Great Wakering Rovers 2 Hackney Wick 2 - A late Issa Sidibe header earns point for Wick after a Harry Talbot brace looked to have been enough for Rovers to net hard fought win in entertaining Essex Senior League contest

Essex Senior League, Saturday October 4th

It had been a whole month since I'd last covered any type of football for various reasons, so it was nice to be able to finally get back to it and feel well enough to do it again, the last few weeks have been a struggle but after taking a step back and having a week in the Greek sun, I felt refreshed and ready to go again.

I plumped for a nice local game in the Southend area, and one of my favourite divisions in the Essex Senior League at Burroughs Park where promotion chasing Great Wakering Rovers welcomed ESL new boys Hackney Wick to a rather blustery Essex Coast thanks to Storm Amy, although the conditions were not quite as bad as it could have been.

In fact a full programme of ESL fixtures all took place despite the overnight rain/wind etc, so more on those later, but for now let's see what happened at Burroughs Park:-

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Hackney Wick

Hosts Wakering had suffered a disappointing loss at Benfleet in midweek so were looking to bounce back from that, Wick themselves had recorded some very notable wins this season, especially in the cups, so they were not fazed by anyone in this division and with their dangerous attacking talent would certainly cause Rovers some issues today.

And in the first period that certainly was the case, Rovers had been disappointing at Benfleet in midweek and they were not really on it in the first half here and had Wick found their shooting boots then this game could really have been over by half time, Leo Lopate fired wide with one effort before Wick grabbed the lead in the 17th minute, it had been coming, when Andre Anderson fired a left footed effort into the bottom corner.

And they really should have doubled their lead when a sublime pass from skipper Adam Cheniti sent Issa Sidibe clean through, but hosts keeper George Martin managed to deflect the ball onto the post before it bounced back out and into his grateful arms, had that gone in then Wick would have been well in control, instead GWR went up the other end and levelled, fine margins as they say.

It came when a ball swung into the box by Shaun Gittleson (I think!!!) appeared to be overhit, but, the gusty winds seemed to hold the ball up and deceive visiting keeper Mohammed Nasim who failed to get to the cross and saw Harry Talbot rise the highest to beat him to the ball and send a looping header into the net, meaning the game was all square heading into the break.

Wick should really have been 3 or 4-1 up at the half, they certainly were found wanting in front of goal, apart from Anderson's goal aside, hosts keeper Martin certainly earned his corn too, and with the hosts now having the wind with them, they must have felt happy to be level and now with a chance to put some pressure on their opponents, they had been miles off the pace so far so needed to improve.

And three minutes into the second half and after Wick almost pounced on an opening down the other end, Rovers edged in front and it was that man Talbot once again, capitalising on some lacklustre defending to fire home from inside the box, and now Wick were the ones who needed to respond, although initially after that goal the hosts had their tails up and you felt if they got another things to go very south for the visitors quickly.

To Wick's credit though they dug in and then started to become a threat, just like the first half, although it was a half where both sides had chances to net further goals, Nasim had to get down smartly to stop one Wakering effort, and Talbot somehow headed a golden chance off the bar and over, had it gone 3-1 then you felt GWR would go on and win the game.

Wick though always looked a danger, and you knew if they could stay in the game they would always have a chance of scoring again and levelling the contest up, and in the 88th minute they won a corner, which was swung into the box where Sidibe rose brilliantly to plant a powerful header in off the post, 2-2, with a heap of stoppage time to come, and they felt they could go on and win it.

Rovers themselves also felt they could win it, it made for a very exciting conclusion to the game, a game that had been pretty exciting throughout, Wick could easily have won it but fired over, Rovers put plenty of pressure on the visiting back line but stood firm, and in the end the game was to end all square, it had been a very enjoyable watch, so not a bad one to witness after a months sabbatical.

Oh, and one final thing, the Wickers fan's behind the goal decided to chant in my direction 'Dudley give us a wave, Dudley Dudley give us a wave' to which I responded with a nice friendly wave back and a clap too, it was a lovely thing to experience and they will never know how much of a boost it gave me after my recent struggles, so I thank them for that, am sure they were happy enough to head back East with a point. The hosts hospitality was excellent as always too, so I thank them for this, it's what makes this level of football so special, the people who make the matchday experience so enjoyable.

