St Margaretsbury 2 FC Clacton 2 (FC Clacton won 3-2 on penalties)

Essex Senior League - Len Cordell Memorial Cup Last Sixteen, Friday April 30

Friday night saw me over at The Recreation Ground in Stanstead Abbotts for a Essex Senior League Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Last Sixteen tie between St Margaretsbury and FC Clacton, and it saw the visitors prevail, winning a shoot-out after the sides could not be separated after ninety minutes.

The hosts had qualified from Group A after winning the group on goal difference, they had drawn with Hoddesdon Town and then Cockfosters before netting a 2-0 win against DTFC at the Harlow Arena, whilst the visitors had qualified out of a Group C that saw all four sides make the Last 16 in the end.

The Seasiders had beaten Stansted in their opening game before a draw against Billericay’s U23 side, and their final group game saw defeat against local rivals Holland although they had already qualified by this stage and went through in third place in the end, before the draw saw these two sides paired together for a place in the Quarter Finals at stake.

It was the visitors who began the better and on seven minutes edged ahead when a lovely through ball released Charlie Thompson in on goal and he rounded St Mags keeper and skipper Emanuel Olajide and slotted home despite the best efforts of Aiden Read’s attempts to try and stop the ball crossing the line.

The hosts though responded well and just six minutes later levelled after Chris Manangu managed to fire home from inside the box, however as the half-entered stoppage time FC Clacton retook the lead when Charlie Thompson netted a second for himself and The Seasiders when he sent a looping header back across goal and into the far corner, and the visitors had the half time lead.

The next goal was crucial, if Clacton got it then you would say the tie would be over most likely, whereas if St Mags managed to get it and level then it was right back in the balance once again, well just before the hour mark the hosts levelled when a corner kick from Kirk McPherson went straight in, it was a poor goal for Clacton to concede but equally was a great corner and finish from the St Mags midfielder.

This meant the final half hour was set up nicely, but neither side could find a winner meaning the tie went to penalties, both sides netted their first spot kicks and then missed their second, and after both had netted their third each to make it 2-2 after three kicks each, the hosts missed and saw Clacton edge ahead with one kick each to come.

The Seasiders, who had only won one out of their last twelve shoot outs, netted to make it 3-2 and it saw the home side needing to score to stay in the contest, but they saw it saved meaning the visitors prevailed 3-2 in the shoot out and go through to the Last Eight of the competition.

Full time St Margaretsbury 2 FC Clacton 2 (FC Clacton won 3-2 on penalties)

 

There were two other Last Sixteen ties on Friday evening so let’s see how those went…

West Essex 1 Stansted 3

White Ensign 1 Barkingside 1 (White Ensign won 3-1 on penalties)

The Airportmen are into the Last Eight after they saw off West Essex at Mayesbrook Park, Stansted had lost their opening two group games whilst West had won both of theirs, but it means nothing in the end as after Stansted won their final group game to squeeze through as best fourth placed side, they are now in the Quarters.

Over at Lower Road in Hullbridge Ensign managed to squeeze through against Barkingside thanks to a penalty shoot-out win, Ensign lead at the break thanks to a Dominic Locke goal nine minutes before the break, but side forced a shoot out when deservedly levelling with four minutes remaining after a powerful header from Reece Simpson. It was Ensign who prevailed though after Jake McWee, Jason Reynolds-Blanche and Bradley Gates netted in the shoot out to run out 3-1 winners in that and take their place in the Quarters.

