Bowers & Pitsea 0 Carshalton Athletic 3 - Visitors close gap to play off places after goals from Bradford, Goather-Braithwaite & Smith help them to victory over struggling Bowers & Pitsea at Len Salmon Stadium

Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday December 14th 

I popped over to a local game in mid December and The Len Salmon Stadium for Bowers & Pitsea's latest attempt to try and score a goal in recent times and see if they could net what would be a useful three points in their quest to try and enhance their chances of survival.

They had only managed to notch four wins in the league all season and were second bottom of the table and six point from safety at kick off, and if recent form was anything to go by then things did not look great, six defeats on the spin and failing to net in their last four encounters, that had to change before long if they were to stay in with a shot of getting out of the bottom four.

By contrast though their opponents, Carshalton Athletic, were on a really good run of form, one defeat in eleven and on an unbeaten run of eight in all competitions and in with a shot of closing the gap to the play off places to just a point if they could pick up all three points here and results went for them elsewhere, they started the day in 11th spot, four points off those places.

The form book suggested the visitors would be favourites, they had drawn a fair few of those games in that unbeaten run though, however after a fairly even first forty five minutes with not to much in the way of goalmouth action, the visitors pounced in first half stoppage time, when Tommy Bradford managed to shake off his marker before slotting across keeper David Hughes into the far corner to give Carshalton the edge going into the half time break.

It was certainly a good time to score for the visitors and a poor time to concede for the hosts, they continued to huff and puff in the second period but it was clear to see why they were struggling to find the net, and equally clear to see why they were struggling down towards the foot of the table, despite their hard working traits, which sadly isn't enough right now.

The visitors looked dangerous and were the ones mostly on the front foot in the second period, and it was no surprise when they did double their money in the 64th minute when Darnell Goather-Braithwaite ran onto a pass into the box to fire a lovely shot high into the roof of the net, and then fourteen minutes later they sealed the deal and the points when David Smith fired an effort in off the post, again giving keeper Hughes no chance.

A comprehensive win for Carshalton in the end, and they are now just one point off the play offs now and up to eighth after today's win, for Bowers, it's another defeat, their seventh loss in a row now and no goals in five straight games, things will have to improve soon if they are to have a shot at survival come the new year.

Full time Bowers & Pitsea 0 Carshalton Athletic 3

Right let's have a look at what else happened in the division today:-

Billericay Town 1 (Todd Miller 16)

Hastings United 1 (Davide Rodari 3)

Bognor Regis Town 2 (Tommy-Lee Higgs 67; Jasper Mather 69; Spencer Spurway sent off 90+4)

Whitehawk 3 (Charlie Walker 10(pen); Callum Barlow 49; Wasiri Williams 90+9)

Chatham Town 4 (Freddie Sears 18,54; Rowan Liburd 45; John Ufuah 75)

Folkestone Invicta 1 (Joseph Turner 42)

Cray Valley PM 5 (Sonny Black 9; Freddie Parker 25(pen),88,90+7, Denzel Gayle 90+5)

Wingate & Finchley 3 (Ogo Obi 41,81; Camilo Restrepo 54)

Dartford 2 (Callum Jones 22; Olly Box 72)

Dulwich Hamlet 2 (Luke Wanadio 45+3; Ralfi Hand 61)

Dover Athletic 0

Cray Wanderers 1 (Nyren Clunis 47)

Hashtag United 4 (Max Cornhill 4; Toby Aromolaran 13; Josh Osude 58; Luke May-Parrott 87)

Potters Bar Town 1 (Joe Re 90+4)

Hendon 0 

Canvey Island 1 (Chris Harris 61)

Horsham 3 (Chris Dickson 34(pen),49,69)

Cheshunt 1 (Vas Vasiliou 60)

Lewes 2 (Eddie Allsopp 34, Gianluca Botti 68)

Chichester City 3 (Jimmy Wild 10(pen); Isaac Bello 70; Lloyd Rowlatt 73)

And how does those results affect the table:-

Certainly some dramatic games in the league today, and plenty of goals too, leaders Dover Athletic lost only their third league game of the season but their lead was only cut to five points after Billericay Town failed to beat struggling Hastings United at home today.

Cray Valley PM netted two stoppage time goals to win a mad contest against play off hopefuls Wingate & Finchley to move level with second placed Billericay, Chatham Town climb into the play off places after they thrashed mid table Folkestone Invicta, Carshalton & Canvey climb into the top ten and move closer to those top five positions after victories today.

Down at the bottom, Whitehawk's dramatic 99th minute win in their huge clash down at the bottom against Bognor Regis Town sees them close the gap to safety and also sees the side from near Brighton jump a place too, meaning the bottom three now all lost this weekend as their gaps to safety increased after all the teams just above the drop zone picked up points.

Anyway that concludes today's blog, thanks for reading and hope your enjoyed reading as well. 

Essex Senior League Midweek Round Up (Tuesday December 10th) - Barking into top five after come from behind win, Walden up to sixth after victory, Oakley crash out of County Cup

(Geniero Maragh levelling for Barking against Ensign, picture courtesy of Trevor Gilbert)

There were two Essex Senior League games scheduled for Tuesday night, and both involved sides trying to break into the top five and the play off spots in the division, those sides were Barking & Saffron Walden Town who were both trying to replace Romford inside that top five, both needed wins this evening to do that, could either achieve this, let's find out.