Full time Great Wakering Rovers 2 Hackney Wick 2

Right, shall we see what else happened this weekend in the ESL, it started on Friday evening at Ashton's:-

Friday 3rd October

Woodford Town 1 Ilford 2 (Woodford suffered a shock home defeat at home to Ilford, the opening goal came inside the first minute when Daniel Izekor scored, and Ilford doubled that lead early in the second period through Greg Akpele, and although Ollie Sotoyinbo netted a late penalty to give the hosts hope, Ilford held on for a superb win)

Saturday 4th October

Barking 4 Hullbridge Sports 0 (The Blues put Bridge to the sword at Mayesbrook Park, with all the goals coming in the second period. Sam Edwards gave the hosts a 50th minute lead from the penalty spot before he added another twenty minutes later, Lekan Osideko then sealed the points with a third in the 84th minute and it was Edwards who completed his treble in the 92nd minute to cap a wonderful afternoon for the home side)

Basildon United 3 White Ensign 2 (United grabbed a vital win over local rivals Ensign at The Hive, Jadon Yamoah gave the hosts a 15th minute lead, a lead that was doubled two minutes into first half stoppage time through Emmanuel Shana, the hosts then saw Harry Baker sent off midway through the second half but then made it 3-0 shortly after thanks to a Nikolay Zlatev spot kick. Ensign though almost pulled off a miraculous comeback, Rio Campbell's penalty in the 88th minute reduced the arrears before Reece Latimer's stoppage time goal made it a nervy ending for the hosts, but they did hold on for a morale boosting win)

Benfleet 5 Romford 0 (Max Jobson netted a hat trick as Benfleet put Romford to the sword at Woodside, Jobson netted his first in the 16th minute before doubling his and Fleet's tally nine minutes before the break, Toby Dickinson then made it 3-0 two minutes after the break & then Jobson completed his treble in the 54th minute as the hosts were now well on their way to victory. And Dickinson grabbed his second of the game and the hosts fifth with just over fifteen minutes to go to complete the rout)

Buckhurst Hill 1 Little Oakley 1 (The points were shared at Myrak Park, Tyler Dolan had given the hosts a 31st minute lead, but this was cancelled out by Bobby Badham's leveller with just under fifteen minutes remaining)

Harwich & Parkeston 1 Athletic Newham 1 (The points were shared at The Royal Oak in Dovercourt, Luke Mayhew had given  the hosts a great start by giving them the lead in just the fifth minute, but the visitors from Parsloes levelled through Enzo Sanchez with nine minutes to go and rescue them a share of the spoils)

Saffron Walden Town 1 Sporting Bengal United 1 (And the points were also shared at Catons Lane as Walden and Sporting shared a draw, Timi Joseph had given the visitors the lead nine minutes into the second half, but this was cancelled out four minutes later by Kaleel Green, meaning the game would end all square)

Soul Tower Hamlets 3 Frenford 0 (Soul carried on their brilliant season so far by heaping more misery on Frenford with victory at Mile End Stadium, Kevin Krans gave the hosts a seventh minute lead, Samir Bihmoutine then added another in the 14th minute before he added another seven minutes later as the hosts were three up inside the midway point of the first half.  And that proved enough for the hosts to take the win)

West Essex 2 Halstead Town 3 (The Humbugs continued their brilliant start to the season although they were made to work hard for it by a struggling West side, Oliver Travell had given the hosts a 16th minute lead but this was cancelled out six minutes before half time through Lewis Clifford, West then restored their lead two minutes before the break through Saliu Lo Seye but the visitors levelled again courtesy of Kane Gilbert's goal in first half stoppage time. And Matt Coppen's 64th minute goal proved to be the winner for the visitors as they edged out their opponents in this one)

Right, let's see what these results have done to the table:-

Well, to say the top half is tight is an understatement, only five points separate the top nine and only two points between the top six, it's so tight. Soul Tower Hamlets are the new leaders with Halstead only second on goal difference, previous leaders Woodford are now fifth after their shock defeat, and GWR have dropped outside the play off places after they failed to win for the second game running.

Barking are into fourth whilst Benfleet are now right in the mix after their thumping win over Romford, down at the bottom West are still the only side without a win this season, Frenford remain in the bottom two after their defeat at Mile End today, Basildon's win saw them jump up to 17th, it was their first win since the opening day, so very much needed for a side who have gone through two managers already this season.

Anyway, that concludes the Blog, it's been good to do one again and was good to be back watching the game I love too, thank again to all who support me and are their for me, it really does make a difference, onwards and upwards as they say, and thanks for reading too, always appreciated.
 

Essex Senior League/Thurlow Nunn First Division South Round Up (Friday 19th/Saturday 20th September) - Here is a look back at how the sides fared in Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round & League action

(Action from the Vase tie at Rosemary Lane between Halstead Town & Coggeshall Town, picture courtesy of the @EssexSenior)

Even though I saw no football myself this weekend, I decided to write a blog on the action that took place involving Essex Senior & Thurlow Nunn South sides, with the majority in Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round action and vying for a place in the First Round Proper,  in fact five of the fifteen ties that took place across Friday & Saturday saw ESL take on TNS, there were also two ESL games and four TNS games, so let's now have a look to see what went down this weekend:-

Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Friday

Cannons Wood 1 Great Wakering Rovers 5

ESL high flyers GWR brushed aside TNS Cannons Wood at Parkside to continue their FA Vase journey, Alex Teniola netted twice inside the opening ten minutes to give the visitors an early two goal advantage before he completed his hat-trick six minutes before half time to all but end the contest.  And when Jack Dickinson netted a fourth for GWR right on half time, it was a matter of how many the visitors would get.  Mekhi Armstrong then put through his own net in the 58th minute to put GWR five goals up, but they did pull one back a minute later through Yusuf Malik to at least get on the scoresheet and that proved to be the end of the scoring as Wood at least draw the second half but ultimately the damage had already been done and GWR progressed into the next round.

