Southend Manor 2 Sporting Bengal United 0

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 29th September 2020 

Game two of midweek saw me make my shortest trip possible as I made the less than ten-minute stroll across Southchurch Park for Southend Manor Vs Sporting Bengal United in an Essex Senior League contest.

Manor so far this season have done ok, with two wins, one them being away at Walthamstow no less, and two losses, both heavy losses too against Sawbridgeworth Town on the opening day and at the weekend against a very good Stansted side, so this game against Sporting would be one they would hope to grab a third win to keep them in the top ten. 

Their visitors though have produced some remarkable comebacks already this campaign and their only win in the league was one such occasion when they came from 2-0 down at Redbridge to win 3-2 with two stoppage time goals, so they definitely have character about them so would prove a very tough side to play against, and so they were looking for their second win in the league in this one.

And Sporting knew a win could see them end the week in the top ten themselves, such is how a league table shapes up early doors, but indeed if results did go both sides way, a win for either could see them rise as high as fourth in the standings, heady heights indeed for these two.

The visitors preparation wasn’t helped after four of their starting eleven got stuck in traffic meaning they only arrived minutes before kick off so the game was delayed and didn’t kick of till 20.04, almost twenty minutes after the original kick off time.

Whether this had a detrimental effect on Sporting, who knows, but they were second best for much of the first half and although they did have a couple of moments in attack, Manor were the ones doing most of the pressing, and their two best openings saw an effort deflected wide from twelve yards, and a header over from point blank range at the back post.

But, with six minutes of the half remaining came the opening goal for the hosts which was deserved, but there was a huge slice of luck involved in it too, as after Ben Adams had laid a ball across to full back Billy Harrison, the latter’s first time effort took a huge bounce in front of keeper Ferreira Aires and ended up in the top corner.  It may have been lucky, but they all count, and Manor at least had some sort of lead at the break after a decent first half showing.

Half Time Southend Manor 1 Sporting Bengal United 0

Sporting certainly upped it a bit in the second half initially as they tried to find a leveller in this one, although Manor probably had the best chance early in the period but blazed high over the bar, but the hosts defended well whenever they were tested.

On 67 minutes Manor doubled their lead to make it a bit more comfortable though, when Allen, who was superb throughout, did brilliantly to get down the right, not for the first time, and his ball across the box found its way through to Jordan Thomas at the back post who applied the finish and hand the hosts a two goal cushion.

Thereafter the home side tried to apply game management to the contest, keeping the visitors at arm’s length and restricting them to long range efforts which were comfortably dealt with by keeper Michael Acquah, but they always had this one in control and never really looked in danger of one of those Sporting comebacks we have seen twice so far this season.

A good win for Manor then, and that is now three wins in their last four league outings which sees them rise to sixth spot, a start I didn’t expect from them before the season, so I applaud them for that, whilst for Sporting, they were not really on it this evening and it was a disappointing night for them on the whole.  They have now lost three of their five games now and sit down in 15^th.

As I walked away from the ground across the park back home you could hear the Manor boys singing away in the changing room, they were very happy to pick up another win, and the atmosphere at the club and the team spirit seems good, so that can only be a good thing for them going forward.  Nice to see at my local club who I care for very much indeed.  They even had sky sports in the clubhouse, who would have thought it hey!!!

Full Time Southend Manor 2 Sporting Bengal United 0

 

Frenford 4 Barkingside 1

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Monday 28th September 2020 

The start of a new week and another football game, and it was a Monday evening trip to Redbridge/Ilford and The Drive for Frenford Vs Barkingside in a Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South local derby on a cool but clear night.

Hosts Frenford came into this off the back of a resounding 4-0 success at home on Saturday against an off colour Coggeshall United, a result which meant a win in this one against their local rivals would see them go two points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more and after just a few weeks of the campaign.  Still it’s nice isn’t it!!!

Side came into this one having narrowly lost to White Ensign at Burroughs Park and had lost three of their opening four fixtures, not the start they were looking for so they knew a result here against a very good Frenford side, who in turn had won three of their opening four games, could really kick start their season.

A healthy turnout was there to watch this one too, must have been close to a three figure crowd, so this was good for the hosts who could earn some much needed cash from this one, although to begin with this one began rather slowly for a derby it has to be said.

The opening twenty minutes or so saw efforts for both, albeit way off target, but in the 25^th minute the visitors struck in brilliant fashion as James Peagram, duel signed along with Essex Senior League high flyers Stansted, rolled his marker brilliantly to get into the box and thump a brilliant finish in off the crossbar, and Side had something to build on perhaps.

Well, the lead lasted just eleven minutes as Frenford grabbed a leveller when after superb Crossfield ball released full back Conor Duffy into the box on the left hand side, he smashed a left footed ball across goal and Dylan Jones came sliding in at the far post to emphatically convert, and it meant the half, which has been very well competed but in a fair and sporting way, ended all square.