Barking 3 White Ensign 2

The Blues knew that if they picked up maximum points in this one at Mayesbrook Park then they would definitely end the night in the top five, they trailed fifth placed Romford by just a point and were a point ahead of seventh placed Walden, they were taking on an Ensign side though capable of springing a shock on their opponents and were looking to cement their top ten status as well.

Well, in the 13th minute it was Ensign who drew first blood, Jon Evans converting from the spot, but Barking managed to level through Geneiro Maragh nine minutes before the break, and then five minutes into the second period The Blues had turned it around when Juwon Akintunde found the net to give the hosts the advantage.

And just three minutes after that Barking took total control of the contest when Sam Shaban added a third to increase the hosts advantage, they then could have made it three goals in five second half minutes had they not missed from the spot, and then the hosts saw themselves reduced to ten men after Henry Mabassa was sent off just past the hour mark in conceding a spot kick to the visitors, their second of the game, which Evans duly dispatched to reduce the arrears and bring Ensign right back into the game. 

But, despite having that numerical advantage and an extra nine minutes of stoppage time, Barking managed to hold onto their advantage and take all three points to climb into the top five of the table.

Saffron Walden Town 3 West Essex 1

Walden knew if they could pick up maximum points and Barking failed to win their game at home to Ensign, they would end the night above both The Blues and Romford in the table and in that fifth place position, they were up against a West Essex outfit who on their day can cause problems for anybody in this league and they were looking to climb into the top ten with victory themselves.

It was Walden who grabbed the opening goal just before the half hour mark through Solomon Ofori, and then Jordon Elongo, Walden's new signing from Frenford, doubled the hosts lead in the 74th minute, and the game was sealed for sure in the 86th minute when Correy Davidson found the net for the hosts third.

The only disappointment of the evening was that the home side were unable to keep a clean sheet because TWELVE minutes into stoppage time Ramzi Mahmoudi pulled one back for the visitors, but it was really too little too late as Walden took maximum points from this game, although it wasn't enough to climb into the top five after Barking's win against Ensign, however they do climb a place to sixth and are right in the mix for the play offs still.

Let's see how the table looks after those two games:-

So, Barking and Walden leapfrog Romford in the table, with the former now into those play off places, Ensign & West Essex remain where they started the evening after those defeats.

There was also one rearranged BBC Essex Senior Cup tie involving an ESL club and also the final side left in the competition from the division, that side was Little Oakley, who had a Last Sixteen tie against Isthmian North Waltham Abbey, let's see if Oakley could spring a surprise to set up a Quarter Final tie at home to Vanarama South Chelmsford City.

Waltham Abbey 2 Little Oakley 0

This was Oakley's fourth tie of the competition having started way back in Round One, and after knocking out fellow ESL sides Athletic Newham and Romford, both at home, they dumped Isthmian North Basildon United out 3-0 at home to set up this, their first away tie in the competition this season, against another Isthmian North outfit. 

Abbey of course started their campaign in the last round, seeing off fellow Isthmian North outfit in Grays Athletic 3-1 at Capershotts, and they were favourites to set up a Quarter Final home tie against Chelmsford City, which for both sides would be a very big game in the Last Eight of the county cup.

A goalless first period played out before the hosts grabbed the lead barely a minute into the second period courtesy of Nicholas Brown, but the hosts were then reduced to ten men in the 71st minute when Ollie Fernandez was given his marching orders, giving Oakley a chance to possibly force penalties or even a shock win.

However, soon after going down to ten, Abbey doubled their lead, and those two goals proved the difference as Abbey won through to the Quarter Finals, eliminating the final ESL side from the County Cup in the process.

Day trip to Netherlands/Belgium - Heerenveen net dramatic late winner at Willem II in Dutch Eredivisie whilst Dender net only goal of game to record victory over Westerlo in Belgian Jupiler Pro League

(Willem II and Heerenveen do battle in their Eredivisie clash at the Koning Willem II Stadion)

Sunday 8th December will go down as one of the good days, it saw me head to Netherlands & Belgium for the day with three other keen football mates to see a match in the Dutch Eredivisie & the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, the top divisions in each country.

It did require a very early start mind, up at 4:30am for a 5:30am departure to the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone for a 2:30pm kick off time (1.30pm UK) but this was a small price to pay for what lay ahead, a good day out watching football with good people, what more could you want.

Our first port of call was Tilburg, which was roughly a two and a half hour drive from Calais, once you got off the Eurotunnel train (Le Shuttle as it's known) the early part of the journey was through awful wind and rain, but thankfully this cleared by the time we arrived in Tilburg.

Once we had explored the surroundings outside the ground & had had some food from the catering kiosk, we headed in to the stadium for the first game, let's now see how that one went shall we:-

Willem II Vs SC Heerenveen (Dutch Eredivisie)

Both these sides had been experiencing mixed campaigns, or even disappointing ones, both were in the bottom half of the Eredivisie and only a handful of points above third bottom, which is the relegation play off position, so they knew that they needed to pick up points to try and get themselves away from this spot. They were not far off European qualification play off spots either, such is the way the league is.

