Concord Rangers 2 Newmarket Town 5 / Grays Athletic 3 Walthamstow 1 - Newmarket Town new leaders of Isthmian North after come from behind win at Concord Rangers, Grays Athletic end seven match losing run after seeing off Walthamstow

(Action from Grays Athletic Vs Walthamstow at Chadfields on Wednesday evening)

Isthmian League Division One North, Tuesday 20^th/Wednesday 21^st October

My latest midweek action saw me do an Isthmian North double as the majority of the sides in the division were in league action across Tuesday & Wednesday, that’s nine games in total, seven of which were on the Tuesday, my choice of venues were Thames Road on Canvey Island & then Chadfields in Tilbury.

First up then on Tuesday evening was a trip to the Island of Canvey, let’s see how that one panned out…..

 

Tuesday 20^th October

Concord Rangers Vs Newmarket Town

This was a game between two sides who have had decent starts to their campaigns, Concord have won six of their ten league games so far and sit in eighth, just one place and two points off the final promotion play offs, the visitors had won eight of their twelve games so far and were seven points better off up in third spot and only three points off top spot.

Concord’s form over the last month or so in the league had been mixed though, four wins & three defeats although they did end a run of back to back losses with a thumping 5-0 win at home to struggling Lowestoft Town, Newmarket on the other hand hadn’t lost in the league since losing their two opening games of the season and were on an unbeaten run of ten league games since.

And that last defeat, back on August 18^th, was against tonight’s opponents no less, after Concord won 3-1 in Newmarket against the then hosts who played with ten men from the 12^th minute and found themselves 3-0 down at half time, well, their was to be no red card in this one, but, Concord were to go in front once again, after Kai Torres pounced on a defensive mistake in the 19th minute to slot beyond keeper James Young.

Young was on hand to prevent the hosts from doubling their lead when saving a close range header onto the post superbly, and then just beyond the half hour mark saw his side level, although who scored it remains a mystery to me at least, I think Jake Eady's ball in was kept out by keeper Charlie Brown and hadn't crossed the line, but Ryan Cole followed in to make sure the ball did hit the net, whatever happened, the were level. (It may have been the other way round, but who knows!!!)

They were not level for long though, as barely a minute later Concord had gone back up the other end and saw a sublime pass find Torres whose first time finish found the bottom corner, and hand the home side a half time advantage and if truth be told a deserved half time lead after a decent first half showing, the second half however was to be a totally different ball game.

The visitors were awarded a penalty eleven minutes into the second period and saw Cole (he definitely scored this one) convert the resulting spot kick, and then just before the mid point of the second period, Newmarket were ahead, after a lovely cross found Elliott Reeves who headed home from point blank range, and with the visitors in total command now, added a fourth in the 73rd minute thanks to a lovely strike from outside the box from Theo Goddard which found the bottom corner.

It had been a very impressive comeback for sure after their first half showing, whereas for Concord it has been a bit of a nightmare after such a promising opening forty five minutes, but there was to be one more goal in this game, again it went to the visitors, and it was the best of the lot, a sublime strike from Taylan Kilinc who fired an unstoppable effort into the top corner to cap a brilliant second half for the visiting side who made it eleven games unbeaten in the division.

It also drew the visitors level on points with leaders Gorleston, who were in action the following evening, for Concord it left them still outside the play offs and in eighth spot, but their second half collapse will certainly alarm them, although they were dismantled by a very good team playing with confidence at the moment and don't know what defeat is right now, on a crest of a wave you could say.

Full time Concord Rangers 2 Newmarket Town 5

Onto Wednesday then, and another short trip to Tilbury’s Chadfields ground, let’s see how that one went…..

 

Wednesday 21^st October

Grays Athletic Vs Walthamstow

It’s been a tough opening few games for the hosts Grays Athletic, they are third from bottom in the division having only picked up seven points from a possible thirty six on offer, have lost nine of their twelve games so far and this week saw manager Mitch Hahn & his assistant Ash Miller step down from their roles following this difficult start & personal reasons.