Half Time Frenford 1 Barkingside 1

The game really took off in the second period but apart from one poor challenge on the wing by a visiting defender, which resulted in a yellow card, their weren’t many hard and tough challenges to write home about as both teams competed well but again in a fare manor.

And it was quite an attacking second period too, with the game becoming rather end to end with both sides looking to cause each other’s backlines so problems.  The hosts nodded a chance wide and also forced Side stopper Duncan Smith into a decent save, whilst Side had a very good chance when getting in behind the defence but from an angle could only drag well wide.

The game was very much in the balance up until twenty minutes from time and you could argue a case for either side finding a winner, but then came a moment of magic from Frenford’s Harry Daly who struck home a brilliant long range effort which thumped in off the bar, and the hosts had edged ahead with twenty to play.

This then began a ten minute spell which saw the hosts pull away from their opponents to end up winning the game comfortably, firstly making it three when terrific work by substitute Kieran Chidozie saw him drive to the byline and thump a low ball right across goal where Rhys Fatt was waiting to tap home at the far post in the 77^th minute.

And secondly it was four two minutes later when the superb Ifeanyi Umeh drilled a brilliant left footed shot across keeper Smith and into the far corner, and the visitors were now suddenly staring a heavy defeat right in the face.

Side did their upmost to grab a goal to try and make the last few minutes interesting perhaps, but substitute Reece Simpson saw two efforts well blocked by the Frenford defence as they battled hard to maintain that three goal cushion.

And referee King, who had a decent game in all honestly, blew for full time and the hosts had their fourth win in five league outings, and top spot for now, whilst Side have now lost four out of five and will be hoping their luck changes soon enough.  For seventy minutes it was a pretty even contest, but the visitors fell apart for ten minutes and it cost them dear as the hosts took advantage of that lapse in a ruthless ten minutes spell.

Full Time Frenford 4 Barkingside 1

Essex Senior League Round Up (25th/26th September 2020)

 

(Action from St Margaretsbury 3-3 Clapton at The Rec, thanks to Official Clapton (@ClaptonFootball) for the photo)

Friday September 25

West Essex 2 Walthamstow 3 (Stow recovered from an early two goal deficit to win a thriller at Mayesbrook Park against West Essex.  It didn’t take long for the first goal to arrive as a mistake at the back allowed Cameron Gray to give the hosts a second minute lead, before they doubled that lead after Michael Mignot netted a one on one effort in the sixth minute.  But a remarkable start to this game continued as after Clements saw a shot saved, Callum Ibe poked home the rebound to reduce the deficit after just eight minutes, before the visitors pulled level on the quarter hour mark when a cross from Ibe was converted at the back post by Scully.  And the visitors completed the comeback when Clements was put in on goal and he rolled home superbly eleven minutes before the break to see the visitors lead at half time.  Incredibly this proved to be the winning moment as despite plenty of goalmouth action for both sides in the second period their were no further goals meaning Stow grabbed the three points to inflict the hosts first loss of the campaign and in turn end a run of two straight losses)

 

Woodford Town 0 Redbridge 2 (George Christou’s first game as Redbridge boss ended with the clubs first win of the new season as they saw off Woodford Town at The Harlow Arena.  The Motormen grabbed an early lead after 11 minutes through Craig Hall, and then doubled their advantage through Terry Amoafu barely a minute into the second period to make sure of the points and hand them a much-needed victory.  Defeat for the hosts sees them still without a point after four league outings)

 

Saturday September 26

Hadley 1 Takeley 0 (A solitary goal from Luke Alfano gave Hadley all three points at home to Takeley, meaning Hadley are in sixth after two wins from three games whilst Takeley’s tough start continues, no wins from four now and three losses as they sit third bottom)

 

Hoddesdon Town 5 Enfield 3 (Hoody won an eight goal thriller against Enfield at Lowfield, Craig Tolley put the hosts ahead but Enfield levelled, Liam Mulligan then restored the hosts lead only for the visitors to then tie it up again as the first half ended 2-2.  Mulligan then restored the hosts lead for a third time before Blue Gallagher struck home to make it 4-2, and it was five when Aiden Critchley netted for the hosts in a strong second half showing.  Enfield did pull a late third back but it’s a third defeat in four now for the visitors who are second bottom, whilst Hoddy take their second win of the season as they slot into eighth)

 

Ilford 1 Saffron Walden Town 1 (Luke Wilson’s goal ten minutes from time salvaged a point for Walden as they drew at Cricklefield against Ilford.  Dimitri Christou’s strike had put Ilford ahead in the first period, but Wilson netted in the 80^th minute to see this one end all square, leaving Ilford in 11^th and Walden a place above in tenth)

 

