Billericay Town 0 Canvey Island 3

Ryman League Premier Division, Monday 31st August 2015

Bank Holiday Monday saw me over at a damp New Lodge for an Essex Derby betweenBillericay Town and Canvey Island.

It’s always been a well contested derby this one and this year it had the added spice of having several ex Blues players in the Canvey squad so making this a feisty affair no doubt and sure enough it didn’t take long for the games first flashpoint when after a challenge in the middle of the park an off the ball incident saw Blues defender Dunne shown a red card which was no the ideal start for the hosts.

The hosts did create the first chance though on 5 minutes as Stamp got down the left and his ball across the six yard box just invaded the incoming Sodje who was a whisker away from connecting. Three minutes later and Canvey’s first effort on goal saw Poole strike just wide from distance and then a minute later a mistake in the Canvey defence saw the ball laid back toDerry whose effort came back of the post and away, it had certainly been a lively start.

On 12 minutes Town’s Hazelwood struck a free kick just over the bar but then moments after this Canvey took the lead when the visitors attacked down the left and the cross found Adenijitotally unmarked and he volleyed into the ground and in far corner to give the Islanders the lead against the ten men of Billericay. Billericay 0 Canvey 1.

This seemed to galvanise the visitors and five minutes later Chatting was left totally unmarked but saw his volley blocked for a corner. It was only a brief let off for the hosts though as from the corner the ball into the six yard box was smashed home by Curran and Canvey had a two goal lead. Billericay 0 Canvey 2.

The visitors were now doing all the pressing and just before the half hour mark Canvey centre half Halle struck just wide from distance and then on the half hour mark Blues forward Sodje put in a poor challenge on a Canvey defender and the visitors wanted a red but it was just a yellow and the predicted feisty game was certainly ringing true.

Just past the half hour mark the ball fell to Canvey’s Adeniji on the edge of the box but he dragged wide of goal but the Islanders were in total control of this contest now. As the clocked ticked over to 45 minutes the hosts almost scored from nowhere when a great early ball in from Stamp saw Derry steer his volley wide of the post and then moments later Canvey should of made it three when they broke from an hosts attack and saw them have a three on one situation but the pass to Adeniji was delayed and he strays offside. Canvey though were in control and led comfortably at the break.

Half Time Billericay Town 0 Canvey Island 2

If the hosts task was difficult enough with ten men it got even more tougher seven minutes into the second half when more ill discipline saw them reduced to nine men. After the hosts had got in down the right through Derry and seen his cross eventually cleared the next bit of action saw Blues full back Williams go into a challenge with Chatting and after this had happened the Blues player lashed out off the ball and was shown an instant red card and gave the Blues the mother of all mountains to climb.

On 55 minutes Eyong twisted and turned on the edge of the Blues area for Canvey before he laid the ball back to Poole whose effort was off target. The hosts won a free kick moments later and saw the ball kicked away by a visiting player which added to the frustration of the Blues management and players as it had certainly not been there day so far.

Canvey should of made it three just past the hour mark when Substitute Pitty put in a good cross from the right and found the head of Halle who could only head straight at hosts keeper Giddens who was grateful for that as either side of him would of certainly been a goal. The hosts won a free kick in a decent position on 66 minutes as they desperately tried to get back into the contest but Hubbles free kick hit the wall and was cleared, summing up the hosts day.

Canvey though were still well in control of the match and with fifteen minutes left a cross from Canvey full back Dumas almost went straight in but flew just over the bar before the hosts saw another decision go against them moments later in the Canvey box and certainly felt hard done by, showing more frustration towards the referee perhaps feeling that he hadn’t given them much all day, but the referee to his credit got most things right overall.

The Blues to their credit kept trying to attack and on 78 minutes full back Stephenson sent in a cross which almost caught out Canvey keeper Gough who managed to palm the ball over the bar but Canvey were always able to deal with whatever the hosts tried to throw at them fairly easily. With two minutes left another attack from the hosts saw them win another free kick in a decent position but yet again they hit the wall in what was another waste of a good position. To be fair to the hosts they had battled well with nine men though.

