Merstham 3 Egham Town 1 - Hosts recover from early set back to record victory and maintain their Step Four status

Step Four/Five Inter Step Play-off, Saturday 29th April

On a gorgeous spring day in late April I made my way to Surrey and the village of Merstham for the very first time for a Inter Step play-off tie between Isthmian One South Central Merstham and Combined Counties Premier Division North Egham Town in what was a all Surrey affair at The Worldflow Stadium, or as others know it, Moatside.

I wanted to do one of the thirteen Inter Step play-off games, and this fixture just jumped out at me, the clubs are only about twenty-five miles apart and as said above in the same county, I had never been to the ground before, I hadn't even been to the village before, and with what was at stake as well, and lots of good things said about the club to me from various people, oh and easily accessible by train too (40 minutes or so from Farringdon and only a short walk to the stadium) it seemed a no brainer to me.

One of those people to respond to a tweet I'd put out was Vice Chairman of the club Chris Pullen, who said he would have a club scarf waiting for me, and true to his word, when he arrived at the ground, he came and found me in the clubhouse and handed me a very nice scarf indeed, and took time to chat to me for a few minutes, which was very nice of him indeed. The club website says he is also Press Officer, Match Reporter & Commercial Director as well, so he is a very busy man, so I appreciated his time even more!!!

The hosts had squeezed themselves into this play off match after they netted a point on the final day of the league season, a point that they needed after Bedfont Sports, the team trying to catch then below, won 6-0, so had Merstham not fought back from 0-2 down at home to Westfield to net a 2-2 draw, they would have been relegated automatically on goal difference, so they certainly showed some character in that one, and they would need it again in this tie as well.

That's because visitors Egham Town had almost the perfect April till this point, netted seven wins from eight league games in the month, and although they finished a massive eighteen points behind Champions and FA Vase finalists Ascot United, they finished eight points clear of third placed Reading City, so were on form that is for sure and truly believed they could upset their opponents today and gain that promotion they deserved after a very good campaign.

A decent crowd of 652 were in attendance as well, including a very sizable contingent from Egham, and they certainly created a very decent atmosphere as they hoped they could cause an upset of sorts, all the pressure was on the hosts and you could detect that nervousness amongst the hosts, this was a big game with lots on the line, both sides traded early efforts, but it was those visiting fans who were jumping for joy in the 17th minute.

That's because Egham got themselves ahead when a cross from the left saw the superbly named Excellence Muhemba guide a lovely header into the far corner and send the Egham fans behind that goal wild with delight, they could sense that something special may be brewing, and the hosts were now very nervous and looking at each other and fearing the worst you felt.

It could of got even worse for Merstham as well, Egham had started very well and should have doubled their lead for sure but saw Danny Campion somehow miss at the near post after he totally lost his marker and only had to direct the ball beyond keeper Filip Chalupniczak but could only put the chance wide, had it gone 2-0 you felt the hosts really had a mountain to climb, although they had come back from 2-0 down in their previous game of course.

This seemed to wake the hosts up a bit and were getting stronger and stronger as the half went on, defender Luke Read had two magnificent chances to head home from close range but sent both over the bar, and then the brilliant Jean-Pascale Masikini, who turned out to be a constant menace for the visiting defence, danced his way through several challengers before curling what looked like a superb equaliser into the far corner, only to see Egham keeper Lewis Gallifent somehow tip the effort wide at full stretch, it was a top top save.

From that corner though came the leveller, and two minutes before the interval and a perfect time for the hosts to get back on level terms, as Aaron Goode headed home from close range and send the teams into the half time break all square, it was certainly needed for the hosts as they had deserved that leveller after a slow start to proceedings, however, it was still anyone's game heading into the second period.

Who could grab that all important second goal and get themselves ahead in this tie, remember if it finished level after ninety minutes the tie would go straight to penalties, not what either side wanted, and around twenty minutes into the second half Merstham got themselves in front, Masikini was unsurprisingly involved yet again as his shot was only parried by Gallifent, and Adam Adam (yes that is his name) was quickest to reach and thump home the loose ball. Relief mixed with joy amongst the hosts, although their was still a long way to go.

Egham tried their hardest to find a response, but they just could not muster one, and the hosts finally sealed what was a deserved win in the end after guess who, yes you guessed right, Masikini whose superb skill down the left saw him pick out Adam, and the attacker walloped an effort in off the bar and put some daylight between the two sides finally.