The hosts were above their opponents by one point, so there wasn't an awful lot to pick between the sides, so no doubt this was going to be a closely fought battle in front of what was a very atmospheric crowd in a pretty decent stadium it has to be said, there were 12,775 inside the Koning Willem II Stadion (the ground holds around 14,000) but it sounded like a hell of lot more as both sets of 'ultras' made a lot of noise and really made the atmosphere superb.

However, just before kick off both sets of fans impeccably observed a minutes silence in memory of ex Willam II player Henk van Rooji, who recently passed at the age of 76, he made 157 appearances for the hosts in a career spanning seventeen years with several clubs between 1965-1982, five of those years, 1975-1980, were spent at the Tilburg club where he notched 48 goals in that time, so everyone here wanted to pay their respects, RIP Henk.

The noise came back though once the whistle had been blown, the atmosphere, and I know I keep saying it, was superb, and certainly added to the enjoyment for me, even if the game failed to produce to many moments of goal mouth action, there were some decent moments for both sides throughout, but they just could not find that breakthrough.

Hereenveen probably looked the more likely to score as the game went on, Willem II did have a couple of really good chances though as well but as the game entered it's final ten minutes, if a goal was to come you felt one would probably settle this one, well cue a dramatic final fifteen minutes or so.

Now VAR had barely been involved, thankfully, and as I thought that to myself, low and behold it was involved in a big way, there were 83 minutes on the clock when visiting midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh went down under a challenge just inside the box, now I thought penalty, as did the whole visiting bench who were up in arms, the referee waved play on but then VAR spoke to him and he came over to the screen to have a look.

And after doing that, he awarded a spot kick to the visitors, and Ion Nicolaescu, who had come on as a substitute just past the hour mark, slotted home the penalty and the visitors looked like they had netted the decisive blow, well the hosts were not about to give this one up easily, and in the 89th minute they levelled to send the home crowd wild, striker Jeremy Bokila heading an effort against the inside of the post before it hit keeper Mickey van der Hart and going into the goal.

Five minutes of stoppage time were then shown, could someone go and grab a winner, you thought momentum was with the hosts, but no, as in a dramatic end to the contest, in the 93rd minute a cross from Che Nunnely, who had replaced penalty spot winner Jahanbakhsh after he limped off winning the spot kick, found Luuk Brouwers who sent a lovely header beyond the dive of Thomas Didilion to win the game for the visitors, sending them and the bench, which included manager Robin van Persie, into celebratory mood.

So, an average but ok game settled in dramatic fashion, the final half hour was certainly much more enjoyable, and the final few minutes certainly were dramatic and enjoyable to watch, it also meant Heerenveen leapt into the top ten and above Willem II, a big three points for them indeed. 

Full time Willem II 1 SC Heerenveen 2

Below are some snaps I took before and during the the game itself:-

A very enjoyable experience in the first game then, but we had no time to dwell on this, as we all had to get back in the car and drive ninety minutes back into Belgium and to the small settlement of Denderleeuw, home to newly promoted FCV Dender EH as they were taking on Westerlo.

Once we arrived in the town, which only has a population of around 20,000, and managed to find a parking space somewhere, we headed down to the Florent Beeckmanstadion, which only has a capacity of 8,000, the stadium was built in 2008 after the club reached the top division for the very first time.

They fell to the third tier but won promotion back to second tier in 2021/22 before they secured a return to the top tier last season, they only average around 3,500 for a home game but in a town that only has 20,000 people in it, that's not to bad, although only 2,508 were in attendance at this game, although the noise generated for such a small crowd was pretty decent in all honestly.  Anyway let's see how the game unfolded:-

FCV Dender EH Vs KVC Westerlo (Belgian Juplier Pro League)

Now the hosts were finding their latest (second) crack at the top division tough as expected, they were right in battle for the relegation play off spots and only out of them on goal difference, Westerlo were in the top eight and trying to get into the top six which break away for a championship play off (the top six break away and points are halved, don't ask).

The current position (eighth) they were in saw them in the second part of the division which breaks away and those sided play off for European football (I Think!!!), it's a very confusing way to end the season but I guess it keeps everyone competing for something in a sixteen team division, still a long away before any of that happened.

Anyway the hosts knew a win could take them three clear of the bottom four places whilst the visitors could break into the top six with a win, the sides did play each other only a month ago at Westerlo's Het Kuipje ground, and Westerlo won that one 2-0, would history repeat itself or would Dender record victory?

It turned out to be a rather poor game if truth be told, but it was settled by a goal seven minutes before the half time break, and it went to Dender, pleasing their small but load following, it came when a cross from the left by Fabio Ferraro found Nathan Rodes who leapt highest to plant a header into the corner of the net despite visiting keeper Koen Van Langendonck getting a hand to it.

Joyous celebrations followed and all the playes went over to a camera behind the goal to produce a shirt for someone called 'Karol' so that was obviously for something they wanted to pay respects for, so fair play for that, and they managed to win the game for her as well, so that was lovely (assuming it was a her, apologies if not).