In stoppage time and good work down the left saw the ball squared to Eyong whose effort went straight at hosts keeper Giddens but then moments later Eyong went on a run into the box and squared for Curran to tap home from close range and seal the points for the visitors and cap a superb away performance. Billericay 0 Canvey 3.

The referee blew for full time soon after and put the hosts out of their misery after what can only be described as a poor day for the Blues in more than one aspect. For Canvey though a derby win which is always a nice thing to gain and gives them bragging rights over their rivals for a few months at least.

Full Time Billericay Town 0 Canvey Island 3

Billericay Town: 1.Giddens, 2.Williams, 3.Stephenson, 4.Dunne, 5.Ellul, 6.Beavan (c), 7.Hazelwood, 8.Hubble, 9.Derry, 10.Sodje, 11.Stamp.
Subs: 12.Edwards, 14.Kharshiladze, 15.Manor, 16.Nesbitt, 17.Baker.

Canvey Island: 1.Gough, 2.Sheehan, 3.Dumas, 4.Eyong, 5.Halle (c), 6.Yiga, 7.Adeniji, 8.Poole, 9.Curran, 10.Tuohy, 11.Chatting.
Subs: 12.Agyakwa, 14.Easterford, 15.Pitty, 16.Lawson, 17.Mosanya.

Att 471 

Burnham Ramblers 3 London Bari 2

Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy 1st Round, Tuesday 25th August 2015

My latest game took me to Leslie Field, home of Burnham Ramblers as they hosted LondonBari in a Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy First Round tie.

Ramblers are trying to rebuild after their relegation from the Ryman League last season and have had an indifferent start to the season so far although did win 4-1 last time out at Waltham Forest. For Bari it’s been a tough start with three losses out of four and no goals to show for it, although they were against decent sides so could be too early to read into that.

Anyway the game started in a frenetic manor and on ten minutes the first real chance, which fell to the hosts, resulted in them taking the lead. The visitors keeper produced a woeful goal kick which found the opposition and the ball was slid through to Ashley Hawkins who duly slotted past the keeper and gave the hosts the lead. Burnham 1 Bari 0.

Just past the quarter hour mark the visitors almost responded when they had a good sight of goal from a few yards out but the toe poke at goal was brilliantly saved by Lewis Godwin Green to keep the hosts in front. The game continued at a lively frenetic manor although chances were at a premium for the next fifteen minutes or so.

On 33 minutes came a scary moment for the visiting keeper as he thwarted a Ramblers attack by sliding out of his area and handling the ball in the process although it was hardly a goalscoring opportunity as it was well away from goal hence the referee produced just a yellow card and not a red. It did however give Ramblers a decent free kick opportunity but after the ball was crossed into box and half cleared it found Ashley Hawkins who could only hit his effort well wide.

Ramblers went very close to doubling their lead eight minutes before the break when a cracking effort from distance flicked off the bar and over with the keeper totally beaten. They went close again soon after when a great ball released Dan Williams down the right and his ball inside was just about cleared but a minute later and five minutes before the break it was two for the hosts when a cross from right back Jason Ring was swung into the area and went straight in past an unsighted keeper who was having a shaky game to say the least. Burnham 2 Bari 0.

This was highlighted even more three minutes before the break when Burnham nearly scored again as Bari’s keeper totally misjudged a free kick into the box and saw it smack off the bar before Bari broke up the other end and were thwarted by some good defending before moments later the hosts struck the outside of the post, the third time they had hit the woodwork in eight minutes, as the hosts finished the half strongly and looked good for their two goal lead.

Half Time Burnham Ramblers 2 London Bari 0

The half started as the first one did, in frenetic fashion as both teams created chances at the start of the half and on 49 minutes more bad defending almost saw Ashley Hawkins chip the keeper but then moments later Dan Williams put in a lovely pin point cross for Ashley Hawkins to power home a header and give Ramblers breathing space and a three goal lead. Burnham 3 Bari 0.

