Witham Town 0 Brightlingsea Regent 1 - Late header from Zack Littlejohn sees Regent continue perfect start to their Isthmian North campaign

Isthmian League Division One North, Monday 28th August

Part three of my bank holiday football bonanza saw me back at my spiritual football home of Spa Road, it's where it all began thirty three years ago for me football wise and today saw a bank holiday Monday tussle between Witham Town and Brightlingsea Regent on what turned out to be a very warm muggy afternoon.

Now the hosts have battled relegation for the last two campaigns and last season they managed to survive fairly comfortably in the end, finishing seven points above the relegation play off spots, but the club for sure do not want another difficult season this time around and their campaign, and so far they have played four competitive games although only one of those was a league game, a 1-1 draw at home to Redbridge, who came up from the Essex Senior League last season through the playoffs themselves.

The other three games came in the FA Cup, and after being held by St Panteleimon they won the replay before they dumped Stanway Rovers out last weekend to take their place in the First Qualifying Round of the famous old competition, they did play half a league game at Walthamstow on Saturday however a monsoon rain shower put paid to that game as it ended up being abandoned, the British summer eh!!!

A solid start to their competitive season then you could say, and what about the visitors? Well, they were back at this level after a very tough season last campaign, finishing bottom of the Isthmian Premier to suffer relegation from that level, but they had started this season well having picked up maximum points from their two league games so far, picking up a 1-0 win at Bowers & Pitsea (who were also relegated from the same division last season) and a 3-1 home win over Enfield on Saturday, who had come up from the Essex Senior League as champions last season.

Regent had also netted a thumping 5-0 win over Spartan South Midlands side Stansted in the FA Cup as well, so it had been a decent start for the visitors as said, how would this bank holiday game at Spa Road go though, a decent crowd of 362 had turned up to witness it, and a great atmosphere was created (a fairly sizable contingent from Brightlingsea were certainly making some noise!!!)

So what of the game then? Well, the hosts created the best openings initially, Regent keeper Lewis Greene made two decent stops to deny Town forward Ronnie Bates after the striker had got in behind the visiting back line, but towards the end of the first half Regent saw a long range effort from Billy Harris superbly tipped around the post by home keeper Matthew Smith.

It had been a tough battle though with no quarter given as you'd expect, and after the hosts had squandered two decent openings at the start of the second period, blazing both chances miles off target, the visitors started to see a lot of the ball and were now the team in the ascendancy, and they so nearly grabbed the lead when Andre Embalo got in but dragged a shot just wide of the far post.

The visitors remained patient though, and in the 84th minute netted the winner when an Eljay Worrell free kick swung in from the right with the full back's wand of a left foot, the set play found centre half Zack Littlejohn who stooped to send a diving header beyond Smith in the Town goal and send the visiting support behind the goal into raptures. You felt it was coming to be honest, and it proved enough for the visitors to make it three wins from three league games this campaign.

Not the best of games in terms of quality, but a fair and decent battle all the same, played in a terrific atmosphere it must be said, Regent are now only one of two sides with nine points from nine, are in second spot and only sit below the other team with the same record, Heybridge Swifts, on goal difference, whereas a first defeat of the season for Town sees them drop to fifteenth spot in a very early season league table.

Full time Witham Town 0 Brightlingsea Regent 1

Benfleet 0 Frenford 3 - Second half goals from Dion Johnston, Fabio Nunes & Nathan Coombes see visitors through to next round of FA Vase

Isuzu FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round, Sunday 27th August

After no games for two weeks, it was two games in two days (with another one to come tomorrow as well!!!) as game two of the bank holiday weekend saw me over in the Island for a FA Vase tie between Thurlow Nunn First Division South Benfleet and Essex Senior League side Frenford at Canvey Island's Park Lane.

These two sides are familiar with each other having had many battles in the Thurlow Nunn First Division South in past seasons, the hosts were embarking on another season in that division, Step Six in the non league pyramid of course, after missing out on the playoffs by two points last season which was a big disappointment to the club, so they want to put that right this campaign.

They have certainly began the season well, three wins from four league games so far and no goals conceded in those games as well, with their only blemish being a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Southend Manor, but this game against a side a level higher would be a tough test no doubt, although Frenford, who won the Thurlow Nunn South last season, haven't began life at their new level all that well.

In five league games so far they have not managed to pick up a win as yet, and have only picked up two points from a possible fifteen so far, leaving them towards the foot of the division, however it is fine margins of course, and so far the visitors have fallen the wrong side in these cases although they are the only side to stop Woodford Town winning in the league this season so that certainly shows what they can do.

