Corinthians Ladies 2 Southminster United Ladies 0

Essex County Women's Football League Division One, Sunday 29th January

Sunday saw me over at Stambridge Memorial Ground as Corinthians Ladies saw second half goals from Ashley Debnam & Katy Judd help the hosts to a very hard fought win over Southminster United Ladies, sending themselves up to fifth in the ECWFL Division One in the process.

This was Corinthians first league game since mid November, and in fact they had only played a couple of cup games since then because of scheduling and the weather of course, so they were probably a bit uncooked coming into this one (their last game was two weeks ago) and to be honest their opponents hadn't played much more in that period too, with their last league outing two weeks ago, with the previous one being in November too, so a bit of a pain all round really.

This was only the hosts sixth league contest of the campaign and they had won two of those, drawn one and lost two, so rather mixed as they sat in seventh spot out of eleven sides but knowing a win here would take them up to fifth, whereas the visitors had lost all seven games so far in the league and although their defensive record wasn't great, they had only conceded twenty four in those seven games, however it was their goal scoring that was the real issue, just four in those seven games thus far, so that would need to improve if they were to try and get away from the bottom of the division.

Southminster's last cup game at the start of December saw them net twelve in a one sided thumping at the expense of Great Bradfords, showing they could at least net plenty if they wanted too, and that was their only win in all comps so far, but their goal scoring in the league issues came to the fore early on in this one as they missed a great chance to go in front but saw hosts keeper Zoe Brown thwart them, but in the shape of skilful Cerys Cook and the rapid Amy Yeldham down the right, the visitors were giving the hosts a lot of headaches.

The first period certainly saw the visitors have the better openings as the hosts just could not get going and were cutting frustrated figures indeed, their main threat seemed to come through Debnam and also Marie Barker when she entered the fray midway through the opening half, and in fact it was Barker who had Corinthians best opening at the end of the half but she could only prod wide whilst under pressure from visiting keeper Jade Oyler.

No doubt hosts manager Daniel Mann had much to say in the changing room at half time, they were being outfought by the bottom side and were lucky to be level at the break, but the signs were promising in the early stages of the second period for the hosts as they began to finally exert some prolonged pressure on the visitors defence, but found them and their keeper Oyler hard to break down.

Midway through the second half though came the breakthrough, and it was very tough on the visitors in the way it came about, as a shot from Debnam seemed easy for keeper Oyler, but, the ball seemed to deviate off a very worn out patch in the six yard box, and catch the keeper out and see the ball go through her grasp and into the net, it was hard on Oyler as she had had a good game, but the visitors would now have to try and find a goal from somewhere.

It was apparent that the hosts needed another goal to be safe as Southminster were looking threatening when they went forward, and at pace too, and one such moment saw a delightful run from Amy Day from her on box right up the field into the danger zone, however the attack fizzled out when her cross was cleared, but she was looking dangerous when she burst forward, as were the hosts through that combination of Debnam and Barker amongst others.

Judd had also come on the field as was giving the visitors back line food for thought, and she was the one to double Corinthians advantage with seven minutes to go to clinch this one, although again it was a bizarre goal, as an attempted clearance from a defender hit Judd and trickled past Oyler and go into the net, it all seemed to happen in slow motion, which agony for the visitors who had worked so hard.

The hosts though had been much improved in the second period but had to dig deep to get the win in this one against a very hard working Southminster outfit who will surely pick up some points before long, their work rate alone deserves that, but they remain bottom and six points behind Stanway Rovers Reserves and Blackmore who are directly above them.

For the hosts it's win number three of their league campaign, and they rise to fifth now and eight points behind the leaders and six off fourth placed Tigers and will hope they can have a good run of form now and propel them further up the standings.

Full time Corinthians Ladies 2 Southminster United Ladies 0

 

 

Southend United 1 Eastleigh 3

Vanarama National League, Saturday 28th January

I was back over at Roots Hall in late January to see Eastleigh complete a league double over Southend United after goals from Alfie Lloyd, Charlie Carter & JJ McKiernan saw the visitors to the points in their Vanarama National League encounter & also hand the hosts their first defeat of 2023.

The Blues have been, like many others at this level, starved of any competitive football since the turn of the new year due to the weather, with frozen pitches being the order of the day lately, but the thaw over the last week or so meant this match could take place, and In the three competitive games Southend had played so far in 2023 they had won two of them and drawn one.

A goalless draw at sixth placed Bromley were followed by a comfortable home win over mid table Solihull Moors before a stoppage time win at home to Darlington in the FA Trophy two weeks ago proved to be their last game headed into this one, and it left them just a point outside the playoffs and in a pack of sides who were only a win or so away from the top seven.

