Grays Athletic 1 Wingate & Finchley 1

The Buildbase FA Trophy First Qualifying Round, Sunday 30th October 2016

So my second game of the Halloween weekend saw me over at Aveley‘s Millfield for an FA Trophy First Qualfying Round tie between Grays Athletic and Wingate & Finchley.

Both sides ply their trade in the Ryman Premier Division with the hosts struggling down in the relegation places whilst Wingate are in the mid table region after a mixed season so far. Both sides had picked up decent results over the week, Grays holding Leiston to a 1-1 draw, whilst Wingate thrashed Tonbridge Angels last weekend.

However the hosts had lost at home last weekend and Wingate lost in midweek so it was hard to know how this tie would go. The game almost had it’s opening goal after barely two minutes as the visitors almost grabbed an early lead as a ball was flicked onto the bar and then the follow up effort also thumped against the post as the hosts survived an early scare.

However any thoughts that would spark a game full of goal mouth action were dampened for the next twenty or so minutes and the only notable moment was when the referee almost got the ball kicked into an unfortunate area, which made the fans chuckle somewhat. The game had certainly been a poor event so far with the tie lacking any sort of quality.

But on 25 minutes came the opening goal, and it was a pretty good strike too, as a ball into the box found Steve Wales free on the right side of the area and he hit a superb effort across keeper Tangara and into the top corner. It had been the only moment of quality in the game thus far and it gave the visitors the advantage.

However this advantage only lasted eight minutes as the hosts fought back to equalise when a shot was saved by Gore but David Fallah was quickest to react and followed in to score and give the home fans something to cheer about.

The tempo of the game had risen slightly since the goals and the hosts almost pounced on a defensive lapse when a poor back header from Claudio Vincu almost allowed the hosts in but keeper Gore came and cleared, and although his clearance went straight to Luke Hornsley, the forward could not divert his effort at goal. With no further goal mouth action to speak of the teams went back to their dressing rooms still level.

Half Time Grays Athletic 1 Wingate & Finchley 1

The start of the second period saw both teams have openings, the hosts almost netting when a ball bounced to them inside the box but after rounding the keeper a defender managed to get back to make a crucial last ditch saving tackle, and then the visitors were slipped in but a poor finish went straight at keeper Tangara.

Eight minutes into the half and a sloppy pass from the hosts saw the visitors in down the left and a ball flashed across goal was almost touched in but just invaded the stretching legs before five minutes later another decent opening for the visitors saw host keeper Tangara get down well to save a decent effort.

Just past the hour mark the hosts almost took the lead in fortuitous circumstances when after a decent run the home side over ran the ball but saw a clearance strike against them and almost catch keeper Gore out but he managed to catch the ball and just prevent a corner in the process, much to the Grays faithful’s dismay behind that goal, who thought he had carried it over the line.

More good pressure from Grays saw an effort blocked inside the box before being scrambled clear as the game entered its final twenty minutes and with just over fifteen minutes left another defensive lapse from the home side saw the visitors in behind, a ball squared across, but the effort blocked. Then moments later another Wingate effort was saved down low by Tangara.

A minute later the hosts were screaming for a spot kick after they were convinced the visitors had handled inside the box but the referee said no, and then on 79 minutes a decent long range effort from the away side was well held by hosts keeper Tangara, who was seeing a lot of the ball.

The final ten minutes saw Wingate put the hosts back line under more pressure and on 82 minutes Wales had the ball in the net again but the flag had already gone up, much to the visiting benches dismay, and then with two minutes left the visitors wanted a penalty for handball but this one also fell on deaf ears.

Wingate then so nearly netted an 89th minute goal but saw hosts keeper Tangara produce a brilliant save from point blank range before the follow up was deflected wide, and then moments later the visitors fired another effort inches over, this after a Grays break saw a brilliant tackle to deny a one on one opportunity.

The hosts mounted one last attack in the 93rd minute and so nearly won the tie as a shot was beaten away by keeper Gore before the follow up went way over the bar. It means neither side could find a winning goal and so require a replay on Tuesday night at Wingate’s Maurice Rebak Stadium in Finchley. It promises to be another good competitive tie.

Full Time Grays Athletic 1 Wingate & Finchley 1

Hullbridge Sports 0 Basildon United 4

Essex Senior League, Saturday 29th October 2016

The last weekend in October saw me at a big local derby at the top of the Essex Senior League as third placed Hullbridge Sports hosted Basildon United at Lower Road.