 

These are the remaining Last 16 ties…

Billericay Town U23s v Athletic Newham (New Lodge, Saturday May 1, 3pm)

Brimsdown v Clapton (New River Stadium, Monday May 3, 4.30pm)

Cockfosters v Barking (Chalk Lane, Tuesday May 4, 7.45pm)

Holland v Hackney Wick (Dulwich Road, Wednesday May 5, 7.45pm)

DTFC v Redbridge (The Harlow Arena, Saturday May 8, 3pm)

 

These are the details of the Plate…

Frenford A-W Hoddesdon Town (Tie awarded to Hoddesdon Town after Frenford pulled out)

Great Wakering Rovers v Woodford Town (Parkside (Aveley FC), Saturday May 1, 2pm)

 

The remaining last sixteen ties are spread over the next seven days, whilst Hoddesdon Town reach the Plate Final at the end of May due to Frenford’s withdrawal from the competition, they will meet either Great Wakering Rovers or Woodford Town in that.

  

Corinthians 3 AS Rawreth 1

Essex Olympian League Division Two, Thursday April 29

It was a rare Thursday night game for me this week and it saw me venture to the outskirts of Rochford and the Stambridge Memorial Ground for an Essex Olympian Division Two encounter between Corinthians and AS Rawreth, and it saw goals from Leo Clarke, Jake Lang and Jake Hodder seal a hard-fought win for the hosts.

The hosts form has been not to bad since they returned to action at the start of the month with wins against Beacon Hill Rovers and Ryan, whilst they also netted a 3-3 draw with Old Southendian Reserves and a narrow 1-0 loss at home to leaders Leigh Town, and all four games have been at home, and this was their fifth on the trot.

They welcomed an AS Rawreth to Stambridge who have not had a very good season, although their last run out at the weekend saw them pick up their first point of the campaign in a 1-1 draw at Harold Wood Athletic Reserves, and the other three games they had played since the resumption two of them were by just one goal so they had been competing at least.

However despite this you still expected the hosts to prevail in this one and they knew if they could pick up the three points they would climb into second and level on points with leaders Leigh Town, the leaders goal difference was seven better than Corinthians although a healthy win against AS Rawreth could help their chances of closing that particular gap too.

And when the visitors started the game with only nine players due to the fact not all the squad had managed to turn up for the kick-off time, you felt this might be a long night for the bottom side, but after ten minutes they were up to a full side and frustrated their opponents in the opening half hour and probably had the best chance as well.

However, with 33 minutes on the clock all their hard work was undone in a moment, as Clarke sent an effort at goal which should have been a routine save for AS Rawreth keeper Harry Hickman, but he let the ball slip through his fingers and then through his legs for good measure and see the ball end up in the net behind him, and Corinthians relief was evident.

The hosts though had some scary moments at the back though and saw the visitors go close again, they were not here to make up the numbers and were attacking whenever they could, but in first half stoppage time the hosts did manage to find a second goal when  Lang got on the end of a cross which the defence allowed to find it’s way through, and the attacker finished past the keeper from close range and you felt that it would be a more comfortable second half for the hosts now.

This was not to be the case though and two minutes after the break AS Rawreth were right back in the contest when Billy Brown’s perseverance saw him work some space to get a shot away and into the hosts net, and suddenly the visitor’s tails were up.

The hosts though could have added to their tally and made it a bit comfier, but they saw visiting keeper Hickman pull off some wonderful saves, the best of them tipping a curling effort onto the post, it was a brilliant stop, and apart from that error for the opening goal he had a marvellous game between the sticks.

The visitors though were certainly putting up a fight though and were making this a very nervy contest for the home side, much more competitive than most thought as well, so fair play to them, but with nine minutes remaining Corinthians finally sealed the points when the brilliant Hodder ran at the box, went past a defender, and then sent a wonderful, lofted finish into the far corner a cap a wonderful display from the hosts attacker.

The hosts would have been relieved to have finally seen off a very stubborn and competitive AS Rawreth who to their credit stuck to their task throughout, they certainly made the hosts work for this one, but it was three points to the home side and second place in the table to boot with promotion still very much on.