It means for now in the interim, Lewis Clark, Sam Walker, Nick Strizovic and Mitch Baldock will continue to manage first team affairs until a new manager is appointed, and their first task was to try and grab a positive result against a Walthamstow side who were sitting bang in mid table after a mixed campaign so far but only five points off the play off places.

However, since their last league win, against Redbridge back on September 12^th, they had gone on a run of seven straight league defeats, so anything positive would be an improvement no doubt, Stow’s run over the last month or so has seen them win four, including a 9-0 win over Lowestoft Town & victory at second placed Hashtag United.

But it has also included four defeats as well, one of which was last time out against Felixstowe & Walton United, they had met Grays earlier in the season, & it saw Stow net a 2-1 win at Wadham Lodge thanks to an 83^rd minute winner, so a close fought contest, would we get a similar game here?

Well, Grays certainly began the game on the front foot, and it took them less than five minutes to break the deadlock after Samuel Wade burst through on goal to slot past visiting keeper Luke Mewitt and hand them the perfect start, and if truth be told they could easily have added further goals as they dominated the early exchanges as the visitors could barely get a foothold in the contest.

And midway through the first half it was 2-0 to the hosts, and one that Mewitt will want to forget, as a free kick from Gabriel Chapps curled towards the near post saw the keeper make a complete hash of trying to save it and saw the ball squeeze under him and into the bottom corner, Grays were flying and in total control of the contest, and they continued to boss the first period.

But, late on in the half, they allowed the visitors a route back into the match, and with five minutes of the first half to go, Stow pulled one back, home keeper Ayaz Kazi calling for a cross but not dealing with it, and the loose ball was nodded in nicely by Elijah Grant, and all of a sudden, the hosts looked nervy but did manage to get to half time with their lead in tact, and could have actually increased it had Mewitt not pulled off a decent stop.

It was very much game on now though after that late first half goal from the visitors, and the next goal was crucial, Grays knew if they could grab it they would certainly be well on their way to ending that dismal run in the league, and ten minutes into the second half they did manage to, this after missing a couple of decent chances to extend their lead, it was a messy goal but they all count, with Chapps netting his second of the contest.

Stow did have a good chance to level earlier in the half but saw Kazi make a good stop, but apart from this he was fairly untroubled as Grays comfortably dealt with the visiting attack, and this third goal certainly settled the hosts down again and it allowed them to play with freedom once again, like they had done for the majority of the opening forty five minutes.

This game will certainly have given the hosts the confidence going forward, and whoever does take charge on a permanent basis certainly has a good set of players to work with, they certainly showed this evening that they have what it takes to get themselves out of trouble and up that table, they just need to now put in more performances like this one if they want to achieve that.

For Stow it was a fairly poor showing, they had good spells either side of half time but apart from that they were second best all over the pitch and will be disappointed with how they played this evening, a night to forget for sure, and continued their inconsistent performances this season so far.

Full time Grays Athletic 3 Walthamstow 1

Here are the other results from the midweek games…..

Tuesday

Bowers & Pitsea 1 Redbridge 2 (A late own goal handed Redbridge the points at Len Salmon, Jack Chawner's 45th minute penalty gave Redbridge the lead, Finlay Dorrell levelled in the 63rd minute but the visitors saw a 92nd minute own goal win them the contest) 

Brightlingsea Regent 1 Canvey Island 1 (Ten man Regent levelled in stoppage time to rescue a point, George Forrest was dismissed just before the half hour mark and then Canvey grabbed the lead through Jack Cawley mid way through the second period.  But, despite playing with a man light for two thirds of the contest, Regent summoned one last effort and earned a point thanks to Luca Terminiello's late goal)

Cambridge City 2 Buckhurst Hill 0 (Two penalties were enough for Cambridge City to net a home win over Buckhurst Hill, Fletcher Toll's early spot kick had them in front, and then another penalty, five minutes from time, courtesy of Charlie Royle, sealed the hosts win)

Felixstowe & Walton United A-A Wroxham (Sadly tonight's game at The Martello Ground was abandoned after visiting keeper Billy Johnson suffered a serious injury which required an ambulance, so wishing Billy all the best here & the game will be rearranged for a later date, and the hosts also announced this would be free entry for all) 

