Essex Senior League / Thurlow Nunn First Division South Festive Review

(Action from Basildon Town's 0-0 draw at home to Clapton in their Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest on December 30th at Rookery Hill)

Thought I'd pen the latest goings on in the Essex Senior League and Thurlow Nunn First Division South over the festive period and see how each league looks heading into 2024. Spoiler alert both divisions look likely to be headed for pretty exciting finishes if anything is to go by on what has happened thus for for 2023/24.....

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

There wasn't much in the way of action between Christmas and New Year in the ESL but there were two league games and a Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup tie to look back at, so let's see what happened.....

Friday December 29

League

Ilford 0 Great Wakering Rovers 8

Callum Boyle netted four at Mayesbrook Park as struggling Ilford were well and truly put to the sword against promotion chasing Rovers. A fairly tight opening quarter saw the visitors take a 14th minute lead through Ben Search, but once Boylan had doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break, the game ran away from the hosts big time. Search added a third four minutes after the break before Boylan added three quickfire goals to see the visitors into a 6-0 advantage after an hour, Harry Talbot & Callum Bloss then added two late strikes to complete the rout as Marcus Bowers tenure at Rovers continued to flourish.

Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup

Saffron Walden Town 2 Chelmsford City 2 (Chelmsford City won 5-3 on penalties)

Walden were in Charity Cup action over the festive period and they nearly completed an amazing turnaround against Chelmsford City at Catons Lane but ended up losing out on penalties after coming back from two goals down at the break. A Jones double had City cruising into the next round but a second half double from Miles saw the tie end up going to penalties, but City managed to hold their nerve to win through.

Saturday December 30

League

Stanway Rovers 3 FC Clacton 0

Rovers continued their revival after netting a three goal win over FC Clacton at The Hawthorns, the breakthrough came seven minutes before the break when Joe Debell headed home, and two minutes into first half stoppage time Debell again netted, getting on the end of a Bennet cross. And the hosts clinched the three points when adding a third goal with fifteen minutes to go, George running through before sliding an effort home.

Let's see how the ESL table looks heading into the new year.....

Tilbury lead the way and with games in hand too are the ones in the driving seat, Sporting, Romford, Woodford are all within two wins from going above them though if the Dockers have a sticky patch, and with the likes of GWR & Halstead, the latter being one of the surprise packages of the season along with Sporting, are only seven points off the lead, and with as many as a dozen teams who are believing in a play off run, it could be a pretty entertaining few months going forward.

For me it is more clear cut at the bottom, Coggeshall United & Ilford appear to be the worst two teams in the division and I believe they will be finish in those bottom two positions as the likes of Frenford, Buckhurst Hill, Takeley & White Ensign have more in terms of quality and are unlikely to be caught by the bottom two,  the six point gap could widen even more over the coming weeks sadly for those two at the foot of the table. Only time will tell of course....

THURLOW NUNN FIRST DIVISION SOUTH

There was a lot more in the way of action in the Thurlow Nunn South between Christmas and New Year with twelve league fixtures over the period, let's see how those went.....

Boxing Day

Harlow Town 1 Cannons Wood 1

Two promotion chasing sides did battle in from of 369 at The Harlow Arena, and it ended all square meaning a point a piece for both. The visitors went in front ten minutes into the second half when Harry Brown scored but the hosts managed to level through Arley Barker twelve minutes later meaning the contest would end all square.

Hutton 3 Basildon Town 1

A record home crowd of 205 for hosts Hutton saw them net victory over struggling Bas Town at New Lodge to keep their promotion charge on track. David Johnson netted a brace and Harry Rawlins also netted for the hosts against a visiting side who were reduced to ten men early on when Modou Diop Gueye was sent off for giving away a spot kick, Jamie Bradbourn did net one for the visitors but there tough season continued here.

December 27

Barkingside 2 Clapton 3

Clapton continued their unlikely charge for a play off spot as they made it back to back wins with victory at Cricklefield against Barkingside. Eraid Desa netted a brace for the visitors and Warren Kayembe netted the other as the visitors continued their remarkable turnaround under Bash and co, that's eight wins from their last ten games now.