The hosts had come into this one on the back of two defeats whilst the visiting Bees were exactly the opposite, coming into this having won twice last week, so the teams could not have been further apart in terms of recent form.

The hosts, who had lost 6-0 at home to FC Romania last weekend, certainly did not want to have the start they had in that game after going three goals down in the first ten minutes of that encounter. And although they managed this feat, they were second best in the early exchanges.

And sure enough on 11 minutes the visitors took the lead when a ball laid back to skipper John-Joe Slater saw the Bees man rifle a first time effort home and give the visitors the desired start, a start which was to get better in the 20th minute when Lee Delf managed to control a cross from the right before firing into the bottom corner first time to double the Bees advantage.

Sports, already short of confidence, didn’t need these setbacks but could of found a route back into the contest on 25 minutes when Charlie Little managed to get in behind the visitors defence, but Bees keeper Liam Pitts managed to come out and make a good stop to thwart the hosts attacker.

Just past the half hour mark another Bees attack saw Slater’s effort go straight at Charlie Aldis and on 34 minutes Little’s poked effort at the Bees goal was easy for Pitts. However seconds later the hosts should really have reduced the deficit when Little got in again but dragged his effort wide.

Despite these let offs the visitors were largely in control of the match and they tightened the grip on proceedings late on in the first period when a flick on found Nathan Dewberry who fired past Aldis and gave the Bees a three goal lead at the break. The hosts, who saw Ashley Pibworth’s close range header saved by Pitts just before half time, had been fairly lacklustre in the half, and certainly needed to improve to get back into this one and not have a repeat of last weekend’s debacle.

Half Time Hullbridge Sports 0 Basildon United 3

The hosts certainly came out second half with a bit more fire in their bellies and saw Matt Brinklow fire one over the bar early in the second half, however the visitors were not really tested to much in the early second half exchanges.

Just before the hour mark the Bees had their first chance of the half when a good curling effort from Jamie Brown forced host keeper Aldis into a smart save and from the corner kick Delf’s header forced the Sports keeper into a second good save in a minute and keep the home side from falling further behind.

The hosts thereafter enjoyed a pretty good spell and in the 68th minute Little found himself played into the right hand side of the area but saw his cross hacked away from inside the six yard box just before it reached Pibworth who would surely have tapped in. Dewberry fired one just over for the Bees on 74 minutes and then on 79 minutes a hosts corner saw a header at goal from Luke Osborne cause problems but the Bees did eventually clear.

Hullbridge, who were playing for pride more than anything by this stage, put together a great move and saw a wonderful ball play in Dean Wallace whose effort was saved by Pitts as the hosts looked for a goal to show for their much improved second half showing.

But alas it was the visitors who netted the next goal with six minutes to go, as after a brilliant run from Brown saw his cross find Lee Scott whose effort was well saved by Aldis, but the ball went straight back to the Bees substitute and he duly fired home into the roof of the net.

As the game entered stoppage time another visiting substitute Reece Tranter saw a deflected effort go just wide of the far post for corner which came to nothing, and then a minute later the hosts came the closest to a consolation they had come all half when their best player on the day Little struck a wonderful effort against the underside of the bar and then saw Brinklow’s follow up blocked.

It was a glimmer of brilliance in what was ultimately another poor day at the office for the hosts who now lose three on the spin and fall a place to fourth in the table, whilst for the Bees this was another excellent day and the win sees them leapfrog both Sports and Takeley into second place, nine points behind leaders Barking.

Full Time Hullbridge Sports 0 Basildon United 4

Canning Town 4 Biggleswade 5 (aet)

The Buildbase FA Vase First Round Proper,  Saturday 22nd October 2016

So it was Buildbase FA Vase 1st Round Proper day and I was over at the Terrance McMillan Stadium at Newham Leisure Centre for the tie between Canning Town and Biggleswade.

Both sides had caused upsets in the previous round to get to this stage, Canning Town knocking out ESL sideSouthend Manor on penalties, whilst Biggleswade had also knocked out ESL opposition in the shape of Takeleyafter extra time, so both knew this would be a tight affair no doubt.

Hosts Canning Town were still Step 7 and an Intermediate side so the Step 6 and Senior side Biggleswade were probably slight favourites for this one however the hosts started the better and straight from the off almost saw Julian Edwards get in but the visiting keeper managed to punch clear.

The hosts looked well up for this battle and moments later saw an effort fly over from distance before a corner from the home side saw centre half Barratt head just wide. And then poor sloppy play from a visitors goal kick saw the hosts in on goal but the finish was lofted over. It was a great chance and after only ten minutes Canning Town could have already been a couple of goals to the good.

