Essex Senior League Round Up (27th/28th October) - Romford, Halstead Town record big away wins, Frenford stun Sporting Bengal United at Mile End, Tilbury win huge game at Hullbridge Sports

 

(Sporting Bengal United and Frenford prior to their game at Mile End, which saw the visitors net a stunning win, photo courtesy of @Frenfordfc)

The latest weekend in the Essex Senior League began on Friday evening when league leaders Woodford Town hosted FC Clacton at Ashton's, lets see how that one went and how all eight contests on Saturday fared too on Halloween weekend .....

Friday 27th October

Woodford Town 5 FC Clacton 0

Luke Parrott grabbed another couple of goals as leaders Woodford put FC Clacton to the sword at Ashton's, Parrott gave the hosts a 15th minute lead before he added another five minutes before the break, and with a minute to go to half time it was three as Nathan Sollosi netted. David Gokou-Siakouri netted on the hour mark to make it four, and the scoring was completed fifteen minutes from time when Yemi Adelani added a fifth for the rampant hosts and complete another superb evening at the office. 

Saturday 28th October

Athletic Newham 0 Saffron Walden Town 2

Two second half goals handed Saffron Walden Town a superb win at The Terrence McMillan Stadium. After a goalless first half the deadlock was broken six minutes into the second period when Daniel Kithambo netted for The Bloods, and he netted again from the spot later on in the half to seal the visitors all three points.

 

Barking 0 Halstead Town 6

Alfie Cleal netted a brace as Halstead Town ripped Barking apart at Mayesbrook Park after a devastating first half saw the visitors net five. The Humbugs opened the scoring on two minutes thanks to a lovely cushioned header from Ade Funbi, and it was two after just nine minutes when Jake Brown slotted home a rebound, before a fantastic volley from Robbie Bennett handed the visitors a three goal lead just before the half hour mark. It was four on the half hour mark when Cleal sent an overhead kick into the net, and it was five when Cleal netted his second with a volley. A shell shocked hosts managed to make the second period more competitive but it was Halstead who had the last laugh when they made it six with six minutes to go after Joel Older drove into the box before passing to Sonny Dutton who finished the move to cap an amazing afternoon for the visiting side.

 

Coggeshall Town 2 Romford 7

Finlay Dorrell netted four first half goals as Romford ended a poor recent run by netting seven at West Street against bottom side Coggeshall thus ending the hosts recent mini revival in the process. Romford took a 14th minute lead after a heavy pass was met at the touch-line and fired home at a tight angle by Dorrell, and Romford doubled their lead after twenty six minutes when George Cox saw a slow effort bounce into the back of the net. Dorrell then added two more to complete his hat-trick before great play set up Dorrell for his fourth of the first half and cap an extraordinary first half showing. And within a minute of the restart Charlie Morris turned inside and drilled a low shot inside the post to make it six nil. Jack Zielinski then headed home for the hosts but a close range volley from Morris, his second of the afternoon, saw the visitors go 7-1 up, before a great run from Nathan Dennis ended with him firing home to give the hosts a second but ultimately the damage had been done in the opening forty five minutes as Romford left with all the points.

 

Great Wakering Rovers 2 Stanway Rovers 0

Two goals in the final twenty minutes saw Great Wakering Rovers take all the points against Stanway Rovers at Burroughs Park, Rovers caught Stanway on the counter in the 73rd minute and saw Shemarie Perkins-Palmer net, and then six minutes after that the hosts doubled their lead and sealed the points when a well worked set piece to the near post saw Oliver Jenkins convert to continue their climb towards those play off spots.

 

Hullbridge Sports 0 Tilbury 2

Two late goals handed Tilbury a huge three points against Hullbridge Sports at Lower Road in a game between the two most in form sides in the division. With six minutes to go Tilbury were awarded a penalty after Harvey Browne was pulled down inside the box, and Roman Campbell converted the penalty via the keepers hand, and then five minutes later The Dockers sealed a massive win when Campbell again found the net after a scramble inside the box and seal all three points for the visiting side.

Little Oakley 3 Buckhurst Hill 0

A Dan Rowe brace helped Little Oakley to a fourth league win of the season and take themselves above opponents Buckhurst Hill in the table as a result. A Pinpoint cross from Rory Harman ended with a header from Rowe finding the net to give the hosts the lead before Rowe calmly slotted in to make it two, before a third goal from Mason Lumley sealed the deal.