One of those sides are Eastleigh, the hosts opponents today, they sit down in eleventh but only four points off the top seven despite having lost more games than they have won in what has been a very mixed campaign so far for the south coast side, and like Southend they had only managed three competitive games since the turn of the year, although they had lost one of those matches but won the other two.

A thumping home win over Dorking Wanderers was followed by defeat at another of those play off chasing sides in the shape of Wealdstone, and then they also managed to win in the FA Trophy last time out two weeks ago too, narrowly defeating National South side Braintree Town, so this one was a hard one to call going into this encounter, although many felt the Blues may have the edge being at home perhaps. Although when the two sides met in August, Eastleigh did edge it 2-1.

The hosts had the bulk of the attacking threat in the opening half hour but found there final ball to be lacking, but eleven minutes before the break they were to fall behind when after hosts keeper Blondy Nna Noukeu had come for a cross and failed to deal with it, the loose ball fell to Charlie Carter and although his low effort was cleared off the line, Lloyd was on hand to fire home and hand the visitors the edge.

The home fans and players were getting more and more agitated with the officials and the visiting side, they probably should have had a spot kick when it seemed a defender had hauled down the forward, but nothing came of that, and adding to the frosty atmosphere at times was the chants of 'We want Martin Out' and 'Get out of our club' and 'We want our club back' amongst others in the direction of the chairman Ron Martin, whose relationship, or lack of, with the clubs fans is well documented after recent events of the field.

This coupled with their clubs lack of cutting edge up front was not helping, and it has to be said it was playing right into the hands of the visitors as their well organised back line was also making it hard for the hosts to play their way in too, they were a solid well organised side, and also knew how to get under the hosts skins too, which was playing right into their hands, 

The hosts though continued to search for the leveller and saw an effort from Jack Bridge crash off the crossbar, but with eighteen minutes left the atmosphere was to turn even more frosty as Eastleigh netted a second after The Blues had failed to deal with a long throw from Corey Painter and saw the loose ball fired in by Carter in front of the 69 travelling fans behind that goal, and it looked as if that would be that.

The Blues needed a response before the atmosphere turned anymore toxic as the chairman continued to het the brunt of the abuse, and with twelve minutes remaining found a lifeline when excellent work from Rhys Murphy saw him eventually find Harry Cardwell who netted from close range and ramp up the atmosphere inside the stadium, giving the 5,000 plus home fans hope.

And with seven minutes left they really should have been level, Cardwell managed to pull the ball back across the face of goal but Murphy somehow put the chance over from point blank range, although the final touch looked to have come off a defender, but it was a guilt edged chance and one that would have levelled the game up from nowhere, but instead The Blues still had to find a leveller to claim at least a point.

However, with three minutes of the ninety to play that hope was totally distinguished as a shot from JJ McKiernan from outside the box bounced just in front of keeper Blondy Nna Noukeu and he made a total mess of trying to save it, tipping it into the net instead of saving it, it was a howler and it had killed off any hopes of a comeback that was for sure as most fans made for the exits thereafter.

Not a good day for the hosts then, although I think they played ok, just found the final ball and cutting edge in front of goal lacking, whereas for Eastleigh it was job well done after some solid play and good defensive work, and taking any chances that came their way, that was ultimately the difference in this one, meaning the hosts stay eighth and one point off the play off places, whilst Eastleigh rise to ninth and are just a point off themselves and only below The Blues on goal difference too.

Full time Southend United 1 Eastleigh 3

 

Southend United 2 Darlington 1

Isuzu FA Trophy Fourth Round, Saturday 14th January

The Isuzu FA Trophy continued on the second weekend in 2023 and I was at Roots Hall to see a stoppage time winner from Harry Cardwell help send Vanarama National League Southend United through to the Last 16 of the competition at the expense of National North leaders Darlington. 

The Blues were having a good season on the pitch at least, they’re off the pitch antics thanks to their chairman were sadly rearing their ugly head again, but the players at least were giving their fans something to cheer about, sitting sixth and in those coveted play-off places and dreaming of a return to the football league perhaps.

And they were unbeaten in 2023 too, defeating Solihull Moor convincingly at Roots Hall, this after a battling goalless draw at Bromley, a team they had lost narrowly too at Roots Hall on Boxing Day, so a good start to the new year and they were now focusing their attentions to a decent Trophy run and maybe a day out at Wembley in May.

The Blues had come into the competition in the last round where they saw of fellow National League side Boreham Wood at Roots Hall to set up this clash against Darlington who reside from the National League North, a step below the hosts, but don’t let that fool you, as Darlo currently sit top of their division on goal difference having won over half their league games this season in a North division that sees them only five points clear of sixth placed Scarborough Athletic in what is a very tight top six.