Full time Corinthians 3 AS Rawreth 1

 

Let’s see what that does to the table…

As mentioned above Corinthians go into second spot and are now only behind leaders Leigh Town on goal difference, with only four points separating the leaders and sixth placed Wakering Sports, and there are some crunch games at the weekend with Beacon Hill Rovers hosting Leigh Town whilst Corinthians welcome Wakering Sports to their Stambridge Memorial Ground, with the results of those games all important in the promotion shake up no doubt.

As for AS Rawreth they remain bottom with just one point from eleven games although they showed enough tonight here to suggest they will not be easy to beat, despite their lowly position in the table, so underestimate them at your peril.  Their next game sees them back in the area as they take on Rochford Town at The Rec.

 

  

Manford Way 1 Chingford Athletic 1

Essex Olympian League Division One, Wednesday April 28

Wednesday evening saw me over in Waltham Abbey and the Town Mead Leisure Park for the very first time to see Manford Way and Chingford Athletic do battle in an Essex Olympian League Division One contest, and it saw the points shared after a very good competitive contest.

Manford Way were technically the home side although the game was being played at Chingford’s home ground on the 3G at Town Mead, Manford Way sat second in the division as they chase promotion to the Premier Division, and a win here would see them close the gap to leaders Ongar Town to five points.

There form has been largely good since they resumed at the start of April, wins against Toby, Old Chelmsfordians and Shoebury Town, with their only setback a home loss to Snaresbrook, but they had netted eleven goals in those four games and only conceded five, with two cleans sheets too boot.

Chingford themselves were down in eighth after what had been a slow start to their campaign before the shutdown, but if they managed to take victory here, they would be only three points behind Manford Way in second place and continue their late season charge for promotion too.

That late charge is down to a terrific run of form since the resumption of the league, three wins and a draw which included an 11-0 home win over bottom side Shoebury Town where a certain Michael Mignot, who netted over 100 goals for Essex Senior Side West Essex, netted five in that one and his goals and general play have certainly helped Chingford to the form they have found recently, that is for sure.

These two sides meet again in ten days’ time back here at Town Mead when it is Chingford’s home game, so who would come out on top in Part One of this dual?

Chingford certainly had the majority of the first half chances, the best of them falling to Mignot, getting in twice down the right but firing his efforts across goal and just wide of the far post, whilst Manford Way’s best chance saw Ronnie Hobborough force a decent save out of Jake Anderson, but five minutes before the break Chingford struck.

A ball played into the area was scrambled clear but only to the waiting Will Gleeson who from about twenty yards out lifted a lovely ball back at goal, lobbing keeper Lewis Green and a defender on the post and the ball found the back of the net for a neat finish and a deserved lead for the visitors.

Manford Way though were to find a leveller in first half stoppage though when skipper Liam Burgess got down the left and produced a lovely cross into the six yard box where Robbie Rees was on hand to convert smartly and bring his side level and see the game all square at the break.

The second period was a more even affair but most of the action came right at the end, firstly Manford Way almost scored a very fortunate goal after a poor punch by Anderson, but soon after that Anderson pulled off a quite remarkable save to keep his side level, whilst Green had to be alert to save a header down the other end, but in the end the points were shared in what was a very good well contested game.

Full time Manford Way 1 Chingford Athletic 1

 

Let’s see how the table looks after that game…

Ongar Town will probably be the happiest with that point as it means they still hold a seven point lead over Manford Way who remain second, Chingford do move up a place to eighth and remain six points behind the opponents in what is a very congested division. These two meet again a week on Saturday, could be quite an important game.

 

  

Ryan 5 Epping Town 5

Essex Olympian League Division Two, Tuesday April 27

Tuesday evening saw me over at The Matchday Centre at Wadham Lodge in Walthamstow for an Essex Olympian Division Two contest between Ryan and Epping Town, and it turned out to be one of those crazy games you get once in a while as the teams played out a ten-goal thriller in one of the most mental games I have ever seen.

Ryan’s season so far has seen them net three wins, two draws and four losses in their nine games so far which has them in ninth, whilst Epping Town have won six, drew three and lost three in their twelve games thus far and know a win this evening would put them into third place and just two points off top spot.

