Witham Town 3 Saffron Walden Town 0

Step 4/5 Inter-Step Play-Off, Saturday 30th April

I returned to my spiritual home of football in the shape of Spa Road, Witham, on the final Saturday in April and saw hosts Witham Town survive relegation to the Essex Senior League and keep their place in the Isthmian North after they swept Saffron Walden Town aside in their Step 4/5 Inter-Step playoff.

It is always a special and emotional time for me when I return to Spa Road, it is the ground my father took me too for my very first football game as an excited ten year old back in 1990 when Witham Town drew 2-2 with Rainham Town, and we spent many a time watching them play for the next two decades and became heavily involved with the club with my dad being programme editor for six years.

And in 2008 when my father passed away, the club’s officials came to his funeral which I will always be grateful for, and they also played a charity game in his honour the summer after, which was very nice indeed. One of those club officials who attended my dad’s funeral was then chairman Tony Last, who sadly passed away a few years later, so I made sure I went to his send off too, may him and his wife and daughter forever rest in peace up there in the sky, you will all be missed that is for sure.

So, as you can see, I have a big emotional attachment to the club, I grew up in Witham and went to school there too, spending my first 17 years there before moving away, so yes coming back is always an emotional time, and this was a very big game for the club against ESL runners up Saffron Walden Town, who I have great affection for too after covering the league for a few years now.

Walden have always treated me like royalty when I have visited their Catons Lane ground, and this was there big chance to win promotion to Step Four, which for the club would be an amazing achievement, so on one side I had the awful thought of Witham being relegated, but on the other side Walden winning promotion, and vice versa (Witham staying up and Walden failing to achieve their goal), so to say my emotions were all over the show would be an understatement.

Anyway, enough about how I was feeling, and more about the game, Witham netted a 95^th minute winner last weekend to make sure they got the relegation playoff spot in the Isthmian North at the expense of Barking, who were sent down as a result, Walden of course netted a comfortable win over Hoddesdon Town last weekend to seal the runners up spot in the ESL and the play off game today, if you would like to see my blog on Walden’s win last weekend click here http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2022/04/saffron-walden-town-2-hoddesdon-town-0.html

It had been a remarkable run of form for The Bloods coming into this tie, they were unbeaten in twelve games with eleven wins, whereas Witham had struggled hence their lowly position although four points from their last two games made sure they made this playoff tie, so they would draw on that grit and determination to get themselves through this tie, it would certainly be a battle against a Walden side who know how to win games right now.

The visitors almost had the ideal start too, as less than five minutes in had a golden chance to take the lead when Kris Oti found himself clear on goal, but saw his finish well saved by the onrushing Rhys Madden, who saved his side from making the worst possible start in front of 697 at Spa Road, but thereafter Walden barely threatened as Witham began to create the more clear-cut chances.

Jimmy Wallace could only nod wide at the far post from a corner, and then Adam Vyse saw an effort beaten away by James Young, and Young would make another couple of decent saves to keep the hosts out, and although Walden did see Gavin Cockman drag an effort wide down the other end, their only other chance of the half of note, the hosts were to go into the break a goal ahead.

This is because five minutes before the break a corner kick in from the right saw keeper Young fail to deal with it and the ball found it’s way through to Rian Mclean who sent a downward header from point blank range into the corner of the net, and send the home fans behind that goal wild, Witham had that all important lead.

Walden needed a quick response in the second period, but it was Witham who were to strike the next blow, and what a goal it was too, as ten minutes into the second period Josh Osude burst down the right flank before cutting inside onto his right foot and firing an unstoppable effort beyond Young into the far corner, it was a special strike and Walden now had it all to do.

Seven minutes later though Witham all but ended the contest when they added a third, again from a corner as no one from Walden dealt with the ball in and Wallace climbed highest to power home a header from close range, and the hosts now had a comfortable three goal cushion, and they could almost see the game out with relative comfort.

