Richard 'Dickie' Sawyer Memorial Match (Corinthians XI 3 Battlesbridge XI 2) - A Corinthians XI come from behind to defeat a Battlesbridge XI in an evening of celebration and remembrance for the wonderful Richard 'Dickie' Sawyer

Memorial Match Remembering Richard Sawyer, Saturday October 5th

After Corinthians Premier Cup clash on Saturday afternoon, the evening bowed to a remembrance match remembering a very special man in the shape of Richard 'Dickie' Sawyer, who we all sadly lost a few weeks ago whilst he was on holiday in Spain, a devastating loss for his family and friends at the age of just 46 years old.

Dickie was a big part of a lot of peoples lives, and two of his two footballing loves locally were Corinthians and Battlesbridge, so it was very fitting that the clubs got together to put on this memorial match in his honour and remember such a fantastic person who will be sorely missed by all that knew him.   

The event was also supporting the charity 'Cardiac Risk in the Young' which is a cause that will help save lives and prevent other families from experiencing the kind of loss Dickie's family have, and many others have done too, the family of Dickie have set up a memorial fund to help CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death, support those affected, support CRY’s screening programme and fund research and pathology.  A link to this page can be found here https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/richard-dickie-sawyer/ so if you want to give to this please do, I certainly will.

Richard was more than just a coach at Corinthians, he was a big part of how it functioned, he dedicated a lot of his time to nurturing young talent and his influence can still be felt today as his love for football and his desire to help others on and off the pitch certainly earned him the respect and admiration whoever he worked with or came across.

His words of encouragement and infectious enthusiasm to players during training sessions, and his presence at Corinthians was invaluable and his passion for the sport was only matched by his kindness, which was felt by all who knew him, I can vouch for this as can many others, every time I met him he always had a smile on his face, and he was always keen to find out how I was and what I had been up to, he genuinely cared about the people he knew and loved, and I will always remember him in this way.   

Hundreds had turned up to his funeral on Thursday, a testament to how loved and how many wanted to pay their respects, and a big old crowd turned up to this memorial game to help support his family and also pay their respects to such a wonderful person, it was a night to remember but also celebrate the 46 years Dickie had spent on this earth.

The Corinthians squad was made up of people Richard interacted with over his six year spell at the club, so a compilation of the Men's First Team, Women's side, U18s side & club representatives, whereas the Battlesbridge squad was made up of old team mates from Richard's playing days, and players he shared many holidays and nights out with. He spent a good part of twenty years playing in the Black & Yellow of Battlesbridge, so as said before it was fitting they should play against Corinthians this evening in his honour.

The clubs would be playing for a trophy, The Richard Sawyer Memorial Trophy, the club had also organised every player who took part in this game to sign a board and also a football which would be handed over to the family, their was also a wreath of a black and yellow shirt created for the occasion too, very fitting and a wonderful memory of this evening.

An impeccably observed minutes silence was carried out before the contest, and then the fun could then begin between two sides who really wanted to win but were there mainly to give Richard a fitting contest in his memory, Corinthians managed to go ahead after just three minutes after a handling error from the Battlesbridge keeper allowed the hosts to tuck home,  only for the visitors to level after fourteen minutes as a loose ball inside the box was fired home.

And Bridge got their noses in front midway through the first half after a brilliant strike, meaning Dickie's former teammates had the slender advantage at the break.

The hosts though weren't going to denied in this one, and levelled in the 63rd minute after a bobbling effort from outside the box defeated the keepers dive, and then with twelve minutes to go they grabbed what proved to be the winner after a through ball was run onto and slotted into the corner despite a touch off the keeper.

Battlesbridge almost forced a penalty shoot out when they struck the post late on, but it was Corinthians who won the trophy but more importantly had played their part in what had been a decent contest played in the right spirit with plenty of commitment, just what Richard would have wanted, everyone here had certainly done him proud, and I am sure he was watching and smiling from above.

A really good evening and one that I was certainly proud to be part of, rest in peace Dickie, you'll be missed.....

Full time Corinthians XI 3 Battlesbridge XI 2

        

 

Corinthians 6 Lawford Lads 0 - Max Jones nets four & Justin Hazell nets brace as Essex Olympian One Corinthians thump Essex & Suffolk Border One Lawford Lads to progress in the BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup

BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup, Saturday October 5th

I was over at Stambridge Memorial Ground for the first Saturday in October to see Essex Olympian Division One leaders Corinthians take in Essex & Suffolk Border League Division One Lawford Lads as the bulk of the BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup Round One got underway.

The hosts have been having a good season to date, six league games into their campaign has seen them drop points in only one of those games, a frustrating 2-2 draw with Canning Town, but apart from that game they have won the other five, netting nineteen goals in those five wins too, so it was clear to see what Lawford Lads would have to be wary of.

Lads themselves had played four league games so far this season and had two wins from those four games, they had netted twelve goals in those four games so they obviously knew where the net was too, so maybe goals were on the agenda in this one as both had only kept one clean sheet all season so far, although the hosts were probably favourites to win this one but you never know in cup football.

And the hosts were the better team in the opening forty five minutes but it was a largely frustrating half for them in terms of not being able to force home their advantage, chances came and went for them and it looked like it could be one of those days and they had to be wary of the visitors going forward at times and almost went behind when a through ball saw the visitors round keeper Dylan Skinner and slot home, only to see the flag go up for offside.

It was a warning to the hosts, they were less than happy with their first half performance despite having most of the ball, but their mood was lifted just before the break when they managed to get their noses in front when an effort from Ricco Booker was parried across goal by the keeper, but into the path of Max Jones who had the simple task of converting into the empty net, and the hosts had the half time lead.

Lawford Lads would have been very disappointed in conceding with the last kick of the half, they had dug in and made it difficult for their opponents who were visibly frustrated up until that goal went in, no doubt the half time team talk was to keep it tight and hope a opportunity came along to get them back in the contest, but this was all blown out the window after Corinthians netted three times in the first seven minutes of the second period to all but end the contest.

