West Essex 0 Heybridge Swifts 0 / Basildon United 1 Romford 2 - Late double penalty save denies West all three points against Swifts / Late winner hands Boro opening day win at The Hive against Bees as Essex Senior League gets underway

Essex Senior League, Friday 31st July/Saturday 1st August

The Essex Senior League is back, and it began on the final day of July at Wadham Lodge as a new look West Essex who are expected to do much better than they did last season, take on Heybridge Swifts, who many expect to be at the sharp end of the table having come down from Step Four last season and have recruited well.

Their was a full list of fixtures this weekend as all sides got underway, the other nine would take place on the first day of August and I my double header would start at Wadham Lodge and then move to The Hive as Basildon United, under new manager Ben Coleman, took on Romford, also under new management headed by Darren Manning. It's fair to say people are unsure on how both sides will fare this season, but no doubt this game would show us what each side had in the locker.

Anyway, before we head to The Hive and the rest of the Saturday action, let's see what happened on the opening night in E17:-

Friday 31st July

West Essex Vs Heybridge Swifts

On yet another beautiful summer evening, the ESL got underway, and a bumper crowd of 215 were there to see it kick off with what was an intriguing contest between two sides who are confident of the season ahead, both have recruited well but both come into the season off the back of very differing ways. 

West looked odds on to go down last season at times but recovered well to survive and take their place once again in the division, Swifts on the other hand had a season to forget last season on and off the field, resulting in relegation from the Isthmian North and a total re shake at the club, bringing in a number of players who have good experience in this division and a new management team with Luke Wilson at the helm.

Some thought this would be a nice easy start for the visitors in their quest to bounce back from relegation, but this West side are a different proposition this term, although the early exchanges certainly looked like the visitors would have an easy ride, they had a penalty shout turned down and then had one off the line as they dominated the opening 15-20 minutes.

West managed to ride that out, and thereafter took the game to their opponents once they had settled, and in winger Wesley Santos, they have one hell of a threat for sure as he caused the visitors plenty of headaches, however neither side could find the net and the game was duly goalless at the half, plenty for both to ponder, Heybridge knew now that things were going to be much tougher than they maybe first thought.

So what of the second half, well it wasn't the best of spectacles it has to be said and was a rather scrappy affair, Swifts made their lives harder in the 66th minute when Milo Grimes was given a straight red for lunging in after he lost control of the ball, although after this they actually posed more of an attacking threat, but it looked as if this game would drift towards a goalless conclusion with not much drama.

Well, as the game ticked into it's 90th minute, West were given a huge opportunity to take a huge win after being awarded a penalty following a handball, but, visiting keeper Callum Chafer had other ideas, saving the spot kick, but hang on, the referee then went over to his assistant and the penalty was ordered to be retaken as they adjudged Chafer had stepped off his line.

To say the visitors were upset with this was an understatement, but West had another bite of the cherry, but guess what, Chafer saved again, and was mobbed by his team mates once again, he had prevented what would have been a very surprising loss on the opening night, but as it turned out the game would finish goalless and both sides pick up a point on the opening night.

Certainly a dramatic end to this one, West would be happy with a point and a clean sheet against one of the fancied sides this season, but equally gutted they could not take their opportunity at the end, but they will cause teams problems this season for sure, as for Swifts this was an eye opener for them and shows them how tough this league will be this season as everyone will be out to get them so to speak, but they have more than enough quality to deal with that for sure.

Full time West Essex 0 Heybridge Swifts 0

Onto Saturday then, and The Hive, as Basildon United & Romford got their seasons underway, let's see how that one went:-

Saturday 1st August

Basildon United Vs Romford

These sides will want to forget last season, both had turbulent times and it resulted in them only surviving the drop into Step Six by two and three points respectively, finishing next to each other in the table (15th & 14th) with the visitors one point better off, so both were looking to make sure they were not in a relegation fight this season.