The hosts did blot their copybook before the end though as with seventeen minutes of the ninety to go Archie Tamplin was shown a second yellow for going through the back of Craig Calver meaning the hosts would finish the game with ten men, but this was really the only negative for the hosts all afternoon and they easily saw out the game to take a big win and keep their place in the Isthmian North for next season.

This was Walden’s first loss in thirteen games, and they choose one of their biggest to put in probably one of their most disappointing performances especially second half where they were outplayed by their hosts, keeper Young was the only reason the score line wasn’t more as he made some decent saves.

They battled well especially first half and if Oti had netted that early chance who knows, but it’s another year of ESL football for The Bloods next season as a result, but they can be proud of their achievements this season for sure.

Full time Witham Town 3 Saffron Walden Town 0

 

 

 

 

 

Runwell Sports end season with silverware after winning dramatic shootout against Snaresbrook to claim Denny King Memorial Cup

EOFL Denny King Memorial Cup Final, Thursday 28th April

The Essex Olympian League Denny King Memorial Trophy came to an end for 2021/22 as Snaresbrook and Runwell Sports did battle in what was an all Division One battle at Basildon United's Gardiners Close ground, and it ended in dramatic fashion for sure, but more about that later.

Before we look back at how the competition played out this season to arrive at this final tie, let's see who this competition was named after. Denny King was football, was involved with Ramsden FC for over three decades and was their club president for the final three years of his life, although he been involved in various capacities before that.

Denny loved football, and was at his happiest on a Saturday, preparing the pitch and welcoming all to his beloved village side, and he was recognised by Chelmsford Borough Council when they awarded Denny for 'The Best Kept Village Sports Ground' to reward him for his commitment, skill and hard work at Ramsden FC. 

Denny also worked as a groundsman at Billericay Town, and the competition we know today as The Denny King Memorial Cup was named after the legend and his family donated the trophy to the league in his honour, with the first competition being held in the 1999/2000 season, which was won by Manford Way, who defeated Barnston AFC in the final.

Therefore all teams that enter this competition know who they are playing in memory of, and no doubt Denny himself would be proud of this competition named in his honour, and of his family who donated the trophy for this tournament and to make sure that his legacy lives on, let's now see how the 2021/22 version of this competition panned out and set up the finale here at Basildon United.

This was the first competition since the 2018/19 season due to covid, which saw the cancellation of the 2019/20 and 2020/21 editions, so Ongar Jubilee held onto the trophy for quite some time after they defeated Harold Wood Athletic in the last contested final three years ago, and the final was the sixteenth and final tie of this 2021/22 edition, and below are the results of those ties:-

Round One

Southend Manor Development 2 Snaresbrook 4

Round Two

Snaresbrook 1 Roydon 0

AS Rawreth 3 Leytonstone United 0

Old Chelmsfordians 6 Wakebury 1

Old Barkabbeyans 2 Beacon Hill Rovers 4

Pitsea Athletic 2 Runwell Sports 6

Rochford Town 1 Collier Row 3

Wakering Sports 1 Hullbridge Sports 1 (Wakering Sports won 5-4 on penalties)

Shoebury Town 2 Manford Way 2 (Manford Way won 4-3 on penalties) (I attended this game myself so for my blog on this one click here http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2022/02/shoebury-town-2-manford-way-2-manford.html)

Quarter Finals

Snaresbrook 1 Wakering Sports 1 (Snaresbrook won 7-6 on penalties)

Runwell Sports 1 AS Rawreth 0

Old Chelmsfordians 1 Manford Way 2

Collier Row 6 Beacon Hill Rovers 0

Semi Finals

Snaresbrook 0 Manford Way 0 (Snaresbrook won 5-4 on penalties)

Runwell Sports 2 Collier Row 1

So to the final then, Snaresbrook actually had to win four ties to reach this final, they were part of the only fixture in round one and their last two ties had gone to penalties, wheras Runwell Sports played one less tie to reach the final and had won them all outright in ninety minutes, although this meant absolutely nothing for this game. Let's now see what happened in the final which of course I was present at:-

Final (at Basildon United)

Snaresbrook 1 Runwell Sports 1 (Runwell Sports won 9-8 on penalties)

These two as said earlier in the blog both play in Division One of the Olympian League, Runwell came runners up to Toby (there is a story behind this but I am not going to get into that!!!) and therefore won promotion to the Premier Division for next season, whereas Snaresbrook are second bottom although as this game showed that is a very false position, the club have four games to play after this final and could finish in midtable if they pick up maximum points.