Wormley Rovers 4 Hackney Wick 1

Reece Mosanya netted a brace as Wormley netted four in defeating Hackney Wick at Wormley Sports Club. Danny Haigh & Michael Mignot also netted for the hosts as they kept up their promotion hopes.

December 30

Basildon Town 0 Clapton 0

For a report on this game go to my blog at https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2023/12/basildon-town-0-clapton-0-stalemate-at.html 

Dunmow Town 1 Wormley Rovers 2

Rovers made it two wins in three days after they defeated fellow promotion chasing Dunmow Town despite having to survive a second half comeback from the hosts with ten men. Ryan Stevonson & Archie Hammond both netted to see the visitors two goals up at the break, but the hosts pulled one back and saw Rovers reduced to ten, but despite a tough second period for the visitors they held on to take a big three points.

Enfield Borough 2 Clapton Community 2

Leaders CFC had to dig deep to prevent defeat in this one after they came back from two goals down to snatch a late late point. The hosts led 2-0 after an hour and looked destined for the points but Taylan Gul found the bottom corner in the 76th minute before Joel Akuwudike dinked over the keeper in the 95th minute to salvage what could be an important point come the end of the campaign.

Hoddesdon Town 1 St Margaretsbury 1

There were 126 at Lowfield for this local derby and it saw the points shared after Harrison Cage netted in the 69th minute to cancel out an earlier strike from the visitors and prevent them from having bragging rights in this one.

Hutton 1 Harlow Town 4

Another bumper crowd of 198 (seven short of that Boxing Day record) were back at New Lodge to see a big top of the table clash, and Harlow Town netted four as they put Hutton to the sword and gain some revenge for that opening day mauling against today's opponents. Ruben Santos 13th minute strike had Harlow ahead at the break but when Joshua Boxall levelled just before the hour mark, the game was back in the balance. However, Raheem Gray restored the visitors lead with just over twenty minutes remaining before Santos & Jack Zielinski netted further goals to hand Harlow a huge win.

Newbury Forest 4 Burnham Ramblers 3

To say this was an eventful game was an understatement, the hosts went ahead on fourteen minutes and then doubled their lead on the half hour, Ben Wood then reduced the arrears eight minutes before the break, only to see the hosts open up a 4-1 lead by the 55th minute. Elliot George & Aiden Brown then netted within two minutes of each other as the game was suddenly 4-3 with just over twenty minutes to go, and then Forest's keeper was sent off with fifteen minutes to go for taking out Oscar Jones when he was one on one. Ramblers came close to a great escape but could not find a leveller, and stoppage time saw Forest reduced to nine men when the player in question was booked for taking his time to walk off and then given a second yellow for saying something to the official. And in the 14th minute of stoppage time Ramblers saw one of their players sin binned before they saw Jack Morris sent off after the final whistle after a frank discussion with the officials, crazy scenes, but the points ended up with the hosts.

Southend Manor 0 Barkingside 1

For a report on this game please visit Scott W's blog at https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2023/12/31/s23-24-match-report-southend-manor-0-1-barkingside-sat-30-dec-easl-south/

Tower Hamlets 3 NW London 1

Hamlets netted a welcome three points at Mile End after a brace from Connor French & one from Solomon Asomah saw them to victory over NW London whose sole strike came from James Allen.

Let's see how the table looks heading into the new year.....

CFC lead the way but have played far more games than the teams below chasing them, many say that Benfleet are the ones to watch and if they won their games in hand would be some way ahead of the rest, but it sure proves to be a decent title/promotion race for sure. 

Down at the bottom Park View have issues both on and off the field and are struggling to raise sides currently, they nearly went to the wall in September and it would not surprise me if they do not finish the season, however the rest of the sides are embroiled in one hell of a relegation battle, only five points separate 15th placed May & Baker and 21st Hoddesdon Town, so it proves to be one hell of a battle at both ends of the table for sure!!!

So, that's how both leagues look as 2023 comes to a close, Happy New Year to you all, and here is to a prosperous 2024!!! Thanks for reading as always..... 