You felt Ramblers could have gone on and scored a few more and show no mercy to Bari, who had been woeful at the back it has to be said. Instead though Ramblers seemed to think the job was done and switched off allowing the visitors to have more possession and attack more regularly. Seven minutes into the half Bari charged down the left and only brave keeping from Lewis Godwin Green saw the visitors thwarted although the keeper needed treatment after getting a wack on the head.

The almost inevitable happened on 57 minutes when after a good spell from the visitors they got a goal back as there number ten cut inside and unleashed a bullet of a strike past Lewis Godwin Green into the top corner for a superb goal, which was Bari’s first competitive one of the season too, to reduce the arrears and give them hope. Burnham 3 Bari 1.

The hosts were struggling to contain their opponents by now and on 65 minutes Bari threatened again as you felt this tie most certainly wasn’t over and six minutes later Bari attacked again down the right and the resulting cross saw a downward header straight at the grateful Lewis Godwin Green. With fifteen minutes left another Bari ball into the box saw another header wide and you felt it was only a matter of time until the visitors would score again and sure enough with ten minutes left and ball into the area from the left saw them tap home from close range and it was most certainly game on now. Burnham 3 Bari 2.

The hosts really had to dig deep in the final few minutes as Bari threw everything at the them but fair play to Burnham they managed to dig in and hold onto the lead and win the game. Their prize is ahome tie with Hullbridge Sports in Round Two.

Full Time Burnham Ramblers 3 London Bari 2

Great Wakering Rovers Ladies 3 Stevenage Ladies 4

Eastern Regions League Premier Division, Sunday 23rd August 2015

I was over at Burroughs Park, Great Wakering for the opening round of the Eastern Region Womens Football League Premier Division as Great Wakering Rovers Ladies hosted Stevenage Ladies.

Wakering (who were formally known as Southendian Ladies) won the First Division title last season whilst Stevenage had finished 4th in the Premier Division last time out, so it would be a tough entry into Premier League football for the hosts.

However the Wakering girls have been together for a few years now (as Southend Manor Ladies and more recently Southendian Ladies) and they didn’t get to this point (several promotions in recent years) without playing good football and on 3 minutes they hit the front in what was a great start for the hosts as Georgia Holdaway got through and hammered her effort past the keeper and give them the ideal start to the game. GWR 1 Stevenage 0.

On 10 minutes it was almost two for Wakering as a shot from the edge of the box flew just wide before the visitors had their first effort on goal a couple of minutes later when their effort flew across goal and wide from distance. On the quarter hour mark the hosts went two goals in front in what was now becoming a magnificent start to their Premier Division campaign as the ever impressive Georgia Holdaway ran through a number of challenges before slotting home for a great goal and give the hosts a two goal lead. GWR 2 Stevenage 0.

On 20 minutes the hosts came oh so close to number three as a great ball from Holdaway found Rhianne Cunningham whose shot across the keeper came back off the inside of the post and into the keepers arms. It was so close but the visitors almost got one back when a corner saw the ball headed off the line at the far post. Cunningham again threatened a few minutes later when she got around the full back and drove into the box but her weak left footed effort was easy for the keeper.

The visitors were having quite a lot of the ball despite the hosts chances and on the half hour mark another corner from the hosts caused problems but came to nothing but three minutes later they did grab a goal back when a cross from the right was volleyed across the keeper and into the far corner to half the deficit. GWR 2 Stevenage 1.

Wakering had to dig deep for a few minutes and then three minutes before half time made it three when Rhianne Cunningham burst through down the right and struck an effort across the keeper which came back off the post again but Georgia Holdaway was on hand to slide in to finish the rebound into the top corner and give the hosts a two goal cushion once again. GWR 3 Stevenage 1.

In first half added time Stevenage fired a bullet of a free kick at goal which was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by the hosts keeper and this was the final act of an entertaining half of football and saw the newly promoted hosts go in two goals ahead.

Half Time Great Wakering Rovers Ladies 3 Stevenage Ladies 1

The visitors knew they would have to score the next goal if they were to have any chance of getting something from the game and two minutes into the second half they won a penalty after a tumble in the box although it looked a touch soft to me. Anyway the penalty was easily converted and the Hertfordshire side were right back in it now. GWR 3 Stevenage 2.