Two minutes after the break it was two for the hosts when a ball was kept in at the back post and lofted over to the far post where Jones had the simple task of nodding home for his second of the game, and just three minutes later it was 3-0 as after brilliant play from Curtis Dobie on the left eventually saw him play a ball into Jones who somehow controlled and sent an overhead kick into the far corner to complete his hattrick.

Lawford were all the show at this point and didn't know what had hit them, and in the 52nd minute it was 4-0 and another for Jones who claimed a fourth of his own after he was played in on goal before firing across the keeper and into the far corner, four goals in seven minutes including the one before half time, it had been a devastating spell from the hosts, and they could enjoy the rest of the contest now.

The one slight blot on the copybook came where Dobie was judged offside and he reaction to that saw him sinbinned for ten minutes, but it really didn't make much difference to be honest as Corinthians still managed to increase their lead with ten men after a lung busting run from skipper Alfie Knight saw it ended with him being fouled inside the box, and Justin Hazell stepped up to fire home the spot kick with just over twenty minutes to go.

Dobie came back on after his punishment and went back to work again, causing issues down the left for the Lawford defence, and with four minutes to go he created another goal, getting to the ball before the keeper did to play a ball across goal for Hazell to prod home into the empty net and complete a good days work for the home side who take their place in Round Two of the competition.

Full time Corinthians 6 Lawford Lads 0

          

BBC Essex Senior Cup Round One Review (September 30th-October 2nd)

The BBC Essex Senior Cup for this season got underway on the last day in September and saw eighteen ties scheduled to take place as thirty six sides vowed to get through to the Second Round in around two weeks time, let's see what happened in those ties:-

Monday September 30th

Barkingside 0 Romford 3

It was Thurlow Nunn South against Essex Senior at Cricklefield to open up this years competition and it saw the visitors come away with an expected win, Boro grabbing the lead just before the half hour mark when a shot from Leandro Alva fizzed in from range, and that lead was doubled just past the hour mark when Izaih Antione fired home a low angled effort. And Boro sealed their passage into Round Two with fifteen minutes remaining when Jake Gordon curled home a fine effort into the bottom right hand corner.

Tuesday October 1st

Benfleet P-P FC Clacton

The match at Woodside was postponed following a late inspection from the match referee and him deeming the surface unplayable due to the rain that had fallen and was falling. This game has now been rearranged for Tuesday October 8th.

West Essex 6 Hullbridge Sports 0

This all Essex Senior League tie at Wadham Lodge saw West net six as they put their opponents to the sword after a devastating first half display, a Jaedon Phillips double inside the opening twenty five minutes had the hosts two goals to the good and then further goals from Matt McDowell in the 27th minute and Joel Lamb six minutes later saw the tie as good as over. In fact West's fifth goal didn't come until nine minutes from time when Palvy Manduakila netted, before a Argest Nela penalty four minutes from time completed the scoring in this tie, a tie West had won before the break.

Clapton Community 0 Harwich & Parkeston 3

Thurlow Nunn First Division South took on Thurlow Nunn First Division North at the Old Spotted Dog ground in Forest Gate, and it was North that came away victorious in this contest, breaking the deadlock just before the half hour mark when Tyler Sullivan let fly from thirty yards out and find the right hand corner, and seven minutes before the break Alfred Smith's cross was met by a thunderous header from Danny Garrad. And Harwich sealed their passage into the next round when they added a clinching third in the 73rd minute after a deep free kick was met by a diving header from Alfie Eldridge. 

Halstead Town 8 Newbury Forest 0

Essex Senior League strugglers Halstead Town put their league woes aside for an evening as they put Thurlow Nunn First Division South Newbury Forest to the sword after they netted eight without reply at Rosemary Lane. Jake Brown gave the Humbugs a 26th minute lead before this lead was doubled two minutes before the break through Alfie Cleal, and after the break the hosts ran wild as they destroyed their opponents, Dean Ager making it three in the 52nd minute before Asa Cansdale added a fourth goal four minutes later. Cansdale then added his second and Halstead's fifth midway through the second period before Cansdale completed his hat-trick with just over twenty minutes remaining to make it six for the home side, Alfie Lambert then made it seven with eight minutes to go before the rout was completed five minutes from time through Nathan Scarborough to give the hosts some cheer in what has been a tough season to date.

Harlow Town 1 Hutton 0

This all Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest was settled by a second minute goal from hosts new signing Freddie Agyemang, the striker converting a ball in from the right in off the underside of the bar first time with his right foot to send Harlow into Round Two of the competition.

Takeley 6 Basildon Town 3

It was certainly a game of two halves at Station Road as Essex Senior League hosts Takeley finally got the better of Thurlow Nunn First Division South visitors Bas Town, the visitors took a tenth minute lead when a Luc Harpon cross/shot ended up in the net, and the visitors were well on their way to causing a shock against the ESL high flyers when Javid Irish made it two after just seventeen minutes. Aaron Thomas did smash home to reduce the deficit, but Town quickly restored their two goal cushion through Robbie Scanlon ten minutes before the break, a lead they took into half time and looking good for the win. But the hosts stamped their authority on proceeding after the break and reduced the deficit once again when Lanre Balogan fired home, and they were level when Jack Mitchell slotted home, and then the comeback was completed Balogan netted his second of the night. Conor Clarke then played a one two with Balogan before finding the top corner for 5-3, and the scoring was completed when Coby Miles found Mitchell who slotted home his second of the evening as Takeley avoided a upset and went through to the next round.

Saffron Walden Town P-P Stanway Pegasus

The match between Essex Senior League Walden and Thurlow Nunn First Division North Pegasus was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Catons Lane and will now be played on Tuesday October 8th.

