Billericay Town 1 Sheppey United 0 - De-Carrey Sheriff goal just before midway point of first period enough for Billericay Town to defeat Sheppey United & reach the isthmian League Velocity Cup Semi Finals

Isthmian League Velocity Cup Quarter Finals, Tuesday January 14th

I popped over to New Lodge on Tuesday evening to take in a Isthmian League Velocity Cup Quarter Final between Premier Division high flyers Billericay Town and One South East top six side Sheppey United and with it only being a fiver to watch as well, this was very good value for this level, or any level in fact.

The hosts are enjoying a very good season at the sharp end of the Premier Division and are currently in second place and a point behind leaders Dover Athletic, who they did beat recently at The Crabble Ground down on the Kent coast, although they did fail to go top at the weekend after a disappointing loss at Horsham, however they now turned their attention to League Cup action and a semi final berth at stake.

The Blues run to the Quarters saw them net home wins over local rivals and One North Division outfit Basildon United 4-1 before they then saw off fellow Premier Division side Cheshunt 3-0, so a fairly comfortable route to this last eight tie, again they were at home, and now welcomed a Sheppey United side who are sitting one spot and five points off a play off spot in the South East Division.

Sheppey would no doubt put up a fight as well despite the hosts being favourites to progress to the last four, as after they knocked out fellow South East Division side Herne Bay on penalties, they defeated Margate, who are flying high in the South East Division, 4-2 at Hartsdown Park, and then in the last round humbled Premier Division Dartford, who are fourth and three points behind Billericay, 3-0 at home, setting up this Quarter Final at New Lodge.

The Blues then would have to be wary then, but just before the midway point of the first period the hosts got their noses in front when a lovely through ball from Ansu Janneh saw De-Carrey Sheriff in on goal, and he duly rounded keeper Aiden Prall before slotting the ball into the empty net and give the majority of the 227 in attendance something to cheer.

They should have been cheering more thereafter when The Blues had another one on one chance when Todd Miller got in on goal, but this time keeper Prall was able to save the effort, it was a great chance to double the hosts lead but it remained 1-0 with the game still in the balance although the hosts had certainly edged the opening forty five minutes.

Sheppey were certainly more threatening in the second period though and had openings to level the game, The Blues were just trying to keep as much as the ball as they could and did create chances too, the best one a cross seeing goal scorer Sheriff somehow head wide of an open net with keeper Prall stranded, but as the game entered it's final moments it looked as if it would drift to it's conclusion.

But, with the game in it's final minute of the ninety, drama ensued, as Janneh, who of course had assisted with the games only goal, saw the ball strike his hand just inside his own box as he attempted to bring the ball out of his box and after a few seconds thought the referee decided to point to the spot, much to the dismay of anyone connected with the hosts.

Whether it was meant or not who knows, but the referee deemed it deliberate and even booked Janneh for his troubles, which seemed a but harsh to me, but it handed Sheppey a golden chance to net a late leveller and potentially force a penalty shoot out (no extra time in this competition), however, Gil Carvalho saw his spot kick brilliant saved by hosts keeper Sam Donkin, with many of the home fans shouting 'Justice!!!' as they certainly did not think it was a penalty.

The Blues then nearly sealed the tie immediately after this but saw Prall beat away an effort from the hosts, and after six or so minutes of stoppage time, The Blues were thankful to hear the final whistle and claim a narrow win against the Kent side, taking their place in the Semi Finals as a result.

Full time Billericay Town 1 Sheppey United 0

Millwall 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 0 - Mihailo Ivanovic, Casper de Norre & Ra'ees Bangura-Williams all netted as Championship Millwall comfortably saw off National League Dagenham & Redbridge to progress into Round Four of the Emirates FA Cup

Emirates FA Cup Third Round Proper, Monday 13th January 

On Friday Night whilst watching the Third Round tie between Aston Villa & West Ham United on ITV, I decided I fancied watching an FA Cup tie this weekend live and in the flesh, so decided to make the hour or so trip into London on Monday night and to The New Den for one of only two ties in the whole round that included a non league side.

That team was Vanarama National League side Dagenham & Redbridge as they made the fairly short trip to take on EFL Championship side Millwall in South Bermondsey, South London, the hosts were obviously favourites to win this tie as they were some four levels above their opponents but this is the FA Cup so you just never knew, all the pressure was on the hosts, and the visitors had nothing to lose.

