Cockfosters 1 West Essex 0

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 29th October 2019


Cockfosters are up to eighth after Ned Clarke’s 65^th minute strike was enough for them to defeat West Essex at Chalk Lane.


An early chance for the hosts saw them slice wide, before the visitors then fired wide themselves before seeing a flick towards goal cleared off the line.


The visitors were looking very dangerous and saw another couple of efforts fail to find the net, one going wide whilst the other effort was blocked, whilst down the other end a host’s attack ended with a dangerous cross failing to find an attacker.


West then saw another good chance saved by hosts keeper Brad Robinson, as the game continued to be played at a fairly decent tempo, before the hosts then saw a decent effort tipped over by Jack Coker.


The home side were then screaming for a penalty soon after, but their appeals fell on deaf ears, before Fosters forced another decent stop from Coker as the hosts looked to grab the lead before the break.


West then had another good chance to lead themselves, but Robinson was again on hand to thwart them, before a lovely one touch and pass move saw the visitors with another effort at goal, but it was dragged wide of the near post.


It meant the contest remained goalless at the break despite all the attacking intent of both sides although it had been an enjoyable half to watch.


Half Time Cockfosters 0 West Essex 0


West continued to carve out chances in the early part of the second half, seeing a cross to the near post beaten away by keeper Robinson before a cross just missed all players in a crowded penalty area.  Then another visitor’s effort was blocked after they got in behind.


Cockfosters then sent an effort wide of the far post and then West came oh so close to taking the lead when sending a curling effort against the woodwork, but in the 65^th minute the hosts broke the deadlock as after they saw an effort blocked, Ned Clarke converted a cross from the left.


The visitors saw an effort at goal go straight at Robinson as they looked to try and get back on level terms, and they saw a cross to the back post headed back towards goal, but it was comfortable for Robinson who gathered.


West were vulnerable to the counter as they pushed up for the leveller, but the hosts failed to capitalise on any breaks that came their way, but as the game entered its final stages West were the ones on the front foot.


The hosts were coming under severe pressure as an effort was blocked out for a corner, before that corner saw an effort somehow cleared off the line, before another effort was blocked on route to goal as the hosts were clinging on.


Deep into stoppage time West’s night ended in disappointing fashion when Michael Mignot was given a straight red card for a poor tackle on Ryan Wade, it was pure frustration on his part, and a largely frustrating night for the visitors too who fell to defeat here against a very tough Cockfosters side who earned this one for sure.


Full Time Cockfosters 1 West Essex 0

Leyton Orient 1 Carlisle United 1

SkyBet League Two, Saturday 26th October 2019


Carlisle United ended a run of four successive league defeats after they fought back from a poor first half performance to grab a point against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road on a very wet and windy day in East London.


The hosts had been in pretty decent form leading into this contest, having won three of their last four outings although they did lose in their last league game so were coming into this off the back of a defeat, whilst Carlisle were in poor form having lost their last four games as said above.


The game began as form suggested it would too, with the hosts on the front foot, and after Orient had seen a penalty shout turned down, they were then awarded one soon after as Jarrad Branthwaite was adjudged to have brought down James Brophy inside the box.


It looked a bit soft to me in all honesty and whether or not the referee had given it after not giving the one before who knows, but penalty it was and Orient saw Josh Wright step up to send keeper Adam Collin the wrong way and the hosts had the perfect start with a seventh minute lead.


Orient dominated the majority of the half, dictating play and pushing the visitors back, but despite this they could not add to their advantage and although they did go in ahead, they probably felt they could and should have been further in front as the visitors, who were booed off at half time by their 500 plus travelling support, were still in the game despite a poor first half showing.


Half Time Leyton Orient 1 Carlisle United 0


Whatever was said to the Carlisle boys in the dressing room at the break certainly worked, as three minutes into the second half they levelled when after a goalmouth scramble in the hosts box, the ball broke to full back Jack Iredale, and he slammed the ball home and gave those travelling fans something to cheer about.


It was the start to the half the visitors needed, as it completely rejuvenated them, and not the start to the half Orient needed, as their first half swagger had deserted them, and it was the hosts who were now on the back foot.