But it was all about FA Vase duty today, the winners would face a trip to Thurlow Nunn Premier side Brantham Athletic in the next round, and before the game there was an impeccably observed minutes silence for Frenford manager David Forbes father, Forbes senior, who sadly lost his battle from illness recently, he will be sorely missed as he was such a big part of the club along with his son and others, rest well Forbes Senior, you were a great man.

After that came the match obviously, and to be honest the opening forty five minutes were not very memorable, both sides lacked any real quality in the final third in what was a scrappy encounter, their was a lot of huffing and puffing, but neither keeper were really tested that much, and you felt it may take either a moment of brilliance, or a mistake (which seemed more likely) that would break the deadlock if it was going to be. (the game would go to penalties if no one could score in the ninety minutes).

Eleven minutes into the second half came that moment of brilliance, as after Frenford had won a free kick about twenty five or so yards out on the left hand side, Dion Johnston surprised all by curling a lovely free kick inside the near post, catching out keeper Charlee Jackson to give the visitors the edge in this one, although with just over fifteen minutes left of the ninety came an even more moment of brilliance.

Frenford were awarded another free kick, this time on the right side of the pitch about the same distance away, Johnston again stood over the ball but this time he was joined by Fabio Nunes, and the latter sent a wonderful left footed free kick into the top corner of the net, giving Jackson no chance whatsoever of saving it, it was a brilliant goal and it saw the visitors now with a fairly comfortable two goal cushion.

And the visitors duly sealed their passage into the next round when they added a third goal four minutes into what turned out to be eleven minutes of stoppage time at the end of the contest when the hosts allowed substitute Nathan Coombes to drive unchallenged towards the penalty area before he struck an effort at goal which keeper Jackson made a mess of in trying to save and allowed it to slip through his grasp and into the bottom corner.

This was not a vintage performance from either side, but two moments of magic and a late third ultimately decided this contest, and it's the visitors who will travel to Brantham Leisure Centre in around a month's time. No doubt Forbes Senior was their in spirit and smiling down on his club today.....

Full time Benfleet 0 Frenford 3

White Ensign 1 Colney Heath 0 - Early Joe Gregory spot kick enough to send Ensign through to next round of the Isuzu FA Vase

Isuzu FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round, Saturday 26th August

My first game of the bank holiday weekend, and my first for two weeks in fact, saw me over a Burroughs Park, Great Wakering, for the start of this season's FA Vase campaign's for Essex Senior League hosts White Ensign and Spartan South Midlands Premier side Colney Heath.

It's always good to see the hosts and they once again put on decent hospitality for Rob Errington, ESL President of course, and my fellow roving reporter and blogger Scott W, who I travelled to and from the game with, which was always a pleasure, but thanks to Ensign for looking after us as always.

The hosts had had a decent start to their season so far, sitting sixth in the Essex Senior League having picked up eight points from a possible fifteen, and they had come into this one off the back of a 2-0 home win over Frenford, although that was ten days ago, so the legs were certainly fresh that was for sure.

Visiting Heath had only played three league games so far, picking up four points from those in the process, and they had also dumped ESL opposition out of the FA Cup earlier in the month, winning a replay against Ilford after drawing the original tie at home, so could they cause more upset to another side from that division?

Ensign certainly settled the better, in fact in the opening forty five minutes the visitors barely settled at all and were second best for the majority, the hosts saw to early chances well saved by visiting keeper and skipper Connor Samson, and then saw another effort glanced over from close range, all inside the opening ten minutes.

The hosts though did get their noses in front finally in the 13th minute though when they won a penalty after a hand ball inside the box, and Joe Gregory stepped up to dispatch the spot kick with aplomb and hand Ensign a more than deserved lead.

Heath had fleeting attacks in the break, but they just could not hold onto the ball for more than a few seconds, and allowed the hosts to have a lot of the ball, but despite their dominance they only went into the half time break a goal ahead when it could easily been three or four, the visitors only positive of the first forty five minutes was that they were only a goal behind and still in the tie.

The visitors did compete slightly better in the second half, and their most lively player Jordan Kinoshi had a couple of efforts straight at Ensign keeper Harry Fairs, and in fact Fairs also had to be alert to beat away a Billy Owen effort early in the second half prior to this, but Ensign also had plenty of openings to kill the tie but could not, the best falling to Gregory who sent a header agonisingly wide of the far post.    