You could see the frustration amongst the visiting players, they had put everything on the line in this one in their quest for promotion, but sadly they ended up falling just short and were eventually overpowered by a good Merstham side, it means the hosts remain at Step Four next season, and Egham will stay at Step Five for the following campaign.

Full time Merstham 3 Egham Town 1

I would just like to say a big thank you to the hosts and especially Chris Pullen for such a lovely welcome today, and to both sides for putting such a good show on too, it was a very enjoyable game played in front of a good crowd and atmosphere with not a hint of trouble, marvellous stuff. 

It was also nice to bump into Broadfields United gaffer Ryan Duffy in the bar afterwards, he thanked me for all the good work I do in non league football, and after buying me a pint, we chatted for a few minutes too, thanks Ryan, it's really appreciated, and makes what I do worthwhile I must say. It had been a superb day all round that is for sure.

Right, their were twelve other Inter Step play-off ties today, let's see how those went.....

Bristol Manor Farm 2 Saltash United 0 (A goal in each half was enough to save the hosts from relegation, Aron Robbins netted a screamer eleven minutes before the break to give Farm the lead, and then they doubled that lead just past the hour mark after Bament's cross was smashed home by Jayden Nielsen)

Highworth Town 1 Malvern Town 4 (The visitors gained promotion after netting four in this one, and they had to come from behind as well after a deep cross found Edenborough to tap home just before the half hour mark, that lead only lasted four minutes though as after an effort from Ben Hayes was pushed onto the crossbar, Matt Turner was on hand to turn the ball home. Ten minutes after the break the visitors netted from the spot though Turner to take the lead, before late goals from Lewis Spurrier and Turner to complete his hat-trick capped a marvellous day for the visiting side) 

VCD Athletic 0 Phoenix Sports 1 (A late late penalty from Ryan Hayes saw this very local derby settled in the way of the visitors, meaning they are promoted and their neighbours relegated)

Sutton Common Rovers 2 Crawley Down Gatwick 0 (The hosts retained their step four status for another year after they netted a goal in each half. Conon Torpey gave the hosts the lead right on half time before Tyler Cox netted with three minutes remaining to seal this one)

Haywards Heath Town 2 Redbridge 3 (Essex Senior League side Redbridge came from two goals down to net a superb win in Sussex and grab promotion to Step Four. It looked like the hosts were well on their way to saving themselves from relegation to Step Five after a 13th minute goal from Richard Pingling and a 33rd minute penalty from Alex Laing had the hosts 2-0 up at half time. But, Jerrold Cobblah reduced the arrears four minutes after the break before he netted a leveller with just under twenty minutes to go, and then Solomon Ogunwomoju netted the winner for the Motormen nine minutes from time to cap a superb comeback win)

Lincoln United 1 Avro 2 (The visitors grabbed promotion after they netted a brilliant win at Ashby Avenue, Thomas Brentham's strike on the half hour gave Avro the lead, and although Matthew Cotton's 42nd minute spot kick brought the hosts level, Jack Morrow's 54th minute goal proved enough for the visitors to win this one)

Glossop North End 0 Ashington 3 (A Ben Harmison double helped the visitors to a thumping win at Surrey Street, Harmison gave the visitors a 26th minute lead before he doubled that cushion midway though the second period, and Craig Spooner then sealed their promotion to Step Four by netting another in the 69th minute)

Dereham Town 0 Stotfold 2 (Kurtis Alleyne's first half brace saw Stotfold to promotion, his first came after just five minutes before he doubled that lead just past the half hour mark, meaning relegation for the hosts)

St Neots Town 1 Lye Town 6 (Lye Town won promotion in style as they netted six at The Premier Plus Stadium, Adam Meacham netted after only two minutes to give the visitors the perfect start, before Josh Hesson netted a brace either side of half time. Joe Palmer then netted his own brace to make it 0-5 and total dreamland for the visitors, Callum Anderson did pull one back for the home side who then saw Tom Dickens sent off, and Hesson then completed his hat-trick late on to cap a brilliant day for the visiting side)

Coggeshall Town 1 Winterton Rangers 2 (Winterton Rangers were another Step Five outfit to win promotion and relegate their Step Four hosts after a Josh Walker double helped them to victory at West Street. The game was goalless until the 79th minute when Walker added two in two minutes for the visitors, a late penalty from Darnell Kithambo gave the hosts brief hope, but it wasn't to be for them as they are relegated)