 

Sporting Bengal United 0 Frenford 3

Frenford netted three second half goals without reply as they stunned high flying Sporting Bengal United at Mile End to take only their third league win of the campaign. Early in the second period Frenford took the lead after good work down the right saw a ball into the box which ended with a good finish from ex Sporting player Lewis Francis and then were then awarded a penalty with twelve minutes to go which was slotted home by Dion Johnston. And deep into stoppage time Sam Ince added a third for the visitors to give them a stunning win and a massive three points down at the bottom of the division.

 

Takeley 1 White Ensign 1

Nine man Ensign somehow managed to fight back from a goal down to earn a precious point at Takeley, Archie McFadden was shown a second yellow just before the hour mark to reduce the visitors to ten men, and then the hosts went in front from the spot a couple of minutes later, and the mad five minutes was completed when Kyle McAlindon was given a straight red to reduce the visitors to nine men (I think all these cards and penalty were linked). However, Takeley could not go on and net a second straight win after Mechack Asuka levelled with fifteen minutes remaining to earn a point at Station Road.

 

West Essex 5 Ilford 0

The Foxes have now conceded five goals in four straight league games after they were hammered at high flying West Essex, the hosts opening the scoring just before the half hour mark when Emmanuel Wazola slid in Denzel Effah who sent his finish under the keeper, and then three minutes later it was two after David Bell applied a sublime chip into the net. The third goal came on the hour mark when Ike Olaiya put Effah in and the latter found the bottom corner, and with thirteen minutes remaining Moyo Ajibade stung the keepers hands, and the ball fell to Effah who unselfishly squared to Ruben Bartlett-Antwi to slot home number four. With four minutes left West completed the scoring when Bartlett-Antwi accelerated past the centre half and slotted home number five to keep the pressure on the leaders at the summit.

Let's see how the Essex Senior League table looks after this weekend's action.....

Woodford continue to lead the way, closely followed by West Essex and the in form Tilbury, Romford are back up to fourth after a much needed win, Sporting drop a couple of places to fifth after a shock home defeat to Frenford, it's a tight table isn't it, with fourth to eleventh only separated by seven points.

Down at the foot, that Frenford win at Sporting saw them go third bottom and go two points ahead of the bottom two and three above bottom side Coggeshall Town, Ilford drop into the bottom two after another thrashing, things look bleak for them right now if truth be told. The bottom five are only separated by five points too, so tight down there as well.

Let's see the league fixtures for the next week.....

Tuesday 31st October

Buckhurst Hill Vs Frenford

FC Clacton Vs Saffron Walden Town

Hullbridge Sports Vs Ilford

Friday 3rd October

Coggeshall Town Vs Halstead Town

Woodford Town Vs Athletic Newham

Saturday 4th October

Stanway Rovers Vs West Essex

FC Clacton Vs White Ensign

Frenford Vs Takeley

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Little Oakley

Romford Vs Ilford

Saffron Walden Town Vs Barking

Sporting Bengal United Vs Hullbridge Sports

Tilbury Vs Buckhurst Hill

So, that concludes the latest action in the Essex Senior League, thanks for reading.....

ESL Double Header (21/10/2023) - Blues hit five as they thrash Foxes, Takeley produce remarkable comeback to defeat Romford

 (Action from the first game of the day which saw Barking defeat Ilford 5-1)

Saturday saw me over at Mayesbrook Park for a rare Essex Senior League double header, Ilford's home game with Barking had to be switched to Mayesbrook Park due to ongoing issues with them and Ilford Sports Club at Cricklefield, and also due to the fact Barkingside were at home to Framlingham in the FA Vase, so it was decided that this would now be a Barking home game, hence the two games taking place at Mayesbrook (Romford were already scheduled to play at home to Takeley) and the ESL double header was created.

And what with the dodgy weather around the last couple of days and the potential for more showers throughout the day, a 3G pitch and covered seated stand was a perfect choice for me, and getting two games in the same day too in the same division, well how could I resist!!!

The first game saw Barking take on Ilford at 12:30pm, let's see how that went....

Barking 5 Ilford 1

It has been a tough start to the season for the Blues, many fancied them to do well last season and in he end a seventh placed finish was not a bad return although they were well off the pace (twenty two points off runners up Redbridge), and this season they have struggled to get going again and had only picked up fifteen points from their first thirteen games, not the start they were hoping for.

