BBC Essex Senior Cup Round Three Review (28th/29th/30th October) - Billericay see off Concord, Aveley topple Stow & Hornchurch need penalties to see of Jammers

 (Action from Walthamstow Vs Aveley on Tuesday night at Wadham Lodge)

This week saw Round Three of the BBC Essex Senior Cup get underway with three fixtures, I decided to attend two of those games, Monday night at Thames Road, home of Concord Rangers, and then Tuesday night's fare from Wadham Lodge, home of Walthamstow of course, there was also a Wednesday night game from Park Drive in Maldon, which I was unable to attend, but I will include this in my blog as well.

Anyway lets see how these games go and who managed to prosper in the competition and reach Round Four, the last 16 of the cup:-

Monday October 28th

Concord Rangers 0 Billericay Town 2

Monday night saw me over at Thames Road for a Third Round tie between Isthmian North Concord Rangers & Isthmian Premier side Billericay Town, the hosts therefore giving up one step in the non league pyramid as a result.

The Blues had played eleven league games this far and were the only unbeaten side left in their division, and were only second on goal difference, Concord on the other hand are in a period where after rising up three levels afew years ago to the second tier in non league, they have dropped two levels recently and were down in 13th spot in their division having had a mixed start to their campaign.

Billericay then were obvious favourites to win this tie, and had it not been for the brilliance of home keeper Rory Myles, making three superb stops, one being a superb double save, then the Blues could well have been three goals up at the break, they did have other opportunities as well as they were proving to strong for their opponents, however it looked like Concord would get to the break level.

But, three minutes before the break The Blues were to break through when a ball into the box from full back Jay Porter found Frankie Merrifield and the latter turned and fired an effort at goal which took a slight deflection before finding the net to give the visitors a more than deserved half time lead.

Could the hosts respond and stun their higher league opponents, well on the hour mark a second Blues goal certainly made it a bigger mountain to try and scale, a nice ball played into the path of De-Carrey Sheriff saw him burst past his marker and send a finish through the legs of keeper Myles and into the net.

The visitors seemed to then take their foot off the gas a bit and this allowed Concord to get a bit more into the game and give their opponents a bit more to think about, but if truth be told the visitors were always in control and kept Concord at arms length, and this resulted in them taking the win and progressing into Round Four.

Tuesday October 29th

Walthamstow 0 Aveley 4

Tuesday night saw me make a rare trip to Wadham Lodge, well recently anyway, as Isthmian North Walthamstow hosted Vanarama South Aveley, so that is a two division gap in the non league pyramid, the visitors had made seven changes from their league game at the weekend though, would this give the hosts a chance of a shock result?

Stows league start had been mixed at best, five wins and seven defeats leaving them down in 14th spot, Aveley themselves were sitting second bottom in their division although they are a club certainly punching above their weight right now, and last seasons play off achievement was superb to say the least, they were still expected to win this tie though despite all the changes made for this cup tie.

Stow though were the side to create the best chances in the opening half exchanges, a downward header from point blank range bounced over the bar, another effort struck the post, and there were other chances that were straight at keeper Carey Bloedorn, Aveley did have a lot of possession but hadn't really created much, but then just before the half hour the visitors took the lead when the wonderfully named Razzaq Coleman De-Graft cut inside and sent a left footed effort into the bottom corner.

That meant Aveley held a slender lead at the break, but after half time the Vanarama South outfit took complete control and by the hour mark had all but killed off this tie, De-Graft added a second when he fired another left footed effort inside the near post three minutes after the break, and then Ibrahim Akanbi struck home a wonderful free kick just before the hour mark to give Aveley a comfortable three goal cushion.

It felt after this is was a matter of how many the visitors would get, they did manage to add a fourth goal in the 81st minute when a free kick into the box was headed back across goal and centre half Nathan Carlyle who applied the finishing touch into the bottom corner as Aveley cruised into Round Four of the competition.

Wednesday October 30th

Maldon & Tiptree 1 Hornchurch 1 (Hornchurch won 4-1 on penalties)

The third and final Round Three contest of the week came from Park Drive, Maldon, as Isthmian North Maldon & Tiptree hosted Vanarama South Hornchurch, so just like Tuesday nights game, the hosts were giving up two levels in terms of the non league pyramid.

A goalless first period made way for a eventful start to the second period, Maldon took the lead two minutes into it when after a cross had been punched away, the ball was returned into the box where a header down found Sonny Dutton who applied the finishing touch, and then just four minutes later the visitors were down to ten men after Jazzi Barnum-Bobb committed a professional foul to deny the hosts going through on goal, advantage Maldon then surely?

Well, not quite, as two minutes after that sending off, The Urchins levelled as a deflected effort from Darren McQueen found the net for a leveller, and with no further goals forthcoming, the tie went to a shoot out, which the visitors dominated to progress into Round Four of the competition.

So, that's Billericay Town, Aveley & Hornchurch through to Round Four, there are another thirteen Round Three ties to come over the coming weeks, here are those fixtures:-

Monday November 4th

Redbridge Vs Brightlingsea Regent

Tuesday November 5th

Witham Town Vs Brentwood Town

Waltham Abbey Vs Grays Athletic

Harwich & Parkeston Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Hashtag United Vs Southend United

Buckhurst Hill Vs Canvey Island

Little Oakley Vs Basildon United

Wednesday November 6th

Ilford Vs Tilbury

Takeley Vs Rayleigh Town

Dunmow Town Vs Heybridge Swifts

Tuesday November 12th

Saffron Walden Town Vs Braintree Town

Wednesday November 13th

West Essex Vs Chelmsford City

Tuesday November 19th

Dagenham & Redbridge Vs Colchester United

That's the BBC Essex Senior Cup right up to date, thanks for reading!!!