Both games between these two sides were very tight during the league season as well, seeing a 2-2 draw at Hackney Marshes and a 2-1 Runwell win at their Nursury Ground, so this final was expected to be tight as well if those games were anything to go by.

Despite all this though, Runwell were expected to win this, and finish their season with some silverware after they had the league title taken away from them through no fault of their own (as said not getting into that!!!) and after such a good campaign it was the least they deserved, but Snaresbrook themselves were desperate for some silverware to put some gloss on a season that has ultimately been a tough one so far. 

Runwell should have been two up inside five minutes, but missed two good chances, and then after six minutes saw themselves go behind after some rather messy defending eventually saw a loose ball fall to Ife Ogunbayo who could not miss from point blank range, and Snaresbrook had the lead, and it was to be pretty much their only attempt on goal for the remainder of the period.

This is because Runwell continued to have most of the play but found their forwards lacking their shooting boots shall we say as several chances came and went, and they were all left scratching their heads as to how they were behind at the break, a rousing team talk at half time was needed, whereas for Snaresbrook they just had to keep digging in and doing what they were doing.

Twelve minutes after the break though, Runwell did find that leveller as a ball into the mixer found Charlie Little and he headed home, and you felt at that point Runwell would push on and win the game, but this did not happen as they lost their way somewhat after equalising as Snaresbrook gained a second wind and more than competed for the remainder of the contest.

Snaresbrook are a very hard working side, and you can see why both their league games were so tight, but they were almost undone late on when Little found himself with the goal at his mercy but a last ditch defensive tackle thwarted him, it was a goal saving tackle that was for sure, and typified Snaresbrook's grit and determination.

Snaresbrook themselves almost won it late on, seeing a corner thump off the crossbar, but neither side could find a winner and so the final would go to penalties, meaning Snaresbrook's third in a row in this competition. It was to be a dramatic one too.

Both sides missed their opening penalties, with the Runwell one going miles over the bar, and then at 3-3 Snaresbrook saw Josh Hudson make his second save of the shoot out, meaning Runwell had the chance to win it, but that penalty went even higher over the bar then the first one, so 3-3 heading into sudden death.

Runwell had another chance to win it, but saw that penalty saved by Canel Hassan, and then after going through the entire eleven, including the keepers, we were tied at 7-7 after eleven spots kicks each, were on earth would the shoot out go next.

Back to the first penalty takers again, who had both missed remember, well Hudson saved again meaning Runwell had a third match point, and this time they buried their spot kick to win the shoot out 9-8 and take the trophy, what drama and what a way for this competition to end for the season. No doubt Denny King would have enjoyed this and would have been smiling down from above.....

Full time Snaresbrook 1 Runwell Sports 1 (Runwell Sports won 9-8 on penalties)

 

Rayleigh Town 1 Sungate 0

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Tuesday 26th April

Tuesday evening saw me over at Rayleigh Sports & Social Club and saw a George Vile free kick on the half hour prove enough for Rayleigh Town to defeat Sungate to keep their title hopes alive.

It was another important for the home side as they looked to close the gap to the top two, Ongar Town and Basildon Town, who both have sixty points from twenty six games (Ongar are top courtesy of a much better goal difference), Rayleigh knew a win would close the gap to just three points having played the same number of games and a better goal difference than the top two as well.

Sungate themselves were embarking on their seventh game this month, it has been a busy schedule for the newly crowned Essex Premier Cup winners as they had had many games to catch up on as the season drew to a close, but a win for the visitors here would see them close the gap to fifth placed Kelvedon Hatch to six points and still with five games in hand (Hatch have now finished their season too).