Great Wakering Rovers 0 Quorn 5 (GWR were humbled at home as they were relegated to Step Five after visitors Quorn put them to the sword to win promotion. Paddy Webb netted twice, including a penalty, in the opening twenty minutes to set the tone, and Thabang Dube then netted twice before half time to end the contest. Jordan Carike added a fifth goal with eleven minutes remaining as Quorn gained promotion in style)

Barton Rovers 2 Thetford Town 0 (Two second half goals were enough for Barton Rovers to save themselves from the drop, a Grant volley from range fired Rovers ahead early in the second period before they sealed the deal when Gauthier managed to scramble one home from inside the box)

Wow, of the thirteen ties that took place today, nine of those were won by the visiting Step Five clubs who all gained promotion as a result, and sent those nine defeated Step Four clubs down a level, only for of those Step Four sides retained their status at that level, which does kind of tell you that the disadvantage to those visiting sides didn't cause most of them just that, and maybe two automatic promotion places should be up for grabs in those step five divisions, perhaps, although that discussion is for another day.

These ties were certainly full of drama and excitement in the main though, with big crowds and lovely weather, it is certainly good entertainment if your not involved with either club that is!!! Anyway well done to all those sides who won today and either won promotion or stayed up, and commiserations to those who lost out.

Anyway thanks for reading as always, I'll be back with another blog soon no doubt as cup final season is almost upon us. Goodbye for now.....

Southend Manor 0 Enfield 8 - Luke Hirst hat-trick helps Es seal ESL title in style

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 18th April

This week was the week the Essex Senior League title was to be decided, Redbridge began the week five points behind The Es and knowing if they could win against Athletic Newham on Monday and then beat Enfield at home on Thursday evening then they could end the week in pole position for the title showdown at the weekend.

This solely relied on if Enfield, who had Manor away in this contest I was at and then Ensign at home at the weekend, slipping up against one of those and against Redbridge if they were to be pipped to the title, although many felt the Es would probably win both these games and claim the title, although stranger things have happened in football as we all know, pressure does funny things.

As it turned out Redbridge were beaten 2-0 at The Terry Mac by Athletic Newham, meaning if Enfield could win at bottom side and already relegated Manor they would seal the title, and as it turned out, they did it in style.

Manor, who had nothing to lose and also hosted Redbridge on the final regular weekend, began ok in the first few minutes, but then disaster as a bouncing ball on the edge of the box saw keeper Bradley Davidson try and control with his chest but it bounced to high and past him, allowing Luke Hirst to have the simple chance of getting him behind him and firing the ball into the empty net, whoops.

The hosts continued to have a decent opening to the game despite this, but once the visitors doubled their lead after seventeen minutes when a cross found Tom Richardson totally unmarked to scuff a finish into the bottom corner, it was one way traffic.

Enfield's third came in twenty-six minutes when Samrai Gebrai glanced home a header into the far corner, and shortly after the hosts task wasn't made any easier for ten minutes when defender Leon Lewis was sin binned for something he said to the referee, and just before the half hour mark Enfield made it four as Hirst broke down the left and squared to Solomon Ofori who belted a finish past Davidson, and you feared it could get very embarrassing for the hosts at this point.

Matters were then made worse three minutes before the break for Manor when Lewis, back on after his sin bin, wiped out Gebrai down the left, meaning he received a second yellow (yes he had been booked prior to his sin bin) and was sent off meaning Manor were now down to ten men again, although this time permanently, and it is the first time I have seen someone booked twice and sin binned in one game, let alone in 42 minutes of play. 

Manor did manage to get to half time without anymore damage, but only five minutes after the break a fifth goal arrived for the champions elect after Hirst grabbed his second, cutting inside and firing into the bottom corner, and midway through the second period Gavin Cockman got himself on the scoresheet when nodding home from close range, it really was a question of how many Es would get now.

Three minutes later a seventh arrived when Hirst completed his hat-trick when he got clear of the home defence before producing a lovely finish into the corner of the net, and then with just under fifteen minutes to go Cockman was felled inside the box and saw Louis Johnson step up to convert the penalty for number eight, and double figures were now a real possibility.

This didn't materialize though but the final time whistle signalled wild celebrations amongst the visiting players, management and fans as they had sealed the title and promotion to Step Four, well done to them, they have been superb all season and deserve the title at the end of the day, what a way to seal it too!!! They can now go into the last two games and a relaxed frame of mind, wouldn't it be ironic if Redbridge grabbed at least a point on Thursday against the champions to seal second spot and give themselves a crack at joining Es at the next level.

