BBC Essex Senior Cup Round Three Review (4th/5th/6th November) - Holders Redbridge bow out, Harwich & Parkeston cause huge shock whilst Little Oakley & Rayleigh Town net wins over higher league opposition

There were ten more Round Three ties taking place this week in the BBC Essex Senior Cup, so ten more sides looking to join Billericay Town, Aveley & Hornchurch in Round Four, and holders Redbridge got their defence underway on Monday, so let's see how that went as well as the other ties scheduled:-

Monday November 4th

Redbridge 0 Brightlingsea Regent 3

Holders Redbridge crashed out of the county cup at their first hurdle after they were beaten by Brightlingsea Regent in their all Isthmian North tie at Oakside. Christian Frimpong handed the visitors a 20th minute lead before a penalty before the hour mark doubled their advantage, and they sealed the deal in the 71st minute with a third goal to progress into the next round.

Tuesday November 5th

Witham Town 2 Brentwood Town 2 (Witham Town won 4-3 on penalties)

This all Isthmian North contest went the way of the hosts after they won a penalty shoot out to edge out Brentwood Town at Spa Road. Brentwood edged themselves ahead three minutes before the break when Benas Vaivada found the net, but three minutes into the second half Witham were level after Adelaja fired past Minter into the bottom left corner, however, parity only lasted two minutes as Brentwood regained the lead through Romel Aarons-Royal. That looked to be enough to send the visitors through, but the hosts had other ideas and levelled three minutes into added on time after a scramble saw the hosts force the ball over the line, sending the tie into penalties, and after a dramatic shoot out, Witham were victorious after taking the shootout on a second match point to progress into Round Four.

Waltham Abbey 3 Grays Athletic 1

It was the hosts who grabbed a tenth minute lead courtesy of Nathan Koranteng, but Grays were not behind for long as Luke Hirst levelled just six minutes later, the hosts though managed to get their noses back in front ten minutes after the break through Amrit Bansual.  And the hosts sealed their passage into Round Four when Troy Chiaba added a third goal with nine minutes remaining.

Harwich & Parkeston 2 Bowers & Pitsea 1

Thurlow Nunn South Harwich & Parkeston created club history by knocking out a club three levels above them for the first time since 1990 as they saw off Isthmian Premier Bowers & Pitsea at The Royal Oak.  The hosts grabbed a shock lead just past the half hour mark when Dan Keeble bundled home a loose ball inside the box, but the visitors managed to fight back in the second half and level twenty minutes into it when Teniola's header found Samir Ali who smashed home via a deflection, and it looked like penalties would be needed to decide this tie. But, Harwich were to net a winner late on after a corner found Ewan Livingston who headed home to send the hosts into Round Four and cause quite a shock in the competition.  

Hashtag United 5 Southend United 3

The Tags saw off a youthful Blues at The Len Salmon in a very entertaining encounter in South Essex, it took the hosts just three minutes to break the deadlock as Harrison Day, on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge, slotted home, and then Josh Osude, who had returned to The Tags for a third spell, used his pace to run onto his own header before sprinting past several players and finding Sakariya Hassan to tap home and double the hosts lead inside fifteen minutes. And just past the midway point of the first half Tags made it three when Day added his second of the game, Osude setting a cross into the striker inside the box before he finished brilliantly into the far corner on the slide, and the tie seemed as good as over at this point. And Day was to complete his hat-trick ten minutes into the second period when he bundled home and stretch his sides lead. The youthful Blues did find a consolation with fifteen minutes to go after a misplaced pass was intercepted and a ball into Wood was dispatched calmly past Gidds, and they managed to pull another one back with four minutes remaining as Wood grabbed his second of the night after The Blues pounced on another error from the home side in what was a much improved second half from the visitors. The Tags added a fifth in stoppage time when Ayo Olukoga was brilliantly set up by hat-trick hero Day to blast into the top corner, Wood was then to complete his hat-trick for the Blues even deeper into stoppage time, meaning the game had seen a hat-trick for both sides, it was however The Tags who would progress into the next round.    