The hosts form since the resumption at the start of April has been mixed, a win and a draw and two losses, with their last game a 2-0 defeat at Corinthians, whilst Epping had won all three of their games until they were beaten on Saturday by Wakering Sports, but one of those wins came against then unbeaten league leaders leigh Town, so they have been largely in good form after the break.

Would they be able to continue this decent form in this one or could Ryan spring a surprise on the Intermediate Grass Pitch at Wadham Lodge? No one could have predicted what was to follow though.

Epping got themselves ahead after eighteen minutes when a lovely ball in by skipper Joe Rudkin found a totally unmarked Callum Turner who guided home a header into the bottom corner, but eight minutes before the break Ryan were level after a mishap at the back from Epping keeper Will Skingley.

The keeper came charging out of goal, not for the first time in the half, and miskicked his clearance straight to the hosts who fired an effort back against the post and saw the loose ball fall to Scout Bown who followed in to slot under Skingley with eight minutes of the half to go, and then moments later Ryan had the lead when Aymen Mekni slotted home.

Epping though were back on terms with four minutes of the half remaining after Chris Gormley had curled home a delightful free kick, but two minutes later Ryan found themselves back in front once again after a corner from the right to the near post seemed to hit keeper Stingley, then off Mekni and then off a defender before ending up in the net, I think it was an own goal but to be honest I am not sure what happened, however what I did know was Ryan went into the break with a 3-2 lead.

If you thought the end of the first half was mad, wait until you hear what happened after the break!!! Epping were the team on the front foot, and they missed numerous chances to level, but finally with just under twenty minutes remaining they found a leveller when Graeme Turner fired a ball across goal for Gormley to turn home at the far post, and you thought Epping would probably go on and win the game.

However Ryan had other ideas and with just over fifteen minutes to go they retook the lead again when Bown fired an effort at goal from inside the box and it took a huge deflection, wrong footing keeper Skingley, and ended up in the net, and then with ten to go Ryan looked to have sealed the deal and a shock win when they added a fifth after Bown netted his third of the contest by tapping home a cross from the right, game over right?

Well, no, as this incredible game had yet more drama to come, and saw Epping pull one back with seven minutes to go after Callum Turner nodded home from close range, and then with five minutes remaining the visitors were awarded a spot kick after Graeme Turner was tripped inside the box, and Dave Limber converted the penalty and it was now 5-5!!!

In the aftermath of the Epping leveller, hosts keeper Ciaran Glazebrook was given a straight red for something he must have said to the referee, this game had everything and it still had a few more minutes to give a bit more, and deep deep into stoppage time Ryan so nearly pinched all three points but Epping just about kept them out and the referee then blew the whistle to end the game of all games, it had been absolutely crazy, mad, mental, and it had ended with the sides picking up a point each, time for a lie down!!!

Full Time Ryan 5 Epping Town 5

 

Let’s see what that does to the table…

Ryan move up a place to eighth whilst Epping miss the chance to go third, they will consider this two points dropped although at 5-3 down they may be relieved to have got anything from this contest. Ryan are next in action at the weekend where they play back here at Wadham Lodge against another promotion chasing side in Laindon Orient, whilst Epping travel to another side towards the bottom end of the table in Harold Wood Athletic Reserves which is now must win.

 

There is also a game in this division on Thursday night this week as promotion chasing Corinthians take on bottom side AS Rawreth at Stambridge Memorial Ground, and if the hosts do pick up the win everyone expects them too they will go level on points with the leaders, I will be present at that game, so follow me at @ped1980 on twitter for updates of that, and of course there will be a blog on that game too to follow.

Tomorrow night (Wednesday) sees me taking in more Essex Olympian League action with a Division One clash over at Town Mead in Waltham Abbey as Manford Way take on Chingford Athletic, make sure you follow me for updates and blog on that too.

