Redbridge 2 Tower Hamlets 1

Essex Senior League, Saturday 29th July 2017

So the day finally arrived, the opening weekend of the Essex Senior League season, and I was over at Oakside to see Redbridge host Tower Hamlets.

The hosts have been tipped by many to be right up there this season after assembling a more than decent squad whilst Hamlets have also been adding to their squad from last season and with the addition of Ajay Ashanike as assistant boss, things were looking much more promising for the new campaign after a terrible season last year.

Despite this though many thought Redbridge would prove too strong for the Mile End club but the first quarter hour mark saw neither side test either keeper, although the hosts did have a couple of chances although these were off target as the game remained goalless.

The following period of play saw the hosts start to look dangerous, although from one of their attacks brought about the booking of Eljay Worrell after he slid into Hamlets keeper Kieran Bennett, which caused a less than welcoming reaction from the visitors.

The visitors though had barely threatened the hosts goal but in the 34th minute they pounced to take a shock lead when one of their new signings Wale Odedoyin got in down the left and squared the ball across goal for Hassan Mustafa to apply the finishing touch.

Redbridge tried to find a swift response but couldn’t and it nearly got alot worse for the hosts just before half time when Hamlets so nearly made it two as Alhousman Ndure’s glancing header was brilliantly saved onto the post by Lewis Greene, it really was a world class save, and it kept the scoreline at 0-1.

However the visitors still went into the break a goal ahead in a half were the hosts had had plenty of openings but just couldn’t find a way through what was a resolute Hamlets side.

Redbridge flew out of the blocks in the opening exchanges of the second period and saw three decent chances spurned whilst Hamlets almost pinched another on break as they looked to try and increase that cushion.

For a period of play thereafter the visitors probably had their best spell of the game and saw a decent effort saved by Greene down to his left and then saw Wale Odedoyin loop a header onto the roof of the hosts net.

The Motormen were now cutting a frustrated figure, this wasn’t how the season was supposed to start for them and they had been surprised at how tough Hamlets had been, but the final twenty minutes of the contest saw Redbridge gather momentum and they were soon putting the visitors under serious pressure.

The final ten minutes were crazy to say the least. Firstly Calvin Poku saw an effort hit the bar and go over when one on one with Bennett and then moments later Poku thumped another effort against the bar and you thought that it just wasn’t going to be the home sides day.

But their was to be late drama and with two minutes left it was third time lucky for Poku as he converted a ball across from Jacob Dingli, who had broke into the box down the left hand side, and the hosts were level.

However they weren’t done there as two minutes later Worrall headed home a cross from the right for the late winner and cued mass celebrations amongst the hosts. They knew they had been in a game but they had found a way to win and that could be important going forward.

For Hamlets it was heartbreaking after working so hard during the contest, however they can take an awful lot of positives from this performance. They looked a team out their and looked like they wanted to battle for each other, which can only be a good thing moving forwards.

Ilford 2 Welwyn Garden City 7

Pre Season Friendly, Wednesday 26th July 2017

So my eighth and final pre season match saw me over at Cricklefield in Seven Kings as Ilford hosted Welwyn Garden City. 

Hosts Ilford have had a unique pre season, having played half of it not knowing if they would be competing in the ESL after they were voted out originally over unpaid fees and fines, however their appeal was upheld and were duly reinstated into the league.

They were up against Welwyn Garden City in their final pre season outing before the league begins at the weekend and although they are also a step five side, they play in the Spartan South Midlands Premier, which is arguably a better standard than the ESL, so Ilford knew this would be a tough test.

Kick off was delayed by fifteen minutes or so after the late arrival of Welwyn Garden City’s kit, after the kit man had got stuck/lost on his way to the ground!!!

Once the game kicked off though the opening ten minutes certainly suggested this would be tough for Ilford as the visitors saw more of the ball and also saw an effort glance of the bar.

The following ten minutes saw the hosts grow into the contest and had a few forays into the visitors area however the game remained goal less but the following period of play saw Welwyn go close on a couple of occasions as they looked to hit the front in this match.

