Billericay Town 3 Slough Town 2

Vanarama National League South, Tuesday 29th January 2019

Goals from Moses Emmanuel, Joe Kizzi and Adam Coombes saw Billericay Town to victory over Slough Town at New Lodge on a wet and snowy evening in Essex.

The hosts, who had recently seen Harry Wheeler take charge for a second spell as manager, were looking to close the gap to the top four and strengthen their play-off position at the same time. 

Slough, who sat in mid-table, were looking for the points to bring them within touching distance of the play-offs, so it was an important game for both.  Slough’s preparations weren’t helped by traffic issues meaning some of their personal were late arriving, but they did all manage to get there in time to start the game at the scheduled 7:45pm.

The opening exchanges saw Billericay spurn two clear cut chances, firstly when Kieron Cadogan burst clear and found himself one on one with visiting keeper Jack Turner, but the attacker could only dink the ball disappointingly into the keeper’s hands, and then another chance saw a cut-back totally missed by Emmanuel.

Slough themselves had a couple of sighters from long range, one going wide whilst the other was straight at home keeper Alan Julian, before the visitors then saw a decent effort beaten away by Julian for a corner, and it had been a decent start despite the goalless score line.

Billericay then went close when a header across goal went just wide of the far post, but the hosts then almost gifted the visitors the lead when a poor back pass towards his own goal by Danny Waldren went straight to Slough forward Matthew Lench but Julian saved to spare Waldren’s blushes.

Emmanuel then struck wide for the hosts before Slough went oh so close to taking the lead when Ben Harris saw his free-kick deflect onto the inside of the hosts post before going across goal and out for a corner, and moments later a ball across the face of goal from the visitors missed all coming in and Billericay could breathe a sigh of relief.

But five minutes before the break Billericay opening the scoring as after the hosts had seen an effort saved, the next attack saw Emmanuel burst into the box, see an effort blocked before he blasted home the loose ball into the roof of the net, but that lead would not last too long.

This is because the visiting Slough found a leveller three minutes later when Ben Harris swivelled on the edge of the box before sending a lovely effort beyond Julian into the bottom corner.  Billericay headed over a corner late on in the half, but it meant the sides went into the break all square with everything still to play for.

Half Time Billericay Town 1 Slough Town 1

The majority of the 509 inside the stadium were hoping for the hosts to go on and win this game no doubt, and four minutes into the second period they re-took the lead when after an effort was deflected wide, the resulting corner saw Kizzi rise to power home a header and give the Blues fans some more cheer.

They could of made it three as well when a high looping cross saw keeper Turner flap at it and the loose ball was then fired over by substitute Alfie Potter, who had only just come on minutes before, whilst down the other end Slough saw a decent effort beaten away by Julian before the follow up was scrambled out for a corner.

But on 70 minutes came a moment of magic from Coombes, who struck a brilliant dipping free-kick in off the underside of the bar and give the hosts breathing space with a two-goal cushion.  It looked like it was going over until the vicious dip came in, it really was a fantastic strike and had everyone up on their feet for sure.

The game then seemed to drift a bit as the snow started to come down, but with three minutes left Slough suddenly made it an interesting last few minutes when a cross saw Ben Harris nod home for his second of the contest, and it was very much game on.

Sam Deering came on for the final part of the game, and he almost sealed the win for the hosts when sending a brilliant effort against the bar, before his follow up with blocked on the line, but Slough could not find a leveller meaning the hosts held on for a well-earned three points.

Full Time Billericay Town 3 Slough Town 2

Woodford Town 0 Sporting Bengal United 1

Essex Senior League Premier Division, Friday 25th January 2019

Tavir Ahmed’s first goal for Sporting Bengal United was enough for the visitors from Mile End to defeat Woodford Town at The Harlow Arena on Friday night.

Traffic issues had meant the visitors were delayed in getting to the ground meaning a delayed kick-off of 8pm, but when the game did get going (at 8:02pm) the first opportunity came the way of the hosts when a fierce effort hit keeper Richie Robins before going away from danger, whilst down the other end Mario Embalo saw one straight at James Scammell before another effort was blasted way over.