However, to say their opponents had struggled to get going this season was an understatement, they had only picked up nine points from their opening thirteen games and sat third bottom and only a point above the bottom two sides (Frenford and Coggeshall United) and after a season of struggle in the main last season in a 16th placed finish, many felt The Foxes would find it tough once again this season and thus far were being proved correct.

The Blues form hasn't been great lately though, after winning at home to basement boys Coggeshall Town, they had lost three straight games in the league conceding ten in the process before they managed to beat Takeley at home last weekend (ironically Takeley were back here for a second successive weekend to take on Romford in the later game of the day) so The Blues were at least coming into this one off the back of a win.

The same could not be said for The Foxes though, the last five games had yielded a win at second bottom Frenford, which was a huge win, but they had lost the other four, conceding fifteen goals in the process, and that also included a loss at bottom side Coggeshall Town, so confidence was not exactly brimming you could say, so Barking were most certainly favourites headed into this contest.

But, after just two minutes the visitors grabbed the lead, Harry Rawlins did well down the left before driving into the box and seeing a deflected effort find the far corner, The Blues had started slowly but managed to ease their way into the contest and just past the half hour mark found an equaliser when after Ilford failed to clear a cross, the ball fell to Tom Troubridge who thumped home.

It had been a tight contest though and at half time with the game evenly matched and all square, it was anyone's guess where this one was going, however, Ilford were to implode in the opening fifteen minutes of the second period and this settled the contest if truth be told.

Barking started the implosion nine minutes into the second period when Luke Hirst fought off his marker to run onto a ball and loft over the advancing keeper for a neat finish, and then two minutes after that Jake Gordon pounced on some ordinary defending to make it 3-1, and it was three goals in six minutes when on the hour mark Hirst grabbed his second when converting a cross from the right, and just like that the Blues had a comfortable 4-1 lead.

And as the clock ticked into stoppage time Barking added a fifth goal to cap a good second half performance when Gael Kileba managed to get into the box on the left hand side and apply a finish at the second time of asking after his first effort was blocked, and heap more misery on the visitors who had conceded five goals for the third game in a row, worrying times for them for sure.

It means Barking rose to 12th and within touching distance of the top five (seven points off) so if they can now put a run together they could get themselves in the mix perhaps, whereas for Ilford it's another sorry day at the office after a decent first half showing, they cannot have these mad moments where they concede a glut of goals, it's not a receipt for success for sure.

Full time Barking 5 Ilford 1

Ok, time to go onto Game Two of the day at Mayesbrook as Romford welcomed Takeley, in the 4pm showing, this was the second weekend in a row that the visitors had appeared here, they had lost that one to Barking 3-2, so could they have a different outcome today? Let's find out.....

Romford 3 Takeley 4

The hosts had been one of the front runners in the division along with Woodford Town and many had said those two were the best two so far in the division, but recently Romford have hit the buffers and came into this one with back to back defeats, 6-3 at West Essex where they led heading into stoppage time, and then a surprising loss at Stanway Rovers after they had got rid of their manager, so a first bump in the road for the home side this campaign.

They were still in a decent position though, fifth and six points off the leaders and compared to their opponents today were certainly much better off, Takeley had changed their management this season and some playing personal too with some youngsters involved in what was a new era at the club, they, along with Barking were enduring a difficult start to their campaign, down in 16th with just nine points from twelve games, not the start anyone expected.

Takeley's league form had been horrendous as well, as after beating Stanway Rovers back on August Bank Holiday weekend, they had lost six league games in a row conceding twenty goals and as said above had lost here at Mayesbrook Park last weekend to Barking, so most would have felt Romford were to get back to winning ways no?

Well, it was hard to see how Takeley had lost six in a row and were struggling so much early on as they were the better side in this contest and missed a couple of really good chances, and low and behold when your down the bottom and struggling things tend to go against you, and in the 27th minute fell behind when goal scoring machine Hassan Nalbant turned to fire home a left footed effort into the bottom corner and give the hosts a scarcely deserved lead.

And five minutes before the break it got worse for Takeley when they fell two goals behind as Harry Hart got into the box to fire home, and it looked as if Takeley would be headed for a seventh straight loss in the league, but, they were given hope in first half stoppage time when Costi-Marian Varsoi saw a cross from the right sail over the keepers head into the far corner, momentum with Takeley heading into the break perhaps?