No doubt a good start was the order of the day in each sides minds as their seasons kicked off, whatever their ambitions were to be for the season ahead, and it was the hosts who had most of the play in the opening exchanges without really testing visiting keeper Conor Beattie, but once the visitors settled they created two great opportunities.

However, it appeared that the game would be goalless at the break, that was until deep into added on time at the end of the half, hosts keeper Enriqu Kalsi failed to come for a ball that a fellow defender left for him, and visiting striker Jaxon Brown took his chance and snuck in between them both to nod the ball over the stranded keeper and into the net, meaning the visitors would go into the break a goal ahead.

Could the hosts respond in the second period? Romford didn't help their cause too much after goalscoring hero Brown turned villain when after he got a bloody nose from a challenge and didn't get a free kick, he made his feelings clear towards the referee and was immediately sin binned early in the second period, and right at the end of that period of the visitors having a man light, The Bees levelled, a ball into the box bounced up perfectly for the run of centre half Lochlain Murray to nod beyond Beattie in the 66th minute.

The Bees were on the front foot and looking the likelier to go in front as they dominated, but they saw one terrific chance thwarted by Beattie, and another one volleyed over from close range after a nice move down the right, Robbie Allen & Lesedi Mbegabolawe were particularly threating for the home side, but they just could not find that second goal.

And sure enough in the 84th minute, Romford made the hosts pay for those misses by netting the winner, a corner from the right was flicked on into the six yard box where substitute Alfie Leach, who had only come on three minutes before, was on hand to touch the ball home and hand the visitors a win they probably didn't deserve, but they will not care one jot about that.

It was harsh on Basildon who more than did enough to get something from this one, but they can take plenty of positives from it and looked more than useful for sure, as for Romford well they dug in and rode their luck and managed to pick up all three points which for them would be a very encouraging sign to win when not at your best, that is normally a good sign when that happens.

Full time Basildon United 1 Romford 2

Onto the rest of the Saturday's action and for the weekend then, let's see how the others fared on the opening games of their seasons:-

Barking 4 Sporting Bengal United 2 (Michael Dixon netted a hat-trick as Barking got their season off to a winning start, Dixon netted twice inside fifteen minutes to hand The Blues a 2-0 half time lead, Harry Baker pulled one back early in the second half but another from Dixon & a late Alfie Attrill goal saw Barking open up a 4-1 lead.  Frederick Agyemang did net a stoppage time spot kick for the visitors but it was too little too late) 

Benfleet 1 Halstead Town 0 (An 88th minute goal from Cameron Harris proved enough for Fleet to earn a narrow win over Halstead at Woodside)

Clapton Community 0 SOUL Tower Hamlets 1 (Last season's runners up SOUL saw a 28th minute goal from Anderson Baro enough to claim an opening day win at The Old Spotted Dog against Clapton Community whose first game at this level end in a narrow loss)

Great Wakering Rovers 0 Frenford 2 (Maybe the surprise result of the day came at Burroughs Park as Frenford, who got a reprieve from relegation in the close season, saw off GWR to net three points on the opening weekend.  Yousuf Hoque gave the visitors the lead midway through the first period before a stoppage time goal from Christian Gyamfi sealed a very good afternoon for the Ilford side)

Hackney Wick 2 White Ensign 1 (A new look Hackney Wick side grabbed an opening weekend win against Ensign at Spa Road, Yemi Adelani had given the visitors the lead ten minutes before the break but Peter Oyetunji levelled in the 56th minute before an 88th minute goal from Roberto Carvalho won the game for the home side)

Harwich & Parkeston 1 Hutton 0 (A first half stoppage time strike from Louis Bloom proved enough for Harwich & Parkeston to grab an opening weekend win over newly promoted Hutton at The Royal Oak)

Hullbridge Sports 0 Ilford 2 (The Foxes grabbed a superb opening weekend win away from home as they saw off Hullbridge Sports at Lower Road, Shaike Kamara handed them a 49th minute lead before they sealed the points in the 88th minute courtesy of a Patrik Oahkwe goal)