Basildon Town 0 Clapton 0 - Stalemate at Rookery Hill as Bas Town & Clapton end year with a hard earned point

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday 30th December

My final game of 2023 saw me over at Rookery Hill, Corringham, as struggling Basildon Town welcomed an in form Clapton in a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest, with both sides looking to end the calendar year with three points for very differing reasons.

The hosts are embarking on their second season in Senior Football and after almost winning promotion last season, they are finding the 'second season syndrome' very tough indeed, although that is mainly down to big changes on and off the field which saw player manager Marcus Bowers depart for Great Wakering Rovers a couple of months ago along with several of the playing staff too.

In came Alec Simm & Andy Everett as manager and assistant, now Simmo was joint manager at May & Baker when Everett was also at Bakers too in a chairman capacity, so both have been reunited and tasked with the job of pulling Town away from the drop zone, they sat two points above it in 18th at kick off but even before kick off they were up against it in this fixture.

This was because fifteen players were unavailable for one reason or another, meaning the hosts would have to field a team made up of half their reserve side who play in the Essex Olympian Division Two, that's Junior football and four levels below, so a tough task indeed, but it was an opportunity for them to show what they could do at this level at least.

It would be tough though against a Clapton side who are harbouring an outside chance of grabbing a play off spot, something which seemed impossible early on in the campaign which saw the Terry Mac side bottom of the league and looking lost, but once ex boss 'Bash' came back to take the reins after Ross Weare left for a job in the Boreham Wood academy, thing have turned round big time for sure.

They found themselves in eighth spot, nine points off the top five, and believing that if they could have a superb second half of the season they could just could grab a play off spot, providing others above slipped up too, and give themselves a chance of making an instant return to Sep Five football and Essex Senior League status once again after their relegation last season.

Like Basildon the visitors had youth in their squad too today, two sixteen year olds in the starting line up plus four under the age of eighteen amongst their substitutes as well, as 'Bash' mentioned before the game, if you are good enough and put the effort in then you are old enough, never a truer world spoken I'd say.

The game itself turned out to be a very decent battle, Town almost grabbed a sensational lead barely thirty seconds into the contest when a ball across goal was thumped against the post from a yard or so out, and the hosts also stuck the same post later on in the half in what was their two best openings.

Clapton themselves saw a header cleared off the line, two other efforts go just wide of the far post, and another effort well saved by the home keeper, it meant the half finished goalless with both sides certainly putting in great effort and commitment, the second period did see the visitors look the more dangerous and they saw another couple of efforts fly just the wrong side of the post once again.

This did not mean Basildon were without there chances though, they forced a decent stop from the visiting keeper, and were screaming for a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the game although this was probably wishful thinking perhaps, Clapton probably should gave had a penalty of their own earlier in the half but this fell in deaf ears too, so maybe the referee was levelling it up, who knows, both sides felt they should of had one.

But alas there were no goals, although plenty of endeavour and effort for sure, and despite the zero goals tally it was still a very enjoyable contest to watch, Simmo and Co were very proud of their sides efforts, especially with half of them made up of their reserve side, Bash & Co were disappointed to not take all three points but they came up against a determined home side who certainly earned their point today, both sides did and they both end the year with a point a piece.

Full time Basildon Town 0 Clapton 0

 

Woodford East 3 FC Petrocub 1 - Peacocks net superb win at Mayesbrook to keep tabs on leaders, plus a look back at the rest of the action in the Essex Alliance Senior including bonus coverage from Parslows

Essex Alliance League Senior Division, Saturday 23rd December

My final action before Christmas saw me over at Mayesbrook Park to see a potential decent and feisty matchup between Woodford East and FC Petrocub in the Senior Division of the Essex Alliance Senior Division, with both looking to end the year on a high with victory.

East came into the game in third spot, twelve points behind leaders FC Baresi with three games in hand so they knew if they could win today technically top spot was still in their hands as they still have the leaders to play as well, although goal difference was in favour of the side top of the table, but anyway, winning was the only option for the hosts who had won ten of their fourteen leagues games this season.