Woodford then saw a brilliant ball across goal almost converted by Temi Babalola, whilst up the other end Steve Carvell fired straight at Scammell after making room to shoot on his left foot, however the game remained goalless past the half hour mark.

There were more chances in the latter part of the half too, Ashaan Siddik curled wide for Sporting before Vlad Sighiartau then saw an effort for the hosts tipped wide by Robins in the visiting goal, and then another chance for Woodford saw Babalola hook wide from inside the area before the same man missed the target again soon after.

Carvell then saw a deflected long-range effort go just wide of the Woodford goal, but in first half stoppage time the deadlock was broken when a ball into the left side of the box found Ahmed who took a touch before burying a wonderful finish beyond Scammell and it meant the visitors went into the break a goal to the good.

Half Time Woodford Town 0 Sporting Bengal United 1  

Sporting could and should have doubled their lead early in the second half and saw Cody Cameron poke wide on the slide and then send another effort just wide of the near post, and then were awarded a penalty after a foul on Siddik, but Charles Gregory’s penalty was poor and saw Scammell make a rather easy save.

Woodford had also seen a terrific chance pass them by when Samir Ali broke clear but saw his effort saved by Robins, whilst Sighiartau then drilled another Woodford effort across goal and wide of the far post, as the end to end nature of this contest continued.

Siddik then wriggled free at the back post but could only send a header over the target for the visitors, whilst Ethan Kessel struck over the bar for the hosts as we approached the final fifteen minutes of this match.

Sporting had chances to maybe seal this one late on but it mattered not as they took the points here, meaning they remain seventh in the table, whilst Woodford remain in fifth, ahead of the weekend’s action in the division.

Full Time Woodford Town 0 Sporting Bengal United 1

Haringey Borough 1 Margate 0

Bostick League Premier Division, Saturday 19th January 2019

Ralston Gabriel headed home an 87^th minute winner as ten-man Haringey Borough saw off struggling Margate in a dominant performance in front of 456 at Coles Park and see the North London side five points clear at the top of the Bostick Premier Division.

The hosts came into this off the back of a defeat at struggling Harlow Town last time out, ending a long unbeaten run that had seen them take control of the division, so it was imperative that they got back to winning ways to keep their advantage at the top.

Margate were the visitors to Coles Park and they have had a fairly disappointing season and look to be in a relegation dogfight, but they could take heart from what Harlow did last weekend so they would have believed they could get a result here.

But the opening quarter hour mark saw the hosts completely overrun their lowly league opponents and create several openings, however none of these actually tested the keeper whatsoever as all were off target, which would have disappointed them no doubt.

The pass and movement of the hosts was breath taking though and Margate were really struggling to cope with it, but they did get through the first half-hour unscathed and did manage the only shot on target in the match at that point, although it was straight at the keeper.

The visitors did start to finally settle into the contest after Borough’s initial early onslaught, but they were handed an advantage in the 33^rd minute when hosts midfielder George Aresti was shown a straight red card after a kick-out following a challenge, and you felt that after all the home sides dominance, this could turn the game perhaps.

Despite the numerical disadvantage though Haringey still looked the likelier to score, and after more openings missed the target, they also had two penalty shouts waved away too, meaning the game remained goalless at the break.  It certainly meant an important second half was coming up for both sides.

Half Time Haringey Borough 0 Margate 0

The second period pretty much carried on like the first one, with the hosts continuing to carve out openings with their terrific pass and movement, but sadly they did not have their shooting boots on and continued to miss the target, or on a couple of occasions miss the ball completely from a couple of cut-backs.

Margate looked like a side who were terrified of being caught on the counter by a pacey and skilful Borough attack, and although they had the man advantage they rarely tried to venture forward to much and lacked ambition in my eyes.  You could see why they were struggling down towards the bottom of the division.

They did have a couple of efforts at goal though, but although one was again on target, it was easy for the keeper, whilst the other effort was way off target, but at least on those occasions they at least looked like they could try and cause problems for the hosts.