Biggleswade had not got going at all although they did produce a decent strike on twelve minutes but host keeper Nick Wilson was equal to it then moments later play switched down the other end and saw the hosts loop an effort over the bar. On the quarter hour mark Edwards got in for the hosts but poked a weak finish at the keeper as another golden chance went begging for the East Londeners.

And then midway through the half came their best chance of taking the lead when the hosts were awarded a penalty for handball, but Edwards saw his penalty saved and you wondered if it was going to be one of those days for the home side, however, two minutes later they were awarded another spot kick after a foul inside the area, and this time Dean Pearson took responsibility and converted to give Canning Town a more than deserved lead.

The goal seemed to see the hosts tempo drop though and let the visitors have more time on the ball and on 33 minutes a free kick saw Wilson make a brilliant save to his right to keep the hosts ahead and two minutes before the break Biggleswade struck another long range effort just wide but the hosts went into the break still ahead and more than happy with how things were panning out.

Half Time Canning Town 1 Biggleswade 0

Biggleswade knew they would simply have to turn up in the second half if they were going to stay in the competition and sure enough they came out a different side and six minutes into the half equalised when a George Riley cross was turned into his own net byBarratt at the near post, and then on 56 minutes the visitors had turned this tie on its head when sloppy play from the hosts saw keeper Wilson concede a penalty and Riley convert the spot kick, meaning the hosts were suddenly chasing the game.

You felt at this point though the extra fitness and speed of the visitors would shine through and on 63 minutes so nearly made it three when they got in behind the defence but saw Wilson make a brilliant stop to keep his side in the contest, and it proved a pivotal moment as only a couple of minutes later the hosts went up the other end and saw them smash home a leveller throughTommy Phillips and the tie was all square.

The goal gave Canning Town the belief again after it seemingly was drifting away and their tempo certainly was upped once again, however with nine minutes to go the visitors got their noses in front for the second time as a ball across the box was controlled and put beyond Wilson by George Bailey for what many thought could be the winning strike.

But this Canning Town side are made of strong stuff and unbelievably levelled just four minutes later when a scramble in the box was eventually rammed home by Ky Mclements to send this tie into extra time and with either side feeling they could win this tie it was hard to call who would come through the winners after the extra half hour.

Full Time Canning Town 3 Biggleswade 3

The opening period of extra time was fairly quiet on the chances front, that was until the hosts had a golden chance to take the lead right at the end of it, as they got in on goal but again they were wasteful and the chance went. The second period of extra time was a different kettle of fish though, beginning when the hosts thought they had headed themselves in front but then saw it ruled out for offside, but moments later they did lead when Edwards rifled home from inside the area, and Canning Town dared to dream of another upset.

Sadly for the hosts this tie was to have yet another twist and on 110 minutes saw the visitors level once again as a superb ball swung into the six yard box by Mark Franklin saw a close range header from Tom Cookmanbeat Wilson and set up the final ten minutes perfectly.

Wilson then had to produce a stunning one handed save to prevent the visitors from going in front and then it was Biggleswade’s turn to see a header ruled out for offside. The hosts then saw a close range header blocked for a corner as both sides went for the kill but with four minutes left and a replay looming, the visitors struck the killer blow as a ball across the six yard box saw Cookman get in front of his marker to turn home from close range, sending the visitors wild with delight.

It was a moment that finally decided this topsy turvy tie and for the losers it was utterly heartbreaking after they gave everything they had. They had more than played their part in what was an utterly outstanding cup tie, and although Biggleswade were the winners, football was the ultimate winner on the day. Fantastic stuff and both sides were a credit to themselves.

Full Time Canning Town 4 Biggleswade 5 (aet)

Aldershot Town 1 Eastbourne Borough 2

The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, Saturday 15th October 2016

So Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round day, a big day for non league sides, as 64 of them battle to reach the First Round Proper and get into the pot with the SkyBet League One and Two sides.

I was at the tie taking place at The EBB Stadium, Aldershot, Hampshire, for Aldershot Town VsEastbourne Borough. The hosts were taking part in their first FA Cup contest of the season having entered at this stage of the competition due to their National League status whilst for Borough this was their third stage after squeezing past Metropolitan Police and Hadley in the previous two rounds.

Eastbourne hadn’t exactly enjoyed the favourites tag in the previous two rounds so maybe now the boot was on the other foot they might enjoy this one a bit more. The South Coast side haven’t exactly been setting the world alight in the National League South, sitting down in 13th, whilst hosts Aldershot were having a decent season, sitting just outside the play-offs in the National League in sixth only on goal difference, so the hosts definitely started as favourites in this tie.