Buckhurst Hill 0 Canvey Island 3

Their would be no repeat of last years surprise win for Buckhurst Hill over Canvey as the Isthmian Premier visitors netted victory this time round at Myrak Park. Canvey edged themselves in front six minutes before the break when Chris Harris managed to knee home, and then nine minutes after the break the visitors doubled their advantage after a shot from Jaxon Brown was saved but the rebound was smashed home by Bradley Sach, his first goal since returning to the club.  And the visitors sealed the deal in stoppage time when Sach added another with a lovely effort from the edge of the area and see the visiting side progress into Round Four.

Little Oakley 3 Basildon United 0

Their was another surprise scoreline at The Memorial Ground as Essex Senior Little Oakley saw off Isthmian North Basildon United in North Essex. The hosts stunned the visitors by grabbing a 16th minute lead through Darren Mills, running onto a pinpoint through ball to apply the finish, and then two late goals sealed the deal and see the hosts upset their higher league opponents, Lewis Wood netting a second before Jordi Papple added a third, seeing the ESL side progress into the next round.  

Wednesday November 6th

Ilford 0 Tilbury 3

Three first half goals were enough for Isthmian North high flyers Tilbury to see off Essex Senior League strugglers Ilford at Cricklefield. It didn't take long for the visitors to grab the lead as only seven minutes had elapsed when Lindell Stewart got on the end of a Sam Bantick free kick to hand the Dockers the advantage, and just past the midway point of the first period Tilbury doubled their lead through Dan Trendall, putting the visitors in a very strong position. And they were to strengthen their grip even further just past the half hour mark when Lindell Stewart rounded the keeper to apply a finish for his second of the game, and the tie was as good as over as The Dockers reached Round Four. 

Takeley 0 Rayleigh Town 1

Thurlow Nunn South Rayleigh Town caused another upset in a cup competition as they downed Essex Senior League high flyers Takeley at Station Road. The tie looked to be heading for a goalless draw and penalties but then drama in the 80th minute as Rayleigh netted the winning goal after Leo Clark's shot was deflected into the path of Matt Tapley who managed to bundle home and send the visitors into Round Four.

Dunmow Town 1 Heybridge Swifts 9

Isthmian North Heybridge Swifts netted nine as they demolished Thurlow Nunn South Dunmow Town at Catons Lane. The deadlock was broken after twenty one minutes when Kojo Apenteng's ball in found Vinnie Bowman who managed to find the net with a combination of his head/shoulder for his first Swifts goal, and it was two for Swifts just before the half hour mark after Jack Stone ran in on goal before chipping over the keeper and find the net. And twelve minutes before the break the tie was a good as done when Swifts added a third, Stone adding his second of the contest after he rose highest in the box to convert for the visiting side. Eight minutes into the second period Swifts made it four, Bowman netting his second of the tie by smashing an effort into the bottom corner, the hosts did then manage to find the net themselves four minutes after that to reduce the deficit to three, but that four goal lead was restored just past the hour mark when Apenteng calmly slotted home.  And Apenteng was at it again, netting another by beating the keeper at the near post to make it six for the visitors with twenty minutes to go, and a rampant visitors made it seven with just under fifteen to go as Bowman completed his treble by firing into the bottom corner.  He wasn't the only man to grab a treble in this contest though, as Swifts made it eight with eleven minutes to go as Stone netted his third with a great finish under the keeper, and Stone was to add his fourth of the game with five minutes left, dribbling into an open net after Bowman had set him up following a mistake from the keeper to make it nine for the visitors and see them cruise into the next round. 

So, that's thirteen sides into Round Four, the last 16 of the competition, there are still three more ties to come to complete Round Three, those are below:-

Tuesday November 12th
Saffron Walden Town Vs Braintree Town


Wednesday November 13th
West Essex Vs Chelmsford City


Tuesday November 19th
Dagenham & Redbridge Vs Colchester United

That brings you right up to date with the competition so far, thanks for reading!!!

My blog reviewing the weekend's action (1st/2nd November) in the Essex Senior League & my two featured contests that I attended saw Buckhurst Hill grab a very late point against Ilford & Barking secure a hard fought win at Stansted

(Stansted and Barking do battle at a wet, muddy Hargrave Park on Saturday)

Essex Senior League, Friday 1st/Saturday 2nd November 

The first weekend in November (how has that happened!!!) saw me visit two grounds I've not visited since the 2022/23 season so I felt it was time I put that right in one go, so, Friday night I made the journey over to Roding Lane (Myrak Park) for a Friday evening showdown between Buckhurst Hill & Ilford, and then on the Saturday I travelled over to Hargrave Park to see Stansted host Barking.

