Margate 2 Egham Town 0

Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round, Saturday 25th November 2017

Two second half Frannie Collin goals were enough for Bostick Premier Margate to see off Evo-Stik Southern East One Egham Town at Hartsdown Park on the Kent coast, setting up a Third Qualifying Round tie at Bath City on Tuesday evening.

The game was pretty much settled in a twenty minute purple patch for the hosts in the second period when the two goals were scored, and was the only time in the contest when the home side looked a league above their Surreyvisitors who more than matched their higher league opponents in the other 70 minutes of the contest.

Indeed Egham saw an early effort blocked whilst Margate also had a sniff of an opening but were thwarted inside the visitors area, and then the hosts saw a decent effort blocked, however the opening quarter hour or so had been pretty even.

On twenty minutes Egham struck a long range effort wide, but already you could detect a degree of frustration amongst the Bostick Premier hosts and their fans as their team were struggling to get themselves going.

And four minutes later Egham had another effort from the edge of the box although it was straight the down keepers throat, however the Evo-Stik Southern East One visitors were playing well here, and just before the half hour a good Egham move saw the ball laid across the area and their goalbound effort was brilliantly blocked by a defender.

It took until the 31st minute for the hosts to properly threaten the visitors goal and they came so close to opening the scoring as a deflected header was brilliantly saved by the visitors keeper at full stretch, and then three minutes later another chance for the hosts saw a backheal set up an effort which the keeper saved with his legs, and then moments later a near post effort was deflected behind as the hosts were finally into their stride.

Seven minutes before the break the visitors had to do more defending and saw a volley fly over their crossbar, however it did remain goalless at the break.  The hosts had taken a good half hour to get going, but the visitors would of been the happier of the two sides at the half.

Half Time Margate 0 Egham Town 0

The early exchanges of the second began like the first, altbough Egham had probably started the half the better however we were about to enter that purple patch from the hosts and it began with the visitors keeper having to tip a decent Margate effort round the  post.

Ten minutes into the second half a goalmouth scramble inside the visitors area was just about cleared to safety by a desperate visitors defence, and two minutes after that the home side curled another effort inches over the bar as they were looking very dangerous by now.

The hosts continued to attack and just before the hour saw a dangerous cross tipped away by the Egham keeper, and then moments later a shot from twenty yards or so flew a foot over the visitors goal.

Margate continued to knock on the door and just past the hour mark saw a powerful free kick inexplicably punched back into the area by the keeper, but the follow up header went way over the bar, and two minutes after that the visiting stopper produced an incredible save to his left before recovering to kick the ball out of danger as the visitors survived again.

But in the 65th minute Margate finally blew the door down when Frannie Collin struck a powerful set play towards goal, saw it take a small nick off a defender, which deceived the keeper and saw him fail to keep the effort out despite his best efforts, and the hosts finally had a slender advantage.

Margate were absolutely humming by now and midway through the half saw a lovely one two end with the hosts in down the left, but found the visiting keeper there again to thwart them, saving the effort with his legs, before the rampant hosts got in again moments later and saw a shot across goal go just wide of the far post.  It has been one way traffic for the last fifteen to twenty minutes.

And with twenty minutes remaining the hosts made it two goals in five minutes when they added a brilliant second, as a good move ended with a ball laid into path of Collin who side footed first time into the corner of the net and Margate had some breathing space.

With just over ten minutes remaining another delightful ball across from the hosts ended with the ball being prodded wide at the far post, however sincd the second goal the hosts tempo had dropped significantly, and Egham almost capitalised on this when they nearly got in on goal, but a fine last ditch tackle thwarted them.

The visitors never really threatened a comeback tbough and Margate did have two shots from range go off target late on before a free kick was headed over the Egham crossbar in stoppage, however they had done enough to progress into the final qualifying round and travel to Twerton Park to take on Vanarama South side Bath City on Tuesday night.

Full Time Margate 2 Egham Town 0

Southend Manor Reserves 0 Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves 1

Essex Senior League Reserves Division, Wednesday 22nd November 2017

Wednesday evening saw me over at Southchurch Park for a rare ESL Reserves Division midweek fixture as Southend Manor hosted Sawbridgeworth Town in a rearranged fixture.

The hosts were having a great season, sitting in fourth place with games in hand over the teams above, and could go second with victory in this one, whilst The Robins were sitting in sixth spot and could close the gap to the top six to just a point with a victory.

