Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1

FA Vase 2nd Round Proper, Saturday 21st November 2015

I was back on FA Vase duty this weekend and I was back at Broadwater for Berkhamsted‘s home tie against AFC Kempston Rovers.

The visitors would surely prove to be Berko’s toughest test in the Vase thus far having not lost a game in any competition since the end of August and are unbeaten in the league as well. Berko themselves have only lost three times since the opening month of the season and like their opponents sit third in their league, so no doubt a tight affair was expected.

The first chance came to the visitors on seven minutes when Robbie Goodman glanced a free kick wide with his head whilst visiting keeper Martin Conway had to punch a dangerous cross away on the quarter hour mark but it was a tight start between two good sides which wasn’t entirely surprising.

On twenty minutes a Berko corner was headed back into the six yard box but saw the visitors scramble clear and then midway through the half came the best chance so far as a ball to the back post was headed over by Josh Chamberlain for the hosts. On 27 minutes Sam Macrae saw his effort deflected just wide of the Berko post for a corner which was headed clear and then just past the half hour mark another good effort from the visitors Ash Fuller saw Carl Tasker right behind it who made a comfortable save.

Seven minutes before the break a cross into the visitors box saw Frank Jowle attempt an audacious back flick towards goal but Conway was more than equal to it. Then just as we all thought the first half would end scoreless came the opening goal. After Tasker had saved well from Shane Bush the ball came to Chamberlain who slipped over and in doing so fell on the ball and it touched his hand and saw the referee point to the spot. It looked very harsh indeed but Dom Marsala stepped up to send Tasker the wrong way and see the visitors go into the break a goal up.

Half Time Berkhamsted 0 AFC Kempston Rovers 1

The hosts didn’t let this setback get to them though and came out the better side in the opening exchanges of the second half and nine minutes into it they got their goal and equaliser when a free kick swung into the box saw Dale Sears convert with Chamberlain there just to make sure at the far post and level the tie up again. Berkhamsted 1 AFC Kempston Rovers 1.

Just past the hour mark Berko had to scramble a visitors free kick clear as they remained solid at the back and then with twenty minutes to go visitors winger Fuller flashed a brilliant cross through the Berko six yard box but it missed everyone by a whisker. The tie was in the balance at this stage but a minute later in the 71st minute came the moment of the game when Chamberlain got possession on the half way line, beat two players and then let fly from over forty yards out to lob keeper Conway for what was a truly magnificent goal, surely one of the best anyone who was there will see all season, it was that good. More importantly for the hosts they now had the lead. Berkhamsted 2 AFC Kempston Rovers 1.

However the visitors so nearly levelled immediately when Jermaine Ivy got in for Rovers but Tasker saved well to keep them out. With eight minutes to go it was the visitors who were now chasing the game still and they were putting the pressure on the hosts defence and a cross saw Bush head well wide although he was stretching for it it what was a difficult chance.

And then with six minutes to go the hosts near enough sealed their passage into Round Three when a ball out from the back was controlled but then lost by the defence and saw a three on one break for the hosts and after the ball was played to Aaron Nash-Barker who twisted and turned his defender before hitting across Conway and in off the post and give the home side some breathing space. Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1.

The visitors afternoon got worse when sub Vinny Shrieves, who had only just come on a minute or so earlier, sent off for an apparent head butt on George Carbery. He also had an altercation with one of the Berko officials on the bench as he walked off so no doubt he will face some sort of action for that. It was certainly out of context in a game which had been keenly fought throughout but fairly also.

The visitors had one last long range effort saved by Tasker but that was that and the hosts had taken their place in the Last 64 of the Vase.

Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1

Southend United 0 Redbridge 2

Essex Senior Cup 3rd Round, Tuesday 17th November 2015

Redbridge caused a Essex Senior Cup upset at Roots Hall as goals from Billy Drake and Jay Knight defeated a youthful Blues seeing them progress through to play East Thurrock Unitedin Round Four.

The hosts fielded an Under 21 side as they looked to test out some of their young guns against a Redbridge side who had struggled this season in the Ryman North so perhaps saw this as an opportunity to realease the shackles somewhat without the pressures of league points to play for.

The first ten minutes yielded very little action but then on 11 minutes the visitors took a shock lead when winger Prince burst into the box on the left hand side and pulled a ball back forDrake to side foot home from close range. Blues 0 Redbridge 1.