Millwall's league form had been rather mixed too, they sat 14th in the Championship and had lost three of their last six having only won one of those games too, The Daggers were down in 15th spot in the National League although they had recorded three wins in their last six league games, yes that means nothing in a game like this but winning games can only breed confidence, so they would be coming into this with some sort of momentum and would of had no fear you would have thought.

Add to this that The Daggers had knocked out EFL opposition in the shape of AFC Wimbledon & Crewe Alexandra in the previous two rounds, both who are flying high in the top five of League Two, Millwall would have to be on their guard in this one, but you felt that if the hosts showed up and played to their maximum, their would be only one winner.

And after Sunday evenings Fourth Round draw, the sides knew that they would be travelling to Championship Leeds United in early February if they won this tie, a bigger incentive for the visitors you would say if they could stun their opponents this evening, however if Millwall were to get the job done as many expected, it would see an all Championship tie of course, no doubt they were hoping for a better draw, still a chance to progress all the same, and more prize money too, which always help.

The Lions enjoyed plenty of possession in the first period, almost 61% in fact, but for much of the first half they struggled to convert that into clear chances, which was certainly frustrating the home support around me that's four sure, whereas the travelling support were certainly generating a big atmosphere in an otherwise sparsely attended match at The Den, and loudly cheered as early Millwall efforts from Joe Bryan and Femi Azeez sailed over the bar.

The visiting allocation behind the goal were certainly enjoying their evening out, and were loving the hosts inability to really make the most of the possession they enjoyed, but the home side deservedly took the lead on the half hour mark, and it was certainly a very interesting way to find the net too, Mihailo Ivanovic managing to head the ball into the net whilst lying down on the turf in the six yard box, this after seeing his initial volley well saved by Daggers keeper Elliot Justham. It's hard to explain so maybe watch the highlights online!!!

It meant the hosts went into the break with the lead, but only a slender one despite dominating the ball, and at 1-0 The Daggers were always a moment away from levelling up the contest, and the non league side enjoyed their best spell of the game early in the second half as a Josh Rees effort deflected behind, and then Millwall somehow survived a scramble from the resulting corner that ended with midfielder Jake Hessenthaler's volley into the ground reaching the welcome arms of Lukas Jensen.

Despite this though the hosts were rarely troubled and were soon looking to add to their lead to potentially kill off this cup tie, Ivanovic missed a clear chance to double his side's lead before Casper De Norre did just that with twenty minutes to go with a fine volley at the far post following a deep cross from Bryan at the end of a move started by the Belgian midfielder. Game over for sure, you could not see The Daggers fighting back from two goals down.

It was really how many Millwall may get thereafter as they continued to probe for a third and maybe more after that, although some of the home fans around me were still moaning when the hosts passed the ball around rather than try and attack, with me thinking to myself erm your comfortably two goals ahead and are cruising into Round Four, ah well can't please some I guess.

However, they were to be treated to perhaps the moment of the night in the 85th minute when substitute Ra'ees Bangura-Williams, fresh from signing a new long-term contract, went on a wonderful solo run, beating several defenders before applying a lovely finish across keeper Justham and into the far corner for his side's third goal with a neat left-footed finish to wrap up new boss Alex Neil's first win since taking over from Neil Harris at the end of December.

So, all in all it was a comfortable night for the hosts, and they now set up a Fourth Round clash away to fellow Championship side Leeds United, that will be tasty for sure, whereas for The Daggers this was a step to far for them against higher league opposition in a performance they probably won't be pleased about although they did make it tough for their opponents nonetheless. 

Full time Millwall 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Right, there were quite a few ties this weekend, thirty two to be precise, including the one I attended, let's see how the other sixty two sides got on this weekend and see if their were any 'cupsets'???

Thursday January 9th

Sheffield United 0 Cardiff City 1 (Ashford 19)

Everton 2 (Beto 42, Ndiaye 90+8 pen) Peterborough United 0

Fulham 4 (Muniz 26, Jimenez 49(pen), Andersen 65, Castagne 85) Watford 1 (Vata 33)

Thursday night saw no real shocks although Cardiff winning their all championship tie at Bramall Lane was a surprise perhaps giving where both are in the table, Everton, who sacked manager Sean Dyche hours before their tie with League One Peterborough, managed to see off their lower league opponents whilst Fulham thrashed Watford at The Cottage.