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Hashtag United 4 (Joe Gregory’s brace helped Hashtag United keep up their 100% start to the season after seeing off a strong and spirited Sawbridgeworth Town at Crofters.  Horace Ormsby put the hosts into an early lead before Gregory levelled soon after, and then Thomas Anderson gave the visitors the lead to see them go into the break ahead.  Cabham Clarke then brought Sawbo level but the Tags kept going and managed to restore their lead with seventeen minutes remaining as Gregory grabbed his second before Harry Honesty sealed the points with eight minutes to go.  Hashtag are now second on goal difference with maximum points whilst Sawbo sit fourth after their first league defeat of the season)

 

Sporting Bengal United 0 Cockfosters 2 (Cockfosters brilliant start to the season continued as they made it four wins from four after victory at Mile End versus Sporting Bengal United.  Both goals came in the first quarter of the contest as Carl Mullings netted on 2 and 21 minutes to hand the visitors the points, whilst defeat for Sporting leaves them down in 13^th place)

 

St Margaretsbury 3 Clapton 3 (St Mags produced an astonishing comeback to deny The Tons what looked a certain three points after a second half brace from Kyle Roberts and one from Jake Hayden-Eley saw the home side came back from 0-3 down at the break to earn a 3-3 draw at The Rec.  Ridwan Hussein had given the visitors then lead and they then added another before Matthew Bentley made it three in first half stoppage time and the visitors must of thought they were nailed on for their first league win of the campaign.  But an extraordinary last half hour saw the hosts fight back and earn an unlikely point, leaving St Mags in 14^th and The Tons a place below in 15^th)

 

Stansted 5 Southend Manor 0 (The Airportmen continued a good start to the season by thrashing Southend Manor at Hargrave Park.  Greg Moorse put the hosts ahead early on before Mike Salako doubled that lead late on in the first period.  A third goal came before Moorse added another for his second of the contest, and the scoring was completed late on when Ryan Ramsey netted a fifth for the hosts, meaning they sit third with three wins from four, whilst for Manor defeat sees them slip to ninth)

 

 

Barnston AFC 0 White Notley 4

Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division, Saturday 26th August 2020 

This weekend saw me take in my first ever Essex & Suffolk Border League contest, and it came from High Easter Road as Barnston AFC hosted White Notley in a Premier Division fixture on a rather cold and damp afternoon.

This was also my first ever visit to the ground and after getting lost (yes I still managed to do this despite it only being a small village!!!) I was welcomed by manager Josh Hutchins and assistant Callum Bolger which was nice (I had chatted to them on twitter prior to coming) so was nice to meet them in person.

After having a beer in their decent clubhouse (which was bought for me by the club, so many thanks for that) I settled down to see who was likely to have the best chance of winning this game.  Barnston had lost all three games so far this season but I had been assured they had played well in those games but just couldn’t find the back of the net, only three times so far.

They had though conceded twelve goals in those three games too, an average of four a game, so it does sound like there is work to do at both ends of the pitch.  They were welcoming a side in White Notley who had won their first three games too, netting thirteen times and conceding six, so on paper at least it looked as if the visitors were the ones who were favourites to take this one.

Football is not played on paper though and Barnston have a young hungry side who will eventually click, so maybe that could be today who knows?  The visitors though would have been confident of netting a fourth straight win to start the campaign though for sure.

Well, Notley had the wind with them in the first period and on the quarter hour mark they used this to their advantage when a kick out from the keeper caught the wind and sailed over the full back’s head, allowing striker Rory Bone to get In, round the keeper and slot into the far corner, and give the visitors the lead.

Nine minutes later and they had a two goal cushion as after the hosts had given the ball away, full back Peter Falco drove to the edge of the box and fired an effort at goal which dipped right in front of the keeper, zipped off the damp surface, and bounced through his grasp and into the net, they were two goals the hosts could of avoided but they had been punished both times and now had a hard task getting back into this one.

The hosts though to be fair were playing the better football, they had to, as anything played in the air came straight back at them, and once they did get the ball down they caused their opponents problems and did create three very good openings but as before failed to find the target.  Very frustrating for the home side indeed.

Notley were using the wind well though and caused problems for the hosts and did create some other openings themselves, and right on half time they grabbed a killer third to knock the stuffing out of the home side when a superb cross from the left by Bone found Regan Farley-Hearn at the back post and he sent a bullet header into the net, and the visitors had a three goal cushion going into the break.

Half Time Barnston AFC 0 White Notley 3

Barnston had the wind with them second half but that third goal had really made it a mountain to climb, and they struggled to create much with this and could not use it like the visitors had in the first forty five minutes.

In contrast Notley were playing the conditions much better and they found playing into the wind ok too and were playing some nice football on the ground, and in the 66^th minute saw them burst through and fouled, and although the referee initially gave a spot kick, after consulting his assistant give a free kick right on the edge of the box.

Did this make any difference, well no, because up stepped Rob King who struck a lovely left footed effort into the far corner and see the visitors add a fourth. 

