Southend Manor 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Essex Senior League, Saturday 30th November 2019


The points were shared between Southend Manor and Sawbridgeworth Town in a bottom of the table clash in the Essex Senior League after Jordan Chambers early second half penalty was cancelled out by Jake Skeets brilliant volley.


The hosts went into the contest nine points and two places above bottom side Sawbo knowing a win would potentially take them above Enfield into fourth bottom and put further daylight between them and their opponents, whilst the visitors knew three points could take them just three behind Clapton and closer to the teams above.


So, an important game indeed and with Enfield and Clapton also meeting in Bishop’s Stortford it was a big day for the bottom four sides, although Manor’s form heading into this wasn’t great having lost nine of their eleven games since the beginning of October, whilst Sawbo had won their first game of the season two weekends after loosing eleven straight, although a 5-0 reverse at Hoddesdon Town brought them back down to earth with a bump last weekend before leading Ilford 2-0 in midweek before the light went out meaning the game was abandoned.


Form was probably with the visitors but it was Manor who created the first chance but Chambers could only head over a cross from the right, and the hosts continued to have the better start as they saw a cross tipped away by keeper Clarke, the hosts broke the offside trap but Chambers could only blaze over.


Manor then got in again down the right but after the ball was cutback into the box, a first time effort was saved by Clarke, whilst down the other end the visitors saw Harry Bushell fire wide in what was their first attempt on goal in the game.


Manor though were carving out the best chances and they pounced on a defensive error to fire another effort at goal which Clarke saved, before the follow up effort was put wide of the goal, it was a head in hands moment for the hosts.


As the game went past the half hour mark though Sawbo began to get more of the ball and so nearly went in front after Myles Passley thumped a powerful effort against the post, and then after a long range effort had bounced up and hit keeper Harrison in the face, Bushell looked certain to chip home the rebound but instead lofted the rebound over the hosts bar.


Manor ended the half with more chances though, firstly forcing a brilliant save from Clarke before another effort from range curled into the side netting with Clarke routed to the spot, but it meant the opening forty five minutes ended goalless with the visitors probably the happier after their opponents had created the majority of the chances in the half.  Oh, and half time between Enfield and Clapton was also 0-0, so it was as you were at the bottom.  


Half Time Southend Manor 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 0


Manor had the chance to take an early second half lead as after Chambers was brought down inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot, and Chambers picked himself up to smash home but was ordered to retake the kick after an encroachment.


Chambers though kept his composure to slot home the retaken penalty, and Manor had an early second half advantage.


Sawbo looked to respond and saw a long range effort go straight at Harrison, but just before the hour mark they found an equaliser and how, and the ball sat up nicely for full back Skeets who volleyed an unstoppable volley from miles out over Harrison and into the back of the net, it was a super strike and the visitors were now back on level terms.


The Robins now fancied another and fired just wide of the post, whilst down the other end Manor almost got onto a loose through ball, but keeper Clarke managed to come to the edge of his area to just about thwart the danger.


Passley managed to get in down the left for the visitors after a good advantage had been played but fired straight at Harrison, and the visitors, who were much better in this half, forced another good save from Harrison before just getting to the loose ball before Bushell could gobble up the rebound, but Sawbo were looking the likelier to find a second at this point.


Manor then went down the other end and fired a decent effort inches wide of the far post from outside the box, before Sawbo then fired over from distance, as both teams were looking for what would probably be a big winning goal.


Manor should have found that winner too but missed another guilt edged chance as after a long-range effort had deflected into the path of the hosts, they could only fire across goal and wide, it was another heads in hands moment for the home side.


Deep into stoppage time the visitors side footed straight at Harrison as they had the chance to win it late on but both sides had to settle for a point a piece in what was a good honest battle, meaning they remained in the same situation as they found themselves in after Enfield and Clapton also ended with a point a piece after a poor 0-0 draw. 


