Essex Senior League/Thurlow Nunn South Review - Tuesday 27th/Wednesday 28th September

 (thanks to DW (@essexfootie) for the photo)

Midweek saw some more local games take place involving ESL and Thurlow Nunn South sides, let's see how those games went.....

Essex Senior League

Buckhurst Hill 6-1 Halstead Town

Hill are up to fifth after they came from behind to demolish Halstead Town at Roding Lane. A peach of a free kick from Shelvis gave The Humbugs the lead, but Hill made an instant reponse when Sollosi fired past Cherry before he instantly added another to give the hosts the lead, and it was three rapid goals for the hosts after Nalbant turned inside the box before firing home. A great ball sent Nalbant through to slot home under Cherry for number four, and it was five when Nalbant was picked out in space, and he made no mistake to complete his hat-trick, and the scoring was completed when after a fine string of passes from the hosts ended with Badamosi finshing in off the post to cap a superb performance from the home side. Halstead humbling experience at the ground they won promotion to the ESL at the end of last season sees them drop to third bottom on goal difference.

Enfield 2-0 Takeley

The Es made it four wins out of five in the ESL after seeing off Takeley at The Prokit UK Stadium, Norton gave the Es the lead a minute into stoppage time at the end of the first period, converting a Warmen corner at the near post, and that lead was doubled eleven minutes into the second half when Johnson found Cockman before his cross found Greene at the backpost who converted.  The win sees Enfield in fourth whilst defeat for Takeley sees them down in 17th spot.

FC Clacton 2-2 Romford 

A rather explosive contest had an unbelievable finish as two injury time goals from visitors Romford rescued an unlikely point. The hosts edged ahead a minute before the break when Jack Marshall rose to head home a free kick at the far post, and then just before the hour mark Clacton doubled their lead when Clowsley headed home another corner at the far post. The hosts then saw themselves quickly reduced to nine men after two red cards in a fifteen minute spell, firstly Teddy Collins picked up a second yellow in the 64th minute before goalscorer Clowsley was dismissed with just over ten minutes remaining, but it seemed this would matter not and Clacton would pick up all three points as the game entered added on time. But then came the improbable comeback, in the first minute of stoppage time Camilo Restrepo saw an effort take a deflection, hit the bar and fall invitingly for Charlie Morris who headed home, and then in the sixth minute of added on time Lewis Smith was tripped up inside the box and Jake Gordon sent Avenell the wrong way to rescue a point for the visitors, unbelievable drama. It all meant that both teams picked up a point, one which leaves the hosts tenth and the visitors seventh, both on ten points in a congested mid table. 

Stanway Rovers 3-1 Barking

Rovers came from behind early on to take all three points at The Hawthorns, George Farihead put the Blues in front early on directly from a corner, however goals from Joe Debell, Jack Mahon & Ernest Okoh saw Rovers to the points, meaning they are up to sixth and Barking are down in 15th spot.

West Essex 0-0 Stansted

There were no goals at Wadham Lodge as West Essex and Stansted shared the spoils, West had the ball in the net two minutes before the break but Bloss was offside when he converted the chance, but that was the only time the net was rippled as neither side could convert any chances that came. The point a piece leaves West in 14th, one place below Stansted who have a point more.

Let's see that ESL table shall we after those midweek matchups.....

Here are this weekend's fixtures in the ESL.....

Friday 30th September

Redbridge v Clapton

Woodford Town v Sawbridgeworth Town

Saturday 1st October

FC Clacton v Halstead Town 

Saffron Walden Town v Ilford

Southend Manor v Buckhurst Hill

Stansted v Stanway Rovers 

West Essex v Little Oakley

White Ensign v Takeley 

I plan to be at Oakside on Friday night and then Burrough's Park Saturday, so looking forward to those.

There is one other fixture involving an ESL side on Saturday, Romford's huge FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie at home to Vanarama National South Chelmsford City, the fixture has some amazing history going back over the years, can Romford cause a biblical upset and make the final qualifying round and make some more history, it will be tough and for many impossible, but you just never know, good luck to Romford in any case!!!

There were no games in the Thurlow Nunn South in midweek, but below is the latest table ahead of the weekend's games.....

And here are those weekend matchups.....

Friday 30th September

Wivenhoe Town v May & Baker

Saturday 1st October

Burnham Ramblers v Cannons Wood

Enfield Borough v Tower Hamlets

Frenford v Benfleet

NW London v Newbury Forest

Park View v Hackney Wick

Sporting Bengal United v Coggeshall United

St Margaretsbury v Stanway Pegasus

Wormley Rovers v Basildon Town

Now to the cup games in midweek involving the ESL/Thurlow Nunn South.....

BBC Essex Senior Cup First Round

May & Baker 0-5 Stanway Pegasus

Pegasus go marching on in the County Cup after they demolished fellow Thurlow Nunn South high flyers May & Baker at Parkside, Booth and Ager both netted braces whilst their was one from Griffith as Rosi Webb's cruised into Round Two.

Saffron Walden Town 1-1 Woodford Town (Saffron Walden Town won 10-9 on penalties)

Walden won a mammoth shootout to progress in the County Cup at Woodford Town's expense, Joe Pullen put the hosts ahead after 16 minutes, but that lead lasted on seven minutes after Joshua Phillips had levelled for the visitors. No further goals meant a shootout, and after twenty eight penalties the hosts came out on top to reach the second round.