The young hosts looked to respond and almost levelled two minutes later when a good jinking run from Jack Bridge saw him strike a left footed effort which came back off the inside of the post. The hosts continued to pressurise the Motermen’s defence and on 20 minutes went close again when a ball across the face of goal saw Freddie Gard stretch for it at the back post but could only divert his effort wide.

The hosts had another shot on target midway through the half which was straight at keeper Sargent and then the visitors saw a poked effort from range by Coxi-Sebartero sail inches over the bar as the Ryman side looked to hurt the Blues on the break. On the half hour mark the hosts had another good sight of goal but saw the effort well saved by Sargent as the Blues again put the visiting defence under serious pressure late on in the half but the Ryman North side stood firm and got to the break a goal ahead.

Half Time Southend United 0 Redbridge 1

The second half started with the Blues straight onto the front front foot but were unable to really test keeper Sargent and then saw the visitors hit a long range effort over from Kabashi six minutes into the half as the visitors still looked dangerous when they did come forward. Minutes later the hosts attacked again but saw Jason Williams drag a woeful effort well wide.

Just past the hour mark another swift Blues attack saw the ever alert Sargent pluck a low cross out of air to thwart the hosts once again and then a few minutes later another Southend attack saw Williams cut inside before striking an effort straight at Sargent again. The visitors then made a change, bringing on Ditkevius, and he almost doubled their lead when he hit a decent effort just over Ted Smith’s bar from the edge of the box.

With twenty minutes to go the hosts won a free kick in a decent position outside the box but Bridge couldn’t find the target as the effort flew just over for the hosts and then the visiting side almost doubled their advantage when Knight found himself clean through but his effort was well saved by Smith before the rebound was struck well wide by Drake.

As we entered the last fifteen minutes the Blues had a great chance to level when a long ball found Williams whose wonderful first touch gave him a great chance to score but his effort was brilliantly saved by Redbridge keeper Sargent before four minutes later the hosts got into another decent shooting position but Bridge again missed the target.

Into the last ten minutes and Redbridge won a free kick outside the hosts area and saw Prince’sfree kick tipped over by blues stopper Smith. With three minutes to go the Blues created one more chance when a cross from the right saw a defensive header loop up into the air and then come down inside the six yard box where Williams could only head wide before the hosts sliced another one wide soon after.

Redbridge had done really well to dig in and compete and make life difficult for the young Blues line up whilst still possessing a threat up front and knew they had just two minutes of stoppage time to survive but with literally the last kick of game Knight controlled a high looping ball inside the box before swivelling to turn his marker and striking the ball past Smith and sealing the tie as the whistle blew for full time whilst the Ryman North side celebrated the goal. A great win for Redbridge which could well kick start there season finally.

Full Time Southend United 0 Redbridge 2

White Ensign 2 Rayleigh Town 2

Essex Olympian Premier, Saturday 14th November 2015

Due to plans in the evening I decided to attend a match with an earlier kick off time of 2pm and so headed over to The Len Forge Centre and White Ensign’s home clash with local rivals Rayleigh Town at the top end of the Olympian Premium Division.

This was supposed to be Rayleigh’s home game but due to the poor weather the game was switched to the 3G surface at Len Forge which guaranteed the game would go ahead and so this was now White Ensign’s home game. And it was the new found hosts who grabbed an early lead when a poor ball across the backline saw Ensign winger Darren Burrell nip in to intercept the pass and run in on goal and slot past the keeper for the ideal start for the hosts.White Ensign 1 Rayleigh Town 0.

On 7 minutes Ensign saw a corner headed over by their centre half as the hosts had definitely started the better in sodden conditions it has to be said. However just a minute after this the visitors equalised with a very scrappy goal. A shot was saved and then the follow up was pushed up into the air and it came down in front of the goal was pushed out to the edge of the six yard box where Alex Witham finally squeezed the ball through a couple of bodies and into the net. White Ensign 1 Rayleigh Town 1.

Ensign came back at their opponents and stuck a 13th minute free kick just over the crossbar but the next opening came for the visitors six minutes later when a diagonal cross sailed over a defender’s head and saw the visitors with a free shot at goal from the right hand side but it was straight at the keeper.