Full Time Southend Manor 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 1

Errington Challenge Cup Preliminary Round, Wednesday 27th November 2019


Nathan Scarborough netted ten minutes from time to see Saffron Walden Town into Round One of the Errington Challenge Cup, setting up a home tie against Cockfosters, after they defeated Clapton at a soggy Southchurch Park in Southend.


The pitch just about passed an afternoon inspection but was extremely soft under foot, so conditions would be tricky for both sides,  and after a slight delay due to the goal nets being put up Walden created a couple of early chances, lobbing over before then seeing another effort saved.


The hosts then saw a dangerous ball into the box just about dealt with by the Walden defence, before The Tons had a wonderful chance to take the lead but saw the keeper save their effort.


Walden then spurned another couple of chances, seeing an effort saved at the near post before they then dragged a terrific chance wide of the far post, whilst back up the other end the hosts saw another decent opening well saved.


Clapton then won a free-kick in a dangerous position but this was curled inches wide with the keeper rooted to the spot, and then Walden fired a ball into the six yard box which hit a visitors player and ended up going off for a goal kick.


Walden then saw another effort beaten away but despite some of the first half being played in hefty fine rain, which wasn’t forecast, it had been a rather action-packed opening forty-five minutes, but it did end goalless.


Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 0


Walden nearly broke through immediately after the break as they saw a shot saved before the rebound was fired well wide, but as action packed the first half had been the second half was anything but as a largely poor half followed.


Walden wasted another attacking position after firing a poor overhit cross out of play, whilst The Tons saw a dangerous ball into the six yard box go behind the attacker meaning he could not get on the end of the ball and see it go out for a goal kick.


Walden then got in down the left but sliced wide of the near post, but it looked more and more likely this game may end up being decided by penalties.


That was until the 80^th minute when Walden managed to find the key to unlock the Clapton defence, as a square ball across to Scarborough who side footed home, and they almost doubled their lead soon after but saw a close-range effort blocked.


Scarborough’s goal though proved enough for Walden to progress into the next round in a game that at times, especially second half was a difficult watch on what was a difficult pitch for the players. They coped well though and produced a good hard-fought battle out there.

Full Time Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 1

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Ilford 0 (match abandoned after 75 minutes – floodlight failure)

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 26th November 2019

Sawbridgeworth Town were denied back to back home victories and a huge three points after their match at home to Ilford was abandoned with fifteen minutes remaining due to floodlight failure at Crofters.

The hosts went into the game knowing a second win of the campaign would take them just three points behind second bottom Clapton, whilst the visitors were looking to go three games unbeaten.

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts as Botosan’s effort was straight at Taylor, before the visitors then threatened down the left through Trivelato, but the winger’s effort was kept out by Clarke.

Ilford then had a huge shout for a penalty which on replay looked like a stonewaller it has to be said, and whilst they were still claiming it, the hosts broke downfield and fed Bushell who ran through, cut inside and fired home a left footed effort to give the hosts the advantage after 16 minutes.  The Foxes were understandably annoyed but the hosts jubilant as they had edged ahead.

Ilford almost the immediately equalised but Akanbi’s effort was saved by Clarke before he could only volley the rebound way over the bar, whilst down the other end the hosts fired wide of the far post from range.

The Foxes then sent a dangerous ball into the mix but this wasn’t connected with purposefully so the ball ended up rolling out for a goal kick, and then from nowhere came a huge flashpoint which centred around a clash between Sawbo defender Ndimbalan and Ilford forward Akanbi.

After the dust had sort of settled, Ndimbalen was shown a straight red for something he said to Akanbi, who was also booked for his part in the clash, but it meant the hosts would have to play with a man light.

Ilford then almost levelled after hosts centre half McQuillan almost saw a looping header from himself find the net, but Clarke managed to brilliantly claw away the ball and save his side from conceding.

It meant the hosts did get to the break with their lead intact, but they knew they had a hard second half ahead of them with a man light of course.

Half Time Sawbridgeworth Town 1 Ilford 0

Sawbo had the first chance of the second period as Bushell almost got onto the end of a ball forward, but keeper Taylor managed to just about come and clear the danger, and then the visitors had a shot at goal but it was straight at Clarke.