The Shots had the first effort on goal after four minutes, firing one just over from twenty yards as they had started on the front foot although a minute afterwards Borough’s Gavin McCallumforced home keeper Mark Smith into a decent stop. But despite the hosts putting the visiting defence under pressure and dominating possession they were unable to find that opening goal.

However just past the midway point came a huge moment of controversy as after Borough saw a McCallum effort go close a loose ball outside the box saw Shots player Jim Kellermann go into a challenge and seemingly win the ball and also catch the player too. The referee duly showed a straight red to Kellermann for a studs up challenge. It looked very harsh to say the least but left the hosts to play the remaining 65 or so minutes a player short.

For a few moments afterwards it left the hosts rather shell-shocked and from the resultant free kick confusion in the Shots defence almost saw the visitors score but the hosts scrambled the ball away. Shots has totally dominated the possession stakes up till this point but it would now be interesting to see how this moment would change things perhaps.

For the remainder of the first half though things continued as they were, with the hosts dominating possession, and eight minutes before half time went very close to breaking the deadlock when Bernard Mensah struck the post from an opportunist free kick which caught out keeper Lewis Carey.

Minutes later the Shots saw another good move end with a deflected effort going just over the bar and they remained on the front foot into the break. However you felt that the man advantage may tell in the second period but could the visitors take advantage. They were certainly fortunate to reach the break goal less.

Half Time Aldershot Town 0 Eastbourne Borough 0

The first five minutes of the second half certainly suggested that Borough boss Tommy Widderington had asked his side to get more of the ball as they certainly had more possession than was had in the first period, although it was the hosts who had the first opening of the half when Matt Mcclure got in behind the visitors defence but hit his effort straight at keeper Carey.

But moments later came the opening goal, and it went to the National League South visitors, and what a goal it was as after McCallum had played the ball over to Jamie Taylor, the striker duly took a touch before cracking one in off the bar from outside the box, giving hosts keeper Smith no chance whatsoever.

The hosts now were suddenly a man down and now a goal down and chasing this cup tie at home in front of what had been an expectant crowd now becoming more and more of an anxious one. And on 57 minutes the visitors should of made it a mountain to climb for the hosts when they missed a great chance to make it two, as Taylor broke down the right and played a great ball to the back post where substitute Nathanial Pinney was lurking, but he somehow hit his effort wide of the far post and the Shots had a huge let off.

This moment seemed to galvanise the home side and just before the hour mark full backAnthony Straker played a ball to the visitors back post but saw the hosts mess it up and then two minutes later came oh so close to levelling the tie when Charlie Walker thumped a superb effort against the post from distance, the second time the Shots had hit the woodwork in the contest.

They must have been wondering whether it was going to be one of those days, that was until the 68th minute when the hosts managed to finally breach the visitors defence, as Mensah put in a marvellous cross into the six yard box and saw substitute Idris Kanu finish from a yard out and send the hosts fans wild with delight and also gave the ten men real hope of pulling off a comeback win.

However the visitors were certainly not about to waste all their hard work and with fifteen minutes remaining saw a great ball in behind the hosts defence find the dangerous Taylor run onto it and his effort was brilliantly saved by Smith and then a couple of minutes later Taylor got free down the right but saw his square ball brilliantly cut out by a defender.

The game was certainly in the balance as we entered the final ten minutes as both sides were going for a winner. The hosts saw Mensah cut inside and produce an effort which tested visitors keeper Carey before Kanu broke down the left but saw his cut back cleared by the Borough defence.

McCallum then saw an effort swerve in mid air and made Smith’s save slightly more difficult but he managed to beat away the effort as time ticked down towards the 90 minute mark. And then came the moment that sealed this tie, as with around twenty or so seconds of the ninety to go, the visitors saw Pinney in behind and the striker finished brilliantly past keeper Smith with the outside of his foot and left Aldershot needing to find a goal in the remaining three minutes of stoppage time to come to stay in the Cup.

And deep into stoppage time they almost found that goal as a free kick saw everyone come up for it, including keeper Smith, but Jack Saville could only head the set play inches over onto the roof of the net, and with that went the Shots last chance to salvage a replay. The final whistle cued celebrations from the visitors who had pulled off a cup shock here and took their place in the pot for Monday Evening’s First Round Proper draw.

Full Time Aldershot Town 1 Eastbourne Borough 2