Frenford 0 Great Wakering Rovers 3

Three second half goals saw this all Essex Senior League tie at The Drive go the way of league leaders Great Wakering Rovers, after a goalless opening forty five minutes the hosts saw Nazor sent off early in the second half, and the visitors took advantage of that extra man, Harry Talbot netting from the spot in the 57th minute before Rovers added a second ten minutes later through Callum Boylan to take control of the tie. And with twenty minutes to go Raheem Gray added a third to seal their passage into Round Two.

Little Oakley P-P Athletic Newham

This all Essex Senior League contest scheduled to take place at The Memorial Ground was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch meaning the tie will now take place on Tuesday October 8th.

Wivenhoe Town 2 Holland 4

The all Thurlow Nunn First Division North tie at the Taylor Wimpey Stadium went the way of the visitors, Holland scored from the games first attack as after a shot was saved the rebound was converted by Toby Harms, that was it for the first half but Holland took control after the break, Keelan Sorrell heading home from a corner just after half time before Harms made it 0-3 with a well struck long range effort. George Horrocks then reduced the arrears after he beat a defender for pace before finishing well but any thoughts of a comeback were quashed after visitors substitute Dan Titilola ran at the defence before shooting low into the corner to restore their three goal cushion. Gabe Kerr did get on the end of a Wandi Siwale header to reduce the arrears, but it was too little too late for the hosts, meaning Holland progressed.

Stansted P-P May & Baker

The tie between Essex Senior League Stansted and Thurlow Nunn First Division South May & Baker at Hargrave Park was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch meaning the rearranged tie will now take place on Tuesday October 8th.

Southend Manor 0 Rayleigh Town 1

This all Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest at The Southchurch Park Arena was decided by a goal on the hour mark from the visitors, and it came courtesy a Jack Allen strike, meaning the visitors edged through to the next round.

Wednesday October 2nd

Buckhurst Hill 4 Cannons Wood 2

It was Essex Senior League hosting Thurlow Nunn First Division South at Myrak Park, and it was the hosts who managed to win a superb tie, Khadean Campbell opened his account for Hill by giving them an eleventh minute lead, but that lead lasted just two minutes when the visitors levelled from the spot. However, Campbell was to net his second goal for the club and his second of the night when restoring the hosts lead just past the half hour mark, but Cannons Wood levelled once again in the 57th minute after a mistake allowed eventually saw the visitors level. The Stags though were awarded a penalty kick with 73 minutes on the clock and saw Seye Okunlola convert, and the hosts sealed their passage into Round Two in the 83rd minute when Archie Hammond found the bottom corner.

Ilford 2 Stanway Rovers 1

It was only a few days ago that these two met in the Essex Senior League at Cricklefield which saw a 2-1 win for the visitors, and they were the ones to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Joe Debell headed home.  Ilford though fought back to level four minutes after the break when Daniel Izekor was sent through before placing a shot past Callum Robinson, and then in the 57th minute took a surprising lead through Joel Appiah, this proved enough to win the tie as well as Ilford got revenge for the league defeat at the weekend to progress into the next round.

White Ensign 3 Barking 3 (Barking won 5-3 on penalties)

It was an all Essex Senior League tie at Burroughs Park which went the way of Barking after a cracking cup tie ended in shootout success, the hosts went ahead after just six minutes courtesy of a brilliant goal from Taylor Jacobi who coolly lobbed the keeper, but Barking levelled six minutes before the break with a spectacular goal of their own through Steven Wade. Ensign though managed to get their noses back in front ten minutes after the break through Chinedu Duru, converting from close range after being slid in by Ellis Devereux, but that lead only lasted six minutes as Sam Shaban levelled the tie up once again. A great run from Robbie Allen ended with him giving Ensign the lead for the third time in the 82nd minute, but guess what, Barking levelled once again in the 86th minute through a Delvi Kreka header meaning the tie would go to penalties. And the visitors managed to prevail in the shootout to progress into Round Two.

Coggeshall Town 2 Woodford Town 2 (Coggeshall Town won 4-1 on penalties)

Essex Senior League highflyers Woodford Town travelled to West Street to take on Thurlow Nunn First Division South outfit Coggeshall Town looking to avoid an upset, they started well and took the lead in the 13th minute when Marko Protic netted from the spot, and Protic was on target again on the half hour mark when a brilliant delivery from Marcus Painter saw Protic head home and see the visitors in control. Surely the visitors would cruise into the next round then, well not quite, the control they had of the contest was weakened just before the hour mark when The Seedgrowers pulled one back to reduce the arrears, and in the 88th minute the hosts levelled and it meant the tie would go to penalties, and the hosts dominated the shootout to win and cause that upset that Woodford were trying to avoid.

Dunmow Town P-P Burnham Ramblers

The all Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest scheduled to take place was postponed and rearranged for Wednesday October 9th. 

Let's have a look at the Round Two fixtures following those results from Round One:-

Halstead Town Vs Dunmow Town/Burnham Ramblers

Harwich & Parkeston Vs Benfleet/FC Clacton

Barking Vs Buckhurst Hill

Takeley Vs Stansted/May & Baker

Coggeshall Town Vs Ilford

Harlow Town Vs West Essex

Saffron Walden Town/Stanway Pegasus Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Rayleigh Town Vs Holland

Little Oakley/Athletic Newham Vs Romford

Those ties will take place the week beginning Monday 14th October, with the nine winning clubs going into Round Three with the remaining clubs from Step Four and above in the county taking part (which includes the likes of Colchester United, Southend United & Dagenham & Redbridge amongst others) so a chance for clubs above to net a big tie against a giant from Essex.

Obviously there are still some Round One ties to take place following postponements due to the weather, to recap these are the rearranged ties for next week:-

Tuesday October 8th

Benfleet Vs FC Clacton

Saffron Walden Town Vs Stanway Pegasus

Little Oakley Vs Athletic Newham

Stansted Vs May & Baker

Wednesday October 9th

Dunmow Town Vs Burnham Ramblers

Hopefully these ties can all get played so the competition doesn't get held up too much and the Second Round ties can all take place the following week with no issues, hopefully.....