Full time Southend Manor 0 Enfield 8

Billericay Town 1 Plymouth Argyle 1 - Late Che Thomas goal denies visitors huge win at New Lodge

FAWNL Southern Premier, Sunday 16th April

I was over at New Lodge on Sunday for some more FAWNL football and it came from the Southern Premier Division, the third tier in the Women’s game, as Billericay Town, fresh from the BBC Essex Women’s Cup triumph on Thursday night (for a report on that please visit my blog http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2023/04/billericay-town-1-hashtag-united.html to recap what happened in that) hosted relegation threatened Plymouth Argyle.

It had been quite the week for The Blues, after losing out to Charlton Athletic U21s in the Repost Isthmian Cup Final on penalties on Wednesday night in Lewes, they battled to victory over Hashtag United’s Reserve side in Colchester the very next evening, meaning two very draining contests in twenty four hours, so I am sure plenty of rest has been had in the last few days in preparation for this penultimate league match of the season.

The hosts had nothing to play for really now, the highest they can finish now is fifth spot (they sat seventh at kick off) and with a trophy in the bag now, they may feel their season is almost done, which it is to be fair, as following this contest they finish at home to Watford, which may be huge for the visitors who are going for the title and an instant return to the Championship, but that is for another time.

Town’s opponents today had different things on their minds, they were in a relegation dog fight and at kick off were only a point above the drop zone and second bottom Bridgwater United, who were not in action this weekend, so if Plymouth could get a result here at New Lodge they would open up a four point gap to them and heap tons of pressure on Bridgwater in the process and almost guarantee their survival. (Bridgwater have two games against London Bees to finish their season and the Bees are also still in the relegation fight too so today was big for Argyle)

It was then a much more important game for the visitors, so they were hoping that Town were going through the end of season motions and also still jaded from last weeks cup finals, but Billericay had no pressure on them whatsoever and this can also prove a dangerous animal when the pressure is off, so it was going to be interesting to see how it panned out.

It was a tight affair when the two met in the corresponding fixture back in October when a Jay Blackie goal proved enough for Town to net a 1-0 victory at the Manadon Football Development Centre, but although Town’s form is mixed of late, Argyle’s form is poor, six defeats in a row and they have failed to score in four of those, so confidence probably wasn’t to high amongst the visiting players. Their last win was neatly two months ago in fact.

A very tight and even first half ensued, the hosts almost got their noses in front early on when Georgie Morton saw an effort cleared off the line, and Argyle keeper Jasmine Read also had to make a smart stop to prevent the hosts from taking the lead, down the other end the visitors did have a couple of decent efforts but it seemed a half that was getting increasing niggly, would end goalless.

But, two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first period the visitors struck, as a mix up at the back between defender and keeper saw Lily Greenslade nip in and slot the ball into the empty net, and hand the Devon side a potentially priceless goal in their battle against the drop.

The hosts at times had looked jaded and disinterested, and maybe lacking some fight perhaps, they had been through a demanding week and with nothing to play for in this one, maybe they were going through the motions, it was all pointing to a potentially big result for the visiting side that was for sure, who were giving their all as they obviously had much much more to play for.

However, the hosts seemed revitalized after the break and I was very impressed with how much energy they showed, especially towards the end of the game when they were putting more and more pressure on the relegation threatened Argyle and seeking at least a point in this their penultimate contest of the season, the hosts had plenty of openings to draw level but could not hit the target or get that final shot off, often taking one to many touches, allowing the defence to get in and get the ball away from danger.

Plymouth themselves were playing on the counter and had a couple of great openings to double their advantage and probably seal the contest and the points, as I felt had it gone 0-2 then I think the hosts were not going to come back from that, a superb tackle from the excellent Scarlett Williams thwarted them on one such occasion, and then the other one saw Charlotte Whitmore break the offside trap and force a brilliant stop from hosts keeper Alexandra Baker.

Billericay though were finishing the stronger but it seemed they would not find that leveller and the visitors would hold on and net a huge win, they had defended well too and battled hard, but the hosts pressure did finally pay off in the 89^th when a ball laid into the path of Che Thomas, and the second half substitute fired past Read and now the hosts went searching for a winner as the visitors were now clinging onto a point.

