Charlton Athletic 2 Sunderland 1

SkyBet League One Play-Off Final, Sunday 26th May 2019

Patrick Bauer netted a 94^th minute winner for Charlton Athletic to defeat Sunderland at Wembley to grab promotion to the SkyBet Championship after winning the League One Play-Off final in dramatic style.

The Black Cats were back at the National Stadium for the second time in 56 days following their appearance in the Checkatrade Trophy Final which they had lost on penalties to Portsmouth, but ironically it was them who Sunderland beat in the Semi-Finals over two legs to reach this final.

Charlton had finished the season strongly and had sneaked past both Portsmouth and Sunderland into third spot to set up a semi final against Doncaster, which they ended up winning on penalties in a dramatic second leg at The Valley.

Both The Addicks and the Black Cats had met in their very first game of the season, which Sunderland ran out 2-1 winners at The Stadium Of Light way back in August, and they would both end the season against each other too, and with the reverse fixture in January finishing 1-1, this was predicted to be another close encounter.

No one could have predicted what was to happen early on though, as Sunderland were gifted the lead in just the fifth minute, as Charlton defender Naby Sarr sent a backpass towards goal which keeper Dillon Phillips completely missed and saw the ball roll into the bottom corner of the goal.  Not the ideal start for the Addicks but a lovely present for the Black Cats.

Sunderland could of added to their lead too, firstly having a penalty appeal turned down when Charlie Wyke’s half-volley struck Bauer on the arm, and then secondly when Grant Leadbitter saw a low effort tipped wide by Phillips, as Charlton failed to settle in the opening twenty minutes.

But leading scorer Lyle Taylor, who had showed signs of causing danger, was heavily involved in The Addicks equaliser ten minutes before the break when some slick one-touch play with Anfernee Dijksteel and Joe Aribo saw him cross for Ben Purrington to convert from close range for his first goal for the club.  It meant a pulsating opening forty-five minutes ended all square.

Half Time Charlton Athletic 1 Sunderland 1

So where would this final end up?? A winner for either side or extra time and maybe the dreaded penalties perhaps? 

Charlton replaced the embarrassed Sarr for the second half by Jason Pearce, it had been an eventful half for the Charlton defender who had also picked up a booking as well as the own goal, and this sparked a change in play for Bowyer’s side, with Krystian Bielik moving into midfield.

Sunderland themselves hoped the introduction of influential playmaker Aiden McGeady would inspire them to victory in the last twenty minutes, but the winger struggled to raise a Black Cats side who could not really create anything of note.

So with a second half that had no meaningful shots on target, extra time looked nailed on.  But four minutes into stoppage time Charlton struck the winning blow when they overloaded the back post in one final attempt to win the game in normal time and saw Bauer scramble home a rebound after the defender’s initial attempt had been blocked.

Cue absolute bedlam in the Charlton end as they celebrated Bauer’s winner, his only goal in 39 appearances for The Addicks, so what a time to grab that!!!  At the other end, total despair for the Black Cats who saw their season end in heartache, now seven Wembley visits without a win since their famous 1973 FA Cup win over the mighty Leeds United, meaning they will remain in League One next term.

For Charlton though the Championship beckons next season after a dramatic end to this play-off final so well done to them, they did end the season with ten wins from thirteen before that epic play-off semi-final with Doncaster, so were most certainly the in-form side heading into the post season shenanigans. 

This was their first visit to Wembley for 21 years, which resulted in a play-off win over Sunderland no less to reach the promised land of the Premier League, but this will no doubt mean just as much to them after a difficult period in their club’s history.

Full Time Charlton Athletic 2 Sunderland 1

Jolof Sports 1 ACD United 0

Essex Alliance Football League Fenton Cup Final, Wednesday 22nd May 2019

A late winner saw Jolof Sports claim victory over ACD United to win the Essex Alliance League Fenton Cup, completing a treble in the process, as they departed the League in fine style.

