Latest Midweek Round Up for Essex Non League (7th/8th/9th November)

It was another action packed midweek of local non league action in Essex and the surrounding areas so lets see what happened on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday night shall we and see the updated status of the divisions.....

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

Monday 7th November

South Division

Chelmsford City 0-0 Dover Athletic (Chelmsford City were back in league action after their FA Cup heroics at the weekend, but they were held at home by Dover Athletic in their Monday Night encounter meaning a point a piece, and a clean sheet, for both sides)

Tuesday 8th November

National Division

Southend United 2-2 Notts County (It's now ten matches unbeaten for the Blues as they played out an entertaining draw against league leaders Notts County at Roots Hall. County, who have only lost once in the league so far this season, took the lead ten minutes before the break when a tackle from Miley came to Langstaff who slotted home, but the Blues levelled ten minutes after the break when Kensdale netted his first goal for the hosts after a corner came out to him and he looped a header into the net. County then retook the lead five minutes later when Scott fired home into the corner from outside the box, but Southend were not to be denied a point as just five minutes after the visitors took the lead, the hosts levelled after Bridge got in behind the defence before seeing his cross turned home by a combination of Powell and a defender)

South Division

Cheshunt 3-2 Chippenham Town (Cheshunt grabbed a huge win down at the bottom end of the table after netting all three points against fellow strugglers Chippenham Town. The visitors, fresh from their FA Cup giant killing at the weekend, looked odds on to continue that crest of a wave when goals from Parsons and Santos had them 2-0 up at the break, pulling them nine points clear of their third bottom opponents. But, Ken Charles then netted a second half hattrick to turn the tables and grab an unlikely and monumental three points for the hosts to net only their second win at home all season, and leaving the visitors still without an away one in eight league games) 

Concord Rangers 1-0 Tonbridge Angels (It's now three wins on the bounce for new Concord boss Rob Small as they netted the only goal of the game against Tonbridge Angels at The Aspect Arena for another important win down towards the bottom. After wins over Dover Athletic and Chippenham Town they made it three straight wins when Williamson made no mistake from close range four minutes into the second period to pull themselves out of the bottom four places)   

Before we look at the tables some worrying news from the Bath City Vs Dulwich Hamlet game that took place on Tuesday evening in the South Division, Bath player Alex Fletcher suffered a serious head injury when he collided with an advertising hording after just five minutes, and after a lengthy delay and further medical attention the game was abandoned on the agreement of both parties. Fletcher was taken to hospital and required emergency neurosurgery to stabilise his condition and was admitted to intensive care where he remains in a stable but critical condition. It's at times like this football becomes secondary, and I wish Alex and his family all the best and hope and pray he pulls through.

Right onto the latest tables in both the National and South divisions.....

National League

Southend United are in sixth spot after a ten match unbeaten run in the division, whilst The Daggers are seven points further back in mid table, Wrexham overtook Notts County at the top after the Nottingham side were held by The Blues at Roots Hall.

National League South

Chelmsford City continue to lead the way in terms of Essex sides, Braintree are seven points behind them but only two places below them, Concord Rangers latest burst of form has seen them pick up nine points in just over a week to climb out of the bottom places, Cheshunt remain in bottom three although will be buoyed by that comeback win against Chippenham Town. 

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE

Tuesday 8th November

Isthmian League North

AFC Sudbury 4 - 2 Hashtag United (The Tags suffered a set back after they were beaten at AFC Sudbury, the hosts had won all five home games this season but their 100% record looked done when the visitors held a two goal lead at the break. Cornhill headed home a Halford cross on eleven minutes before Halford assisted again, this time his throw finding Anderson to flick home eight minutes before the break. The hosts though roared back after the break and pulled one back in the 57th minute after a good finish from Ainsworth on the volley before levelling just two minutes after that following a brilliant strike from Stokes. And it was three wonderful goals in less than ten minutes for the home side when they took the lead in the 66th minute when a cross from the right was bundled home by Chatting at the back post. The Tags were rocking but made changes in search of a leveller, but with six minutes remaining conceded again as Nwachuku broke free and calmly slotted home to seal another three points for the hosts and continue their 100% start at home)

Stowmarket Town 2 - 0 Witham Town (Two second half goals were enough for Stowmarket to see of Witham, Lamb gave the home side the lead four minutes after the break before Sotoyinbo doubled that lead just before the hour mark, and in turn handed the hosts all three points to just about keep on the coat tails of the top two)