Essex Senior League Round Up (Friday 25th/Saturday 26th October 2024) - Leaders Stanway win again, Woodford, Takeley, Wakering & Romford cement top five with victories, Halstead, Ilford record important wins down at bottom of division

(Action from Mayesbrook Park as Barking took on Buckhurst Hill in the Friday night showing to kick off the Essex Senior League weekend, photo courtesy of Richard Brock (@Beckton86 ))

The last weekend in October saw nine Essex Senior League contests scheduled to take place, it got under on Friday night, let's take a look at what happened in those match ups:-

Friday 25th October

Barking 2 Buckhurst Hill 4

The Blues were looking for maximum points in their quest to catch the top five and those play off spots, they had three games in hand at least on sides above so winning those would take them past those sides, but they had dropped points at home to Ilford last time out and they were up against a Buckhurst Hill outfit who after a slow start were now heading in an upwards direction and knew a win here would take them above their opponents as their eyes were now certainly pointing upwards now and not downwards. And it was the visitors who got their noses ahead after just seven minutes thanks to Suley Zuhdu, and Zuhdu was on target again when striking home from outside the box with twelve minutes of the first half remaining as the visitors went into the break with a two goal cushion. And just before the hour mark Zuhdu completed his hat trick when he fired in on the half volley and surely that was that in terms of the contest. The Blues though almost mounted a comeback, Juwon Akintunde pulled one back just past the hour mark and then Micah Jackson made it very interesting with just over twenty minutes remaining and the game was suddenly in the balance, but a diving header from Lucas Willison sealed the points for the visitors with just over fifteen minutes to go and hand Buckhurst Hill a very impressive win.

Saturday 26th October

Athletic Newham 2 West Essex 2

Hosts Newham were doing their upmost to cling onto hopes of making the top five, after a brilliant start to the season they have fallen off the waggon so to speak and have slipped eight points off those play off spots, they were up against a West side who were down in 13th but had performed very well in midweek and held top five Takeley to a goalless draw. Well, it was the visitors who struck first in the 33rd minute when Jaedon Phillips gave them the lead, Newham though levelled four minutes before half time when Alex Kozak found the net, the hosts then grabbed the lead after Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro struck just past the hour mark, and this seemed enough for the hosts to grab a much needed three points. But, one minute into added on time at the end of the game, Yemi Adelani netted a leveller for the visitors to see this one end all square.   

Great Wakering Rovers 1 Frenford 0

Wakering knew they would have to keep on winning to keep tabs on the top two who were threatening to open up a sizable gap at the top, Rovers were four points off second placed Woodford & eight behind leaders Stanway as they welcome a Frenford side they had beaten 3-0 only recently in the corresponding fixture at The Drive, the visitors themselves were in 12th and looking to get into the top ten with a win. One goal proved to be the difference in this one too as Callum Boylan, who netted in the corresponding fixture, struck a 73rd minute winner to see the hosts claim all the spoils in this one.  

Ilford 1 Hullbridge Sports 0

This was a big game towards the bottom of the division, The Foxes were only out of the bottom two on goal difference whilst opponents Hullbridge were only a further three points and two places above their opponents and desperate to try and record a victory to give them some breathing space between themselves and the ones below.  Well, one goal proved enough to settle this contest, and it came from the hosts as Greg Akpele tapped home with twenty minutes remaining to hand Ilford a huge three points.

Saffron Walden Town 1 Romford 3

This proved to be a rather interesting clash between two sides chasing at least a play off place and sat in 6th and 5th respectively and only separated by four points too, and of course Walden have the majority of Romford's winning FA Vase side from last season too, after manager Dan Spinks made the switch to Catons Lane and took some of his squad with him, no doubt adding some extra spice to this contest which was already a big game anyway.  It looked good for the hosts at half time after Correy Davidson had given them the lead three minutes before the break, but Romford roared back in the second period, firstly when Chris Millar equalised just before the hour mark and then in the 74th minute Millar struck again to hand Romford the advantage. And then in the fifth minute of stoppage time Jake Gordon sealed a superb win for the visitors to put seven points between themselves and their opponents in the final play off spot.   

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Halstead Town 5

As games go this one was a pretty big deal down at the foot of the division, Sawbo sat one point and two places above the bottom two, Halstead were that side two places and a point below their opponents so a win for either here would certainly help their cause, both had recorded points in midweek as well, Sawbo with a remarkable late comeback to earn a point, Halstead managing to pick up only their second win of the season, so both were coming into this one with confidence. The hosts had the perfect start, Kieran David handing them a third minute lead, however, Halstead then struck twice in a minute around the midway point of the first period, Matt Travell levelling before Dean Agar handed the visitors the lead, the visitors though then saw defender Theo Duffin cautioned twice in six minutes to be sent off late on in the first half.  Sawbo then levelled in first half stoppage time through Jehovany Kinzonzi meaning it was 2-2 at the break, but the ten man visitors managed to regain the lead though James Eveleigh ten minutes after the break, and they sealed the win with two goals in stoppage time, Lewis Owiredu netting a fourth before Alfie Lambert added a fifth soon after as Halstead made it back to back wins for the very first time this season. 

Stansted 0 Woodford Town 4

The Airportmen were looking to build on only their third win of their season in midweek and pull themselves futher away from the bottom two as a result, they were five points clear of that as they came into this contest against a Woodford side who dropped points in midweek against bottom side FC Clacton to see the gap to leaders Stanway increase to four points as a result, so they knew no more slip ups were allowed to happen. Well, the visitors got their noses in front after just fifteen minutes, Miles Mitchell-Nelson finding the net, and then Nathan Sollosi doubled the visitors lead seven minutes before the break, Sollosi was then on target again with just under twenty minutes remaining before they capped a fine day Luke Steele added a fourth with ten minutes of the ninety to go and see the second placed side bounce back after their midweek disappointment and bring Stansted back down to earth with a hefty bump in the process.  