Their hadn’t been many chances to speak of in the second period though but it was still a good battle between to honest sides, but in the 71^st minute the ten men doubled their lead as Bushell managed to burst in on goal before firing past Taylor, and it looked like they were well on their way to a big three points.

But with fifteen minutes left two of the floodlight pylons went out meaning one quarter of the pitch was in darkness, and after a fifteen minute delay waiting to see if the lights could be fixed, the referee had no choice but to abandon the game, leaving the hosts frustrated. 

It all means that the game will now have to replayed at a late date which is tough on Sawbo but they at least showed they are capable of getting themselves out of a hole after a dreadful start to their season, whilst for Ilford it gives them another chance to put this right after a below par performance here.

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Ilford 0 (match abandoned after 75 minutes – floodlight failure)

Benfleet 2 May & Baker 3

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Saturday 16th November 2019


Substitute Gabriel Odili netted an 86^th minute winner as May & Baker twice came from behind to defeat Benfleet in a thriller at Park Drive and take all three points in their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South contest.


The first chance fell to the visitors when they fired inches over, with the ball taking a slight deflection off a defender, and from the resultant corner saw a close range header cleared off the line, whilst the hosts then sent a good ball into the box and after it was recycled to the edge of the box, an effort was struck wide of the post.


Bakers then missed a great chance as a ball to the far post saw a free header put wide from point blank range, and Benfleet then went up the other end and took the lead in the 25^th minute as Mitch Curran glanced a header into the far corner, which was slightly against the run of play if truth be told.


The visitors almost responded soon after when firing across goal but no one could get on the end of it, and then the hosts almost had the chance to double their lead after intercepting a poor pass across field, but after a nice lofted pass went in behind the defence, visiting keeper Frankie Worboyes managed to come and claim.


The visitors then headed over but five minutes before the break did manage to level when Henry Osei got into the box and fired a decent finish into the net with the outside of the boot, and it meant the teams went in level at the break.


Half Time Benfleet 1 May & Baker 1


The hosts had an early chance in the second period after whipping a ball towards goal which was just about saved by Worboyes, before hosts keeper Confrey somehow palmed a visitor’s effort onto the bar to prevent them from taking the lead.


Bakers then saw another chance go begging as a flick on released them on goal, but a poor touch saw the ball get away from them and roll off for a goal kick, and then moments later another visitors attack saw an effort deflected over the bar.


The hosts then struck wide down the other end as the game continued at a decent tempo, and then the visitors broke the offside trap but saw an eventual finish go off target, and then the hosts then got in down the right, only to send a curling effort go high and wide of the far post.


In the 64^th minute though Benfleet got their noses in front for the second time when a brilliant cross to the far post found Aaron Russell who nodded home brilliantly, and the visitors tried to get back on level terms yet again but Confrey produced a decent stop before another effort was sliced wide.


Benfleet then had a couple of chances to increase their lead, seeing an effort blocked before the resultant corner was blasted over the bar after the loose ball had fallen to them inside the box, and then a terrific block down the other end thwarted the visitors again, you really couldn’t take your eyes off this one!!!


Benfleet then burst down the other end but saw their effort kicked away by Worboyes, and then in the 72^nd minute Baker’s levelled again when a ball into the six-yard box saw Carl Patten loose his marker to side foot home from close range.


Confrey then made another brilliant save to deny the visitors from going ahead, and then the corner was flicked wide, and then the visitors burst through but overrun the ball, only to see Confrey fail to gather and see a defender come to his rescue, and then down the other end a ball was fired across the six yard box as both teams looked for a winner.


Benfleet then saw a header cleared off the line and then the visitors struck the post from close range, but, with four minutes left May & Baker grabbed the lead for the first time in this contest as substitute Odili burst through to slot home.


Bakers so nearly sealed the deal when they struck the woodwork with a terrific free-kick, and Fleet were to end the game with ten men after Curran was sin binned as the game entered stoppage time.


