Chelmsford City 3 Southend United 3

Pre Season Friendly, Wednesday 29th July 2015

In my latest outing I was at Melbourne Stadium to see hosts Chelmsford City take on Southend United in a pre season friendly.

The hosts are gearing up for another season in the Conference South whilst the Blues had sent an Under 21 side to this friendly, no doubt in preparation for their season ahead too.

The visitors started the better and on 3 minutes had the first chance as a ball squared into the dangerzone saw a defender make a crucial block to deny an effort at goal and then on eight minutes a visitors attack down the right resulted in a header being put over the bar. It had been a good start from Southend’s youngsters.

A minute later and a shot from range by United took a deflection and almost beat the hosts keeper but he just about managed to re adjust his feet and save with his foot before picking the ball up. City had hardly ventured forward at this stage as the young Blues side were much the better side but as the game ticked towards the half hour mark the chances dried up as the game began to be bogged down a little.

On the half hour the hosts had their first real threat at goal when they won a free kick in a decent position just outside the box but it was a poor free kick which went well over. A minute later though the Clarets took the lead when Henry’s cross was missed by Lewis but rolled onto Spence who hits the ball first time past the keeper into the far corner. City 1 United 0.

This gave Chelmsford more impetus and a minute after they had their second as Bricknell tried his luck from range but saw his strike blocked but the ball came straight back to him and he let fly with an unstoppable effort past the keeper into the top corner and from nowhere the hosts had a 2-0 lead.City 2 United 0.

City were now well on top and eight minutes before the break they swung over a free kick and the resulting header back across box was headed just over by Bricknell. The visitors almost grabbed one back just before half time when a good diagonal ball forward found Williams running onto it and with no support hit a snap shot inches wide of the target. So at the half the Clarets had the advantage in a half the Blues had dominated for the first twenty five minutes or so.

Half Time: Chelmsford City 2 Southend United 0

United looked to strike back as soon as they could in the second half and three minutes into the half only a good defensive block thwarted the blues front line but then on 51 minutes a great chance for the hosts went begging when the keeper saved an effort from the hosts after they had got in down the right.

United continued to plug away and just before the hour grabbed a goal back when a ball into the back post saw Williams head at goal but this was blocked but Williams blasted home the rebound and was then involved in a scuffle with the keeper as he tried to get the ball back, all a bit unnecessary but the Blues were back in it. City 2 United 1.

However City went straight down the other end and increased their lead again. After the hosts had won a free kick about twenty five yards or so out Bricknell strode up and struck home the free kick and the Clarets were in control of the match once again. City 3 United 1.

This young Blues line up were made of tough stuff though and almost got one back moments later as they drove forward with purpose but saw their shot go inches wide of the far post. It was a warning to the hosts though that this game was far from over, a warning that wasn’t heeded as on 68 minutes it was 3-2 as a dinked ball into the box was controlled well by Williams before he went past the keeper and slotted home. City 3 United 2.

Two minutes later and the hosts attacked as they tried to put an end to the Blues resistance but saw a good effort fly just wide. It had been a much better second half. On 74 minutes a ball into the box from the visitors was volleyed a foot or so over the hosts goal and then three minutes later the Blues found themselves level when a ball into the dangerzone was headed home by the centre half making it anyone’s game going into the last ten minutes or so. City 3 United 3.

Alas neither side could muster a winner and the game ended all square. In short the first half wasn’t the best apart from the two goals but the second half was a much better spectacle and no doubt a decent work out for both sides.

Full Time: Chelmsford City 3 Southend United 3

Att: 274

Wadham Lodge 3 FC Broxbourne Borough 5

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 25th July 2015

On Saturday afternoon I popped over to Wadham Lodge, Walthamstow, to check out ESL newboys Wadham Lodge as they took on Hertfordshire side FC Broxbourne Borough.

The Hertfordshire side play in the Spartan South Midlands League and finished 2nd in Division One last season behind Welwyn Garden City so this was going to be a stern test for Tony Levoli’s side and sure enough the visitors had the first opening on 2 minutes when a cross from the left saw a point blank header beaten away by the hosts keeper.

However on 5 minutes Broxbourne did take the lead after calamity defending from the hosts. Wadham’s keeper called loudly to claim a long ball on the edge of his area but his defender tried to bring the down and as he did this it was pinched from him by a Broxbourne attacker who knocked into an empty net with the keeper stranded in no mans land. Lodge 0 Borough 1.