Nathan Thomas burst into the box but fluffed his lines in one good chance for the visitors, whilst Olufela Olomola saw a close range header brilliantly blocked by Orient centre half Ekpiteta, and the home fans were becoming restless as their team seemed to lack impetus they had in abundance in the first period.


Orient though did rally themselves late on and saw Brophy let fly from distance and see keeper Collin leap spectacularly to his left to keep the effort out, but after five minutes of stoppage time the game ended all square meaning both sides had to settle for a point.


It leaves the hosts in 16^th position whilst the visitors are five points and four positions behind in 20^th.  
And those travelling fans who had booed them off at half time were applauding them at the end after what had been a good fight back after such a poor first half showing. Orient on the other hand would have been disappointed at how they went of the boil after such a positive first half showing.


Full Time Leyton Orient 1 Carlisle United 1

Hackney Wick 3 Lewisham Borough 4

London Senior Trophy First Round, Friday 25th October 2019


Lewisham Borough came out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Coles Park against Hackney Wick to progress in the London Senior Trophy.


The early exchanges saw the hosts miss two decent chances, firing wide on both occasions, whilst the visitors saw an effort go straight at the keeper.


Wick then sliced wide but then on the quarter hour mark Lewisham took the lead when after the keeper clawed out a free-kick at the near post, the follow up was turned home by the visitors, although Wick claimed out of the keepers hands who got a boot on his hand for his troubles, but the officials did not agree and the goal stood.


The hosts continued to carve out openings though, seeing a free kick glanced over by a visiting defender and then a dangerous cross just eluded them, and then another shot was then tipped over by the Lewisham keeper.


The visitors then sent a long-range effort at the visitor’s goal, which was claimed by the keeper, and then the home side did level in the 24^th minute when the resultant corner was volleyed through a crowd of players by Ziyad Rawn and into the far corner.


They weren’t level for long though as just four minutes later Lewisham regained the lead as after the hosts fail to clear, the visitors pounced to ram home from inside the box.


Lewisham then scuffed wide as they looked to increase their lead, whilst Wick drove forward but after cutting inside could only fire straight at the keeper, but six minutes before the break a wonderful free kick brought the hosts level again.


The hosts then sent a dangerous ball across goal as they looked to take the lead, but a brilliant half of football ended with the sides level.


Half Time Hackney Wick 2 Lewisham Borough 2


The second half was less than a minute old when Lewisham grabbed the lead for a third time with a superb diving header, and seven minutes later increased that lead as a cross saw the ball turned onto the post before the rebound was smashed home as Wick were still in the changing room metaphorically.


Lewisham were threatening to run away with it briefly and saw a decent effort fly over the hosts bar, they had certainly come out all guns blazing in this half so far.


The hosts though began to find their feet again and had a decent spell themselves as they looked to try and get back into the contest, and did create a decent opening when a through ball saw them get on the end of it but the Lewisham keeper came to make a good stop.


Then came an incredible passage of play, firstly when Lewisham somehow failed to make it 5-2 when they saw two goal bound efforts from close range blocked on the line, then down the other end Wick curled an effort against the bar before the rebound was fired miles off target.


With eight minutes left though Wick set up a grandstand finish when they won a penalty kick after a foul inside the box, and Daniel Adjei cooley slotted home.


The grandstand finish never really materialised though and the visitors had chances to seal it, slicing wide with one effort after driving into the box, and then firing wide deep into stoppage time, and soon after the whistle went to end an epic cup tie and see the visitors edge this one.


Full Time Hackney Wick 3 Lewisham Borough 4

Ilford 1 Cockfosters 1 (Cockfosters won 3-2 on penalties)

Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy Quarter Final, Wednesday 16th October 2019

Cockfosters are into the Semi Finals of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy after they won their Quarter Final tie at Cricklefield’s against Ilford on penalties to set up a Last Four encounter at either Tower Hamlets or Saffron Walden Town.

Ilford, who this week announced a new management headed by Jonny Fowell, volleyed a decent effort just over the bar early on, but as Fowell looked on from the stands (he wasn’t taking today’s game and was just observing) he watched his new side get pushed back as the visitors started to take control.

