Witham Town 1 Little Oakley 2 - Joe Howard & Luke Mayhew net late on as Little Oakley come from behind to defeat Witham Town & continue perfect start to their Isthmian North campaign

Isthmian League Division One North, Monday 31st August

Game three of the bank holiday ended at my spiritual football home and Spa Road, Witham, as hosts Witham Town were welcoming fellow North Essex side Little Oakley to a town a have fond memories of after being brought up here until I left at 17 when I moved to Chelmsford after leaving school.

Spa Road was also my birthplace of watching the beautiful game, as after the 1990 World Cup, an excited nine year old was taken to his first live football match by my late father to the very ground, some 36 years ago now, mad how time flies, but the ground has come on well since those days, and the club are once again competing at Step Four, a level they are consistent at now.

Their opponents though were at this level for the very first time in their history, and had began their season a few days ago, almost a week ago in fact, when they saw off local rivals Brightlingsea Regent 3-1 at home to make the perfect start to life at this level, they won the Essex Senior League last season to make their way to this division, and they were looking to continue this start to their season.

It was going to be tough against a Witham side who had won both their opening games of the league season, a 2-1 win at Bowers & Pitsea was followed up by a 3-2 home win over Takeley, so they were obviously looking to make it three wins from three and a perfect start to their campaign, it certainly all pointed to a fairly competitive fixture between two sides who are just thirty miles apart.

Both clubs had also come into this contest after disappointing exits from the FA Trophy on Saturday, both on penalties too, so a lot of similarities thus far this season, as for the game well Oakley actually had the better of the opening half hour, and created a couple of very decent openings, but Witham, whose only note of attack up till this point had been an offside goal from Sam Bantick, created two good chances themselves late on in the half, it was however an opening forty five minutes that yielded fairly low in terms of real goal mouth action, so no surprise the half ended goalless.

The second however was to be much more eventful, Oakley, just like the opening half, were the better of the two sides and looked more threatening, and saw a goal disallowed for what was adjudged to be a foul on home keeper Josh Blunkell, a free kick sent in from way out saw him go for the ball but in the referee's view impeded, the ball ended going straight into the net, but it was chalked off, much to Oakley's dismay. 

And just before the hour mark they were to be very very upset with the man in the middle, as Witham took the lead very contentious circumstances.  It looked like keeper James Askew had been fouled, but the referee decided he hadn't, and after a scramble Bantick managed to send the ball into the net, although many said that the ball had been 'punched in' in their words, I couldn't see so I cannot say if this happened or not, but the fact no foul had been called prior to that upset the visitors somewhat, and they were now behind in the contest.

Now Oakley could have let this get to them and allow the hosts to go on and maybe win the game by more, and in fact the hosts did have chances to double their lead but could not take these opportunities, but Oakley to their showed a lot of fight and bags of character, rolled their sleeves up, and went to try and grab something from the contest which in all honestly they deserved.

And with 82 minutes on the clock, they finally managed to find a leveller, a free kick being swung into the box and Joe Howard sent a glancing header into the far corner, and it was now the question if anyone could find a winner, Oakley missed two golden chances shortly after levelling, Ollie Bell somehow clearing off the line at full stretch to deny the visitors, and another cross was somehow glanced wide of the post.

One player who deserves a special mention was Oakley player Jordi Papple, son of an old school friend of mine (doesn't make me feel old at all!!!), he was superb throughout and covered every blade of grass during the game, was a threat every time he went forward, and certainly deserved to be on the side that could manage to find a winner, well, that was to be the case as the hosts gift wrapped Oakley a second goal in the 91st minute.

The home side tried to play out from the back rather than get the ball upfield, and it cost them dear, and saw Luke Mayhew laid in to fire home and send the visitors wild along with their travelling fans behind the goal, although they did have keeper Askew to thank deeper into stoppage time when he made a fantastic diving save to deny the hosts a very late leveller, but Oakley managed to hold on and record a very good win.

It means Oakley, who were an Essex & Suffolk Border League side only a decade ago, that's Step Seven and Junior Football, have now won their opening two games in the Isthmian North, Step Four, that's some rise isn't it, whereas for the hosts it's a disappointing afternoon especially after they got themselves in front, but handed their opponents a winning goal, still six points from nine isn't a bad return either.

