Rayleigh Town 2 Marcelona 2 - Visiting skipper Kamarni Collington nets brace as Marcelona twice come from behind to earn draw against Rayleigh Town as opening weekend of Thurlow Nunn South got underway

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 24th/Saturday 25th July

Mad isn't it, the new season is already here (for some anyway) and one division that did get underway this weekend was the Thurlow Nunn South with eight games played across Friday & Saturday, and my first port of call in the competitive season saw me over at The Len Salmon Stadium, where Rayleigh Town now call home for this season.

They were welcoming Marcelona, who up till last season were known as Newbury Forest, Marcelona Sports Foundation are known for their pathways for young people from various tough backgrounds to succeed not just in sport but have the opportunity to succeed in life as well, and they have many programmes in place to help young people who are disproportionately affected by educational disadvantage, inactivity, unemployment and social inequality.

They are based in Ilford, but will be playing their home games at Burnham Ramblers Leslie Field ground, so another ground share that raised eyebrows for sure, but their opening game against Rayleigh was a tough beginning the the newly branded side, Rayleigh of course have lost the last two play off finals so are gunning to go one better this time around.

It all pointed to a fascinating contest, however, before we go onto this game, the weekend did actually begin on Friday night with two games, lets see how those went, to say there was drama on the first night of the season would be an understatement!!!

Friday 24th July

Lymore Gardens 4 Stansted 3

A 92nd minute own goal handed Gardens a dramatic win against Stansted on the opening night it a bonkers game at Parkside, the visitors made an unbelievable start after goals from Harry Pittuck & Michael Mignot inside the opening fifteen minutes had them two goals up. Gardens though fought back, Malik Donaldson pulled one back before half time before levelling with just over twenty minutes remaining for his and Gardens second. Donaldson then completed his hattrick in the 77th minute to complete the turnaround, only for Stansted to level through Jeffrey Agyeman five minutes later, but in stoppage time an own goal won it for the home side to complete some game at Parkside.

NW London 1 London Harts United 8

Newly promoted side London Harts United had a good start to their season you could say, smashing eight past NW London at Coles Park in Haringey, LHU won the Essex Alliance Senior Division last season at a canter to win promotion to senior football for the first time, it was also a good evening for David Moyo, who netted half of his sides goals in this one as they continued where they left off from last season. Kenedi Dariri, Michael Olatunji, Tamas Retyi & substitute Emmanuel Tehe also netted for the visitors as they began their season with a bang. For NW London it was a disastrous beginning to their competitive campaign, things can only get better for them as they say.  

Sixteen goals in two games so far then, not a bad start!!! Onto Saturday then and beginning with the game I was at, let's see how that one panned out...

Saturday 25th July

Rayleigh Town Vs Marcelona

Marcelona certainly settled the quicker of the two teams in this one, and they gave the hosts a few early worries as they looked to get themselves in front in this contest, Rayleigh seemed a bit sluggish in the opening exchanges and it took them a while to get into the contest, however after the first half drinks break (it was quite hot!!!) momentum seemed to turn in favour of the hosts.

The half then exploded into life late on in it, Rayleigh getting themselves in front eight minutes before the break in spectacular style, Mofi Tunde-Ojolowo sending a beautiful long range effort beyond the outstretched arm of visiting keeper Taurian Bruce into the top corner of the net, how would the visitors respond, well by levelling a minute later when skipper Kamarni Collington swept home a lovely finish from the edge of the box, giving hosts keeper Tom Smith no chance whatsoever.

But, two minutes after that the hosts had restored their lead, Mitchell Ali being played in before he finished well beyond Bruce inside the near post with his left foot, and it meant the hosts would go into the break 2-1 in front, a mad end to the half and not good when your trying to send out X updates, it's hard to keep up!!!

It didn't take Marcelona long to find a leveller after the break either, barely a minute had elapsed when Rayleigh have away a penalty after a handball inside the box, and skipper Collington duly stepped up to send Smith the wrong way and level the game up at 2-2, no doubt infuriating the hosts management who would not have wanted their side to give away a goal so quickly after the break.

And just like the first period, Marcelona were the ones on the front foot for the early exchanges of the second period, Rayleigh once again looking sluggish and slightly out of shape in terms of their defending, then came the water break, and guess what, after that Rayleigh improved, just like the first half.

Visiting keeper Bruce deserves a mention, he had a very good game and made some decent stops to thwart the hosts, but the visitors certainly had their moments too as the game continued on, would anyone a find a winner and get their season off to a perfect start?

Well, no, and a very watchable game ended all square, which overall was probably the right result, no doubt Rayleigh would have been disappointed having given up the lead twice so quickly after going ahead both times, and maybe Marcelona felt that could have won it as well, but they showed more than enough to everyone there that they have a side capable of competing in this division.