Saying all of this though you could have been forgiven for thinking Sungate were just trying to get through their games now having won a major prize already this season now, and apart from an early chance to the visitors it was the hosts who took control of the match with the visitors more than casual on many occasions, especially playing out from the back and giving away possession on countless occasions too.

Despite all of Rayleigh's dominance and openings though they only had one goal to show for it at the break, although it wasn't a bad strike to be honest, as Vile struck a left footed free kick from outside the box, see it take a deflection, and although Sungate keeper Stefan Lamacq got a hand to it and push it onto the bar, it thumped the underside of it and ended up in the net with half an hour gone.

Sungate had rode their luck somewhat, just like in their last game at Hutton, and in that game they had come back to nick a draw, could they do the same here, well early in the second period they so nearly stunned their opponents but Jake Willis saw his close range effort brilliantly saved by Mark Brown, it was a rare save for the hosts stopper in this contest but a very good one at that, and it was a warning to the hosts how fragile their lead was, despite all their attacking play and missed chances.

You felt Rayleigh needed a second to put this game to bed, and they had more than enough chances to kill the game off, and the visitors even tried to give them a helping hand twenty minutes into the second period when Lee Samways was sin binned for ten minutes after saying something out of turn to the assistant on the near side, but they found Sungate keeper Lamacq equal to every attempt that came his way.  Harry Talbot and Charlie Seaden were causing havoc down the Sungate right, but the final ball also was lacking when they got into a decent position, and at 1-0 Sungate were always in the game, despite the hosts having a lot of the attacking play.

As the light began to fade and the time run down towards the final few minutes Rayleigh did have to do some defending as Sungate tried to deny them the win, but anything that Sungate pumped into their box was repelled, and after a few minutes the final whistle came and Rayleigh had netted a very important win to keep themselves in the hunt for the title.

Full time Rayleigh Town 1 Sungate 0

So, this is how the title race looks going into the final two games:-

Realistically Hutton are pretty much out of the title race now even though they can still mathematically win it, but it's tight between the top three now, here are the remaining fixtures involving the top four sides:-

Saturday April 30th

Basildon Town Vs Sungate

Catholic United Vs Ongar Town

Hutton Vs Rayleigh Town

Tuesday 3rd May

Rayleigh Town Vs Galleywood

Catholic United Vs Hutton

Saturday 7th May

Hutton Vs Basildon Town

Saturday 14th May

Ongar Town Vs Catholic United

Saturday 21st May

Bishop's Stortford Swifts Vs Hutton

Hutton, although the title is a slim hope now, are going to have some say in it to put it mildly, they play Rayleigh and Basildon Town before the season is out so will not have thrown the towel in yet, and also Catholic United, who can still get a top five finish, play leaders Ongar twice and Hutton too so they will also have a big say in who lifts the trophy. 

Some tough games to come for the title contenders then, so many twists and turns to come in the next month or so!!!

  

Harlow Town Reserves 2 Billericay Town Reserves 1

Essex Senior League Reserves League Divisional Cup Final, Sunday 24th April

Sunday saw me over at a bright and sunny Cappershots in Waltham Abbey as Harlow Town came from behind to defeat newly crowned Division One champions Billericay Town to take League Divisional Cup honours for the 2021/22 season in front of a healthy 165 crowd.

Before we get into the final itself, shall we see how both these sides got to this final and take a look back at the competition for the season, a competition set up for the Division One sides, which saw eight sides enter with two groups making up the group stages:-

Group A

Results

Hashtag United 4-1 Witham Town

Waltham Abbey 3-2 Concord Rangers

Hashtag United 0-1 Waltham Abbey

Concord Rangers A-W Witham Town

Witham Town 3-3 Waltham Abbey

Concord Rangers A-W Hashtag United

Table

Group B

Results

Harlow Town 3-2 Billericay Town

Grays Athletic 2-1 Brentwood Town

Harlow Town 4-0 Brentwood Town

Grays Athletic 1-4 Billericay Town

Harlow Town 2-0 Grays Athletic 

Billericay Town 0-2 Brentwood Town

Table

Quarter Finals

Billericay Town 2-1 Witham Town

Grays Athletic 2-3 Waltham Abbey

Harlow Town 5-2 Concord Rangers

Hashtag United 0-1 Brentwood Town

Semi Finals

Billericay Town 3-0 Waltham Abbey

Harlow Town 2-1 Brentwood Town

So, that is how we got to this final stage of this tournament, Harlow Town's cup form in this competition was unrecognisable from their Division One form where they only won two of their fourteen league games to finish second bottom in the division, whereas in this cup they had won every game to reach this stage.