They were up against FC Petrocub, who are a Moldovan side and a very skilful and technical one too, but their league form this season hasn't been the best, a mixed campaign which sees them down in tenth spot having only won five league games this campaign although their cup form has been much better and the current defending London Senior Trophy winners are back in the Quarter Finals this time around, so they could make it back to back wins in that competition against sides who play in Senior Football, so no mean feat at all.

Anyway, entertaining and feisty, not really, the opening half hour yielded very little in terms of chances or anything else, neither side could really hold onto the ball and a lot of stray passes and errors came from both, it wasn't the best game to watch and you felt both sides were ready for the festive break, however that changed late on in the first period when East grabbed two goals in a three minute spell to wrestle some sort of control.

Ten minutes before the break they went in front when after the visiting keeper had made a decent stop at his near post, the ball was eventually recycled back into the box where Eamon Payne was on hand to strike a decent effort into the far corner, and then just three minutes later a great ball in from the left by the full back saw a team mate get across the keeper who was in no mans land and glance the ball with his foot towards the far corner, and despite the best attempts from a defender to keep it out, he could only help it on its way into the net, and East went into the half time break with a two goal cushion.

And that two goal cushion was extended too just past the hour mark when a lovely ball through to the guy who had netted the second goal saw him produce a composed finish beyond the onrushing keeper, and at 3-0 you felt that was probably game set and match with around half an hour or so to play.

The Moldovan's to their credit continued to play their way though, pass and move pass and move, and they had a lot of the ball but just could nothing with it as East stood firm and rebuffed anything that came their way, although they were unable to keep a clean sheet in the end as the visitors did find a way through with five minutes to go when their number ten lashed home a loose ball inside the box, but it was only a mere consolation for the visiting side as they fell to defeat here.

It meant that East now have eleven wins from fifteen this term and are well in the hunt for promotion and the title still having games in hand in those above them, for FC Petrocub it's all about the cups I feel this season as they are kind of in no mans land in the division this time around as they remained tenth and way off the promotion spots at the festive break.

Full time Woodford East 3 FC Petrocub 1

Anyway, that wasn't the end of the action for me as I was with EAL officials Rob Parker, Barry Fitzgerald and Howard Parker so we all jumped back into our cars and headed over to Parslows Park where we could catch the second half of the game between Kit Out London & CSM London, which was also a EAL Senior Division contest.

Now I had never been to Parslows before so this was a treat for me, here are some photos I took of he venue...

It's a very decent set up I must say although one word of warning if you are planning to attend the venue, you need to download an app in order to get a QR code which you need to scan at the barriers inside the building in order to get through to the pitches, my advice would be to do the prep before getting there as you need to download the Leisure United app from your app store and then search for Parslows Park and then register, of which you then can obtain a QR code.

The took me several minutes to do so best to get this all done before you head to the venue to avoid irritating delays like I did, but apart from that it's a decent modern venue, although I can see the QR code thing being an annoyance to many ground hoppers around the land no doubt, but we are in an age of tech so it's how it is these days.

Anyway once I'd got onto pitch side I witnessed a interesting second half between Kit Out London and CSM London, the score was 1-1 at the half when we got there, CSM then grabbed the lead but then had a player red carded for a second booking, although he was very reluctant to leave the field, and the hosts managed to find a late leveller meaning the game ended 2-2. There was obviously some bad blood between the two as there was some aggro outside the dressing rooms after the game, they were obviously wishing them all a Merry Christmas no doubt!!! Ahem!!!

Anyway, a nice bonus at the end of a very decent day, lets recap today's results and see what it has done to the league table.....

FC Baresi 5 Aveley U23s 2

Frenford Development 7 Bakers693 2

Kit Out London 2 CSM London 2

Woodford East 3 FC Petrocub 1

So, at the festive break FC Baresi still have an eight point buffer to Chadwell Heath Spartans, then come Woodford East and as said they have games in hand so all three of those look like the ones who will be battling it out for promotion.

Down at the foot, Kit Out London's late leveller did at least give them a rare point against a relegation rival in CSM London although the point doesn't really help either side who both needed a win really to head into the new year in a positive frame of mind. It looks like the bottom five will be the ones battling the drop.

That's all for now, thanks for reading and have a great Christmas all!!!!!