A great game and a point a piece for both.....

Full time Rayleigh Town 2 Marcelona 2

 

Right, there were five other games on Saturday to complete the weekend, lets see how those games played out.....

Burnham Ramblers 2 Enfield Borough 1

First half goals from player manager Stuart Zanone & Tom Franks saw Burnham Ramblers to a hard fought win over Enfield Borough at Leslie Field to get their season off to a winning start.

Cannons Wood 0 Hoddesdon Town 0

A rarity goalless draw took place at Parkside as Cannons Wood & Hoddesdon Town drew a blank in a game with few clear cut chances, the hosts did play pretty much the whole of the second period with ten men after Palvy Manduakila was sent off three minutes after the break but even eleven minutes of stoppage time at the end failed to provide a winning moment, and it meant both sides did pick up a point. 

Dunmow Town 2 Athletic Newham 5

Athletic Newham began their quest for an instant return to the Essex Senior League by thumping five past Dunmow Town at Scraley Road in Heybridge, Idris Aminu netted a brace for the visitors and there further goals from Robert Calancea, Leonardo Pedro & Seco Fati as the visitors started the season in a positive way.

FC Baresi 1 East Thurrock Community 2

East Thurrock Community created history today after winning their first ever game in Senior Football thanks to goals from Lewis Rowe & Freddie Barrett, getting their season off to a perfect start by picking up all three points in their first game in their new division at the expense of FC Baresi at Wodson Park in Ware. 

May & Baker 4 Hertford Heath 0

Petri Elbi's reign as Bakers boss got off to a flying start as his new side thumped Thurlow Nunn new boys Hertford Heath at Parsloes, Heath were promoted from the Herts County League but did not begin their first Senior season well.

I know it's pointless, but here is the table after the opening weekend of the season.....

Six sides are still to begin their seasons but will do either in midweek or next weekend, but for now that completes the round up of the opening weekend of the season in the Thurlow Nunn South. Competitive football is back baby!!!

Southend United 1 Northampton Town 3 - Max Dyche, Matty Warhurst & Harvey Saunders all on target for League Two Northampton Town who saw off National League Southend United in their latest pre season outing

Pre Season Friendly, Wednesday 22nd July

My final pre season outing saw me over at Roots Hall to check out how Southend United were shaping up ahead of what is a hotly anticipated season for them following changes over the summer to their management and playing staff, they welcomed League Two Northampton Town to their home this evening looking to build on a very promising showing against the mighty West Ham United at the weekend. 

Over 10,000 fans crammed into Roots Hall on Saturday as their side took on a very strong Hammers outfit, and the 1-1 draw certainly gave many home fans some optimism about their side, Kieron Dyer is now the man charged with taking the side forward and hoping they can hit the ground running come the season, still plenty of work to do before that though and they welcomed a Cobblers side who will be plying their trade in League Two, which is a level above the National League of course.

Town of course had their own agenda and were themselves looking to shape a side for another long tough season in the fourth tier, and it was they who made a good start and rather dampen the mood at Roots Hall amongst the majority of the 1,720 crowd inside the stadium, Max Dyche looping a header into the net after just six minutes, and they certainly looked much sharper and quicker to the ball than the hosts did in the opening exchanges.

It took a while for the hosts to settle, once they did though they caused some alarm but if truth be told the visiting defence coped fairly comfortably with anything that was thrown at them, and with six minutes of the first half remaining they doubled their lead as The Blues switched off, Matty Warhurst applying the finishing touches to a ball played back across goal from the left hand side, meaning the Cobblers would go into the break two goals to the good.

Both sides made plenty of changes at the start of the half, and the second period saw Southend have plenty of the ball although most of the possession wasn't very penetrative as Town dealt with most of what came their way, attacking wise the visitors didn't enjoy quite as much as they did in the first period but when they were handed a chance on a plate from the hosts with twenty minutes to go, they took full advantage, Harvey Saunders eventually firing home after it appeared the chance had gone, 0-3.

More changes came and The Blues did manage to find a goal to give their fans something to cheer on what had been an otherwise disappointing evening for them, Oli Hyams sliding home at the back post after the visitors keeper had made a decent stop, but it was the 64 fans from Northampton who had more things to cheer on this evening, credit to them for coming to watch their side on a Tuesday night, they were rewarded with a decent showing from their side.

A disappointing result for the Blues then and a wake up call that their is still much work to do ahead of the season, still plenty of positives to take from this one despite the outcome, and no doubt Dyer and Co can shape a side capable of giving it a good go this season, but it will take a lot of work for sure and the fans will need to be patient if possible, and allow this new look side time to find their feet.