Both teams had finished in the top two of the Senior Division, with Jolof having won the division, and both were to leave the Alliance League having decided to make the step up to higher divisions for next season.  Jolof would be joining the Middlesex County League at Step Eight whilst ACD United would be joining Senior Three in the Essex Olympian League.

This then would be a battle between the best two sides in the Essex Alliance for the Fenton Cup, and with each side having beaten each other once this season, it was too hard to call who would win this one.

ACD had the first opening when a corner to the far post was headed back across goal but cleared, before Jolof saw a ball into the box headed towards the near post but a good block denied them a clear effort at goal.

There was almost an embarrassing moment for the Jolof keeper when a forward ball from ACD saw him come and attempt to control before clearing, but he misjudged the fight of the ball and mis controlled it, almost loosing it to the striker, but luckily for him a defender was on hand to take control of the situation and clear.

The game though needed a spark and after half an hour it got that spark following a poor challenge from Jolof, sparking rather unsavoury scenes, and the result of all that saw Jolof receive a straight red, meaning they were now down to ten men.  Advantage ACD you might think?

Jolof though were soon screaming at the referee again when after they got goal side of the defence, they were up in arms after they claimed a foul inside the box, but the referee said no, sparking more furious reactions from the Jolof side.  They were in danger of loosing their heads and need to keep a lid on proceedings.

ACD had a chance late in the half to take the lead but saw brave keeping deny them from close range before a foul was then given against the attacking side, meaning Jolof could regather themselves.  It also meant the first half ended goalless and no doubt two very different team talks to come.

Half Time Jolof Sports 0 ACD United 0

Jolof had the first effort on target in the whole game early in the second period when an effort was tipped over, and then sloppy play from ACD allowed Jolof to break, but they could only drag wide of goal from a good position.

Jolof then saw a header blocked before forcing two successive corners, which came to nothing, and then they headed another effort wide from a free kick.  It was hard to see who had the ten men it had to be said.

The ten men then threatened again when forcing a brilliant save from a free kick, Jolof were certainly the better side in this half that was for sure, and ACD had rarely threatened despite having that man advantage.

ACD did then whip in a dangerous free kick which saw the keeper punch clear with ACD about to nod it towards goal, before Jolof broke again and had men over free, but the ball across was poor and easily intercepted.

ACD then came as close as they were to come to finding what could have been a winner when glancing wide from six yards out, and it looked as though this tie would be going to penalties.

But, in the 91^st minute up popped Jolof to send a long-range effort towards ACD’s goal which dipped right in front of the keeper who could not stop it going beyond him and into the net to spark wild scenes from the Jolof side.  It proved enough to win the game and seal a treble for Dan Brissett’s side.

Full Time Jolof Sports 1 ACD United 0

Non League Finals Day 2019

Sunday 19th May 2019 (Wembley Stadium, London)

It was another edition of Non League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium, and this year it saw Combined Counties League champions Chertsey Town do battle with Southern Counties East champions Cray Valley (PM) in the Buildbase FA Vase final, whilst Vanarama National play-off finalists AFC Fylde took on Vanarama National champions Leyton Orient in the Buildbase FA Trophy Final.  So three of the four sides were gunning for league and cup double success meaning the games had extra incentives for those sides no doubt.

The first final was the FA Vase Final, so lets see how that one panned out:-

Buildbase FA Vase Final (12:15pm)

Chertsey Town Vs Cray Valley (PM)

Both these sides had won their respective leagues after making this final back in March, meaning both sides will be plying their trade in the Bostick League next season at Step Four, so this would be their last Vase outing for at least a season.  The double was also on for both too so who would be able to deal with the nerves in what was a big occasion for both sides?? Chertsey were certainly the side most people fancied to win this one, but both had battled through tough semi-finals to be here so they certainly had earned their place at Wembley and were both capable of lifting the trophy.  The Curfews certainly settled the better of the two sides early on and it was them who were threatening in the opening twenty minutes, but once Cray settled they began to take control of the contest, and nine minutes before the break got their noses in front when after Gavin Tomlin had shrugged off his marker, he cut inside and fired an effort inside the near post to give the South London side a surprise lead.  They couldn’t though get to the break ahead as just three minutes later Chertsey found a leveller as after Sam Flegg headed against the post, the ball came back to him and he reacted quickest to poke home the loose ball, and it meant the sides went into the break all square.