Stanway Rovers 2 Benfleet 0

League leaders Stanway came into this one after a decent midweek where there gap at the top increased to four points after they won and Woodford could only draw, Rovers have now won ten of their fourteen league games so far and they welcomed a Benfleet side to The Hawthorns who after a decent start to life in Step Five have slipped somewhat lately and are down to 11th in the division as a result, and their latest loss saw them lose at bottom two side Halstead. It only took the hosts two minutes to break the deadlock, Jamie Bennett calmly slotting home after a long throw from Ricky Tarbard was flicked on into his path, and they doubled that lead eleven minutes into the second period when Joe Turpin tapped home, and it was enough to see the league leaders take the spoils and maintain their four point lead at the top.    

Takeley 4 Little Oakley 0

Hosts Takeley were looking to put Tuesday's disappointing goalless draw at home to West Essex behind them and take maximum points in this one, despite that draw they did go up to third on goal difference, four points off second place and eight off top spot though, and they were welcoming a Little Oakley side who were tenth and some eight points off the top five, so they knew that a win was important too. The hosts managed to grab an early lead as a cutback found Charlie Allum who slotted home, and then Oakley were reduced to ten men on the half hour mark after Adrian Cant was sent off for a late challenge and then saw Jack Mitchell played in to fire home a second for the hosts a minute into first half stoppage time. Connor Clarke then added a third in the 58th minute, driving a low and hard effort into the corner of the net, and then it was four on the hour mark when Coby Miles found the net to all but end this contest and hand the hosts a very comfortable win over the ten man visitors. 

Let's see what that has done to the table:-

Stanway remain four clear at the top ahead of Woodford, Takeley, Wakering and Romford all won to cement their places in the top five, with the gap to sixth placed Walden now seven points. Buckhurst Hill were big movers too, up four places to seventh after their superb win at Barking on Friday night.

Down at the bottom, back to back wins for Halstead have seen them boing out of the bottom two now and up to 18th, Sawbo now slip a place after that defeat to The Humbugs, Ilford also recorded a big win against Hullbridge meaning they are now four clear of FC Clacton at the foot of the table and now level with Bridge as a result. 

That brings you right up to date with the Essex Senior League, thanks for reading!!!

Essex Senior League Midweek Round Up (Tuesday 22nd/Wednesday 23rd October) - Stanway go four clear at top after they win & Woodford held at home by FC Clacton, Stansted, Halstead pick up big wins, Sawbo earn dramatic point at Buckhurst Hill

(Action between Barking & Ilford at Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday night, photo courtesy of Richard Brock (@Beckton86))

This midweek saw the ESL return to action after a weekend off due to cup competitions, there were seven league games and two County Cup contests taking place over Tuesday & Wednesday, let's see how those games went and how it affects the league table:-

Tuesday October 22nd

Essex Senior League

Barking 2 Ilford 2

It was seventh placed Barking, looking to reduce the gap to the play off places with games in hand against an Ilford side who sat third bottom and were trying to climb away from the bottom two places. Well, it was The Foxes stunned their opponents by taking the lead in the very first minute courtesy of Michael Adu, and it remained this way until ten minutes into the second period when Ezekiel Badamosi levelled for The Blues. The Foxes though retook the lead with fifteen minutes remaining as after superb play from Greg Akpele a lovely finish from Emmanuel Wazola gave the visitors something to hold onto, but they could not hold on as Tony Martin earned the hosts a share of the spoils by netting a 90th minute equaliser.

Buckhurst Hill 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 3

Hosts Hill had been in decent form of late, climbing up to twelfth as a result and were now eyeing the top ten positions, whereas visitors Sawbo were also trying to build on a couple of wins recently to take them further away from the bottom two. It was the hosts got their noses in front with just four minutes on the clock when a brilliant pass from Toby Smith found George Thompson who fired home, and with just nine minutes on the clock it was two for the hosts as Tyreece Robertson found the net as Hill had the perfect start to this contest. However, Sawbo were to grab the next goal in the contest, and it came five minutes after the break when Kieran David found the net to reduce the arrears, but with five minutes of the ninety left Hill extended that lead back to two when Chibike Okechukwu found the onion bag, and that looked likely to seal the points for the hosts. But, Sawbo pulled one back in the third minute of stoppage time through Elijah Mambombe, and then incredibly snatched a point in the eighth minute of added on time thanks to a second goal from David and leave the hosts shell shocked.

Halstead Town 2 Benfleet 1

Bottom side Halstead had only picked up four points from eleven league games so far, so they were looking for only their second win of the season, and they welcomed tenth placed Benfleet to Rosemary Lane with the visitors looking to claim a sixth league win of the campaign and cement there place right in the top ten, with the possibility of going as high as seventh with three points.  And it was the visitors who drew first blood in this contest, Toby Dickinson pouncing on the loose ball to convert after hosts keeper Jack Cherry had denied them, but the hosts managed to level with six minutes of the first half to go after a clearance from Matt Travell ended with the hosts driving into the box and seeing Nathan Scarborough tapping home. And in the 88th minute and with the game seemingly headed towards a point a piece, James Eveleigh struck home from the spot to hand the Humbugs a huge win and only their second league win thus far this season.

Stansted 2 Frenford 1

The Airportmen were trying their hardest to bounce back from a rather disappointing 7-0 loss last time out in the league, their seventh loss in twelve league starts which saw them start the evening down in 16th, they were up against a Frenford side who were doing well and had had a solid start to their campaign, 11th and looking to get themselves back into the top ten with three points. The first period yielded no goals but with just over twenty minutes remaining Stansted got their noses in front when Luke Skinner found the net, and with around ten minutes left to play Ashaan Siddik doubled that lead, and although Frenford did manage to pull one back five minutes into added on time through Tom Troubridge, the hosts were not to be denied and picked up a very morale boosting three points.