Full time Southend United 1 Northampton Town 3

Great Wakering Rovers 1 Witham Town 1 - Essex Senior League Great Wakering Rovers & Isthmian North Witham Town play out hard fought draw in their latest pre season outing

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 21st July

My penultimate pre season match saw me over at local Essex Senior League side Great Wakering Rovers and Burroughs Park as they welcomed Isthmian North Division side Witham Town for both sides latest warm up ahead of the new season, and take another step towards finding out what team and squad they are shaping for the competitive action which gets closer and closer.

GWR have lost some personal for the new season but have equally signed some decent replacements for those who have left, and no doubt Marcus Bowers & Bunny will hope it's third time lucky in their promotion push, they have lost in the play offs the last two seasons, they were up against a Witham side who will again be plying their trade in the Isthmian North division, a division that GWR are desperately trying to get promotion too.

Witham themselves were looking to build on a decent ninth placed finish last season, they ended nine points off the play off spots, maybe this season they can improve on that, we shall see, they were certainly second best in the first period in this contest as the ESL hosts carved out most of the decent openings that came in the opening forty five minutes, one effort was superbly tipped onto the bar.

Their was certainly an edge to this contest too, and just before the half hour mark it exploded into quite a bit of argy bargy with most of the players involved, resulting in two yellows a piece, nothing friendly about this one, both sides were certainly up for it, and even in the second period their was another flashpoint which resulted in another yellow for the home side, now now boys!!!

The second period was much more equal but GWR had another great chance to score but saw a brilliant last ditch tackle thwart them, and then soon after that midway through the half Witham found the net, nice direct play down the left saw a ball fizzed across the six yard box to the back post where the ball was rifled into the roof of the net, and for a short period after the visitors looked like they may take control.

But, this did not happen and GWR got themselves on level terms with fifteen minutes to go, a wonderful ball in from the left flank was perfect for second half substitute Harry Talbot who guided the ball across goal and into the far corner, setting up a grandstand finish, could anyone find a winner?

Both had chances, but neither side could muster a winner meaning this hard fought contest, which felt more like a competitive game rather than a friendly, ended all square, and certainly gave both sides a very good workout for sure.

Full time Great Wakering Rovers 1 Witham Town 1

Old Southendian 1 Southend Manor 2 - New Signing Charlie Little amongst scorers for Thurlow Nunn South visitors Southend Manor who edge out Essex Olympian Premier city rivals Old Southendian to take victory in their latest pre season outing

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 18th July

It was a four and a half mile round walk for me today as my latest pre season outing saw me up at Garon Park as two city rivals did battle on the 4G at the complex, Essex Olympian Premier Old Southendian hosting Thurlow Nunn South Southend Manor as both sides came into this one at different stages of the campaign ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Former Manor boss Wayne Seal was now in charge of the hosts after a few years out, and with Dave Tubbs still on the coaching staff, ex Manor, and also the likes of ex Manor players Rhys Fatt & Max Drury also turning out for the hosts in this one, it's fair to say they were well aware of their opponents today, albeit they were Manor club members some years ago now, and a lot has changed since then.

Seal is in the process of trying to build a new squad ahead of their season which begins in early August, Manor themselves are now in the capable hands of ex White Ensign management Aaron Bloxham, April Smith & Enrico, who did a great job at Ensign up until the end of last season, & also ex Basildon United joint boss James Pugsley, they have shaped what they hope will be a side to compete well in the league which starts in eleven days, so not long left to prepare for them now.

This would be a good test for both sides who as said are at different stages of their pre season build up, and with this being a city derby no doubt both sides wanted to get the upper hand on one another, especially OS who are a level below their opponents so a win against them today would certainly give them a big boost ahead of the new campaign.

Manor newest signing, Charlie Little, who I first saw play as a fifteen year old in Manor's U16 side some years ago now, announced his return to the club by giving them a 25th minute lead, getting in behind the hosts back line to slot beyond the keeper who although getting a hand to the effort could not prevent it finding the bottom corner, and handing Manor the advantage, an advantage that they held until the break.

Manor had further chances after the break to double their lead but it wasn't until the 65th minute before they managed to, getting in behind once again before a lovely finish into the bottom corner handed them some breathing space and you felt it was probably game over at that point, but that wasn't to be the case as OS then had their best spell of the game in the final part of it.

A lovely ball into the box from the left caused confusion between keeper and defender and saw the ball come off the keeper, onto the attacker who was attempting to get on the end of the ball, and come off him and trickle into the net, and with just under twenty minutes remaining it was very much game on again.

And had it not been for the visiting keeper, OS would have got something from the game, he made three very good stops to deny the hosts finding a leveller, Manor did have chances to seal it as down the other end as they countered on their opponents at times, it had certainly turned out to be a very watchable contest, with a very good competitive game between two honest and fair sides.

Manor though did manage to hold onto their lead and run out victors, their league campaign starts next Tuesday against Burnham Ramblers at Leslie Field, this was another good test ahead of that, as for OS, they could easily have got something out of this one but no doubt they would have learned a lot from this run out today.