London Senior Cup First Round

Wingate & Finchley 4-1 Clapton

The Tons are out of the London Senior Cup after defeat to Wingate & Finchley, Tyrique Clarke netted two inside twenty minutes before Dernell Wynter added a third seven minutes before the break to hand the hosts total control, and Antonis Vasiliou then made it 4-0 with eight minutes to go.  Clapton did pull one back through Leon Wildman with four minutes to go, but the tie was more than over by that stage.

Herts Senior Centenary Trophy First Round

Welwyn Garden City Development 1-2 Wormley Rovers

A wonderful late late goal from Mason Oaklee saw Rovers progress in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy, the visitors took the lead from the spot through Reece Mosanya but were pegged back by the hosts after they converted a rebound, but Oaklee curled home from an acute angle right at the death to send the visitors through.

That's all for now, will have blogs on the two games I plan on attending this weekend coming up soon..... 

Benfleet 3 Newbury Forest 1

Isuzu FA Vase Second Qualifying Round, Sunday 25th September

I was over at Park Lane on Sunday to see an all Thurlow Nunn South FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round contest, and a brace from Taylor Lawrence helped Benfleet see off Newbury Forest on Canvey Island to progress into the First Round Proper.

Fleet have started the season well, six wins from nine league games and sitting in third with games in hand on the top two, whereas Forest have lost six of their nine league games and are down in fifteenth as a result, and when these two met in the league at Oakside eight days ago, Fleet ran out 2-0 winners courtesy of two first half goals from Deolindo Lima and Lawrence.

Those goals came inside the opening twenty five minutes in that league contest, and in this FA Vase tie the same two grabbed the goals as well as lightning struck twice, although this time they came inside the opening ten minutes as the home side flew out of the blocks, seeing Lima side footing home from inside the box after a cutback from the right after just two minutes, and then Ben Foord was brought down five minutes later inside the box, leaving Lawrence to send keeper Harrison Cole the wrong way from the spot.

Unlike the league game though, Forest managed to whether that early storm from the hosts and grabbed one back after just seventeen minutes when Matt Connolly was passed the ball and absolutely leathered a left footed effort from twenty five yards or so into the top corner with home keeper Flo Gislette a mere spectator, and suddenly the game was back in the balance.

A competitive half then followed as Benfleet's early dominance drifted away, and at half time the game could have gone either way despites Fleet's lead, so the next goal was going to prove crucial, who would get it?

Step up Lawrence, who dispatched a wonderful free kick into the top corner eight minutes into the second period to restore Fleet's two goal cushion, he had been inspirational in this contest and his two goals had certainly put the hosts well on their way to victory and progression into the proper rounds of the competition.

Forest to their credit kept plugging away, but their final pass or touch inside the final third was lacking, Chaka Barnett was a menace down the left all game, but the home side managed to keep him at bay, Fleet did have chances for a fourth themselves but were unable to add to their tally, and to be honest 4-1 would have been harsh on the visitors as they did compete well in this tie.

In the end though three was more than enough for the hosts who progress, they will now await Monday's First Round Proper draw to see who they face next in the Vase.

Full time Benfleet 3 Newbury Forest 1

 

Southchurch Park Double Header - Saturday 24th September

 (Action from Manor's U23 sides draw with Athletic Newham Reserves, a game that exploded into life in the second period in more ways than one)

I was over at Southchurch Park for a double header on what was my return to football after a three week break, and to say the day was eventful was the understatement of the century, anyway it began with Manor's first team taking on Athletic Newham in the Essex Senior League, and then following that Manor's U23 side took on Athletic Newham's Reserve side in a Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Group B contest as that competition got underway.

Let's see how the first team game went shall we, the events that followed it were a bigger talking point then the game itself, but more on that later.....

Athletic Newham 2 Southend Manor 1

This was technically a home game for Newham but with their pitch not being playable at The Terry Mac the game was switched to Southchurch Park, and Manor needed all the advantages they could get after suffering five successive league defeats after an opening day draw with Stansted which sees them bottom of the division.

Newham by their standards have not started the season brilliantly either, picking up two wins, one draw and three defeats in their six games to date, and they actually began this game with ten men after one of their starters didn't make kick off, although he did join the fray after five minutes or so, therefore no real harm done in the end.

The first period wasn't the most enjoyable half of football I have watched, but Manor did create the best opening of the chances that did come along and saw Ben Allen's effort somehow blocked on the line when it looked easier to score, and it was a half that saw Newham bickering amongst themselves as they were far from pleased with their showings, but they were still level at the break despite this.

Just past the hour mark though came the breakthrough, and it came for Manor, as a header from Mitchell Arthur looked to have been saved by visiting keeper Michael Georgiev Arnauchkov, but the ball slipped through his grasp and according to the assistant on the near side just over the line, which rather upset the keeper who it's fair to say did not agree with his decision, but Manor had the lead, could they possibly hold on or even add to it?

Sadly for Manor they could not, and once again this season were pegged back with just under twenty minutes remaining when a super cross from the near side found skipper Joel Appiah who applied a powerful header at the far post into the net, and this really now had Newham's tails well and truly up, and Manor were now on the back foot.