And two minutes in Manor went close to taking an early lead but saw a deflected shot well saved by the visitors keeper, then eight minutes later another pacey attack from the hosts ended with a shot straight at the keeper.

On 13 minutes Manor attacked again and after a dangerous ball into the area caused the keeper to fumble, from the next attack the visitors keeper managed to tip over a decent effort from the hosts.

The visitors first effort on goal came four minutes later when they struck a long range effort inches over the bar. Sawbo had a very strong wind behind them in the first half so the shot had some venom in it helped by the wind, and in the 19th minute a ball driven to the far post was inches away from being converted at the far post by the Robins.

The Robins were now beginning to use the wind to their advantage and in the 34th minute the ball was given away by the hosts and saw the visitors whistle one over the top, and then two minutes later the home sides keeper made a good stop to keep Sawbo’s effort out.

Five minutes before the break Manor had a great chance as a free kick floated into the box found a player unmarked but he could only head wide, and the half ended goalless in a match where the quality was not being helped by a strengthening wind from the Estuary.

Half Time Southend Manor Reserves 0 Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves 0

Four minutes into the second period the hosts, now with wind behind them, fired over the first attempt in the second half before the visitors keeper had to make a brilliant save moments later after making a mess of the initial cross.

The next chance didn’t arrive until the 63rd minute but wow what a chance as a Manor substitute found himself through on goal just moments after coming on, but he could only slice his effort well wide, it really was a terrific chance.

Three minutes later down the other end the visitors were screaming for a spot kick after they were convinced a defender had handled after a cross into the hosts area had caused problems, however the referee adjudged it wasn’t a handball and played on.

With twenty minutes to go Manor thought they had finally found a way through when a shot hit the visiting keeper on the body, came back out and saw the rebound turned home, however about three or four seconds later the linesman on the far side raised his flag to indicate offside so the goal was ruled out, much to Manor’s dismay.

Four minutes later Manor saw a free kick go inches over, it looked like it was in for all money, and then moments later the home side went close again when driving a ball across goal but not finding anyone in the middle.

But with eleven minutes remaining of the contest the breakthrough did arrive, but not for the hosts, as a cross into the box caught the wind, deceiving the defender trying to head the cross away, and player manager Andi Pearce produced a scissor kick like finish into the roof of the net and put his side ahead.

Manor almost responded immediately as a ball into the box ended with a finish on the stretch although it look like he had been fouled trying to strike the ball at goal, but again it was adjudged that no such offence occured, annoying a now frustrated home side.

Manor then struck another long range effort over, and this meant they still trailed with three to go plus stoppages. But they could not find a way back into the game and it meant that Pearce’s goal eleven minutes from time was enough to see The Robins to victory in a game ruined by the wind. It was also a rare defeat for Manor, only their second of the season, meaning the hosts stay fourth, and Sawbo sixth and just a point behind the top five.

Full Time Southend Manor Reserves 0 Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves 1

Old Southendian 0 Harold Wood Athletic 2

Essex Premier Cup Round Three, Saturday 18th November 2017

Second half goals from Dan Gillard and Joe Stevens helped see Essex Olympian Premier side Harold Wood Athletic progress through to Round Four of the Essex Premier Cup with victory over Essex Olympian Senior One Old Southendian at Garon Park.

The Senior One hosts were having a decent campaign, sitting third in their division and hoping to have a season which ends with promotion to the Premier Division, whilst Wood were sitting fifth in the Premier after a solid campaign so far, so a decent cup tie was expected.

The first real chance didn’t arrive until the 13th minute though and it fell to the visitors when Gillard cut inside onto his left foot, but his effort was saved by the hosts keepers legs.

And that was pretty much the closest we came to a goal in the opening half hour, and the hosts first real decent shooting chance didn’t arrive until ten minutes before the break, but the effort was miles off target, it had been a game of few chances you could say so far.

And in first half stoppage time the visitors went very close to going in a goal up at the break when a free kick from Gillard saw the home keeper palm away brilliantly.  However the one word you could use for the first period was attritional, it hadn’t been easy on the eye.

Half Time Old Southendian 0 Harold Wood Athletic 0

Two minutes into the second half saw a great ball across the hosts goal by Joe Stevens was almost converted at the far post but ended up as a corner, and from this saw the ball headed wide.

Then came a decent spell of possession for the hosts although they couldn’t carve out a decent opening, but just past the hour mark the visitors went close as a Gillard flick was tipped across the face of goal by the keeper, but it failed to find an attacking player and was cleared.