May & Baker 2 Harlow Town 3 - Alex Luque nets 98th minute winner to see visitors to dramatic late win at Parkside

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 22nd December

My penultimate match before Christmas saw me head over to Parkside for the first time this season (yes has been long overdue) to watch a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest between May & Baker and Harlow Town.

Bakers have been under new stewardship this season in the shape of previous reserve team boss Jimmy Donald, and it's been a mixed campaign thus far for them, they sat in fourteenth spot at kick and only five points above the drop zone, whereas for Harlow, who were back after a season out of football following their resignation from Step Three football (I think!!!) two seasons ago due to pitch issues at their Harlow Arena ground were right in the mix for instant promotion to Step Five football as they look to try and get back to where they once were.

Harlow sat in fifth spot, the final play off spot, although their ambition is to win the division of course and they were eight points behind leaders Clapton Community so needed all three points in this one of course, as did Bakers for differing reasons and who knows, a decent run in the new year could see them maybe have play off ambitions themselves, although that was a tall order looking at the table right now.

Their immediate concern was trying to pull away from those relegation places and put further daylight between them and those down their right now, but it was the visitors who had all the early running and it was no surprise when they edged in front after twelve minutes when Ishaq Ameen was played in on goal and he produced a lovely lofted effort beyond Jack Riddell.

Harlow continued to have most of the play but they were unable to build on that early lead, they had chances to go further ahead but could not capitalise and they were made to pay for this this in first half stoppage time when Bakers, who had barely threatened thus far, won a free kick outside the box, and Gabriel Odili curled a delightful effort into the far corner, leaving keeper James Pellin routed to the spot, and it meant the sides went into the break all square.

That late first half leveller seemed to galvanize the hosts who were much more of a threat in the second period, and just beyond the hour mark they had turned this one around when Oliver Beadle struck a lovely long range effort into the far corner, Pellin got a big hand to it but could not keep it out, and now Harlow were the ones chasing this contest.

The visitors though fought back and levelled with ten of the ninety to go after Ameen outmuscled his marker to prod an effort beyond Riddell, the hosts would have been disappointed in how they conceded that goal, but they then had an immediate chance to go back in front again when Idris Aminu was felled inside the box for a Baker penalty, but after Odili had taken the ball of Bobby Breen, who looked like he was going to take the spot kick, Odili saw his penalty saved by Pellin, meaning the game remained all square.

A few stoppages in the second half meant a big chunk of stoppage time was added at the end of the contest, and eight minutes into that came the dramatic conclusion as Harlow found a winner, a ball into the box found it's way through to full back Alex Luque who then drove an effort back across goal and into the far corner, sending him, his teammates and their fans behind that goal into raptures, it had been a rollercoaster of a ride for sure, but they found a way to get those three points and take them up a a place to fourth.

It was gutting for the hosts however who thought they were at least going to get a point from this dramatic contest, that penalty miss at 2-2 certainly was a big moment in the game, and defeat so late on will hurt for sure, they remain fourteenth and five points above the drop zone and will hope that results go their way at the weekend, it was a very enjoyable watch though I must say, and well done to the visitors on their success.

Full time May & Baker 2 Harlow Town 3

   

Old Southendian 2 Leigh Ramblers 1 - A Callum Ludlaim brace helps hosts head into Festive break with a hard fought win over local rivals Rams in their Essex Olympian Premier contest

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday 16th December

My latest Saturday viewing on the penultimate weekend before Christmas saw a local battle between Old Southendian & Leigh Ramblers with both sides looking to grab a win before their two week festive break for differing reasons.

The hosts are trying their best to keep tabs with the top two (Rayleigh Town & Sungate) and knew if they could win today they could cement third spot even more and also close the gap to the leaders too, whereas Rams were having a very different season to their opponents today, sitting in 10th and looking for the points to put daylight between them and the bottom four, the bottom half of the league is only separated by six points (8th down to 14th (bottom) so any points would probably prove crucial in what is one hell of a tight battle down at the foot of the league.