The visitors had come out very strongly in this half and were pinning their opponents back in their own half so it came as no surprise when they levelled it up at 3-3 twenty minutes into the half when a diagonal cross-field pass over the defence found the visitors in behind and the ball was lashed past the keeper and we were all level in this match. GWR 3 Stevenage 3.

It was now all Stevenage and with just under twenty minutes to go a close range header went straight into the keeper’s arms. If it had been either side of her it was a certain goal and three minutes later another cross into the Wakering box saw the keeper comes and end up in no mans (or women’s!!!) land and the visitors flicked a header just wide. Sadly for the keeper she was injured in the challenge, looked like her ankle, so had to go off meaning outfielder Rhianne Cunningham took over the gloves for the last quarter or so of the game.

Wakering did have a couple of breaks at goal through Holdaway and second half substitute Helen Clifford but they were wasteful when getting into good positions around the box. The hosts though were battling gamely to hold onto at least a point from this game and with three minutes left of the ninety the hosts were furious after a hand ball was given against them on the edge of their own box but Cunningham beat the effort out superbly before it was cleared.

Just as we entered the 90 minute mark and into stoppage time the hosts gave away another free kick on the edge of the area which saw them have a decent shooting opportunity and and sure enough the strike was hit with venom and deflected in past the helpless Cunningham and into the corner for what looked like the winning goal. GWR 3 Stevenage 4.

It was hard on Wakering who had battled gamely but you couldn’t argue with the fact the visitors Stevenage had dominated most of the second period so deserved something from their efforts too. However the hosts didn’t lie down and three minutes into stoppage time a ball crossed into the visitors box was whipped just wide of the Stevenage goal and seven minutes into stoppage time Wakering went close again as a Nikol Chapman free kick was swung into the area and saw Holdaway power a header at goal but straight at the keeper when if it had gone either side of her it was surely the equaliser.

The referee blew soon after and Stevenage had got the points in what was a very good game of football. Hard on Wakering after they battled so gamely but no doubt they will learn from this and come back stronger.

Full Time Great Wakering Rovers Ladies 3 Stevenage Ladies 4

Hullbridge Sports 2 Greenhouse Sports 0

Essex Senior League Premier Division, Saturday 22nd August 2015

My latest Saturday afternoon fare came at Lower Road, Hullbridge as the battle of the Sports, Hullbridge Vs Greenhouse, took place in the ESL.

The hosts had made a decent start to the season and were unbeaten whilst the visitors arrived having lost their opening three fixtures of the season. The first ten minutes saw a lack of goalmouth action as both teams looked to make the first move and the first real bit of excitement didn’t arrive until 12 minutes when a first sort of effort on goal came from the hosts as Clarke’s attempted overhead kick went well wide. It had been a pretty even start though.

Moments after this effort Greenhouse should have taken the lead when Calance found himself clean through on goal and his prod past Mason hit the inside of the post before being cleared off the goal line in what was a big chance for the visitors. On 19 minutes Hullbridge’s Clarke got down the left and crossed to Cox whose weak effort was straight at the keeper and was an easy save for Aliu.

However on 27 minutes came a moment of inspiration from Hullbridge’s winger Matt Brinklowas from nowhere he got the ball on the right, cut inside onto his left foot before hitting a dipping effort over Aliu and into the net from twenty five yards out for what was a great strike and saw the hosts in front. Hullbridge 1 Greenhouse 0.

Apart from this flash of brilliance from the hosts they didn’t really do a lot else in a half that saw Greenhouse find themselves in good positions on more than one occasion but they were wasteful when they got into those positions. This was highlighted two minutes before the break when Greenhouse got in behind the Bridge defence but Koroma’s finish was woefully wide and it summed up the visitors in front of goal. Bridge therefore went into the break ahead but were far from convincing.

Half Time Hullbridge Sports 1 Greenhouse Sports 0

Bridge so nearly doubled their lead five minutes into the second half as the ball eventually fell to Cox inside the area following a nice passing move from the hosts and his effort beat keeper Aliu but not the post as it came back off the inside of it then moments later a cross was flapped at by Aliu which saw Cox come in at the back post to seemingly head into the goal but he headed it over instead and Greenhouse survived.