Friday December 10th

Wycombe Wanderers 2 (Hanlan 17, Bradley 27) Portsmouth 0

Aston Villa 2 (Onana 71, Rogers 76) West Ham United 1 (Paqueta 9)

League One Wycombe beating Championship Portsmouth at Adams Park was technically a shock although with the hosts flying high and the visitors struggling in their divisions maybe it wasn't a surprise, whilst in the all Premier League encounter at Villa Park, the hosts came from behind to hand Hammers boss Graham Potter a defeat in his first outing as their new manager.

Saturday December 11th

Early Kick Offs

Birmingham City 2 (Yokoyama 1, Dykes 77) Lincoln City 1 (Makama 90(pen))

Bristol City 1 (Twine 45+1) Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 (Ait-Nouri 10, Gomes 21)

Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn Rovers 1 (Weimann 70)

Liverpool 4 (Jota 29, Alexander-Arnold 45, Danns 76, Chiesa 90) Accrington Stanley 0

There were no surprises in the early slate of games on Saturday, with all games going the way they were expected too. League One giants Birmingham got through, Wolves got a welcome win after all their struggles in the Premier League this season, Blackburn won their all Championship tie at Riverside, and Premier League leaders saw off Accrington Stanley at Anfield.

Afternoon Kick Offs

Leicester City 6 (Justin 8,63, Mavididi 35, Buonanotte 38, Vardy 51(pen), Faes 90+3) Queens Park Rangers 2 (Varane 18, Kolli 45+2)

AFC Bournemouth 5 (Kluivert 27, Ouattara 34,44, Semenyo 47, Jebbison 90+2) West Bromwich Albion 1 (Taylor 14)

Brentford 0 Plymouth Argyle 1 (Whittaker 82)

Chelsea 5 (Adarabioyo 39,70, Nkunku 50, Joao Felix 75,77) Morecambe 0 

Exeter City 3 (Mitchell 22,40, Harper 64) Oxford United 1 (Phillips 14, Goodrham sent off 81)

Norwich City 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 4 (Rutter 37,45+2, Enciso 59, March 74)

Nottingham Forest 2 (Yates 40, Sosa 68) Luton Town 0

Reading 1 (Wing 77) Burnley 3 (Foster 71, Flemming 100 ET, 109 ET) (aet)

Sunderland 1 (Aleksic 64) Stoke City 2 (Cannon 4(pen), Ennis 112 ET) (aet)

One huge surprise in the afternoon slate saw Championship bottom side Plymouth Argyle, who had not won an away game all season, stun Brentford at The Community Stadium, League One Exeter also saw off Championship Oxford United, apart from those two, all other ties went the way expected, with PL sides Leicester, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Brighton & Forest all getting through.  Burnley needed extra time to see of League One Reading, whilst Stoke saw off Sunderland after extra time in the all championship tie at SOL.

Evening Kick Offs

Leeds United 1 (Ramazani 59) Harrogate Town 0

Manchester City 8 (Doku 8,69(pen), Mubama 20, O'Reilly 43, Grealish 49(pen), McAtee 62,72,81) Salford City 0

Coventry City 1 (Kitching 26) Sheffield Wednesday 1 (Musaba 90+3) (aet; Coventry City won 4-3 on penalties)

Its was a tale of two League Two sides travelling to higher league opposition in the evening slate on Saturday, both lost but Harrogate pushed Championship Leeds all the way in their West vs North Yorkshire contest at Elland Road, however Salford City was humbled at The Eithad as Man City netted eight with James McAtee netting his first senior hat-trick of his career. In the all championship tie at The Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry City won on penalties against Sheffield Wednesday, this after the visitors had forced extra time courtesy of a 93rd minute leveller.