West Essex 0 Takeley 0

Hosts West Essex sat 14th in the division ahead of kick off, six points above the bottom two places and only four points off a top ten position, they had only won three of their eleven league outings though and were welcoming a Takeley side to Wadham Lodge who sat in fifth spot and in the final play off place after a rather solid start to their campaign which has only seen them lose two of their twelve league games thus far. A goalless first half made way for a second period that equally produced no goals, meaning both sides had to settle for a point.

BBC Essex Senior Cup Round Two

Little Oakley 3 Romford 1

It was an all Essex Senior League tie at The Memorial Ground as both sides looked to progress into Round Three, Oakley got their noses in front after twenty five minutes through Reece Keating, but with five minutes of the first half remaining Jaiden Babalola netted a leveller for the visitors meaning the sides went into the break all square. Oakley though restored their lead eight minutes into the second half when Darren Mills let fly from thirty yards out for a superb goal and sealed their passage into the next round when Daniel Rowe added a third in the 90th minute, hitting the visitors on the counter and after a great interchange of passes between Rowe & Mills, Rowe applied the finishing touch. Oakley therefore set up a Third Round tie against against Isthmian North side Basildon United at The Memorial Ground.

Saffron Walden Town 3 Great Wakering Rovers 0

It was another all Essex Senior League tie at Catons Lane as both sides looked to fight for a place in Round Three of the County Cup and a home tie with Vanarama National League side Braintree Town the prize, Roman Campbell gave The Bloods the lead before he netted again to double the home sides advantage, and their progress into the next round was secured when Solomon Ofori added a third goal for the home side.

Wednesday October 23rd

Essex Senior League 

White Ensign 0 Stanway Rovers 2

Ensign came into this one off the back of a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of second placed Woodford Town, this after they had demolished Stansted 7-0 the game before that, they sat 13th ahead of kick off and another tough assignment ahead of them as they welcomed league leaders Stanway Rovers to Burroughs Park who had only lost once all season. And it only took the league leaders eight minutes to hit the front, Jamie Bennett finding the net for the visiting side, and three minutes after the break it was two for the visitors when Nat Mardell scored, and that ultimately was enough for the league leaders to take all the points in this one.

Woodford Town 2 FC Clacton 2

Hosts Woodford Town came into this one in second spot and two points behind leaders Stanway Rovers with two games in hand, they had won nine of those contests too including a 6-0 win over White Ensign in their last league outing, and they were fully expected to make it ten wins from twelve as they welcomed bottom side FC Clacton to their Ashton's Playing Fields, the visitors have lost nine of their twelve games in the division so this was effectively a 'free hit' for them. The visitors managed to hold out until midway through the first half before conceding, Georges Kebi arriving to head home from three yards out to give the hosts the lead, but the visitors stunned their opponents by levelling just before half time when Ben Sargeant netted, sending the sides in level at the break. Could the visitors cause a surprise? Well, they were to fall behind barely two minutes after the break when Nathan Sollosi headed home to restore the hosts advantage, but, back came the visitors again as they won a penalty just past the hour mark and saw Sargeant step up to fire home the spot kick for his and FC Clacton's second of the night. Woodford were to end the game with ten men after Mike Agboola was sin binned in the 88th minute, and they were to end the game with just a point as the side bottom of the division earned a massive and very surprising point at Ashton's.

Let's see how the table looks after all the midweek action:-

Stanway increase their lead at the top to four points after they won at Ensign and Woodford dropped points at home to bottom side FC Clacton, Takeley do climb to third despite a goalless draw at home to West Essex, Barking's quest for closing the gap to the play offs stuttered as they were held at home by Ilford.

It was a great couple of evenings for sides struggling down at the bottom, Halstead climbed off it after they defeated Benfleet, and of course FC Clacton held Woodford at Ashton's, Sawbo produced a remarkable comeback late on at Buckhurst Hill to net a point, and Stansted also grabbed a huge win to climb up to 15th.

Certainly some dramatic and entertaining action once again in the division, that's brings you right up to date with the league, thanks for reading!!!

Burnham Ramblers 0 Basildon Town 1 - Luke Winter's early second half header proves decisive as Basildon Town take all the spoils against Burnham Ramblers in their Thurlow Nunn South contest at Leslie Field

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday October 19th

My latest outing saw me visit Leslie Field, Burnham on Crouch, for the first time this season and probably the first time for a while for a Thurlow Nunn South contest between Burnham Ramblers & Basildon Town, this was part of five games in the division today, more on those later including a huge top two clash in Harlow.

For now let's concentrate on the game I was at, Ramblers are having another tough season to date, after being saved from going out of senior football last season due to reprieves after they finished bottom of the division, they are in 15th place but only two points above the bottom three, there form of late has been poor as well, as after a brilliant win at home to Coggeshall Town, followed by a draw at Dunmow Town, it's been five straight defeats, three in the league & an FA Vase & Essex Senior Cup loss too.

Their opponents today haven't exactly set the world alight either this season, they sat 11th in the division and only five points ahead of their hosts today, their form since the start of September has seen them win a couple of home games in the league, one of which was against Hackney Wick who are probably one of the best sides in the division, but they have also suffered three defeats, although they were against some tough sides too, but there had been some good performances in there for sure.

No doubt Ramblers though would be up for this one against a local rival in Bas Town, they needed to arrest this slide they were on but it would be a tough ask against a Town side who have given some of the best sides a good run for their money lately, conditions underfoot would be slick no doubt either due to the morning rain that had fallen in the area, that could make for some drama perhaps, who knows.

The opening forty five minutes was attritional at best, but any openings that did materialise went to the hosts, and their best chance came whilst the visitors were down to ten men after Lewis Brown, one of their centre halves, had been sin binned in the 27th minute for back chatting the referee, and it nearly cost them and only a decent stop from visiting keeper Joe Durrant prevented the hosts from taking the lead.

Ramblers would have been pleased with their first half showing and I overhead them saying to one another as they walked back down the tunnel at half time 'this one is winnable' and on the first half showing yes, it certainly was, the visitors had not been at it for large parts of the opening forty five minutes and no doubt they were given a stern talking to at half time, and it seem to work.