However five minutes before half time the hosts netted the opener as moments after James Peagram had forced a decent save from the visitors keeper, the resultant corner saw the hosts nod home at the near post.

The Foxes were finishing the half strongly and almost made it two however a minute before the break gave away a free kick right on the edge of the box, and from this the visitors levelled, drilling the free kick into the bottom corner.

It meant the half ended all square, a half that saw the visitors create the better openings but also a half played with a great tempo and very competitive too. The second half was expected to be similar however we were to be very wrong indeed.

Three minutes after the restart the visitors took the lead with a close range header and then barely a minute later made it three when a cross was headed home, and then moments after so nearly made it four as a shell shocked Ilford didn’t know where to look.

Welwyn continued to dominate and run their opponents ragged and just past the hour mark made it four as their Number Nine grabbed a sixteen minute treble by brilliantly rifling home after teeing the ball up for himself for a super strike.

And just a couple of minutes afterwards the rampant visitors made it five when a cross into the dangerzone was powerfully side footed home. The Foxes were being well and truly destroyed here.

With just over twenty minutes remaining a totally dominant visitors grabbed a sixth, this after missing two decent chances, by sending a looping header over a stranded keeper, and moments later this more than competitive friendly became less than friendly after a flare up in the middle of the park between both sets of players, as I said their was certainly nothing friendly about this.

A period of relative calm followed until Welwyn added a seventh with eight minutes remaining as a ball across goal was bundled in by a defender trying to clear the cross, summing up Ilfords evening.

The hosts did manage to grab a second goal with four minutes left, rounding the keeper before slotting across goal into the far corner, however the Foxes had been well and truly beaten in this one and leaves manager Allan Fenn with plenty to ponder ahead of their opening league game at Woodford Town 2017 on Saturday.

Burnham Ramblers 0 Braintree Town Reserves 7

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 25th July 2017

I was over at Leslie Field for my latest Pre Season outing as ESL side Burnham Ramblershosted Thurlow Nunn One side Braintree Town Reserves. 

The hosts have had a Pre Season to forget you could say, three games, one goal and twenty two conceded says it all so no doubt against a side a step below them in the pyramid they would look to try and put in a positive performance.

Braintree Reserves are no mugs though and are a decent Step Six side and in only the fourth minute, moments after having a huge penalty shout turned down, took an early lead as a volley squirmed through the hosts keeper and into the corner.

Moments after the visitors had a chance to double their lead but saw a penalty saved by the keeper however in the tenth minute it was two when a free kick floated into the box was headed back across goal and saw a simple header placed into the far corner.

The visitors then forced another great save from the home keeper before another effort was well blocked as the visitors threatened another goal. The hosts then did manage a chance of their own but saw a close range header well saved although the flag had gone up in any case.

As the game reached its half hour point the hosts were having a decent spell and saw a penalty shout of their own turned down although they still hadn’t tested the visiting keeper and it remained 0-2 to the away side.

But then just past the half hour mark came a third Braintree goal as more suspect defending saw the visitors pounce to make it three, poking home beyond a stranded keeper after a ball forward caught out the backline.

Ramblers created two decent chances thereafter, one forcing a good save after the hosts had got in behind, and the other one blasted over from a good position, however four minutes before half timeTown made it four when more shoddy defending, this time from a corner, saw a visitors volley deflect into the corner.

And then just before half time it got worse for Ramblers when a breakaway saw a ball squared to the far post where it was tapped home and the visitors had a five goal cushion at the break. The hosts had been competitive at times but were very poor defensively and had been punished heavily.

The early part of the second half saw the hosts again have a decent spell and they saw a goal bound effort hooked just wide of the upright, whilst the visitors saw a header go straight at the keeper as they remained dangerous in attack.

And just beyond the hour mark the visitors carved the home defence open once again and saw the ball knocked to the back post where another tap in made it six for the Thurlow Nunn side.

Ramblers were doing alot of huffing and puffing but were not really getting anywhere whilst the visitors missed two further chances to make it seven. Ramblers then missed another one on one chance when the visiting keeper saved with an outstretched leg, then the hosts sliced wide after a scramble inside the visitors box.