In the 65th minute and with the visitors now on the front foot, a good cross from Stevens found Gillard who could only head wide of the far post, however just four minutes later Wood won a penalty after winger Connor Hartwell was taken out by full back Conor Lane, and Gillard stepped up to slot home the spot kick and give the Premier outfit the advantage.

In the 73rd minute more visitors pressure saw the keeper save a Gillard header before the ball was returned back to Gillard by Hartwell, Gillard then converted the chance but it was flagged offside as Hartwell had been in an offside position when the original effort was saved.

Four minutes later and with Wood continuing to press for a second, they went close to doubling lead again as Stevens thumped a close range effort against the bar and then two minutes later another good chance for visitors saw the keeper save the effort with his legs.

But with five minutes of normal time remaining Wood got their clinching second goal as a mistake allowed Hartwell in on goal and although his lofted effort was saved, the ball bounced into the path of Stevens who headed into the empty net and double Wood’s lead.

Two minutes into stoppage time the hosts forced a save from a header as they desperately looked for a lifeline but the resulting corner was hit behind for a goal kick, summing up their afternoon.

Soon after the referee brought proceedings to a close and its Wood who are through to Round Four to set up an away tie at fellow Olympian Premier side Frenford on 13th January.

Full Time Old Southendian 0 Harold Wood Athletic 2

Redbridge 3 West Essex 1

Essex Senior League, Friday 17th November 2017

Centre half Liam Thomas was The Motormen’s unlikely hero after he netted a hat-trick as Redbridge went five clear at the top of the Essex Senior League with victory over West Essex on Friday night at Oakside.

The hosts should of been in front in only the second minute as the ball dropped to Eljay Worrell bang in front of the visitors goal however he could only blast his effort wide, and just three minutes later the visitors took the lead when Joe Lefley got a second bite of the cherry to fire past Lewis Greene.

In the 19th minute Calvin Poku almost got onto a through ball for the hosts, but visitors keeper Dan Russell managed to come out and smother the ball, and three minutes later a lung busting run from Joshua Hutchinson saw him lay off a ball to Poku, but the forward could only fire a powerful effort over the visitors bar.

Midway through the half Fatos Zeqiri sliced an effort wide for the visitors as they continued to compete well with the league leaders,  and on the half hour mark a Redbridge corner was headed wide by Thomas from six yards out.

Ten minutes before half time the ball broke to Worrell inside the West Essex box but he could onky drag his effort wide of the far post, and two minutes later the hosts saw Martin Tuohy send a deflected header at goal, but this was saved easily by Russell.  It meant despite all the hosts attacking pressure they found themselves a goal behind at the break.

Half Time Redbridge 0 West Essex 1

The visitors had a decent chance to double their lead six minutes after the break as a ball into the box was headed wide by Tom Macleod, but just five minutes later Redbridge equalised when after second half substitute Brian Moses had seen a point blank effort saved by Russell,  Thomas followed up to score by sending an effort through a crowded six yard box and into the net.

And just before the hour it was a quickfire double for centre half Thomas as he diverted a Worrell free kick into the goal and suddenly the hosts had the lead.

The visitors fired a loose ball well wide of target midway through the half but they had responded well after going behind although they failed to really test Greene in the hosts goal, and with seventeen minutes left a scramble in the visitors box eventually saw the ball deflect wide of goal, although a goal kick was given.

In the 77th minute a great ball into the box by another second half substitute Jacob Dingli saw Moses attack the visitors near post but see his deft flick fly across goal and away from danger,  as the hosts remained just one goal to the good.

However with a minute of normal time remaining the hosts won a penalty when Dingli got clear and rounded keeper Russell who hacked him to the floor, resulting in the dismissal of the visitors keeper.  And the ball was handed to centre half Thomas to give him the chance of completing a memorable hat-trick, and Thomas took the chance well and sparked wild scenes amongst the hosts.

In the 95th minute Lefley thumped a terrific effort against the Redbridge post with keeper Greene well beaten, but it was too little too late for West Essex who despite a gallant effort here fell to defeat against the league’s best team right now arguably.

Full Time Redbridge 3 West Essex 1

Ilford 3 Hullbridge Sports 1

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 15th November 2017

A Peagram brace helped Ilford come from behind to beat Hullbridge Sports at Cricklefield.