The best hosts player on the pitch though was Iyiola Adebayo, who was a constant menace to the visitors back line all game, he was involved in pretty much all the hosts best moments throughout, and Rob, Scott and myself all came to the conclusion that he was certainly deserved of the MOTM award which Rob awarded him on the pitch afterwards. It was a well deserved accolade.

Luckily for the hosts their lack of cutting edge up front did not come back to bite them in the bum, as a late Heath leveller would have forced penalties, but this didn't materialise and so Ensign won through to the next round which is a 2nd Qualifying Round contest away at Cornard United who play in the Thurlow Nunn Division One North, a step below the ESL. Ensign will no doubt fancy a positive result in that one too in about a months time in Suffolk.

It was a bad day at the office for the visitors though, they could easily have lost by more today and alot of the committee said that this was the worst they had ever seen them play, so hopefully for them this is the worst it gets this season and they can have a decent campaign going forward. Sadly for them their Vase campaign for 2023-24 is over.

Full time White Ensign 1 Colney Heath 0

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Southend United 2 - Goals from Harry Cardwell & Oli Coker help see Blues continue perfect start to their season

Vanarama National League, Saturday 12th August

I was over at Victoria Road, Dagenham, for a big local derby between Daggers and Southend United in the Vanarama National League, the hosts were looking to get their first win of the campaign whilst The Blues were looking to make it two wins from two after they thrashed much fancied Oldham Athletic on the opening weekend of the new season.

It was a new season The Blues almost never made, it's been well documented over the last few months the troubles the club are going through off the field, the fact they nearly made the playoffs last season was a miracle, only missing out by two points in the end, after all the issues they faced off the pitch which is down to their owner and chairman Ron Martin, who it is fair to say is not welcome at the club these days.

They were given more time to secure their future after their latest winding-up petition over unpaid taxes was adjourned for a second time in July, with the financially troubled club in the High Court over a £275,000 tax bill, with the case previously adjourned in May, and Chairman Martin's request for a further 42-day extension to finalise a sale was granted by Judge Sally Barber.

It's been an ongoing situation though and The Shrimpers are now due back in court on 23rd August, eleven days after this contest, the league did grant them permission to start the season last weekend after some of that money owed was paid, and all their staffs wages were brought up to date, but pretty much everyone associated with the club want Martin out of their club and a new buyer to take on the rein's and take the club forward and back to the football league.

The club, which had pretty much no pre season because of the issues arising from these problems and having a lack of players to field, were only granted a safety certificate for Roots Hall, their home ground, a few days prior to their opening game with Oldham, and fans rallied together to get the ground up to standard and cleaning up ahead of that opener, and were rewarded with a superb performance from their side. 

And they were out in their numbers again in this one, with the away end a 1,200 sell out, and I can tell you the atmosphere in the away end even half an hour before kick off was immense, those Blues players would certainly be backed to the hilt against a Daggers side who had began their season with a point after they netted a 98th minute leveller at Altrincham in their season opener.

The Daggers had a pretty solid campaign last time out after finishing tenth, which was eight points off the play offs in the end, although some are predicting a tough season for the hosts this time around, although at least they did not have the uncertainly around the club like their opponents today did, however The Blues, who are only allowed a squad of sixteen players currently (despite this those players are still pretty decent!!!) dominated the opening exchanges as the hosts struggled to stay with them. 

And the visitors spirited start was rewarded in the 19th minute when Jack Bridge's low cross was turned in by Harry Cardwell, he had also scored in last week's 4-0 win over Oldham, and that goal sent the already partisan away support into absolute raptures, it was a very deserved lead and the Blues were playing some lovely football.

In fact Cardwell might have had his and Southend's second soon after, but his header was saved before the rebound was spectacularly cleared off the line by Dagenham defender Tom Eastman, it seemed impossible to miss, but credit to the hosts defender who put in the timely intervention. It had been a superb performance from the visitors in the opening forty five minutes, the only negative it was only a one goal lead as they could easily have been three up by half time.

Credit The Daggers for staying in the contest, although their only real chance of the game saw a deflected effort almost wrong foot keeper Andeng-Ndi, but he managed to fall on the effort and save, The Blues created no where near as much as they had in the opening half as their tempo dropped somewhat, Noor Husin had their best effort in the second period after he sent an effort whistling just wide.

The Blues though seemed fairly comfortable throughout and two minutes into six added on minutes of stoppage time they sealed the deal as for the second time in two games, Oli Coker came off the bench to score, curling home a delightful finish from just outside the box after the hosts defence parted like the red sea, to send home that raucous away support very happy indeed.