Wadham almost hit back immediately as a ball across was controlled and struck at the visitors goal but their keeper saved and then saw a header go over the bar. On 12 minutes Wadham did level after winning a free kick on the left hand side this was swung into the box and onto the head of a team mate who guided the ball into the corner of the net. Lodge 1 Borough 1.

On 18 minutes a poor ball across Wadham’s back line almost resulted in goal for Broxbourne but the effort flashed just wide but on twenty minutes more defensive woes from the hosts gifted the visitors a second goal. From a goal kick the keeper played a short one to his defender on the edge of the box but the defender miscontrolled the ball and the forward stole in and lifted the ball over Lodge’s keeper for the lead once again. Lodge 1 Borough 2.

However as poor as the hosts were at the back they were fantastic going forward and on 26 minutes they levelled once again as a ball back over the top following a clearance from the defence saw Broxbourne appeal in vain for offside and left the Wadham front line a simple task of squaring across goal and tapping home. The visitors were furious no offside had been given. Lodge 2 Borough 2.

However Wadham were the victims of their own downfall once again as almost immediately Broxbourne caught Wadham cold down the left and the visitors full back closed in on goal and finished beautifully into the far corner to complete a mad first half hour. Lodge 2 Borough 3.

The hosts almost levelled again on 36 minutes but saw a towering header from a corner go over the bar and then with three minutes to half time came a decent effort from the edge of the box from Broxbourne but Wadham’s keeper got everything behind it and just about held onto the ball. A minute before the break saw a great chance for Broxbourne as Wadham left a man totally free inside the box but his header is miles off target and in fact went across the six yard box and was almost headed in by a team mate but he could only head wide. A very entertaining half was then brought to a close.

Half Time: Wadham Lodge 2 FC Broxbourne Borough 3

Early in the second half Wadham’s defence was under pressure again as Broxbourne threatened but the shot was hit wide and then Wadham should have levelled as no one picked up Wadham’s centre half from a corner but his header from point blank range was over somehow. Wadham were now exerting some pressure on the Broxbourne back line as we came towards the hour mark but they could’t find that killer touch in front of goal.

However the visitors hadn’t lost their touch in front of goal and went further ahead on 61 minutes as a ball into Wadham’s box caused problems yet again and it broke loose for an attacker to rifle into the bottom corner and give Borough a two goal cushion. Lodge 2 Borough 4.

Cue lots of changes from both sides as they decided to try some new players or formations or whatever they need to do in pre season. The changes didn’t seem to effect Broxbourne’s attacking prowess though as they scored a fifth goal on 74 minutes after yet more sloppy play from the hosts who allowed the visitors to break down the right hand side and the ball across the box was thumped home first time at the back post. Lodge 2 Borough 5.

The visitors had further chances to add to their lead, firstly on 76 minutes they had an effort well saved by the hosts keeper and then four minutes later the keeper made another save although the ball still had to be cleared off the line as the power of the shot almost allowed the ball to bounce in after the save had been made.

Moments later Wadham grabbed one back as the hosts attacker out-muscled his marker on the edge of the area down the left and he squared for his team mate to control and then place the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Lodge 3 Borough 5.

Another spectacular save from Wadham’s keeper with three minutes to go kept Broxbourne out before the return ball was poked just wide of the far post. The referee brought proceedings to a close minutes later and a very entertaining friendly came to an end. Wadham will have to improve on their defending before the season begins in two weeks but they have many positives to look at as well, especially up front where they do look dangerous at times. Broxbourne look a decent outfit and will no doubt have another good season if this performance is anything to go by.

Full Time: Wadham Lodge 3 FC Broxbourne Borough 5

Hackney Wick 2 Sporting Hackney 5

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 25th July 2015

On Saturday morning I was over at Mabley Green, Homerton, to see the first ever Hackney Derby between Hackney Wick and Sporting Hackney.

This was Wick’s third game since formation whilst Sporting had celebrated 30 years as a club this year. Sporting play in the Middlesex County Premier, which is one level above where Wick will play in their first ever season.

Sporting started with purpose and were taking this very seriously and led after only 3 minutes when a through ball saw the forward pull away and finish past the keeper with his left foot.Wick 0 Sporting 1.