Barnston were now in damage limitation mode and although they did have a couple of decent long range efforts, it was the visitors who towards the latter part of the game look likely to add more goals, with one acrobatic effort thumping against the post and three other efforts brilliantly saved by keeper Joseph Fanthorpe.

But no more goals were forthcoming and it meant White Notley ran out comfortable winners in the end and they now top the Premier Division table on goals scored now having won all four of their matches so far, whilst for Barnston AFC they sit bottom on goal difference having lost all four games so far.

The hosts had their moments in this one, especially first half, but they could not take their chances when on top and were punished by a very good White Notley side.  Barnston’s next game is a home one against second bottom Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves who also have no points, but have played a game more, so Barnston will know they must win that one to restore some positiveness to their side.

For Notley, they travel to fourth placed West Bergholt next weekend so that will be a tough game for them but one they feel they can win no doubt. 

Lastly thanks so much to Josh and Callum who made my day very enjoyable, and thankyou for the two beers and the burger and sweet potato fries after the game, much appreciated and it’s nice to know your appreciate what I do, so I do wish your club all the best and am hoping they can pick up that first win next week.  A super day was had!!!

Full Time Barnston AFC 0 White Notley 4

 

Emirates FA Cup 1QR Round Up (Essex Senior League sides) (21st/22nd September 2020)

 (Action from Hashtag's game against Soham Town Rangers on Monday evening, thanks to Marek Dorcik Images (@dorcikimages) for the photo)

Monday 21^st September

Hashtag United 1-1 Soham Town Rangers (pens 4-2) (Hashtag United dumped another Isthmian North side out of the FA Cup on penalties at The Len Salmon as they progressed in dramatic style in front of the BBC cameras.  It looked for a long time as though Declan Rodgers first half free kick would be enough to win the tie, but Jesse Waller Lassen struck home with six minutes to go to take the tie to penalties, which the hosts prevailed in to reach the next round)

 

Tuesday 22^nd September

Coggeshall Town 0-1 Stansted (Jack Mitchell’s goal right on half time saw The Airportmen stun Coggeshall Town at West Street to book their place in the next round. The deciding moment came in the 45^th minute when Ramsay’s shot across goal was tapped home by Jack Mitchell at the back post, and it was enough for the visitors to record a superb win and see them through)

 

Walthamstow 0-0 St Margaretsbury (pens 4-3) (Stow won yet another shoot out to progress into the next round of the FA Cup after a pulsating goalless draw with St Mags at Wadham Lodge.  The hosts could have won it at the death after Dash was pushed over in box in the 90^th minute, but his penalty was blazed over!!!  It meant Stow’s last three cup ties had all gone to spot kicks, and like the last two they came out on top to progress)

So many congratulations to Hashtag United, Stansted and Walthamstow for reaching the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, nice to have three ESL sides through into the hat!!!  I understand the draw for the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup will be published at 1pm on Friday with the 43 
National League North/South sides joining the competition so a chance for one of those three to land big ties against a side from that division.

The Second Qualifying Round ties take place on the first weekend of October.

Buildbase FA Vase 1st QR Round Up (ESL/EaSL sides) (18th/19th/20th September 2020)

(Dion Lewis Kirwan levelling for Ilford early on in their game against Long Melford at Cricklefield, one The Foxes went onto win 5-3, thanks to Tim Edwards for the photo)

Friday September 18

Barkingside 1-3 Coggeshall United (Coggeshall United are through to the next round after they saw of Barkingside at Cricklefield.  Matangi put the visitors in front before the lead was doubled by Owuadey, and although Side pulled one back through Reece Simpson with fifteen minutes remaining, a second goal from Owuadey sealed the Weavers passage into the next round) – Coggeshall United host Sporting Bengal United in next round

 

Saturday September 19

Athletic Newham 0-1 Wormley Rovers (Kane Lowe netted the only goal of the game as Wormley Rovers dumped Athletic Newham out of the Vase) ­– Wormley Rovers travel to Hashtag United in next round

 

Brimsdown 2-4 Clapton (The Tons bounced back from their mauling at Cockfosters in midweek to see of Eastern Senior South side Brimsdown to reach the next round of the Vase.  The hosts, who also shipped eight last time out, did net through Hayes Thomas and Jermaine Drewett-Baptiste but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from crashing out of the competition against their higher league opponents who saw goals from Daniel Emovon, Singui Nicki Dembele, Kyle Thompson and an own goal take them through) – Clapton travel to Potton United in the next round

 

Colney Heath 0-0 Wivenhoe Town (pens 4-2)  (The Dragons are out of the Vase after they suffered penalty shoot out heartache at Colney Heath after the sides had played out a goalless draw.  A very decent effort from Gary Monti’s side considering they have lost all three games in the league this season and Heath were two from two and second in the Spartan South Midlands Premier)

 