Finally, it was nice to return to Spa Road once again, it always is, holds so many fond memories for me, it's just a shame I couldn't bring them any luck today, although I am equally chuffed for Oakley to grab a good win too as it's nice to see a side promoted from the Essex Senior League doing well in the level above, long may that continue.

Full time Witham Town 1 Little Oakley 2

Billericay Town 2 Tonbridge Angels 2 - Kent visitors head back over the bridge with a share of the spoils after they twice came from behind against their Essex hosts in a pulsating Enterprise National League South contest

Enterprise National League South, Saturday 29th August

My second game of the bank holiday weekend saw me over at a rather soggy New Lodge for an Essex Vs Kent match up in the Enterprise National League South, and it brought together two seemingly well match teams looking at the start both have made, Billericay Town & Tonbridge Angels.

The Blues were back at Step Two of the non league pyramid once again after reaching it a few years ago before slipping back, they will hope they are more prepared for it this time around, and they welcomed a Tonbridge side to New Lodge who had began the season winning both their away games thus far without conceding a goal, with their only loss being at home, however the hosts had won their only home game so far without conceding a goal.

Both had picked up six points from their three games so far, both had also scored six goals in those games combined, so a lot of similarities heading into this contest, so as said seemingly two well matched teams going head to head to see who could potentially climb above the other and into the top seven of a very early National League South table.

A good crowd of 1,065 had shown up in what was mixed conditions, and some may not have even been in the stands when the hosts grabbed the lead, the game barely a minute old when a cross came in and saw visiting keeper Nathan Harness attempt to catch the ball, but as he returned to the ground he saw it slip from the grasp and allow Jon Benton the chance to fire the lose ball into the net, and that no conceding away from home thing had vanished just like that.

It had been the ideal start for the hosts, whereas it had been a disaster for the visitors, both teams were looking to get forward at any opportunity which certainly made for a very good watch, the hosts though certainly had the better of the openings but were pegged back in magnificent style when Jaden Brown cut inside onto his left foot and bent a wonderful curling effort beyond home keeper Joe Wright and right in the 'top bins' as they say, 1-1 after 26 minutes.

The pace of play didn't let up though, and The Blues managed to restore their lead, probably deservedly so as said, and it saw two of the stand outs in the first half for the hosts combine, Charlie Ruff playing a wonderful long range pass perfectly into the path of Elliott Long, and although he appeared to be fouled inside the box, he managed to continue and fire a lovely left footed effort across Harness and into the bottom corner, 2-1 to the hosts with five minutes of the half to go.

However, in keeping with the nature of this game and half, Tonbridge were to be given a golden opportunity to restore parity prior to the half time whistle when they were, in my opinion, given a very dubious penalty, the 'foul' saw a rather theatrical fall the the ground, but the referee pointed to the spot, but, Wright managed to save the spot kick brilliantly, so maybe justice had been served, it's only my opinion, but it meant the hosts would end a frenetic half in front, and they probably deserved that too based on chances created.

It appeared their would be no let up in the tempo in the second period as pretty much straight from kick off Macauley Bonne really should have punished the visitors slack defending, but could only hit the side netting with just Harness to beat, but thereafter for the next fifteen minutes or so it was Angels who were on top, they struck the bar with one effort, and it was no surprise when they levelled once again twenty minutes into the half, a shot from the edge of the box was parried across goal by Wright, but straight into the path of Jephte Tanga who had the simple task of tapping home, 2-2, the game was now superbly poised with twenty five minutes to go.

Tonbridge had more chances to go ahead as they looked to turn this one around and win it, but The Blues began to find their feet again after what had been a rather flat second half performance thus far and not hitting the standards they had reached in the first, Ruff & Elliott again were a threat to the visitors, and Frankie Merrifield replaced Bonne to see if he could make any difference, and he was to be involved heavily in the dying moments of the contest in what was a very contentious moment.

In the last minute of stoppage time, a ball to the back post looked destined to be nodded in by Merrifield, but he looked for all money to be pulled back. manhandled even, by his marker to prevent him from getting on the end of the cross, and everyone in the ground were amazed when the referee said no penalty, unbelievable, and it meant the game would end all square, a truly wonderful contest played by two sides who wanted to attack, a it resulted in a very enjoyable watch indeed. 