Sure enough eight minutes later Newham netted what proved to be the winner as Appiah raced through to slot home into the far corner, cueing joyful scenes amongst the Newham players and bench, they had been made to work hard for this by a very competitive Manor side who were just not having any luck this campaign, Newham had been far from impressive in this contest, but they had dug out the win, a win that takes them up to fifth now, as for Manor, that's six losses in a row now as they remain rock bottom.

I will go onto the second game of the day in a moment, but during the first half of that game I found out that after Manor's loss to Newham in the first team game, chairman Gerry decided to sack his management team by text message, he had been at the club so could have done this face to face, the proper way, but no, he decided to leave the club and then sack them all by text, a truly awful way to do this and totally disrespectful to all concerned, and it left quite a few people, including me, rather annoyed with what had gone on.

Now I know managers get sacked all the time, but James and his assistants/coaches did not deserve for it to be done in this way, and everyone I have spoken too, including committee members who were not consulted about this decision, are furious with this, and to be honest it's an utterly cowardly way for someone to relief others of their duties, and it has also resulted in most of the first team leaving the club too, as they feel they can no longer play for the club after the treatment of their management team.

It's a terrible way for this tenure to end, James and his management team had performed miracles in keeping Manor in the ESL last season, and they were promised so much this campaign, but those promises for whatever reason were not kept, so they had their hands tied behind their backs so to speak, so this makes todays events even more unacceptable.

I wish James, The Real GKC, Callum and April all the best and hope they are back in football very soon, you did not deserve to be treated the way you were today. And Gerry if you do read this then I hope you realise that what you did today is not acceptable and you will learn from this, but anyway I will say no more on this matter now.

Anyway let's move onto the second match of the afternoon, and sadly that was not the end of the drama for the day either as it turned out, but anyway lets see what happened in the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Group B match up.....

Southend Manor U23 2 Athletic Newham Reserves 2

Manor's U23s had played just the one game in the ESL Reserve Division Two this campaign, a 3-2 home win over May & Baker, whereas Newham's Reserves had played five league games in the same division and had won two but lost the other three, so how would this opening Len Cordell Group Game go?

Well, Manor lead at the break after a lovely strike from their full back, the number two, from outside the box in the 20th minute, but they were pegged back eight minutes after the break thanks to a powerful free kick which gave the keeper no chance at all.

Things though were about to take a turn for the worse when Newham were awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining, it was a penalty but some of the hosts players felt he may have made more of it than he should, and it resulted in some pushing and shoving inside the box, and some of the visiting players having discussions with Manor's club lino on the near side shall we say.

The penalty was eventually dispatched, and one or two of the Newham players gave it back to the linesman in the near side, which caused more discussions shall we say, but then the unsavoury part came when the Newham attacker, the number ten, accused the club lino of making a racist remark, which I can 100% guarantee you did not happen as I was right next to him at the time, but this incensed the lino who ran onto the pitch to confront the player, both had to be held back and after it had all calmed down the player who was doing the club lino job was booked.

The number ten who made that remark, was duly given a straight red, much to his dismay, now I am not 100% sure if it was for the remark he made but it meant the visitors were down to ten for the remainder of the contest, it was not the best few minutes that is for sure and it would certainly make the final few minutes spicy to say the least.

Anyway Manor then netted a super leveller with six minutes to go, but then saw themselves reduced to ten men when the referee handed out a second yellow, rather harshly in all honestly, to the number six, meaning it was ten vs ten for the final few minutes of the game.

It had certainly been an explosive end to the contest, not for all the right reasons, but it had been a decent game of football for sure, and it ended all square, although farcical scenes then followed at full time when nobody seemed to know, including the referee, what happened in the event of a draw.

The referee even went back into his dressing room to find out what happened next, but this being a group game obviously the result is a point each and the game ends there, it rather summed an eventful day at Southchurch Park that was for sure.

Phew, what a day, and it certainly earned a beer in the clubhouse afterwards, where Manor go from here in terms of their first team who knows as right now Gerry had no first team by all accounts, so maybe those U23s, who looked pretty decent I must say, might have to step up to the plate for now but it's a very sad state of affairs indeed.

Anyway I'm off for a lie down and I hope to bring you more blogs very soon, just not ones with so much drama like this one!!! 

 

Essex Senior/Alliance/Thurlow Nunn One South Review - Wednesday 21st September 2022

 (action from Holland's win over Cannons Wood in the BBC Essex Senior Cup, many thanks to the brilliant Libby Batten (@Libbybatten6) for the photo)

Their were seven more games across three local divisions on Wednesday night including three more Essex County Cup ties, so let's see how they all unfolded.....

BBC Essex Senior Cup Preliminary Round

Benfleet 0-1 Stanway Pegasus

Pegasus continued their brilliant start to life in Senior Football after they defeated Benfleet at Park Lane to progress into the First Round of the County Cup, setting up an away tie with fellow Thurlow Nunn South highflyers May & Baker, after Reece Keating grabbed the only goal of the game for Rosi Webb's side.

Holland 3-1 Cannons Wood

Hosts Holland progressed into the First Round of the County Cup after they saw off nine man Cannons Wood at Dulwich Road, setting up an away tie at West Essex.

Takeley 5-1 Newbury Forest

ESL side Takeley netted five as they saw off Thurlow Nunn South Forest at Station Road, setting up a First Round tie at home to Barkingside. Goals from Bryn Thorpe, George Wappett and Lewis Deamer had the home side 3-0 up, and although Forest pulled one back, further goals from Charlie Wardle and a second of the night for Thorpe completed an emphatic victory for Marc Das's side.

Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy First Round

Clapton 1-6 Stansted

The Airportmen set up an away tie at Enfield after thrashing Clapton in a game moved to Hargrave Park. The scoring was not opened until deep into added on time at the end of the opening half when a quality through ball from Bill Coyne sent Brad Russell through to finish, and just before the hour mark Andre Embalo doubled that lead. Clapton pulled one back but Russell then netted his second to restore that two goal cushion before Jack Mitchell netted a late hat-trick to seal an easy passage into the next round.

Romford 2-1 West Essex

Boro set up a Second Round tie away to Halstead Town after seeing off West Essex at Mayesbrook Park. Emmanuel Robe gave Romford the lead five minutes before the break when converting after being found by a crossfield pass from John Mbamarah, however, West levelled two minutes later after Marion Ortiz converted a cross from Tyler Morgan, and it looked as though this would be that and penalties would be needed after a goalless second period. But, four minutes into stoppage time Boro won it as Robe glanced home an Alex Balisani cross to send the hosts through.

Essex Alliance Senior Division

Brimsdown 1-0 Oakside

Hosts Brimsdown are up to third after a superb strike from Olalekan Ayeketi was enough to see them edge past Oakside, leaving the visitors down in 14th after a fourth loss from their six league games so far.

Woodford East 5-2 Chadwell Heath Spartans

East made it three wins from six league games so far and are up to fifth after they netted five against Chadwell Heath Spartans. Ben Smith put in a solid midfield display for the hosts, East's goals came from Billy Barr, Frank Glock, Matt Stacey, Harry and Lucio, Spartans goals came from Joe Butcher and Peter Adeleye, but defeat, their fourth of the season, sees them down in tenth.

That concludes the midweek action, thanks for reading!!!

Essex Senior/Thurlow Nunn One South Review - Tuesday 20th September 2022

 (thanks to @EssexCountyFA for the photo)

There were nine games involving sides from the Essex Senior League and Thurlow Nunn Division One South with several cup games taking place across four competitions, as well as one league game in each division, let's see how the cup contests went first.....

BBC Essex Senior Cup Preliminary Round

FC Clacton 2-3 Barking 

Barking are through to the Second Round of the County Cup, setting up a home tie with Basildon Town, after victory against FC Clacton. Chris Ribchester headed home to give the Seasiders the lead but the visitors drew level after Ayub Kadiri fired home from close range, and the Blues quickly turned it around as after the hosts failed to clear the ball in there own box, Harry Baker fired home. And the visitors had a two goal cushion to take into the break when Luke Hirst made it 3-1 after firing home from just outside the six yard box. A brilliant free-kick from Charlie Collis, going in off the upright gave the hosts late hope, but Barking held on to progress.

Frenford 3-4 Wivenhoe Town 

The Dragons set up a Second Round tie away to Athletic Newham after winning a crazy seven goal contest at The Drive. Things looked good for the hosts when Raheem Gray and Dan Taylor netted in the opening ten minutes to see them 2-0 up, however Lassamy Bayoh netted his first for the visitors before Callum Mcglinchey then did the same within five minutes to see the tie level at 2-2 after just fifteen minutes. Nick Reynolds restored Frenford's lead on the half hour, only for Cai Boylan to level again a minute later, meaning a crazy first period ended 3-3, but the visitors won it with eighteen to go after Boylan netted his second of the night to send The Dragons through.

Stanway Rovers 3-3 Barkingside (Barkingside won 3-2 on penalties)

Side stunned Rovers as a topsy turvy contest at The Hawthorns ended with the visitors setting up a Second Round tie at either Takeley or Newbury Forest after winning a shoot out. Rovers led just past the half hour mark after Adrian Cant curled a brilliant twenty yard free-kick into the top right hand corner, and when the hosts quickly doubled their lead three minutes later when Ernest Okah burst through to rifle home a low shot, it looked good for them. But, Side pulled one back four minutes before the break after a terrific diving header from Patrick Da Lomba and then levelled twenty minutes into the second period when the ball broke inside the penalty area for Codey Cosgrove who fired home. Rovers responded quickly though to edge back ahead as substitute Ashley Colclough headed home, but the visitors levelled once again when Archie Hammond’s corner was headed in by Shaquel Foyemar. And Side held their nerve to win the shoot out to progress into the next round.

London Senior Cup First Round

Dulwich Hamlet 5-2 Athletic Newham

Athletic Newham put up a good fight at Champion Hill but eventually came off second best to Dulwich Hamlet to crash out of the London Senior Cup. Dan Smith & Nana Owusu netted to give the hosts a two goal lead midway though the first period, and they could have been three goals up just before the half hour mark but saw a penalty from Smith saved by Arnauchkov. Daniel Izekor then pulled one back for the ESL visitors ten minutes before the break, however an own goal from Christopher Nguidjol early in the second period restored the hosts two goal cushion. Izekor though pulled it back to 3-2 soon after that, but then saw Nana Owusu make it 4-2 almost straight away, before a late penalty from Ibby Akanbi sealed Hamlets passage into Round Two.