The hosts saw a corner hit the bar before Elise Jennings got in but could only slice her effort wide of the post, and it meant the game would end all square, meaning both sides picked up a point, it did mean the visitors ended their six game losing run in the process, but how costly will that late goal prove to be for them, it’s still a point but it could have been more. The hosts though deserved something from the game so in the end they got the least they deserved.

Full time Billericay Town 1 Plymouth Argyle 1

 

Right, let’s see what else happened in the division on Sunday as the top four were all in action, two of them against each other, as they continued to battle for the title and promotion to the championship…..

Cheltenham Town 3 Crawley Wasps 1 (Butcher netted a brace as hosts Cheltenham Town saw off already relegated Crawley Wasps at the Corinium Stadium, Butcher netted twice inside the opening twenty minutes to give the hosts a two-goal cushion, and although Wasps pulled one back midway through the first period, Wathan netted from range in the second period to settle this one)

Milton Keynes Dons 0 Ipswich Town 2 (Ipswich kept themselves right in the title hunt after they netted all three points against MK Dons at Stadium MK. Both goals came in the first forty-five minutes, breaking the deadlock after eleven minutes when after Wearings header clipped the bar, mayhew ensued and ended with Natasha Thomas heading in off the post before doubling the lead six minutes later after Abbie Lafayette netted from the spot following a foul on Grey.  It’s also eight straight wins for Town now as well)

Portsmouth 1 Oxford United 2 (This was a huge game in terms of the title and promotion, and a late goal from the visitors saw them net a massive win at Westleigh Park to keep themselves just ahead of the rest at the top and almost end the host chances of promotion in the process. They had to come from behind as well after the hosts edged in front ten minutes after the break when Dani Lane scored for Pompey, however Oxford managed to level just before the hour mark so they were only behind for three minutes, McLachlan floating a ball over the top to find Taome Oliver’s late run before the midfielder glanced the ball past Haughton, and then with time running out Carly Johns picked the ball up inside the box before curling home to create scenes of celebrations amongst the visitors, it was certainly a huge goal in the promotion race)

Watford 2 London Bees 0 (The Hornets netted a home win at Grosvenor Vale over relegation threatened London Bees to keep themselves right in the title hunt and instant promotion back to the championship, Baptiste’s stunner seven minutes before the break handed the hosts the lead, producing a fantastic finish after an impressive solo run, and the points were sealed with four minutes to go when Wilson found the top corner)

 

Finally, let’s look at the table then as the season enters its final two weeks…..

Oxford’s late win at Portsmouth was massive as said, it means they stay ahead of Watford and Ipswich Town by a single point and have a game in hand too, Pompey need to win their final two games and hope others slip up now if they are to pinch top spot, which seems unlikely now. But we do technically go into the final two weeks of the season with four sides still in with a chance of promotion, so it should be fun!!!

The final relegation place is still between three sides, London Bees and Plymouth failed to win today, meaning them and Bridgwater United are separated by just three points, and guess what, Bees and Bridgwater’s last two games are against each other, the first one at Bridgwater’s Fairfax Park next weekend before the return game a week later at Bees home The Hive, you could not have written the script any better could you!!! Plymouth finish at home to MK Dons in two weekends’ time and will be watching next weekend’s game with a lot of interest and no doubt praying that Bees get a positive outcome!!!

So, an exciting end to the season at both ends awaits!!!

 

 

  

Romford 2 Stansted 3 - Late Jack Mitchell free kick settles cracker at Mayesbrook Park

Essex Senior League, Saturday 15th April

This was a bit of a bonus game for me if truth be told, I wasn't expecting to be at football today due to other commitments, but after those finished earlier than expected at 2pm in Romford (lunch with a friend) I decided that I had plenty of time to get over to Mayesbrook Park for a 3.30pm kick off and I am glad I did as it turned out to be a very decent contest, and very entertaining too.

This game was part of what was supposed to be a triple header at Barking, making use of the 3G surface and trying to get games on as their grounds were likely to be unplayable due to the sodden weather, although as it turned out this ended up being Part Two of a double header at the ground, Part One saw West Essex lose out to Athletic Newham (more on that later) and then Southend Manor up against Woodford Town, although that one didn't take place, and I am not going to go into why either, just check out the leagues and the clubs twitter accounts if you want to find out more, the situation/disagreement has been ongoing re this fixture since Wednesday/Thursday let's just say.

