Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1

SkyBet League One, Saturday 27th April 2019

Sunderland and Portsmouth drew a rather feisty and competitive encounter to take a point a piece in their huge SkyBet League One promotional encounter in front of 41,129 at The Stadium Of Light.

The hosts knew only a win would do to keep their chances of automatic promotion going for another few days as they sat in fourth, two points behind Pompey in third and four behind second placed Barnsley.

Portsmouth themselves knew a draw wouldn’t be a disaster for them but a win would have put them in charge of going up for sure, and with both teams having a game in hand over Barnsley they both knew three points here and in Tuesday’s games would see them possibly leapfrog Barnsley into second going into the final day next weekend.

It was no surprise that a bumper crowd was in attendance and the players were welcomed into the arena by a terrific atmosphere from both sets of fans, it must have made them realise just how big this game was so no doubt both sets of players couldn’t wait to get going.

The hosts began well and almost took the lead when Lewis Morgan’s overhead kick was tipped onto the woodwork by Craig MacGillivray, but after nine minutes Sunderland got their noses in front when Aiden McGeady’s cross was headed home by Tom Flanagan, and the home fans were up on their feet dreaming of glory.

Pompey though came back into the contest after that early set-back, and midway through the half found a leveller when after Lee Brown had headed against the bar, the ball was returned into the dangerzone and saw Jamal Lowe tap home from close range, and sent the 3,000 plus visiting fans wild.

Unfortunately, one so called visiting ‘fan’ lobbed a smoke bomb into the home fans below, and injured a family sitting in that section, which saw the game halted for about five minutes.  Thankfully the perpetrator was arrested and dealt with accordingly.  There is no place in the game for that sort of behaviour so it doesn’t look good on Portsmouth, which is a shame as they are a good family club and they don’t need people like this ruining their reputation.

Anyway, back to the football and it looked as though Pompey were starting to take control, and they thought they had taken the lead when Ronan Curtis thumped home a loose ball, but the referee deemed that hosts keeper Jon McLaughlin had been fouled under pressure from a corner, so the goal was ruled out.

The Black Cats though ended the half well and so nearly edged back in front in first-half stoppage time when a brilliant move ended with Charlie Wyke’s point-blank effort being brilliantly saved by MacGillivray, and this contest was all square going into the break.

Half Time Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1

The second half saw chances few and far between for both sides, and you could feel the nerves amongst both sets of fans, as they knew a goal either way would make a massive difference in the race from promotion.

But as the half went on you felt Portsmouth were settling more for the point as they knew they could still have a decent shot at automatic promotion with a point, and started to sit deeper and allow the hosts onto them more and more.  The hosts knew they had to win, simple.

And great Black Cats move almost ended with Max Power giving them the lead, but that man MacGillivray was to Pompey’s rescue again, tipping the effort away for a corner kick, and making sure his side remained level.

Will Grigg then came on for the hosts and he almost put Sunderland ahead with five minutes remaining, but could only turn a cross against the woodwork, as Portsmouth survived again.

The large home crowd were willing their team on to a late late winner, but Pompey held firm and managed to see the remainder of the game out to claim what could be a precious point for Kenny Jackett’s men.  They know that if they win their game in hand on Tuesday, they are just a point behind leaders Luton Town and second placed Barnsley going into the final game.

For Sunderland, it means play-offs now unless a miracle happens, and they look like they could take on Charlton Athletic over two legs for a place at Wembley, so more stress for the Black Cats long-suffering fans no doubt.  After the final whistle saw a melee ensue between the two sets of players, showing how much this game meant to both, and how important promotion is for these two sleeping giants.  The next month is going to be nerve-racking that’s for sure.

Full Time Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1

Newbury Forest 0 Wormley Rovers 0

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Tuesday 23rd April 2019

Newbury Forest and Wormley Rovers shared a goalless draw at Oakside, meaning the hosts require just a point from their final game to guarantee finishing outside the bottom two, whilst Wormley now need to win their final game to grab a top ten finish.

Forest came into this one knowing that a win would guarantee them to finish above second bottom Brightlingsea Regent Reserves, whilst visitors Wormley were after a top ten finish themselves, and a win here would all but guarantee that with a game still to play.