Lymore Gardens 2 Frenford 1

TNS high flyers Lymore Gardens defeated another ESL side at home for the second round running to progress into the First Round Proper of the competition in their first ever appearance in it, Tyrique Peter handed the hosts a 26th minute lead but were pegged back by their ESL opponents three minutes before half time when Alfie Geeves netted from the spot. However, Lymore netted an 84th minute winner courtesy of Branlyn Kitondo to see them progress into the next round.

Saturday
Benfleet 5 West Essex 2

It was an all ESL affair at Woodside in front of another decent crowd of 207, and the majority of those were to head home happy as their side netted five against West Essex, it only took the hosts four minutes to lead when Jake Godfrey found the net, and it was two for the hosts nine minutes before the break when Taylor Lawrence netted from the spot to see his side go into the break two goals to the good. Nathan Saunders then made it 3-0 eleven minutes after the break, and although Bieron Ademi pulled one back midway through the second half, they immediately conceded again when Billy Carter added a fourth for the hosts. Saunders then grabbed his second of the game with just under twenty minutes to go, and although the final goal of the contest came from the visitors through Tolani Odetoyinbo with two minutes to go, Fleet had more then done enough to progress. 

Brimsdown 0 Clapton Community 0 (Brimsdown won 5-4 on penalties)

A pretty uneventful all TNS tie at Wormley Sports Club ended with Brimsdown netting a shootout win against Clapton Community after the hosts held their nerve the best from twelve yards to win 5-4 in the shootout and progress into the next round of the competition.

Halstead Town 2 Coggeshall Town 1

A brilliant crowd of 327 were at Rosemary Lane to see ESL hosts Halstead battle back from a goal down at the break to see off TNS visitors Coggeshall Town to progress into the First Round Proper of the Vase. The Seedgrowers were one goal up at the break courtesy of a Alex Banyard goal six minutes before half time, Robbie Bennett though levelled early on in the second period before he netted the winner just past the hour mark to continue what has been a brilliant season for The Humbugs thus far.

Harlow Town 2 Hullbridge Sports 2 (Hullbridge Sports won 3-0 on penalties)

ESL Hullbridge Sports netted a fine Vase win away at Spartan South Midlands Harlow Town, winning on penalties to progress to the next round, in front of another good crowd of 295 at Barrows Farm, it was Raheem Gray who gave the hosts a 32nd minute lead.  But, goalscoring machine Tobias Braney levelled for the visitors only four minute later to restore parity, but early in the second half Gray restored his sides lead, but in the 86th minute Bridge forced penalties thanks to Louis Bragg's leveller, and the visitors would go on to win the shootout to progress into the next round.

Hoddesdon Town 0 Buckhurst Hill 2

Considering how much of a struggle it has been this season for TNS bottom side Hoddesdon, 152 turned up to watch this one, which is commendable, they had grabbed their only win of a season which has seen them lose every game in their division so far in this competition against Burnham Ramblers in the last round, but they were to be defeated in this one against ESL side Buckhurst Hill. The first half was goalless but just seven minutes after the break Reece Simpson gave Hill the lead, and ten minutes later Callum Maltese added a second goal which proved enough for Hill to take their place in the First Round Proper.

Hythe Town 4 Athletic Newham 3

It was a mad game at Reachfields Stadium as the hosts Hythe Town finally managed to see off a battling ten man Athletic Newham to progress into the next round, Arthur Massingham gave ESL Newham a 12th minute lead but saw Richie Keil level on the half hour mark, and then things looked difficult for the visitors when Nicholas Mejia was booked twice in the final six minutes of the first half to leave Newham down to ten men for the entire second period.  Armani-Jordan Martin then gave Hythe the lead three minutes into the second half, but the ten men levelled through Jayden Thiongo just past the hour mark, Hythe then went back in front courtesy of Ikye Dalton in the 64th minute, but back came the ten men again through another Massingham strike in the 68th minute. Hythe though were to have the last laugh when Keil netted his second goal of the game with ten minutes to go and progress into the next round.