Hashtag United 0 Tilbury 2 (The Tags lost for only the second time this season as Tilbury humbled them at Oakside, Issa Sidibe handed the visitors a 28th minute lead, and the points were sealed late on through Soumen Nandi)

Mulbarton Wanderers 3 AFC Sudbury 1 (Mulbarton grabbed a very important win at Mulberry Park, Ashley Jarvis gave them a first minute lead, but were then pegged back by Archie Jolland's 54th minute leveller. Jorginho Gomes was then shown a second yellow as the visitors were reduced to ten men, and Wanderers managed to take advantage, Kieran Smith restoring their lead in the 75th minute before Jarvis added his second in the 83rd minute to seal the points)

 

Wednesday

Gorleston 2 Little Oakley 3 (League leaders Gorleston knew that Newmarket had drawn level of points with them after their win at Concord, so knew this now game in hand was one they wanted to win in order to restore that three point cushion, well they went into this game still top on goal difference, but by the end of it they fell to second on goals scored after Oakley stunned them with victory.  It started well enough for the hosts, Joe Marsden handing them a seventh minute lead, but Tobias Braney levelled levelled from the spot in the 33rd minute before Luke Mayhew handed Oakley the lead in the 64th minute to turn this one around, Aaron Bullent restored parity in the 73rd minute, but, Daniel Keeble netted an 83rd minute winner as Oakley continued their brilliant start to life at Step Four. Only Gorleston's second loss of the season, and they ended the game with ten men after Travis Cole was given a second yellow deep into added on time. 

 

Here is the updated Isthmian North table after the latest round of fixtures…..

Newmarket Town then are your new leaders of the division on goals scored over Gorleston, with Hashtag, Redbridge, Cambridge City, Wroxham & Felixstowe all occupying the play off spots.  Little Oakley are now the closest chasers to those top seven places after they continued their amazing start to their campaign, with several other sides below them in touching distance too.

Down at the bottom, Grays climbed to just a point from safety after ending their seven match losing run, with several sides above them only a handful of points further ahead in what is a tight early season table, Lowestoft & Fakenham hold up the rest, although the bottom side do have two games in hand. 

So, a decent couple of nights in the division then, and for me plenty of decent action to witness, and eleven goals over the two contests, which is always nice to see, that completes this blog, thanks again for reading and giving your time to do this, it's always very much appreciated.

  

Aldershot Town 2 Tadley Calleva 2 - Combined Counties Premier South Tadley Calleva bridge four step gap after an heroic performance saw them twice come from behind to earn Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round replay against National League Aldershot Town

Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, Saturday 17th October

This weekend saw the final Qualifying round of this season's FA Cup with sixty four sides battling it out for a place in the first round proper where the EFL League One and Two sides join the competition, so that is thirty two non league sides hoping to draw a big name in those divisions if they got through to the next stage.

The competition of course started way back in early August, the Extra Preliminary Round, as sides from Steps Four & Five in the non league pyramid began their journeys, and five of those sides who started way back in that round were still in the competition and harboured hopes of reaching the Proper Rounds of the tournament. These sides have had to navigate their way through five gruelling rounds already, so it's been been some effort for sure!!! 

Two of those sides are Tadley Calleva & SE Dons, who both play in Step Five, the lowest step to enter the competition, Tadley Calleva play in the Combined Counties Premier South, whereas SE Dons, who are making their debut in this competition as well, are in the Southern Counties East Premier, while Stafford Rangers (Northern Premier West), Atherton Collieries (Northern Premier West) and AFC Rushden & Diamonds (Northern Premier Midlands) are all in Step Four.

There were potential then for some 'Cupsets' of course, and none bigger than in the game I was at as I made my way to The Recreation Ground in Aldershot as Tadley Calleva took on a side four levels above themselves, Enterprise National League side Aldershot Town, in what was not only a local derby, but also a contest that had a proper David Vs Goliath vibes, which is what this cup is all about.