Saffron Walden Town 0 Woodford Town 6 (Woodford Town, back under the stewardship of Shane Baptiste, are fancied by many to give it a good shot this season, and they made some start with a statement win against a Walden side who have many changes this campaign. Uko Oji gave the visitors an eighth minute lead before Jibran Ahmed netted twice in the final ten minutes of the half to give them a three goal lead at the break. Ahmed then completed his treble just before the hour mark, and then further goals from Jaedon Phillips & Andre Anderson in the final fifteen minutes of the game sealed a very impressive win for one of the promotion favourites)

Here is how the table looks after the opening weekend, pretty pointless I know!!!

So, the Essex Senior League is underway for another season, sure to be plenty of twists and turns to come!!!

Burnham Ramblers 1 Southend Manor 0 - Aiden Brown's second half goal enough for Burnham Ramblers to defeat local rivals Southend Manor & continue perfect start to their Thurlow Nunn South campaign

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Wednesday 29th July

My third Thurlow Nunn South outing in five days saw me over at Leslie Field, home of Burnham Ramblers, as they welcomed local rivals Southend Manor for their second game of the season & the visitors first as they were not in action on the opening weekend.

Ramblers got their season off to a winning start at the weekend courtesy of goals from player manager Stuart Zanone & Tom Franks as they saw off Enfield Borough 2-1 at Leslie Field, and they were looking to earn another three points this evening to grab a maximum haul in their first two outings of the season.

Manor themselves were getting their season underway in this one, and with a new look squad and management were hoping the latest carnation of the club could begin in a positive way, there were certainly positive noises coming out of the club so could they back that up with victory over Ramblers on what was a very hot evening on the Crouch.

Ramblers certainly began the contest better and had two good chances early on to get their noses in front, Ethan Brien, who gave the visitors a torrid time down the left, burst in down that flank but dragged his shot so far wide it almost went for a throw on, and then player boss Zanone glanced wide when he should have hit the target, Manor took a while to settle but when they did created chances of their own, the best falling to one of the new signings, Michael Clark, who volleyed over from close range following a very decent move.

Neither side then could find the breakthrough in the opening forty five minutes but both would have had reason to be positive at half time as both had created openings and had played some good football too, Manor then began the second half the better and were on the front foot, but it was the hosts who were to take the lead ten minutes into the second period.

It appeared that Manor had dealt with a threat but instead of clearing the ball to safety, they could only play it into an area where Aiden Brown had the opportunity to pounce and get to the ball to fire a shot at goal, he did just that and it found the bottom corner via Manor keeper Harry Carter's foot, and Ramblers now had a lead to build on.

Manor to their credit kept plugging away and continued to go on the offensive, but they found a resolute defence and a very experienced keeper in James Pellin a tough nut to crack, and try as they might, they could not muster a leveller in this contest, Burnham also looked very dangerous on the counter but they once again showed their battling qualities and big heart, just like in their opener at the weekend, to take another hard fought win and make it six points from six.

Manor would have been disappointed to come away empty handed, they created more than enough to at least earn a point here, but lack of guile in front of goal cost them, and one mistake at the back punished, they have plenty to be positive about though and have much to work with for sure, two local clubs looking in good shape heading into the latest season, that's good to see.

Full time Burnham Ramblers 1 Southend Manor 0

There were some other games in midweek in the division, so here is a quick look at what happened in those:-

Tuesday 28th July

Coggeshall Town 2-1 Dunmow Town

East Thurrock Community 2-1 Basildon Town

May & Baker 2-0 Cannons Wood

Coggeshall Town got their new season underway with a come from behind win against Dunmow Town who have now lost both their games so far, Liam Adams had given the visitors the lead but Todd Hollocks & Tyler Hayes netted in the final twenty minutes to win that one, East Thurrock made it two from two with a comeback against Bas Town, I did attend that one and my blog is here to view https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2026/07/east-thurrock-community-2-basildon-town.html 

And finally on Tuesday, May & Baker made it two wins from two without conceding a goal after they saw off Cannons Wood thanks to a brace from Addae Paponette, Wood have one point from their opening two games and are yet to find the net.