After two or three minutes of stoppage time though this terrific game was brought to an end, and the visitors had taken the points here to remain in the top ten of the division, only two points off the top four places and one behind fifth placed Benfleet.


Full Time Benfleet 2 May & Baker 3

White Ensign 4 Barkingside 0

Thurlow Nunn First Division KO Cup Third Round, Wednesday 13th November 2019


A brace from player manager Brett Munyard helped see White Ensign into the Quarter Finals of the Thurlow Nunn First Division KO Cup after dispatching Barkingside at Burroughs Park.


After the hosts had created the opening chance early on, seeing a close range header back across goal hit the back of another and end up in the keepers arms, they did take an 11^th minute lead when a cutback found Bradley Gates who slotted home.


Side had a decent chance to get back on level terms soon after when they cutting inside but firing over, but they fell further behind in the 17^th minute thanks to a terrific finish from Dominic Locke, firing brilliantly into the top corner.


The hosts then stung the palms of visiting keeper Ian Jack before he managed to dive on the loose ball before the hosts could gobble up the rebound, and then Side came close to grabbing a goal back but saw hosts keeper James Parkins make a decent save to keep them out.


Ensign then fired a dangerous ball across goal, before sending a long range effort at goal which Jack had to get down to parry away, and then Jack produced a brilliant stop to deny Ensign a third, as they were much the better side in this one so far.


But Side, who had looked dangerous when they had ventured forward, saw a volley well saved by Parkins before the rebound struck the post, although the flag had gone up so the rebound would not have counted, and then another good chance for Side saw the ball get under their feet and allowed the hosts to scramble away as the visitors ended the half well.


But those two early goals from Gates and Locke saw the hosts into the break two goals ahead.


Half Time White Ensign 2 Barkingside 0


Ensign had chances to increase their lead early in the second period, seeing Jack make another good stop before another effort hit the side netting, and then Jack managed to save a one on one as the hosts were carving through a fragile visiting defence.


Ensign then saw another effort saved before they did add a third goal just past the hour mark as a shot from outside the box from John Hilliard deflected off Munyard and wrong footed Jack and found the net, although Side were angry claiming it had hit Munyard on the arm, but the referee said no after discussion with the linesman and the goal stood.


The visitors were in danger of falling apart now and conceded a fourth in the 66^th minute when a cut back from Gates found Munyard who controlled before firing in off the underside of the bar and the hosts were now cruising.


Ensign almost added another when a ball across goal just missed all and the far post, before Side did get in on goal but made a hash of it allowing the visitors to get back and clear, before they saw another effort from six yards go well wide and then they were shouting for a penalty but the referee again said no.


Side then saw a shot blocked but the hosts got in again but Jack yet again came to thwart them, and then down the other end Side fired wide at the back post on the stretch after a decent ball in from the left, and then Ensign got in yet again, but guess what, Jack made yet another save to thwart the hosts.


Ensign missed another great chance again, before Side blasted way over, and after Ensign had forced another good stop from Jack, Ensign had the chance to finish the contest with a fifth but saw the cutback go wide.  It mattered not though as Ensign cruised into the Last Eight.


Full Time White Ensign 4 Barkingside 0

Leyton Orient 1 Maldon & Tiptree 2

Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper, Sunday 10th November 2019


Goals from Danny Parish and Jerome Slew saw Isthmian North Maldon & Tiptree stun League Two Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road to cause a huge upset in the Emirates FA Cup and reach the Second Round Proper of the competition.


The visitors, who began their run back in August with a 2-1 win at Essex Senior League side Saffron Walden Town in the Preliminary Round, were playing their sixth game in this competition this season after battling through four qualifying rounds after that Preliminary Round success at Catons Lane, so this was an achievement in itself to reach this stage of the competition.


For the O’s, this was their first game in this seasons competition and they were fully expected to beat a side four leagues below them and also part-timers too., but this is the FA Cup and shocks have happened before as we know, although nobody really gave the minnows here a chance.