Ilford 3 May & Baker 2

A local derby at Cricklefield saw ESL hosts Ilford see off TNS May & Baker to progress into the next round, Ilford started really well, netting after just three minutes through Nickal Luzolo before Greg Akpele doubled their lead with just nineteen minutes on the clock. Rowan Newland did pull one back though just before half time to reduce the arrears but early in the second half Luzolo netted another to give Ilford a two goal cushion once again.  With twenty minutes remaining Ilford were reduced to ten men when Adbul Rahman was dismissed, but May & Baker could not capitalise on their numerical advantage, pulling one back deep deep into stoppage time through George Downs which was too little too late, meaning Ilford would hold on and take their spot in the next round.

Little Oakley 2 Colney Heath 0

It's been another solid start to Oakley's campaign, and that start continued well as they saw off Spartan South Midlands Premier Colney Heath at The Memorial Ground, Dylan Ketley-Gregan handed the hosts the lead nine minutes before the break before a Bobby Rea goal deep deep into stoppage time at the end of the game sealed their passage into the First Round Proper.

NW London 2 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 2 (Letchworth Garden City Eagles won 4-2 on penalties)

TNS side NW London's home form this season has been sublime, so they would have been confident heading into this game against a fellow Step Six side who have been struggling this season, but football is a funny old game isn't it, the the visitors, who had one win in ten in their division, won the tie on penalties. They did take the lead in this one too through Rory Gillham, but when NW London saw goals from Gherardo Lucchesini & Hussein Farhat turn it around, the hosts probably thought they were in business, but Ryan Morgan levelled with fifteen minutes to go to force penalties, which the visitors won to progress.

Phoenix Sports 4 Sporting Bengal United 1

This was SCEFL Premier versus ESL in Kent, both had been Step Four very recently, although this was still going to be a tough away tie for Sporting, and it proved to be that way sadly for the Mile End outfit.  It started in the worst possible way for the visitors when they found themselves a goal down in no time at all courtesy of Harry Smarts first minute goal, but Evander Lopes did level six minutes later to see the visitors respond in the best kind of way.  Phoenix though restored their lead late on in the first half through Lyle Della-Verde and then increased that lead in the first minute of the second half courtesy of Kristian Campbell, Smart then added another in the 56th minute to increase the hosts lead further still, and the damage had been done, meaning Phoenix were the ones to progress.

Potton United 1 Hutton 2

This step five versus step six encounter would normally see the hosts installed as favourites, but not in this one, Potton were bottom of the Spartan South Midlands Premier having lost eight of their ten league games, Hutton were joint league leaders in the TNS although did suffer a rather shock 3-0 loss at Basildon Town in midweek. Elliott Howson have Hutton a tenth minute lead, only to see the hosts level seven minutes later through Cam Watson, and the game stayed this way till late on as the tie entered it's final ten minutes.  But, Hutton would have the final say as they netted an 83rd minute winner to see them through to the next round.

 
Saffron Walden Town 3 Hackney Wick 0

Walden had just suffered back to back home defeats to Athletic Newham, and had conceded six at GWR prior to that, so they would have been slightly apprehensive coming into this Vase tie against a Wick side who had been banging in the goals lately, but backed by a decent crowd of 227, they would record a very decent win.  Kaleel Green gave them a 19th minute lead before he then netted from the spot eight minutes later to hand them a two goal cushion, and Mekhi Mckenzie then added a third early in the second period as Walden saw off a very dangerous and kept a clean sheet to boot as they won through to the First Round Proper.

 
SOUL Tower Hamlets 2 Bridon Ropes 0

Everything in this game pointed to a home win, the ESL hosts had been having a very good season so far and reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, Bridon Ropes are struggling somewhat in Step Six in the SCEFL One, and although SOUL would record a win, it was certainly a harder job than many thought.  It took the hosts till seven minutes before the break before Samir Bihmoutine gave them the lead, and Sherman Artmeladze doubled that lead on the hour mark as they recorded a two goal win to progress into the next round. Job done as they would say. 

So, congratulations to the sides who made it through in the Vase, now for the league games that took place and how they affect the tables:-

Essex Senior League

Harwich & Parkeston 3-3 White Ensign

Woodford Town 2-0 Basildon United

It was a bonkers second half at The Royal Oak, Harwich & Ensign was goalless at half time but no one was prepared for what was to follow, Shaun Avis gave the hosts a 49th minute lead, that was cancelled out by a Jack Stone leveller on 55 minutes, Alfie Eldridge restored the hosts lead in the 65th minute, only for an own goal two minutes to bring the visitors level again.  And two minutes after that, Harwich went ahead again through a second goal for Eldridge, but, you guessed it, Ensign were to force a draw after Arnold Mengi levelled once again with eight minutes to go.