Herts Senior Challenge Cup First Round

Hertford Town 5-0 Sawbridgeworth Town 

Sawbo Town are out of the Herts Senior Challenge Cup after they were outclassed by Hertford Town. May fires home on his debut for the hosts after just four minutes before Vlad broke through the middle and produced a great curling finish over the keeper just a minute later as the home side made the perfect start. A clinical curling finish from Jesse made it three with fifteen minutes to go before Collins burst through the middle before producing a cool finish a minute later for number four, and the scoring was then complete four minutes from time as Sendege sent a rasping effort from the edge at goal which was too hot for the keeper to handle, and Collins was there to poke home the rebound to complete the rout for the hosts.

St Margaretsbury 0-1 Enfield 

Enfield are through to face an away tie at Royston Town after they edged out St Mags at the Rec courtesy of a sole first half goal.

Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy First Round

Saffron Walden Town 4-0 White Ensign 

Walden swept Ensign aside in their first round match to set up a home tie against Buckhurst Hill. The hosts went ahead inside the opening minute to set the tone, and then doubled that lead in the 25th minute through Joe Pullen, and then George Pullen pretty much sealed the deal with just under twenty minutes to go before James Crane put the icing on the cake late on to cap a decent night for the home side.

So some crazy cup ties then, now lets look at how the two league games went.....

Essex Senior League

Buckhurst Hill 0-4 Redbridge

The Motormen put in a terrfic performance to go a point clear at the top of the early season ESL table at Roding Lane, defeating Buckhurst Hill. Redbridge took the lead in the eighth minute as Nathan Okoye rifled a shot through a clutch of players that deflected past Blockley, and it was 2-0 just past the quarter hour mark as a ball into the box was lashed home by Miles Peterkin. And the visitors pretty much wrapped up the game five minutes before the break when Peterkin played a diagonal pass to Solomon Ogunwomoju who took a touch before thumping the ball into the bottom left hand corner. The Motormen did add a fourth with ten minutes to go after Ogunwomoju's centre to Peterkin saw the latter finish from close range, sealing a fifth win in seven for the now league leaders, wheras Hill remain third bottom after a fourth league loss in six played so far.

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

Burnham Ramblers 1-1 Coggeshall United

The points were shared at Leslie Field after an early visitors goal was cancelled out by a hosts repost midway through the opening half. Ramblers had laid their late chairman Martin Leno to rest earlier in the day which was no doubt a very emotional day for the club, so no doubt they wanted to grab a win for him. It did not start well though as A quick counter attack from Coggeshall after only six minutes resulted in a 3 on 2 and ended with a tap in at the back post. Ramblers though were to claim a point when they levelled mid way through the first period after a loose ball fell to Jack Griggs who took one touch out of his feet before firing into the bottom corner, and that point sees them increase their lead at the top to two points, whereas The Weavers remain in 13th spot.

Phew, ,lots of drama and goals this evening then, and plenty more to come tomorrow too, goodnight for now!!!!!

Essex Senior/Thurlow Nunn One South Review - Tuesday 13th September 2022

 (Action from Redbridge's 2-1 win over Enfield in the Essex Senior League, thanks to Scott W (@ScottMHC14) for the photo)

It was another bumper night of local football across the two divisions, three county cup ties, four ESL games and two EaSL encounters, let's see how they all unfolded.....

BBC Essex Senior Cup Preliminary Round

Coggeshall United 2 White Ensign 2 (Coggeshall United won 4-3 on penalties)

The Weavers caused a surprise after the Thurlow Nunn Division One South side knocked out Essex Senior League visitors White Ensign to set up an away trip to Romford in the next round. A penalty put the hosts ahead before a quick double strike from the visitors with Luc Harpon and Teddy Rumsey scoring looked to be enough for the visitors to progress, but the hosts levelled in stoppage time before winning the shoot out to progress.

Halstead Town 1 Burnham Rambers 3

Ramblers caused a surprise after the Thurlow Nunn Division One South visitors came from behind to defeat Essex Senior Halstead Town, setting up a home tie with Southend Manor in the next round. The Hunbugs grabbed a 14th minute lead after an Alfie Cleal free kick was blocked but the lose ball fell to Matt Travell who finished well, but the visitors levelled just before the half hour mark when Adeyemi squared for Perkins-Palmer who took it past Cherry and slotted home. And seven minutes after the break Ramblers were in front after Perkins-Palmer netted his second of the game, firing past Cherry, before they sealed their passage into the next round when Adeyemi netted right at the death.

Little Oakley 3 May & Baker 4

Bakers stunned Oakley and caused a surprise after the Thurlow Nunn Division One South side knocked out Essex Senior League opposition after a seven goal contest, setting up a hoem tie against either Benfleet or Stanway Pegasus. It looked like a routine win for the hosts when Dan Rowe and Greg Rodger had them two goals up in half an hour. but a deflected Shaun Omogbai effort and a Jayden Silcott Brown penalty pulled the visitors level at the break. The sides traded goals in the second period, El Johnson netting for the hosts and Idris Aminu for the visitors, before a 91st minute winner from Omogbai, his second of the night, won it for Bakers.