The hosts started quicker and saw Josh Boswell’s pace get him beyond the defence to almost get onto a long ball, but keeper Reece Grundy came out to advert the danger, before another effort at the visitor’s goal deflected over the bar.

Benni Matoko then had a sight of goal for the visitors but a last-ditch tackle saw his effort blocked, before Matoko then brought a pass down well but saw his volley go over the Forest bar, and then Wormley went closer still to taking the lead when Mike Nduakulu saw a brilliant effort thump against the post.

Louie Offer then played a one-two on the edge of the hosts box before seeing his effort blocked, whilst down the other end Jason Reynolds-Blanche almost got in the end of a super cross, but he could not stretch far enough to get contact on the ball.

A Forest corner then caused a scramble inside the box before the visitors cleared, and then Wormley went close again as a cross to the far side of the post saw Mitchel Linger loop a header back across goal but just wide of the far post, and it meant the sides went in level at the break.

Half Time Newbury Forest 0 Wormley Rovers 0

Forest keeper Bradley Simpson had to be alert to deny Wormley after a high ball saw him punch away from Matoko, before he then had to block the loose ball from Linger, whilst down the other end full back Ansa Edem was slipped in down the right, but his cross although beat the keeper, was well cleared by the defence.

A ball into the hosts box saw Linger wriggle free of his marker but head well wide of the target, before a powerful long-range effort from Matoko flew just over the hosts bar.

But Forest then should of taken the lead themselves when after Reynolds-Blance had shook off his marker, his cross into the six-yard box was somehow poked over the bar by Boswell who really should of scored.

Wormley then sent in a decent corner which Matoko could only divert over the bar, before good football from the hosts ended with an effort being looped wide, although the flag had already gone up for offside.

Matoko then worked himself some space and got into a good position on the edge of the hosts box, but his effort was blocked, before Forest saw Ferid Medanovic fail to get good contact onto a cross to the near post, allowing keeper Grundy to make a save.

Reynolds-Blanche then fired wide for the hosts, before Bradley Empson appeared to get in on goal, for Wormley, but two defenders caught him up to take the ball away from him, whilst Forest attacked again and only desperate defending denied hosts a clear shot at goal.

Freddie Anderson then saw a hosts free-kick saved well by Grundy, before Linger then rifled a Wormley free-kick wide at the other end, and soon after the whistle went meaning a point a piece.

Forest now travel to play Little Oakley on the final day knowing a point will be enough to finish outside the bottom two, defeat would mean a win for Brightlingsea Regent Reserves at May & Baker would see them leapfrog Forest into third bottom.  Wormley sit 11^th now, and a win against Halstead Town, who are going for the runners-up spot, would see them finish tenth.

Full Time Newbury Forest 0 Wormley Rovers 0

Stansted 1 St Margaretsbury 0

Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy Final, Monday 22nd April 2019 (at Leslie Field)

Stansted claimed the first of what they hope will be a treble winning campaign after an early Billy Coyne strike was enough to defeat St Margaretsbury at Leslie Field to win the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy for season 2018-19.

The Airportmen of course have a two more big weekend’s coming up as they go for title glory next weekend before another bank holiday final on May 6^th in the shape of the Errington Challenge Cup final against West Essex, so this was a chance to begin a clean sweep of titles here.

For St Margaretsbury their season had been turned upside down after Max Mitchell left for Hertford Town, and with the bulk of the squad disappearing too, they had to rebuild, and have found the last few weeks tough to say the least., but this was a chance for them to at least finish the season with some silverware.

After a fifteen minutes delay due to an accident on the main road to Burnham, Stansted began the better and took a sixth minute lead when Coyne saw his corner sail straight into the far corner of the net and the favourites had the perfect start to this final.

Jack West then headed wide for Stansted before St Margs sent a long-range effort wide of the target, then back down the other end Callum Ibe hooked over the bar from an angle.

St Margs full back Tom Hayden then drove at the Stansted, cut inside, but sent a weak effort towards goal which Charlie Turner got down the save easily, and then Glenn Nightingale fired a long-range effort at Stansted’s goal, but Turner was right behind it to catch the effort.

