Essex Alliance Football League Senior & Division Two Cup Finals (Double Header)

Saturday 11th May 2019 (at Victoria Road, Dagenham & Redbridge FC)

It was another double header for me at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road ground for the second weekend running and this time it was the turn of the Essex Alliance League as they were hosting the Senior and Division Two Cup Finals which involved Senior Champions Jolof Sports up against Docklands Albion, and also Second Division runners-up CSM London up against Rainham Working Mens Club.

First up at 2pm was the Division Two Final, so here is how that went:-

Essex Alliance Football League Division Two Cup Final (2pm)

Rainham Working Mens Club Vs CSM London

CSM London came into this final as favourites after they finished runners-up in Division Two and eighteen points above their opponents Rainham Working Mens Club who finished three places below them in fifth spot.  And initially it looked like CSM would take the game to their opponents and the opening exchanges certainly favoured the favourites as they carved out the best chances in the opening twenty minutes.  And in the 22^nd minute CSM got their noses in front when a ball flicked to the far post saw Omar Wilson slide home at the back post, and despite Rainham’s protests for offside, the goal stood and CSM had a deserved lead.  In the minutes that followed that goal though Rainham created a couple of openings to level, and they remained the better side for the remainder of the half but it looked as if they would go into the break behind.  But two minutes into first half stoppage time they managed to deservedly level when a ball over the top saw Tormey run onto it and produce a marvellous finish beyond the oncoming keeper saw Rainham go into the break all square.

Half Time Rainham Working Mens Club 1 CSM London 1

The opening twenty minutes or so of the second half saw the game continue to be a decent battle but Rainham had the best chance of the opening exchanges of the period when they saw a header cleared off the line, but as the half went on it became rather stop start as players were going down with various niggles which wasn’t helping the flow of the game.  Both teams tried to find a winner but neither could so it meant that the Division Two Cup would be decided from twelve yards.  Both teams saw spot-kicks struck straight at the keepers before they both netted their next four to make it 4-4 going into sudden death.  After both sides netted their next penalties, CSM London netted their seventh, meaning Rainham had to net to keep the shoot-out going, but they saw the keeper save to his left, meaning CSM London won the Division Two Cup for the season.

Full Time Rainham Working Mens Club 1 CSM London 1 (CSM London won 6-5 on penalties)

Onto the second game of the day now and it saw Senior Division Champions Jolof Sports up against Docklands Albion in the Senior Division Final, here is how that one went:-

Essex Alliance Football League Senior Division Cup Final (6pm)

Docklands Albion Vs Jolof Sports

Jolof Sports were looking to add their Senior Division title and also complete a League and Cup double in the process, and they were up against Docklands Albion who had finished in fourth spot some thirteen points behind their opponents, so you could say that Jolof were slight favourites heading into this one.  But Docklands are a decent side themselves so this was always going to be a hotly contested final, but the opening exchanges didn’t really see much in the way of goalmouth action, that was until Jolof created a couple of chances just before the twenty-minute mark, although these were not converted.  In the 21^st minute though that would change in spectacular circumstances as an effort from forty odd yards out caught keeper Riddell off his line, and although the Docklands keeper managed to catch the ball, his momentum saw him take the ball over the line and Jolof had edged ahead in this one.  Apart from this moment though neither keeper had very much to do as the half entered it’s final stages, and although Docklands did have openings, Jolof looked like they could add to their lead late on, and with the final moments of the half should have had a penalty when after the attacker and got the wrong side of the defender, he was brought down running in on goal but the referee incredibly waved play on, much to everyone’s bemusement.  It meant that Jolof went into the half just a goal ahead and smarting at that decision not to award them a late penalty in that half to possibly double their lead.

Half Time Docklands Albion 0 Jolof Sports 1

The opening fifteen minutes of the second period saw both sides create openings in what continued to be a tight contest, but as the half wore on Jolof started to create more and more chances and although Docklands did have the odd chance themselves, the league champions should have added to their lead, and you began to think they may pay for these misses if Docklands, who looked more than capable of creating a chance, could convert.  But with seven minutes left Jolof sealed this contest when after an awful attempted clearance went up in the air and towards the Docklands area, keeper Riddell came but was second best to a challenge for the ball, and it allowed Jolof in to slot into the empty net and cue mass celebrations amongst them.  And no further alarms meant they sealed a league and cup double for the Senior Division so well done to them.

Full Time Docklands Albion 0 Jolof Sports 2

So another good day at Victoria Road, and with over 500 spectators coming through the gate combined for both games it was certainly a successful day for the league, that’s good numbers indeed!!!