I have to say, the atmosphere I experience in that away end today was probably one of the best I've ever experienced at any sporting event, those fans deserve a club, and to think it may go under is a travesty, you can see the connection those fans have with their side who came over to applaud them after the contest was over, they really do seem to appreciate it, and who wouldn't, it is truly remarkable support for a club in the fifth tier of English football and one that has suffered so much lately. Let's hope that court date on August 23rd is a positive one.

It's two wins from two then for the Seasiders without conceding a goal so far, and they remain top of the pile after two games, unthinkable only weeks ago, whereas for The Daggers this was a day where they were second best for the majority and they could have a long season ahead but it's early days as they say and I do hope they can find their mojo and have another solid campaign.

Full time Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Southend United 2 

Chalfont St Peter 1 Wallingford & Crowmarsh 3 - First half goals from Brodie Gray, Caelan Issac & Aiden Higgs enough to see Wally's through in FA Cup

Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, Saturday 5th August

Back in February I was over covering North Greenford United Vs Chalfont St Peter in a Combined Counties Premier North match and one player stood out for the visitors who won that day, skipper Josh Quinlivan, and I wrote some nice things about him, well he contacted me after that to thank me and asked if I could cover some of their games late in the season.

Now sadly I could not do this, but he did contact me again in the summer to ask if I could cover an early game this campaign, so I promised him I'd come over and start my FA Cup run with his club, and they today they played that game, a home tie with fellow Combined Counties Premier North side Wallingford & Crowmarsh, who I must admit knew little about prior to this game although it's fair to say I know much more about them now!!! This also was Josh's first ever game in the FA Cup, so it was nice to cover his debut in the competition.

This was both sides first games of the campaign as their league season hasn't yet started, so it was straight into FA Cup competitive action, now these two obviously played each other last season, the game at Wally's Hithercroft ground ended 2-2 but the return game at Mill Meadow, today's venue, saw a 0-3 away win, although this would have no bearing on today's contest.

Chalfont just survived relegation to step six last season by the skin of their teeth, whereas the visitors ended the season in a respectable tenth, but it had been sixteen years since a side from Wallingford had entered the FA Cup, so this was a big day for them, as it was for the home side too, they had exited the competition at this stage last season so didn't want to repeat that this time around.

Now despite the appalling weather leading up to the game the pitch was in fantastic condition, it has amazing drainage so their was no problems with this one not going ahead (the sun actually did come out for parts of the game too, so no need to worry about what was not a good forecast!!!) but sadly for the home side they were to have a pretty poor opening forty five minutes.

Visitors Wallingford edged in front after eleven minutes when a lovely pass from Ollie Lynch found Brodie Gray who applied a lovely finish, and then just past the midway point of the half Caelan Isaac was sent clear down the right, and as he hit an effort wide of the target he was brought down, and the referee pointed to the spot and saw Isaac pick himself up to convert the penalty and give his side a two goal cushion.

And a minute into first half stoppage time the hosts pretty much handed their opponents a third goal to almost end this tie when after Chalfont won a free kick by the corner flag, it was taken two quickly and played straight to Euan Aitchinson who rolled a pass across goal to the far post where Aiden Higgs was on hand to tap home and send the visitors into the break with a commanding three goal lead.

It had certainly been a perfect half for the Oxfordshire side and they almost certainly had one foot in the next round, but their was still forty five minutes to go and an early goal back for the hosts could change the momentum in this one, they certainly needed to improve after a poor first period, what could they muster up if anything?

Well, they certainly performed much better in the second period and you could say it was a game of two halves as the visitors certainly went off the boil in the second forty five minutes, but despite plenty of pressure from the home side they could not find a goal back, that was until the 84th minute when they finally grabbed one, as skipper Quinlivan got into the box before squaring a ball to the back post where substitute Drilon Krasniqi was on hand to convert, leaving a nervy final few minutes for the visitors.

Seven minutes of stoppage time were shown, and it almost got even more nervy for Wallingford when the hosts somehow struck the bar from close range, they had thrown everything at their opponents in the second forty five minutes but were unable to recover the damage from the opening half and could not pull that three goal deficit back, meaning the visitors were to take the win and set up a home tie with Southern One Central side Marlow in the Preliminary Round in two weeks time. (a tie I plan to be at myself which would be a first visit for me too)

So, this one was ultimately decided in the first half, Chalfont will be disappointed to have exited the FA Cup at the first stage once again, they will now turn their attentions to the league campaign which gets underway at Egham Town next weekend.

Full time Chalfont St Peter 1 Wallingford & Crowmarsh 3