Darlo actually played Athletic twice over the festive period, losing at home to them 2-3 before responding with a thumping 5-2 in the reverse fixture in Scarborough in the new year, and they do actually come into this contest off the back of a 0-3 reverse against Chorley at home, so they were looking to cause an upset here and get back to winning ways.

The visitors had begun their trophy run two rounds previously to their opponents today, defeating Alfreton Town and Spennymoor Town to set to today’s fixture, both those sides were fellow National North outfits so this was the first time Darlo were facing someone from a different division in this season’s competition, how would they get on against their higher league opponents?

On arrival at the ground around 2pm it seemed the game may be in doubt, a lot of overnight rain and quite a bit of rain in the lead up to the contest had made the pitch soft at best, and a downpour at around 1pm left some patches of the surface in need of some work and after the match officials had had a walk around the pitch, they were happy to continue with preparation for the game and it was deemed ON, which was a relief for all who had arrived at the ground, especially those who had travelled in numbers from the North East.

And a crowd of around 3,000, most of them crammed into the main stand due to the club not opening two sides of the ground for this one, causing carnage when everyone arrived just before kick off and just ending up sitting anywhere they could, including on the stairs and around the exits, and with not one steward around to help and sort out, it was a big chaotic, but anyway, everyone could see the game, which was the main thing!!!

Over 300 of those were in the away end from Darlo, a brilliant effort from them indeed, and with less than a minute on the clock they were jumping around with joy as the visitors as after a big appeal for offside fell on deaf ears, Jack Lambert found himself clear on goal to fire an emphatic finish beyond Blondy Nna Noukeu into the top right hand corner and the Blues were immediately on the back foot and having to find a response.

The hosts were adamant the flag should have gone up and continued their appeals after the goal, but it was not going to change the situation, so the Blues had to roll up their sleeves and go again, and in the sixth minute found a leveller when Demetriou beat his man |before crossing into the box for Cardwell who got across his marker to send a diving header beyond the keeper and into the far corner, it had been an electric start to this cup tie that was for sure!!!

Midway through the half the atmosphere was turned up a notch after Taylor was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge by visitors defender Adriano Moke, resulting in some pushing and shoving, and ended in yellow cards for Moke and also Felix and Lopata who had continued the pushing and shoving afterwards, but despite both sides going close before the half was out, the game was poised on a knife edge going into the break.

After the break though the Blues spent most of the half on the front foot but just could not find that goal to take control of the tie, Miley saw an effort pushed away by the keeper before another effort was somehow cleared off the line, and whilst a defender was being treated inside the penalty area an altercation broke out between a photographer behind the goal and some of the Darlo players who were upset at the photographer trying to take pics of the stricken defender who was vomiting on the pitch, it didn't please the visiting players that's for sure. The defender being treated (Paddy Almond) was eventually rushed to hospital after being taken off for suspected concussion, so will have a precautionary brain scan this evening, so all the best to him and hope he comes through ok.

It had certainly ramped up the atmosphere and tension inside the stadium that was for sure, with the Blues continuing to put the pressure on those Darlo defensive players, seeing a deflected shot hit the post, before the keeper pulled off a great save before Miley curled wide, and then Powell somehow failed to score when he headed straight at the keeper at the back post when it looked easier to score.

It certainly looked as if it was not going to be The Blues day when further chances came and went, Murphy flicking wide at the near post before Cardwell connected with a corner but could only send over the bar, and then the post and bar came to Darlo's rescue once again, unbelievable stuff and kind of summed up the Blues luck in front of goal in this half.

The danger of the hosts not being able to take their chances was that the visitors would create one, maybe two big ones themselves and could steal the win, well Griffiths saw a decent effort smothered by Blondy, and as the game became end to end in the last few minutes Hazel had a golden chance to net what could have been an 87th minute winner, but after seeing his effort saved by Blondy, his follow up attempt was cleared off the line by Kensdale, it was a golden chance for the visitors!!!

It had been a terrific cup tie and it looked like it was headed for penalties, that was until three minutes into seven minutes of stoppage time when a quality ball in from Husin was poked home into the far corner by Cardwell for his second of the game and the winning moment in what had been at times a breathless contest, and to be honest it was a deserved winner for the hosts after the amount of chances they had created in the second period.

It was heartbreak for Darlo and there superb travelling fans who sang all game and really added to what was a brilliant atmosphere inside Roots Hall, they were a credit to their club, but they will now concentrate on getting promotion to the National League, whereas the hosts can continue to dream of an appearance at Wembley in May after getting into the Last 16 hat on Monday.