Full time Old Southendian 1 Southend Manor 2

  

Fisher 3 Walthamstow 3 - Isthmian North visitors Walthamstow fight back from three goals down to earn draw in a very entertaining pre season contest against SCEFL Premier hosts Fisher in South London

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 14th July

My latest pre season outing came in South London and South of the river at St Paul's, as Fisher welcomed Walthamstow from the East of the capital across the river for another warm up for both sides ahead of the new season.

The hosts will begin another season at Step Five and the Southern Counties East Premier after another disappointing play off final defeat at the end of last season, the second season in succession the club have fallen at the last hurdle in an attempt to reach Step Four in the play offs, will this season be any different, well this game was another step towards building for a season of success they hope.

Things are rather different for Stow however, the Isthmian North side are almost having a total rebuild on the field this season so this pre season is a very important building block to how their season will go, and the team fielded in this one was quite a young side as well, blending youth you could say, they have to start somewhere but how much of this side actually starts the season is anyone's guess, as is the case at this stage of the pre season campaign. 

It seemed apparent though that the young Stow outfit would struggle initially in this one, and it looked as if none of them had played together before, if truth be told, as Fisher were much the better side in the opening forty five minutes, and they took the lead in the 19th minute when after the flag had gone up for offside, the player in question didn't go the ball, and instead saw Tyron Mbuenimo burst through on goal and slot home.

The second goal just past the half hour mark was not one the Stow first half keeper would want to remember, a corner swung into the six yard box Eric Koduah saw the keeper attempt to catch the ball and prevent it going in, but could only help it into the net after it squirmed from his grasp, 2-0 Fisher at half time and a very good half of football from the the hosts.

And when Fisher made it three soon after the break, Fraser Brown finding the net after pinching the ball off the keepers toes to tap home, you felt it would be a hammering for the visiting side, but, this did not turn out to be the case, and they quickly pulled one back two minutes later when a lapse in the hosts defence allowed the visitors to fire home, game on.

Stow certainly squandered some decent openings thereafter with Fisher having some chances on the break, but with ten minutes remaining Stow pulled another one back after a scramble inside the box eventually saw the visitors prod an effort into the far corner, and it really was game on now.

Both sides saw huge penalty shouts turned down during the second period, but with two minutes left on the clock Stow were awarded one and duly slammed home the spot kick, meaning this entertaining friendly would end all square, which seemed unlikely when it was 3-0 to Fisher in the 47th minute, very decent friendly and more questions answered hopefully for both sides and management.

Full time Fisher 3 Walthamstow 3

Burnham Ramblers 1 Saffron Walden Town 1 - Thurlow Nunn South Burnham Ramblers and Essex Senior League Saffron Walden Town draw their latest pre season game on a beautiful day on the Crouch

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 11th July

I made a trip to a lovely part of Essex on the River Crouch for my latest pre season action as Thurlow Nunn South side Burnham Ramblers took on Essex Senior outfit Saffron Walden Town who made the trip from another lovely part of Essex, it was still a round trip of around 100 miles though, showing just how big this vast county of Essex really is.

Ramblers are of course under new management this season, and are looking to build a side who can maybe challenge for the playoffs again this season, they were up against a Walden side who themselves had turned up to this fixture with a mix of first team players, trialists & U18s, giving them all valuable minutes in the legs and an idea of how the players on show will perform.

Walden will no doubt want a playoff run themselves this season, but today for both sides was about getting some more fitness in ahead of the season, and the game would be taking place on the outside pitch at Leslie Field, which was a first for me as every other game I have seen Ramblers play there has been in the main stadium, so a sort of first for me!!!

The first half was not much of an event really, there were barely any real clear cut chances to report, and sadly for Ramblers they lost their starting keeper not long into the game due to a groin strain, well that's what I heard anyway, so not an ideal warm up for him that's for sure ahead of the season, this prompted a drinks break, followed by another one about five or ten minutes later, no comment!!!

A forgettable first half was followed by a much better second period, and it was only two minutes old when Ramblers got themselves ahead, Walden lost the ball in their final third and the hosts struck a lovely effort from outside the box into the bottom corner, advantage the hosts then, however, Walden responded well to going behind and were level just before the hour mark.

It came when a nice though ball sent the striker in behind the defence, and he managed to beat the onrushing keeper to the ball and fire home a nice effort with his left foot from the angle, bringing Walden level, and they could easily have been ahead shortly when they struck the post, but after a decent spell from them, and following another drinks break, Ramblers were the ones looking likelier to find winner.

They couldn't though, and although Walden also had chances on the counter, the game ended all square and saw both sides come away from this one with plenty of positives to take from it no doubt.

Full time Burnham Ramblers 1 Saffron Walden Town 1