They were right on the front foot from the get go in the second period and just three minutes into it took the lead when a gorgeous cross from full back Marcus Bella found Luke Winter who got ahead of hosts keeper Jordan Hudson to glance home a header, and the deadlock had been broken in this contest, did Ramblers have a response?

Well apart from a decent stop from Durrant to deny them on one occasion, not exactly, and in fact had Town not been wasteful in front of goal they would have won by more, they saw several guilt edged chances come and go and the worry for them was whilst it was 0-1, one moment for Ramblers could cost them.

Ramblers did get up a head of steam midway through the second period but then during that lost substitute Joe Howard for ten minutes after he back chatted the referee so was duly sin binned, not helping his sides cause, Town as said could not capitalise on their openings but it mattered not for them as they managed to keep a clean sheet at the other end and run out winners thanks to that early second half header from Winter.

So, a welcome three points for the visitors, a win that takes them into the top ten, whereas for Ramblers it's another disappointing loss and they remain perilously close to the bottom three as a result.

Full time Burnham Ramblers 0 Basildon Town 1

Right, let's see how the other games in the division went today, including that huge top two clash in Harlow:-

FC Baresi 3 Enfield Borough 4

It was 14th Vs 16th in Ware with the hosts coming into this one of the back of a marvellous 4-1 win at Hoddesdon Town in midweek, whereas Borough's last league outing saw them lose 2-0 at Hackney Wick to continue a winless run of five games in all comps. It turned out to be a cracker of a contest, the hosts grabbing a one nil lead before the visitors came back to lead 1-2 at the break, that lead was increased after the break, and although the hosts pulled it back to 2-3, Borough restored that two goal cushion. Baresi did pull one back to make it interesting, but it was Borough who held on to take all three points.

Harlow Town 1 Hackney Wick 2

The best two sides arguably in the division went head to head in Harlow, league leaders Town went into this one a point ahead of second placed Wick with a game in hand so knew a win here would open up a small gap, Wick themselves knew a win would take them two clear at the top, so a lot was riding on this even if it's still early days. It was the visitors who who would draw first blood after just seven minutes when a superb ball into the box from Leo Lopete saw John Silva apply the finishing touch, and the visitors were in a very strong position at the break when Lopete ended a brilliant run by firing past James Pellin in the Harlow goal five minutes before half time.  Could the hosts pull this one back? Well, they did pull one back with around twenty minutes of the ninety to go when Denzel Effah found the net, and despite almost fifteen minutes of added on time being played, Wick held on for a huge win to take them to the top of the table!!!

Hoddesdon Town 3 Barkingside 0

Nine placed Hoddy were looking to bounce back from a 4-1 loss at home in midweek and get their season back on track against a Barkingside outfit who are only out of the bottom three on goal difference and have lost their last eight in all comps. The hosts took control of the contest late on in the first period, Connor Bolton put them ahead seven minutes before the break and then two minutes later it was two as skipper Jack Gibbs found the net, and the points were sealed late on when skipper Gibbs grabbed a second of the game, firing home after the visiting keepers attempt to punch clear fell to him inside the box, meaning the hosts duly bounced back from their midweek loss.

Hutton 3 Southend Manor 2

Third placed Hutton were looking for maximum points in this one to try and keep tabs with the top two, with the gap to them before kick off four points, they were up against a Manor side whose season is in steady decline after a positive start, the tenth placed side did net five last time out against Newbury Forest in a 5-3 win though so were coming into this one in confident mood. And when the visitors had a 2-0 lead, it looked as if they were going to come away from New Lodge with a very impressive win, but in a thriller of a contest, Hutton dug deep and managed to turn the match around to win 3-2 and reduce the gap to second place in the process.

Right, let's have a look at the table after today's games:-

Hackney Wick go back to the top of the pile following their massive 2-1 win over Harlow Town, and with Hutton coming from two goal down against Southend Manor to win 3-2, they are now only two points off second spot, Hoddesdon Town moved up a place to eighth after their win over Barkingside, and Basildon Town move into the top ten after there win over Burnham Ramblers.

A big win for Enfield Borough at FC Baresi sees them now four points clear of the bottom three, Burnham Ramblers drop a place as a result after their loss today, Barkingside remain 17th after a ninth straight defeat in all comps, Manor fall out of the top ten after their disappointing loss, only five points separate 12th placed Dunmow and 18th placed Newbury Forest, so it's very tight down there for sure.

So that's you all up to date with the Thurlow Nunn South, thanks for reading as always!!!

 

Essex Senior League Round Up (Tuesday 15th/Wednesday 16th October) - League Leaders Stanway Rovers hit five in eight goal thriller against Hullbridge Sports whilst second placed Woodford Town smash six past White Ensign

 (Action from The Hawthorns between Stanway Rovers & Hullbridge Sports, photo courtesy of Essex & Suffolk Groundhopper (@EssexSuffo62178))

It's been a while since I've written about the Essex Senior League so I thought'd I'd update you all with the latest goings on in the division, there were two midweek games that took place on Tuesday & Wednesday which involved the top two in the division, so let's see what went on in those games:-

Tuesday October 15th

Stanway Rovers 5 Hullbridge Sports 3

League leaders Stanway Rovers came into this contest two points clear of second placed Woodford Town (who played White Ensign at home on Wednesday) knowing that a win would take them five points clear for at last twenty four hours and keep them at the top of the division for at least another week, they were up against a Hullbridge side who are finding things tough this term, down in 15th in the table and only six points above bottom side Halstead Town, so on paper at least it looked like a nailed on home win.

