Frenford 0 Little Oakley 1 - Freddie Tandon's unfortunate second half own goal sees visitors to hard fought win at The Drive, Barking, Tilbury, Halstead, Stanway, Romford & Ensign also grab wins in the ESL this weekend

Essex Senior League, Friday 17th/Saturday 18th November 

I decided to make a first trip of the season to The Drive in mid-November to see two sides I had yet to see this season, fourth bottom Frenford (I hadn’t seen them in the league at least, I had seen them in the Vase earlier in the season) who were finding their first season at this level tough, and Little Oakley who were having a mixed campaign so far, sitting tenth prior to the weekend’s action.

Before that though there were a couple of Friday night games in the league, one at Roding Lane and the other at Ashton’s, let’s see how those played out before we go onto the game I attended before the other Saturday action that took place…..

Buckhurst Hill 0 Barking 2

Its four games without defeat for Barking and three wins in a row in all competitions without conceding a goal now after they netted twice at Roding Lane to take all the spoils in this one. The visitors went ahead after thirty-one minutes after Anthony Martin punished an error at the back to see the Blues lead at the break, and a second goal from Luke Hirst with just under twenty minutes remaining sealed their victory and sent them into the top ten as a result.  It’s been a brilliant turnaround after losing 6-0 at home to Halstead, three wins and a draw since, and just two conceded in that time too, well done.

 

Woodford Town 1 Takeley 1

The hosts knew a win would take them top of the division ahead of the Saturday games, but they were held at home by 16^th placed Takeley on Friday night at Ashton’s. The visitors did lead at the break but were pegged back by the hosts in the second forty five, but a great result for the visiting side who remain 16^th in the table, whereas for Woodford it means they do close the gap to leaders Tilbury to just a point, but with The Dockers scheduled to play on Saturday, they could see that gap increase.

 

Right, onto Saturday, and we begin as said at The Drive in Ilford/Redbridge/Gants Hill (wherever it is, make your own conclusion!!!) where I was for the afternoon as Frenford welcomed Little Oakley to their shores, here is what happened…..

Frenford 0 Little Oakley 1

The hosts first season at this level has been largely a struggle, only four wins from their eighteen league games saw them fourth from bottom headed into this contest, however they are capable of beating some of the best sides in this division, two of those wins coming against Romford and Sporting Bengal United who are both top five sides, showing that on their day they can cause a surprise.

Those days have been few and far between this term though, and a 4-0 loss at home to an improving Barking last time out wasn’t particularly pleasing for them, and they were taking on a Little Oakley side packed with danger and had netted a recent 3-0 win away at Great Wakering Rovers although they have had a rather inconsistent season so far themselves, they had had some great results but also some difficult days at the office too, and began the weekend nine points off a play-off spot in tenth position as a result (and after Barking’s win at Buckhurst Hill on Friday night they had slipped to eleventh).

These two had met on the opening day of the season back in the summer (feels like a long time ago now!!!) and it saw Oakley net a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Harry Mann & Jordi Papple, it was certainly a difficult beginning to life in the ESL for Frenford and this game would be no easier, but could the hosts do what Oakley had done to them back in late July, or could the visitors here today grab a double over their opponents?

The visitors began the game on the front foot and had their opponents pushed back in their final third and saw a couple of early efforts go straight at Frenford keeper Matt Knight, both that were fielded fairly comfortably, but as the half went on the hosts began to settle and get a foothold in the contest, and ended up creating the best two chances of the opening forty five minutes.

An error at the back allowed Dion Johnston in to round keeper Billy Lawlor before squaring to Kai Haysman who looked certain to score before seeing his effort brilliantly blocked by a flying defender, and then just before half time Haysman stole in after two defenders left the ball to each other, but Lawlor came to the rescue to somehow tip the hosts striker's effort wide of the target, it was some save!!!

The caused the two defenders in question to square up to each other in an incredible moment, neither would back down and it ended with them both being booked, total frustration for the visitors who had started well but allowed their opponents to settle and probably end the half better, it had been a tight contest so far though with action at both ends, how would the second half pan out?

Well, ten or so minutes into the second period came what ended up being the winning moment, and it was a very unfortunate moment for hosts centre half Freddie Tandon, as a ball drilled into the six yard box by Daniel Rowe towards Harry Mann saw a blocked clearance back towards Tandon hit him and end up in the net for a very unfortunate own goal and a lead for Oakley. This kind of summed up Frenford's luck it has to be said in this contest.

The hosts should have levelled soon after this but saw another brilliant stop from Lawlor before a follow up effort was blocked, and with Frenford pushing forward to try and find an equaliser they were almost caught on a couple of occasions as the visitors nearly doubled their lead, firstly a superb powerful long range strike from Adrian Cant thumped off the underside of the bar, and then another sweeping move saw Daniel Rowe's effort glance off that same cross bar before going over.

Apart from these efforts though Oakley spent long period on the back foot in the second half as they continued to keep Frenford at bay, Lawlor made another good stop to deny them once again and despite a lot of pressure from the home side, especially late on, they could not find the net and saw Oakley cling on for what was certainly a hard fought win.