Woodford Town, who were still buzzing from their FA Cup heroics in midweek, saw off a struggling Basildon United at Ashtons, Ollie Sotoyinbo netted yet another goal to give his side a 15th minute lead, and they sealed the win with four minutes to go with Dimi Christou found the net for the home side, and this was to be the final game Micheal Walther would be in charge of the visitors as they decided to part ways with him after only 51 days in charge, meaning they have gone through two managers before September is out, not ideal.

That win put Woodford top of the pile, Ensign's draw sees them just outside the playoffs., Harwich are only two points back themselves in ninth, Basildon remain in the bottom two and are now looking for a third manager of the season.

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

AS London 1-1 Newbury Forest

FC Baresi 2-1 Dunmow Town

Southend Manor 3-3 Burnham Ramblers

The points were shared at New River Stadium between AS London & Newbury Forest, the hosts were reduced to ten men when Zivonimir Lopes was dismissed with twenty minutes to, AS London did take the lead though Naim Mejdoubi netted soon after, however they couldn't hold on as the visitors earned a point with a leveller ten minutes from time.

Another two goals from Junior Appiah handed FC Baresi another win, that's ten points from twelve in their last four games, Dunmow did see Darnell Fuller net from the bench, but it wasn't enough to prevent another defeat for the visitors.

And their was a six goal thriller at Southchurch Park as Manor and Ramblers shared six goals which also had a very dramatic ending, Manor lead early on through Kehinde Sanni, but Ramblers fought back to level before half time, Ramblers then went in front early in the second half before George Jessey restored parity with a 76th minute penalty.  Then came the dramatic ending, Ramblers thought they had won it in the 92nd minute when heading home, but Manor would not give up and levelled in the 94th minute thanks to a curling free kick from Jude Morgan.

Newbury Forest do go top of the pile on goal difference with that draw at New River, Burnham stay outside the top five after they saw Manor level late on, FC Baresi are up to 12th after their win, AS London are one place behind them after holding the now league leaders, Manor go 14th with that last gasp point, Dunmow are just above the bottom three after their fifth loss of the season.

That concludes the blog for now, not sure when I'll do another one, but until then goodbye for now, and thanks for reading and for all the support you give me, you know who you are, so thank you. 

Billericay Town 2 Ramsgate 2 - A stoppage time header from Ryan Scott salvages a point for Billericay Town who come from two goals down to deny Ramsgate all three points in an entertaining Isthmian Premier contest

Isthmian League Premier, Saturday 6th September

On the day I turned 45 years young, I was over at familiar surroundings of New Lodge, Billericay, for an Isthmian League contest between Billericay Town & Ramsgate who of course travelled from the Kent coast to be here, and at least a couple of hundred of their supporters made the trip too.

Now the hosts had began their season in mixed form it's fair to say, they sat in 11th place having won two, drawn one and lost two, so a bit of everything, and they were yet to win at home as well in two league games thus far, although they had thumped Barton Rovers at home in their previous game an New Lodge to progress in the FA Cup.

Ramsgate, who came up from the South East division the previous season as champions after amazing 109 points in the season and edging out Sittingbourne to the title, had found adapting to life in the Premier Division a tad difficult so far, only one win in their first five games and three defeats saw them just above the drop zone, although it's still early days so none of this really matters right now.

If Ramsgate had one thing going for them though it was the backing they had from their supporters who had turned up in numbers in a very decent crowd of 1,004 at New Lodge, and it was they who were celebrating early on too after they took the lead in the 13th minute, a ball in from the right saw striker Alfie Paxman get across his marker and beat hosts keeper Sam Dokin at his near post and steer the ball into the bottom corner, sending those visiting fans behind the goal in raptures.

And if truth be told had Ramsgate been further ahead at the break no one could of complained, Billericay had their openings but just could not hit the target, but they did look quite vulnerable at the back at times, and you could sense the frustration amongst the home fans, and no doubt a few words were exchange in the dressing room at half time, if they wanted to get anything out of this game they would need to improve.

They started the second period positively, but they were dealt a hammer blow just past the hour mark when Ramsgate doubled their lead in spectacular fashion after Mitchell May fired home a wonderful long range effort that dipped over Tonkin and in off the crossbar, two nil Ramsgate and they looked well on their way to victory.

Just after this second goal, the hosts made some changes to try and change it up a bit, they had to really as nothing was working, and one of those players coming on was Joe Taylor, who was part of Ramsgate's championship winning squad last season, and captained them to the title, he banged in 101 goals in the last two seasons making him their record goal scorer before he left in the summer originally for Hornchurch before joining Billericay.

And you knew what was coming next, a ball over the top saw Taylor run clear of the back line, and although keeper Aiden Prall saved his effort, the ball bounced back off the striker and past the keeper into the bottom corner, a very fortunate slice of luck for the striker, but the hosts were now right back in the contest with just over twenty minutes or so to play.