But despite this the home side were pretty dominant and when they did finally get an effort on target, they really should have scored but saw the keeper beat away a close-range effort, and it seemed like one of those days for the hosts and two points seemed to be slipping away.

The ten-men though kept plugging away and with three minutes of normal time remaining they finally broke through as a corner into the six-yard box saw Gabriel glance home a header and cued mass celebrations as they knew how important this win could be. They had also done this whilst playing with a man short for the best part of an hour, but they really did not look like a team who had been a man light, such was their dominance.

It all means that Borough remain top, five points clear, and more important back to winning ways once again, whilst for Margate they drop a place to 17^th and are just four points above the bottom four, and on this display, it looks like a tough few months ahead for the Kent side.

Full Time Haringey Borough 1 Margate 0

Benfleet 3 Coggeshall United 3 (Benfleet won 7-6 on penalties)

Thurlow Nunn First Division KO Cup Third Round, Wednesday 16th January 2019

Benfleet set up a Quarter-Final tie with Hashtag United after they won an epic Thurlow Nunn First Division KO cup tie against Coggeshall United at Park Lane.

The visitors didn’t take long to edge ahead in this one as after three minutes they saw George Smith wriggle free before firing a super effort into the bottom corner, whilst Benfleet almost levelled when a flick-on saw an effort put over from close-range.

It had been a lively start though and in the 16^th minute the hosts did level when after Ben Foord had seen a goal-bound effort blocked, Sam Dulieu was on hand to fire home the rebound, and then five minutes later the hosts took the lead when poor defending presented the ball to Foord who fired home.

The home side then almost got in a couple of times after that but saw visiting keeper Matt Walker come out to thwart any danger, before the visitors then saw a couple of openings go by the wayside, the first one saw the ball overrun after it looked like they were in on goal, and secondly when they blasted way over from a decent position.

And then the home keeper Flo Gislette had to be alert to save an effort from a cut-back, and then he had to make a good double save to keep the hosts ahead as the visitors ended the half well, but despite this Benfleet did go into the break with a slender lead in what had been a very entertaining half at Park Lane.

Half Time Benfleet 2 Coggeshall United 1

It was Benfleet who began the second half well, and three minutes into it saw them increase their lead when Foord grabbed his second of the game, glancing home a corner with his head at the near post.

Coggeshall responded and only a super stop from Gislette prevented the visitors from pulling a goal back, and the game was still being played at a hundred miles an hour and it was super to watch as both sides looked to attack.

Twenty minutes into the second period saw Coggeshall grab a second and get themselves back into this contest once again, when Lewis Soraf burst through and fired beyond Gislette into the far corner.

The visitors then almost gifted their opponents a goal when a back-pass caught out keeper Walker but the ball went wide, and down the other end Coggeshall thumped an effort wide.

Fleet then had the chance to possibly seal the tie but after putting together a wonderful move, the finish was wayward, whilst the visitors again struck just wide at the other end as this wonderful contest continued to entertain.

And with seven minutes remaining the visitors got themselves on level terms as Smith grabbed his second of the game, running onto a pass and brilliantly lobbing the stranded Gislette into the far corner.

Both teams had chances to win the tie late on, but neither could find a winner and the contest would have to be decided by penalties.

After thirteen successful penalties, including one were hosts keeper Gislette did save but saw the ball spin into the goal, much to his dismay, however it mattered not in the end as Coggeshall missed their seventh spot kick meaning the hosts progressed into the Last Eight of the competition.

Full Time Benfleet 3 Coggeshall United 3 (Benfleet won 7-6 on penalties)   

Barkingside 2 Leyton Athletic 2

Essex Senior League Premier Division, Saturday 12th January 2019

Barkingside fought back from two goals down to earn a point against Leyton Athletic in the big bottom two clash in the Essex Senior League Premier Division at Cricklefield.

Side came into this one off the back of three straight wins in all competitions without conceding a goal, this after having gone the whole season without a win, meaning that a fourth win on the bounce would take them level with their opponents at the foot of the table.

But a win for Leyton would of seen them open up a six point lead over their hosts, so it really was a big game for both sides who also knew three points could take them closer to the teams above them.