Orient began the game on the front foot but Maldon soon got into their stride and having won all but one of their twenty games in all competitions so far this season the confidence was high and this soon started to show in this game too as the first big chance fell the way of the visitors when Parish saw an effort brilliantly tipped over by Sam Sargeant.


Orient then had a pretty good chance themselves soon after when they attacked down the left and saw Widdowson’s cut back find Josh Wright whose first-time effort went straight at keeper Ben McNamara.  Maldon though were growing in confidence in this tie now and saw another effort fly just off target.  It was another warning to the hosts, a warning they did not heed.


That is because with two minutes of the half remaining Charlee Hughes advanced forward and fed Parish who cuts inside and fired beyond Sargeant and cued mass celebrations amongst the away fans gathered behind the goal at the opposite, meaning the scorer ran up the other end, pursued by his teammates, before knee sliding in front of them.  It was a terrific moment and it meant the visitors had a shock half time lead. 


The O’s were booed off at half time by their own fans and had much work to do in this one, nobody saw this coming including the hosts, but they knew they were in a cup tie now that was for sure.


Half Time Leyton Orient 0 Maldon & Tiptree 1


So how would the O’s respond to this shock deficit, they were a team who under new boss Carl Fletcher had failed to win any of his four games thus far, so confidence amongst the players and fans wasn’t that high, but surely their superior fitness would win through eventually?


Well not really as twenty minutes into the second period came a moment of magic from Slew, as after the hosts were caught on a counter attack, the Maldon attacker ran from the edge of his own penalty area, bumped off a challenge from a defender before curling a wonderful finish Sargeant and cued more mass celebrations at that end of the field.  It was 2-0 to the visitors, unbelievable!!!


It was now desperate for the hosts, and their fans around me were going mad, they were two goals down at home to a part time non-league club and they did not like that one little bit.  They had to respond quickly, and they did, as almost immediately from the restart Matt Harrold’s knock down found James Dayton who managed to lob keeper McNamara and see the ball just about find the net despite two defenders on the line trying to clear the ball off it.


It was a blow to the visitors who didn’t need to concede so quickly after doubling their lead, and now their resolve would surely be tested to the max.  Wright then saw an effort from point plank range hits keeper McNamara who knew little about it and saw the ball scrambled away as Orient looked for a leveller.


Maldon though did still threaten on the counter, and Parish looked to have be fouled inside the box for a penalty, but he actually fell down due to cramp, but the referee deemed it simulation and gave a free kick to Orient and Parish duly received a second yellow, meaning he was dismissed with six minutes of the ninety to go, much to his and the visitors disgust.


The Jammers really had to dig deep now in the remaining time left, and saw McNamara make crucial stops to deny Harrod and James Alabi, who had been brought on late on to try and force a leveller, and one of those chances somehow stayed out when after the ball had gone through McNamara’s legs, it looked odds on to have gone in but for a defender to get round to hack it off the line and keep their lead intact.  Phew, it was backs to the wall time for the Isthmian North side.


Six minutes of stoppage time was shown and the O’s had one last crack at trying to force a replay, but Maldon & Tiptree were not going to give this one away and clung on superbly to record a quite magnificent victory and stun their Football League opponents here.  The full-time whistle brought jubilant scenes from the visitors who saw quite a few of their 600 plus following join them to celebrate on the pitch afterwards, it really was a special FA Cup moment.


The Jammers players were absolute heroes today, putting their bodies on the line time and time again, and yes they rode their luck a bit at times, but they earned that luck and are rewarded with a place in the Second Round Proper for the first time in their history.


For the O’s it was a poor day for them, and some of their fans were calling for the head of boss Fletcher after only five games, none of which they have won, and they have failed to get past this stage of the competition since 2015-16, so it’s another disappointing day in the competition for them.


The last word must go to the victorious Maldon & Tiptree though, a simply stunning result here and one I am glad to say ‘I was there to see it’ too.  Slew’s goal was a special moment, a moment this wonderful competition can throw up, this is why we love the FA Cup right?  Brilliant stuff…..


Full Time Leyton Orient 1 Maldon & Tiptree 2