On 9 minutes another Sporting attack saw a ball across the area but it failed to find anyone so drifted out for a goal kick. On 18 minutes a Sporting corner saw a free header at the back post header over but you could see the difference in level early on between the two sides. That level was witnessed again on 27 minutes when Sporting doubled their lead as a cross was poorly headed out straight to a Sporting player who volleyed home from ten yards out. Wick 0 Sporting 2.

Moments later Sporting got in down the right again but saw the ball drilled across Wick’s six yard box but again it found nobody in the box sailed out for a goal kick. Sporting attacked again on 35 minutes with an effort straight at the keeper and then Wick finally managed to cause some concern inside the Sporting box with a couple of moments of their own but these ultimately came to nothing.

With eight minutes of the half remaining Sporting had another free header from a set play but once again they failed to hit the target and the header sailed well over. Then a minute later Wick’s best move of the half resulted in a shot from the angle but it was straight at the keeper before another ball into Sporting’s box was flicked just over the bar by Wick. Weirdly after this the referee blew for half time some six or seven minutes early. Pre Season eh!!! It had been a half mostly dominated by Sporting although Wick had battled gamely.

Half Time: Hackney Wick 0 Sporting Hackney 2

Wick came out second half with more purpose and on 50 minutes had a great chance as they broke from a Sporting corner but they didn’t take advantage of the two on one situation they had and the chance went begging. A minute later Sporting rattled one over from distance but it was Wick who were now taking the game to their opponents and on 57 minutes they got a goal back after a good ball through found a teammate he sent a good finish across the keeper into the far corner and it was very much game on. Wick 1 Sporting 2.

Wick were now looking almost likely to level and they should of done moments later but a poor finish saw that chance go and on 64 minutes they had another effort to level but the shot was struck just wide of the target. They were made to pay for these misses as Sporting went down the other end to score, attacking with venom and after a good clinical move a ball from the left across goal was tapped home from close range. Wick 1 Sporting 3.

Wick tried to not let this setback get to them and on 71 minutes they thought they had a goal back but the player headed the ball onto his hand before it went in so no goal was given, eventually, as the referee had given it to start with until his linesman intervened. Wick’s woe’s continued as they went further behind on 75 minutes as a long ball forward was controlled before the attacker turned and saw his effort deflect past the keeper. Wick 1 Sporting 4.

Wick were still causing problems in the Sporting box and on 77 minutes a dangerous corner from Wick flew across goal but away for a goal kick. With ten minutes left a great one handed save from Wick’s keeper kept Sporting out and a couple of minutes later there was another chance for Sporting as a volley across the area was just missed by the oncoming striker.

Then with six minutes left Wick got a goal back as a ball forward saw the keeper come miles out and get stranded in no mans land and allowed the Wick player to lob him and see the ball bounce into the net just ahead of a recovering defender who tried in vain to stop it going in, calamity keeping in every sense of the word. Wick 2 Sporting 4.

On 89 minutes some great football from Sporting saw them hit the bar as a cross into the area saw the attacker stretch and divert the ball onto the bar and over but they didn’t miss with their next chance as into stoppage time sloppy play from Wick allowed Sporting to get in and slip the ball past the keeper. Wick 2 Sporting 5.

This was the last real action of the game in what was a good hard but fair Derby match. A good workout for both sides as they continue their build up to the season opener on August 8th.

Full Time: Hackney Wick 2 Sporting Hackney 5

AFC Hornchurch 2 Billericay Town 0

Pre Season Friendly, Thursday 23rd July 2015

A late change of plan saw me at Bridge Avenue, Upminster for an Essex derby between AFC Hornchurch and Billericay Town in what was the hosts first home friendly of the pre season build up.

The Urchins are building up for life in the Ryman One North after relegation from the Premier last season and they seemed to have assembled a decent squad to fight for promotion straight back to the Ryman Premier.   For Billericay Town it's another season in the Ryman Premier after last season's mid table finish and they were very much trying some different players out in this match as they look to build a squad to push on this season for the play offs they hope.

The hosts started the better and almost took the lead on 2 minutes as looping ball into the box was well controlled by George Purcell who then volleyed just wide of the upright.  Two minutes later and great wing play down the left from Junior Luke saw a dangerous ball into the box result in two excellent saves from the Town keeper and then moments later another ball into the visitors area was not dealt with and saw Calvin Poku volley the loose ball way over the bar.