Billericay in contrast had just been crowned Division One Champions after nine wins in the campaign and finishing two points ahead of Hashtag United, but their form in this competition saw them lose two of their three three group matches before managing to win through to the final.

So, if you look at the Division One table and see Billericay as champs and Harlow Town finishing second bottom, you would say the Blues would surely win this final, however Harlow's 100% record in the competition would suggest otherwise, and it was a cup final so normally form and stats go right out of the window don't they.

On a very decent April afternoon in Waltham Abbey, a decent crowd of 165 turned up to support their sides, with many fans, parents, friends etc cheering on their players, boys, friends etc to see if they could claim a trophy, Billericay themselves were going for a second one in less than a week, but could Harlow claim one themselves and end the season on a high.

Just past the half hour mark it was The Blues who edged themselves in front when the dangerous Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo went down the left and seem to mis hit a cross which ended up being a perfect lob over keeper Rob Horgan who despite scrambling desperately back to keep the ball out, saw it squeeze inside the near post, it may have even gone in off the post, but it went in that was the main thing.

Harlow needed a response, and boy did they find one, as just three minutes after going behind restored parity when a lovely ball from Henry Clark released Marko Protic who ran into the box before sliding a lovely finish under keeper Jordan Williams and into the net, and it meant the sides went into the break all square after a pretty decent half of football.

The second half didn't quite reach the heights of the first period, turning into a typical cup final where both teams probably realised the enormity of the situation, so the contest became scrappy and tight, with neither side wanting to make that mistake that could potentially cost them the final, both had chances to win it, Jordan Williams made a superb double save to keep The Hawks out, whilst the Blues saw Louie Vosper somehow fire over down the other end.

Extra time loomed large then, but with five minutes of the ninety to go, Harlow struck the winner, as a decent ball to full back Sammy Bayon saw him cut inside onto his left foot and strike a low effort into the near corner and send the Hawks players and bench wild with delight, as well as the majority of the crowd watching on too.

The eventual nine or ten remaining minutes that followed saw Billericay attempt to find a leveller, but Harlow stood firm and held on for a magnificent win to take the League Divisional Cup honours for the 2021/22 season.    

Full time Harlow Town Reserves 2 Billericay Town Reserves 1

 

Saffron Walden Town 2 Hoddesdon Town 0

Essex Senior League, Saturday 23rd April

I was at Catons Lane for the final weekend of the Essex Senior League season, and it saw goals from Charlie Smith and Stan Leech help Saffron Walden Town net a comfortable win over Hoddesdon Town to claim the runners up spot and seal a promotion play off place to boot.

The equation for the hosts was simple, grab at least a point and second place and the play offs was theirs, however if they slipped up against a Hoddesdon Town side who had beaten Walthamstow and Stansted recently, they could be pipped to second spot by Redbridge who were facing relegation threatened St Margaretsbury at Oakside.

Walden then were in the driving seat prior to kick off then, it had been a remarkable end to their campaign as at one point a couple of months or so ago they were well off the pace and it seemed no chance they would challenge for that playoff place, but since losing at Cockfosters in mid-February they are eleven matches unbeaten having won ten of those, with a goalless draw at FC Clacton being the only one they have failed to win in that time.

It's an amazing run of form that has seen them in this position to have the chance of grabbing second spot and a playoff against a third bottom side in one of the Step Four divisions for a place at that level next season, but it would not be an easy game against a Hoddesdon Town side who, although have nothing to play for and are down in an unspectacular 14^th position, have been in decent form lately.