Frenford 3 Woodford Town 2 - A superb strike from Fahad Nazor plus further goals from Warren Kayembe & Liam Foster see Frenford end Woodford's unbeaten start to their Essex Senior League campaign

Essex Senior League, Saturday September 28th

The final weekend in September saw me over at The Drive in Ilford/Redbridge/Gants Hill area (take your pick!!!) for an Essex Senior League contest between Frenford & Woodford Town. This was part of a full set of fixtures in the division today, with all twenty sides in action, more on those later, but for now we will concentrate on the match I was at.

Now Frenford struggled somewhat in their first season at this level last year, although they did lose a lot of games they were competitive in and could easily have won, well this season they have started much much better and were in ninth spot having played seven league games, winning three, drawing two and losing two, so a solid start for sure.

And last time out they progressed in the FA Vase when they won a entertaining match at Enfield Borough last weekend, although they would have to be right on the ball today as they welcomed the only unbeaten side left in the division and league leaders Woodford Town who in their seven league games have won six of them and drawn one, conceding, wait for it, just the one goal.

The only disappointment for Woodford this season so far though is their form in both national cup comps, they were beaten 3-1 at Benfleet in the FA Cup and also exited the FA Vase at the first hurdle when losing on penalties at Hadleigh United following a goalless draw, that would disappoint them for sure, but in terms of league form this season, they have been pretty much perfect.

And they did manage to progress in the London Senior Cup in midweek too, knocking out Hendon on penalties after a goalless draw, their last league outing saw them net four at White Ensign, could they continue this unbeaten start to their league campaign today, or could Frenford inflict their first league defeat and continue their sold start to their season.

Well, it was to be the hosts who would break the deadlock ten minutes before the break, and it was an absolute beauty too, Jordon Elongo had the ball down the right hand side and he played a pass inside to Fahad Nazor who sent a beautiful first time curling effort from outside the box over Eddie Allan in the visiting goal and into the far corner, it was a superb strike and a rare goal for the league leaders to concede.

And shortly before half time, they had conceded another, Frenford seeing Elongo get into the box and although his effort crashed off the inside of the post, the ball went across the goal and gave Warren Kayembe a simple tap in at the far post, 2-0 Frenford heading into the half time break, and Woodford's unbeaten start to the league campaign was in serious jeopardy now. 

That unbeaten start looked almost certainly to be over too on the hour mark when Frenford added a third, Liam Foster sending a cross into the mix but it ended up catching keeper Allan off guard and the ball sailed over his head and into the far corner despite his best attempts to keep it out, there was no way Foster meant to find the net, but this was the hosts day and they had a 3-0 lead and the game had a score line no body could have predicted.

Woodford tried their best to get back into the game and salvage something, but it just was not their day today, although with four minutes of the ninety to go they did win a penalty after Marcus Painter was brought down inside the box, and Chaynie Burgin stepped up to dispatch the spot kick, and then a melee ensued in the goal net as Woodford tried to get the ball off keeper Jimmy Parker so they could restart the game quickly.

The hosts were in no rush unsurprisingly and were now doing all they could to prevent Woodford from really making a game of it and make the last few minutes very nervy indeed, the visitors did manage to grab a second goal back five minutes into stoppage time when a ball to the back post saw Luke Steele find the post and the ball went into the six yard box where a mad scramble saw the ball put in by somebody (I had no idea who!!!) but according to FWP it was David Gokou, but it was anyone's guess really.

However, after another melee with Frenford holding onto the ball and Woodford trying desperately to get it back and restart the contest following the goal, the referee blew immediately after the restart and Woodford had run out of time in trying to salvage an unlikely escape, meaning their unbeaten start in the league ended here.

A fabulous win for the hosts then as their decent start to their campaign continued, whereas for Woodford they taste defeat for the very first time in the league this season, and conceded three goals in one game after only conceding one in seven league games this season, and it also meant they slipped to third as a result too.

Full time Frenford 3 Woodford Town 2

    

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

Athletic Newham 1 Stansted 0

It was tenth placed Newham up against thirteenth placed Stansted, both these sides have been trending in different directions recently, the hosts good start to the season has stalled somewhat, whereas the visitors have picked up after a poor one, but it was a solitary goal from Jaime Obama Nvumba that settled this one midway through the first half to hand the hosts all three points.

Barking 5 Benfleet 2

The Blues were playing only their fifth league game of the campaign due to their good run in the FA Cup, they had won half those league games thus far but were up against a Benfleet side who had taken to Step Five football like a duck to water and sat sixth in the division having won five of their eight matches so far. The Blues though had pretty much won this contest by half time after a devastating first forty five minutes, Taylor Lawrence had given Benfleet a seventh minute lead from the spot but that was as good as it got for the visitors, Marcel McDonald levelling after nineteen minutes before Juwon Akintunde gave the hosts the lead three minutes later. Ezekiel Bademosi then extended their lead just two minutes after that before Andre Anderson netted a fourth for a rampant home side just before the break, and although Sonny Hartman pulled one back just past the hour mark, Sam Shaban completed the scoring with a minute to go and cap a fine afternoon for the home side.

Buckhurst Hill 2 Takeley 1

It was 14th placed Hill against fifth placed Takeley at Roding Lane, the hosts would have been boosted after netting their second league win last time out, a late late win at Athletic Newham, but they were up against a Takeley side who have only lost one of their eight league games so far, but it was Hill who made it back to back wins for the first time this season after first half goals from Teye Okunlola & Suley Zuhdu proved enough for the hosts to take all three points, despite Lanre Balogun's second half goal for Takeley in the 64th minute to reduce the arrears. 

Great Wakering Rovers 5 Halstead Town 1

On paper this looked like only one result, second placed Rovers, and only second to Woodford on goal difference, were taking on a Halstead side who were third bottom with only four points from their seven games so far, but at half time a big shock looked on after Alfie Lambert's 35th minute goal had the visitors one goal up at the break. But, Rovers put in a superb second half showing and levelled barely a minute after the break through Harry Brown before Callum Boylan & Harrison Topliss added further goals to open up a 3-1 lead. George Frodsham was then sent off for the visitors and Harry Talbot added a late brace to hand the hosts a thumping win to take them top of the division.