Frenford 2-4 Newbury Forest (Newbury Forest terrific start to the season continued as they dumped Frenford out of the Vase after netting four at The Drive.  Umeh put the hosts ahead midway through the first period but Forest managed to level through an own goal only a few minutes later, and then just past the hour mark the visitors won a penalty which resulted in a red card for the hosts for handball, and Forest duly netted the spot kick to take the lead.  Jones though brought Frenford level midway through the half, but Forest were not to be denied and netted through Andy Adomakoh and Patrick Duggan to take the tie) – Newbury Forest host Burnham Ramblers in next round

 

Hadley 2-0 Hadleigh United (Hadley put the disappointment of last weekend’s FA Cup loss behind them after they saw goals from Luke Alfano and Alfie Bartram send them through to the next round of the Vase after victory over Hadleigh United at Brickfield Lane) – Hadley host Enfield Borough in the next round

 

Harwich & Parkeston 1-1 Walthamstow (pens 4-5) (Stow are into the next round after a penalty shoot out success over Harwich & Parkeston at The Royal Oak.  Adam Hampson netted a long range effort eight minutes before the break to put the Step Six side ahead, and it looked like this would be enough to cause a surprise until a header from Charncey Dash deflected in off Clements in the 90^th minutes to take the tie to penalties, and Stow edged through 5-4 in the shoot out to progress) – Walthamstow host London Lions in next round

 

Hashtag United 3-1 Takeley (Hashtag United defeated Takeley 3-1 for the second time in a week after victory over them in the Vase on Saturday.  Ross Gleed gave the hosts the lead on the half hour before doubling their advantage four minutes later through Harry Honesty after good link up play with Joe Gregory, and although the visitors slotted under Tim Pitman five minutes into the second period to make it nervy, Hashtag sealed it with fifteen minutes remaining through Honesty, poking home a Albert Keith cross) – Hashtag United host Wormley Rovers in next round

 

Hoddesdon Town 3-2 Langford (Liam Mulligan netted five minutes into stoppage time to send Hoddesdon Town through to the next round of the Vase.  Langford opened the scoring through James Elkington-Soan but Oliver Sharman then levelled, Josh Cliss then restored Langford’s advantage but Harrison Rookard then levelled to see the sides go in 2-2 at the break.  And it looked as if it would be penalties until Mulligan popped up with a late late winner for the home side) – Hoddesdon Town host Woodford Town in next round

 

Ilford 5-3 Long Melford (A brace from Dion Lewis-Kirwan helped see Ilford win an eight-goal contest against Long Melford at Cricklefield to progress.  Callum Hemson gave the visitors an early lead but Lewis-Kirwan powered home a header on 15 minutes to get The Foxes back level and that is how it stayed to half time.  Ilford then grabbed the lead two minutes into the second period after a low drive from Dimi Christou, but a brilliant free kick from Kieran Michaels restored parity, but Lewis-Kirwan and then Bailey Hossack then netted for the hosts in two minutes to see The Foxes open up a 4-2 advantage.  And it was five goals in eighteen second half minutes when Yemi Adelani made it 5-2 twenty minutes into the second half, and although Michaels added his second for the visitors to make it 5-3 with fifteen to go, it was too little too late as the hosts progressed) – Ilford host Benfleet in the next round

 

Little Oakley 2-1 Stotfold (Harry Mann and Greg Rodger netted for Oakley as they saw off Stotfold to progress into the next round of the Vase as the home sides brilliant start to the season continued) – Little Oakley travel to May & Baker in next round

 

Redbridge 1-3 May & Baker (May & Baker piled on more misery for The Motormen after they dumped them out of the Vase at Oakside.  Eddy Cooper put the visitors ahead after just six minutes before Henry Osei doubled that lead in the 26^th minute, Redbridge did pull one back six minutes later when Dickens netted, but Bakers restored their two goal cushion when Osei netted again right on half time.  Johnson was sent off for the hosts giving away a 65^th minute spot kick, which was missed by the visitors, and it was ten Vs ten for the final few minutes when Jake Piper was shown a straight red, but it’s May & Baker who progressed.  Redbridge announced George Christou as their new manager this week and brings both his long-term coaches from Aveley Reserves in Jack Toghil and Loul Hazelwood into the set up, they have much work to do) – May & Baker host Little Oakley in next round

 

Saffron Walden Town 3-3 Whitton United (pens 1-4) (Walden crashed out in the cruelist way after a penalty shoot out defeat at the hands of Whitton United at Catons Lane.  Lewis Francis gave the hosts a 15^th minute lead, but Thomas Bradlaugh levelled right on half time, Craig Calver restored the hosts lead just before the hour mark, but Reese Dobson again brought Whitton level with just under fifteen minutes to go.  Gavin Cockman looked to have won it for The Bloods with nine minutes left but in the second minute of added on time George Day broke Walden hearts by levelling the tie and taking it to penalties, and the visitors dominated the shoot out to progress into the next round)

 