Well, it appeared not as Romford restored their two-goal cushion early in the second period when Nalbant was quickest to react to poke home a rebound from close range, and you felt at this point the hosts, who had seemed to come out with much more energy this half, would go on and win comfortably, but this was not to be the case.

Takeley were always remaining a threat and reduced the arrears midway through the second half when sloppy defending from the home side saw them lose the ball outside their own box and allowed George Frodsham to fire home, and then just three minutes after that Takeley were all of a sudden level at 3-3 when Frodsham pounced for his second of the game when the hosts failed to clear their lines.

Things were going south very fast for the home side who had looked in control only ten or so minutes earlier when centre half Darren Phillips was given a straight red for a poor challenge, and with thirteen minutes to go Takeley completed a remarkable turnaround when Caoilan McGettigan, who had been superb for the visitors, get into the box to slot home the winning goal and hand Takeley a huge win and a massive boost no doubt.

Romford just did not know what had hit them, and they have now lost three games on the spin as their season has most certainly hit the buffers now, although they do stay in the top five, whilst for Takeley they remain 16th but will take a lot from this comeback win today for sure, it had been a mad game and so enjoyable to watch!!!

Full time Romford 3 Takeley 4

That concluded the double header from Mayesbrook Park, thirteen goals and plenty of drama in the two Essex Senior League contests, a very enjoyable day indeed!!!

  

Australia 2 New Zealand 0 - Goals from Mitch Duke & Jackson Irvine hand Aussies victory in Soccer Ashes at Brentford

International Friendly (Soccer Ashes), Tuesday 17th October

I was at Brentford's G-Tech Community Stadium on Tuesday evening for something different as I attended the latest instalment of what is known as the 'Soccer Ashes' between Australia and New Zealand.

It was a rare International Game for me these days and I only found out about the game two days before it was scheduled so I thought why not and purchased a ticket for £24, which was top end too, so a very decent seat and view, not bad for a match between to rivals who were contesting for a trophy.

The Soccer Ashes is based on the concept of The Ashes in Cricket between The Aussies and England, and the cigars of former Aussie skipper Alec Gibb and former New Zealand captain George Campbell were encased by a New Zealand soldier during the First World War and competed for in 1923 when New Zealand defeated the Socceroos.

The prize did go missing in the mid 1950s but was recently found and will now once again competed for, so it was a privilege to have this taking place in West London and Brentford's wonderful G-Tech, this was my third visit to the stadium and I am impressed every single time I go, it's a fabulous venue and right next to Kew Bridge railway station too so very convenient.

This was the seventh edition of the Soccer Ashes, and in the previous six the Socceroos had won four of those and drawn one other, with New Zealand's only win coming in that first edition back in 1923, and with the Aussies being ranked 77 places above their opponents in the FIFA World Rankings, it was fair to say Australia were clear favourites to win this latest contest too.

The Socceroos reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and only narrowly lost to eventual champions Argentina and have reached a very decent 27th in the world rankings, New Zealand have managed to just one win in eight games since they won the OFC qualification campaign to reach the 2022 World Cup inter-confederation play-offs last year.

The two sides also met prior to the world cup in 2022 as well, with the Aussies winning both with 1-0 and 2-0 score lines, so not many gave the New Zealanders much hope of victory in this one, although the Socceroos had lost their last four internationals and not won since defeating Ecuador in Sydney in March, so they were not in great form lately themselves.

However, in the 13th minute the Aussies got their noses in front although their was some confusion who got the opening goal, a well placed cross from Miller was nodded back into the heart of the penalty box by Alessandro Circati, who was making his debut, and centre forward Mitch Duke sent a powerful effort into the net, although it appeared to flick off the chest of team mate Harry Souttar on the way into the net.

Souttar was initially awarded the goal but was later given to Duke as he was credited with it on the match officials post match paperwork!!! What was certain was the Aussies lead, a lead they could and should have added too had it not been for a couple of decent stops from New Zealand keeper Michael Woud to thwart Connor Metcalfe and Martin Boyle.

The Aussies though were clearly the better side in the contest although the New Zealanders certainly battled well and gave their all in this one, but they rarely troubled Socceroos keeper Matt Ryan, Chris Wood did force a save from him in the first period, and a free kick struck the Aussies bar in the second half but apart from this the Aussies were fairly comfortable, and with fifteen minutes or so remaining sealed the deal with a second as Jackson Irvine, on as a second half substitute, climbed to head home a Boyle corner.