Both teams had early efforts, the visitors thumping one over from range whilst the hosts sliced wide after a cut-back had found them in a decent position, but in the 20^th minute came the breakthrough, and it was the visitors who found it. 

A ball forward saw full-back David Ottley get ahead of his marker, but as keeper Ryan Karrar came to accept a header back, Ottley failed to head it back and allowed Rijorn Tuitt in to put the ball into the unguarded net.

It was frustrating for the hosts as they had done ok apart from that defensive error, as prior to going behind they had struck a long-range effort wide, and then after going behind only a brilliant defensive block thwarted what would have probably been an equaliser.

The visitors then truck one over from range before they doubled their lead in this one when after the visitor’s defence had failed to clear their lines, the ball fell to Abdul Bangura who lashed an effort into the bottom corner and saw the visitors into a very decent position in this contest.

It was almost three moments later as Karrar had to beat away an effort before clawing the ball away from danger before the visitors could pounce on any rebound, but the hosts were in danger of falling apart here and the natives were more than restless.

And with three minutes of the half remaining the visitors won a penalty after Karrar had adjudged to have fouled Tuitt, resulting in a booking for the experienced keeper, but Tuitt sent the spot-kick over the bar and it stayed at 2-0 to the visitors.

Had it gone 3-0 the game was over in my view, but instead Side would go into the break only a goal behind as they netted soon after that penalty miss when Joe Oates rifled home and it was very much game on once again.

Half Time Barkingside 1 Leyton Athletic 2

Both teams created early chances in the second period, Karrar saving a visitor’s effort down to his right before the hosts saw an effort off target down the other end, but in the 63^rd minute the hosts levelled up this contest when after the visitors had sent a free-kick wide, the hosts went up the other end and saw Harry Matthews prod home from close range.

Side now felt they could maybe go on and win this now and they should of gone in front but saw a close range effort somehow kept out by visiting keeper Callum Lynskey who stuck up an arm to send the ball wide for a corner, and from that corner saw a resulting scramble that was just about cleared.

Leyton then saw a decent cross just to far behind them and as a result the header could not be directed at goal, before down the other end a spectacular effort was well fielded by Lynskey, and this contest went into the final minutes still all square.

It was Side who were pushing for a winner late on though, and they nearly found it when a cross looped onto the bar before the rebound was struck way over, and that was that and this brilliant contest ended all square, meaning it was as you were in the bottom two of the division.

Full Time Barkingside 2 Leyton Athletic 2

Southend United 0 Portsmouth 2

Checkatrade Trophy Third Round, Tuesday 8th January 2019

First half goals from Dennis and Evans saw Portsmouth to a comfortable victory over Southend United at Roots Hall, booking their place in the Quarter-Finals of the Checkatrade Trophy in the process.

It didn’t take long for the League One leaders to get their noses in front when barely two minutes had elapsed when Smith’s right-wing cross was headed in off the bar by Dennis, and it kind of set the tone for the evening.

Lethbridge then fired over from eighteen yards before the visitors created an even better chance to double their lead when Wheeler dragged wide when clean through on goal, but the visitors had totally dominated the opening half hour or so.

The hosts did then create a decent opening when a free-kick from Kightly to Cox saw the latter tee up Robinson and his cross-shot across goal saw them fail to convert at the far post, but the visitors continued to have the better of the game and saw a Burgess header cleared off the line down the other end.

The Blues first effort on target saw a White effort held by Bass, but in first half stoppage time Pompey doubled their lead when Evans drilled home a first-time effort from the edge of the area to send the visitors into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead.

Half Time Southend United 0 Portsmouth 2

The hosts made a double change at the start of the second period to try and change things up as it had not been a good performance so far, with Dieng and McLaughlin coming on for Kightly and Cox respectively, whilst the dominant visitors replaced Green with Read.

It didn’t really have the desired effect though and saw the visitors send another effort at the hosts goal through Dennis, but Smith was equal to the effort, and things got worse for the home side when Taylor Moore went off injured, adding to their already bulging injury list.