Essex Senior League

Redbridge 2 Enfield 1

The Motormen are now level on points with leaders Little Oakley at the top of the division after they ended Enfield's 100% start to the season at Oakside. The hosts took the lead in the 13th minute as after Okoye was brought down inside the box, Tony Martin stepped up to fire home the spot kick, and it was two on the half hour when a superb ball in by Josh Olukolu found Martin who poked home. That lead was halved though five minutes later as Enfield managed to respond after Tyler Corlett headed home a corner at the far post, but despite putting the hosts under immense pressure, could not find a leveller and it saw the hosts earn a hard fought win. (for a more detailed report for this game, visit Scott W's blog https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/09/14/s22-23-match-report-redbridge-2-1-enfield-tues-13-sept-esl/?fbclid=IwAR1SC-B3XZa5-yfy7Uxa6Hm01VcuNTPpwIja39egG_NHaq5CJ2ZCR-x0H9g)

Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Ilford 3

Ilford got back to winning ways and are up to eighth after victory at Crofters against Sawbo, Brandon Wood put the visitors ahead right on half time before Jake Chadwick headed home with just over twenty minutes remaining to double the Foxes advantage. And Josh Boxall finished off a great move to seal Ilford's win and the points, putting a spanner in the works of what had been a decent start to the seasor for the home side who remain third.

Southend Manor 0 Stanway Rovers 1

Ernest Okoh's second half strike proved enough for Stanway Rovers to take all three points at Southchurch Park against a Manor side who saw their keeper sent off with half an hour to go, meaning outfielder Mitchell Arthur had to take over in goal, but despite battling till the end the hosts slumped to a fourth straight defeat as they remain bottom, Rovers are up to ninth after their second win of the campaign.

Stansted 4 FC Clacton 3

The Airportmen finally got their first league win of the campaign after they came out on top in a seven goal thriller at Hargrave Park. It did not look good for the hosts after the Seasiders lead 2-0 at the break, taking the lead in the 19th minute when Jake Clowsley netted from inside the box, and immediately doubled their lead after Reuben Cowler crossed for Jack Marshall to convert, but the hosts were to hit a purple patch in the second period, netting three times in six minutes to turn the match on it's head. Ashaan Siddik pulled one back in the 56th minute before Temi Oladejo netted a leveller on the hour mark, and just two minutes after that a superb goal from Michael Mignot handed the hosts the lead, and when Jack Mitchell added a fourth with fifteen minutes remaining, the points were pretty much in the bag.  Billy Wales did manage to bundle home from close range in stoppage time, but it was not enough to prevent defeat for the visitors.

Let's see what that does to the ESL table shall we.....

Just the one game this evening which sees Takeley host West Essex, before ten fixtures at the weekend, including two rather big FA Cup ties.....

Friday 16th September

Southend Manor v White Ensign

Woodford Town v Redbridge

Saturday 17th September

Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

Enfield v Billericay Town

Potters Bar Town v Romford

Essex Senior League

Halstead Town v West Essex

Ilford v Clapton

Saffron Walden Town v Barking

Sawbridgeworth Town v Buckhurst Hill

Stansted v Athletic Newham

Takeley v Stanway Rovers 

Good luck to Enfield and Romford in their FA Cup ties at the weekend, can the ESL get a side, or even two sides into the Third Qualifying Round of the competition, it will be tough for both, but you never know in cup football!!!

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

Enfield Borough 2 Wormley Rovers 3

Rovers are up to eighth after a third league win of the season, coming from behind to defeat Enfield Borough at Wingate & Finchley. Mason Oaklee's flick header from a corner gave Rovers the lead, but two quick fire goals from Georgi Steed, the second a penalty, saw the hosts ahead, however, great build up play and a decent finish from Dan Bolden brought Rovers level, and the visitors netted the winner after the keeper had spilled an effort to take all three points.

St Margaretsbury 3 Newbury Forest 1

Hosts St Mags netted their second win of the season to move into 13th after they saw off Newbury Forest at The Rec. Goals from Jason Brown and Arter Gerson had the hosts two goals to the good, before Forest pulled one back before the break to half the deficit, but that lead was back to two goals again when Alfie Campbell added a third for the hosts, and although Isaac Evans was shown a second yellow for the home side late on, it didn't affect the outcome as St Mags took the spoils.

Let's see what those results do to the table.....

There are three games this evening before another eight at the weekend, these are listed below.....

Wednesday 14th September

Essex Senior Cup Preliminary Round

Basildon Town v Harwich & Parkeston

Thurlow Nunn Division One South

Barkingside v Park View

Sporting Bengal United v Frenford

Saturday 17th September

Cannons Wood v Barkingside

Coggeshall United v May & Baker

Hackney Wick v Sporting Bengal United

Newbury Forest v Benfleet

St Margaretsbury v Enfield Borough

Tower Hamlets v Stanway Pegasus

Wivenhoe Town v NW London

Wormley Rovers v Burnham Ramblers

That's you all up to date on these leagues for now.....

Essex Senior League/Thurlow Nunn Division One South Review - (06/09/2022)

(Frenford celebrating winner against May & Baker in their League Challenge Cup tie at The Drive, thanks to Frenford for the photo)

Sitting on my balcony in Greece and fancied writing a blog on Tuesday night's football in the Essex Senior League and Thurlow Nunn Division One South, and update you all on what has happened so far, well have no games to go to over here so needed to keep blog active whilst away!!!

Anyway lets see what happened on Tuesday night.....