Hullbridge Sports 1 FC Clacton 3

Mid table Hullbridge welcomed rock bottom FC Clacton to Lower Road knowing the pressure was all on them to win this one considering the visitors have only two points from nine games and are struggling in more ways than one this season, and when Freddie Moriaty gave the hosts a 16th minute lead, FC Clacton could have been forgiven for thinking here we go again.  But no, the visitors fought back and levelled through Luwa Luwabelwa ten minutes before half time and then took the lead with eleven minutes to go when Robert Adams netted, and the visitors sealed their first win of the season when Emmanuel Ikwuegbu scored deep deep into added on time, and hand FC Clacton a huge three points in a season that has so far been horrendous for them.  

Ilford 1 Stanway Rovers 2

The Foxes returned to Cricklefield finally for this one, and the second bottom side in the division had a tough assignment as they welcomed third placed Stanway Rovers to their shores, and it proved to not to be the winning return to Cricklefield they had hoped for as goals from Harrison Chatting and George Okoye proved enough for the visitors to take the points, despite a late goal from Joel Appiah to give the hosts some hope of a fightback. 

Little Oakley 2 White Ensign 1

It's been another solid start to Oakley's season, they sat seventh in the division after eight games played, and they welcomed 12th placed Ensign to the outskirts of Harwich knowing they would be in a tough fight against a side who always give 100% and have had a reasonable start to their season too.  Oakley were to prevail in this one though, Rory Harman gave them the lead just past the half hour mark before Bobby Rea doubled that advantage on the hour mark, Nathan Wilson netted in stoppage time to reduce the arrears but it wasn't enough for Ensign to prevent defeat here.   

Saffron Walden Town 4 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Eighth placed Walden are starting to hit their stride now, no defeats since a shock one on the opening day, and they were welcoming fourth bottom Sawbo to Catons Lane who have only four points from their nine games so far, Charlie Morris gave Walden an early lead but Sawbo managed to hit back through Jaydon Charles. Morris though restored Walden's lead just before the break before Tom Head & Solomon Ofori netted further goals in the second period to see the hosts take all three points.

West Essex 1 Romford 3

It's been a disappointing start to the season for West, eight games played, five defeats, and the 16th placed side were welcoming a tough Romford outfit to Wadham Lodge, the visitors sat in fourth spot and had only lost one of their eight league games so far, and it started well for the visitors too as goals from Arnold Mengi & Brendan Ocran had Boro two goals up in fifteen minutes. However, the visitors then saw Kojo Feyi sent off early in the second half, and then keeper Harry Girling sent off with just over twenty minutes remaining with the hosts netting a spot kick from Yemi Adelani in that sequence of events. The nine men though not only held on, but managed to clinch the contest with a third goal when Mengi netted his second in stoppage time and give the visitors the points.     

               

Let's check out the table, broken into two because I could only grab it from my phone app as the website will not play ball at the time I wrote this!!!

Great Wakering Rovers now lead the way after they thrashed Halstead Town, Stanway are second after their win at Ilford, Woodford drop from first to third after their first defeat of the season, Romford remain fourth after their win, Takeley do remain in the top five despite a surprising loss to Buckhurst Hill, who themselves are into eleventh after that win.  

Down at the bottom, FC Clacton were the only winners in the bottom seven after their stunning comeback win at Hullbridge, Ilford replace them at the foot of the table after their home loss to Stanway Rovers. FC Clacton actually leapfrogged three sides after their win, the other two being Sawbo & Halstead who both suffered heavy ,losses today.

Well, it was certainly a day of surprising score lines, Frenford beating Woodford, FC Clacton winning at Hullbridge & Buckhurst Hill seeing off Takleley the most notable results today, it shows how competitive and unpredictable this league can be.

Anyway that is all for this blog, hope you enjoyed reading it, and thanks for taking the time to read it.  

Old Southendian 4 Bishop's Stortford Swifts 0 - Callum Ludlaim nets brace as Essex Olympian Premier leaders Old Southendian extend lead at top after grabbing all three points again Bishop's Stortford Swifts

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday September 21st

This weekend saw me turn my attention to some local intermediate football for the first time this season, and I popped up to Garon Park to see unbeaten league leaders Old Southendian host Bishop's Stortford Swifts.

This match was one of seven Premier Division match ups today, more on those later, but for now it's all about whether OS could continue their unbeaten start to their season or if Swifts could grab a fourth win of the campaign and continue what has been for them a very solid start to their season so far.

OS had played six league games thus far, winning four and drawing the other two, and they were the last remaining unbeaten side in the division and a point clear at the top, they began the season with back to back wins (against Sungate & Hashtag United Development) before they drew with Runwell Sports, they then beat Leigh Ramblers before drawing at Shenfield AFC, and then last time out a week ago they squeezed past Harold Wood Athletic.

Swifts were bang in mid table (7th) after winning three and losing three in their six games, after losing back to back games to start off their season (against Runwell Sports & Leigh Ramblers) they bounced back with victories over Old Chelmsfordians & Wakering Sports, they then lost at home to ACD United before they saw off Catholic United at home a week ago, that's three very good wins in the last four outings.

In fact that win against Wakering Sports are the only points Sports have dropped this campaign, so that result was certainly an eyebrow raiser, and showed exactly what Swifts could achieve, it was also at Cupid's too, so it was a superb away win for the Swifts, so OS would have to be very wary and on their game to maintain their unbeaten start for sure.

With less than twenty minutes on the clock the hosts were already in a strong position and already well on their way to another positive result, the opening goal coming after twelve minutes when a ball into the box caused confusion between keeper and defender and Callum Ludlaim was on hand to pounce and fire home the lose ball, and then five minutes later a corner swung in by Matt Tonking found an unmarked Ryan Still well at the back post who converted easily, and the hosts had a two goal cushion.