Anyway, back to today's game I was at, and it brought together two sides who are trying to finish their season's as best as possible, the hosts have not had the best of season's after a pretty good start and pre season, they were in the lower half of the division and although they had won twelve league games, they had lost seventeen too, with only four draws, and it was unlikely they were going to improve on that position come the end of the campaign, so it was literally give the last four games a good go and see what happens.

Stansted by their standards have had a below average campaign, they began the day just inside the top ten and were just trying to see how high they could get, and take some momentum into the summer break, although they too were not likely to get much higher than they were now as well, but still, it's a competitive game of football, so both sides were certainly up for it and wanting to take the points.

It was good to see Pitzy back in the Stansted dugout alongside Watters as he continues his recovery, and they both would have been happy with the start as they went in front after just three minutes thanks to a bizarre own goal from the hosts, Bieron Ademi attempted to play the ball back to his keeper Jake Anderson, but instead saw the ball end up going past his own keeper and into the far corner of the net, whoops.

It was certainly a gift for the visiting side, but on seventeen minutes Stansted returned the favour somewhat when they failed to stop a cross from the right, and the ball skidded off the 3G surface and proved to hot for James Askew to hold, and saw the ball skerm from his grasp, and allowed Hassan Nalbant to squeeze the loose ball home and bring his side level.

It had been a fast start to this contest, and it wasn't to let up in the first period, and just past the midway point of the half, The Airportmen got their noses back in front when Jack Mitchell cut inside onto his left foot and drove a powerful effort past Anderson at his near post, it was a decent strike and one that gave the visitors the advantage, however that advantage only lasted six minutes as on the half hour mark the hosts were level again.

It was another goal the visitors could have prevented in truth, but they allowed Charlie Morris to burst through into the box and drive an effort past Askew into the far corner, it had been a belter of a contest thus far and both teams were attacking at any moment they could, it was like a basketball game at times, so end to end, but fabulous to watch.

Romford almost went in front before the break when a long range effort cannoned off the crossbar, and after the break although the game got a bit more scrappy, the tempo remained, and for a majority of it saw Romford in the ascendancy, but they could not turn their openings into goals and found Askew in particular hard to get past, he made some decent stops to prevent the hosts taking the lead. A special mention must be made to Camilo Restrepo who made some pretty amazing runs at the visitors back line, although he could not apply a finishing touch ultimately.

The visitors did have their moments to and missed a couple of chances themselves as they looked to find a winner, and it was one of the second half subs Ashaan Siddik who provided the 'assist' you could say in the winning goal for the visitors, as he was chopped down just outside the box, and Mitchell stepped up to rifle home a brilliant free kick in the 89th minute, and that proved to be the winner and hand Stansted a very good win indeed. It had been a cracking game of football, and made the unexpected trip to Mayesbrook Park very worthwhile indeed.

Full time Romford 2 Stansted 3

Let's have a look to see what else happened in the Essex Senior League today shall we.....

Halstead Town 1 Buckhurst Hill 0 (Kane Gilbert (who else) netted the only goal of the game two minutes before half time to hand The Humbugs yet another win in what has been a remarkable run of late, six unbeaten now and five clean sheets on the bounce too, not a bad end to the season you could say)

Ilford 0 Enfield 2 (League leaders Enfield took another step towards promotion thanks to goals from Jack Johnson and Tom Richardson, Johnson gave the visitors a 27th minute lead when heading home a Mason corner, and that lead was doubled seven minutes before the break when another Mason corner was headed home by Richardson)

Redbridge 3 Takeley 2 (The Motormen need just one point from their final three games to secure second spot and that all important play off place for promotion after they edged out Takeley at Oakside. After a goalless opening forty five minutes the hosts went ahead though Tendai Quamina's goal early in the second half, Takeley then levelled but goals from Tony Martin and Jerold Cobblah gave the hosts a 3-1 lead, and although the visitors pulled one back, it wasn't enough to deny the hosts the points)

Stanway Rovers 0 Little Oakley 0 (The match at The Hawthorns ended goalless, Stanway had the majority of the play in the opening forty five minutes and did it the post during that, the second half saw both teams tire after plenty of games over the last few weeks, although Oakley could have pinched all three points at the end when they struck the woodwork themselves, but it was a hard earned point for each in the end)

West Essex 0 Athletic Newham 1 (Joel Appiah's first half goal proved enough for the visitors to take all three points in this contest, Part One of the Mayesbrook Park double header was settled five minutes before the break when a good ball in from the left evaded the hosts defence and allowed Appiah to head in from close range)

White Ensign 2 Clapton 1 (The Tons will finish the season in the bottom two and the relegation places after they were defeated at Burroughs Park by White Ensign. The visitors made the perfect start after just two minutes but were pegged back when Joe Gregory levelled right on half time, but it looked as though Clapton had grabbed a hard earned point, but Mitchell Stuart-Evans netted a late winner for the hosts to see them grab all the points)

Finally, let's see how that affects the table.....

