar.

Two minutes before half time the visitors went close as a terrific run from the brilliant Kiernan took him to the left wing, and his ball across the box just invaded all coming in, but two minutes into first half stoppage time Welling did double their advantage when midfielder Jack Jebb thumped home from the edge of the box, and the visitors went into the break with a two-goal lead.

Half Time Concord Rangers 0 Welling United 2

It didn’t take Welling long to carry on where they left off at the end of the first half as they added a third goal seven minutes into the second period as Bradley Goldberg swivelled and struck a lovely left footed effort into the far corner, and you felt that was pretty much game over in this contest.

And just before the hour it was four for The Wings as McCullum played a one-two with Kiernan, burst into the box, and although he saw his initial effort saved by Sam Beasant, he reacted quickest to side foot home the loose ball for his second of the game and Welling were now in total cruise control.

Concord tried to look for some pride at least and saw Midson loop a header over the visitors bar, but it had not been the hosts day, and in the 66^th minute conceded another when Welling centre half Thierry Audel poked home at the near post from a corner kick, and you felt it was how many the visitors would score now.

With nine minutes left the hosts came as close as they were to come to scoring when Danny Green saw a free-kick tipped onto the bar and over by Dan Wilks, and then seeing the corner come out to the edge of the box but thumped just over the top of the Welling goal as the hosts looked to at least end the game positively.

With four minutes left McCullum, on a hat-trick of course, cut inside but fired an effort straight at Beasant, but the job had been done and the visitors ended very convincing winners indeed.

Full Time Concord Rangers 0 Welling United 5

Stansted 0 Takeley 1

The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Sunday 26th August 2018

Mitchell Das netted just before the midway point of the second half to help Takeley see off ten man Stansted in the rain at Woodside Park and progress into the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The Airportmen had seen off another local rival in the shape of Sawbridgeworth Town in the last round whilst Takeley had travelled to Norfolk to defeat Norwich United in the Extra Preliminary Round to set up todays well anticipated local derby at Bishops Stortford.

The visitors were almost ahead straight from the off too as skipper Jason Todd burst in down the right but his cut-back was too far ahead of the incoming Stuart Zanone and the ball skipped away from danger, and then on six minutes it was the hosts who went close as Carl Mullings saw a close- range effort brilliantly tipped over by Matt Gill.

On ten minutes the visitors saw George Wapett whip in a decent cross but the ball was too high for Zanone and skipped off the wet surface and ahead of Mitchell Das who was coming in at the far post, but on the quarter hour mark came a big moment in the game.

A ball forward saw Das and Stansted keeper Charlie Turner chase after the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch, and Das got there first, only to be taken out by a poor challenge from the hosts keeper, and the referee immediately reached for his red card and the hosts were down to ten men very early in the contest, and saw midfielder Jack Smith don the gloves for the remainder of the contest.

The resultant free-kick saw George Pullen somehow head wide from close range, and then moments later with Stansted still trying to regroup from the sending off the visitors saw a Wappett effort tipped wide by Smith as Stansted somehow survived.

The hosts managed to ride that storm and were battling well with a player short, and in the 34^th minute saw a flick on almost release Jordan Palmer but Takeley full back Kyan Russell managed to get goal side of the attacker and put in a decent challenge to thwart the hosts, whilst down the other end four minutes later Das swung in a decent cross, only to see Wappett head wide of the target.

A minute before the break Stansted broke down the right through Mullings and his cut-back found Courtney Homans whose finish was deflected across goal and out for a corner, and from that set-play the ball found its way to skipper Billy Coyne, but his effort was drilled wide, and it meant the half ended goalless.

Half Time Stansted 0 Takeley 0

The half was three minutes old when the first opening came, and it saw the hosts go close as Mullings almost nipped in to beat keeper Gill to the ball, before the keeper had to remain calm to eventually play the ball out of danger, and then Takeley went down the other end and saw Zanone shift onto his right but then blast an effort way over the bar.

But in the 64^th minute the breakthrough came for the visitors as a ball towards the far wing saw full back Lee Hurkett stretch to try and cut out the pass, slip, and allow Das enough time and space to fire an effort beyond Smith in the Stansted goal and Takeley now had a slender lead in this derby.

Zanone thought he had doubled Takeley’s lead five minutes later when nodding home a cross from close range, but the linesman had adjudged him to have gone too soon and flagged him offside, meaning the one goal lead remained.

The hosts though were never really out of the tie and continued to battle hard in this contest, making it more than tough for their opponents, and with six minutes remaining saw a header go straight at Gill, although you always felt Takeley could catch them on the break as they were pushing men forward in search of that leveller.