May then fired over for Pompey in what was a great chance to make it three, but despite the hosts rallying late on, their best effort came from McLaughlin who fired over after swapping passes with Bunn, the visitors never really looked in any danger and cruised into the Last Eight of the competition.

Full Time Southend United 0 Portsmouth 2

Local (Essex/London) Non-League Football New Years Day 2019 Round Up

(Orient's Macauley Bonne celebrates his goal with his teammates, a goal that was enough to defeat Dagenham & Redbridge at Brisbane Road to go four clear at the top of the Vanarama National) 

With there being no Essex Senior League or Eastern Senior League South fixtures on New Years Day I thought I’d do a round up of the local Essex/London non-league games that took place instead, so here are those below:-

Vanarama National League

Braintree Town 0 Ebbsfleet United 4

The Irons 2019 started in awful fashion as they crashed to a heavy home defeat at the hands of Ebbsfleet United.  The visitors grabbed a third minute lead through Cody McDonald, heading home from a corner, and they doubled their lead midway through the half when Michael Cheek headed home another corner, despite the best attempts of defender Amaluzor to clear it off the line.  And just past the hour mark it was three for Fleet when Cheek netted from the spot for his second of the afternoon, and the rampant hosts made it four with eleven to go when a great passing move ended with Corey Whitley sending a back-heeled effort in off the post.  It leaves Braintree bottom of the table and eight points from safety now with only eighteen games remaining.

Leyton Orient 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

League leaders Orient gained revenge for their boxing day loss at Victoria Road to net a narrow win over Dagenham & Redbridge at Brisbane Road.  The hosts netted the only goal of the game in the 33^rd minute when a header into the box found Macauley Bonne who nodded at goal and saw it trundle past Justham and into the net.  The hosts had chances to make it more comfortable after the break but they did pick up the three points to send themselves four clear at the summit, whilst D & R see their unbeaten run ended and are 15^th although they are nine points clear of the relegation zone, or twelve off the play-off zone, depending if your glass is half empty or half full.

Vanarama National League South

Billericay Town 0 Chelmsford City 1

Chelmsford are up a place to fourth after they completed a festive season double over their near neighbours Billericay Town.  City won the boxing day derby 5-1 but this contest was unsurprisingly much much tighter, but it was City who grabbed the only goal of the game with just over fifteen minutes remaining when boxing day hat-trick hero Rhys Murphy netted after being allowed to run through and pass the ball home and see him celebrate with the travelling fans behind the goal.  It’s been a festive season to forget for the Blues, and defeat sees them drop to seventh and clinging onto the last play-off position on goal difference. 

Concord Rangers 1 East Thurrock United 1

Tom Derry netted an 84^th minute equaliser to deny hosts Concord all three points at the Aspect Arena.  Concord got their noses in front after seventeen minutes when Sam Blackman headed home, but the visitors grabbed an equaliser through Derry with six minutes remaining to make sure the struggling visitors picked up what could be a vital point.  The hosts remain third although there is a seven-point gap to second placed Woking now, whilst United’s point sees them second bottom and only three points from safety and with a much better goal difference then fourth bottom Hungerford Town.

Bostick League Premier

Wingate & Finchley 0 Haringey Borough 4

League leaders Haringey Borough kept their long unbeaten run going, increasing their lead to seven points over second placed Dorking Wanderers too, after they thrashed struggling Wingate & Finchley at Summers Lane.  The hosts actually were the better side until the 29^th minute when the pivotal moment came, as after hosts player Eade was shown a Red Card for a challenge on Tosin, the resultant free-kick fell to Rakim Richards who slotted home to give Boro the lead.  And the visitors took control of the contest thereafter and added a second on the hour when Anthony MacDonald headed home at the far post, and then it was three five minutes later when Olu Durojaiye smashed home from twenty yards.  And the visitors added a late fourth when a ball in from the right was headed home by Mark Kirby and sealed another good day at the office for the visitors.  Wingate are in 18^th, only one place and one point above fourth bottom AFC Hornchurch, and with a much worse goal difference to boot.