And with just over ten minutes remaining another defensive error, the full back playing a ball across his own box straight to one of the lurking forwards who duly finished into the far corner and it was seven for the visitors.

So although the hosts had their moments, their defensive frailties were exposed by a decent Braintree side and it was another tough evening for the ESL side who on this basis are really going to struggle this season unless things drastically improve, especially at the back. That’s 29 conceded in four outings, lots to ponder you would say…..

Brentford 2 Southampton 2

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 22nd July 2017

My latest pre season outing took me to Griffin Park for Brentford Vs Southampton on a rather soggy afternoon in West London.

My last and only visit to Griffin Park was way back in 2001 when a then fresh faced 20 year old Pete saw his beloved Norwich City side lose 1-0 in stoppage time, so would history repeat itself and see the Bees record a morale boosting win over Premier League opponents.

The hosts were taking part in their fourth pre season outing although this was the first home one, and having recorded wins against Aldershot Town and Oxford United and a draw against Lasanne-Sport they were heading into this one unbeaten.

However Southampton would surely prove Brentford’s sternest test so far, although this was only the Premier League sides second pre season outing after getting it underway last weekend with a 0-0 against Swiss side St Gallen.

The hosts had scored ten goals in their previous three pre season outings and in the opening ten minutes showed their attacking threat and saw two decent openings concern the visitors defence. The Bees had conceded five in those games and were almost breached in this contest when a Saints header was well tipped over by Daniel Bentley.

Bentley had to be alert to tip over another decent effort from the visitors however the Bees were still looking for that breakthrough too and were more than matching their Premier League visitors.

And then came a decent period for the hosts and this almost resulted in the home side taking the lead after a great run resulted in an effort going inches wide of the far post, whilst up the other end Saints wanted a penalty but the referee thought otherwise.

But with six minutes of the half remaining the deadlock was broken and it came from a terrific Brentford attack which ended with a ball across goal being bundled home by Lasse Vibe and it was just rewards for their decent spell beforehand.

Saints almost levelled just before half time when they flashed a ball across the hosts six yard box but it was the Championship side who went into the break a goal ahead.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, who was taking charge of only his second game after joining in the summer, had obviously given his side a pep talk in the changing room as they came out a different side and so nearly levelled when after bursting through the Brentford defence could only loft wide

However seven minutes into the second period the Saints did level when a defensive slip allowed Charlie Austin in on goal and he made no mistake by slotting beyond Bentley and gave the rather large Saints following behind the goal something to cheer.

It was to get better for them on the hour mark to as the visitors went ahead when they burst down the left and saw a cross into the box rifled into the roof of the net by Austin as the Saints were beginning to show their Premier League class.

Both sides made several changes thereafter as they looked to try out as many squad players as possible but initially the visitors continued to control the contest, much like they had done throughout the second half.

As the game entered it’s final fifteen minutes though the Bees began to buzz again and startes to see more of the ball and did force a decent save from Fraser Forster as they looked for an equaliser.

And with eight minutes remaining they found that leveller when Josh Clarke swung a ball into the box and keeper Forster came to claim it but allowed the ball to sail through his hands and into the net. Forster claimed he had been fouled but the referee saw no infringement so the game was all square.


Suddenly it was the hosts who looked more likely to find a winner and they pushed hard for one however they could not find it and the game ended all square.

It had certainly been a very good competitive contest played in good spirit and no doubt both sides would take alot of positives from it going forward.

And one final word. All of today’s gate money went to the victims and families of the Grenfell Tower disaster and with several thousand turning up for this one that’s good money raised for those people affected so that is a good way to end. Marvellous

Hullbridge Sports 0 Grays Athletic 3

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 18th July 2017

My latest pre season match saw me over at Lower Road to see Hullbridge Sports take on Grays Athletic.

Sports had suffered to heavy home defeats in their previous two friendlies against Bowers & Pitseaand AFC Hornchurch and Grays Athletic would be another stern test of the hosts resolve.

Grays themselves are building up for a crack at the Bostick North title this season after making some rather decent signings and also managing to hold onto Kieran Bishop up front was also a massive bonus for the club who want to bounce straight back up into the Bostick Premier.

