Hackney Wick 3 West Essex 5

ESL Len Cordell Memorial Cup Group D, Friday April 9

Friday night and I was over at Mayesbrook Park to see the first game in the inaugural Essex Senior League’s Len Cordell Memorial Cup as Thurlow Nunn One South side Hackney Wick hosted West Essex who are a step above in the Essex Senior League, and West took the three points after a first half hat-trick from Callum Bloss helped them to victory in a very entertaining encounter.

The tone was set in the opening five minutes, West went in front with just two minutes on the clock when a cut back found Bloss who produced a neat finish into the top corner, but Wick were level just two minutes after that when Mohammu Raza struck a neat effort into the bottom corner from outside the box.

The game continued to be played at a decent pace and with twenty one minutes on the clock Wick stunned their opponents by grabbing the lead when a superb through ball released Lewis Danquah and the striker made no mistake by slotting home, but the visitors then switched off and were caught out by a quick free kick moments later and West sent a ball to the far post where skipper Cameron Gray was on hand to tap home and level the contest up once again, it had been a crazy opening to this one.

On the half hour mark Bloss was to grab his second of the contest and a third for West when his persistence saw him earn a stab at goal from twelve or so yards out and see it find the far corner, and West now had the lead again, and then with two minutes of the half to go West won a spot kick when Symeon Taylor was upended in the box, and Bloss stepped up to convert and see West go into the half with a 4-2 lead, what a half of football it had been!!!

The second half started much like the first half had been, at a frantic pace, and after West had someone missed a chance to go 5-2 up, hitting the inside of the post, Wick pulled a goal back nine minutes after the break when Raza sent a lovely effort from the edge of the box which looped over the keeper and hit the bar and bounced down over the line, and the lower league opponents were right back in the contest.

Wick pushed West very hard in the second half as they searched for a leveller, but West kept them at bay and finally sealed the points in the first minute of stoppage time when Emmanuel Shoderu struck an absolute belter from outside the box as they finally saw off their opponents and get their Len Cordell Memorial Cup campaign underway with a win.

It had been a superb game though, thoroughly entertaining and a good contest between two attacking sides, if all the games are like this then the lucky few at these games will be in for a treat that is for sure.

Full Time Hackney Wick 3 West Essex 5

 

Hackney Wick next take on Isthmian South Central side Barking at Mayesbrook Park a week on Tuesday, that will be a very tough one for the Hackney side that is for sure, whilst West Essex next take on another Thurlow Nunn One South side in Frenford, also at Mayesbrook Park next Friday evening, that also proves to be an entertaining encounter as well.

I’ll be over at Oakside on Saturday to cover the all ESL Group B clash between Redbridge and Clapton, blog to come on that one as per usual along with a few snaps, and there will also be a round up of all the other action taking place tomorrow in the competition as all the other sides involved get their campaigns underway. Below is a reminder of those matchups that take place on Saturday…

 

Group A

DTFC v Cockfosters

St Margaretsbury v Hoddesdon Town

 

Group B

Redbridge v Clapton (follow me on @ped1980 for updates on this one)

Woodford Town v Barkingside

 

Group C

Billericay Town Reserves v Holland

FC Clacton v Stansted

 

Group D

Frenford v Barking

 

Group E

Athletic Newham v Brimsdown

Great Wakering Rovers v White Ensign