Frenford did everything but score today, but their failure to find the onion bag means a 12th loss in the league this season as they slip a place to third bottom, three points above Ilford who are just up the road of course (the name Frenford was created from the slogan 'Friends of Ilford' of course) but if they continue to play this way they will win enough games to be fine come the end of the campaign.

Oakley to their credit dug in and put up a rear-guard action in that second period at times, it was one of those wins that can be much more satisfying at times and I am sure their management will be pleased at how they put their bodies on the line at times to make sure they grabbed a clean sheet and the points, a very hard fought win indeed it was, and this sees them reclaim tenth spot as a result and only six points off those play off spots too.

Full time Frenford 0 Little Oakley 1

   

So, a hard fought win for the visitors who certainly rode their luck at times, let’s now see what else happened on Saturday in the division…..

Athletic Newham 0 Tilbury 2

The Dockers extended their unbeaten run to an incredible eighteen games as they saw off Athletic Newham at The Terrance McMillan Stadium. Both goals came in the second period, the visitors grabbed the lead ten minutes after the break when Macauley Joynes saw a corner go straight in, and with nine minutes remaining Harvey Browne smashed home from long range to seal the now league leaders all three points.

 

Halstead Town 3 Ilford 2

The Humbugs twice came from behind to see off The Foxes at Rosemary Lane, a Okuguni free kick went past Cherry to give the Foxes the lead but Older was on hand to tap home the leveller, however Ilford restored their lead shortly after this following a superb goal from Tacine, all of this action coming in the opening twenty three minutes of the contest. It remained this way until Ade Funbi converted a second half Kane Gilbert cross to make it 2-2, and with two minutes remaining Matt Coppen headed home a Older corner to win the game for the home side and send them into the top six.

 

Hullbridge Sports 0 Stanway Rovers 5

Stanway Rovers boinged out of the bottom three after an extraordinary 5-0 win at Lower Road against Hullbridge Sports. The game was only five minutes old when the visitors took the lead when Jack Johnson headed home, and midway through the first half Reece Conway applied a header of his own to double Rovers lead. The hosts then saw a penalty saved on the half hour mark before they sealed the deal with twenty or so minutes to go as Mardell headed home at the far post, and after the hosts were reduced to ten men Rovers added further goals through Josh Hughes & Jack Madley late on to cap a superb away day.

 

Saffron Walden Town 0 Romford 1

A brilliant rear-guard action from the visitors saw them to an heroic win at Catons Lane, this was after Michael Turner was sent off for the visiting side with less than half an hour on the clock, and then finishing the game with nine men after Kris Newby was sin binned with five minutes plus stoppages to go. The winning moment came five minutes into the second period in farcical circumstances when a pass back from defender Jamie Riley was missed by keeper Jarvis Monk and ended up in the net for a rather embarrassing moment for the hosts, and even more embarrassing as this proved to be the only goal too, sending Romford into second spot in the process.

 

Sporting Bengal United P-P Great Wakering Rovers

The only match to fall this weekend in the ESL was at Mile End after the pitch was deemed unplayable by the match referee after he had arrived at the ground and had a look at the pitch. Very frustrating for all, especially for the visitors who had already travelled to East London to play the game. 

 

White Ensign 3 Coggeshall Town 1 

Ensign were the latest side to hand bottom side Coggeshall Town defeat as they eased themselves to victory at Burroughs Park. A fine curling finish from Iyiola Adebayo in the opening minute plus a further goal from the hosts striker had Ensign two up inside twenty minutes before a firm finish from Robbie Allen three minutes into the second period had the hosts pretty much out of sight with most of the second half remaining. A good counter attack from the visitors which saw Nathan Dennis slot home a goal back after sixty-four minutes gave them brief hope, but it wasn't to be as the hosts ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Let's see what this weekend's results do for the table as we head towards the half way mark of the campaign.....

Tilbury lead the way after they continued their long unbeaten run, that slow start to the season now a distant memory, previous leaders Woodford Town slip two places to third after they dropped points on Friday night, Romford's win at Walden sees them now the closest challengers to the leaders, just, the top five are only separated by seven points.

Behind them, only three points cover sixth placed Halstead Town and eleventh placed Barking, the Blues have recovered well after their thrashing at the hands of Halstead a few weekends ago, even fifteenth placed Buckhurst Hill are only eight points off sixth place in what is a very tight competitive division once again.

Down at the bottom Coggeshall Town are still four points adrift Ilford and a further three adrift of third bottom Frenford, The Seedgrowers are in danger of being cut adrift if they continue in this vain, since they beat West Essex in mid October it's been five straight defeats in the league, worrying times indeed for the West Street side.

Anyway hope you enjoyed my latest blog, it's been fun writing it, thanks for taking the time to read.....