And the opening exchanges suggested a another tough evening for the home side as Grays created three terrific chances in the opening quarter hour but saw the visitors fail to capitalise on these openings.

Grays continued to dominate and apply pressure to the Hullbridge back line but solid defending kept the visitors at bay, and after a opening for the hosts the game began to become more even as the half entered it’s latter stages.

The half ended goal less though, a half that saw the visitors create the better chances but saw the hosts become more and more competitive as the half had gone on.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second period began with both sides looking to get forward but the visitors always looked the likelier to break the deadlock and on the hour mark won a penalty after a foul, which looked a rather soft decision, and Ade Cole stepped up to chip the ball beyond the keeper and give the Blues the lead.

The hosts reacted well to going behind although the visitors still looked fairly comfortable although the hosts were screaming for a penalty after what looked like a foul inside the box, however this fell on deaf ears as the hosts tried to find a leveller.

But with seven minutes remaining the Blues sealed the win when I Kiernan Hughes-Mason beat a defender and slotted home and then five minutes after Hughes-Mason added another when drilling home into the bottom corner superbly and capping a decent performance for his side.

So another defeat for the hosts who have yet to score a goal, they came close near the end, seeing an effort cleared off the line, but they would be happy with this effort and was a big improvement from their previous outing.

For Grays it was also a useful work-out and a decent solid display from Jamie Stuarts side who will no doubt be title contenders in the coming season.

Southend Manor 2 Heybridge Swifts 6

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 11th July 2017

I was over at my local club Southend Manor for my latest outing as they hosted Heybridge Swifts in a Pre Season friendly at Southchurch Park. 

The hosts have ambition this season and are looking to try and gain promotion to the Bostick North from the ESL and after last seasons decent season are looking to kick on this time around.

Swifts on the other hand are looking to have a much better season this time round after only surviving relegation from the Bostick North on the final day but they have signed some decent players for this term so they will hope this can help them going forward.

The teams were greater by appalling conditions on the Thames estuary with heavy rain lashing down and the first quarter of an hour saw Swifts create the best two chances, a header just wide then a shot deflected over.

But in the 17th minute the visitors did take the lead as a header from Ryan Henshaw was saved but Henshaw was there to convert the rebound and give his side the lead.

The visitors were now starting to gain control of the contest and looked fairly comfortable but in the 26th minute the hosts levelled ftom nowhere as Mickey Hopkins ran onto a long ball forward and applied a deft touch beyond the onrushing keeper and Manor were on terms.

However they weren’t on terms for very long as on the half hour mark Harrison Chatting produced a good run and finish, and Swifts were back ahead once again.

The visitors were now showing their class and three minutes before half timeadded a third when Luke Callander waltzed in and slotted home. Swifts had created a number of chances in this game and took another a minute before the break when Henshaw let fly from thirty yards out and it was four for the visitors.

Changed were made at the break but it didn’t effect the contest to.much as Swifts continued their assault on Manors goal, seeing one chance strike the post after a dazzling run and another effort saved by the hosts keeper.

But then ten minutes into the half Manor scored from nowhere again when a ball forward was converted and it was a second for the hosts as they reduced the deficit.

The next period of play saw Swifts create several more chances to score, whereas Manor saw Hopkins miss two great chances at the other end, as the game entered it’s final quarter.

Swifts created another great chance but failed to convert at back post, but with seven minutes left they did finally manage to find the net again with a tap in after a nod down from a cross and then barley two minutes later netted again when Marley Andrews drilled an effort across the keeper and in.

Hopkins saw a point blank header well saved by the Swifts keeper late on, but although the hosts showed glimpses, Swifts were fairly dominant overall and took the win.

Manor boss Stuart Marshall told me afterwards that these games against Thurrock and Heybridge were all about fitness and bot about the results, and that in his eyes the Pre season starts this weekend. He also said he is happy with where his squad is right now. Let’s see how far he can take them in the coming weeks and months.

As for Heybridge boss Jody Brown will be happy with how his team played I’d say, they certainly played some nice football on a difficult surface, and they should have a better season than the last on this showing.