Wednesday 29th July

FC Baresi 1-4 Hertford Heath

Lymore Gardens 3-0 Athletic Newham

NW London 0-4 Hoddesdon Town

Hertford Heath bounced back from their heavy defeat at Parsloes at the weekend in fine style as goals from Kachi Njoku, Mark McElligot & a brace from substitute Ollie Babbage saw them to victory at Wodson Park against an FC Baresi side who have lost both games so far, Richard Arhin netting their in stoppage time, Lymore Gardens are two from two after they saw off Athletic Newham courtesy of goals from Dylan Roberts, Wisley Baltazar & Tyrique Peters, Newham have three points from two so far.

And finally for Wednesday and indeed midweek, NW London's terrible start continued as they shipped another four as Hoddy saw goals from Connor Bolton, a brace from Jack Gibbs, and Harrison Cage see them to their first three points of the season after their goalless opener at Parkside.

Here is how the table looks after two rounds of games:-

Everyone is now underway for the season apart from AS London, Brimsdown & London Fennecs, but those three will all get their campaigns under way at the weekend, there has been plenty of drama and action already, may it continue!!!

East Thurrock Community 2 Basildon Town 1 - Second half goals from Thomas Barnacle & Lewis Rowe see East Thurrock Community come from behind to defeat Basildon Town and make it two wins from two in the Thurlow Nunn South

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Tuesday 28th July

I was over at Rookery Hill for the first time in two years to see the first competitive game there for sometime as East Thurrock Community played their first ever home game in Senior Football and there first home game of the new season against local rivals Basildon Town who themselves were getting there season underway after not being in action on the opening weekend.

The hosts are playing their home games at Rookery Hill this season whilst their ground, Wyldecrest Sports Country Club, is brought up to standard for this level, therefore the old girl had one more season to hosts competitive football once again, something we all thought may never happen, so it was nice to be back there to watch this great old sport & a great crowd of 272 were in attendance too, to see whether East Thurrock could continue their perfect start to the new season or if Bas Town could get their season off to a winning start.

The first half was quite scrappy and bitty, typical of a local derby, and there wasn't a great deal of quality, the hosts thumped a close range effort against the bar but the flag had gone up so it would not have counted, but it was the visitors who edged in front just past the midway point of the half, it came after East Thurrock lost the ball in their own final third, Bas Town recycled it and some nice play resulted in a wonderful ball being played into the box where Freddie Smyth nodded perfectly past hosts keeper Max Seymour.

It was a wonderfully worked goal, a lovely cross and perfectly onto the head of Smyth, and it meant the visitors led at the break after having the better of the half, the hosts had competed for sure but they knew they needed to up it in the second forty five minutes to ensure they kept their winning/unbeaten start to the season intact.

Well, they certainly did that and were much better after the break, they missed a golden chance to level when they saw visiting keeper Jake Reeve somehow keep out two efforts from the hosts, it was a heads on hands moment for the home side and it could have got to their heads thinking this wasn't their night, but they kept plugging away and with twenty minutes to go they drew level.

Thomas Barnacle managed to burst clear of the visiting defence, and after looking keeper Reeve in the eye, he slotted beyond the onrushing keeper and brought his side back on level terms, and three minutes later, the hosts had struck again to turn this one around, Reeve making a superb save from point blank range but Lewis Rowe was quickest to react to force the ball over the line from close range and hand the hosts the lead.

It had been a brilliant second half fightback, and one that proved enough for them to take a second win of the season and make it two wins from two to start their first ever season at this level in the best possible way, for Bas Town, they lose their first game of the season and will be disappointed after leading at the break and being the better side up till that point, a good game in all though in front of a decent crowd at Rookery Hill, just like the old days the hosts are probably thinking, they will be immensely proud of where they have come in a short space of time so far.

Full time East Thurrock Community 2 Basildon Town 1

 

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