The Socceroos should have added a late third but saw Brandon Borrello miss an absolute sitter from close range, but it mattered not in the end as they took the Soccer Ashes for 2023, both sides will now look ahead to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign which begins next month.

Full time Australia 2 New Zealand 0

Billericay Town 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0 - A powerful finish from Emmanuel, a Stevenson corner that went in off visiting keeper Lakin, & a close range finish from Stevenson saw Blues to the points at New Lodge

Isthmian Premier Division, Tuesday 10th October

My second game of the month saw me over at New Lodge for an Isthmian Premier contest between mid table Billericay Town and strugglers Dulwich Hamlet in front of 690 on another mild October evening in South Essex.

The Blues are into their second season at this level following relegation from the level above two seasons ago, and they have began this one in a much better frame of mind and compared to last season at this time are in a much better position too, winning their first three games 1-0 and only losing one of their first nine competitive encounters, until they lost at home recently to Canvey Island, funnily enough 1-0.

They have also won all their cup games to date, winning three FA Cup ties to take their place in the Fourth Qualifying Round and also an FA Trophy tie at the weekend, so it's been a more than decent start to life this season, the same cannot be said for their opponents though who started the evening only outside the bottom four on goal difference.

Dulwich Hamlet themselves fell from Step Two into this division and like their opponents last season have not adapted well to their new division, picking up only seven points from a possible twenty seven so far this campaign, and they were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first time of asking as well, losing a replay in the First Qualifying Round.

They have won two cup ties though, albeit one being in the County Cup against lesser opposition, and the other being at the weekend in the FA Trophy away from home, so at least they were coming into this one with a rare win and clean sheet, but this was going to be a tough test against a side who were playing with a lot of confidence.

The game kind of followed this pattern too, Hamlet did have a couple of decent openings in the opening forty five minutes, one which saw a rather awkward save from home keeper Dan Wilks glance off the bar and over, but apart from these moments the half belonged to the hosts in the main, and it was no surprise to see them ahead at the break when Moses Emmanuel provided a powerful finish after the ball had been slipped into him inside the box in the 27th minute.

And the early exchanges of the second period saw the hosts take complete control, they doubled their lead in the 57th minute when a Bradley Stevenson corner looked to go in straight off visiting keeper Will Lakin, but it seems FWP have given the goal to the hosts player, so he can have it, I'd rather that than an own goal if truth be told, but whatever happened it was a second goal for the hosts for sure.

And just two minutes later their was no doubting who grabbed the goal as Stevenson grabbed a quick double, as after he saw a close range effort saved by Lakin, he followed up to bury the rebound and at this point you felt the hosts could go on and score a few more, the visitors looked done.

However, the hosts took their foot off the gas somewhat after that third goal and allowed the visitors to get a bit more of the ball, they did apply a bit of pressure on their opponents and almost saw Wilks gift them a goal back when he made a mess of an effort which seemed to no danger at all and spilled it onto the post and thankfully for the stopper, back into his grateful arms.

Billericay though were good value for their win and applied all the damage in the opening hour, this win, their fifth of the season in the league, takes them up several places to fourth in a tight looking and early league table (it is still only October!!!) whereas Hamlet actually drop into the bottom four on goal difference after losing by three, both teams will be in different mindsets right now that is for sure.

Full time Billericay Town 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Sporting Bengal United 0 Woodford Town 4 - Clinical performance from league leaders sees them net four at Mile End in big top of the table clash

Essex Senior League, Saturday 7th October

The first Saturday in October, still too early in the season to have six pointers, right? Probably…. but Mile End was my location for a huge and potential six pointer at the top of the Essex Senior League as fourth placed and surprise package Sporting Bengal United hosted unbeaten league leaders Woodford Town.

My day began earlier than normal after I was invited onto the hosts pre match podcast show where we discussed today’s game and how it would go (many thanks to the club for allowing me to appear on this show by the way, feel very privileged to be invited on as a guest) and we certainly thought it was a hard one to call as both sides are full of confidence right now. (That podcast can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Xoiz1poDg)

Sporting are many peoples surprise package so far, I saw their first two games of the season, both wins away from home after going behind in both, turning a 1-0 deficit at Great Wakering Rovers into a 2-1 win, and then coming back from 2-0 down at Ilford to win 4-2 (this seems to be a trend this season, which shows belief and character in the squad), and these were not flashes in the pan as they have gone onto take twenty two points in their eleven league games so far to take their place inside the play off places.