Tadley have only played nine league games this season, mainly due to their cup exploits, and have only lost once in those nine contests, winning four and drawing four, and with games in hand are only four points off the play off places, albeit very early in the season still, but obviously the cup run has taken quite a bit of their attention no doubt, and what a journey it's been so far.

There first three ties were all at home against sides from the same Step Five division, the Wessex League, seeing off Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Hamble Club & Laverstock & Ford.  There first away game came in the Second Qualifying Round when they saw off Step Four opposition in the shape of Southern League South Bishops Cleeve, providing their first surprise of the run.

However, they were to cause quite a shock in the Third Qualifying Round, as in front of 898 spectators at their Barlow's Park ground, they saw off Dartford, who are fourth and only three points off the top of the Isthmian Premier, which is Step Three and two levels above, creating quite a memorable afternoon at the club, and setting up a big match today against very tough opponents and who are on a totally different level to anyone they have faced so far.

Yes, The Shots are having a mixed campaign so far in the National League, thirteen games, five wins, three draws & five defeats, but they are a professional outfit and are on paper at least way ahead of their opponents in terms of levels and in the football pyramid, but football isn't played on paper is it, and this is the FA Cup, and we know what can happen in that competition don't we.

Well, it appeared that it was going to be a long afternoon for the visiting side as The Shots didn't take long to get their noses in front, there were only eight minutes on the clock when Marcus Dinanga fired home from close range after a scramble inside the six yard box, and the almost 900 strong visiting support may well have feared the worst after their side had made the worst possible start.

The Shots though could not build on that good start and despite having plenty of the ball and creating further opportunities, they were unable to extend their lead, Tadley had barely threatened if truth be told, a long range effort going a foot or so over the bar their best effort, as they had spent most of the opening forty five minutes hanging on, but in first half stoppage they struck a stunning blow.

A ball from the right hand side was perfect for striker Alfie Burton who stretched to send the ball beyond keeper Nick Hayes who had pretty much had nothing to do in the entire first period except pick the ball out of his net, and send the travelling support into raptures, it was a great moment for the visitors who were now heading into the break level, with the hosts scratching their heads as to how they were not winning this contest. 

Well, the reason was poor execution in the final third, and a hard working visiting side who managed to stay in the contest, and that goal right on half time had given them an extra zip and you could feel and sense the frustrations from the home support who were now fearing that this was not going to be as straightforward an afternoon they envisaged, but the home fans were to be celebrating just before the hour mark when Michael Strickland powered home a header from a corner, and restore the home sides lead.

You felt at this point Aldershot would take control now and go on and rubber stamp their authority and win by a few more goals as Tadley would surely tire as they had put in a lot of effort in this contest, but, this did not happen, as the hosts failed to kill off their plucky and brave opponents, and unbelievably they levelled once again in the 73rd minute, after an almighty scramble inside the six yard box eventually saw Charlie Barlow smash the ball home, and send the visiting support wild once again.

I was now turning into a proper cup tie, a truly marvellous spectacle, unless you were a fan of the home side that is, and Tadley knew they were edging closer and closer to earning a replay, something nobody expected prior to kick off, they continued to defend for their lives and ride their luck as well, which you have to do in these situations away at a side four levels above you, but once again the hosts were wasteful when chances came their way.

And when they did find the net, the flag went up, saving the visitors from going behind once again, and then they had more work to do when the fourth official held up eleven minutes of added on time to come (there had been quite a few stoppages so it was no surprise) but as the minutes ticked by Tadley were getting closer and closer, and then in the 98th minute the underdogs so nearly won it, with only a blinding save from Hayes preventing them from the most incredible moment and win.

However, they managed to earn that replay, after 101 minutes had elapsed, and they could celebrate a marvellous result, it really was a super human effort from the visitors to grab this draw, and on the flip side the hosts were very very disappointed and were booed by their own fans at the final whistle who were less than impressed at being held at home by a Step Five outfit, the magic of the cup once again, don't you just love it!!!

Full time Aldershot Town 2 Tadley Calleva 2

Well, what a fantastic day that was, thank you to Mark Butler and his team for the wonderful hospitality before and after the game in the EBB Lounge, lovely friendly staff, nice food, and a nice atmosphere in there as well between folk who were representing both clubs, and despite the hosts disappointment, they were very complimentary about their opponents today who certainly surprised many in this one.