Southend Manor 0-1 Cockfosters (Fosters netted with five minutes to go to knock Southend Manor out of the Vase at Southchurch Park.  The winning moment came when a corner in by Mosanya was nodded in at the back post Pojoby and it was enough to settle this contest) – Cockfosters travel to Park View in the next round

 

Sporting Bengal United 3-3 Sawbridgeworth Town (pens 4-2) (Sporting Bengal United are the comeback kings of the week as after their incredible comeback at Oakside in midweek they came from 3-1 down at Crofters (the tie was switched there) to force penalties before winning the shoot out to knock Sawbridgeworth Town out of the Vase.  Chaka Barnett gave Sporting a tenth minute lead but two goals from Jake Skeet and one from Conor Clarke had The Robins 3-1 up and seemingly heading through to the next round.  But amazingly Barnett netted twice in the final few minutes to complete his hat-trick and send the tie to penalties, and Sporting won out in the shoot-out 4-2 to progress) – Sporting Bengal United travel to Coggeshall United in next round

 

St Margaretsbury 1-1 London Colney (pens 5-6) (St Mags crashed out of the FA Vase after a penalty shootout defeat to London Colney at The Recreation Ground.  Issouf Coulibaly gave the visitors the half time lead but the hosts saw substitute Dominic Wynter level in the second period and take the tie to penalty kicks, but the hosts lost out 6-5 in the shootout)

 

Sunday September 20

Hackney Wick 0-1 Halstead Town (Jordan Pavett’s 42^nd minute free kick was enough for Halstead Town to progress with victory at Spa Road against Hackney Wick.  Pavett hit a low strike around the wall and in at the near post three minutes before the break and it proved enough) – Halstead Town travel to Baldock Town in next round

 

Holland 2-0 Enfield (Two goals in the final twenty minutes saw Holland dump Enfield out of the Vase at Dulwich Road.  The hosts poked in after Wilmot failed to gather with 73 minutes on the clock, and three minutes later a corner went straight in to seal the hosts passage to the next round) – Holland host Colney Heath in next round

 

West Essex 8-1 Haverhill Borough (Michael Mignot netted a hat-trick for hosts West Essex as they thumped Haverhill Borough at Mayesbrook Park to progress in the Vase.  Cam Gray slotted the hosts ahead after ten minutes before Emmanuel Oluwole nodded home five minutes later for number two, Joe Lefley then curled home a lovely free kick to make it three ten minutes before the break, and it was 4-0 on half time when Mignot netted a brilliant individual effort.  The visitors pulled one back a minute into the second period but West added a fifth twenty minutes into the half as Mignot converted before he completed his treble twenty minutes from time.  Hakim Medfai then rounded the keeper to slot home number seven with twelve to go and the scoring was complete when Isaac Marfo-Jacobs converted to complete a good day at the office) – West Essex host Haverhill Rovers in next round

Essex Senior League Round Up (15th/16th September 2020)

(action from Sawbridgeworth Town 3 Woodford Town 2 on Tuesday night at Crofters) 

Tuesday September 15

Cockfosters 8 Clapton 1 (Ryan Wade netted a first half hat-trick as Cockfosters thrashed Clapton at Chalk Lane to make it three wins from three and top the table on goal difference.  Marcus Crowther put the home side ahead on 15 minutes before Wade grabbed his first to double his sides advantage and then it was three on 21 minutes when Reece Mosanya drilled home.  A Price Madu cross was converted by Wade for 4-0 at just 27 minutes, and although The Tons pulled one back through Daniel Emolvon six minutes before the break, Wade completed his hat-trick a minute before half time from the penalty spot to send the hosts in the dressing room 5-1 to the good.  Fosters then added a sixth through Kaidyn Michael with twenty minutes left, bursting through to fire home, and then Ned Clarke added a couple in the final few minutes to complete a brilliant evening for the home side)

 

Hoddesdon Town 1 West Essex 3 (West Essex continued their fine start to the season with another impressive away win, this time at Lowfield against Hoddesdon Town, to make it seven points from nine in the league so far.  The visitors took the lead a minute before the break when a shot from Brad Russell was parried by Liam Nugent and Michael Mignot was on hand to poke home, and they doubled that lead when Callum Bloss fired home a free kick.  Hoddy managed to pull one back with fifteen minutes remaining when a handball inside the box gave the home side a spot kick which Jack Gibbs converted, but West sealed the points with six to go after a mix up between Ollie Sharman and Nugent ended up with the former heading beyond his keeper who had come out and see the ball roll into the net)

 