Isthmian League Velocity Cup Third Round

Billericay Town 1 - 3 Potters Bar Town (The Blues were downed by high flying Premier side Potters Bar at New Lodge to exit the Velocity Cup. Dembele gave the visitors the lead on the half hour before Aidoo doubled that lead five minutes before the break, and midway through the second period it was three when Christian-Law saw a free kick deflect home. Stevenson did pull one back with twenty minutes to go but it was too little too late for the home side)

Hullbridge Sports 3 - 2 Wingate & Finchley (North Division Hullbridge Sports saw off a second half fightback from Premier Division Wingate & Finchley to progress in the Velocity Cup. Lewis gave Bridge a second minute lead before Dutton doubled that advantage midway through the first period, and when Lewis added his second and the home sides third after 32 minutes, it looked like a comfortable evening was in store. However, Wasilion pulled one back for the visitors just before the hour mark before Kearney made it squeaky bum time for the hosts with eighteen minutes remaining, but the Bridge boys did hold on to take their place in the next round)

BBC Essex Senior Cup Third Round

Bowers & Pitsea 0 - 0 Heybridge Swifts (Bowers & Pitsea won 5 - 4 on penalties) (In an all Isthmian Premier Division tie, Bowers & Pitsea sneaked past Heybridge Swifts on penalties to reach the Fourth Round of the County Cup)

Brightlingsea Regent 1 - 3 Hornchurch (Isthmian Premier leaders Hornchurch are into Round Four of the county cup after victory over fellow Isthmian Premier side Brighlingsea Regent. The visitors took the lead after twelve minutes when Green side footed a Joseph cross home, and right on half time Stimson converted a Reid cross to double the Urchins advantage. Regent pulled one back with just under twenty minutes remaining when Thompson side footed home from twenty yards, but the visitors sealed their passage into the next round when Nash and Joseph combined for the former to steer the ball into the net) 

Let's take a look at the Isthiman Premier and North Division tables shall we.....

Premier Division

Hornchurch lead the way still in what is a congested table, the top six are only separated by just four points, whilst down at the bottom Bowers and Brightlingsea remain in the bottom four although all four only have a point between them and are still in touching distance of the ones above them.

North Division

Grays Athletic are top Essex boys in the North division although they have several other ones chasing then down as they all look towards those play off places, down the bottom though it's been a struggle for Coggeshall Town and Maldon & Tiptree who only have four points a piece after twelve games.

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

Monday 7th November

Ilford 0-3 FC Clacton (FC Clacton are just two points off leaders Enfield after they netted a sixth straight away win of the season, after the Sidesiders had seen a McKenzie 17th minute spot kick well saved by Pitman, they did eventually lead when Clowsley swept home the opener deep into first half stoppage time.  That lead was doubled with just over twenty minutes remaining when Charlie Collis volleyed home before an absolute rocket from substitute Tilson in stoppage time sealed a decent night's work for the Seasiders) For a more detailed look at this game, go to Scott W's blog at https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/11/08/s22-23-match-report-ilford-0-3-fc-clacton-mon-7-nov-esl/

Tuesday 8th November 

Barking 3-4 Redbridge (A stoppage time penalty from Hazelwood saw The Motormen take victory in a pulsating contest at Mayesbrook Park. The Blues took the lead midway through the first period when Leach headed home a Abdulla free kick, but just past the half hour mark Redbridge levelled when Martin powered home a header of his own. Barking though restored their lead three minutes later when Hirst saw an effort deflect home but early in the second half Redbridge levelled again when Chawner volleyed home, but Barking took the lead for a third time in the game in the 64th minute as another free kick from Abdulla again found the head of Leach who netted his second of the game. The Motorman though fought back once again and levelled just a minute later when Peterkin poked home after Bhamra lost the ball, and then a minute into stoppage time a handball inside the box resulted in a penalty for the visitors which Hazelwood converted to hand victory to the Motormen) 

Halstead Town 1-2 Takeley (The visitors came from behind to continue their superb form of late, White jumped on a poor pass from the visitors to fire the hosts ahead just before the half hour mark, but the visitors levelled ten minutes before the break through a superb free kick from Westcott. And midway through the second period Takeley grabbed the winner when Almeida-Johquill went through one and one and finished well) 