Stansted then saw substitute Jamie Bennett get in down the right, but his effort was well saved by Gill, before down the other end Zanone again failed to find the target, blasting another effort way off target, but it mattered not in the end as the visitors saw it out to progress into the next round of the competition.

Full Time Stansted 0 Takeley 1

Newmarket Town 2 Hullbridge Sports 1

The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Saturday 25th August 2018

Shaun Avis netted a stoppage time winner as Newmarket Town came from behind to defeat Hullbridge Sports at Cricket Field Road to progress in their Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie.

The host had knocked out Cockfosters in North London in the previous round whilst Hullbridge had netted a late win against Gorleston at Lower Road to reach this stage, so both would have been confident of victory.

Newmarket had the first effort on target when swinging in a free-kick from the right, but Bridge keeper George Marsh managed to palm away the effort, whilst the visitors first effort saw Nathan Scarborough strike an effort well wide of the Newmarket post ten minutes later.

Shaun Avis then saw an effort well blocked down the other end, before two minutes later Adebayo Sotoyinbo struck a fierce long-range effort wide of the hosts goal as the opening quarter of the game remained in the balance.

Hullbridge then began to enjoy some good possession and as the half wore on looked the likelier to find any opening that might have been forthcoming, and five minutes before the break found that breakthrough when centre half Daniel Okah found himself in on goal, and despite his initial effort being saved by Alex Archer, the visiting defender managed to slot home the rebound and put his side ahead.

The hosts tried to respond late on in the half and saw a cross thump into the side stanchion before the next attack saw Avis send a looping header wide of the far post, but they could not find that quick leveller meaning the visiting side from Essex held the slender lead at the break.

Half Time Newmarket Town 0 Hullbridge Sports 1

The hosts started the second period a lot more positively and saw Avis strike an effort straight at Marsh after ten minutes of the half, and then moments after full back Jack Whiting hit a terrific effort towards the top corner of the visitor’s goal but keeper Marsh plucked the effort out of the air brilliantly.

The visitors mounted an attack of their own on the hour mark but it ended with Sotoyinbo blasting an effort way over the bar from a decent position, before the hosts then drilled an effort across goal as they continued to try and find a leveller in this tie.

Hullbridge themselves were trying to double their lead and potentially see themselves put one foot into the next round and they mounted another attack through Scarborough, and he laid the ball off to Aundre Spencer but the attacker could only slice wide of the near post.

But in the 68^th minute Newmarket should have been level as Avis somehow headed against the post from point blank range, and then three minutes later Marsh had to produce another brilliant save to deny Newmarket’s Rhys Thorpe.

With twelve minutes remaining Hullbridge broke and that ended with Joe Patison side footing an effort wide of the far post, and then moments later they really should of doubled their lead when a cut back found Sotoyinbo inside the box, but his effort was well saved by Archer, and the visitors would rue this moments later.

This was because with nine minutes remaining Newmarket did find an equaliser when a ball into the area saw Avis totally unmarked and he prodded home from close range and it set up a rather interesting last few minutes.

Hullbridge caused some alarm inside the hosts box with three minutes remaining but saw an effort blocked before they managed to clear their lines, and the match entered its final phase all square with everyone wondering if there was going to be a late winner.

Well, with three minutes of stoppage time played, the hosts won a free-kick in a dangerous position, and Michael Shinn curled a free-kick against the post and then saw Avis react the quickest to side foot home the rebound into the net and send the hosts wild with delight.

Heartbreak for the visiting ESL Premier side but it meant the Thurlow Nunn Premier hosts went through to Monday’s First Qualifying Round draw.

Full Time Newmarket Town 2 Hullbridge Sports 1

Southend Manor 2 Walthamstow 2 (Walthamstow won 4-3 on penalties)

Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy Preliminary Round, Wednesday 22nd August 2018

Walthamstow survived a second half comeback from Southend Manor to edge through to the next round of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy after a penalty shoot out triumph at Southchurch Park.

It started very well for the visitors as they took the lead on seven minutes, largely thanks to a huge error from hosts keeper Catling, who lost the ball to Ramsay on the edge of the box before the visiting attacker rolled the ball into the empty net, and it was so nearly two seven minutes later but Da Silva saw his downward header saved by the leg of Catling.

But just moments later the visitors did increase their lead when Watkins took aim from distance and saw Catling get a hand to it but fail to stop it finding the net and Stow were threatening to run riot in this one.

Further chances for the visitors saw Da Silva glance a header over the bar whilst Owusu cut inside onto his left foot and struck an effort wide of the hosts goal, as the away side continued to dominate proceedings.

Manor's first attempt on target didn't arrive until six minutes from time when Fatt cut inside onto his right foot but his effort was straight at Clark and easy for the keeper, and four minutes before the break Catling almost gifted Stow another goal however the effort at goal was sliced off target and Manor survived.