Since the start of March they have lost just twice in eleven in all competitions, and as said above have beaten Walthamstow twice in that period and also ended Stansted’s hopes of the playoffs too after beating them as well, although all three of those games were at Hoddy’s Lowfield ground, their away form is nowhere near as strong as their home form, so you would certainly have expected the hosts to get the job done here today.

But pressure does funny things doesn’t it, Walden had it all to lose going into this one whilst Hoddesdon could just play with freedom, like they had been doing recently, so you can never tell what may happen, could Walden hold their nerve though and claim that coveted play off spot and see themselves just ninety minutes away from a possible promotion?

A bumper crowd of 776 were in attendance for this one, a magnificent effort from all concerned, and it certainly had a latter FA Vase round feel to it, this was a big day for the club, and although Walden dominated the opening half it looked as though they would go into the break still in a nervy position although they were still heading for that point they needed despite not finding that goal.

Gavin Cockman had gone closest in the opening forty minutes or so, thumping a powerful effort from an acute angle against the woodwork, possibly via Hoddesdon keeper Alex Read’s hand, whilst the hosts had numerous efforts go straight at Read, however, two minutes before the break Walden eased their nerves by finding the net.

Khris Oti had been put through, and although he stumbled under pressure from close attentions from defenders, the ball was played back into the middle where the superb Smith was on hand to convert a first time finish past Read and into the net to send the 800 plus crowd wild, as well as Jason Maher and co on the side lines too, it was a huge goal, and one that settled down any nerves amongst the home contingent, sending them into the break a goal to the good.

Hoddesdon had very little in the way of attacking play thus far in this contest, but they almost stunned their opponents when firing inches wide shortly after the break, it was the warning that Walden needed as an equaliser from the visitors would leave the hosts in a nervous position once again, especially as Redbridge were making light work of St Mags at Oakside, so losing this one was certainly not an option.

As it turned out Hoddy rarely threatened thereafter and The Bloods looked the more likely to add another goal, a goal that would certainly seal their runners up spot and the play off place too, and with three minutes of the ninety to go, Walden sealed that position with a second goal after substitute Leech nodded home a Craig Calver cross from the right, and cued celebrations with the noisy Walden fans behind the goal.

A comfortable win then for the home side, and great scenes thereafter as the hosts received their runners up tankards and shield, it’s been an amazing finish to the season from them, unbeaten in twelve games, eleven of those wins, and they head into that playoff against a side yet to be confirmed in top form, and they will not fear anyone in their bid to gain promotion.

Full time Saffron Walden Town 2 Hoddesdon Town 0

 

Shall we see how the final day of the Essex Senior League panned out, why not...

Results

Clapton 0-4 Woodford Town

Cockfosters 0-1 Athletic Newham

Enfield 4-0 White Ensign

FC Clacton 1-1 Southend Manor

Ilford 1-1 Little Oakley

Redbridge 6-1 St Margaretsbury

Saffron Walden Town 2-0 Hoddesdon Town

Sawbridgeworth Town 4-1 West Essex

Takeley 2-2 Stansted

Walthamstow 2-1 Stanway Rovers

Final Table

Champions Walthamstow defeated Stanway Rovers to cap a wonderful season and win the division by nine points, and despite Redbridge sticking six past St Margaretsbury they will finish third and two points behind Saffron Walden Town who sealed that runners up spot today.

That heavy defeat for St Mags though saw them finish the season in the bottom two and possible relegation after Sawbridgeworth Town leapfrogged them on the final day after they put four past West Essex at Crofters to end their season in style and confirm their place in the league for next season.

And step five newbies Little Oakley finished the highest out of the three promoted sides from step six last season by finishing a very creditable sixth, with Athletic Newham finishing eighth and White Ensign eleventh, all three can be pleased with their seasons though and will surely look to push on next season no doubt.

And finally.....hurrah!!!! We have managed to finish a season too, the first one for what seems like forever, so that is a huge positive, just the playoff to come now, can Saffron Walden Town win one more game and join champions Stow in Step Four next season???