These are two grounds and clubs I do enjoy visiting so it was certainly good to get back to see both clubs and enjoy their awesome hospitality, hopefully we would have two decent games too, let's now see how those featured games of mine went then, starting with the Friday night match up at Roding Lane:-

Friday November 1st

Buckhurst Hill 2 Ilford 2

So, as said, my Friday night fare came from Myrak Park, or Roding Lane, as Buckhurst Hill, who came into this one having picked up a total of thirteen points from a possible eighteen since the middle of September to see them rise up to seventh, took on an Ilford side who had picked up seven points from their last four league outings, taking them four points above bottom side FC Clacton and up to 17th spot.

A pretty uneventful first period ensued, with the only real clear cut chance seeing the visitors go close when they fired wide of the target after a decent run, however five minutes before half time Ilford grabbed the lead when a ball out to the right hand side was collected by winger Abdul Shobowale and he fired a ball across the six yard box and it found it's way to Daniel Izekor who literally fell over the line with the ball to hand The Foxes a half time lead.

A pretty average second half then followed, the visitors were definitely edging the contest though but could not find a killer second goal, and they were made to pay for this with 82 minutes elapsed, a loose ball finding it's way to Suley Zuhdu on the edge of the penalty area, and he made no mistake in firing into the bottom corner to level up the contest.

Ninety minutes came and went and the referee told both benches there would be a minimum of ELEVEN minutes added on, their were quite a few stoppages to be fair so maybe this was borderline correct, although it did seem a bit much, anyway plenty of time for a winner to be found, and Ilford thought they had found it when Izekor fired home from inside the box two minutes into stoppage time, but there was a lot more to come as it turned out.

Eight minutes into stoppage time Ilford were not given a clear foul and this caused a retaliation foul because of it, and that resulted in a a straight red for the visitors, much to the dismay and annoyance for the visiting side, but despite this they were surely going to come away with all three points and record a superb win in the process.

Well, not quite as the referee was clearly enjoying the spectacle and FIFTHTEEN, YES FIFTHTEEN minutes into added on time, Buckhurst drew themselves level once again, Zuhdu getting in behind the Foxes backline, and despite Wilkinson Boateng's best efforts to save the lofted effort, he could only parry up into the air and as the ball bounced towards the goal line, the keeper appeared to help the ball into his own net with pressure from Archie Hammond, and a couple of defenders too.

Unbelievably the game went on and on and almost TWENTY minutes of stoppage time had elapsed when the referee finally blew to end a pretty average contest that had a very dramatic end to it, Hill will be more than happy with snatching a point from this contest as it was barely deserved, Ilford were upset, angry, despondent & frustrated after that, and were less than impressed with the referee's performance. It certainly was a very dramatic ending that's for sure!!!  

Saturday November 2nd

Stansted 0 Barking 1

Saturday saw me over at Hargrave Park as Stansted looked to try and get back to winning ways at home and repeat there success over Frenford two games ago and pick up vital points as they look to get themselves further away from the bottom sides in the division, they were already six clear of bottom side FC Clacton. They did welcome a Barking side though who were trying to fight their way closer to the play off spots and get back to winning ways after a defeat and a draw in their last two.

Conditions were not the best, a heavy and muddy pitch and heavy drizzle made trying to play any type of football tough, the hosts though were manging to do this and edged a goalless first forty five minutes, creating the better of the openings that did come in what was an attritional game it has to be said.

It was also a game where both sets of players and people on the side-lines were arguing pretty much every single decision, challenge, 50/50, you name it, the ref was getting it right in the earhole, which wasn't helping proceedings if truth be told, although it did show how much the game and the points meant to each side.

The home side continued to edge the contest in the second period, seeing one effort beaten away by keeper Dan Purdue, and then Callum Leggatt s nearly levelled just past the hour mark when he saw a lovely effort from outside the box strike the frame of the goal, and then twenty minutes into the second half they fell behind after a ball into the near post wasn't dealt with and Sam Shaban managed to poke the loose ball over the line whilst on his back and give the visitors the advantage.