The hosts did have to withstand a lot of second half pressure as Westerlo looked to find a route back into the game, Dender could have made it a bit more relaxing in the final part of the game had they taken a couple of chances on counter attacks, but they did manage to hold on grab a very important three points.

Westerlo did drop a place to ninth as a result although they are only two points off the top six so it's not all bad right now, Dender are up to 11th now and have a three points cushion to those relegation play off places, they are only three points off the top six too, mad how tight this league is!!!

Full time FCV Dender EH 1 KVC Westerlo 0

And here are some snaps from the visit to this game:-

Two very different clubs visited, but both very enjoyable in their own ways, it was certainly a very enjoyable experience and a great day too, even if it was almost a twenty four hour one, it has certainly wetted the appetite for more European adventures, they are certainly recommended for sure!!!

Anyway hope you enjoyed reading my experiences, thanks as always, I'm off for a lie down now!!!

 

Essex Senior League Weekend Round Up (29th/30th November) - Stanway go marching on, Woodford, Takeley, Great Wakering Rovers & Romford as they were in top five after wins, Sawbridgeworth Town net big three points down at bottom

(Frenford and Romford about to do battle at The Drive, Romford went onto claim a 4-2 win, photo courtesy of Frenford FC (@Frenfordfc))

Their was another full round of fixtures in the Essex Senior League on the final weekend in November, it started on Friday night at Ashton's, so lets see how that one went and the other games on Saturday too:-

Friday November 29th

Woodford Town 3 West Essex 0

Second placed Woodford were looking to close the gap to leaders Stanway with a win over West Essex at Ashton's, the home side were five points behind with two games in hand prior to kick off so knew a win would keep their chances of top spot in their hands and also put the pressure on the leaders ahead of their mammoth tussle with Walden on Saturday.  West themselves were looking to get into the top ten with victory, but their task was made even harder just before the half hour mark when Oliver Travell was shown a straight red meaning the visitors would have to play the remainder of the contest a man light, and deep into first half stoppage time Woodford broke through after Marko Protic guided a header back across goal and into the top corner. And in the 64th minute they doubled that lead when Sam Owusu glanced home a Luke Steele cross into the far corner before they added a third in the 80th minute when Bruno Tavares netted from the spot after winning the spot kick himself and make it five wins on the bounce.

Saturday November 30th

Athletic Newham 1 White Ensign 2

Ninth placed Athletic Newham have suffered back to back losses and were taking on tenth placed White Ensign at Parsloes knowing if they lost again they would be leapfrogged by their opponents, and the winners knew that victory could see them only seven points off a top five spot. The hosts had the edge at the break when Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro struck home a 20th minute spot kick however the visitors fought back to level five minutes into the second half through Ellis Devereux's close range finish before Ensign netted what proved to be the winner in the 76th minute courtesy of Jon Evans absolute blockbuster from range.

Barking 1 Hullbridge Sports 0

The Blues are riding the crest of a wave right now under Craig Edwards, and their midweek London Senior Cup success at Haringey Borough only added to their confidence, and they knew a win over struggling Bridge at Mayesbrook Park could send them into the play off spots. Bridge themselves were trying to build on a rare success last time out which saw them pull an eight point gap to bottom side FC Clacton, well, one goal proved enough in this one and it went to the hosts, Michael Ngoo netting on the half hour mark to see The Blues great run continue.

Frenford 2 Romford 4

After dropping more points in midweek Romford knew a win here against Frenford was paramount if they were to stay in that top five, they were only one point ahead of Barking and two ahead of Walden so if results did go against them and they failed to take maximum points, both of the above would sail past them with wins, Frenford though were not going to make it easy that's for sure, they were hunting a top ten position with victory themselves. It was the visitors who struck first in the eighteenth minute through Brenden Ocran however an own goal in first half stoppage time meant the hosts would go in level at the break, but Romford retook the lead early in the second period through Kennedy Feyi. Frenford came back to level again midway through the second half courtesy of Anthony Uzoegbu but the visitors would take an important three points after Blaise Uwangji restored their lead once again in the 70th minute before Amaree Robinson-Jones sealed the win in the 88th minute.

Great Wakering Rovers 5 FC Clacton 0

This was a daunting trip for bottom side FC Clacton, up against promotion chasing Great Wakering Rovers who knew a win and a slip up from the leaders would see them just three points behind top spot with a game in hand, the visitors on paper had no chance, but this isn't played on paper, and they knew if they could muster a win could potentially go level on points with second bottom Sawbo and give themselves hope of getting off that bottom spot. But once Harry Talbot had given the hosts a fifth minute lead, they never looked back, Callum Boylan doubled their lead after fourteen minutes before he netted again in first half stoppage time to hand the hosts a 3-0 cushion at the break. Talbot then netted his second of the game when converting a 75th minute spot kick before Boylan completed his hattrick to wrap this one up in the 83rd minute and get Rovers back to winning ways in style.

Halstead Town 0 Buckhurst Hill 1

These two sides are playing some nice football currently, The Humbugs, who started the season terribly and were at the foot of the table not so long ago, are now in 16th and ten points ahead of bottom side FC Clacton, Hill themselves are punching well above their weight this season and are in eighth spot and just six points off a play off spot and looking to join the likes of Romford, Barking & Walden who are all battling for fifth place. One goal was enough to settle this one, and it came in first half stoppage time courtesy of visitors attacker Tyreece Robertson to hand them another impressive win.