Ultimately it means a point each for both, and overall I feel it was probably a fair result in the end, and both sides probably deserved something for their efforts and entertaining play, both contributed to an excellent game, and both can take a lot of positives going forward into the season ahead.

Full time Billericay Town 2 Tonbridge Angels 2

Hornchurch 1 Woking 0 - Second half substitute Aaron Rowe nets on debut as his goal proves enough for Hornchurch to make it three wins from four after battling past Woking in the Enterprise National League

Enterprise National League, Friday 28th August

My Bank Holiday weekend began in Upminster and Bridge Avenue as National League new boys Hornchurch were looking to bounce back from defeat at Carlisle United last weekend against a Woking side who had finally picked up their first win of the campaign last time out.

The Urchins have started their new season in a new division and the pinnacle of the Non League game pretty well, after they saw off fellow promotion winners from last season Kidderminster Harriers at home 3-0 on the opening day, they then went up to Barrow in Cumbria and saw them off 2-1, which was a pretty decent result for sure.

However they then came unstuck up at Carlisle United last weekend and suffered a 4-1 reverse in that one, so tonight was about trying to get themselves back on track against a Woking side who themselves were trying to build on a first win of the season last weekend when they saw off AFC Flyde 3-2, this after losing their opening two games without scoring against Sutton United & then Gateshead.

So, would the hosts bounce back and get back to winning ways, or would the visitors build on that morale boosting result last time out, well, Woking certainly had more of the ball early on but chances were at a premium, and once the hosts had settled they were the ones who actually created the better openings that did come, and they did have the ball in the net just past the half hour mark but it was rightly chalked off for offside.

The Urchins though would have been encouraged by their performance, especially as the half went on, they certainly grew into it, but The Cards then certainly had the better of the opening twenty minutes of the second period as they looked to get on top and control the game, and in their minds make the breakthrough and potentially go on and win the game.

However, they seriously lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, and despite them having a lot of the ball and having plenty of efforts at the hosts goal, I couldn't really remember the keeper making a save, and they also found the home defence rock solid throughout and a tough nut to crack for sure, frustrating both them and their almost 300 strong travelling support.

And once Hornchurch weathered that storm, they began to venture forward themselves, Aaron Rowe, who was making his debut for the hosts, came on just beyond the hour mark, and thirteen minutes after coming on, he was to be the man who broke the deadlock, as in the 75th minute he let fly from outside the box and saw his effort take a deflection which sent in beyond the keeper and into the corner of the net, sending the majority of the 1,447 crowd inside Bridge Avenue wild.

They had around twenty minutes to hold on and record a very good win, Woking applied plenty of pressure, but as said found the hosts to hard to penetrate, and with a lack of cutting edge, they were unable to find a way through, and The Urchins saw out the remainder of the game to net a third win in four games in the National League, a fabulous start to their campaign, sending them into fourth in a very early league table.

For Woking that's three defeats in four, the complete opposite to their opponents this evening, and all three defeats have seen them draw a blank too, leaving them fourth bottom in the table, albeit after just four games, but the lack of grunt up front will concern them although still early days, but for The Urchins it's a great start to the campaign, a campaign they will need to work as hard as they did this evening to be competitive, and it's so far so good.

Full time Hornchurch 1 Woking 0

  

Basildon Town 2 Rayleigh Town 2 (Basildon Town won 4-3 on penalties) - Basildon Town net stoppage time leveller before going onto win shootout against Essex rivals Rayleigh Town to progress in Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup

Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup Second Round, Wednesday 26th August

It was time for Round Two of the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup as August winds down, and I was over at Gardiners Close in Basildon to see an Essex derby between two Thurlow Nunn South sides in the shape of Basildon Town & Rayleigh Town with a place in Round Three up for grabs.

The hosts league campaign had seen them start slowly, only one win in five so far, but it's actually five games unbeaten all in competitions for them since they lost their opening two games of the season, including a win at Essex Senior Hackney Wick in the Vase and a superb 1-0 win at home to Isthmian North Buckhurst Hill in the Essex Senior Cup, two very big results already this term.