The hosts attacked again on 7 minutes and Junior Luke brilliantly controlled a forward pass before bringing the ball down and causing problems inside the box before he layed off to Calvin Poku who hit his effort wide of the target.   Billericay had hardly threatened thus far and were being pushed back by the Hornchurch tide but just before the quarter hour mark they did threaten when a long throw into Hornchurch's box caused some issues but the ball was finally claimed by the home keeper.

The Urchins then continued their attack on the Blues goal and on 16 minutes a corner into Town's box bounced around before the ball fell loose but Calvin Poku could only hit his effort over the bar from close range as Billericay survived again.  However a minute later the hosts were to take a deserved lead when a ball whipped in by Collis from the right was allowed to bounce by keeper and defender and Junior Luke managed to steal in at the back post and loop a header over the stranded keeper and into the far corner. AFC Hornchurch  1 Billericay Town 0.

The hosts continued to dominate and on 20 minutes they burst straight through the middle of the Town back line but a weak finish saw the keeper gather down to his left.  Two minutes later more great football by Hornchurch saw a ball into the box from the right hit first time by George Purcell with his left foot which forced a great one handed save by the visiting keeper, who was keeping his side in this contest.

Town made a rare foray forward just before the half hour mark when a dangerous corner from the visitors was poked behind for another corner before more Urchin forward play, this time from a long throw, saw the ball flicked across the Town goal before it was just about cleared away from danger.

Then on 32 minutes came a great chance for Town to pinch a scarcely deserved leveller when defender hauled down striker inside the box resulting in a penalty for the visitors. Jamie Guy stepped up to take the spot kick and duly blasted it high and wide of the target which kind of summed up the Blues half.  Hornchurch almost made them pay by almost getting through on goal but Town's keeper bravely dived at the feet of George Purcell,  getting a smack on the head as a result.  So the hosts were on top for most of the half and should of been more in front than they were but they still had a lead at least.

Half Time: AFC Hornchurch 1 Billericay Town 0

Billericay started the second half well and on 47 minutes a free kick from the visitors was well held by the Urchins keeper and then five minutes later the hosts were having to do more defending as a good effort from Town was again well saved down to his left by the keeper as Billericay looked to get back into the contest.

The second half was a much slower affair than the first as the tempo had dropped somewhat.  On 57 minutes a re taken free kick from George Purcell was deflected just wide of the Town post for a corner and from this corner, which was cleared out to the right, George Purcell returned the ball into the box and the ball eventually fell to Calvin Poku who from six yards out couldn't get enough power behind the effort and it ended up rolling into the keeper's arms.  It was another good chance for the hosts.

Just before the hour mark Town went close as a long ball into the Urchins box was headed inches over and then on 64 minutes, after a period of good football from the hosts which was full of energy and passing and movement, ended with a strike way over the bar.  As the game entered the final twenty minutes both teams started to ring the changes which didn't help the tempo of the match at all although this is pre season so it's to be expected.

On 75 minutes Town wanted another penalty for handball inside the box but it was ruled just outside the box although still a decent position for a free kick.  However the cross was well overhit out for a goal kick.   Three minutes later and the hosts looked to have clinched the contest as they doubled their lead as a cross into the box was poorly cleared straight to Junior Luke who fired first time past the keeper into the roof of the net.  AFC Hornchurch 2 Billericay Town 0.

This paved the way for more changes from either side which resulted in almost two different teams to the ones who had started as both managers used the final ten or so minutes to try out various trailists and others.  The game was very stop start though as a result as the game began to wind down to its conclusion.

Town won another free kick in a dangerous position with six minutes to go but again poor execution saw it go well wide, much to manager Craig Edwards disgust and then two minutes later more good football from the hosts saw them almost get in on the end of a through ball but the visiting keeper was alert to the danger and came out to clear.

So a comfortable win for the hosts in the end.  They look very good on tonights showing were as Billericay will see this as a useful exercise for some of their fringe players and trialists and no doubt manager Edwards will have more of an idea about them now after this.  So a decent game of football which was competitive yet fair, which is all you can ask for, splendid.

Full Time: AFC Hornchurch 2 Billericay Town 0

Fisher 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Pre Season Friendly, Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Mottingham, Eltham, South London, Tuesday 14th July 2015

On a rather dank and dismal evening in South London I found myself watching Fisher and Tower Hamlets in what was both sides opening friendlies of the season. Fisher were in a very bright orange kit which was the only thing bright about the surroundings and heavy rain clouds gathered up above.