It was very harsh on the hosts who certainly did not deserve to be losing this one, but they were, and had to try and find a route back into the contest, in doing so Barking did have some chances to kill the game off as Stansted pushed forward, they could and Stansted still had a chance of grabbing a point at least if they could find a goal.

The hosts matters were not helping in the 86th minute when midfielder Luke Skinner was given a second yellow, meaning they would end the game a man light, but this did not affect the hosts who were given a golden chance to level as ninety minutes expired, the hosts struck the bar before it broke to them and Barking centre half Simon Omope committed a foul inside the box, he was given a second yellow meaning Barking would end the game with ten as well, and Stansted had a late penalty.

Skinner, the normal penalty taker, had been sent off of course, and there seemed some confusion as to who was taking it, and eventually the responsibility was handed to Charlie Portway, whether this clouded his mind I don't know, but the penalty , although struck into one of the corners, it wasn't struck with conviction and Purdue got across well to save the kick and keep his side ahead.

It kind of summed up Stansted's day, they had played some neat stuff with no reward, Barking to their credit dug in and made it difficult in what was a physical battle in poor conditions, but it was The Blues who managed to record a very hard fought win and take all the points in this one, that's football as they say, it certainly was not a pretty game by any means, but I do love a good battle in muddy conditions, was like football of yesteryear.

  

Right, let's see what else happened in the division this weekend and how it affected the league standings:-

Friday

West Essex 2 Halstead Town 1

Hosts West Essex had to come from behind to defeat Halstead Town at Wadham Lodge, after a goalless first hour the visitors grabbed the lead midway through the second period when Dean Agar struck home from the spot, but two goals in a minute with just over ten minutes remaining proved the difference in the end, Yemi Adelani levelling the contest up in the 78th minute before Joe Damrell netted a minute later to hand the hosts all three points.  

Woodford Town 0 Saffron Walden Town 1

The hosts were looking to close the gap to Stanway at the top of the division ahead of the league leaders game on Saturday afternoon, they were up against a Walden side who were looking to close the gap to the top five, well, the only goal of the game went to the visitors after Correy Davidson struck twelve minutes after half time to settle this one and see Woodford's unbeaten home record go up in smoke as a result. 

Saturday

Athletic Newham 1 Takeley 2

A late late comeback from visitors Takeley saw them defeat Athletic Newham at Parsloes, the hosts did lead at the break after Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro netted five minutes before half time, and this looked like it would be enough for them to take all three points, but, in the 85th minute Lanre Balogun levelled it up before Jordan Wescott scored in the 89th minute to hand the visitors all the points. And Newham ended the game with ten men after Hassan Saleh Togba was sent off deep into added on time, rubbing salt into already gaping hosts wounds.  

Frenford 1 Little Oakley 2

Oakley took all the spoils at The Drive against Frenford, things went wrong for the hosts late on in the first period, firstly going behind to a 40th minute goal from Jack Ladbrook, and then seeing striker Warren Kayembe given a straight red deep into first half stoppage time. The game in terms of personal was levelled up just past the hour mark when Oakley saw Luke Hipkin given second yellow, but Oakley netted a second goal in the 82nd minute through Daniel Smith to double their lead, and although Jordon Elongo pulled one back for the hosts in added on time, Oakley held on to record victory. 

Hullbridge Sports 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 3

Sawbo Town came from 3-1 down once again away from home to net a very decent point against Hullbridge who looked all set to net three points when they lead 3-1 at the break.  Louis Bragg gave Bridge a fourth minute lead, and although Kieran David levelled just past the midway point of the first half, a Tobias Braney spot kick & a second from Bragg saw the hosts with a two goal cushion at half time.  Jude Collins though pulled one back eleven minutes after the break and then with 80 minutes on the clock Elijah Mambombe levelled it up and earned his side a point in the process.

Romford 0 Great Wakering Rovers 1

This was fifth against fourth in the standings and over 200 were at Mayesbrook to witness it, the hosts needed to win to go above their opponents and put a bigger gap to sixth placed Walden who won the night before, GWR knew that if they could win then it would put a four point gap to Romford, and in what was a very tough battle, Harry Brown's 50th minute goal proved the difference as the visitors took a big win on the road.  