Sunday January 12th

Hull City 1 (Puerta 80) Doncaster Rovers 1 (Molyneux 51) (aet; Doncaster Rovers won 5-4 on penalties)

Tamworth 0 Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Tshikuna 101 ET og, Kulusevski 107 ET, Johnson 118 ET) (aet)

Arsenal 1 (Gabriel 63) Manchester United 1 (Bruno Fernandes 52, Dalot sent off 61) (aet; Manchester United won 5-3 on penalties)

Crystal Palace 1 (Eze 4) Stockport County 0

Ipswich Town 3 (Phillips 18, Clarke 24, Taylor 37) Bristol Rovers 0

Newcastle United 3 (Miley 16, Gordon 49(pen), Osula 61) Bromley 1 (Congreve 8)

Southampton 3 (Sulemana 20, Dibling 35,65) Swansea City 0

Biggest stories or ties on Sunday came at The Lamb Ground and The Emirates, Tamworth, the lowest ranked side left in the cup and just one place below the only other non league side left in the draw in Dagenham & Redbridge, pushed Premier League Spurs all the way until they finally succumbed in extra time to bow out heroically. Had this happened in previous seasons then the National League side would have earned a money spinning replay in North London, but alas replays have been scrapped this season, a big shame. And holder Man United survived sixty minutes against Arsenal with ten men before they won the tie in a shootout to pour more woe on an Arsenal side who are stumbling somewhat right now. League Two Doncaster knocked out Championship Hull on penalties in another surprise, Palace saw off a dogged Stockport, Ipswich brushed past Bristol Rovers, Newcastle came from behind to see off League Two Bromley, and The Saints put there league woes behind them to net a comfortable win over Swansea at St Marys. 

Tuesday January 14th

Leyton Orient 1 (Kelman 20, Clare sent off 113 ET) Derby County 1 (Brown 24) (aet; Leyton Orient won 6-5 on penalties)

Mansfield Town 0 Wigan Athletic 2 (Aasgaard 48,54)

Preston North End 2 (Osmajic 32,47) Charlton Athletic 1 (Berry 40)

All these sides knew who they would be facing in Round Four if they managed to win, Orient held their nerve against Championship Derby in a shoot out meaning the League One side now have a huge home tie against Premier League champions Man City, Wigan set up a home tie with Fulham after they defeated Mansfield, and Preston edged out Charlton to set up a home tie with League One Wycombe.    

 

The draw for Round Four, the Last 32 of the competition, was made on Sunday evening, let's see what ties that churned out shall we:-

Fourth Round Proper (ties to be played weekend of 7th/8th/9th February)

Manchester Utd v Leicester City

Leeds United v Millwall

Brighton v Chelsea

Preston North End v Wycombe Wanderers

Exeter City v Nottingham Forest

Coventry City v Ipswich Town

Blackburn Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wigan Athletic v Fulham

Birmingham City v Newcastle United

Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool

Everton v AFC Bournemouth

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton v Burnley

Leyton Orient v Manchester City

Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace

Stoke City v Cardiff City

With eighteen of the twenty Premier League sides getting through, you would have thought plenty of the sixteen ties would have been all PL ones, well only four came out as it turned out, and for the others some have potential banana skins to avoid, Forest, Wolves, Fulham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Man City & Palace all have away ties at lower league opposition, and there are also three all championship ties as well, will we have any 'cupsets' in Round Four?

Leigh Ramblers 8 Bishop's Stortford Swifts 1 - Patrick Cannon & Luis Bracci both net braces as hosts Leigh Rams net eight to dismantle Stortford Swifts at Len Forge in the Essex Olympian Premier

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday January 11th

With the freezing January weather causing havoc with the local football and with pretty much everything on grass being postponed, I popped over to watch a local Essex Olympian Premier Division contest between Leigh Ramblers & Bishop's Stortford Swifts.

The game had been moved from Rams normal venue at Belfairs to make sure this game went ahead, and with the sun beating down their was never any issue with the 3G surface freezing over, so both sides had a perfect playing surface to do battle on, and both sides were looking to break into the top half of the division too.

Eight placed Rams were having a mixed season having won seven and lost eight and to be honest Swifts themselves were having a very similar campaign, they were in ninth and only below their opponents today on goal difference so on paper at least you expected a very tight and competitive battle.

It turned out to be anything but though, the tone was set inside the opening ten minutes, Rams grabbing the lead with barely two minutes on the clock when they got in behind the visiting back line before a ball across found Billy Ransome who fired home a first time effort, and after nine minutes it was two as Tommy Pinkerton received a pass from midfield after the hosts had won it back, and the striker cut inside before firing a lovely effort into the bottom corner.