Half Time Chertsey Town 1 Cray Valley (PM) 1

So who could wrestle control in the second period?  Cray had certainly grown into the contest as it had gone on, but Chertsey missed two great chances early on in the half, but Cray came back to have openings of their own during the second half, but The Curfews certainly were missing the better ones.  A quiet period ensued before the final few minutes saw both teams go for the winner, and after Chertsey had gone close again, Cray came so so close to winning the tie with the final play, but saw Anthony Edgar’s effort thump against the bar and see the game go into extra time.  The opening extra time period looked to be ending all square, that was until Chertsey were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box, and Jake Baxter stepped up to slot the ball into the bottom corner and The Curfews now led this final and were just fifteen minutes away from glory.  Could Cray find a way back in the final period of extra time?  Well, ultimately no as with three minutes of time to play Chertsey finally sealed their victory when centre half Quincy Rowe played a one two before slotting a beautiful effort into the far corner to finally end Cray’s charge, and although Chertsey then hit the post to almost make it four soon after, they end the season as double winners.  It also turned out to be Dave Anderson’s last game in charge too as he announced his retirement after the game, it certainly was a decent way to bow out as an FA Vase winner at Wembley.

Full Time Chertsey Town 3 Cray Valley (PM) 1 (aet)

Right onto the second game of the day, and it saw an all Vanarama National contest between AFC Fylde and Leyton Orient:-

Buildbase FA Trophy Final (4:15pm)

AFC Fylde Vs Leyton Orient

Orient were looking to complete a memorable season with FA Trophy success, the East End club had won the Vanarama National League title to win promotion back into the SkyBet Football League at the beginning of May, whilst Fylde were back at the National Stadium for a second successive weekend after they had lost the National League play-off final to Salford City last weekend.  Fylde were hoping to end their season with a Trophy with a better result here then, and they were also going for a bit of history in this one too as after winning the FA Vase years ago as Kirkham & Wesham, they were looking to be the first club to win both Vase and Trophy, it had never been done before.  But backed by over 20,000 noisy fans, Orient were many peoples tips to win this one and compete the double, but the first half actually belonged to Fylde who missed four brilliant chances to net, whilst any openings Orient did find were wayward, although in all seriousness Orient were glad to make the break level as their opponents should really have been at least a goal or two in front.

Half Time AFC Fylde 0 Leyton Orient 0

The second period saw a different O’s side come out after what had been a rather disappointing first one, and they hit the post twice in the early proceedings of the half and also saw another flicked finish go over the bar, and on the hour mark Fylde made them pay by grabbing the lead on the hour mark in spectacular style as Danny Rowe curled a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner and the underdogs had the advantage.  Orient continued to dominate the second period though and you felt it wasn’t going to be their day when after another effort had struck the post, the rebound seemed destined for the net until Matt Harrold got in the way and blocked his own teammates effort on the goal line, seeing the flag go up in the process, in what was a moment Fylde could breathe a huge sigh of relief.  With the O’s pushing for a leveller, Fylde at times found gaps in the Orient defence, and one such moment almost sealed their victory but the effort curled away from goal and wide.  Orient kept pushing by found their opponents a tough nut to break through, and after several minutes of stoppage time the whistle went and AFC Fylde created history by winning the FA Trophy here today.  They do indeed become the first club to win both the FA Vase and FA Trophy in the history of the competitions and after last weekend’s disappointment this was a nice way to end their season.