Little Oakley 1 Ilford 1

Both these sides are looking to try and break into the top ten, Oakley started the day just two points off it so knew a win could put them into that part of the league, Ilford themselves were just five points off it after a run of solid performances and knew a win would take them level with their opponents just outside these places. They were ahead at the break as well, firstly because of Michael Adu's long range strike in off the post just before the half hour mark, and secondly after Wilkinson Boateng's penalty save right on half time to keep them in front. It looked like that would be enough for The Foxes to pick up victory, that was until deep into added on time when a goal mouth scramble ended with Nathan Rowe sweeping home a finish to salvage the hosts a point. 

Saffron Walden Town 1 Stanway Rovers 3

The biggest game of the weekend came from Catons Lane where league leaders Stanway had a tough looking assignment against a Walden side trying to break into the top five, Rovers knew defeat and results going against them elsewhere would really pile the pressure on themselves so this was an important match for both sides as Walden knew a win would take them only eleven points off the leaders with four games in hand. Well, the first half could not have gone any worse for the hosts, Tom Maycock gave Rovers an eighth minute lead before George Okoye doubled that cushion after just sixteen minutes, he netted again just past the half hour mark and then the hosts saw Lee Hursit sent off right on half time meaning they were three goals down and a man down, oh dear.  Roman Campbell did net from the spot early in the second half to reduce the arrears, but the damage had been done in the opening forty five minutes as Stanway took another impressive win.

Stansted 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 2

This pitted third bottom Stansted against second bottom Sawbridgeworth Town in what was also a local derby showdown at Hargrave Park, the sides were only separated by three points too so a result either way would certainly paint a different picture in the table for both sides, so this was an important game for sure. Well, the only goals of the game came inside twenty five minutes, Sawbo grabbing the lead through Joseph Fernandez after twelve minutes before the same man doubled their lead ten minutes later, and it was enough for the visitors to pick up a huge three points to draw level with their opponents in the table.

Takeley 1 Benfleet 0

Another side trying to break into the top ten were Benfleet, a solid start to their debut season at step five had stuttered somewhat, but they were only three points off this although they were up against a Takeley side sitting in third and looking to close the gap to leaders Stanway if they slipped up at all against Walden. One goal would prove enough to settle what was a scrappy encounter, and it came from the boot of Jordan Westcott from the penalty spot in the 81st minute to hand Takeley another important three points.

Right, let's see what that does to the table:-

Everyone in the top six won, it means Stanway remain five clear at the top, with Woodford, Takeley, GWR and Romford remaining in the top five, with Barking just behind, however with Walden's loss to Stanway, they now lose ground although still have games in hand despite this.  Buckhurst Hill continue to keep their unlikely play off hunt alive, whilst White Ensign boing up to ninth with their win.

Down at the bottom the only side to win in that part of the league was Sawbridgeworth Town who have now put a six point gap to bottom side FC Clacton, it was certainly a very significant win for the Crofters side at near neighbours Stansted, things right now are looking bleak FC Clacton both on and off the field, tough times indeed.

That concludes today's blog, thanks for reading and stay safe.

Essex Senior League Midweek Round Up (26th/27th November) - Romford & Ilford share the points at Mayesbrook whilst Great Wakering Rovers get back to winning ways with victory over Athletic Newham at Parsloes

 

(Action from Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday as Romford & Ilford played out a 1-1 draw, photo courtesy of Richard Brock (@Beckton86))

Tuesday and Wednesday saw one league game each take place, both were also on the good old artificial surfaces at Mayesbrook Park and Parsloes Park, so neither would be affected by the weather, so without further ado lets see how those two games panned out:-

Tuesday November 26th

Romford 1 Ilford 1

The hosts had had a slight wobble over the last week or two which saw their play off spot coming under threat, they were only in fifth spot on goal difference now with Barking & Saffron Walden Town breathing down their necks, so a positive result against Ilford was a must to try and build a gap once again. Ilford though would be a hard nut to crack, they were churning out some decent performances of late which has seen them open up a nine point cushion down to bottom side FC Clacton and were only six points off the top ten, and with Ilford once tenants at Mayesbrook Park, this was a very familiar venue for them indeed. 

Ilford were the ones to strike first in this contest too, only three minutes had gone when a good press from The Foxes saw Ahmed Dousa steal the ball off a defender on the right hand wing and flick a pass to Greg Akpele who drove into the box and although he saw his shot saved eventually by Romford keeper Qamil Dervishaj, the ball eventually found it's way back to Dousa who fired an effort through a crowded penalty area into the far corner.

Romford though would level three minutes before the break to send the sides into the half time interval all square, a corner from the right was headed out before a long range effort was fired back into the box and it deflected though to Derek Feyi who with just the keeper to beat fired into the roof of the net on the stretch for a very good finish indeed.

There were to be no further goals though in the second period meaning the points would be shared, Romford now with a one point gap to sixth placed Barking and two to seventh placed Walden having played more than the two below (two more than barking & three more than Walden) so they will be hoping that those two start slipping up otherwise Romford will find themselves outside those top five spots, for Ilford they rise a place to 16th and are starting to look up at the top ten rather than towards the foot of the table as their decent performances continue.