Ramsgate had been far less threatening in the second period and were now just trying to hold onto what they had, and they had to survive plenty of second half pressure from the hosts who themselves were trying to salvage something from a game they had looked out of at one stage, and when the board went up for five minutes added on, the visitors only had that time to try and hold out and record a very good win.

Billericay though were not to give up, and with three minutes or so of the five added on played, they found a leveller, a cross into the box saw Ryan Scott rise to power home a header from inside the box, and the hosts now had hopes of even winning the game, they were not settling for a point, whereas Ramsgate would now have been delighted to have gained one as they were clinging on a bit now.

And in a dramatic and crazy end, Billericay nearly did the unthinkable, after a scramble inside the box, the ball eventually found its way to the back post but two home players got in each others way and collided with the ball going wide and off for a goal kick, total mayhem in the visitors box, but they did manage to hold on for a point whilst although the hosts would have been disappointed not to have won it, they should have been proud of how they fought back in this one and at least got something from the game.

It had been a good contest played in front of a really good atmosphere, the result does mean Billericay stay in 11th spot but Ramsgate have dropped into the bottom four as a result, but as said it's early days and their are plenty of games to go, so no panic yet.

Full time Billericay Town 2 Ramsgate 2

   

Leighton Town Development 3 Stotfold Development 1 - Charlie Gilbert, Enaan Hussain & Liam Nourse all net for hosts who come from behind to beat ten man visitors and secure victory in their Spartan South Midlands Division One contest

Spartan South Midlands Division One, Saturday 30th August

My latest game saw me watch my first ever contest at Bell Close, home of Leighton Town, and today saw their Development side at home against Stotfold's Development side in the Spartan South Midlands Divsion One, which is Step Six in the non league ladder.

I had been staying in Leighton Buzzard since Thursday due to my Cousin Russ getting married nearby on the Friday, you know he likes his football when he doesn't get married on the Saturday, so this freed me up to take the chance to go and watch a game at this ground for the very first time before I headed home.

With plenty of hours to kill after an 11am checkout from the hotel I was staying in, I watched an hour and a half of the cricket that was going on next door at Leighton Buzzard CC, and took the time to chill out in the nice sunshine that was on offer at that point in the day (it was to turn a bit wetter later on!!!)

Now I had taken the chance to wonder about Friday morning prior to the wedding reception, and had sneaked into the ground to have a look, and it is a very neat little ground, a nice sized covered seated stand on one side, a covered standing area behind one goal at opposite end to the clubhouse, and the clubhouse is nice too.

There is also a nice tea bar which amongst other things serves very unique sausage rolls (Chorizo ones & Black Pudding ones!!!) although I plumped for some basic chips, which were very reasonably priced, and then took my place in the main stand to see how this contest would pan out.

Leighton Town Development began the day one point and two places behind their opponents in the table, that was 14th spot for the hosts, having won two, drawn two and lost two so far this campaign, whereas Stotfold Development had won three and lost three, so there was at least a symmetrical look to both sides records, both also knew that a win could take them into the top ten in the standings.

Well, the opening half hour was quite scrappy with not a lot of goalmouth action to shout about, but just past the half hour point came the breakthrough, Charlie Mallett fired a ball across goal which went through to the opposite side of the box, Charlie Scott kept it alive to send a ball back into the dangerzone where Alfie Gardiner was on hand to turn the ball home and give the visitors the lead.

Things though were to take a turn for the worse late on in the half for the visitors, as in the 42nd minute hosts forward Charlie Gilbert (yes everyone appears to be called Charlie in this game so far!!!) got in on goal and was fouled by visiting keeper Gurjosh Dhesi as he rounded him, penalty, and the referee decided to show the keeper a straight red card, which it's fair to say he wasn't to pleased about.

It meant one of the centre halves for Stotfold had to don the gloves for the remainder of the game, and his first bit of action was to pick the ball out of the net after Gilbert picked himself up to fire home the spot kick, which meant the sides went in level at the break but the visitors now had a whole half to play with ten men and an outfielder in goal, advantage Leighton Town no?

The hosts certainly had more possession in the early exchanges of the second period, and they saw two decent headed openings go array, Stotfold were doing well to protect their new keeper from having many shots to deal with, and as the half went on it was they who were starting to show some threat, hosts keeper Will Hamm had to beat away a decent effort from the visitors, and it was hard to see who had the ten men if truth be told.

However, a moment of class handed the hosts the lead in the 77th minute, Liam Nourse sent a wonderful flick through to Enaan Hussain who strode into the box before firing across the keeper into the far corner, it was a wonderful ball through to him and ten man Stotfold now had around fifteen minutes to find a response.