Ibe should then have doubled Stansted’s lead after a defensive error presented him with a chance to head over a stranded keeper, but he chose not to do this and ended up firing wide of the target, and then there was almost another embarrassing moment between keeper and defender as with Ibe chasing them down, the defender touched back towards the keeper who had to improvise to scramble the ball clear, just.

Reece Vickary then thumped a St Margs effort well wide before a cross into the St Margs box saw keeper Cameron Bailey drop under pressure, but Ibe’s acrobatic goal-bound effort was blocked.

And then a Coyne free-kick was parried out by Bailey straight into the path of Paul Clayton who slotted home the rebound, but the flag had gone up so the goal was ruled out, meaning the Airportmen had just a slender one goal lead at half time.

Stansted 1 St Margaretsbury 0

Jack Mitchell went close for Stansted early on in the second period, cutting inside but seeing his effort deflected just wide of the St Margs goal, before more Stansted chance saw Jack West swivel and strike at goal but see Bailey get down to save, and then an Ibe effort was brilliantly tipped wide by Bailey.

St Margs then fired a decent ball across the box but saw no one manage to get on the end of it, before Ibe then broke free for Stansted, was tackled well, but the ball broke free to Mitchell who could only slice wide of the target.

Kane Garwood, on as a second half substitute for St Margs, probably had the best chance for them when he got himself into a great position but his well struck left-footed effort was well saved by Turner, and it was a warning to Stansted that this was by no means over.

Stansted though were the side creating the chances in the main and saw Jordan Palmer hit straight at Bailey before they saw another effort blocked by their own player who was in an offside position to the flag went up to end that attack.

Ibe then almost sealed the contest but saw his close-range header brilliantly saved by Bailey, and from the resultant corner a header flicked on by a St Margs defender was cleared off the line, before Jack West then headed over another corner as that illusive killer second escaped the Airportmen.

Ibe then managed to break through tackles to get into the six-yard box but somehow poked wide from point blank range, the Stansted attacker will wonder how he hasn’t scored today but he had had a brilliant game apart from that and was a constant thorn in his opponents’ side.

Deep into stoppage time St Margaretsbury threw one last ball into the Stansted area in an attempt to force extra time, but another second half substitute Jayden Mitchell-Brown could not divert a header on target, and the game ended with Stansted taking the honours in what had been a very competitive contest.

One final footnote here, all the Stansted players wore special t-shirts during the celebrations in memory of joint manager Paul Pittock’s father who died a year ago today, so no doubt he would have been proud of his son and the team he manages.  One down, two to go now.

Full Time Stansted 1 St Margaretsbury 0

Old Southendian Reserves 3 Westhamians 0

Essex Olympian League Senior Three, Saturday 20th April 2019

A Dave Stubbs brace helped Old Southendian Reserves to league title glory after they defeated fellow title and promotion chasers Westhamians on the main pitch at Garon Park in Southend.

The teams came into this one knowing whoever won this contest would lift the Essex Olympian Division Three title, the hosts began the day top and just two points ahead of third placed Hamians, so only a win would do for the visitors if they wanted to take the championship away from the league leaders, and also confirm promotion too.

The hosts knew that even defeat would still see them promoted anyway after confirming that last time out against Wakering Sports, but they wanted the title as well, so this was billed as a rather tasty looking contest.

The first chance fell to the visitors though when they glanced a free-header off target, before the visitors then burst down the left although the final effort drilled across goal went just wide of the far post.

In the 18^th minute though OS took the lead when Stubbs managed to swivel and strike an effort back across goal, through a crowded box, and beyond the keeper into the far corner, and the league leaders had the advantage with their first real attack in the game.

The visitors tried to respond and swung over a corner but the header again was off target, but the visitors will wonder how they weren’t level when their next attack should of saw the leveller, as after the hosts keeper and mishit a clearance straight to them, the effort struck the post before coming out to another Hamians attacker, but his effort was saved before the follow up was blocked, and the hosts managed to escape somehow.

Just before half time though the hosts almost doubled their lead when an effort drilled across goal went just wide of the far post, and it meant the hosts went into the break with a slender lead and still all to play for.

Half Time Old Southendian Reserves 1 Westhamians 0

The visitors had a chance early on in the second period when cutting inside to open up some space, but the effort was straight at the keeper, before a hosts free-kick almost saw the keeper drop the effort over the line, but he recovered to stop that happening.