To watch highlights of this contest click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJf4sNQ4EQ to check out Ashley Hanson's brilliant work, make sure to like and subscribe to his You Tube channel. You can also find him at @AshleyJHanson

Wednesday November 27th

Athletic Newham 2 Great Wakering Rovers 3

After a scintillating run of form which saw Great Wakering Rovers get right into the title race and automatic promotion, back to back defeats to promotion rivals Barking and league leaders Stanway Rovers have rocked the Burroughs Park side somewhat as their almost nailed on play off spot was now under threat from the likes of Barking & Walden who were coming up on the rails and with games in hand too. They were up against a Newham side who you didn't know what one would turn up, one who thrashed a resurgent Halstead and also held league leaders Stanway without conceding, or the one who were soundly beaten at Benfleet at the weekend.

Wakering had been the first team in the Essex Senior League this season to inflict defeat on the hosts, ending their unbeaten start to the league with a 3-1 win at Burroughs Park in early September, would history repeat itself and see the visitors complete a double over their opponents, they certainly wanted to get back to winning ways after the last two outings, but Newham would certainly pose some questions themselves, they were still in ninth spot and could maybe get back into the play off equation with a decent run of form.

Well, it didn't take long for the deadlock to be broken, the visitors finding the net after just five minutes through Dominic Locke,  and in the 33rd minute Rovers took a firm grip on proceedings when they doubled their lead courtesy of an Harold Adu-Poku own goal to go into the break with a two goal cushion and seemingly well on their way to a welcome three points. And twelve minutes into the second period Rovers felt they had all but ended the contest when Locke added his second of the game although the visitors then saw Jack Dickinson sin binned on the hour mark meaning the hosts would at least have ten minutes to try and make their numerical advantage count and and reduce the deficit to give themselves a sniff perhaps.

Well, in the 67th minute the hosts did just that by pulling one back through Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro, and then in the 78th minute it was very much game on after Victor Ferrini pulled another one back, momentum was now all with the hosts, maybe that sin bin had cost the visitors dear. In the end it did not as the visitors managed to see out the remainder of the contest and take a very useful three points and end that small run of losses, whereas the hosts have now lost back to back contests in the division.

Let's look at the latest table then as we head into another round of fixtures this weekend:-

Wednesday night's win for Great Wakering Rovers was important as you can see, they now open up a seven point gap to sixth are reduced the gap to leaders Stanway Rovers as well, Athletic Newham remain ninth and are some way off a top five position as things stand.

Romford as said above are nervously looking over their shoulders after dropping points at home to Ilford, whereas the Foxes are looking up rather than down now and are in touching distance of a top ten position.

Let's have a brief look at this weekend's fixtures:-

Friday November 29th

Woodford Town Vs West Essex

Saturday November 30th

Athletic Newham Vs White Ensign

Barking Vs Hullbridge Sports 

Frenford Vs Romford

Great Wakering Rovers Vs FC Clacton

Halstead Town Vs Buckhurst Hill

Little Oakley Vs Ilford

Saffron Walden Town Vs Stanway Rovers

Stansted Vs Sawbridgeworth Town

Takeley Vs Benfleet (2pm)

No doubt about game of the day, it comes from Catons Lane as Walden host Stanway, these two were the pre season favourites for winning the division, well Stanway have certainly been the better so far and have a fourteen point cushion to Walden, however Walden do have four games in hand and if they can win this one could well believe they can still catch the leaders at some point, however a win for Rovers would certainly harm those thoughts and beliefs, so a big game indeed.

Woodford, Takeley, GWR & Romford all have games against sides in the lower half of the table so would fancy picking up maximum points, but it isn't always as simple as that in this division as we know, Romford need a result otherwise they could lose their top five position if either Barking or Walden take maximum points.

And there is an important game down at the bottom of the division as third bottom Stansted host second bottom Sawbo Town, the sides are only separated by three points, and with it being a derby too it certainly has some added spice to what is already an important game, so that should be tasty!!!

Anyway that's all for now in the ESL, thanks for reading and take care!!! 

 

BBC Essex Senior Cup Round Four Review (Tuesday 26th/Wednesday 27th November) - Heybridge Swifts & Chelmsford City win derby games to reach Quarters, Tilbury, Hashtag United also breeze through to Last Eight

 

My latest BBC Essex Senior Cup blog saw five Round Four ties, the Last 16 of the competition as the ten sides involved this week were all trying to reach the Quarter Final stage and join Hornchurch and Brightlingsea Regent in the Last Eight, there were four ties on Tuesday and one on Wednesday, let's see how those went:-

Tuesday November 26th

Heybridge Swifts 2 Witham Town 0

This all Isthmian North tie pitted together two sides separated by pretty much one road and six miles as this local derby would result in one of them making the Quarter Final stage of their county cup, and it was the home side who grabbed the lead in this one a minute before the break when excellent work from Ben Allen saw him fine Jack Stone, and he turned his man inside out before seeing a deflected effort find the net. And Swifts doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute when Andy Fennell converted a rebound after Diakiesse saw a shot saved, thus sealing the contest and their place in the Last Eight. 