Midway through the half the hosts forced four corners in a row with the last one finally seeing a poked cross dribble into the keepers grateful hands and then just before the half hour mark a good effort from range from the visitors saw a dinked effort sail just over the bar. Just past the half hour mark sloppy play from Ensign saw the visitors pinch the ball off them in their own final third and saw the resulting effort from just inside the box brilliantly tipped wide by the hosts keeper.

Four minutes before the break only a great last ditch tackle from a Rayleigh defender stopped the hosts getting a shot at goal as they looked likely to score but this meant the half ended all square in what was a tight well contested game so far.

Half Time White Ensign 1 Rayleigh Town 1

The second half started wonderfully well for the visitors after they capitalised on poor defending to see Steve Barker go clean through and slot home to give the away side the lead. White Ensign 1 Rayleigh Town 2

The visitors threatened moments later when they curled a free kick just over before play switched up the other end and saw two great defensive blocks deny the hosts a clear shot a goal. Then on the hour mark Ensign full back Yaw Danso cut inside but hit his effort well over the bar. The visitors though seemed fairly comfortable and were keeping the hosts at relative arms length.

The away side had to do more defending on 64 minutes when a good cross into the six yard box saw a desperate clearance as the hosts were doing their best to get back into this contest although they were failing to really test the Rayleigh keeper which would have been disappointing for them.

The hosts won a free kick in a very decent position on 73 minutes but yet again saw the effort go way off target over the bar. But then with thirteen minutes to go the hosts did level in fortuitous circumstances when a cross saw the ball squirm from the keepers grasp, see a defender clear the loose ball but the clearance went straight towards Gary Ticehurst who headed home from six yards out and it was a level game once again. White Ensign 2 Rayleigh Town 2.

You could see how much the game meant to both sides as their were some physical challenges going in and no doubt one more goal would probably turn out to be the winner. With six minutes to go the hosts had a great chance when a ball over top of Rayleigh defence saw winger Burrell run onto the ball, round the keeper but overrun the ball off for goal kick. In his desperation he fell over but the referee wasn’t falling for that trick.

Both teams then squandered great chances early in stoppage time as they were both going for a winner and then two mins into stoppage time a corner saw the Rayleigh keeper drop the ball again and then see an effort cleared off his line before the grateful keeper gathered the loose ball. Just a minute later only brave keeping from the hosts stopper thwarted a Rayleigh attack as the keeper dived at the strikers feet to smother the chance.

It wasn’t a frenetic end to a keenly contested derby and it ended all square in what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter played in awful conditions it has to be said. Thank goodness for the 3G surface that’s all I can say oh and the covered seating at the ground too!!!

Full Time White Ensign 2 Rayleigh Town 2

Southend United 1 Bristol Rovers 0

Football League Trophy Southern Area Quarter Final, Wednesday 11th November 2015

I was in the familiar surroundings of Roots Hall, Southend United FC's home, as I made a rare appearance at one of the Blues games.  At £12 a ticket and on a Wednesday night I thought why not.

After devouring a rather tasty cheeseburger, kit kat, bovril and water (proper dinner that!!!) I took my seat right at the end of the green block in the main stand (I was supposed to have an aisle seat but that must of been missed somewhere as my seat was squashed up against a wooden wall separating the green and black blocks!!!).  Anyway it wasn't so bad and I soaked up the pre match atmosphere and anticipated a good battle.

The opponents for the Blues tonight were Bristol Rovers, who play in League Two, a league below the hosts.  They came into this one off the back of a rather embarrassing home defeat to Evo-Stik Premier side Chesham in the FA Cup on Sunday so were no doubt looking for a reaction in this tie, the Southern Quarter's of the Football League Trophy.

Before the game the club did an amazing tribute for Remembrance Day, this being 11th November of course, and after an impeccable minutes silence was observed following the familiar tune of 'The Last Post' the sides got ready for the job in hand.

For the first twenty minutes it looked like the Blues would finally put in a decent performance and win the game fairly comfortably as they played some good attacking football and led on 11 minutes when their skipper John White headed home a Kevan Hurst cross for his first goal at Roots Hall and second for the club overall.

The visitors did look threatening when they did attack though but were unable to really test the Blues goal, that was until a moment of controversy five minutes before half time when Billy Bodin fired home from outside the box and score what he thought was the visitors equaliser.  However the referee then went to consult his linesman and then decided to rule the goal out for offside as a Rovers player was apparently in an offside position in the eye line of keeper Bentley when the shot was made.