It did seem at this point it would be a matter of how many the hosts would manage, but as the half went on Swifts did muster some decent attacks of their own, but with moments of the first half remaining they handed the home side another goal as after a deep corner was volleyed back into the mix by Stillwell, Jack Lelliott did well to manufacture an effort at goal, this was cleared off the line by a defender but unfortunately for him straight into another defender and the ball crashed off him and into the net, and the hosts went into the break with a three goal cushion.

It had not been a vintage performance from OS despite a 3-0 lead at the break, they had done enough as they say and still got a telling off in the dressing room during the half time interval, but they were in a very good position still but set such high standards and wanted to reach those levels, and in the second half they had the chances to add further goals but wasteful finishing meant they could not add to it.

That was until midway through the second half when they did manage to add a fourth, a ball into the box was nodded back across goal from Ludliam to apply the finishing touch for his second of the game, Swifts had quite a bit of the ball after but failed to create much, OS had plenty more chances on the counter but could not add to their tally, the game kind of fizzled out in the warm conditions at Garon Park.

OS do remain unbeaten after seven league games though and open up a three point lead at the top, whereas Swifts lose their fourth game of the season and fall a place to eighth.

Full time Old Southendian 4 Bishop's Stortford Swifts 0

What else happened in the division today, let's find out:-

Catholic United 1 Old Chelmsfordians 2

OC picked up only their second win of the season after they inflicted defeat on Catholic United, who in turn have now lost back to back games, a ball across the face of goal was toe poked home by the visitors midway through the first half, the hosts levelled ten minutes before half time when James Warder powered home from close range, but minutes later OC restored the lead thanks to a header at the back post.  With no further second half goals it meant the visitors picked up the win, taking them up to tenth, whereas Catholic drop a place to seventh.   

Harold Wood Athletic 1 Shenfield AFC 0

Hosts marksman Kieron Huddart netted the only goal as Wood netted a third win of the season to see themselves into ninth, the visitors remain in fifth after this surprising defeat.

Leigh Ramblers 0 ACD United 2

ACD netted a third win of the campaign to climb into the top half of the division (sixth) after goals from Ronnie Hobbrough & James Turvey saw the visitors to victory at Belfairs, defeat for Rams means they drop a place to 11th, only four points off the bottom. 

Runwell Sports 1 Hashtag United Developmet 1

Second placed Runwell were held at home by bottom side Hashtag as the visitors earned only a second league point of the season, the hosts did grab a 29th minute lead when Charlie Kendall blasted home, but the home side were pegged back with just over twenty minutes remaining after Harry Bradbrook sent a calm low finish into the net.  Runwell remain second but lose ground to leaders OS, Hashtag remain bottom with just two points but will take encouragement from this result. 

Springfield 2 Sungate 1

Hosts Springfield are up to third after they saw off Sungate at Scraley Road, and are now four points off leaders OS having played the same number of games, whereas for Sungate they slip to second bottom on goal difference having only picked up one win from their seven league starts thus far.

 

Toby 3 Wakering Sports 2

Perhaps the most surprising result of the weekend saw second bottom and winless Toby pick up their first three points of the campaign after defeat third placed Wakering Sports at the Nursery Ground. It was even more special after the hosts came back from 2-1 down with ten men to nick it in stoppage time to spark scenes amongst the hosts.  It's a result that sees Toby climb a place to third bottom, for Wakering Sports, they drop to fourth after this very disappointing afternoon and fall five points behind leaders OS now.

Next weekend sees another round of fixtures, let's see what those are:-

ACD United Vs Wakering Sports

Bishop's Stortford Swifts Vs Toby

Hashtag United Development Vs Harold Wood Athletic

Leigh Ramblers Vs Catholic United

Old Chelmsfordians Vs Shenfield AFC

Old Southendian Vs Springfield

Sungate Vs Runwell Sports

Games to pick out see sixth placed ACD hosting fourth placed Wakering Sports & league leaders OS taking on third placed Springfield at Garon Park, those two will prove to be crackers no doubt!!!

  

  
                  

Essex Senior League Midweek Round Up (16-18 September) - Barking exit Emirates FA Cup, unbeaten Woodford top after win, Benfleet, Romford, Takeley, Great Wakering Rovers & Saffron Walden Town also pick up wins

(Action from Barking's FA Cup replay against Gorleston at Mayesbrook Park, photo courtesy of Trevor Gilbert/Barking so many thanks for this)

Have been feeling a bit under the weather this week so no football for me hence I thought I'd write a small blog on the latest goings on in the Essex Senior League, their were six more league games taking place in midweek on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday as well as Barking's Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round replay too, let's see what happened:-

Monday September 16th

Essex Senior League

Ilford 1 Romford 3

Oakside was the venue for this contest as The Foxes welcomed Romford to Barkingside, and the hosts were to end the evening with nine men as Romford took all the spoils in this one. Aundre Spencer netted from the spot after eighteen minutes to give Boro the lead, Michael Adu though netted a leveller for The Foxes a minute before the break. Kennedy Feyi restored Boro's led just past the hour mark and then the hosts saw Nik Ahamdi dismissed with seventeen minutes to go to make their task of finding a leveller even more difficult. Instead, Romford sealed the points to bounce back from defeat last time out when Kalum Bama netted two minutes into stoppage time meaning Ilford, who saw Emmanuel Wazola given a second yellow eight minutes into added on time to cap another difficult night for them.    

Tuesday September 17th

Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay

Barking 0 Gorleston 1

The Blues were looking to continue to fly the flag for the Essex Senior League by trying to get the job done second time around, they led 2-0 in the original tie in Yarmouth before seeing that two goal lead slip, meaning a replay at Mayesbrook Park, and unfortunately for Barking it wasn't to be as an own goal just before the hour mark proved decisive.  The winning moment came when Kieran Higgs was sent down the right hand side and his ball into the near post was turned home by an unfortunate defender, and with Barking unable to find a response (they thought they should have had a penalty after what looked like a foul inside the box on Jerrold Cobblah) the hosts exited the competition meaning their are no more ESL sides left in the FA Cup for 2024/25.