Despite this let off the hosts were still in need of a big second half improvement if they were to get back into this contest as the visitors were comfortably ahead at the break.

Half Time Southend Manor 0 Walthamstow 2

Stow had the better of the early exchanges of the second period too and ten minutes into it should really have put the game to bed when a knock down found Da Silva right in front of goal but the attacker could only slice his effort wide of the post.

Manor responded with a chance of their own when substitute Burns saw an effort blocked, and then just before the hour mark the hosts got themselves back into the contest when Burns ran onto a brilliant pass and slotted beyond an oncoming Clark and the hosts suddenly had belief running through their veins.

Manor then brought on Little and he burst into the Stow area but saw his goal-bound cross-shot cleared by a now worried Stow back-line, and then Burns saw another effort go over the bar as Manor were now looking more and more likely to get a leveller.

Manor went oh so close to levelling with seventeen minutes remaining when Little got in on the right but saw his effort well saved by Clark, and then a few minutes later Fatt saw Clark make another good save to keep his side ahead in this one.

But with twelve minutes remaining Clark could do nothing about Slater's long range blockbuster that brought Manor level and the tie was indeed all square and you had to say more than deserved on the hosts second half showing.

With eight minutes left Stow player-boss Maxwell almost gifted Manor the lead when he slipped over, allowing the hosts in, but the final effort from Fatt was brilliantly tipped over by the superb Clark in the Stow goal, and then down the other end a scramble inside Manor's box saw the hosts eventually clear.

And then moments later Clark almost undone all his good work before when his clearance hit Manor striker Little but luckily for the keeper saw the ball bounce away to safety.  It all meant the tie went to penalties as the game ended all square.

Both teams saw their first kicks saved, before the next two penalties for either side were successful, and then Manor hit the bar with their fourth, handing the advantage to Stow who managed to net their fourth.  Manor had to net their final kick and did, leaving Peagram the chance to win it for Stow, which he did, and send his side into the next round.


Full Time Southend Manor 2 Walthamstow 2 (Walthamstow won 4-3 on penalties)

St Margaretsbury 2 Enfield 0

The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, Sunday 12th August 2018

Goals from Cassidy-Sinclair and Summers helped send St Margaretsbury into the next round of the Emirates FA Cup after they saw off Enfield at The Recreation Ground.

The hosts came into this one off the back of a heavy defeat in their opening game in the league so were looking for a response, whilst Enfield had lost their opening game of the season before throwing away two points after letting a two goal lead slip in their second outing, so they too were looking for a positive result here.

A fairly quiet opening twenty minutes elapsed, although you felt Enfield were edging the play, and then they won themselves a penalty after a handball was given against the hosts, but the visitors saw their spot kick saved and the game stayed goalless.

This seemed to wake the hosts up and they created their first opening just before the half hour mark when a good ball into the box caught the visitors defence napping, but the keeper managed to thwart the hosts with a good save with his legs.

In the 33^rd minute though the hosts did find the net to edge in front when a good ball into the box was nodded into the path of Cassidy-Sinclair who smacked a brilliant effort into the back of the net and it meant the hosts took a slender lead into the break.

Half Time St Margaretsbury 1 Enfield 0

Moments into the second period the hosts sent a powerful effort at Enfield’s goal which was well held by the keeper, and then shortly after Cassidy-Sinclair could have had his and the hosts second but scooped over the bar.

Enfield tried to respond and drove down the left hand side but saw the effort go into the side netting, whilst back down the other end in the 56^th minute the hosts attacked and cut inside but saw the effort tipped wide of the post.

And seven minutes later Cassidy-Sinclair dragged another great chance wide after the ball had dropped to him inside the area, and it meant the game remained in the balance still, and two minutes later Enfield headed a cross over the bar to make sure the hosts knew they were still in the tie.

The hosts sent another effort way off target with just over twenty minutes left, before the visitors caused brief panic in the hosts defence after the keeper was left in no mans land after the ball had been lobbed over him into the six yard box, however the defence managed to head the danger clear.

With just over ten minutes remaining a great run by the hosts saw them beat a couple of defenders before sending an effort at goal which the keeper saved, and then a minute later came the killer second for the home side when Summers brushed off his marker before sending an effort into the net.

Enfield tried to find a way back into the contest in the final ten minutes but they never really threatened, and when Bradbury sent an effort way over the bar, it kind of summed up their day in front of goal.

The visitors did force the hosts keeper into one final save deep deep into added on time, but it was never going to alter the outcome of this one and it was St Margaretsbury who triumphed and will travel to take on Long Melford in the Preliminary Round in two weekends time.

Full Time St Margaretsbury 2 Enfield 0