Billericay Town 2 Chelmsford City 3

Like the match at Scraley Road, this was also a pretty hotly anticipated local derby as both sides were only separated by pretty much one road and eleven miles in distance, the hosts were plying their trade in the Isthmian Premier these days whilst City were a league above in the Vanarama National League, although this was always going to be a tight contest regardless. It was the visitors who stuck first after just nine minutes when McConnell's cut back found Jordan Greenidge who converted from close range, and City were in total control midway through the first half when Osman Foyo curled home into the top corner to double their money. The hosts though managed to get themselves right back in the contest on the half hour mark when Decarrey Sheriff fired into the corner, and with the first half almost at an end Town levelled this one up after a Krasniqi effort eventually fell for Ade Azeez who bundled home to send the sides in level at the break. City though managed to regroup at half time and retake the lead ten minutes into the second period when Sam Gale drove forward before finding the net through the legs of keeper Donkin, and this proved to be the winning moment in the tie as City edged through to take bragging rights and a Quarter Final berth.

Saffron Walden Town 0 Tilbury 5

Ok so like the previous two Round Four derbies above, this wasn't one of those, however, these two clubs knew each other after last seasons battle for promotion in the Essex Senior League, which Tilbury won of course to gain promotion back to the Isthmian North at the first time of asking, but The Dockers would find this a challenge at Catons Lane against a very good Walden side who knocked Braintree Town out in the last round of course. As it turned out, it wasn't very close at all, Tilbury went in front after only four minutes when a keeper error resulted in an effort being blocked before Lindell Stewart stepped in to give The Dockers the early advantage, and that advantage was doubled midway through the first period after Trendall forced the keeper into another error which allowed Kieran Jones to find the top right corner and hand the visitors control of the tie. And the visitors didn't have to wait long to add to their lead in the second half when added his second of the night five minutes after the break to effectively end the contest. The contest was definitely over though twenty minutes into the second half when an Alex Hernandez free kick struck the bar and went in off the keeper, and The Dockers added another in the 90th minute after Jones won the ball back and fed Hernandez who in turn laid it off to Sam Bantick who found the far corner as The Dockers breezed into the Last Eight.

Hashtag United 8 Harwich & Parkeston 1

This contest had only one winner on paper right? Hosts Hashtag were three levels above their opponents, the home side were in the Isthmian Premier whilst Harwich were down in the depths of the Thurlow Nunn First Division North, but remember the visitors had knocked out Isthmian Premier Bowers & Pitsea in the last round so they knew they could cause a surprise if things went their way. It was to be a very long night for the visitors as it turned out, The Tags grabbing the lead after just eight minutes when Luke May-Parrott tapped home a cross from Josh Osude, and the hosts doubled that lead eight minutes before the break when May-Parrott got his second of the night by curling home into the top corner. And there was still time for The Tags to add a third and pretty much end the contest before the first half was up when Osude met a cross from Harrison Day to send The Tags into the break in complete control.  The second half was only two minutes old when Tags grabbed a fourth when the ball fell to Misha Djemail on the edge of the box for him to find the bottom corner, and it was five when Josh Rusoke planted a free kick right in the top corner for a superb goal as The Tags showed no mercy to their lower league opponents. A sixth goal soon followed too when May-Parrott completed his hat-trick when getting on the end of a Darren Foxley pass, Harwich did manage to get on the scoresheet though when Greg Rodger struck home from the penalty spot to give them some cheer on a largely difficult night, a night that saw them concede a seventh goal in the 77th minute when Day controlled a low driven cross from Matt Wooldridge before finishing into the bottom corner. The hosts night was slightly dampened when Sokes received a second yellow in stoppage time meaning The Tags would end the game with ten men, but they had the last laugh when they added an eighth soon after after Sakariya Hassan volleyed home a cross from Toby Aromolaran as Hashtag capped a fine night to reach the Quarter Finals.

Wednesday November 27th

Waltham Abbey P-P Little Oakley 

Little Oakley were scheduled to travel to Cappershotts to take on Waltham Abbey, their was a two league gap between the two sides, Abbey are in the Isthmian North whereas Oakley are now the sole surviving Essex Senior League side remaining, however, at around 1pm the match was postponed due a waterlogged pitch meaning the tie will have to be rearranged.

So we know six of the eight Quarter Finalists now, and still two Round Four games to be completed to make up the other two sides in the Last Eight, the Waltham Abbey Vs Little Oakley game will be re scheduled whilst the other Round Four tie takes place seven days before Christmas as Canvey Island host Dagenham & Redbridge, and once that happens we will know the final Quarter Final line up.

But for now that is all for the BBC Essex Senior Cup and this blog, thanks for reading!!!