Full Time AFC Fylde 1 Leyton Orient 0

So another brilliant day at Wembley, and with 42,962 coming through the gate over the two finals it was certainly well attended by all concerned, so well done to all who made this happen.  Congratulations to both winners Chertsey Town and AFC Fylde, whilst commiserations to the loosing finalists Cray Valley (PM) and Leyton Orient, although both losing clubs do have a league title and promotion to soften the blow.

Three Colts 3 Chigwell 3 (Chigwell won 3-2 on penalties)

Essex Alliance Football League Division One Cup Final, Tuesday 14th May 2019

Chigwell took Essex Alliance Football League Division One Cup honours after they defeated Three Colts on penalties following a six-goal thriller at Victoria Road in Dagenham.

This was always a hard one to call, Three Colts finished fourth in the league, one place and six points behind Chigwell, and with each side having a win against each other this season, this was always going to be a well contested final.

Chigwell perhaps were considered very slight favourites if you had to pick one of the sides, but after each side had seen efforts go straight at the keeper, Colts took a sixth minute lead in spectacular fashion as the ball sat up and was smacked over the keeper into the corner from twenty yards.

Chigwell almost responded immediately when they got in, only for a last-ditch challenge to thwart them as they were about to shoot, and in the ninth minute Colts stunned their opponents by going two goals up with another wonderful effort from outside the box.

It had been an extraordinary start and Chigwell looked shell shocked, but just past the quarter hour mark this remarkable game continued to shock and surprise as Chigwell pulled one back after a cross from the left sailed over the keeper’s head and into the far corner.

Chigwell were now searching for a leveller and saw a corner glanced wide of the far post, before they then curled over a free kick, it had been a cracking half hour of football.

Colts then got in down the right, but the cross towards the striker was brilliantly cleared by a defender, and then nine minutes before the half Chigwell did find that leveller when a loose ball was poked home from close range after the keeper had saved the initial effort.

Chigwell now were searching for the lead, remarkable after finding themselves two goals down inside ten minutes of the contest, and they sent a volley straight at the keeper before they then attacked down the right, sent in a dangerous ball, which saw two strikers, keeper and defender all collide trying to get it, although the flag had gone up anyway.

Colts then fired a decent effort at goal from range but saw this saved by the keeper, and it meant this superb half of football came to an end with the sides all square.  Breathless!!!

Half Time Three Colts 2 Chigwell 2

Chigwell started the half right on the front foot and saw an effort struck just over, before they should have gone in front when they saw two close range efforts amongst a scramble inside the Colts six-yard box somehow blocked, before another Chigwell attack saw an effort deflected into the side netting.

The resulting corner ended up going over the bar after Colts could not clear, but just before the hour mark the inevitable third goal came for Chigwell as another corner was this time flicked on into the dangerzone and then headed home from close range, and you felt that Chigwell may go on and win this by two of three more.

But not a bit of it, as barely two minutes after that goal this topsy turvy contest saw Colts level when a loose ball was poked into the corner of the net, and we were all square once again, unbelievable!!!

Chigwell then sent a header straight at the keeper from a decent position, before another Chigwell chance saw the ball fall to them inside the box, but the effort was again straight at the keeper.

Another brilliant ball into the Colts box saw Chigwell send a diving header straight at the keeper, before another effort from Chigwell was blocked, this after they had broke from a Colts attack which saw them asking for a spot-kick, it was a remarkable game and hard to keep up with at times!!!

Chigwell then went so close to retaking the lead when thumping a close-range header against the bar and over, before another Chigwell effort was blocked, although they claimed it had hit the hand of a defender who was lying on the floor when he blocked it, however nothing was given.

Another goalmouth scramble inside Colts six-yard box saw the ball eventually being scrambled clear, and then in stoppage time a Chigwell free-kick was touched over before another effort saw a looping header almost find the far corner, but the keeper made the save, bringing this contest to a close and needing penalties to decide the winners.