It's still all in Enfield's hands for the title and automatic promotion, they lead Redbridge by five points with three games to go, although they do play each other next week, but you would still fancy The Es to complete the job, The Motormen are almost assured of that runners spot at least now, it will take something special now for anyone else to pinch that place of them, in fact it's pretty much an impossible now.

Down at the foot of the table and the bottom two have now been confirmed as Clapton cannot now catch third bottom Sawbridgeworth Town so will end the season in the bottom two along with already doomed Southend Manor. Whether or not both get relegated we shall see but it's pretty nailed on Manor will but as is always the case at this level, we will never know until it's confirmed in the off season. 

 

Billericay Town 1 Hashtag United Reserves 0 - Early Sealey goal sees Blues to BBC Essex Women's Cup glory

BBC Essex Women's Cup Final, Thursday 13th April

My first game back on UK soil after a few weeks saw me back at Jobserve Community Stadium, the home of Colchester United, for another county cup final, this time the BBC Women’s Cup Final between FAWNL Southern Premier Billericay Town and FAWNL Reserve Southeast & Central Division Hashtag United Reserves.

Billericay sit seventh out of twelve in their division having won eight, drawn three and lost nine of their twenty league games thus far, whilst in this competition they only needed to win a couple of games to reach this evenings final, they netted a massive 11-1 win over their clubs Development team before squeezing past Hashtag United’s First Team 9-8 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time. So, it was very nearly an all Hasthtag United final!!!

Hashtag United’s reserve team, who go into this contest as massive underdogs, sit eighth out of eleven sides in their division having won five, drawn one and lost eleven of their seventeen games, had to start way back in the First Round of this tournament, they defeated Toby 5-0 before netting a 6-3 win away at Grays Athletic after extra time.

They then won another away tie, this time at Lawford 3-2 before a Quarter Final win away at Hutton 3-2 and then a semi final win against Barking by the scoreline of 1-0 saw them into the final, an amazing and almost unbelievable effort for a Reserve side to reach a final of this magnitude, and they had won as many games in this competition as they had won in the league all season to reach it as well, remarkable. As said though they were going to have their work cut out to beat this Billericay Town side who play in the third tier of the women’s game in this country.

Weirdly though this was Blues second cup final in twenty-four hours after they contested the Reposs Isthmian Women’s Cup Final against Charlton Athletic U21s at The Dripping Pan in Lewes the day before this game, and after losing that one on penalties, they were going to make damn sure they were not going to slip up and be shocked by the Hashtag Reserve side, you would have thought so anyway.

And after three minutes it looked like it would be a long night for the underdogs when Billericay went in front after a superb long ball forward saw Ruby Sealey run onto it, compose herself before sending an accomplished finish beyond Tags keeper Christie Hale, and you kind of feared for Hashtag at this point as many expected The Blues to go on and win comfortably.

This never really happened though, yes The Blues dominated possession and all the play in the opening forty five minutes, but they did turn this into goals and a comfortable lead, and whilst the game remained 1-0 The Tags were always in the game, and after the break they certainly made things far more difficult for their opponents and saw much more of the ball in the second period.

Billericay struggled more in the second period themselves, with the efforts of the cup final the night before probably catching up with them, and you could sense the Tags gaining more and more confidence as the half went on, but they were unable to really trouble Town keeper Alex Baker, who didn't have much to do during the contest if truth be told.

The Blues did have chances or openings to seal the deal as well, on one such occasion skying well over the bar from inside the box when it looked nailed on they would score, and they also found a Tags keeper in Hale very accomplished in her role between the sticks, often reading the game well and making things look very easy indeed.

Both teams had given their all though, and both looked out on their feet by the end of it, not the best cup final in terms of quality, but you could not fault the effort of both sides who certainly gave their all, but it was Billericay who proved to be the winners on the night and take the honours, so well done to them.

Full time Billericay Town 1 Hashtag United Reserves 0