Thurlow Nunn South Review (November 23rd) - Harlow Town seven clear after they win & Hackney Wick lose at Cannons Wood who along with Rayleigh Town strengthen their grip on play off spot, Burnham Ramblers & Brimsdown secure big wins down at bottom

(Action from FC Baresi Vs Hoddeson Town at Wodson Park where the sides played out a seven goal thriller, photo courtesy of FC Baresi (@Fc_Baresi))

I thought I'd bring you the latest goings on in the Thurlow Nunn First Division South from this weekend, and despite Storm Bert etc etc seven games still went ahead as planned, so without further ado lets check in and see how they went:-

Basildon Town 1 Newbury Forest 1

Newbury Forest picked up a very useful point at mid table Basildon Town to take them to just two points from safety,  the hosts went in front in the 21st minute after Dylan Jones netted, but the visitors would pick up a share of the spoils courtesy of Roberto Calvalho's 55th minute equaliser, it leaves the hosts in 11th spot and the visitors still second bottom but still only seven points off their opponents in what is a congested bottom half in the division.

Cannons Wood 4 Hackney Wick 3

A Stuart Zanone brace helped Wood win a thriller against Hackney Wick at Parkside as the visitors title aspirations took a big hit, Wick grabbed the lead midway through the first half after Mohammed Sebaihi curled a beauty into the top corner, however the hosts then netted twice in four minutes either side of the half hour mark to turn the match around and see the hosts lead at the break. Wood then increased their lead early in the second period thanks to a wonderful overhead kick from Austin Junior Nkwonta, Wick though reduced the arrears soon after when Issa Sidibe fired home a low finish but just past the hour Wood restored their two goal cushion meaning Wick had a mountain to climb. With fifteen minutes remaining they did pull one back when Leonardo Pola Lopete curled a shot into the bottom corner, but with the visitors unable to muster a leveller, Wood picked up all three points to strengthen their position inside the top five and the play off spots.

Coggeshall Town 0 Rayleigh Town 3

A brace from Benny Fladzomor plus a strike from Tommy Sykes handed Rayleigh a very impressive win at Coggeshall Town, and what made it even more impressive was the fact that the visitors were reduced to ten men after only twenty minutes when Pat Mills was sent off for a high challenge. The ten men though took the lead in the 64th minute after a cool finish from Sykes but instead of holding on to what they had, they added to their cushion in the 77th minute when Fladzomor, who had come on for Jahvid Irish on the hour mark, smashed home an unstoppable drive in off the crossbar. And as the game entered stoppage time Rayleigh added a third when Fladzomor smashed home his second of the contest to strengthen his side places in the play off spots.

FC Baresi 3 Hoddesdon Town 4

Connor Bolton's 96th minute winner settled a cracking local derby at Wodson Park as Hoddesdon moved up to eighth and only five points of the play off places. FC Baresi, who are trying to pull themselves away from the bottom three, looked in very good shape early on as a brace from Marvin Dolapo Hamilton-Omole in the 19th and 25th minute had them 2-0 up, Hoddy though pulled one back just before half time through Callum Bennison before levelling the contest up in the 70th minute courtesy of Arnis Lala. Bennison then gave the visitors the lead soon after but immediately saw Andrew Newman level the match up at 3-3 and that looked to be how it would end until Bolton prodded a loose ball over the line from close range to win the contest for the Lilywhites in dramatic fashion.

Harlow Town 5 May & Baker 1

League leaders Harlow stretched their lead at the top to seven points after they netted five at home to May & Baker, taking advantage of Hackney Wick's slip up at Cannons Wood. The hosts were dealt a very early blow when striker Jack Zielinski was forced off with an injury, meaning experienced forward Gavin Cockman had to come on and replace him, but it mattered not at least for this game as they grabbed a 22nd minute lead when Fred Agyemang stole the ball of the keeper to fire into the empty net. Fabion Simms then headed home from a corner on the half hour mark to double their advantage, only to see Bakers reduce the arrears just two minutes later through Jack Ferris, however Harlow restored their two goal lead when Agyemang netted his second of the afternoon. Cockman then got himself on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute when he finished well beyond the keeper after being found from a pass in from the right, and although the hosts then saw Syrus Gordon receive a second yellow to be sent off, Jordan Burnett added a late fifth to see the hosts complete another win.

Hutton 0 Brimsdown 2

Brimsdown grabbed a big big win to pull themselves away from the bottom three after goals from Hasan Bertug Seyhan & Flavien Stierlen helped them stun third placed Hutton at New Lodge. Hutton were attempting to try and close the gap to the top two, but it remains at ten points after they were beaten by a visiting side who now sit in 13th with a three points buffer to the bottom three.

NW London 0 Burnham Ramblers 2

Burnham Ramblers netted a very big win down towards the foot of the table after goals from Aiden Jon Brown & Immanuel Soetan helped them to all three points against fellow strugglers NW London at Coles Park. It meant that Ramblers, who were in the bottom three at the start of play and below their opponents, jumped up three places to 15th and now only behind NW London on goal difference, with a three points gap to the bottom three.

Let's check out the table after those weekend matches:-

With Harlow winning and Wick losing, the league leaders really did take control of the title run after opening up a seven point gap, the top two though are still way ahead of the rest after Hutton slipped up, Cannons Wood & Rayleigh Town also strengthened their top five positions after wins, Cannons Wood over Wick of course and Town's over Coggeshall, who lost ground to the top five as a result.

Hoddy got themselves into that particular mix themselves after a late late win at FC Baresi, the latter remaining just two points above the bottom three as a result, whereas Brimsdown & Burnham Ramblers picked up big wins to put a small amount of daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

That brings you right up to date with the division for now, thanks for reading as always!!!