And in the 22^nd minute they took the lead when a ball squared to Harley Haag saw him side foot across goal and into the bottom corner, and Cockfosters could of gone further in front when firstly Haag went clean through but saw his effort saved by Hugo Rossetti, before another visitors effort thumped against the bar.

The visitors then saw Billy Healey head over under a challenge from keeper Rossetti, and then they fired two decent efforts wide and over the hosts goal, and although Ilford did see a late first half header blocked, it had certainly been the visitors half as they went into the break a goal to the good.

Half Time Ilford 0 Cockfosters 1

Cockfosters nearly doubled their lead in the opening minutes of the second period when a header at goal was kept out by Rossetti, before  a scramble ended with the visitors lifting over from six yards out, but thereafter the hosts began to get on top of their opponents.

And just before the hour mark, they won a penalty after a foul just inside the box, and centre half Steve Sylvester stepped up to convert the spot-kick, and Ilford were now back on level terms.

Ilford were now looking to take the lead in this one and saw a chance on the stretch weak and easy for visiting keeper Bradley Robinson, and then a free kick from twenty yards or so was whipped wide of the visitor’s goal.

As the game entered it’s final stages though, Cockfosters had chances to win it as they glanced a header wide of the hosts goal before having a shout for a penalty after a late challenge following a cross into the danger zone, but the referee waved away the hosts claims.

Ilford then fired a very dangerous ball across the visitors area which just went past the far post, and then Ilford keeper Rossetti made a wonderful point blank save to deny the visitors what surely would have been a winning goal, and it meant the tie would go to penalties.

And when the visitors missed their second penalty, Ilford had the chance to go 3-1 up in the shootout, but the penalty went into orbit, meaning Cockfosters tied it up at 2-2 with three penalties taken each. 

Both then failed with their fourth and then Ilford saw their fifth one saved, leaving Cockfosters to net their fifth and final kick to win the shootout 3-2 and progress into the Last Four of the competition.

Full Time Ilford 1 Cockfosters 1 (Cockfosters won 3-2 on penalties)

Barkingside 1 Basildon United 4

Essex Thameside Trophy First Round, Monday 14th October 2019


Adam Vyse netted a brace as Basildon United saw off Barkingside at Cricklefield’s to progress into the Second Round of the Essex Thameside Trophy, setting up a tie at Burroughs Park against White Ensign.


Side of course play their football in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Step Six in the non-league pyramid, whilst The Bees play in Step Four in the Isthmian North, so on paper the visitors were expected to progress.


The visitors were on the front foot from the off too, seeing a couple of efforts saved by Charlie Howson, whilst another two efforts flew off target, and then another effort was brilliantly pushed away by Howson, all this in the opening fifteen minutes.


The Bees then sent a free kick wide of the target, but in the 19^th minute they did finally find the net when a brilliant cross from Kurt Smith found Vyse who volleyed home superbly, and the visitors had a deserved lead.


The Bees were dominant and should have added to their lead, seeing a couple of efforts blocked by the defence before missing at the back post from a yard out, and moments later they were made to pay.


This is because with the hosts first real attack in the 26^th minute, they equalised, as good work from Joe Gent down the right saw him fire a ball across to Ben Clarke who converted first time, and incredibly the hosts were level.


A stunned visitors then spurned more chances to restore the lead, somehow heading wide from close range and then forced two more saves from Howson, and then they headed wide from point blank range again, and the game remained level.


Howson then had to make two brilliant stops to keep the Bees out, and in a rare attack Side probably should of scored but sliced wide, and the half ended with The Bees missing yet another opening, after beating Howson to the ball saw a defender block a goal bound effort, meaning the game was somehow level at the break.


Half Time Barkingside 1 Basildon United 1


The hosts had a couple of early openings in the second period, whilst The Bees saw a couple go effort target themselves, but in the 63^rd minute a terrible error from the home side defence saw Basildon go back in front.


Side tried to play out from the back with a goal kick but the Bees nipped in to steal the ball and Vyse sent a cross towards the back post and saw it go in for his and the visitors second of the evening as they retook the lead.