Essex Senior League

Benfleet 2 Little Oakley 1

Louie Rodmell came off the bench to net the winner at Woodside as Benfleet made it three straight league wins and four from the last five after defeating Little Oakley, Daniel Rowe had given Oakley a 15th minute lead but the lead lasted just four minutes when Nathan Saunders restored parity just four minutes later, and it remained that way until Rodmell, who had come on just past the hour mark, netted a 70th minute winner to earn their fifth league win in eight league starts since their promotion to this level for the very first time last season.

Halstead Town 0 Takeley 6

Takeley continued their good start to the season by hammering struggling Halstead Town at Rosemary Lane, Jadan Marzell handed the visitors a 24th minute lead before Jack Mitchell doubled that advantage three minutes before the break and there was still time for Takeley to add a third before half time after Lanre Balogun netted in first half stoppage time, meaning the contest was as good as done.  Coby Miles then added a fourth with twenty minutes remaining before Connor Clarke added another with five minutes to go. And a late penalty from Harrison Tweddell completed the rout for the visitors to heap more woe on the hosts.

Sawbridgeworth Town 1 Great Wakering Rovers 2

It took a late winner from Raheem Gray to help high flying visitors GWR to a very hard fought win over struggling Sawbo Town at Crofters, Bradleigh Rowland gave the visitors a 14th minute lead but they were pegged back by the hosts with 64 minutes on the clock through Kieran David's leveller, Sawbo though saw Stephen Smith sent off twelve minutes later, and the visitors made that extra man count as Gray netted an 86th minute winner to grab all the points for Rovers.

West Essex 1 Saffron Walden Town 2

It's now five league games unbeaten for Walden after their opening day loss, although they had to work very hard to get all three points against a tough West Essex side, Ross Wall giving the visitors a 54th minute lead before Roman Campbell doubled that lead just seven minutes later. West then saw Ryan Ramsay given a second yellow with eleven minutes to go but they managed to pull one back in the 82nd minute through Matt McDowell, however Walden did hold on to claim the spoils.

Wednesday September 18th

White Ensign 1 Woodford Town 4

Ensign welcomed the only remaining unbeaten side to Burroughs Park in the shape of a very good Woodford Town side and it remained this way after the visitors ended the latest round of games on top of the pile after netting four.  They grabbed an early lead when Michael Agboola struck in the eighth minute and then a double strike from Micah Jackson, the latter a penalty, just before half time, handed Woodford a three goal cushion at the break.  Ensign rallied after the break and saw skipper Nathan Wilson grab one back midway through the second period, however, visiting substitute Chaynie Burgin netted a clinching fourth with just over fifteen minutes remaining to make sure the visiting side left Wakering with all three points.          

 

So, what does that do to the table? Let's find out.....

Woodford lead the way on goal difference with a game in game in hand, GWR's win did take them top for twenty four hours until Woodford's win this evening, Romford, Takeley both won to enter the play off places, Benfleet are only outside the top five on goal difference after their fourth win in five, continuing their decent start to life at Step Five.

Walden remained unbeaten since opening day and are four points off those play off spots, and have two games in hand on some as well, whilst down at the bottom, West, Sawbo, Halstead & Ilford all lost to remain as they were in the bottom five places, Ensign have now lost back to back games after being unbeaten in their first five games but are only a point away from the top ten still.

That's all for now, hope your enjoyed reading!!!

Athletic Newham 2 Buckhurst Hill 3 - Suley Zuhdu nets 97th minute winner as Buckhurst Hill snatch all three points in their Essex Senior League contest at Parsloes Park against Athletic Newham

Essex Senior League, Saturday September 14th

Mid September and the second weekend of the month saw me over at Parsloes Park for the second time this season and two more sides doing battle on the main pitch at the state of the art facility in Dagenham, and it saw Athletic Newham host Buckhurst Hill in an Essex Senior League contest.

This was one of five matches taking place in the division today, and their was also an Emirates FA Cup tie involving one of league sides, more on that and the other four league games later in a brief round up of the action, but the main focus was on the game I was attending, it had large significance for the hosts as this was their first home game at their now new home after finally leaving The Terrence McMillan Stadium behind.

They join the likes of May & Baker and several Essex Alliance League sides to call this 'home', it's certainly a magnificent hub for the community and with plenty of sides using it for their games, football is always on at the venue, which is also good for the locals who can go and either watch these sides and support them, or when those sides are not playing can participate themselves in various programmes there for sure, so a very useful facility indeed.

Newham's first game there competitively saw them welcome Buckhurst Hill, Newham were sitting in sixth coming into this one and only outside the play off places by a point, and they did have two games in hand as well, athough they did see their unbeaten league start end at Great Wakering Rovers in midweek when they were defeated 3-1, that off the back of their first defeat in all comps against Amersham Town in the FA Cup, although sandwiched in between those two defeats was a 2-1 win at Frenford.

Opponents Hill sat down in 16th place in the division having lost four of their seven games so far, although in the two games I'd seen of them so far this season, a 2-0 win at Saebridgeworth Town (their only league win so far this season) and a 2-2 draw at White Ensign (they conceded a 98th leveller in that one) suggested to me they were probably better than that 16th place suggested.

They had also defeated Cockfosters 3-1 in the Vase too this season, although they came into this contest off the back of a 1-0 loss at Hullbridge Sports, a side Newham had dismantled 6-1 at the same ground last month, but it would be interesting to see how Newham's attacking prowess would match up against a tough and well drilled Hill side who themselves had plenty of weapons to hurt their opponents.