Hamlets were in a white strip and chose to attack the end to my left in the first half meaning hosts Fisher would kick off. This was lost on Hamlets who lined up to kick off themselves before the referee reminded them they had chosen ends!!! Only in pre season eh.

Hamlets were still dosing when Fisher went on the attack from the kick off and were ahead inside a minute as a simple ball into the six yard box was side footed home by Thomas Jewersgiving Fisher a very early advantage. Fisher 1 Hamlets 0.

The hosts threatened again on 5 minutes when their winger cut onto his left foot and forced a decent save from the Hamlets keeper. Hamlets had started very slowly indeed although they did have their first effort on target after nine minutes as a great crossfield ball was well controlled by winger Randell Williams who proceeded to cut onto his left foot and struck a decent effort at goal which the keeper saved fairly comfortably.

On the quarter hour mark Hamlets should have levelled as they passed up a great opportunity as striker Edison Teberen received the ball inside the box and with the keeper to beat fired wideof the target from a few yards out. It really was a gilt edged chance and three minutes later almost went further behind after a decent effort from outside the Hamlets box was saved by their keeper.

Just three minutes after this though Hamlets were level as after good work from Randell Williams his eventual ball inside saw Edison Teberen, who missed only a few moments earlier, make no mistake this time as he lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the far corner for a well taken goal. Fisher 1 Hamlets 1.

Just before the half hour mark Fisher almost retook the lead when a ball across goal towards the back post was struck into the side netting with the keeper no where near had it gone on target. Fisher were looking dangerous from crosses and set pieces and just past the half hour mark a dangerous free kick into the Hamlets box saw two miss headers end in a goal kick for the visitors.

Two minutes later another set piece into the Hamlets area saw Fisher head just over the bar when unmarked so probably should of done better. The rain was now coming down fairly hard so at half time some people made for the shelter of the cafe across the way but it was a fairly decent half of football were both teams had their periods of pressure so it was no surprise it was level at the break.

Half Time: Fisher 1 Tower Hamlets 1

Amazingly at the start of the second half Fisher lined up to take the kick off even though they had done this at the start of the game and after complaints from Hamlets the referee had to ask his linesman who had kicked off at the start of the game, and when informed it was Fisher he quickly told them to let Hamlets take the restart, madness utter madness but funny nonetheless!!!

Hamlets were far more alert to the start of this half and only two minutes into it went in front as winger Randell Williams shrugs off his marker to cross for Edison Teberen who side footed home first time from close range for his and Hamlets second of the contest. Their were faint moans from Fisher for a foul in the build up but it was just a shoulder to shoulder shrug from Williams who was just stronger than he opponent in my view. Fisher 1 Hamlets 2.

Moments later Hamlets threatened again as a quick throw released Edison Teberen who hit a shot just wide from an acute angle but Hamlets were definitely on top in this second half. Just past the hour they so nearly made it three as the ever dangerous Randell Williams ran onto a forward pass and lofted an effort inches wide of the far post with the keeper in no mans land.

Fisher regrouped and as plenty of substitutes were being made they gradually stated to crank up the pressure themselves. With twenty minutes to go the hosts had a good effort at goal from outside the area but it was straight at the keeper and then two minutes later another effort fizzed just.wide of Hamlets upright as Fisher had upped the tempo somewhat.

With fifteen minutes to go Fisher whipped a free kick just wide and then two minutes later good strength from the hosts saw them released on goal but the effort was straight at the keeper when he really should of scored and levelled the match once again. It had been a very good competitive game with some tough tackles out there, mainly from Hamlets who were starting to annoy their hosts a little.

Hamlets though rode out all that pressure and as the clocked ticked down to its conclusion they still had that slender advantage. On 90 minutes though Fisher thought they had got their equaliser after a long range effort came back off the keeper and was followed in by a Fisher player but he was flagged offside and the goal was chalked off. It did seem the correct decision to be fair.

Hamlets then went down the other end and tried to catch the hosts keeper out with an effort from way out but the keeper was alert to it and easily got back to catch the shot. Soon after the referee brought the game to a close and Hamlets had won by a slender goal advantage. A good high tempo game this and plenty of positives to take for both sides.

Full Time: Fisher 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Here are some photos from the evening:-