Despite the differing fortunes and positions of both sides though, this was always going to be a tough battle for both, local pride was at steak so form normally goes out of the window at such contests, and this being their final games before the two week break, they wanted to go into the festive season in good cheer too and have a win over a local rival to look back on.

And it proved to be a very hard fought battle, the first half yielded very little in terms of chances as both sides failed to keep hold of the ball as well as they would like, a lot of misplaced passes were certainly frustrating the sides, especially the hosts who could not get themselves going as they would have liked, coming up against a very tough and determined Rams outfit.

And it was the visitors who so nearly edged in front late on in the first period too as they created two clear cut openings, firstly seeing hosts keeper Jonathan Pitts save a one on one opportunity before the loose ball was then blasted over moments later, they would have certainly been the happier of the two sides heading into the break, that was until first half stoppage time when a slip at the back allowed Callum Ludlaim to nip in a slot under Dylan Skinner and hand the hosts the half time advantage.

However this set back for the visitors didn't seem to affect them too much, although they were lucky not to fall two goals behind early on in the second period when hosts centre half Jordan Faulkner turned into prime Messi when his amazing run ended with his effort striking the post, and in a contest of small margins Rams went down the other end and won a penalty after a ball to the back post saw a foul resulting in a penalty for the visiting side.

And Tommy Pinkerton stepped up to thump the spot kick home, and instead of a two goal advantage for the home side, the contest was level, and if truth be told it was a deserved one for the visitors based on the game up to that point, which way would the contest go now?

It remained in the balance for some time and it was fast becoming one of those contests which could go either way, Rams had two golden chances to take the lead when Pinkerton dragged an effort wide before Pat Cannon nipped in after a poor pass back towards Pitts by a defender ended with the ball being cleared off the line by a scrambling hosts player.

OS though had to remain patient and try and break down a stubborn visiting back line, and with 85 minutes on the clock they finally found a way through for what turned out to be the winner when superb play down the right by Neil Maclean saw him fire a brilliant ball across goal where both Jack Mead & Ludliam were waiting and it looked as if the latter got the final touch to fall over the line with the ball for his second of the contest and net a big goal for the home side.

It had certainly been a hard fought win for the hosts who felt they probably deserved to win the game when talking to their management after the game, I wasn't so sure and felt Rams were hard done by to have lost this one, I felt as did their management that a draw was probably a fair result, but it's a game of opinions as they say and the bottom line was OS managed to get the win and the points, which as they say is all that matters.

It means that OS sit third, and now have an eight point buffer to fourth placed Old Chelmsfordians who lost at home to second placed Sungate today, OS remain three behind Sungate as a result, and are now four behind leaders Rayleigh Town, Rams, well they remain 10th and just two points above 14th and bottom side Toby in what is a ridiculously tight bottom few places, but if they continue to play this way they will certainly put themselves in a good position for sure.

A good battle though and well done to both sides for playing out such a tight, hard fought but fair contest throughout.

Full time Old Southendian 2 Leigh Ramblers 1

  

Hullbridge Sports 0 Woodford Town 0 - Stalemate at Lower Road as Bridge Boys and Towners draw a blank in their Friday night Essex Senior League contest

Essex Senior League, Friday 15th December

A rare Friday night under the lights at Lower Road, Hullbridge was my latest footie outing as I went to see if hosts Hullbridge could get back to winning ways and end a rather poor recent run against a Woodford side who themselves were trying to go level on points with second placed Tilbury and also close the gap to leaders Sporting after a sticky run of results lately as well.

Despite the hosts recent poor form, they were still only two points off the top five and down in ninth place, showing how competitive this league is shaping up to be this term, Woodford had lead the division after a blistering start to their campaign but a recent run had seen them slip to as much as six points behind the leaders and fall to third, so this was an important game for both to try and get themselves back on track.

So what sort of game would we get on a dry but chilly (ish) Friday night, one full of drama and goals and plenty of entertainment, or one which lacked quality and drama and saw little in the way of goalmouth action, well sadly for the ones who came, it was the latter that played out, although their were moments for both sides at either end, but sadly both lacked quality in the final third once they got into that area.