Stanway Rovers 8 FC Clacton 0

It was top against bottom at The Hawthorns and sadly for the visitors it showed today as they were demolished by their superior opponents, FC Clacton had recently held second placed Woodford at Ashton's, but they never looked like repeating that here against a rampant league leader, and found themselves three goals down in twenty minutes courtesy of a Fletcher Hanna own goal, and further goals from Goerge Okoye & Jamie Bennett. The visitors managed to get to half time with no further damage, but the second period saw the hosts add a further five, Bennett adding another six minutes after the break before Tom Maycock netted twenty minutes into the second half. Nathaniel Mardell then added a sixth with twenty minutes or so of the ninety to go, and then Mardell & Harry Thomas added goals in stoppage time to complete the rout and go further clear at the top in style. 

White Ensign 1 Benfleet 0

Nathan Wilson's 49th minute goal proved enough for Ensign to defeat Benfleet at Burroughs Park, this despite the hosts having to play almost the entire game with ten men after Billy Bonham-Dare was sent off after just eight minutes, but as said this did not mean the hosts would lose, and they put in an heroic effort to grab the win and keep a clean sheet as well. 

Where does that leave the table, let's have a look:-

Stanway Rovers now have a seven point buffer to second placed Woodford Town, with Takeley and Great Wakering Rovers just a point further back, Romford lose ground but are still in the play off spots despite their loss on Saturday, although the gap to sixth is just four points now, Walden & Barking also have games in hand too.

FC Clacton are now three points behind Sawbo Town after their heavy defeat today, the former are in danger of being cut adrift if they cannot pick up some points too, they still have plenty of games to go of course but the predicted struggle for them has rung true so far. Halstead, who were bottom, are now four points above the bottom side despite them losing at West Essex on Friday.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed reading and as always thanks for taking the time to do so, it's very much appreciated.  

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

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

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

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

Monday October 28th

Concord Rangers 0 Billericay Town 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday October 29th

Walthamstow 0 Aveley 4

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday October 30th

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

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

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

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

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

Monday November 4th

Redbridge Vs Brightlingsea Regent

Tuesday November 5th

Witham Town Vs Brentwood Town

Waltham Abbey Vs Grays Athletic

Harwich & Parkeston Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Hashtag United Vs Southend United

Buckhurst Hill Vs Canvey Island

Little Oakley Vs Basildon United

Wednesday November 6th

Ilford Vs Tilbury

Takeley Vs Rayleigh Town

Dunmow Town Vs Heybridge Swifts

Tuesday November 12th

Saffron Walden Town Vs Braintree Town

Wednesday November 13th

West Essex Vs Chelmsford City

Tuesday November 19th

Dagenham & Redbridge Vs Colchester United

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

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

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

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

Friday 25th October

Barking 2 Buckhurst Hill 4

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

Saturday 26th October

Athletic Newham 2 West Essex 2

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

Great Wakering Rovers 1 Frenford 0

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

Ilford 1 Hullbridge Sports 0

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

Saffron Walden Town 1 Romford 3

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

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Halstead Town 5

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

Stansted 0 Woodford Town 4

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

Stanway Rovers 2 Benfleet 0

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

Takeley 4 Little Oakley 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday October 22nd

Essex Senior League

Barking 2 Ilford 2

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

Buckhurst Hill 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 3

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

Halstead Town 2 Benfleet 1

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

Stansted 2 Frenford 1

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

West Essex 0 Takeley 0

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

BBC Essex Senior Cup Round Two

Little Oakley 3 Romford 1

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

Saffron Walden Town 3 Great Wakering Rovers 0

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

Wednesday October 23rd

Essex Senior League 

White Ensign 0 Stanway Rovers 2

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

Woodford Town 2 FC Clacton 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday October 19th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time Burnham Ramblers 0 Basildon Town 1

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

FC Baresi 3 Enfield Borough 4

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

Harlow Town 1 Hackney Wick 2

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

Hoddesdon Town 3 Barkingside 0

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

Hutton 3 Southend Manor 2

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

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

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

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

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