Redbridge 2 Sporting Bengal United 3 (The Motormen snatched defeat from the jaws of victory after letting a two-goal lead slip to lose to two injury time strikes against Sporting Bengal United at Oakside.  The hosts lead 1-0 at the break after James Barlow’s powerful header and they looked sure to be heading to their first win of the season when substitute Amoafu, who had only just come on, doubled their lead after tapping home.  Sporting gave themselves a lifeline when Ramos struck home a wonderful free-kick, but going into stoppage time Redbridge still led, that was until the 91^st minute when a needless foul inside the box saw Ramos convert from the spot to draw Sporting level, and then deeper into stoppage time the visitors won it incredibly when a terrible mistake put substitute Viera through and his square ball was nodded home by Ramos for his hat-trick and sealed a dramatic comeback from the Mile End side)

 

Saffron Walden Town 5 St Margaretsbury 0 (Craig Calver netted a hat-trick as Walden grabbed their first win of the season as they thrashed St Margaretsbury at Catons Lane.  Calver netted twice inside the opening twenty minutes before adding another early in the second period after good work from Gavin Cockman had set him up.  Alfie Hilton then made it four in the 90^th minute and then the best was saved till last when Dimitri Hatzimouratis netted a thunderbolt three minutes into added on time and seal a big win for the hosts)

 

Sawbridgeworth Town 3 Woodford Town 2 (The Robins have almost equalled their points tally from last season already after making it seven from nine following an entertaining win over Woodford Town at Crofters.  Sawbo grabbed an early lead when Cabham Clarke sent a looping header over the keeper but Woodford responded ten minutes later when Jeremiah Lunera volleyed home unmarked at the far post.  Then came a moment of brilliance from Kieran Amos, sending a long range effort from the left hand touchline over the keeper into the far corner to restore the hosts lead before Conor Clarke emphatically converted a spot kick to send the hosts into the break in command with a two goal cushion.  Woodford though were handed a route back into the contest early in the second period when a poor header back allowed Marcin Painter to nip in and slot home and despite the visitors having Hary Barrett and Jack Newbury-Neme sent off they still looked the likelier to level, but the hosts hung on to record a second win in three leaving Woodford bottom with no points from three games)

 

Takeley 1 Hashtag United 3 (Hashtag United netted two late goals as they came from behind at the break to defeat Takeley at Station Road to maintain their 100% start to their campaign.  The hosts led at the break thanks to a 29^th minute goal from Tom Jelliman, tapping home after a George Wappett corner had been poorly dealt with by Tim Pitman, but in the 64^th minute Hashtag levelled from the spot through who else but George Smith after Joshua Osude had been fouled inside the box.  And in the 89^th minute the visitors went ahead when Smith turned provider to play a great ball into Osude who burst through and rounded Corderoy to slot home, and they sealed the points deep into stoppage time after Osude broke through to slot home, and it means the hosts are still yet to win this season)

 

Walthamstow 2 Southend Manor 3 (Manor made it two wins in a row after their opening day debacle to stun Walthamstow at Wadham Lodge and in turn inflict Stow’s second straight defeat at home in the process.  Manor grabbed the lead after fifteen minutes through Luka Frankis but Stow levelled five minutes before half time after Clements headed home a Connor Scully cross to see the sides go into the break all square.  Stow then took the lead three minutes after the break when a superb cross from Crowley found James Hammond who headed home, but Manor showed immense character to fight back in this one and levelled just before the hour mark after Charlie Mann had missed a cross and saw the ball tapped home by Frankis before winning it with twenty five minutes remaining after Darnell Bromfield dispatched a penalty kick and hand Manor a terrific three points)

 

Wednesday September 16

Enfield 0 Stansted 1 (The Airportmen made it seven points from a possible nine after a narrow win at Woodside Park against Enfield.  The only goal of the game came midway through the first half when a Billy Coyne free kick was spilt by keeper Jack Wilmot, allowing Ryan Ramsay to tap home the loose ball, and it saw the visitors to a second win in three and means Enfield are still without a win after three league games)

Latest League table below:-

Benfleet 1 Frenford 0

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Wednesday 16th September 2020 

Wednesday evening saw me over on the island of Canvey for my first tase of Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South this season as Benfleet welcomed Frenford to Park Lane.

The hosts were playing their second league game of the season, they had drawn their first 2-2 at Spa Road against Hackney Wick, and they had also almost caused a big surprise in the FA Cup at Brantham Athletic, eventually losing out on penalties in that one in what was a fantastic effort against a decent Thurlow Nunn Premier outfit.

Frenford came into this one having won both their league games so far against Holland and Harwich & Parkeston, and both also saw them collect clean sheets so they could not have started the season any better, so they were looking to make it three on the spin here.

The opening exchanges saw Fleet get in down the right thanks to good work from Sam Dulieu, whilst the visitors saw a long range effort well tipped round the post by home keeper Flo Gislette, but chances/openings were at a premium in the opening half, although when a chance did come along it was a very good one.

One of these saw the hosts thump an effort against the woodwork, whilst down the other end Gislette had to be alert to make a smart stop to prevent the visitors from edging ahead, and all this added up to a goalless opening half with neither side really getting the upper hand.