Rayleigh's four league games so far this season have seen two wins from four games, and they were on a three match winning run in all competitions too, netting ten goals in that run too, so both sides were playing with some confidence heading into this cup tie, so we should be in for a decent game you would of thought no?

Well, although both teams did have opportunities in the opening forty five minutes, it wasn't a half to remember if truth be told, Bas Town had plenty of efforts but did not test Rayleigh keeper Josh Hudson as they were all off target, whereas the chances Rayleigh did create were, they saw one of those cleared off the line and another two well saved by hosts keeper Dino Maras, but it was a half that wasn't full of much quality and ended goalless.

The second half though was to be a different story, it began with a bang as only three minutes after the break the hosts rifled themselves into the lead, a ball was laid back into the path of Lucas Polybank and he sent an unstoppable effort beyond Hudson, but that lead only lasted three more minutes as the visitors saw Jack Hyslop equalise, totally mishitting an effort towards goal but the hosts made a mess of trying to keep it out and it ended up in the net.

And Rayleigh then turned the match around midway through the half when they got themselves ahead, a ball being knocked across goal for Nathan Elgie to apply the finishing touch from close range, and that looked as if it would be enough for them to win this tie and go through to the next round.

But, deep into added on time came a dramatic late twist, and it was a total mess at the back from the visitors that led to the leveller.  A ball into the six yard box should have easily been dealt with by either keeper or defender, but total miscommunication between them saw both go for the ball and see keeper knock ball onto defender, and the ball fell perfectly for Abidemi Lamina who could not believe his luck, and had the simple task of blasting home from a yard out with an empty net at his mercy.

It meant penalties would be needed to decide this tie, Bas Town went first and saw Hudson save, but Rayleigh then missed their third penalty meaning 2-2 after three each, and after Bas Town had netted their final kick, Rayleigh had to net theirs to force sudden death, but hit the bar instead, meaning the hosts prevailed in this tie and will take their place in Round Three which is due to take place in the third week of September.

Full time Basildon Town 2 Rayleigh Town 2 (Basildon Town won 4-3 on penalties)

 

Buckhurst Hill 2 Grays Athletic 0 - Max Gnandi's first half brace saw Buckhurst Hill net first ever victory at Step Four as they saw off Grays Athletic in the Isthmian North on an historic night for the club

Isthmian League Division One North, Tuesday 25th August

I was over at Roding Lane on what was an historic night for the hosts Buckhurst Hill as they began their journey at Step Four for the very first time in their history, and they were to take on another Essex side in the shape of Grays Athletic.

To say it's been some rise from the depths of Junior football to Step Four of the non league system for the hosts is an understatement, ten seasons ago they were relegated out of the Essex Olympian Premier, that's Step Seven, into Division One of that league, and it was only six seasons ago when they finally won promotion from the Premier Division into the then new Step Six division, the Thurlow Nunn South, and a route into Senior Football for the first time.

And in their first ever season in Senior Football they won promotion into the Essex Senior League, and after spending four seasons in that league, they incredibly won promotion to this level in the ESL play off final against Barking back in May (blog on that game is here if your interested https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2026/05/buckhurst-hill-1-barking-0-arthur.html).

So, Step Eight of the non league pyramid to Step Four in around a decade, that's pretty damn good, so it was a big night for the club, and a proud one too no doubt for Mark Williams, who has managed the side from the very beginning, and chairman Simon Cornwell, who lives and breathes Buckhurst Hill, I remember chatting to him years ago when they had reached Step Six and he had a vision then, well it's becoming reality right now, and that is a marvellous thing to see.

And on this momentous night they would begin their Step Four journey against a very well established club at this level in Grays Athletic, now their history is a rather different one to their opponents, the club were right at the pinnacle of the non league game only twenty years ago and won the FA Trophy back to back in 2005 & 2006, but in recent times they have fallen from those lofty echelons and after losing The Recreation Ground in Grays, things fell apart for them and they fell a few levels.

A nomadic existence has been the case since then, they currently play at Tilbury's Chadfields ground but are hopeful of obtaining their own ground eventually, they did grab Thurrock's old ground, Ship Lane, but snags have meant they have been unable to move into that venue for now, and am not sure where that lies currently but hopefully one day that can call somewhere their own home.  