  

Holland 3 FC Clacton 2

Essex Senior League - Len Cordell Memorial Cup Group C, Saturday April 24

Saturday saw me up the east coast and Dulwich Road in Holland-on-Sea for a first ever local derby between Holland and FC Clacton in a Group C clash in the Len Cordell Memorial Cup, and it saw a first half hat-trick from Louis Olybois enough to give Holland all three points in a feisty encounter.

The visitors had already qualified for the knockout stages of the main competition but knew a win or even a draw could see them top the group, Holland also knew the same results would see them go through as well, but with local pride at stake both would have been going all out for the victory.

The only way Holland could possibly not reach the knockout stages and end up in the plate semi-final was if they lost and Stansted, who were at New Lodge against Billericay’s U23s, won and there was a two-goal swing, so Holland had to make sure they did not lose and allow this scenario to happen. And if Holland won this one and Stansted won at New Lodge, Holland would actually end up winning the group, so all results were still possible!!!

Visitors FC Clacton had no such worries though and knew if they could better Billericay’s result at New Lodge would top the group going into the Last 16, and with the possibility of knocking their local rivals out of the main competition too this was surely enough motivation to go and get the win.

Holland so far had been humbled 3-0 at New Lodge by Billericay’s youngsters before they bounced back to defeat Stansted here at Dulwich Road 4-2 last weekend, FC Clacton had also beaten Stansted at home 2-1 before they drew 2-2 at home to Billericay’s U23 side, setting up the final day possibilities, but which one of the sides would prevail today?

Well, it could not have begun much better for the hosts who found themselves in front inside a minute after a ball swung over to the back post was met by the head of Olybois who thumped a header past Finlay Shorten in the visitor’s goal, and the hosts doubled their lead inside twenty minutes when no one picked up Olybois in the middle and he nodded another header past Shorten and the hosts were in dreamland.

How would the visitors respond, well six minutes before the break they were awarded a penalty for a handball, which infuriated the hosts, but Kevin Coyle saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Luke Avenell, but the assistant on the far side he had stepped off his line before the kick was struck, so a retake was ordered, and this time Coyle fired it down the middle and Clacton had a goal back.

Holland though were to go into the break two-goals ahead when a wonderful pass from Keelan Sorrel found star man Olybois who bared down on goal and although his initial effort cannoned back off the post, he followed in to bundle home the rebound for his treble and Holland’s third, and they looked in good shape as they went into the changing rooms for their half time break.

How would the visitors respond after what had been a rather uninspiring opening forty-five minutes, well they were soon on the front foot and putting the hosts defence under pressure, but time and time again they found Holland’s back line lead by skipper Harvey Cowler and Steve Downes at centre half a hard nut to crack.

The hosts then had the chance to seal the deal and go 4-1 ahead when Harry Willoughby raced clear after a breakaway, but his effort was well saved by Shorten, and then with just over twenty minutes remaining the visitors grabbed a goal back which they deserved on their second half pressure when Joe Martin, on for the injured skipper Harvey Cowler, put the ball in his own net after a free kick into the box by Coyle, and it was very much game on.

Holland again had the chance to seal it when a Willoughby volley was superbly tipped over by Shorten, but apart from those two Holland chances in the second period it was all FC Clacton who were applying a lot of pressure on the hosts defence, the hosts case wasn’t helped when hat-trick hero Olybois was shown a second yellow with a minute of normal time to go after one to many infringements, and deep into stoppage time the visitors had the chance to grab a point when the ball found it’s way to Kyle Ferguson at the back post and all he had to do was hit the target but he skewed his shot wide and the chance had gone.

It meant Holland did manage to cling on and take a win that sees them win the group after Billericay’s loss to Stansted, it had been a well contested game between two sides who gave their all and made sure the first derby between these two was entertaining and feisty, and it was very enjoyable to watch and commentate on too.