Half Time Benfleet 0 Frenford 0

Frenford started the second half the better and saw a near post effort tipped wide by Gislette, and later on in the half they had a brilliant chance to go ahead when they got in down the left, but the effort was dragged wide of the far post and Benfleet could breathe a sigh of relief.

It was a half that saw quite a few niggly injuries which saw the game broken up and very stop start, it wasn’t a classic that was for sure and both sides were giving the ball away quite a bit too, it was all a bit of a struggle out there!!!

Benfleet themselves had hardly threatened the visitors at all in the final third in this half, but after Frenford saw an injury to one of their full backs, they were down to ten men for the final ten or so minutes after they had used all three substitutes, and this saw the hosts begin to threaten.

They struck a decent opening straight at the keeper with about six minutes remaining, but with two minutes of normal time left they grabbed what proved to be the winner as a free kick from the right was flicked on into the six yard box and it ended with centre half Cameron Harris putting the ball in from close range.

It was the first goal Frenford had shipped this season and it was a poor one to concede too, very scrappy and in keeping with the contest that had gone before it.  Things were to get worse for the visitors in stoppage time too as their skipper Lewis Bartrip had a moment of madness and was given a straight red after an off the ball incident, meaning he will now miss three games.

Benfleet saw out the remaining minutes to record their first win of the season, it wasn’t pretty that is for sure but they won’t mind that at all, this was certainly a well earned one and it’s a clean sheet to boot too.  For Frenford it was a disappointing evening, they probably didn’t deserve to lose but they did, and they will have to regroup and go again in the Vase at the weekend.

Full Time Benfleet 1 Frenford 0

Sawbridgeworth Town 3 Woodford Town 2

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 15th September 2020

My first Essex Senior League outing for the 20/21 season saw me over at Crofters for a match up between Sawbridgeworth Town and Woodford Town on a sultry evening on the Essex/Herts border.

Now the hosts start to this season couldn’t be any more different than last, with one win and a draw in their two games thus far, and of course that superb FA Cup win over Romford as well.  They were up against a side in Woodford who last season smashed eight past them here on the opening day, but neither side resemble those ones of a year ago and this Woodford side had begun the league campaign with two losses, so they wanted to try and put the first points on the board here.

The visitors of course had got the competitive season underway with their FA Cup win over London Colney in what was the first time the competition had ended and started in the same month, it certainly has been a weird one hasn’t it!!!

Anyway back to the contest this evening, well after just six minutes the hosts got their noses in front as a cross from the right saw Cabham Clarke send a looping header over keeper Rasmus Kriisa, who had come off his line and was left stranded, and find the net to send the Ultras behind that goal wild.

Woodford though responded ten minutes later as a cross from the right found Jeremiah Lunera totally unmarked at the far post and he duly volleyed past Michael Bett in the hosts goal and the game was all square again.  It was some start and the tempo of the game was very high.

The visitors were only level for three minutes though as a moment of brilliance saw Sawbo retake the lead.  Kieran Amos, made famous for shedding several stone in lockdown to restart his football career, decided to try his luck from miles out from the left-hand side and sent a wonderful effort over keeper Kriisa into the far corner.  Now I thought it was a cross that caught the keeper out, but Kieran has told me he definitely meant it so who am I to argue!!!  It was a wonderful goal and you’ll struggle to see a better one this season.

This really galvanised the hosts who dominated the first period thereafter and after striking the bar they did add a third when after a penalty was awarded for a push inside the box, Conor Clarke stepped up to emphatically convert the spot kick, and The Robins went into the break in command with a two goal cushion.

Half Time Sawbridgeworth Town 3 Woodford Town 1

No doubt Dee Safer and his boys would have had stern words in the dressing room at the break, they were second best in this contest so far for sure, but seven minutes after the restart they brought themselves right back into the contest, with some help from the hosts, as a poor header back was seized upon by Marcin Painter who rounded Bett to slot home, and it was very much game on.

This got Woodford’s tails up and they were now the ones looking likely to find a leveller, although they made their task harder when Hary Barrett was shown a second yellow just past the hour mark for a body check, and then with eighteen minutes left were reduced to nine men after Jack Newbury-Neme’s challenge on the far side was deemed a straight red by the referee.

Despite having nine men though, Woodford continued to threaten a leveller, and so nearly grabbed one with less then five to go as after brilliant play from Lunera, his effort struck the bar before the desperate hosts managed to scramble the ball clear.  It had been a decent comeback in the second period from the visitors and they were on the cusp of grabbing what seemed an unlikely point at the break.

But, Sawbo did manage to hold on and make it seven points from a possible nine, which is one point less than they managed in the entire league campaign last season before it was curtailed, so shows you the progress already made from then.  For Woodford it is now three defeats from three and are now the only side without a point this season.  Their second half showing will give them some positives going forward though.  Very enjoyable game it was and well done to the hosts!!!

Full Time Sawbridgeworth Town 3 Woodford Town 2