They would still prove a stern test for the hosts though, no doubt every club will in this league this season, unlike Hill Grays had actually played a couple of league games thus far this season, a 2-1 home win over Lowestoft Town was followed by a 2-1 away defeat at Walthamstow, they had also netted two wins in the FA Cup, against Step Five opposition in Hilltop & then Hutton, so three wins from four games was not a bad start for sure.

Hill's only competitive action so far this season had come in cup games, wins over old ESL foes Barking and then away at Biggleswade in the FA Cup were intertwined with defeats against Welwyn Garden City in the Trophy & a surprise loss at ESL Basildon United in the Essex Senior Cup, a mixed start then, but no doubt they were bang up for their first taste of Isthmian North football.

Another legend at the club, Keith Harris, was remembered before the game, he spent a lifetime in the dugout alongside Williams and Co and was a lovely man who I had the pleasure of speaking too on many occasions, sadly he lost his life in the summer, so the home dugout has been named after him, and their was an impeccably observed minute silence prior to kick off for him, rest in peace Keith, you will be sadly missed by all.

Well, he would have been smiling down on his beloved Hill side as it took them all but eight minutes to announce their arrival to this level by taking the lead, a through ball saw new signing Max Gnandi race through on goal, with the visitors claiming offside which fell on deaf ears, and Gnandi kept his cool to round keeper Daniel Sambridge and slot home, a perfect start to their evening.

Grays tried to respond and should have levelled when a mistake from the hosts saw Freddy Moncur clean through and with just keeper Christian North to beat fired a effort straight at the keeper who made a good stop to deny him, this kind of summed up the night to come for the visitors who had lots of the ball at times but lacked a cutting edge up front.

Gnandi certainly had that cutting edge, and nine minutes before the break doubled his tally for the night and increased the hosts lead as a result, swivelling onto a loose ball inside the box and firing beyond Sambridge, 2-0 Hill at the break, dreamland and a statement start to their life at this level, what did Grays have left in the second period?

Just like the first half, they huffed and puffed but just could not find that killer ball, in fact so many crosses into the box were overhit, not giving anyone in the middle a chance of getting on the end of them, Hill's workrate off the ball was extemporary too, they worked so hard for each other, something they will need to reproduce this season on a regular basis if they are to be successful at this level.

Hill certainly did not look out of place in this game, and were more than a match for their opponents who had a frustrating evening, and it was the two Gnandi's goals in the first period that proved decisive in this one and handed the hosts the ideal start to their league campaign, it had been a wonderful night for the club for sure, the joy on peoples faces afterwards was lovely to see, and maybe a touch of disbelief as well at where they find themselves right now, it's a great story, and one that they hope can continue on a positive trend.

Full time Buckhurst Hill 2 Grays Athletic 0

   

Marlow 0 Cirencester Town 1 - Cirencester Town cause another Emirates FA Cup upset after Ed Scott's goal proves enough for them to see off Marlow & progress into the First Qualifying Round in two weekend's time

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Saturday 22nd August

This was my first game for almost two weeks and on that occasion it was the end of a triple header in this very competition, the Extra Preliminary Round, it was now time for the next stage, the Preliminary Round, and I finally made the trip to Marlow and the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground for their home tie against Cirencester Town. It's something that's been on my agenda for a while, so finally this was the weekend to do it.

I believe this is also the first time I have ever seen Marlow or Cirencester play in my 36 years of watching the sport, I cannot be 100% sure of this as I started watching football back in 1990, and my memory does not remember every game I've seen, but anyway let's go with it, so not only was this a new ground and town to visit, it was also my debut in watching both sides too.

Marlow will be competing at Step Four this season in the non league pyramid, they will be plying their trade in the Southern League Central Division, they actually only got their league season underway on Tuesday and opened up with a 3-2 home win over Beaconsfield Town, with their only other competitive games this season being in the previous round of this cup.

And in that Extra Preliminary Round tie they did need a replay against Spartan South Midlands Premier outfit Newport Pagnell Town, which is a level below at Step Five, the Milton Keynes side have lost all three games in the league but managed to hold Marlow to a 2-2 draw, before The Blues dismantled their opponents 5-1 in the replay at home, so that's three games this season and two wins, both coming at The Alfred Davis Memorial Ground.