It started well for the hosts too as Harrison Chatting fired the hosts ahead in just the ninth minute, but Hullbridge to their credit fought back to level after twenty minutes when Tobias Braney netted a brilliant free kick, however Stanway were to regain the lead just past the half hour mark after George Okoye saw an effort deflected in off a visiting skipper Ollie Jenkins before Jamie Bennett produced a moment of magic to increase the hosts lead just before the break, curling an effort into the top corner, meaning the league leaders had a 3-1 lead going into the break.

Hullbridge needed a response and they got it seven minutes into the second half as after Piers Hatcliff was sent through on the right, his cut back was finished off by Owen Bellamy to reduce the arrears, and then with just over fifteen minutes to go the visitors were level through Braney's second of the contest.  Stanway though were not to be denied and were back in front just four minutes later as after Bennett was tripped up inside the box, Okoye calmly converted the spot kick for 4-3, and then after Stanway won a free kick which resulted in visitors Joe Burton being sin binned for disagreeing with the decision, Tom Maycock saw his 87th minute free kick deflected home to seal what had been a bonkers game at The Hawthorns.

Wednesday October 16th

Woodford Town 6 White Ensign 0

Second placed and hosts Woodford Town knew they needed to win this one to close the gap back down to two points to league leaders Stanway following the latter's entertaining win over Hullbridge the night before, and they were up against a young and determined White Ensign side at Ashton's who were themselves looking to get into the top ten of the division with a win themselves.

It didn't take long for the first piece of action to materialise as after just three minutes the hosts won a penalty as after Josh Banfield struck the post with a volley, David Gokou-Siakouri was brought down as he tried to follow in to score,  and although Marko Protic's spot kick struck the post, Georges Kebi was quickest to react and prod the rebound home and hand Woodford the perfect start to this contest, a start that got even better after just twenty minutes when the hosts increased their advantage as a Banfield corner found Miles Mitchell-Nelson at the back post who rose the highest to head home.

And just before the half hour mark Woodford added another, the visitors failing to cleat another dangerous delivery from Banfield, and it ended up falling to Gokou-Siakouri who lashed home a volley, and you would have been forgiven to have thought the game was as good as over inside half an hour, the hosts were all over their opponents. There was still time for the hosts to add a fourth before the break as well as in the 43rd minute the superb Banfield managed to turn goal scorer on this occasion after the ball broke to him and he found the corner of the net with a lovely half volley, and Ensign, who won 7-0 at the weekend, were in danger of seeing that wiped out in this contest, 4-0 down at half time to a rampant Woodford side.

Ensign improved after the break although it wasn't difficult too after a rather disappointing first forty five minutes where they were put to the sword, however, Woodford did add a fifth goal with just under twenty minutes remaining as who else but Banfield produced another elite ball into the box where Protic nodded home from inside the six yard box,  and then a minute after that fifth goal it was six for the hosts and a fine one at that, as Nathan Sollosi drove in-field and straight through the visiting backline before finding the bottom corner for a sublime solo effort and cap a fine performance from the home side.

This is how the table looked after the latest matches:-

Stanway and Woodford both won as seen above meaning they remain as they were with two points between them at the summit, Wakering, Romford & Takeley make up the remainder of the top five, Walden are four points off those places but do have games in hand as they continue their quest to break into those play off places.

Down at the bottom Halstead continue to hold up the rest with FC Clacton just a point above them, in fact only three points separate the bottom four, so very tight indeed down there as those sides try their hardest to grab a win or two to try and put some daylight between themselves and the rest down there.

Anyway that's you all up to date with the Essex Senior League, thanks for reading.

   

BBC Essex Senior Cup Round's One & Two Review (Tuesday October 15th) - Walden, Oakley through to Round Two, Dunmow Town, Harwich & Parkeston, Takeley, Ilford, West Essex & Rayleigh Town all progress into Round Three

Another week and another round of BBC Essex Senior cup fixtures, the bulk of them Round Two contests with a couple of Round One ties still to be completed, let's see what happened yeah.....

Round One

Saffron Walden Town 3 Stanway Pegasus 2

This Essex Senior League Vs Thurlow Nunn North tie was played last week and Walden won an entertaining contest 3-2, but due to a referee error (sin binning a player which are not in the rules of this competition) it meant the game had to be replayed, Walden got their noses in front once again through Ross Wall, but just like last week, Max Booth levelled after he received a ball from Palmer before firing home between the keepers legs. Walden though, as last week, retook the lead after Eman Okunja netted, only to see Pegasus pin them back once again to 2-2, The Bloods then went down to ten men but managed to find a winner through Solomon Ofori and win what was another cracking contest between the two sides, and just like last week, Walden ran out 3-2 winners to progress into the next round.

Little Oakley 2 Athletic Newham 1

It was third time lucky for this all Essex Senior League contest after two postponements, one for the weather and then one when the visitors coach broke down on route, and when this one did get underway it was Oakley who struck first after ten minutes when Daniel Rowe found the net, heading home a rebound after an initial effort from Bobby Rea was saved.  And Oakley managed to double their lead from the spot after twenty six minutes through Lewis Wood to take control of this tie, a tie that looked likely to be drifting towards a home win, but then the visitors pulled one back with six minutes to go through Abdul Khamis to make it interesting, however Oakley's two first half goals proved enough for them to take their place in Round Two.

Round Two

Halstead Town 1 Dunmow Town 2

It was Essex Senior League against Thurlow Nunn South at Rosemary Lane, and The Humbugs drew first blood here when Dean Agar netted four minutes before the break to give Halstead the lead, running onto a great ball down the middle before firing past the keeper, but Dunmow managed to level with fifteen minutes remaining with an incredible goal from Alex Georgio. And then with four minutes to go Dunmow stunned their hosts by taking the lead through another brilliant strike, this time from Darnell Fuller, and it proved to be the winner as the visitors progressed.

Harwich & Parkeston 0 Benfleet 0 (Harwich & Parkeston won 3-1 on penalties)

Thurlow Nunn North Harwich & Parkeston hosted Essex Senior League Benfleet at The Royal Oak, and after a goalless first period where both teams had chances to score, and following a blank scoresheet in the second period, it meant the tie would have to be decided on penalties, and it was the Step Six hosts who prevailed in the shoot out to shock their ESL opponents and make it through to Round Three. 