The visitors then saw an effort deflected wide before the home side should really have made it 2-0 as they burst into the area, forced a point blank save from the keeper, but somehow sent the rebound wide from two yards out.

A long ball over the top of the home sides defence almost released Hamians in on goal, but the home keeper came to punch clear and advert the danger, and then the hosts got in down the left side of the box but could only thump the effort over the bar.

The visitors then forced a good stop from the OS keeper, before the hosts somehow missed again to seal this contest when a ball laid across goal was miscued towards goal, meaning the keeper could just about keep the ball out, but the loose ball was then fired over the bar, much to the dismay of the hosts.

However, with five minutes remaining the hosts sealed the win and title glory when a defensive error allowed Stubbs in on goal, and he brilliantly lobbed the keeper into the far corner and cued wild celebrations amongst the home contingent.

The visitors almost gave themselves a late lifeline when heading against the post, but with the last kick off the game Oliver Tatton-Bennett thumped home a penalty after a foul inside the box, and it capped a good season for the home side.  Westhamians, although now cannot win the league, will still be promoted if they beat Basildon Town Reserves in their last match of the season.

But if they fail to win, they will miss out on promotion and see Laindon Orient finish runners-up instead and take that promotion place.  Watch this space as they say.

Full Time Old Southendian Reserves 3 Westhamians 0 

Hackney Wick 1 Hashtag United 1

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Wednesday 17th April 2019

Hashtag United are Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South champions after they gained the point they needed with a draw against Hackney Wick at The Old Spotted Dog to win the title and gain promotion to the Essex Senior League Premier for next season.

The equation was simple going into the game for the visitors, avoid defeat and they would take the title with a game to spare, however defeat against Hackney Wick would mean a potential title showdown with Coggeshall United on the final day of the season.

And it wasn’t going to be easy against a Wick side who in their previous two encounters this season in league and cup had seen the sides draw 1-1, so a tight and tense evening was expected in front of a vocal crowd at The Dog.

Wick, who sat in sixth at kick off and could still mathematically finish the season third, began much the better side and saw an effort from point blank range kept out by Hashtag keeper Jackson, before they attacked again and burst through the visitors backline, but a great last ditch block saw the ball roll into Jackson’s hands.

Sure enough after the hosts great start they found themselves behind in the 12^th minute, and it was a great bit of play by Harry Honesty to put the title chasing Hashtag into the lead, as he lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper before volleying home in off the bar to send the visitors wild, they had that lead and knew the hosts now needed two to deny them glory.

Wick though continued to be on the front foot and would make this difficult for the visitors, and Jackson had to get down to save another effort from outside the box, whilst down the other end in what was Hashtag’s second meaningful attack, they headed a free-kick inches wide.

Wick then saw Jackson brilliantly save a free-kick from just outside the box, but there was nothing he could do from the resultant corner as Akin Akinola managed to hook home a left-footed effort, and the hosts were deservedly level ten minutes before the break.  It was back in the balance you could say, and the teams went into the break level, with Wick certainly the better side, and the visitors knew they were going to have to work hard for this.

Half Time Hackney Wick 1 Hashtag United 1

It looked like Wick were going to carry on how they did in the first period, on the front foot, as initially they threatened the Hashtag backline early in the half, and got in down the left before cutting back into the dangerzone, and with keeper Jackson out of the frame, it took some last ditch defending to cut out the cross and clear for a corner.

After this early burst of pressure from the hosts though, they didn’t really trouble the visitors thereafter, and it was Hashtag who carved out the better second half chances.  Firstly then managed to get in down the right however the cutback bobbled before getting to the attackers and a mis control saw that attack fade.

And then a visitors free-kick almost left egg on the face of the hosts keeper as he came to claim the cross but totally misjudged the flight of the ball and it sailed over his head but luckily for him drifted inches wide of the far post, I thought it had gone in it was that close.

The hosts keeper then almost made another error when claiming a bouncing ball towards the top corner, as he dropped the ball back into the six-yard box, but whilst trying to reclaim the loose ball was fouled by an opponent, meaning he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Wick, whose attacks had pretty much dried up in this half as I said earlier, thumped a long-range effort well wide, whilst down the other end a visitors free-kick to the back post was almost controlled but yet again couldn’t get the ball out of their feet, so the chance was gone.