So what about their opponents today, Cirencester Town, well they are Step Five themselves and compete in the Hellenic League Premier, and have had a decent start to their campaign so far, two wins, both away from home, and a goalless draw at home, in fact in five games so far in all competitions that is their only home game so far.

They won away to Woodley United in the FA Trophy, and in the last round of the FA Cup two weeks ago they stunned Step Four opposition in the shape of Hartpury FC away from home 2-0, so they certainly have no fears coming to Marlow whatsoever, this then had the makings of a 'cupset' for sure, the visitors have won all four away games so far this season, conceding just two goals in the process, so Marlow knew they would have to put in a shift to earn their place in the next round.

The Blues on the other hand have scored eight in two home games so far, so no doubt the Gloucestershire outfit's defence would be severely tested in this one, and would certainly have to watch out for Chris Lutonadio who has scored four of the hosts goals this season, that's nearly half of them, which isn't bad for a midfielder at all, Marlow's backline would equally have to watch out for the visitors number nine Harlie Price who has also netted four this term, three of those penalties. That's also nearly half of their goals this term too.

To the game then, well both players mentioned were not to get on the scoresheet, and for the latter things were to not end well personally in the contest, but more on that later, the visitors initially started the game well and enjoyed a lot of possession and carried a threat early on, but once the hosts settled they were the ones who were carving out the openings.

Skipper Chris Overden sent a header against the bar, and winger Naheer Nawaf was a real danger to the visitors, his pace was frightening in the first period and he should have scored but after getting through on goal he fired wide of the far post when hitting the target was a minimum, Marlow were the better side in the opening forty five minutes but lacked that cutting edge, and Cirencester nearly made them pay for not taking those chances with pretty much the last kick of the half when Sol Pryce lifted over from close range when it looked easier to score.

Despite the goalless nature of the contest it has been a decent half of football, and all it was missing was that breakthrough, the Cirencester manager (or coach, or assistant) could be heard laying into his players at the break in the changing room, and whatever he said certainly perked them up as they certainly were a lot more lively in the second period, and unlike the first half they kept up the pressure on their opponents.

Chances though were far more scarce in the second half though as the game became very scrappy, but with twenty minutes remaining of the ninety, the visitors found the net, a loose ball being thumped home by Ed Scott from close range, and the visitors now had a lead to hold onto, what did Marlow have left?

They had certainly not been as threatening in the second period, Nawaf was not anywhere near as an outlet he had been in the opening half and had barely any balls sent his way, and skipper Overden was no where near as effective in the final third as well, those two had been the hosts focal point in the first period, but Cirencester were dealing with anything that came their way.

Now to the moment that visiting skipper Price will want to forget, late on in the contest I believe he went down with a head injury and stayed down by his bench, the referee decided not to stop play, which annoyed the visitors, especially Price and his bench, and after the ball had gone out of play for a corner, which was a goal kick and corrected by the assistant, referee Horace Gumber went over to confront Price and the bench, and Price was shown a straight red for what I assume for whatever he said to the referee and maybe for throwing a water bottle into the ground in his frustration perhaps as the referee came over.

A yellow card was also shown in the direction of the bench, and then after all this commotion, he came back and decided to overrule his assistant and stayed with his original corner decision to the hosts, which didn't go down well with the visitors, it was a manic few minutes and thankfully nothing came from the corner as it looked like a goal kick all the way!!!

Five/six minutes of stoppage time was added on, and Cirencester held out to thwart their opponents and grab a very good win on the road once again against Step Four opposition, and no goals conceded once again too, rock solid at the back and Marlow could not find a way through and exit the competition as a result. You could hear the visitors celebrating in the changing room after, and why not, they earned it and now have a First Qualifying Round tie to look forward to.

Last word on the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground, what a lovely old ground it is, plenty of character and a superb main stand, which has a lovely little clubhouse underneath it, it's just s shame for them that there side could not do the business today, but that's to Cirencester's credit in the end who claimed a very hard fought win.

Full time Marlow 0 Cirencester Town 1