Takeley 1 May & Baker 1 (Takeley won 4-2 on penalties)

Essex Senior League Takeley welcomed Thurlow Nunn South May & Baker to Station Road, Bakers of course had knocked out the hosts big rivals Stansted in the last round, and after withstanding quite a bit of pressure from the hosts, Bakers got their noses in front late on in the first period to give themselves hope of another upset in the competition. Takeley's pressure though finally told when a superb cross from Charlie Wardle found Conor Clarke who sent a diving header into the net to bring the hosts level, but with no further goals in this tie, it meant penalties would be needed to see who would progress.  However, Bakers were unable to repeat their penalty shoot out success from the last round as they succumbed to the hosts in the shoot out as Takeley progressed.

Coggeshall Town 1 Ilford 4

It wasn't that long ago that hosts Coggeshall were a level above Ilford in the pyramid, but these days the visitors hold the higher ground in the Essex Senior League as The Seedgrowers now ply their trade in the Thurlow Nunn South, well it was the visitors who grabbed an early lead when Kaan Junior struck after just three minutes when dispatching a lovely free kick, and just past the half hour mark Junior netted again for The Foxes after producing another lovely finish as they went into the half time break with a two goal cushion. That cushion though was halved nine minutes into the second period when Sam Hollocks pulled one back for the hosts after a free kick from wide evaded all, but Ilford managed to restore their two goal cushion from the spot through Junior who duly completed his hat trick in the process just past the hour mark. And the visitors then added a fourth goal to pretty much end the contest when Joel Appiah netted an easy tap in after the keeper had saved midway through the second half as The Foxes progressed into the next round.

Harlow Town 0 West Essex 2

Thurlow Nunn South league leaders Harlow Town would have fancied their chances at home to Essex Senior League West Essex, well it didn't start well for the hosts who went behind very early on when Balla Ndao put West ahead after tapping in at the far post. Things were to get harder for the hosts late on in the first period when they were reduced to ten men when Jesse Ansen was shown a red card, meaning they would have to play the entire second half with a man light. The hosts second half also began in difficult circumstances when they had to sub their keeper James Pellin and stick an attacking player (Cav Clarke) in goal, less than ideal you could say, and it was no surprise when Oumar Ndao added a second for the visitors when Clarke was caught in no mans land and saw a looping effort from some distance find the net with just under twenty minutes to go to seal West's place in Round Three.

Rayleigh Town 5 Holland 0

This was Thurlow Nunn South against Thurlow Nunn North at Thames Road on Canvey Island, and it was the South hosts who grabbed a 15th minute lead after a driving run from Albert Perry saw him play in Jimmy Dalton to slot home, and just seven minutes later Rayleigh had doubled their advantage following a right footed strike from Tommy Sykes. The hosts were rampant and made it three with eleven minutes of the first half remaining when Owen Barratt netted after a great driving run, and it was four for the hosts six minutes before half time when after Barratt was brought down inside the box, Ollie Quick netted the spot kick to all but end this contest inside forty minutes. The hosts slowed down after the break but did manage to add a fifth five minutes after the break as Dalton grabbed his second of the contest after converting a ball in from Leo Clark, the damage though had been done in the first half as Rayleigh cruised into Round Three.

So, after tonight's remaining Round One ties were completed, which saw Saffron Walden Town & Little Oakley progress, these are the two remaining Round Two ties, which should take place next week I'd suspect:-

Saffron Walden Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Little Oakley Vs Romford

Two pretty decent looking games eh, once these have been played we will have a completed line up for Round Three which sees Buckhurst Hill, Dunmow Town, Harwich & Parkeston, Takeley, Ilford, West Essex & Rayleigh Town along with the winners from the above games joining all the bigger boys from Essex in Round Three, the draw for that Round will be done in due course so stay tuned.....

Kidlington 2 Welwyn Garden City 4 - Bailey Stephenson nets hat-trick as Welwyn Garden City survive late Kidlington revival to get back to winning ways in the Southern League Central

Southern League Central, Saturday October 12th

Another day and another road trip with fellow footie fans as four of us made the journey from our meeting point at the Brook Street Roundabout junction of the M25 north west to Oxfordshire and to a small town just outside Oxford in the shape of Kidlington and more specifically Yarnton Road.

This was a first visit for me to Kidlington in general and it is a pretty decent set up, the clubhouse is good, it has a nice seated stand and some cover just up from that, and also had a small covered terrace behind the goal where you enter the ground to one side of the goal, this was where the noisy home support stood to make all their nose, armed with a drum too, and to be fair they sang throughout the contest regardless of what was happening on the pitch, so kudos to them for the support they gave their side.

Their is also a nice outside area next to the clubhouse and also a nice small tea bar too selling lovely bacon rolls and a decent coffee too (they also did chocolate bars, crisps and cans of drink, oh and sausage rolls too) so more than adequate for an afternoon at football, all at decent prices too.

Now Kidlington are struggling this season somewhat, they sat second bottom and only off the bottom on goal difference after losing six of their seven league games thus far, and only picking up a solitary point all season, they were finding things tough you could say, there opponents today were having a much more solid campaign, sitting in fifth spot and the final play off place having picked up sixteen points in their nine games thus far, that's five wins, one draw and three defeats.

WGC had not won for two games though in the league, so wanted to get back to winning ways here, and they were expected too against a side who had lost their last three in the division after picking up their only point of the season against Hertford Town back at the end of August, and it didn't take too long for the visitors to get there noses in front either.

Full back Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo was given the freedom of the penalty area after being left totally unmarked at the back post he received the ball, and took a touch before rifling a powerful effort beyond hosts keeper Charlie Barnett after just five minutes of the contest, and you felt that maybe the hosts were in for a long afternoon.