This upset the visitors somewhat as they had all gone back to restart the game thinking they had scored!!!!  Oh deary me.  Anyway this meant the Blues went in 1-0 up at the break.

The second half belonged to the visitors for the large part and forced Blues keeper Bentley into three brilliant stops during the half as the visitors really pressed the hosts further and further back.  Time and time again they threatened the Blues goal but somehow the ball didn't go into the net and this was typified with five minutes left when Rovers centre half and skipper Mark McChrytal somehow hit wide from six yards out and you felt at this point it wasn't going to be their day.

Joe Pigott could of sealed the win in stoppage time for the Blues but he somehow hit wide when well placed in front of goal.  However the Blues managed to cling onto their lead and win the tie and go through to the Southern Area Semi Finals.  They made hard work of it but they got the win which is all that mattered.  They will have to play better though if they are to make a fist of it in league one this season.

Southend Manor 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 10th November 2015

So I was back over at Southchurch Park on Tuesday evening to see how Southend Manor would fare against league leaders Sawbridgeworth Town.

Manor were coming into this one off the back of a brilliant 2-1 win at local rivals Burnham Ramblers whilst the visiting side had been thumped 3-0 at Ilford on Saturday in what was their first league defeat of the season.

Both teams traded efforts early on when on 8 minutes Sawbo got in behind the Manor backline but Das’s cross could only finds keeper Hawkins and then two minutes later when a Manor attack ended with Nolan’s wayward effort. On 13 minutes a Sawbo corner crossed to the near post seemed to hits Cole on the back as he tried to head at goal but it went just wide.

On 18 minutes Sawbo had their best chance to take the lead when Cole got in behind the defence but he hit his effort just wide of the target but they had an even better chance four minutes later when a poor header back saw Wappett in on goal but Hawkins managed to save the effort and keep the scoreline level. However from their next attack they were to take the lead when a ball through saw Mitchell Das beat the offside trap to round Hawkins and slothome although many thought it was offside however it mattered not as the goal was given and the visitors had a deserved lead. Manor 0 Sawbo 1.

Just before the half hour Sawbo had another great chance as Cole got in on goal but instead of squaring to Das in the middle he cut inside and shot just wide of the near post. Manor finally managed another effort on goal ten minutes before the half time whistle when they won a free kick in a decent position but Meecham blasted his effort way over and then three minutes later Manor got their first effort on target after Warner laid a pass back to Nolan but the forward’s effort was fairly comfortable for Byrne in the Robins goal.

Right on half time Manor saw full back Lacey’s cross almost catch out Byrne in the Sawbo goal but the keeper managed to tip over and then a minute later Nolan’s effort was deflected just over the visitors goal as the hosts finished the half strongly. However as the half time whistle blew it was the league leaders who were in front.

Half Time Southend Manor 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Hosts Manor came out and started the half well and created a couple of openings but couldn’t test Byrne in the Sawbo goal. On 52 minutes Nolan saw his deflected effort tipped over by Bryne as the hosts continued to press for a leveller but three minutes later it was so nearly two for the visitors when Cole found himself clean through but saw Hawkins save and then get back up to save his eventual rebound.

Just past the hour mark a corner for Sawbo was flicked just across goal by Hurley but apart from these chances it was the hosts who were having most of the play in the half. On 76 minutes Sawbo saw Norton played in from a quickly taken free kick but Manor keeper Hawkins again made a great near post save to keep the score line as it was. Despite Manor dominating possession it was the visitors who had created the better chances.

However with seven minutes left Sawbo’s skipper Danny Hammett checked Rhys Fatt’s run down the wing and disagreed with the decision and duly thumped the ball away in disgust and was sent off for a second yellow and so the visitors had to play the remaining few minutes a man short. A couple of minutes later it was the hosts to suffer a setback when top scorer Rhys Fatt had to be carried off with a torn hamstring which will probably see him out for a month, a big blow to the hosts indeed.

However the host kept going and four minutes into stoppage time won a free kick just outside the area but sadly Scott’s effort was caught by Byrne and soon after the referee blew for full time and the leaders held on to the win and extended their lead to four points at the top. Manor will feel they should of got something from this game but lacked that cutting edge up front thus picked up nothing from the game.

Full Time Southend Manor 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 1