Full time Holland 3 FC Clacton 2

 

Let’s see what happened down at the other game at New Lodge and how these two results affected the final standings in Group C…

Billericay Town U23s 2 Stansted 3

Stansted came from two goals down to net their first win of the competition and as a result get through to the Last 16 as the best placed fourth side. The hosts led 2-0 at the break and were seemingly on course for a second win in three after goals from Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo and Nyan Mesuira, but Stansted fought back in the second period to net a superb win and end up through to the main knockout stages along with Holland, Billericay and FC Clacton.

 

 

Let’s now look ahead to what happened in the other four groups and who went through to the main knockout draw and who ended up in the plate…

Group A

Cockfosters 3 Hoddesdon Town 2

DTFC 0 St Margaretsbury 2

Marcus Crowther and Joe Entwistle were amongst the scorers as Cockfosters finished as runners up in Group A following a 3-2 home win over Hoddesdon who finished bottom and will go into the Plate Semi Final, whilst over at The Harlow Arena St Margaretsbury ended up winning the group after goals from Read and Jermaine Nicholson helped them to a 2-0 success over DTFC who end up finishing third but still qualify for the Last 16.

 

Group B

Clapton 2 Barkingside 0 (Friday)

Woodford Town 2 Redbridge 3

Second half goals from Melos Ajuazi and Bayemore Ndiaye helped Clapton to all three points against Barkingside, for a more detailed look at this game please check out my blog at http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2021/04/clapton-2-barkingside-0.html, whilst goals from Martin, Kadiri and Fish helped The Motormen to victory over Woodford. It all means Redbridge top the group after maximum points from three games, Clapton end as runners up and Barkingside end up third meaning all three qualify for the last 16, Woodford end the group stages with no points so will go into the Plate Semi Final.

 

Group D

Barking 2 West Essex 1 (Friday)

Frenford 0 Hackney Wick 2

Barking came from behind to defeat West Essex at Mayesbrook Park on Friday night, James Jewers rocket put West ahead early on but goals from Louis Dillon and Jonny Ashman handed The Blues the win and saw them top the Group with West finishing runners up, and Hackney Wick defeated Frenford at The Drive to qualify for the knockout stages meaning Frenford finish bottom and will contest one of the Plate Semi Finals.

 

Group E

Athletic Newham 6 Great Wakering Rovers 2

Brimsdown 0 White Ensign 3

Goals from Luke Skinner, Dominic Locke and Luke Woodword handed Ensign victory at Brimsdown to see them through as Group Winners with a perfect record, Brimsdown are still into the knockout stages though after they finished third, this is because Athletic Newham beat Great Wakering Rovers 6-2 at Terry Mac to see the hosts finish runners up and Wakering end up bottom and in the Plate Semi Final.

 

The draw for the Last 16 and the Plate Semi Finals were made on Saturday evening, and this is how that draw panned out…

Main Competition Last 16

DTFC v Redbridge

Cockfosters v Barking

Brimsdown v Clapton

White Ensign v Barkingside

Holland v Hackney Wick

Billericay Town U23s v Athletic Newham

St Margarertsbury v FC Clacton

West Essex v Stansted

 

Plate Semi Finals

Great Wakering Rovers v Woodford Town

Frenford v Hoddesdon Town

 

Both the last 16 and Plate Semi Finals are planned to take place next weekend, with the possibility of games taking place on Friday, Saturday, Monday and even the midweek after before the Quarter Finals take place the following Saturday. 

Clapton 2 Barkingside 0

Essex Senior League - Len Cordell Memorial Cup Group B, Friday April 23

I was over at Frenford’s Jack Carter Centre on Friday evening to watch an Essex Senior League Len Cordell Memorial Cup Group B clash between Clapton and Barkingside, and it saw second half goals from Melos Ajuazi and Bayemore Ndiaye help The Tons to all three points and secure their Last 16 spot.