The hosts to their credit did battle hard though thereafter and it looked as if they would get into half time just a goal behind, but, right on half time they conceded a second goal crucially and it was a very well worked free kick from the visitors too, Bailey Stevenson took the free kick by playing it into strike partner Bradley Wadkins, Wadkins then played it back into the path of Stevenson who drilled a lovely low effort beyond Barnett and into the bottom corner, WGC were now two goals to the good heading into the half time break and looking well set for victory.

And three minutes after the break the game looked over after Stevenson did well to win the ball on the left wing before he lofted an amazing effort over Barnett into the far corner for a truly brilliant goal and a wonderful piece of skill, I am sure he meant it but whether or not he did it didn't matter and now the visitors were cruising and you felt at this point it could get ugly for the hosts.

Things didn't improve for the home side just before the hour when they saw boss Craig McKay sent off from the dugout for something he must have said to the assistant on that side of the pitch, and then two minutes after that Stevenson was so close to grabbing his hat trick when thumping an effort against the bar, WGC were hunting for more goals and Kidlington were doing all they could to prevent further damage.

Credit to the hosts though who continued to fight for the cause and in the 72nd minute they won a penalty after brilliant play down the right from substitute Dineen Hellifield Meegan saw him drive into the box before he was fouled, and Powfil Raposo stepped up to dispatch the spot kick and give Kidlington small hope of maybe getting back into the contest.

That small hope became a real possibility though seven minutes later when they pulled another goal back as after a terrific driving run down the left from Charles Bacon, his ball in eventually found it's way to Raposo who fired a lovely effort right in the top bins, and all of sudden WGC were in danger of letting a three goal lead slip from nowhere.

A tense last 10-15 minutes ensued as Kidlington did all they could to get back on level terms, a thought that was totally unthinkable with twenty minutes to go, and the visitors were hanging on somewhat at times, they stood firm though and were always in danger of springing a counter attack on their opponents who had pushed up searching for that elusive leveller.

And deep into stoppage time, WGC did just that and countered on their opponents, with the attack ending with Stevenson sweeping home a decent finish from inside the box to complete his hat trick and seal the visitors win, but oh boy they made it a lot harder than they should have done after cruising earlier in the game, fair play to the hosts though who so nearly pulled it back. 

It means the hosts remain second bottom with just one point, whereas WGC get back to winning ways and they remain fifth with nineteen points after a sixth league win of the campaign and open up a four point gap to sixth, a very decent game to watch, especially the second half, I certainly enjoyed my first visit to Yarnton Road.

Full time Kidlington 2 Welwyn Garden City 4

Haverhill Borough 1 Haverhill Rovers 2 - Substitute Ryan Twinn heads home 83rd minute winner as Rovers take bragging rights in Haverhill derby against Borough at The New Croft

Thurlow Nunn First Division North, Friday October 11th

 I decided to take up an offer to go and watch the Haverhill derby for the very first time with three other friends of mine so jumped in the car to head North and venture to The New Croft in Haverhill for the first derby of the season in what was a Thurlow Nunn North contest.

Now tonight's 'hosts' were Borough, both sides share The New Croft these days and although both sides had that similarity, their starts to the league campaign were anything but, nineteen points and fifteen positions separated them in the table, Borough were down in 16th spot and only two places above the drop zone, although they were eight points clear of that.

That's three wins, four draws and five defeats in their twelve games ahead of this contest, whereas in stark contrast Rovers sat top of the pile having won ten of their twelve games so far, drawing two and having not lost a single game in the division, so on paper at least it was not a contest was it?

Well no, because this is a big derby in these parts and form and league positions go out of the window, and a healthy crowd of 500 turned up, which for a step six game is pretty special, to see which side would claim the bragging rights of this Suffolk town, well it was hard to see who was where in the division in the opening forty five minutes in a tight and competitive first half, as expected.

It looked as if the half would end goalless as well as chances were at a premium, but in first half added on time Rovers edged ahead in the contest when Clinton Frank made space with a run out to the right, allowing Kai Nicholls, who had only been on the pitch a few minutes, thread a ball into Luke Lindsay, and the latter fired a lovely effort into the bottom corner and the visitors had a slender half time advantage.

The match had been played in a rather decent spirit for a derby is this size, but that all changed early in the second period, Rovers were reduced to ten men after Frank had been fouled on route to goal just outside the box, but his back chat to the ref saw him sin binned just two minutes after the break, Borough defender Jonny Tully was booked for the challenge, and he was to be involved in the melee that ensued ten minutes later.

Tully and an opponent squared up to each other and Tully pushed him to the ground, sparking a melee which saw Rovers goal scorer Lindsay knock someone to the ground himself, the result was a second yellow to Tully in ten minutes or so meaning he was off, and Lindsay been shown a straight red for his violent conduct, meaning both sides were a man light for the rest of the evening.

Frank did return to the pitch a few minutes later and the game then settled down again after that spark, and with around twenty minutes of the contest to go, Borough grabbed a leveller when after Micky Cipriani had seen an effort blocked, he managed to find the net with a second attempt after the ball had come back to him, so the game was nicely poised heading into the latter stages.

Rovers made their final changes with fifteen minutes to go, one of those coming on was Ryan Twinn, and he was to be the match winner as eight minutes after he entered the field of play, he managed to nod a wonderful cross from Nicholls back across goal and into the far corner despite Borough keeper Zac Tuvey getting his fingertips onto the ball in a desperate attempt to prevent it finding the net.

That proved to be the winning moment and saw Rovers take the bragging rights although they were made to work very hard for the points against a Borough side who would have been disappointed to have lost such a tight game, it means Rovers are now five points clear at the top with eleven wins from thirteen games, Borough remain 16th but it's a sixth loss in thirteen now in the division for them.

Full time Haverhill Borough 1 Haverhill Rovers 2