An heroic effort from the visitors Tadley Calleva, and they now have a huge match at their tiny Barlow's Park ground were they were saying that it only hold's 1,000 people, so that will be full to the brim for sure come Tuesday evening, they certainly earned another go and trying to reach the First Round Proper, and continue their historic run for at least another few days.

Both sides will find out who their opponents will be on Monday night when the draw for the First Round Proper is made, you still have to fancy the shots on getting the job done second time around, but Tadley will have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and at their tiny ground on Tuesday, you just never know, the magic of the cup lives on, and I absolutely love it!!!

Hullbridge Sports 6 Canvey Island 0 / Hutton 3 Braintree Town 2 - Hullbridge Sports thrash a sorry Canvey Island whilst Hutton produce huge shock by seeing off Braintree Town to reach Round Four of the BBC Essex Senior Cup

BBC Essex Senior Cup Third Round, Tuesday 12th/Wednesday 13th October

It was back to the bread and butter of local football back in the UK, after my two and a bit weeks over in Norway, and I returned to action back in blighty with a couple of County Cup ties in the good old county of Essex, in the Third Round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup, and I attended two of the sixteen ties taking place this week in the round, and it all began at Lower Road on Tuesday night.....

Tuesday 13th October

Hullbridge Sports Vs Canvey Island

This tie brought together Essex Senior League highflyers Hullbridge Sports, who had began the season very well indeed, sitting in third spot in the table with seventeen points from their eight leagues games thus far, with only one loss in those games and five wins, visitors Canvey knew they would be in for a tough game, especially as they had not started their campaign quite as well.

Yes, the Gulls are in the league above, the Isthmian North division, but they are fifth bottom and just above the drop zone by a solitary point, having lost six of their ten league games so far and only picking up two wins, it was therefore expected that this was a potential banana skin for Canvey, but they would have still been expected to put up a good showing here and potentially see off their lower league opponents.

However, they were to be outplayed by their opponents in the opening forty five minutes, and it was no surprise and indeed totally deserved when Hullbridge took the lead midway through the first period, a long ball finding Kieran Jones perfectly in stride for him to send an effort beyond Kasey Clark, and then on the half hour mark Nick Dembele doubled the home sides advantage when firing a nice left footed effort across Clark and into the far corner.

Canvey tried to rally late on in the half and saw ex keeper Bobby Mason, now in goal for the hosts, punch away an effort, but it was a rare attempt on goal for the visitors who went into the break with plenty of work to do to try and get back into a tie they were second best in across all areas, the hosts had been superb and probably could have had a bigger lead at the break, but it was a lead that was to increase.

It came nine minutes into the second period, and it was another lovely finish, a ball across the box into the path of Archie McFadden saw him side foot beyond Clark to had the hosts a three goal lead, and a clinical hosts then made it four nil after Fred Agyemang burst clear of the back line to finish beyond Clark with twenty five minutes still to go, it was becoming an embarrassing evening for the visiting side who had no answer to a superb home outfit.

Things then got even worse for the visitors when they saw skipper Elliott Ronto shown a straight red with eleven minutes of the game remaining, and the hosts were to net twice more late on to really rubber stamp this incredible showing, Agyemang netting a second of the night when powering home a close range header in the 88th minute, and then seeing Matas Machovas complete the scoring in stoppage time and seal a wonderful dominant performance.

As good as Hullbridge were, and as impressive as they were, Canvey were equally as poor and disappointing, and will want to forget this night in a hurry, it was a very humbling experience against a side a level below them, although you would have thought Hullbridge were the Step Four side and Canvey Step Five, it was that comprehensive, a very good performance then from the hosts who are now into Round Four of the competition and will be ones to avoid for many.

Full time Hullbridge Sports 6 Canvey Island 0

 

And on Wednesday I was back over at New Lodge to see a tie between Step Five and Step Two, let's see how that one went.....