And in the 21st minute you felt the game could be over when a corner from the left saw an unmarked Stuart Greaves head home back across goal into the net, and at 3-0 you felt the hosts would go on and net a few more.

To be fair to the visitors they picked it up a bit for the remainder of the half and just beyond the half hour mark found a goal to give themselves a sniff of a route back into the contest when a lovely ball to the back stick found Gavin Cockman who nodded home from a yard out, another goal back and they were certainly right back in this contest for sure.

But, right on half time they were to concede a fourth goal to really harm their chances of getting anything from the game when a nice move ended with a ball across the box saw full back and skipper Patrick Cannon run onto it to sweep home a lovely first time finish, meaning the hosts went into the break three goals to the good.

Swifts needed a erm 'swift' response in the second half if they were to have any chance of getting themselves back into this one, but in the 56th minute a slip at the back allowed Rams number ten Will Wheeler to get onto the ball before firing a rocket of a shot into the top corner giving the keeper no chance, and that was pretty much that in terms of the contest.

And just three minutes later Rams added a sixth and it was a second for skipper Cannon who saw a long range effort deflect past a helpless keeper and into the corner of the net, six for the hosts and it was a matter of how many now.

The hosts were to add another two before the end, netting a seventh with four minutes to go after Luis Bracci got in down the right hand side, and although his first effort was saved, it was parried back into his path for him to tap home, and then two minutes later Bracci had another when a ball over the top saw him run onto, beat the keeper to the ball and lofting a neat finish into the net.

A thumping win for the Rams then, and it took them up one place into seventh and vastly improving their goal difference from -3 to +4, not a bad day at the office then as they go into the top half of the league, a bad day at the office for Swifts who remain ninth but see their goal difference drop to -13 after today's events.

Full time Leigh Ramblers 8 Bishop's Stortford Swifts 1

There was only one other game that went ahead in the division today, and that was also on 3G, unsurprisingly, it took place at St Martins School in Shenfield/Hutton, let's see how that went:-

Shenfield AFC 4 Sungate 1

It was third placed Shenfield against second bottom Sungate, so only one winner here then? Well, the visitors did take a shock lead in this one, but that was as good as it got for the visitors as the hosts fought back to level when Freddie Madle turned home a ball from Ben Absolon, before Madle netted again after a cross/shot ended up in the net. George Nash then converted a good ball from Luke Williamson to make it 3-1, before Williamson then turned goal scorer by slamming home a volley to make it four and see the hosts to a routine win as expected.

Let's have a look at the table after today's games:-

Still looks like Old Southendian's title to lose, and this week it was announced they were applying for promotion to Step Six so right now they look nailed on to win it, but still a few games to go as yet so it's not over till it's over as they say.

Toby looked doomed down at the bottom, but the other relegation spot is between a few sides you feel so be interesting to see how that pans out over the coming months.

That's all for now, thanks for reading as always.

Romford 3 Takeley 1 / Frenford 4 Hullbridge Sports 1 - I was over at Mayesbrook Park on Friday to see Romford end Takeley's three month long unbeaten run & at The Drive on Saturday to see Frenford net four at home to Hullbridge Sports

(Frenford do battle against Hullbridge Sports on Saturday at The Drive)

Essex Senior League, Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th January

The first weekend of the year new saw me do an Essex Senior League double and with only four of the scheduled ten games going ahead due to the freezing weather, I managed to cover 50% of the weekend fixtures 😉, on Friday night I was at Mayesbrook Park to check out Romford and Takeley, and then on Saturday afternoon I was over at The Drive to see Frenford do battle against Hullbridge Sports, the other matches that did beat the freeze was at Parsloes where Athletic Newham hosted Little Oakley & at Burroughs Park as White Ensign took on Barking, I will bring you a brief look at those games later on. Kudos to the ground staff in Wakering though for getting that game on as it was the only one on grass that took place all weekend in the division.

But for now it's the two games I attended, starting with Friday night's match up at Mayesbrook Park:-

Friday January 3rd

Romford Vs Takeley

Hosts Romford needed to grab a win and get themselves closer to a play off zone they were part of until recently, they had fallen behind both Saffron Walden Town, who now occupied the final spot in fifth, and Barking who were now in sixth, Romford had fallen to seventh and five points off the top five, so they really did not need any more slip ups from now till the end of the season.