Both teams continued to have openings in what was a much more even half, but the visitors held that slender lead as the game entered its final fifteen minutes or so.


The Bees then had chances to seal the win, sending a volley over the bar before flashing another dangerous ball across the box, however they sealed the deal in style as after a brilliant diagonal pass from Jo Turpin released full back Conor Mead down the right, he lobbed brilliantly over Howson for The Bees third with eleven minutes to go.


Side then had a decent spell as they tried to get back into the game, seeing a free kick saved before blocking a close range follow up, and then they forced a decent save from visiting keeper Clarke Bogard as the game entered the final five minutes.


Bogard then had to make another smart save to keep the hosts out, whilst down the other end the visitors forced a good save from Howson as the game entered stoppage time.


The visitors had the last laugh though in this one, adding a fourth in stoppage time as a cross from Smith found its way to Ernest Okoh who fired beyond Howson and cap a fine win for the visitors.


Full Time Barkingside 1 Basildon United 4

White Ensign 4 Buckingham Athletic 1

Buildbase FA Vase First Round Proper, Sunday 13th October 2019


White Ensign netted four as they progressed into the Second Round Proper of the Buildbase FA Vase after a hard-fought victory over Buckingham Athletic at Burroughs Park.


Both these sides play at Step Six, the hosts have only played five league games so far due to their cup triumphs, winning three of those, whilst the visitors have lost six of their opening nine league games so had struggled somewhat so far in the league at least, although they did net six in their last Vase game so knew where the goal was, just like their free scoring opponents.


The hosts applied some early pressure although the visitors struck a long-range effort just off target before lofting a decent effort onto the roof of the net, as the game had started at a very good tempo indeed.


Ensign then saw a effort spilled by visiting keeper Joshua Mcadoo before he managed to grab at the second attempt, before the visitors then sent a long range effort at hosts keeper James Parkins, and then the hosts saw an effort deflect into the side netting.


Athletic then saw a free header at the back post diverted off target, and then after an Ensign attack had broken down inside the box, the visitors broke and fired over from the angle as they continued to look dangerous on the break.


But in the 27^th minute Ensign broke the deadlock as a loose ball fell to Luke Skinner who fired an effort in off the bar and the hosts had the advantage.


Six minutes later it got even better for the home side as they doubled their lead when Brett Munyard sent a mishit effort across the box into the path of centre half Andy George who fired home and suddenly Ensign had a two-goal lead.


It had been a pretty even affair in the first forty-five minutes, but goals either side of the half hour mark proved the difference so far in this one as the hosts went into the break two goals to the good.


Half Time White Ensign 2 Buckingham Athletic 0


And two minutes after the break Ensign added a third as Luke Skinner got in down the right before unselfishly squaring to Munyard who finished from close range, and it was the worst possible start to the half for the visitors whose half time team talk was already out of the window.


Athletic knew they needed a quick response, and they found one, as just two minutes after conceding that third goal netted themselves one back as after Parkins had made a decent stop, Jeramiah Adams was on hand to prod the loose ball over the line, and the lead now reduced to two again.


Ensign then almost capitalised on a poor pass out from keeper Mcadoo, before the visitors glanced a cross off the bar, and then the hosts headed over at the other end.  The next goal was going to be crucial in this contest.


The visitors then mounted another dangerous attack and saw this fired wide of the far post, but just before the hour mark Ensign added another as after Dominic Locke had chased down a lost cause it seemed, he did brilliantly to get into a crossing position before sending a ball into the mix which was flicked towards the back post and then inadvertidly headed back across goal and into the far corner by a visiting defender for an own goal.


Athletic to their credit kept going knowing a second goal might give them a sniff of an unlikely comeback now, and they were applying plenty of pressure onto the hosts back line as they looked for a way back although time was now against them with around twenty minutes left in this one.


And with the visitors upfield Ensign almost added a fifth when Munyard lead a counterattack, but his lofted finish towards goal lacked power and saw the defender clear off the line.


There had not been much between the sides throughout the contest, but Ensign proved more clinical going forward and took the win to progress into the next round of the Vase.


Full Time White Ensign 4 Buckingham Athletic 1