Then came a spell where the visitors piled on plenty of pressure but just could not find that final touch inside the box as Leighton Town just about held firm, considering the visitors had been a man light since the 42nd minute they had done ever so well and probably deserved to be on level terms, but you don't always get what you deserve in sport, and in the 92nd minute the hosts sealed the deal.

It came when good work down the right ended with them driving into the box, and a ball sent across the box found Nourse who grabbed a goal for himself by firing past the keeper who did his best to save it, and the hosts could celebrate a hard earned win against a side who certainly battled well and caused problems with ten men.

Stotfold certainly felt the referee had been against them during the game, the red card being their biggest complaint, and led to their manager (I think) going up to the referee at the end and not exactly give him a compliment, let's put it that way!!! The visitors were frustrated with the officiating but they could be proud of how they battled after that set back.

Well done to the hosts though, a good win, and it's three points that takes them up to ninth in the table, and now two points and six places above Stotfold who drop to 15th as a result, still early days as they say, onto the next one (as they also say!!!).

Full time Leighton Town Development 3 Stotfold Development 1

 

Isuzu FA Vase First Qualifying Round Triple Header - Hadleigh United hold on to beat Barkingside at Cricklefield, Steyning Town win derby against Arundel at Mill Road & NW London see off Basildon Town at Gardiners Close

 (Steyning Town full back Max Blencowe driving forward during his sides 3-1 win over Arundel at Mill Road on Saturday)

Isuzu FA Vase First Qualifying Round, 22nd, 23rd & 24th August

It was that time of year again, a nice triple header to get the Vase campaign off and running for the new season, it only seems like yesterday when Whitstable Town defeated AFC Whyteleafe in May's finale, but before you know it, the new season's competition is underway, and I had three games planned on the opening weekend of this tournament, Cricklefield in Seven Kings on Friday evening, Mill Road, Arundel on Saturday, and Gardiners Close, Basildon on the Sunday.

Let's begin with Friday's game at Cricklefield as Barkingside took on Hadleigh United:-

Barkingside Vs Hadleigh United

It was Thurlow Nunn South against Thurlow Nunn Premier on Friday night at Cricklefield, Barkingside had began the season not to badly, they sat tenth in the standings eight points from their five games played so far and only the one loss, Hadleigh had only played three league games so far and sat down in 12th with four points from those games thus far, so despite the one level gap between the sides it appeared that this may be a tight contest.

The hosts though took a while to get going and were duly punished by their higher league opponents, Hadleigh taking a third minute lead when a ball driven into the box which looked like a shot, ended up going into the path of Luke Spurling who stretched out a boot to divert the ball beyond keeper Mackenzie Drew and in off the post to hand the visitors the perfect start, and then midway through the first period they doubled that lead when Curtis Harvey struck a powerful free kick inside the hosts near post, and it looked like the visitors would cruise this contest.

But, Side managed to settle and once they had done that they managed to win a penalty and give themselves a great chance to grab one back late on in the half, but, Elton Gjonbala saw his spot kick saved by visiting keeper Jack Munson, thwarting the hosts the chance to reduce the arrears, meaning it would remain 2-0 to Hadleigh heading into the dressing room at half time, could Side mount an unlikely comeback or would the visitors go on and win this one comfortably?

Well, the second half turned out to be pretty much all at the visitors end of the pitch as Side mounted several attacks at their goal, and the visitors had to withstand a lot of second half pressure, pressure they managed to stand up against until the hosts got one back in the 82nd minute when brilliant work down the right by Alex Strugurean ended with a ball into the box being rifled home by Nils Hlukaku, and it was very much game on at this point.

All the momentum, as it had been for most of the half, was with the hosts, and with a minimum of ten added on minutes to come, there was plenty of time to go, it ended up being sixteen minutes added on in a half that lasted over an hour, but despite this Hadleigh dug in and clung on for the win, a very hard fought one at that, meaning they progress into the next round of the competition.

Full time Barkingside 1 Hadleigh United 2

Well done to Hadleigh United then, who grabbed the win, they will travel to Biggleswade United in the next round on September 20th, the Second Qualifying Round, with a chance to real the First Round Proper of course.

Onto Saturday then, and my first trip to the town of Arundel, I'd been past it on the train before and seen the magnificent castle from the railway line, so decided I'd make a trip there at last, I'd heard good things about the town and club, and I wasn't disappointed, it's a magnificent town, and after wondering around it and having lunch by the river, I headed for the ground and the hosts tie with Steyning Town.

Arundel Vs Steyning Town

Both sides were in the Southern Combination League, Arundel were in the Step Six division, SCFL Division One, and sat sixth in the table after three games picking up six points in the process (two wins and a defeat) whereas Steyning Town were back in Step Five and the Premier Division after their relegation from Step Four the season before, so returning to the Vase as a result, and had picked up seven points from their opening three games to sit in sixth in that division as a result.