The hosts were now the better side this half as they were doing a lot more pressing than they had been doing in the first half and on 63 minutes they did double the lead when after Cox had miss-volleyed an effort across the edge of the penalty area Matt Brinklow ran onto the ball and hammered it past keeper Aliu into the bottom corner for another decent strike from the winger, his second of the game. Hullbridge 2 Greenhouse 0.

Bridge were looking more comfortable now although Greenhouse were still a threat when they did venture forward and on 71 minutes almost got a goal back when a ball knocked across goal saw no one able to reach the ball and it drifted away for a goal kick. Bridge had switched off slightly now and on 77 minutes Greenhouse, who were now seeing more of ball as a result, saw a good chance materialise from the edge of the box but Ramarievelo’s effort was blasted miles over.

Brinklow almost got his hat-trick moments later though as Greenhouse keeper Aliu made a right hash of his cross and saw the ball thunder back off the bar then a minute later a ball whipped into the area was flicked over the bar as Bridge threatened another goal. Greenhouse then broke up the other end and saw another poor finish which was easy for Mason to save.

With eight minutes to go a great run from substitute Jamie Buffin saw him attempt to chip keeper Aliu but the visiting stopper used his height to pluck the ball out of the air before it went over him. Greenhouse had one more chance as we went into the 90th minute when a cross from the right was headed wide by the unmarked Aldhalia which was in keeping with the visitors finishing today. Hullbridge though were good value for their win after a much improved second half showing and it was them who took the points today.

Full Time Hullbridge Sports 2 Greenhouse Sports 0

Hullbridge Sports 1.Mason 2.Offord 3.Taylor 4.Skinner 5.Hodgson 6.Payne 7.Clark 8.Wallace 9.Cox 10.Clarke 11.Brinklow
Subs 12.Morgan 14.Gerada 15.Buffin 16.Hunwicks

Greenhouse Sports 1.Aliu 2.Soile 3.Serrar 4.Holmes-Lewis 5.Akrofure 6.Talabi 7.Aldhalia 8.Solomon 9.Calance 10.Ramarievelo 11.Koroma
Subs 12.Osei-Kumaning 15.Duberry 16.Lawal 17.Mackangou

Barking 3 Felixstowe & Walton United 1 (aet)

The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay, Tuesday 18th August 2015

I was at Mayesbrook Park for an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay between Barkingof the ESL and Felixstowe & Walton United of the Thurlow Nunn.

Both sides had shared a 1-1 draw on Saturday in the original tie in which Barking had deserved to win by all accounts so they would have gone into this replay full of confidence of progressing through to the next round.

However the visitors weren’t here to just make up the numbers and carved out the first real sniff at goal on 9 minutes as they almost converted at the near post through Smy but he saw his effort blocked before it was eventually scrambled away. Five minutes later Stowe’s tricky winger Powell whipped a free kick over Barking’s crossbar and then moments later Wright headed inches wide as the visitors continued to have the better of game.

The Blues could barely get out their own half and on 19 minutes Powell again tested the Barking goal with another free kick which almost caught out keeper Willis but he managed to backpedal and palm the ball away from danger. Midway through the half Powell was involved again as he stole the ball from Foster as the Barking full back tried to let the ball run out for a throw in and Powell’s square ball eventually found Wright who squirmed a shot wide.

The Blues had hardly threatened the Felixstowe goal but just before the hour mark they had a sniff after a poor defensive header found winger Creed his square ball to Staunton found him with a sight of goal from distance but he hit his effort miles off target which kind of summed up the hosts performance thus far. A minute later and Barking attacked again as a through ball found the pacey Mtyanda who knocked the ball wide with the keeper coming out to pressure him.

A minute after this Barking’s O’Brien flicked a header towards goal from a long throw which was saved by keeper Crump as the home side finally were putting some pressure on the visitors. Barking’s attacking threat rescinded though and it was the visitors who threatened again three minutes before the break when a great free kick into the Blues box was somehow volleyed wide by Smy when he should of put his side ahead. It was a big miss and meant the sides went into the break level although the visitors should of been in front for sure.