And it was the visitors who drew first blood in this one, just before the half hour mark saw a ball towards the back post hit the arm of a defender which was punished with the award of a penalty to the visitors, much to the dismay of the hosts, George Thompson duly then stepped up to convert the spot kick and Hill had the advantage, although it was an advantage that was only to last nine minutes.

This was because a lovely long ball from George Rankin split the visiting defence and allowed goal machine Jaime Obama Nvumba to run onto the pass and loft a lovely effort over Muhammed Otuyo in the visitors goal and find the net for what was his ninth goal already this campaign, it also meant the sides went into the break all square.

Hill though were to regain the lead early in the second period as when 55 minutes on the clock a ball fired into the area straight at Tyreece Robertson saw the attacker control a cushioned pass back into the path of Thompson who rifled a lovely powerful effort beyond home keeper Lindrit Beqiri and into the roof of the net, meaning the hosts would have to come from behind once again to try and grab something from the contest.

This hosts certainly tried all they could to get back to parity thereafter, and with ten minutes remaining they made their pressure tell when finding a leveller, as after a handball on the edge of the box, Alex Kozak smashed home an unstoppable free kick to set up a grandstand finish to what had been a brilliant entertaining contest it has to be said.

Momentum was with the hosts you felt, and most of us thought their would be only one winner, but football continues to throw up surprises doesn't it, and in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Oliseh Okuguni played a lovely through ball to substitute Suley Zuhdu who made no mistake by slotting beyond Begiri into the far corner and send his side wild with delight, they had soaked up a lot of pressure in this one, especially second half, but they had dug in and then snatched a point right at the end, leaving them very happy indeed.

It was utter despair though for the hosts who will be scratching their heads on how they lost this one, but it's a second league defeat in three now, whereas it's a superb battling win for Buckhurst Hill who now have two wins in the league this season, oh and I have seen both those wins too, just saying.....

Full time Athletic Newham 2 Buckhurst Hill 3   

Right, to the day's other action, starting with Barking's Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round contest at Gorleston:-

Gorleston 2 Barking 2

It was another tough away trip for The Blues in this years FA Cup as they travelled to Great Yarmouth to take on Isthmian North Gorleston who had started the season well, but Barking had dispatched Redbridge who are in the same division as Gorleston and have had a similar start too, so the visitors were certainly not lacking confidence in another upset. Well, at half time it looked as if Barking were nailed on to cause another one as an eleventh minute goal from Marcel McDonald and a further strike from Abuntunde Olawajuwon just past the half hour mark saw The Blues two goals to the good at the break, but Harley Black then pulled one back early in the second half and then Adam Tann netted a leveller with eleven minutes to go to force a replay at Mayesbrook Park next week, still in the hat though for Monday's draw despite the disappointment of losing such a commanding lead. 

Onto the other four Essex Senior League games that took place today, here is how they panned out:-

Benfleet 3 Halstead Town 2

ESL newboys Benfleet have had a mixed start to life at this level having won three and lost three so far this season, meaning they sat in a still decent eighth spot, and they were up against a Halstead Town side who up until last weekend were winless and bottom of the pile, that was until they netted a late late winner against Stansted last time out. And it was the visitors who drew first blood in this one, netting through Asa Cansdale after thirteen minutes, but the hosts roared back and levelled through Billy Carter in the 25th minute, and then took the lead four minutes into the second period thanks to Max Jobson. Aaron Russell then added another for the hosts with just 53 minutes in the clock, and although Cansdale pulled one back for The Humbugs in stoppage time, it was not enough to deny the hosts a fourth win of the season. 

Hullbridge Sports 0 Stanway Rovers 3

It was seventh placed Bridge against third placed Rovers at Lower Road, Bridge came into this one off the back of a very welcome win over Buckhurst Hill, this after a run of three without a win, visitors Rovers had recovered from their opening day loss to be unbeaten since then in the league. Reece Conway gave the visitors the lead just before the half hour mark and they took total control after the break when Joe Debell netted early in the second period, and when Debell netted again just past the hour mark, the match was as good as done. The result sees Rovers go top of the division too. 

Stansted 5 FC Clacton 1

This was an important game down at the bottom of the division, these sides have just one combined win between them so far this season, Stansted's 3-1 win at Benfleet, the hosts did manage to earn a point last time out whereas bottom side FC Clacton have just two points from eight games and have lost the last three in a row without scoring. Well, it was to start well for the struggling visitors when they grabbed a sixth minute lead through Emmanuel Ikwuegbu, but sadly for the visiting side that was as good as it got, Psaul Henry brought the hosts level midway through the first half before John Clarke gave Stansted the lead just before the break. George O'Connor then extended that lead just past the hour mark before Correy Davidson added a fourth goal a minute later, and the scoring was completed with seven minutes to go when David Limber got himself on the scoresheet to cap a brilliant day for The Air portmen and a heap more misery on the visitors who have now suffered four defeats in a row and seventh of the season.     

Takeley 1 West Essex 0

Despite Takeley's 11th placed position in the league, many have tipped them to be dark horses for the playoff places, they have only lost one of their five league games so far and come into this one off the back of a very creditable draw at Saffron Walden Town, West themselves are only two points below their opponents, but have suffered back to back defeats coming into this contest. Just the one goal was enough to settle this one too, it came after just nine minutes to, Lanre Balogun netting for the home side as they took all the points at Station Road, their third of the campaign.        

How does the table look after today's games, let's find out:-

Stanway Rovers hit the summit, they lost their first game of the season but since then have gone in a good run, Benfleet's fourth win of the season sees them into the play off places, closely followed by Takeley who have only lost once so far this campaign, Woodford, who were not in action today, are now the only unbeaten side left in the division.

Stansted & Buckhurst Hill put more daylight between themselves and the teams down at the bottom after they both netted second wins of the campaign, the only side not to have won this season are FC Clacton, who remain glued to the foot of the table after another tough day at the office today.

That concludes today's blog, it's been another decent day in the ESL, thanks for reading and until next time, take care and goodbye!!!