The game was now into stoppage time and there would be five or six minutes of it, the tension was palpable, especially amongst the visitors, who knew that the title and promotion were just minutes away, but terrific game management by them saw no further alarms and the final whilst brought scenes of joy as Hashtag United claimed the point they needed for the championship and promotion, well done to them, a great achievement for Jay Deveraux and his side in their first senior season.

A word for the hosts as well by the way, who have now held the champions to three 1-1 draws this season, and until recently were in the title picture themselves.  If they can keep this squad together for next season then they must surely be considered one of the front runners for next season.  A good game between two good sides this one was.

Full Time Hackney Wick 1 Hashtag United 1

Newbury Forest 1 Burnham Ramblers 2

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Tuesday 16th April 2019

First half goals from Allen and Morgan saw Burnham Ramblers take all three points against Newbury Forest at Oakside.

Forest came into this one off the back of their 5-2 win at Brightlingsea Regent Reserves, meaning they opened up a five-point gap to the bottom two, and a win here would have all but guaranteed them not to finish in the bottom two.

For Burnham, well they are just trying to finish the season strongly, mathematically they still can earn a top ten finish but this is probably unlikely now, but they will continue to fight until the end for sure.

The first chance went to the visitors as after the hosts had given the ball away, Swanbrough could only fire wide, and then there was almost a comical moment in the hosts defence when a header back from Anderson almost caught keeper Simpson out, but the Forest number one managed to keep the ball out.

Six minutes in though Burnham led as Allen sent a long-range effort at the hosts goal and saw his bouncing effort go beyond the dive of Simpson and into the corner of the net, and the visitors had the early advantage.

The hosts then had a great chance to level when a ball into the six-yard box saw Wyatt glance wide, and then Wyatt himself then burst down the left before his ball into the six-yard box was initially fumbled by Burnham keeper Sawyer before he managed to gather at the second attempt.

And the home side had a golden chance to level when Reynolds-Blanche was brought down inside the box for a penalty, but after picking himself up and taking the spot-kick, he saw his effort saved by Sawyer, and the visitors remained ahead.

Burnham then went close to doubling their lead when Morgan worked himself some space inside the box before firing a left-footed effort against the post, before more sloppy play from Forest saw Morgan nip in, but his effort could only find the side-netting.

A minute before the break though Burnham doubled their lead as after Morgan had been taken out inside the box, he got up to slot home the penalty and send the visitors into the break two goals to the good.

Half Time Newbury Forest 0 Burnham Ramblers 2

Etcheri fired an effort at the Forest goal early on in the second period but it was straight at Simpson, before the visitors attacked down the right before a ball in saw Allen poke wide of the target, and then the hosts went close when Reynolds-Blanche saw his close-range effort well saved by Sawyer.

Morgan then flew down the left for the visitors before he sent a ball flashing across the box but no one could apply a finishing touch, whilst down the other end an Adomakoh effort flew just over the bar, and then the visitors saw a mis-kicked effort from Etcheri brilliantly tipped over by Simpson.

Seventeen minutes from time though, Forest got themselves a lifeline, as Reynolds-Blanche beat the offside trap to run clear of the Burnham defence and slot beyond Sawyer, and now the hosts believed they could get something from this contest.

Adomakoh then headed over as Forest were now on the front foot, but the final few minutes of this game ended in farcical scenes as the referee lost his cool somewhat with the visitor’s bench, and after a couple of stern warnings, sent both manager Salmon and then assistant James from the dugout.

And then deep into stoppage time, subbed visiting player Briggs, who had been booked earlier in the contest, took the job of shouting instructions to his teammates, and after what the referee deemed a poke towards him after a decision went against them, he came over and gave Briggs a second yellow so he had to leave the pitch to.

It was a rather sour way to end the game, but Burnham did hold on to take all three points and continue to end their season strongly.  As for Forest, they have a rematch against Brightlingsea Regent Reserves at home this weekend, win that and they are safe from finishing in the bottom two.

Full Time Newbury Forest 1 Burnham Ramblers 2