FA Vase First Qualifying Round

Clapton 0-1 Punjab United

The sole remaining tie of the opening round of the Vase after it was postponed due to pitch issues at the Terrence McMillan Stadium meant it was played on Tuesday night and also at Punjab's Elite Venue ground in Gravesend. And sadly for Clapton they went out, losing to a Paul Vines second half strike meaning the club are out of both FA competitions for the season.

Essex Senior League

Buckhurst Hill 2-0 Southend Manor

Two first half goals were enough to see Buckhurst Hill bounce back from a heavy defeat in the FA Cup at the weekend to net their first win of the league campaign and climb above their opponents and two others into 17th spot. Sonny Shilling smashed home a cross from Ezekiel Bademosi ten minutes before the break to give the hosts the lead before a Jake Moss screamer two minutes before half time double their lead. It's a third straight defeat for Manor who sink to the foot of the table on goal difference.

 

FC Clacton 2-0 Barking

Goals from Jack Marshall and Jack Johnson either side of half time handed FC Clacton all three points against Barking at The Austin Arena. Marshall netted his first goal for the club just before the break before Johnson converted at the back post just after half time to double the hosts advantage, and the win takes them into sixth spot having now won three in a row without conceding a goal. Barking are down in 15th after this latest set back, and only have one win from their first four.

Little Oakley 4-2 Ilford

Oakley climbed to the summit of the division after a home win over an Ilford side whose good start to the season has rather hit the buffers. Harry Mann evaded the offside trap to strike early for the Acorns, and when Ed Nobbs forced home from a dangerous corner soon after, it looked like a routine win was on the cards. However, Ilford were level at 2-2 after just fifteen minutes, firstly pulling one back throgh Rawlins and then restoring parity from Boxall, but Oakley then retook the lead from Nathan Rowe and then saw Mensah given a straight red, and then Danny Garrad sealed the win when adding a fourth for Oakley's fourth win in six. Ilford have now lost three of five leagues games and are down in 12th as a result.

Redbridge 2-1 West Essex

The Motormen ended West's 100% start after a stoppge time goal from Solomon Ogunwomoju handed the hosts all three points to lift them to second on goal difference. Cam Gray gave West an early lead after nodding home at the near post but Jake Brocklebank restored parity just eight minutes later after a lovely touch, turn and finish.  Chances came and went but West were reduced to ten men with nine minutes remaining after Saliu was sent off, but it looked like the game would end all square until Ogunwomoju's brilliant free kick in stoppage time won the game for the hosts. West's first loss of the season sees them in fifth. 

So, here is the updated table after the above games.....

Just the one game to come tonight sees Romford host Stanway Rovers at Mayesbrook Park before another full programme at the weekend which is below:-

Woodford Town v Southend Manor (Friday)

Athletic Newham v Saffron Walden Town

Halstead Town v Takeley

Ilford v FC Clacton

Little Oakley v Sawbridgeworth Town

Redbridge v Barking

Romford v White Ensign

Stansted v Clapton

Stanway Rovers v Buckhurst Hill

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

Burnham Ramblers 5-0 Wivenhoe Town

The Dragons awful start to their season continued as they were thumped at Leslie Field by Burnham Ramblers. It took just eighteen minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock when Adeyemi Adebolu nutmegged the keeper, and then they doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Albert Galbally sent a back post header over the keeper and in. And the visitors task was made even header when they received a straight red right on half time afterb Adam Brand-Barkers foul on the half way line was deemed to dangerous. It stayed that way until ten minutes from time when Ramblers added a third when Tyler Forbes fired home from outside the box, and then two goals in added on time, a penalty from Karl Swanborough and a clincial finish from Shemarie Perkins capped a fine evening for the hosts who are now in second spot. The Dragons remain second bottom.

 

League Challenge Cup

Frenford 3-2 May & Baker

Hosts Frenford are through to the next round of the Challenge Cup after inflciting Bakers first defeat in all competitions this season at The Drive. Nick Reynolds gave the hosts a 26th minute lead but James Hobday levelled the tie up four minutes after the break, but Raheem Gray then restored the hosts lead in the 56th minute. Remi Awosanya then restored parity once again with twenty minutes to go, but the hosts won it with five minutes remaining thanks to Josh Fisayo.

Stanway Pegasus 3-0 Haverhill Borough

Pegasus's start to life in Senior Football coninuted to impress after the First Division South leaders saw off First Division North mid table side Haverhill Borough after goals from Josh Chapman, Max Booth and Callum Giff proved more than enough to send Rosi Webb's side into the next round of the competition.

Shall we check out the First Division South table??? Ok let's.....

There is one league game on Wednesday which sees Tower Hamlets host Sporting Bengal United in the Mile End derby, the first one for a few years, so that should be tasty!!! There are also five League Challenge Cup ties too, which are below.....

Barkingside v Enfield Borough

Basildon Town v Hackney Wick

Cannons Wood v Newbury Forest

Coggeshall United v Cornard United

Park View v NW London

And then on Friday/Saturday there is a full programme of fixtures.....

May & Baker v Hackney Wick (Friday)

Burnham Ramblers v Newbury Forest

Coggeshall United v NW London

Frenford v St Margaretsbury 

Park View v Tower Hamlets

Sporting Bengal United v Benfleet

Stanway Pegasus v Basildon Town

Wormley Rovers v Wivenhoe Town

That's all for now, I may be back with another very soon, stay tuned.....