Full time Southend United 2 Darlington 1

  

 

Billericay Town 2 Potters Bar Town 0

Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 7th January

My first match of 2023 saw me over at New Lodge as hosts Billericay Town saw second half goals from Eze Ebuzoeme and Marvel Ekpiteta help them to the three points against fellow play-off rivals Potters Bar Town in their Isthmian Premier contest.

Both sides harboured hopes of grabbing at least a play off spot by the end of the season, Billericay sat in tenth and four points off fifth placed Aveley who occupied that final play-off spot, whilst Potters Bar were in seventh and only outside those coveted play-off places on goal difference, so a win for either would be very useful indeed.

The hosts home form had largely got them to where they are so far this season, this after a very slow start to life back in Step Three of the non-league pyramid after relegation from the Vanarama National South last season, and despite losses to Corinthian Casuals (a rare home loss) and Cray Wanderers in December, there form heading into the new year was decent, with a big win over Aveley followed by a thumping win over struggling Brightlingsea Regent.

A goalless draw then followed in the new year at Bowers & Pitsea so they were looking to grab their first win of 2023 here against a Potter Bar side who had identical records both home and away, and had scored and conceded the same number of goals in total too, so consistent in one way you could say, but their form heading into the new year had not been brilliant, with their last six seeing just one win, one draw and four defeats, and heading into this one with back to back defeats.

Form then suggested a home win here, would the contest go the way the form book suggested? It was the hosts who certainly looked a threat early on and saw a volley from Javaun Splatt fly just over the bar before a pinball like situation inside the visitors box saw a home player fail to get a critical touch, and then Alfie Cerulli struck the inside of the post although it would not have counted as the assistants flag had gone up for offside.

The hosts though continued to look the likelier to break the deadlock and saw John Ufuah hit the inside of the other post, and four minutes before half time Ufuah again came so close to giving the home side the lead when he again struck the woodwork after getting round Joshua Rusoke, the hosts had certainly had the majority of the openings but thus far they had had no luck in front of goal.

Potters Bar were lucky to be level at the break although they did have their moments in the opening forty five minutes as they almost punished the hosts for their poor luck in front of goal, seeing a low driven cross the six yard box just missing a touch, a chance at the back post deflected over when it looked nailed on they would score, and then just before the break Mohammed Kamara saw a touch let him down and a chance go a begging, but they were warning signs for the hosts despite them having the better of the contest.

So, could the home side have better luck in front of goal in the second period? Well, barely a minute after the restart they had the lead when a lovely move down the right saw Bradley Stevenson play a lovely pass to Ufuah who in turn put it on a plate for Ebuzoeme who could not miss (I was still inside the VIP area watching through the window and hadn't made it outside for the second period, that's how quickly after half time it came!!!)

This settled the hosts down who quickly went in search of a second goal and probable clincher too, and a brilliant volley from Cerulli was superbly saved by a strong hand from visiting keeper Ted Collins, and then just past the hour mark a powerful effort from Ebuzoeme was superbly saved by Collins, but the effort had deflected off the referee, meaning instead of a corner the referee brought the ball back to where the shot had come from and the hosts would receive the drop ball.

Their seemed to be a bit of confusion as to why the referee had done this, and Potters Bar seem to fall asleep which led to a second for the hosts as the drop ball was lofted to Ekpiteta who had the freedom of the area and he duly netted to double the home sides lead, it was a weird few moments leading up to it but it was no more than the hosts deserved, and they were well on their way to the points.

Potters Bar did win a free kick right on the edge of the box after Harry Seaden, the Billericay keeper, decided to punch a cross away rather then catch the ball or let it go out of play, but the set play from Kasim Aidoo was straight at Seaden, which kind of summed up the visitors in front of goal in this one, and Billericay almost made it three after a counter attack ended with a Bradley Stevenson ball to Splatt who played it back to Imran Uche, and the latter's powerful effort was superbly saved by Collins, before the brilliant Ufuah could only send his shot over.

The hosts were cruising to the win now though and were in firm control of this contest, as they had been for the majority of this half, Cerulli sent a shot just past the far post whilst Seaden made sure of a clean sheet when a low driven free kick was cleared off the line by the home keeper, and the hosts duly saw out the remainder of the game to record a deserved win and another three points at home to boot.

Three straight home wins now for The Blues then, and four unbeaten, means they are up a place to ninth and just two points off those play-off spots, whereas for Potters Bar it's a third straight defeat and no league wins since November as they drop a place to eighth, so although they are only a point outside the play-off places, their alarming form of late needs to be curtailed sooner rather than later if they want to remain in that fight for the top five.

Full time Billericay Town 2 Potters Bar Town 0