Visitors Woodford were my dark horses for the season and I felt after the way they ended last season they would continue that and make a right crack at promotion and even the title this term, well so far they have outshone all, taking twenty seven points from eleven games and have a five point cushion back to West Essex, Romford and today’s opponents Sporting who are the ones closest to them in the standings.

Woodford are also the only side in the division who have not lost in the league so far (eight wins & three draws) so could Sporting be the first club this season to end that unbeaten run in the division, well home form for the hosts certainly suggests a tough game for the visitors as Sporting are yet to lose at home this season in any competition (six games) and they have won their last three at home too, so it certainly is ‘fortress Mile End’ this season.

Sporting in fact haven’t tasted defeat themselves since a 3-1 reverse at Tilbury seven games ago back on 15^th August, there only league defeat of the season so far, and there only other loss came on penalties in the FA Cup at Stansfield, this after being 3-0 down in the original tie after just eight minutes and twice coming back to earn a 4-4 draw, so Sporting are not used to losing either.

They will hold no fears against the league leaders despite Woodford’s brilliant start to the campaign, the side from Ashton’s only loss in their seventeen games so far in all competitions was at home to a very decent Step Four side in Felixstowe & Walton United in the FA Cup, this after they had knocked out two Step Four sides in Hertford Town and Bowers & PItsea, so they can certainly mix it with sides a level above too.

And since that FA Cup defeat on September 2^nd they have won four of their six games in all competitions, five of those were in the league, only dropping points to Hullbridge Sports (that was a late leveller) and Little Oakley, who also needed a late leveller to deny the league leaders, in fact late goals have been something Woodford Town enjoy, so the hosts here would need to be on their metal for the entire game.

So, the hosts like to come from behind, and the visitors like a late goal, well goals have not been an issue for either side, Sporting have managed twenty-six so far whilst Woodford have netted thirty, a combined fifty-six goals, and that’s just in the league alone!!! Therefore (and I say this with much trepidation!!!) this game must have goals in it for sure!!! Let’s find out what happened hey…..

The hosts actually started well, and were the better side for the opening half hour or so, but once Woodford took a 32nd minute lead, it went downhill from there for the hosts, that own goal came when lovely work down the left by Ernest Okoh saw his powerful ball across the box strike a defensive player and end up in the net, and then five minutes later the task got harder for the home side when Okoh turned goal scorer this time as Luke Parrott's brilliant play inside the box saw the ball fall into the path of Okoh who could not miss from a yard out, and now Woodford were in control all of a sudden.

And unlike previous deficits where Sporting fought back to grab something from the game, on this occasion they could not do this, and lacked a bit of fight and energy if truth be told, some of their players looked tired and Woodford did enough to keep any home attacking prowess out, and then with eighteen minutes remaining they struck a killer blow by adding a third goal to seal this game once and for all when Parrott again turned provider, sliding in David Gokou-Siakouri to fire across goal and in off the far post, it was another clinical finish from the visiting league leaders.

Bengal continued to huff and puff but were having an off day in front of goal, but they never really looked like getting back into the contest and were up against a superior side on the day, especially after they had grabbed that first half lead, and there was still time for Woodford to add a fourth goal in stoppage time when Parrott managed to get his goal, punishing sloppy defending to slot home and cap a clinical display from the league leaders.

This is a wake up call for the home side who must not allow this disappointment to define their season, it's been a superb start for the hosts and they must now put this behind them, learn from it and move on, which I am sure they will do, whereas for Woodford that's now nine win's from twelve league games, still a five point cushion at the top (West Essex and Romford both won too) as there brilliant start to the season continued.

Finally I would just like to thank the hosts, especially Clarky (manager) Matty G (assistant) and Luke (podcast host and keeper coach) for their wonderful hospitality today, it was a very enjoyable day and it was nice to share the off the field stuff with you and get an insight to how your club works, good things are happening there so I am sure you will be right up there come the end of the season, also was nice to catch up with Shane Baptiste (Woodford manager), Dee Safer (assistant) and James Walkinshaw from the visitors too, Shane even wanted a photo taken with me, which was a pleasant surprise!!!   

It's nice to see these people show me so much love and support and appreciate what I do, it really does make it all worthwhile, and really does make a difference to me, so thank you, it is very much appreciated.....

Full time Sporting Bengal United 0 Woodford Town 4