Billericay Town 4 Leverstock Green 1

Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round, Saturday 3rd September

I took in an Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie on Saturday and saw hosts Billericay Town come from behind to defeat Leverstock Green and avoid a shock to reach the Second Qualifying Round at New Lodge.

The home side have started life in the third tier of the non league pyramid, this after relegation from the Vanarama National South, not well at all, they sit bottom of the Isthmian Premier having lost four out of five so far, their only win did come at home though which was a crumb of comfort ahead of this home FA Cup tie against a side two levels below them in Leverstock Green. 

Lev Green had in contrast started their league campaign perfectly, having a 100% record in their three games so far, and just three points off the leaders with a game in hand too, they had come through two FA Cup ties to reach this stage, netting a 3-0 home win over Essex Senior League Halstead Town before needing a replay and then penalties against St Panteleimon after a 2-2 and 3-3 draw, the replay saw them 2-0 down after 88 minutes as well, so they certainly had been through some drama to set up this tie at New Lodge.

Billericay were of course entering the FA Cup at this stage so this was their first tie of the competition this season, and no doubt a welcome distraction from the woes of the league, they had lost four straight coming into this tie, but surely they would see off a side two steps below them and maybe kick their season into life? 

Well, the home side should have had the ideal start and more of a comfortable afternoon for a longer period of time as they missed two golden chances to take the lead inside the opening ten minutes, slotting wide with one such chance and then hitting the underside of the bar after a cut back from the right hand side, and after Lev Green survived that opening storm, they started to settle.

For the remainder of the half the hosts probably edged it, and had another decent effort fly just over the bar from the dangerous Bradley Stephenson who had caused the hosts problems in the opening half, but Lev Green did have a couple of openings themselves and at the break the game was certainly in the balance at 0-0, the visitors would have certainly been the happier of the two sides that was for sure.

You could sense the frustration amongst the hosts, and that got worse two minutes into the second period when Lev Green were awarded a penalty after a cross from Ethan Mooney struck the arm of full back Toby Stevenson, and the referee pointed to the spot despite the linesman keeping this flag down, and the hosts were rather irritated of the award of the spot kick too, and when Chris Blunden converted the penalty, the hosts were now staring a shock right in the face.

However, to the home sides credit they didn't get down on themselves and bounced straight back and after winning a free kick around twenty yards out, first half substitute Alfie Cerulli curled home the free kick and Lev Green's lead had only lasted three minutes and we were back on parity again.

The visitors though should have retaken the lead but saw an effort from Blunden go agonisingly wide of the far post, and then in the 64th minute Billericay edged in front as after an effort from John Ufuah has cannoned off the bar, Cerulli was on hand to control and then fire the rebound into the far corner, and now the visitors had to try and muster a leveller from somewhere.

They almost did as well as they saw an effort well saved by home keeper Harry Seaden, although Lev Green were asking for another penalty after the attackers shirt had been pulled whilst he was trying to get the shot away, and then moments later midway through the second period Billericay struck a big blow when they added a third after the superb Cerulli managed to keep the ball in and square to the back post where Chris Dickson had the easy task to ramming home from a yard or so out.

Lev Green continued to play their football though but were caught again with nine minutes remaining as a one two released full back Toby Stevenson down the left, and his ball towards the near post saw Dickson get across his marker to ram home and end the contest once and for all, and they were able to relax a bit and enjoy the final few minutes of what had been a very hard fought contest, despite the score line.

Billericay then go through and will be happy at how they bounced back after a poor start to the second period, they are in the hat for the Second Qualifying Round draw on Monday, can they now take this form into the league, that's two wins from three at home now, yes it was against a Step Five side but winning breeds confidence doesn't it.

As for Lev Green the score line was a bit harsh on them, they had chances at key moments in the second period and I guess that is the difference between the levels of both sides, the hosts took theirs when they needed to in the second period whereas the visitors did not, but they put in a good showing here today and so can be proud of their achievements.

Full time Billericay Town 4 Leverstock Green 1

         

Southend Manor 1 Ilford 0

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round, Friday 2nd September

Friday night saw me take in some FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round action and saw hosts Southend Manor net in the 55th minute for what was the only goal in their contest against Ilford to set up a First Qualifying Round home tie against Cheshunt.

This competition sees clubs U18 squads do battle in what is a very prestigious tournament, and gives the young sides a taste of FA competition and a chance to take on more famous sides the further they go on into the cup, just like the men's and women's competitions, so which side could take the next step and set up a home tie in the next round.

The game itself was not a real spectacle though, chances were at a premium, and although Manor probably edged the opening forty five minutes, the best chance by miles came to the visitors when a mix up between keeper and defender presented the visitors with an open goal, but they could only hit the ball wide instead of into the net, drawing a disbelieving reaction from the Ilford coaches.

This was probably their best chance though in the entire game, and the early stages of the second period belonged to the home side, and ten minutes into it they took the lead when a good run down the right saw the ball played in, and after it bounced around a bit the ball was finally struck towards goal, and although a defender got his body to it to try and block the shot, it went into the net anyway.

Manor could not build on this though although were rarely threatened by the Ilford front line, Manor did curl a decent effort wide as they searched for a killer second, and although The Foxes youngsters put a little bit of pressure on their opponents at the end of the contest, Manot stood firm to take their place in the next round, and set up a home tie against Cheshunt in around ten days time or so.

Full time Southend Manor 1 Ilford 0