They were welcoming a Takeley side though who were unbeaten in twelve league games, picking up 32 out of a possible 36 since they lost at Buckhurst Hill back on September 28th, a remarkable run which has seen them right in the mix for promotion, and if they won this game they would overhaul Woodford Town in second spot and go only three points behind leaders Stanway Rovers, they were very much in the title race as it stood, and even more so if they won.

Well, it was the hosts who managed to get themselves in front just before the half hour mark, Toheeb Elegushi doing good work down the right before sending in a cross that seemed to take a nick on the way through to Kennedy Feyi who saw the ball pretty much hit him and end up in the net, maybe that was a bit harsh to say, but he managed to direct the ball into the net from close range anyway so he did well in that sense, and Romford had a slender advantage.

However, Takeley are not on a long unbeaten run for no reason, and they managed to fight back just before the break when a long throw from Kaiden Imbert Thomas caused problems in the hosts backline, and the ball managed to find it's way to the back post where Alfie Attrill was on hand to convert and see the sides go in level at the break and the match very much in the balance.

Romford though were the ones to grab the next goal in the contest and restore their lead as a corner somehow found it's way across the six yard box, and through a crowded area, and find Feyi at the back post to nod home, and they could easily have added to their lead but saw a couple of efforts fly just over the crossbar, meaning Takeley were still in the contest.

Attrill probably should have grabbed his second of the game and level for the visitors but somehow headed wide from close range, and then Romford keeper Qamil Dervishaj made a superb double save to keep the visitors out as they desperately searched for a leveller to preserve their unbeaten run.

Takeley were certainly finishing the game strongly and were applying a lot of pressure on the hosts back line, however, deep into stoppage time it was to go wrong for the visitors as the game ended in a sour note, the ball came out to full back Coby Miles who mis controlled the ball and allowed the hosts to pinch it off him, he went down claiming a foul (it definitely wasn't a foul) and with visiting keeper James Bransgrove at the wrong end of the field trying to help his side equalize, Jake Gordon picked up the ball and after running up the other end of the field, he rolled the ball into the empty net to seal victory for the hosts.

Takeley were furious with referee Tony King, in particular Lewis Powell and Miles, Powell was given a straight red as Romford celebrated for dissent, and Miles, who had seemingly lost his head, was also dismissed for dissent aimed at the referee meaning they would end the game with nine men and their unbeaten record up in smoke too.

It was only Takeley's third defeat all season in the league, they remain third and six points behind the leaders, but still well set inside the top five despite this disappointing evening, for Romford they went up to sixth ahead of Barking and only two points behind fifth placed Walden, so they are still right in the mix for the play offs right now, especially after this brilliant result against one of the in form sides too.

Full time Romford 3 Takeley 1

So, onto Saturday then, and The Drive were Frenford took on Hullbridge Sports:-

Saturday January 4th

Frenford Vs Hullbridge Sports

Hosts Frenford were looking to build on a recent run of two unbeaten, and they had given promotion chasing Woodford Town, a team they beat at home at the end of September, a good run for their money on the road at Ashton's prior to those two draws, both at home, against Halstead Town and West Essex.

However, that home win against Woodford Town (I was at that one too btw lol) was the only home win Frenford had managed so far this season, they were a much better side away from home, so maybe Hullbridge could take heart from this and maybe grab the points here, although their last away outing had resulted in defeat to White Ensign, that off the back of two wins in a row, points they definitely needed to get themselves further away from the dangerzone.

The hosts were themselves looking to get closer to a top ten position, starting the afternoon in 12th and only a point off that top ten dream, an amazing achievement for a club punching above their weight for sure, although despite the visitors struggles this season, the 16th placed side could actually go joint tenth with a win if results went their way, it certainly was a tight bottom half.

But, by half time the game looked as good as done as Frenford, maybe because I was there again (joking obviously) found themselves three goals up at the break and heading towards only their second home win of the campaign, they grabbed a sixth minute lead when Sam Ince found the bottom corner from inside the box, and then ten minutes before half time doubled that lead when superb play down the left from Warren Kayembe saw him get the ball across to the far post where Nicolas Soloman applied a decent finish.