The visitors then were probably installed as favourite's for this one then, seeing as they were two divisions higher last season, and still one above their opponents this campaign, however, this was a local derby as the clubs were only around 13 miles apart or a half hour drive, so this normally throws another factor into it, considering they rarely meet due to being in different leagues, and Arundel would no doubt want to shoot down a local side above them in the pyramid.

Indeed the opening twenty five minutes were fairly even with not much in it, Arundel actually had the first real chance when a nice move ended with the hosts stinging the palms of visiting keeper Mitch Bromage, the visitors had responded when Harry Heath dragged an effort across and wide, but in the 25th minute the visitors struck, and it was a brilliant strike from Jake King, finding top bins  as you would say, the keeper had no chance whatsoever.

The remainder of the half saw Steyning have further chances, with only the woodwork and the keeper coming to the hosts aid and preventing them from going further behind, but the game was still in the balance as the half came to an end, with only one goal in it.

The next was always going to be important in this contest, and it went to the visitors fairly early on in the second period, which kind of knocked the stuffing out of Arundel, it came when skipper Dion Jarvis sent in a corner which Heath nodded home from close range, and then just past the hour mark an absolute worldie of a strike from Conrad Honore which flew into the top corner from long range, handed the visitors a three goal cushion and a rubber stamp on this tie you felt.

Arundel though to their credit didn't fold completely and with the visitors getting a bit sloppy at times the hosts did manage to get themselves a sniff back into the contest when they pulled a goal back with around twenty minutes to go, it came from a pass that was given away by the visitors, and ended up with Sam Pearson firing home a pretty decent effort beyond Bromage into the bottom corner to give the hosts some hope.

They could have grabbed another goal back to make the final few minutes interesting but Bromage managed to thwart them from point blank range, but apart from this the visitors never really looked like they would be threatened by a miraculous home side comeback, and also had chances to seal it down the other end, they didn't but they had done more than enough to see this one out and take victory in the derby at Mill Road.

Full time Arundel 1 Steyning Town 3

A good battle then at Mill Road, but Steyning deserved their win and will now welcome Lewisham Borough (Community) to their home, The Shooting Field, in the Second Qualifying Round in around a months time.  

Right, the final game of this triple header came on Sunday at Gardiners Close in Basildon as Basildon Town took on NW London in an all Thurlow Nunn South contest:-

Basildon Town vs NW London

There were only three places between these two in the league thus far, Bas Town sat 12th having picked up seven points from their six league games so far, that was three points more than NW London in their five games so far, although this was a Vase game so league form so far this season probably didn't count for much.

Bas Town's last two home games though had resulted in two wins, one in the league (3-2 against AS London) and one in the League Challenge Cup (4-2 against Cannons Wood) so they had found the net seven times in those two games, in contrast NW London's only win this season has come at home, in three away games so far this season they have lost all three (one a League Challenge Cup tie) conceding ten in the process, so it all pointed to a home win you would say, no?

We all know it doesn't work as simple as that, as football isn't played on paper, and sure enough the visitors put in a very good first half performance, and in the 21st minute the visitors grabbed a deserved lead, they had already had a goal disallowed a few minutes before, and even celebrated thinking the referee had awarded it when in fact he was pointing down the pitch for a foul, which bemused them somewhat, but they could celebrate this time when a ball swept to the back stick was converted with no issues.

Basildon Town huffed and puffed but just could not get going, they did have some efforts at goal but these were easy for the keeper, and five minutes before half time NW London doubled their lead as after they won the ball back from a sloppy home side, a ball through was emphatically finished into the bottom corner, and the visitors had a lovely two goal cushion to take into the half time break.

Could Basildon Town turn this one around or at least get back on level terms to force a penalty shoot out, well they certainly had the majority of the play after the break but just could not find that killer touch in front of goal, and they were always in danger of being countered on by the visitors who themselves had chances to seal it, Bas Town though kept plugging away and as the game entered stoppage time they gave themselves a lifeline, Lucas Willison firing in off the crossbar from an angle, could the hosts somehow salvage something in the remainder of added on time?

Well, moments later they thought they had done, the ball appeared to come off a defender and saw the hosts stretch to fire home beyond the keeper, but, the flag had gone up much to everyone's surprise, so the goal was ruled out, now if the ball comes off a defender then surely it's not offside, however, the assistant on that side was sure he had made the right call, and it meant NW London would hold on and take their place in the next round, much to their delight. 

Full time Basildon Town 1 NW London 2

Well done to NW London, a first away win of the season and a big one, they now host Letchworth Garden City Eagles in a months time to see if they can make it to the First Round Proper.

Well, that concludes my Isuzu FA Vase weekend, the competition is up and running again for another season, thanks for reading, it's been very enjoyable watching and bringing you the action I saw for you to read and hopefully enjoy too!!!