Half Time: Barking 0 Felixstowe & Walton United 0

With Barking manager O’Shea’s voice no doubt ringing in his players ears after that abject first half showing they soon stepped up their attacking threat and five minutes into the half a Blues corner was punched out to Staunton whose effort was drilled way over into the car park behind in what was another poor effort and then two minutes later a Stowe player fell over the ball allowing Mtyanda to run at goal but his effort went well wide as he was pressured of the ball.

Barking were now really putting Felixstowe’s defender’s under some serious pressure though as they had their opponents pinned back for the first time in the match. However the visitors were still dangerous when they came forward and just before the hour mark Powell got in behind the Barking defence but slices his left footed effort wide whilst under pressure from his marker.

Barking though were the team pressing as said before and just past the hour the hosts sprung forward and Creed’s deflected effort went inches over the bar as some of the crowd thought it was in but it wasn’t much to the visitors relief. Five minutes later on 67 minutes though the hosts did take the lead. Billy Reynolds, who had literally come on as a substitute seconds earlier, sent a left footed corner into the area which found Tobi Adesina who sent a downward header past Crump and give the Blues the lead. Barking 1 F&W 0.

The visitors needed to find a goal in the next twenty or so minutes to stay in the Cup and n 72 minutes they attacked down the left trough Ainsley whose cross forced a desperate clearance from the hosts and from the resulting corner Willis had to make a smart save from a header showing that Stowe were definitely not out of this tie by any means. Blues could of finished the tie moments later when a Blues break down the left through Adesina saw him cut inside but balloon his effort miles wide.

With just over ten minutes left came a comical moment when the referee went over to book Barking’s centre half Rix for time wasting and duly showed a yellow followed by a red, thinking he had already booked the Blues defender. However after a quick natter with his assistant he changed his decision and just booked him as he hadn’t already been booked!!!Moments later Adesina should of sealed the the when he found himself through on goal but Crump saved and then saw O’Brien’s effort blocked as the visitors battled to stay in the tie.

With a minute of the ninety left a great run by hosts forward Mtyanda ended with the worst dive i’ve ever seen. It was laughable but no punishment was dished out and the game played on. Then a minute into stoppage time Mtyanda was shown a red card for a poor challenge and from this free kick ball was eventually headed over line by Reece Barber (I think!!!) for a late late leveller and suddenly we were facing extra time. Barking 1 F&W 1.

Full Time: Barking 1 Felixstowe & Walton United 1

Both teams had chances in the first period of extra time but the Blues re took the lead two minutes into the second period of extra time when a Reynolds free kick found Tobi Adesina unmarked inside the box and he headed past a stranded Crump and the ten men were ahead. Barking 2 F&W 1.

The last few minutes saw almost constant pressure from the visitors as they looked to force an equaliser which would take the tie into penalties, including the keeper coming up to try and add an extra body to proceedings. This of course left the visitors totally exposed at the back and with 120 minutes up on the clock Barking broke out and with the keeper trying in vain to get back in his goalEden Nelson calmly slotted into the empty net and seal the tie for the ESL side.  Barking 3 F&W 1.

It had been hard work but Barking had got through to play Haringey Borough in the next round a week on Saturday. It was hard on Felixstowe & Walton United though who had more than played their part in this tie.

Full Time (aet) Barking 3 Felixstowe & Walton United 1

Barking 1.Willis 2.Ling 3.Foster 4.Rix 5. Golby 6.O’Brien 7.Odedoyen 8.Staunton 9.Adesina 10.Mtyanda 11.Creed
Subs 12.Barlow 14.Turner 15.Reynolds 16.Nelson 17.Killingback

Felixstowe & Walton United 1.Crump 2.Sheppard 3.Ainsley 4.Wiggins 5.Barber 6.Driver 7.Taylor 8.Matthews 9.Wright 10.Smy 11.Powell
Subs 12.Field 14.Dew 15.Schaar 16.Kerridge 17.Bennett