Little Oakley 2-1 Sawbridgeworth Town (Oakley kept tabs on the top three after victory over Sawbridgeworth Town, after a goalless first period goals from Thain and Rowe put the hosts two goals ahead, and although Nicolaou pulled one back for the visiting side, it wasn't enough to prevent the home side from taking all three points)

Stansted 5-0 Clapton (The Airportmen netted five as they thrashed Clapton at Hargrave Park, Mignot opened the scoring after just five minutes before he added another just eight minutes later as the hosts began the contest very well indeed.  No more goals came until the hour mark though when Coyne netted a rebound after his penalty had been saved, and then Embalo made it 4-0 in the 68th minute before Farrell rounded things off with a fifth goal near the end)

Stanway Rovers 2-0 Buckhurst Hill (Colclough and Okoh netted for hosts Stanway as they saw off Buckhurst Hill at The Hawthorns. After a goalless first half Colclough converted from close range to give the hosts the lead before Okoh sealed the points after running onto a long ball forward, controlling and then slamming home emphatically)

Wednesday 9th November

Romford 1-4 White Ensign (Evison, Portway, Kateley and Allen netted for Ensign as they pulled off a superb win at Mayesbrook Park against Romford. After a goalless first half which saw the hosts miss chances to lead, Evison rifled home from twenty yards after an Allen free kick had hit the wall two minutes after the break before Doe was then sent off for the hosts and Portway had doubled Ensign's led from the spot after Kateley had been fouled. Ensign then made it three just before the hour mark after Kateley's crisp low finish before Romford did pull one back in the 71st minute after substitute Restrepo fired home, but Ensign sealed the deal with seven minutes remaining when Allen fired home a fourth for the visiting side) For a more detailed look at this one, visit Scott W's blog at https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/11/10/s22-23-match-report-romford-1-4-white-ensign-wed-9-nov-esl/

Let's have a look at the latest ESL table..... 

Enfield are still the ones to beat in my view, eleven wins from twelve so far, although teams like FC Clacton, Redbridge and Little Oakley are keeping them honest at least, down at the bottom Southend Manor continue to struggle along with Clapton, with the two sides way behind the rest of the teams above.

THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE

Tuesday 7th November

First Division South

Stanway Pegasus 3-0 Benfleet (Pegasus leapfrogged Benfleet into second pot after winning their top of the table battle against Benfleet.  Issa's superb strike from outside the box after ten minutes put the home side ahead before doubling that lead with ten minutes to go when a poor header out from the defence fell to Rutter who broke into the box and finished smartly past Gislette. And with the last action of the contest Pegasus made it three when a rare mistake from Gislette saw his clearance go straight to Issa who fired into an empty net and although the score line was harsh on Benfleet, Pegasus were worthy winners) 

London Senior Trophy First Round

Wimbledon Casuals 6-0 Sporting Bengal United (Sporting Bengal United are out of the London Senior Trophy after being on the end of a hammering from Wimbledon Casuals at Stepney Green 4G)

Wednesday 9th November

First Division South

Cannons Wood 5-0 Coggeshall United (Cannons Wood are off the bottom and up two places to 17th after they thrashed now bottom side Coggeshall United in their big game down at the foot of the division. A smart finish from Simpson saw the home side one goal ahead at the break and then a dominant second half showing saw a Da Mata hattrick and one from Duberry hand them a emphatic victory) 

May & Baker 1-1 Basildon Town (A dramatic end to proceedings at Parkside saw the points shared between highflying May & Baker and mid table Basildon Town. The hosts looked to have won what was a largely scrappy contest in the 90th minute when after a reckless high boot from Onafuye had seen a penalty awarded, Lamina netted the rebound after Knight had saved.  But, the visitors made sure their was one last twist to this contest as the ball broke to Hall just inside the box and he saw a shot deflect past the keeper into the far corner to salvage a point)

Tower Hamlets 1-1 St Margaretsbury (Ten man St Margeretsbury managed to grab a draw at Mile End against Tower Hamlets, the visitors were reduced to ten men after just fifteen minutes but then lead at the break thanks to a header, Hamlets did manage to level in the second half though meaning a point a piece for both sides)

Let's have a look at the latest First Division South table.....

Burnham Ramblers lead the way in what is a very tight division, the top twelve are separated by just seven points, whilst down at the bottom Coggeshall fell to the bottom after their heavy defeat at Cannons Wood.

That concludes the mid week round up, hope you enjoyed reading it and thanks for reading too, it really is appreciated!!!