Both sides had seen managerial amendments prior to this contest, Ilford merging Allan Fenn and Billy Cove into joint managers, and Darren Manning coming in to replace Rob Hodgson/Aaron Hunwicks as Hullbridge boss.

Ilford sat in ninth position after a slow start to their campaign, whilst Hullbridge were way down in 20th place with only Waltham Forest below them in the division after a season of struggle

The Foxes came into this one off the back of defeat to West Essex whilst Hullbridge defeated Wembley in the Vase to give them confidence ahead of this one.

The early exchanged saw an early chance for both sides, the visitors seeing hosts keeper Clark’s clearence falls to Cox outside the box but he could only blast his first time effort well wide, before the hosts saw an effort blocked on the line down the other end.

If truth be told though the opening twenty minutes were not a great spectacle and the next effort on goal didn’t arrive until midway through the half when the hosts fired an effort at goal from outside the box, but keeper Merrells got down well to save.

But just before the half hour mark the visitors grabbed the lead when an effort from Siemienczuk deflected past Clark and the visitors had the advantage.

With six minutes of the half remaining Sports got in down the left but for some reason Siemienczuk decided to cross instead of shoot at goal and the chance ended up being snuffed out.

And with three minutes of the half remaining Ilford equalised when a cross to the back post was headed back across goal for Peagram to apply a close range finish and send his side in level at the break.

Half Time Ilford 1 Hullbridge Sports 1

The Foxes had a great chance early on in the second period when Atutis sent a powerful free header over the bar, and a few minutes later Peagram sent in a dangerous cross towards the visitors far post but no one gambled on it and it drifted out for a goal kick.

Ten minutes into the half the visitors got in but saw Clark tip the effort wide, then from the corner the visitors sent a header from a angle onto the bar and over.

The next goal was always going to be crucial in such a tight contest and it was the home side who got their noses in front just past the hour mark when Atutis ghosted into the box to send a powerful header in off the bar and give the Foxes the lead.

The visitors looked for a response and in the 72nd minute saw them create a great chance as Buffin got in, but saw Clark save well however the ball squeezed out to the edge of the box but the follow up effort went over.

And with fifteen minutes remaining Ilford increased their lead when another ball into the box saw Peagram head home a third for the hosts and give his side a two goal cushion.

Sports almost got back into the contest late on when an Ilford pass back went past keeper Clark who had come out of goal, but the ball went wide of the post, and the hosts breathed a sigh of relief.

The remainder of the game saw the hosts see it out and pick up a welcome win to maintain ninth spot, whilst for Hullbridge they sit second bottom and with plenty of work to do.

Full Time Ilford 3 Hullbridge Sports 1

Hackney Wick 1 Wadham Lodge 3

Essex Senior League, Saturday 11th November 2017

Dwade James netted twice as Lodge made it three wins in five after victory over Hackney Wick in the evening kick off at the Old Sports Dog.

The hosts began the contest well and looked to gain an early advantage against the leagues bottom side but were unable to find a way through.

However Lodge are much improved now under the stewardship of Marc Farrell and soon grew into the contest and midway through the half grabbed the lead when a deep cross to the back post found Mario Gnijaj who converted and give the visitors the advantage.

And it was an advantage they would double just eight minutes later when the referee adjudged that a foul had been committed just inside the box although it did look a bit harsh to me, anyway James stepped up and converted the spot kick and Wick had a mountain to climb.

Wick ended the half with a decent spell but they went into the break two goals behind and as things stood Lodge would be leapfrogging them out of the bottom four.

Half Time Hackney Wick 0 Wadham Lodge 2

Wick knew they needed the next goal to have any chance of getting something from the game but it was Lodge who had two brilliant chances to extend their lead but failed to do so.

The second period thereafter was fairly quiet as both teams battled in midfield as the game just drifted along and it remained this way until twelve minutes from time when from nowhere Wick pulled a goal back when sloppy play allowed Ibrahim Camara to poke home into the far corner and give Wickers a lifeline.

The hosts never really threatened an equaliser though and in fact it was Lodge who so nearly sealed the points but again failed to do just that.

That was until the 89th minute when they finally sealed the win when a cross into the six yard box saw the keeper spill trying to catch the ball and allowed James to thump home from a yard out and punish the mistake.

It meant that Lodge jumped up four places into fifth bottom and leap frog Wick who now find themselves third bottom.

Full Time Hackney Wick 1 Wadham Lodge 3