And then in first half stoppage time Frenford added a third goal when the brilliant Ince fired an effort at goal and although Bridge defender Jack Nolde tried to keep the effort out, he could only help the ball into the net with his head, and Frenford were in total control and surely cruising to the points no?

Well, the opening exchanges of the second period certainly suggested otherwise, Sports pulling one back barely two minutes after the break when a cross saw Iziah Antoine stretch to send an effort beyond hosts keeper Kasey Clark, and then minutes later the hosts were down to ten men after a ridiculous challenge from substitute Wilton Domingos saw him receive a second yellow and his marching orders.

Hullbridge sensed a way back into the contest and came close to reducing the arrears on more than one occasion as Frenford were hanging on somewhat to that two goal lead, Clark tipped a header onto the bar and over on one occasion to keep his side two goals ahead, but once Frenford had calmed that particular storm they knew that time was against their opponents to try and find a way back into the contest.

With around ten minutes of the ninety to go Hullbridge won a free kick inside the Frenford half, the visitors were upset with the challenge and Callum Knowlden expressed a bit to much towards the referee who duly sin binned the visiting player, much to his benches and team mates dismay, they were not happy with him at all and meant the game would pretty much end ten vs ten, taking away that advantage.

And whilst the visitors were coming to terms with that, Frenford sealed the points in the 82nd minute when they added a fourth goal as after an effort was saved by visiting keeper Laurence Whymark, he could only parry into the path of Elton Tetty who applied the finishing touch and end any hopes Hullbridge had of an unlikely comeback.

A rare win at home then for Frenford, and it takes them up one place to 11th, one point behind tenth placed Athletic Newham (who also won today) and in a very comfortable position in the table, whereas for Hullbridge it's back to back losses as they stay in 16th, ten points above bottom side FC Clacton and six points off the top ten.

Full time Frenford 4 Hullbridge Sports 1

Right, let's have a brief look at the two other games that went ahead this weekend:-

Athletic Newham 4 Little Oakley 0

A second half onslaught from Athletic Newham saw them record a comfortable win over Little Oakley at Parsloes, a goalless first half was played out before the hosts grabbed a 53rd minute lead through Hassan Saleh-Togba, and the same man doubled the home sides lead in the 77th minute before late strikes from Julian Sarmiento-Ramirez & Victor Ferrini added more gloss to the scoreline and saw the hosts remain in the top ten of the division.

White Ensign 2 Barking 0

Ensign continued their superb season so far after they saw off play off chasing Barking at Burroughs Park, Jon Evans gave the hosts the lead from the spot on the half hour mark and a Nathan Wilson goal ten minutes after half time doubled their lead and it was more than enough to take all three points, maintaining their ninth placed position in the table, whereas Barking slip to seventh after the weekend and are now three points off Walden in fifth.

Let's now take a look at the table after this weekend:-

Ensign, Athletic Newham & Frenford all maintained positions in mid table, Frenford did actually go up a place after Oakley lost, Sports remained in 16th as said after their loss at Frenford, Barking failed to close the gap to Walden after they lost at Ensign.

Only seven points covers the top four, so that could be a real tussle for number one spot and automatic promotion, whoever loses out on top spot though will most likely make the play offs, with the final spot likely to be fought out between Walden, Romford & Barking, but we will see if anyone below them can make a run in the final months of the campaign, who knows.

FC Clacton have five points to make up if they are to survive, however off the field problems may also hinder them going forward, let's hope things work out for them off the field, as if they can pick up a couple of wins, the ones above will start to become a bit nervous for sure, only time will tell how all that will pan out.

Anyway that's this blog done and dusted, hope you've enjoyed reading, any comments are welcome of course, good or bad, and I do appreciate you reading them too, I really do, thank you.....

Chelmsford City 1 Aveley 0 - An Osman Foyo first half header helps see Chelmsford City to all three points against Essex rivals Aveley in their Vanarama National League South contest at Melbourne Stadium

Vanarama National League South, Wednesday January 1

My first game of 2025 saw me over at an Essex Derby in Chelmsford as a very wet Melbourne Stadium hosted Chelmsford City's home clash with Aveley with both sides looking to get their new year's off to a good start.