Woodford, backed by their four Towners who sang through the whole game, had the better chances or moments in the final third, they had the best one when they struck the post from inside the box and also ballooned a couple of decent openings well over the bar too after getting in down the left, Bridge saw a long range lob end up on the roof of the net and a close range header loop over as well in their best first half efforts.

Many hoped for a better second period as the temperatures dropped a bit more, and it was Woodford who were building up a head of steam and with the introduction of tricky attacker Emmanuel Robi down the right initially, this caused the hosts defence a headache or two, that's for sure, but they stood firm to their credit and also saw keeper Lamar Joseph-Johnson make a couple of decent stops to keep out the visitors.

But, like the first half neither side could find a way through as the attacking prowess of both lacked any real cutting edge or quality, Hullbridge did get up a head of steam towards the end of the game and briefly threatened to nick the contest and saw a superb long range volley fly inches wide when for a moment it looked like the only moment of real quality would find the top corner, Woodford keeper Eddie Allan certainly was worried as it flew past him and inches wide!!!!

Woodford then thought they had won it late on when Robi prodded home from close range, but then saw the assistants flag go up to rule that out and deny us all a goal and save us from the dreaded double bagel (a 0-0 draw to those who have no idea what I am going on about!!!).

So, no goals and not a lot of drama or entertainment in the end, never mind these games do come along from time to time, still much better than sitting at home on the sofa hey, well I think so anyway hehe!!! I spoke to both managers briefly after the game, Bridge boss Justin Gardiner was fairly satisfied, as was the rest of his management team at a well earned point and clean sheet, whereas Town's Shane Baptiste was frustrated afterwards as he felt the game was their for the taking, especially when the visitors were on the front foot in the second period.

A point a piece it was though which means Bridge stay ninth but are a single point off the top five, whereas Woodford close the gap to the top two and stay in third, three points off the leaders and still right in the fight as we approach the festive period of the season.

Full time Hullbridge Sports 0 Woodford Town 0

  

Hashtag United 3 Braintree Town 1 - Goals from Teniola, Wooldridge & Restrepo help hosts dump out Essex Senior Cup holders to reach Quarter Finals of County Cup

Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round, Monday 11th December

Monday night saw me over at The Len Salmon Stadium, and it brought together Isthmian League Premier side Hashtag United and Vanarama National League South Braintree Town, who were of course the current holders after last season's 1-0 win over then fellow Vanarama National League South Concord Rangers, who of course went onto be relegated that season.

The Tags begin this one well and led after just six minutes on the clock when Alex Teniola prodded home an effort into the roof of the net from close range, and three minutes before the break The Tags doubled their lead when full back Matthew Wooldridge fired an effort at goal and it appeared to be headed straight for keeper Joshua Blunkell, but like Jimmy Anderson in his pomp the ball swung and swerved viciously and totally deceived the batter, I mean the keeper and ended up in the back of the net, much to everyone's surprise.

This meant the visitors had a job to continue their defence of the competition for this season, they had their chances to get back into the contest, and even before the second goal missed an absolute sitter when a goal bound effort was someone kept out when it looked easier to score, and after the break Ted Curd got down well to make a couple of smart stops to prevent the visitors from getting back into the contest.

The Tags though looked dangerous when they attacked themselves, and a brilliant third seemed to all but seal this one, Camilo Restrepo showing the visiting front line how it's done when firing an unstoppable effort in off the bar with aplomb and with just over twenty minutes to go, it seemed done, however The Iron's were then handed a route back into the contest when the hosts gave away a spot kick two minutes later, and this was emphatically converted by Reggie Lambe, giving the away support behind that goal hope.

The only notable action thereafter though saw visitors centre half John White caught in an Ariel dual with an opponent, causing a rather nasty gash above the eye, White was furious and screamed right into the referee's face in dismay, prompting a yellow card for dissent, White ended up leaving the pitch with plenty of claret coming from that wound and ended up in the medical room at the ground afterwards, he was wounded as were the visitors who see their defence of the County Cup ended here this evening as The Tags win through to the Quarter Finals of the competition after what was a very good performance overall against a side ranked a step higher than themselves in the pyramid.

Full time Hashtag United 3 Braintree Town 1