Wednesday 14th October

Hutton Vs Braintree Town

On paper this looked like a foregone conclusion, Hutton, who are in the Essex Senior League, were taking on a side three leagues above them in the pyramid in the Enterprise National League South, Braintree Town, and with the visitors going strong in this tie as well, surely the visitors would be able to put a difficult start to their season behind them and record a comfortable win here.

Braintree have not had the best of starts to their season in National League South as said, they were only above the drop zone on goal difference after just three wins in their opening eleven games, losing seven of those two, but up against a side who were at their first season in the fifth tier of non league football, you would of felt they would have enough against the hosts.

Hutton themselves had started their season slowly before a great week saw them net back to back wins in the league to kick start their season, so they had momentum heading into this one, but even with that it looked too much to continue this against a side who play at a much higher level, and in the opening twelve minutes, this seemed likely to be the case.

Only five minutes were on the clock when Town went in front, Andre Changunda firing home from inside the box, and when Alfie Matthews header back across goal went in off a defender, it looked as though it would be a long night for the home side, but not a bit of it, Hutton rolled up their sleeves a duly pulled one back immediately, with a ball across goal being converted by Ryley Duggin who was left totally unmarked.

And after Hutton had missed further chances to level, they did manage to equalise midway through the opening half when more poor defending from the visitors saw Johnny Ashman convert from close range, and all of a sudden Hutton were the ones in the ascendency and looking to go in front, some turnaround and not what anyone expected.

It remained level for sometime thereafter, Hutton missed more chances to go in front, Braintree did also miss some really good openings, two being headers that were somehow put wide from close range, and as the second half wore on it looked as if Town were starting to look stronger as the hosts appeared to be tiring, understandably, after all the effort they had put in against a Step Two outfit.

However, this wasn't to be the case, as Hutton then completed the turnaround with seven minutes remaining, a cross from the right finding Adam Vyse, on as a second half substitute, free inside the box to nod home and punish more poor defending from the visiting side, and it meant that Hutton were on the brink of quite an upset.

The hosts then had to dig in to prevent the visitors from finding a late late leveller to take the tie to spot kicks, but they did just that to record an incredible win against Braintree and dump the National League South side out of the County Cup, a superb achievement for the club, and a very embarrassing night for the visitors, especially after starting the contest so well too.

Full time Hutton 3 Braintree Town 2

So, two superb wins for Essex Senior League sides this week against higher league opposition to send them both into Round Four, along with fourteen others sides who also won through this week, here are the results from the other fourteen ties across the week.....

Monday 12th October

Redbridge 5 - 2 Brightlingsea Regent

Tuesday 13th October

Colchester United 2 - 0 Maldon & Tiptree

Little Oakley 4 - 0 Southend United

Rayleigh Town 3 - 2 White Ensign

Concord Rangers 2 - 2 Aveley (Aveley won 4-2 on penalties)

Takeley 0 - 2 Stanway Rovers

Wivenhoe Town 2 - 0 Chelmsford City

Hashtag United 3 - 0 Walthamstow

Witham Town 7 - 1 Bowers & Pitsea

Tilbury 3 - 1 Halstead Town

Brentwood Town 0 - 3 Billericay Town

Waltham Abbey 6 - 0 Basildon Town

Dagenham & Redbridge 6 - 0 Great Wakering Rovers

Wednesday 14th October

Grays Athletic 8 - 0 Hornchurch

Stand out results saw Rayleigh Town knock out White Ensign, that's step six knocking out Step Five, Witham Town smashing seven past fellow Isthmian North side Bowers & Pitsea, and Billericay winning the fierce derby at Brentwood although The Blues look a very decent outfit this season.

Southend United, Chelmsford City & Hornchurch all were beaten at lower league sides although all fielded academy/youth sides hence the results in those games, but valuable experience for those youngsters for sure, other bigger sides like Dagenham & Redbridge & Colchester United took things a bit more seriously and saw off lower league opposition to progress.

The draw for the next round I believe is on Friday 16th October, which will be broadcast live in BBC Essex of course, the main sponsor of the competition.

And enjoyable return to football here then, and good to see two Essex Senior League sides fly the flag for the division too in a very impressive way indeed!!!