Bostick League North

Basildon United 1 Canvey Island 4

A Jose Figura brace helped Canvey Island to victory in their mid-table derby against Basildon United as the visitors netted four at the Ho-Ho Stadium.  Canvey took a 21^st minute lead when Frankie Merryfield played a through ball to Figura who ran onto it and curled home, but the hosts soon levelled when Steve Carvell chipped a ball over the top of the visiting defence for Callum Taylor to run onto and find the bottom corner. Canvey managed to re-take the lead twelve minutes into the second period though thanks to a close-range finish from Josh Hutchinson, and they had the chance to extend their lead on the hour mark but home keeper Olajide managed to save Tuohy’s penalty, keeping his side in the contest.  But midway through the second period it was three for the Islanders as Figura netted his second of the contest, slotting home after the ball had fallen to him inside the box.  And the visitors made it four with nine minutes to go thanks to Adam Vyse to seal the deal and see Canvey into tenth, just a point and one place behind their opponents in ninth.

Coggeshall Town 0 Heybridge Swifts 1

Elliott Ronto netted a brilliant overhead kick fifteen minutes from time to settle this huge New Year’s Day top of the table clash against Coggeshall Town at West Street, sending the visitors into second spot.  Both sides knew they could go second with a win, but the deciding moment came in the 75^th minute when thanks to that brilliant overhead kick from Ronto, and it sees Swifts six points behind leaders Bowers & Pitsea, whilst Coggeshall sit in fourth spot, a further two points back after this defeat, only their second at West Street all season too.

Romford 1 Grays Athletic 0

Hosts Romford netted a massive win in their New Year’s Day derby against Grays at Rookery Hill.  The only goal of the game came after just eight minutes when Ayo Olukoga netted and it saw the hosts pick up an important three points, taking them three clear of bottom side Dereham Town and up three places to fourth bottom, whilst defeat for the visitors sees them fail to make up ground to the top five as they remain in eight spot.

Here are this weekend’s local non-league football fixtures:-

Vanarama National League

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Boreham Wood

FC Halifax Town vs Braintree Town

Leyton Orient vs Salford City

Vanarama National League South

Chelmsford City vs Hampton & Richmond Borough

East Thurrock United vs Gloucester City

Hungerford Town vs Concord Rangers

Weston-super-Mare vs Billericay Town

Bostick League Premier

AFC Hornchurch vs Dorking Wanderers

Corinthian Casuals vs Harlow Town

Enfield Town vs Lewes

Haringey Borough vs Whitehawk

Merstham vs Wingate & Finchley

Bostick League North

AFC Sudbury vs Aveley

Barking vs Basildon United

Canvey Island vs Mildenhall Town

Felixstowe & Walton United vs Coggeshall Town

Grays Athletic vs Bury Town

Great Wakering Rovers vs Maldon & Tiptree

Heybridge Swifts vs Bowers & Pitsea

Soham Town Rangers vs Romford

Tilbury vs Dereham Town

Witham Town vs Brentwood Town

Bostick League South Central

FC Romania vs Uxbridge

Northwood vs Cheshunt

Westfield vs Waltham Abbey

Bostick League South East

VCD Athletic vs Ashford United

Whyteleafe vs Greenwich Borough

Essex Senior League Premier

Barkingside vs Tower Hamlets (Friday)

Woodford Town vs Ilford (Friday)

Clapton vs Leyton Athletic

Enfield vs Hoddesdon Town

Hullbridge Sports vs Sawbridgeworth Town

Redbridge vs Takeley

Southend Manor vs St Margaretsbury

Sporting Bengal United vs West Essex

Stanway Rovers vs Stansted

Walthamstow vs Saffron Walden Town

Eastern Senior League South

Braintree Town Reserves vs Harwich & Parkeston (Friday)

Brightlingsea Regent Reserves vs Hackney Wick

Coggeshall United vs Lopes Tavares London

Fire United Christian vs Hashtag United

Holland vs Burnham Ramblers

Little Oakley vs Wivenhoe Town

May & Baker vs Newbury Forest

White Ensign vs Benfleet

Wormley Rovers vs Frenford