This weekend was the final round of Group games across the five Groups before the main knockout stages begin next weekend, so the teams had one more game to improve or even get into the last 16, and for Clapton and Barkingside they knew a draw would actually be enough for both of them to achieve this.

They could also both still win the group on goal difference with a win and then see Redbridge lose at Woodford Town tomorrow, defeat and a big win for Woodford in that game tomorrow would see the side who lost here at The Drive finish bottom of the group on goal difference but in what a good chance of still making the Last 16 as best fourth placed side, although that depended on results elsewhere in the other groups tomorrow.

The best policy therefore was to go out and win the game and at worst draw it, and although both sides knew a point would be enough, they could both still win the group if Redbridge slipped up as said above so why not go for that? Both sides had won one and lost one in their group, with both sides wins coming against pointless Woodford, and both had lost to Redbridge by the odd goal too.

So, very similar in terms of results so far, but how would this one turn out? Well, Clapton certainly had the better of the chances in the opening forty-five minutes, with the best of them falling to Lewis Francis and Petrit Elbi who saw a brilliant double save from Duncan Smith thwart them, but it was Side who should have grabbed the lead early in the second period when Archie Hammond got in on goal, but Carlos Simeon made an important save.

And moments after this Clapton edged ahead after 56 minutes when Hussain Jaffa saw a thumping header touched onto the bar, another header was then blocked, before Ajuazi managed to turn the ball home from close range and see the deadlock broken in this contest.

And five minutes later Clapton doubled their advantage when after Francis had broken through but was thwarted by Smith once again, Ndiaye fired the loose ball beyond Smith into the top corner brilliantly and now Side had work to do to get back into this contest.

They did rally towards the end of the contest and struck the bar late on, but it was too little to late for Barkingside who fall to a second successive defeat in the group stages and will now wait on results tomorrow to see if they do make the last 16 or whether they make the plate semi instead, whilst The Tons net a second successive 2-0 win and seal their place in the main knock out draw.

Full time Clapton 2 Barkingside 0

 

 

This is how the Group B table looks heading into the weekend…

Clapton will win the group if Redbridge lose, any other result sees Redbridge win the group, whilst a Woodford win by two goals would see them leapfrog Barkingside into third spot and would leave the Cricklefield outfit sweating to see if they are the best fourth placed side to go into the Last 16. Side will finish third though if Woodford fail to win and see the Ashton’s side most likely in the plate semi.

 

Let’s now look ahead to Saturday’s games as the Group Stages come to a close…

Group A

Cockfosters v Hoddesdon Town

DTFC v St Margaretsbury

DTFC win the group with a win, Fosters, Hoddesdon and St Mags all still have a chance of finishing in the top three, you would think Hoddesdon would need to win at Cockfosters to have any chance of making the Last 16, draws for the other two would be enough.

 

Group C

Billericay Town U23s v Stansted

Holland v FC Clacton

Billericay and FC Clacton are already through so are looking to end the Group Stage on a high and try and end top of the pile, they could both be trumped by Holland if they both lose and Holland win, Stansted need to win to have any chance and hope Holland lose at home to local rivals FC Clacton and that could also come down to goal difference and goals scored to see who ends up third if that were to happen. And fourth place would then have a chance of going through best fourth placed side, so lots can still happen.

 

Group D

Barking 2 West Essex 1 (Friday)

Frenford v Hackney Wick

Barking are through as group winners after their come from behind win over West Essex on Friday evening, West are through as runners up, which leaves Frenford just needing a draw to finish third, but a win for Hackney Wick would send them through and leave Frenford most likely facing a plate semi instead.

 

Group E

Athletic Newham v Great Wakering Rovers

Brimsdown v White Ensign

Ensign have already won the group so their final game is just a run out to get themselves ready for the knock out rounds, there is just a point between the other three so all can still go through, Great Wakering must win to make the last 16 as their inferior goal difference on the other two above them means a draw would not be enough, unless Brimsdown are beaten by four goals or more, so who knows!!!