The visitors needed the points more if truth be told, they were in the bottom four of the division and eight points from safety with half their league games gone, second season syndrome had certainly hit the Millers in the second tier of non league after making the play offs last season, and they had a lot of work to do in the coming months if they wanted to stay at this level for another season.

They were up against a Chelmsford side who themselves were not hitting their heights this campaign, a very disappointing campaign so far so them down in 14th spot and kind of in no mans land right now, quite a few points above the drop zone but quite a way away from those play off spots too, which they are normally accustomed to being around.

A crowd of 868, with a small contingent from Aveley, braved the elements to come and see if their sides could pull off a good result on the opening day of the new year, any doubts about whether the game would be on were never really a worry as the pitch was playing very well despite all the rain that had fallen since late morning, a testament to the groundsman for that!!!

Could the sides put on a show for the ones who had come out to watch? Well, City should have netted early on in the piece as Osman Foyo's cutback found Critclow who looked odds on to score but instead fired his effort straight at keeper Holden, Aveley responded with a decent chance of their own midway through the half when Anifowose flashed a ball across the six yard box but nobody could get on the end of it.

Chances though were few and far between as both sides struggled with the conditions, City created another decent effort ten minutes before half time when Sam Oguntayo floated ball into the box found Jake Hyde, but his header was straight at Holden, had it been either side of the keeper then City could well have gone ahead, however in the 39th minute the hosts were to edge ahead.

The Clarets won a free kick near the corner flag on the right hand side, and Oguntayo's cross found Foyo who nodded a lovely header back across goal and into the far corner, giving the home fans something to cheer in a half that had been largely frustrating for them.  It was a half that would end with them holding a slender lead though.

Aveley would have been annoyed at the way they conceded the goal as well, they were still right in this contest though and knew if they could find the next goal then it was anyone's game still, they certainly pushed the hosts back a bit in the early exchanges of the second period although they failed to really test Collins in the Chelmsford net, something that would have disappointed them too.

And they were lucky not to have fallen further behind with just over twenty minutes remaining when a counter attack saw Crichlow sent through on goal, but he could only slot wide of the post, and then Aveley had two golden chances to level, Bin-Semekula's free kick from the left wing glanced off the top of the bar, and then Coleman De-Graft somehow sent an effort wide from a few yards out, a hands in hand moment for sure.

Aveley sensed though the nerves in the hosts ranks, City needed a second goal you felt and they thought they had it in the 82nd minute when a quickly taken free kick from Donaldson was converted from close range by Charlie Ruff, however the referee called play back, much to the annoyance of the home crowd and bench, it was tense.

City then had another chance to seal the points in the 87th minute but fluffed their lines again, Ruff finding Hyde inside the box but they took too long and allowed a defender to get back to block, could Aveley punish their opponents for not sealing the deal, well sadly for them, no as this game would end up being settled by that late first half header by Foyo.

Not the greatest of games if truth be told, but Chelmsford wouldn't care about that, it's three points and a clean sheet to start 2025, even if it was a bit of a grind at times, for Aveley it's another disappointing loss, they had their chances but failed to hit the target, and defeat means they remain eight points from safety with twenty two games to go.

Full time Chelmsford City 1 Aveley 0

 

There was plenty of other games in the division on New Years Day so shall we see what happened and how it affects the table:-

Considering the poor weather only two games failed to take place/finish, Hampton & Richmond's home game with Dorking Wanderers was postponed whilst Hornchurch's home game with Tonbridge Angels was abandoned at 1-1 in the 37th minute due to waterlogging, all other games went ahead and finished.

League leaders Torquay edged their derby game against Truro to remain a point clear at the top whilst second placed Boreham Wood thrashed mid table Slough to remain a point behind the leaders, Maidstone edged struggling Welling to remain in third, whilst two play off sides clashed down in Sussex as Worthing and Eastbourne Borough shared a goalless draw.

Their was a big bottom two clash at St Albans as the hosts, who came into this one a point behind second bottom Enfield Town, netted a 2-1 win to leapfrog them, Weymouth and Aveley into fourth bottom spot, although they are still seven points from safety despite this, Weymouth did pick up a point themselves against Salisbury, but the four in those relegation positions are still in a precarious position as we enter the new year.

Anyway, that's my first blog of 2025 done and dusted, thanks for reading, here is to many more during the year!!!