The shootout had its dramas too, Colts saw their first penalty saved, but managed to claw it back to 2-2 after four each.  Both keepers were having super shootouts too, but another save from the Chigwell one meant they had the chance to win it with their fifth and final kick, and they did just that too win this competition.  What.A.Game!!!  Both sides need to be applauded for such a super contest and it was nice to see such wonderful sportsmanship afterwards too, well done to all concerned.

Full Time Three Colts 3 Chigwell 3 (Chigwell won 3-2 on penalties)

Walthamstow Avenue 1 Royal Albert 4

Essex Sunday Corinthian League West Essex Charity Trophy Final, Sunday 12th May 2019

A three-goal blitz in the final fifteen minutes of the first half ultimately saw Royal Albert to Essex Sunday Corinthian West Essex Charity Trophy success after victory over Walthamstow Avenue at Oakside, completing a cup double in the process.

Albert had come into this final off a fifth placed finish in Division Two of the Corinthian League and had also won the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy in early April, so they were going for a second Trophy of the campaign.

For Avenue, they finished seventh and some twelve points behind their opponents in the same Division, but an average season could be turned into a decent one with cup success here.  Albert though were probably the favourites prior to a ball being kicked.

The game started rather quietly and the first effort at goal didn’t arrive until the tenth minute when Avenue fired an effort over, but they came so close to taking the lead when a defender diverted the ball onto his own post from close range soon after.

Albert then went down the other end and fired a long-range effort over, before they got into a good position inside their opponents’ box but could only slice an effort wide of the near post.

Avenue then went down the other end and saw the Albert keeper make a decent stop before getting up to stop the ball going over the line, but Avenue then saw their keeper have to come off after being poked in the eye from an attacker when challenging for a forward ball.

After a five-minute delay the keeper was replaced, and this seemed to affect Avenue who fell behind almost immediately after the restart as a corner was turned home from close range just past the half hour mark.

And only three minutes later Albert were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box, and they converted this chance to double their lead.  Albert were now well on the front foot and almost made it three when a cutback was sent wide of the near post, but right on half time it was three when a corner to the near post was flicked in by an unfortunate defender and the favourites had a three-goal cushion at the break.

Half Time Walthamstow Avenue 0 Royal Albert 3

Avenue knew they needed the next goal to try and get back into this contest, and they immediately sent an effort towards the Albert goal, but it was straight at the keeper, before Albert lofted just wide at the other end as they looked to end this contest once and for all.

Avenue then saw a cross back flicked towards goal, but again it was straight at the keeper, before they then failed to convert a corner in a spell that saw Avenue applying plenty of pressure on the Albert goal.

The Albert keeper then almost gifted Avenue a goal back when his sloppy clearance hit an attacker and went into the side netting rather then the goal itself, before Avenue then flashed a corner across the six-yard box but saw no one manage to get on the end of it.

Sure enough though, after all the Avenue pressure, Albert went up the other end and netted a fourth to pretty much seal the contest just past the hour mark, when a ball forward was controlled and then brilliantly volleyed into the far corner.  It was tough on Avenue who should have had at least a goal back by that point.

Albert then sent a dangerous ball into the box which was just about punched clear by the keeper, and from that corner a loose ball was blocked by a defender, before Albert then flashed an effort wide of the far post as they looked for a fifth.

With eight minutes remaining though, Avenue did find a goal back to show for their efforts, when a quick free-kick caught out the Albert defence and allowed an effort to be fired into the far corner via the keepers foot, and they almost found a second soon after when they saw a goal bound effort blocked before the loose ball was somehow fired over.  If that had gone in who knows what could have happened?

Albert though were dangerous in attack too and almost added a late fifth when a close-range header was kept out, but Albert took the spoils in this one to complete a cup double for the season.

Full Time Walthamstow Avenue 1 Royal Albert 4