Hutton 3 Burnham Ramblers 1 - A Tom Stephens brace & a Stephen Judge penalty help Hutton to a fourth straight win in all competitions whilst heaping more misery on Ramblers in the process

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday 11th November

Remembrance Day saw me over at New Lodge, Billericay, for a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest between two local sides in the shape of Hutton & Burnham Ramblers on what is always a very poignant day when we all remember those who fought for today’s freedom, they must never be forgotten. Lest we forget…..

Anyway back to today’s battle, and hosts Hutton sat fifth in the division and in the final play off spot after what has been a pretty solid start to their maiden senior campaign, they had an incredible start when winning six of their opening seven league games of the season, but a run since then of five wins, one draw and six defeats has certainly brought a dose of reality back into the frame. They were only still three points off the leaders though, so it was still a terrific position to be in.

There form in October saw them play five games in all competitions, they lost at home to Basildon Town in the County Cup before netting a narrow win at Barkingside in the league, defeats against Dunmow Town & Tower Hamlets then followed in the division before victory at Southend Manor saw them see out the month with a win.

And they come into this one-off back-to-back wins after they followed up that win at Southchurch Park with a thumping 5-1 home win against Newbury Forest on the first day in November, so they do come into this fixture having won two in a row (they did also net a 1-0 win at home to Stanway Pegasus in midweek in the League Cup, so technically three straight wins!!!)

Their opponents today, Burnham Ramblers, are not having such a great season this time around, they sit in 12^th spot and only four points above the bottom three, such is how tight the bottom of the division is this season so far. They have won only six of their nineteen games so far and have lost ten of them too and have the second worst goal difference in the division too, not like Ramblers at all over the past couple of seasons.

Their form in October has seen them pick up five points in their six league games, a crazy 4-4 draw at home to Southend Manor and then a creditable draw away at Clapton Community was followed by losses against May & Baker and Harlow Town, those two without scoring and conceding nine, before a last minute win at home to Clapton was followed by a 3-1 loss at Southend Manor, so they come into this one in not particularly brilliant form.

These two have already met this season, back on August 22^nd in the league, and Hutton ran out 4-2 winners at Leslie Field in front of 200 spectators, Ramblers actually led that game 2-1 at the break before the visitors roared back to win that one, how would today’s encounter go?

Well, from the outset it was obvious the hosts would go on and win this one, they found themselves two goals up in eleven minutes and looked likely to threaten a big score line against their beleaguered opponents, they went in front after six minutes when full back Tom Stephens burst into the box before firing a powerful effort in off the far post, and then five minutes later headed a lovely cross from Nana Adarkwa into the far corner like any striker would, and the hosts were off to the perfect start.

The visitors had to try and stay in the game and desperately needed the next goal, but just before half time were dealt a killer blow when they conceded a penalty after a lovely through ball from Andrew Webster into the path of  Dave Johnston saw the latter felled by visiting keeper Ryan Bungaradu, and up stepped Stephen Judge to fire the penalty home with the keeper getting a good hand to it but unable to prevent it finding the net, 3-0 at half time and total control for the hosts.

Ramblers tried their upmost to get back into the contest after the break but rarely tested home keeper Jamie Grossart, and Hutton should really have put the icing on the cake with around twenty minutes or so to go when they were awarded another spot kick after Callum Ismail was felled inside the box, Judge allowed full back Stephens to take the penalty for his hat-trick, but sadly the latter's kick struck the post, meaning no hat-trick and the score line remaining 3-0 to the home side.

Ramblers then saw their task become almost an impossible one soon after though when substitute Yaya Djau managed to get himself sent off after two bookings, it had seemed inevitable if truth be told after getting booked not long after coming on, it was his third or fourth foul and rather brainless it has to be said, and the visitors were down to ten with seventeen minutes of the ninety still to play.

Their was to be one more goal in the contest though, and it did go to the struggling visiting side, another substitute and well known forward Lheureux Menga, forced a save from keeper Grossart but the loose ball fell into the path of Oliver Wells who converted from close range, but it was a mere consolation as the hosts took the points.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the struggling Rams who did end the game with nine men after star striker Karl Swanborough was sin binned for dissent with almost the last action of the contest, Ramblers slip a place to 13th now after an eleventh loss in the league this season, and remain just four points above the bottom three.

It's a much brighter picture for Hutton through who have now recorded four straight wins in all competitions, three in the league, and they go up a place to fourth and are in a four way tie for second, just two points off new leaders Clapton Community, it's a tight top six that are separated by just three points, crazy, but the hosts are right in the mix for promotion to Step Five as we approach the half way stage of the season, not bad for their first senior season as a club eh.

Full time Hutton 3 Burnham Ramblers 1

  

Catholic United 3 Kelvedon Hatch 3 - Aaron Baldwin & Reece Simpson both net braces as Essex Bhoys & Hatch play out six goal thriller at Len Forge

Essex Olympian Premier Division, Saturday 4th November

So, Guy Fawkes weekend, and the first Saturday in November, saw me take a forty minute or so bus journey from the bottom of my road to Eastwoodbury Lane for an Essex Olympian Premier Division contest at The Len Forge Centre between Catholic United and Kelvedon Hatch.

The main reasons for this being one, it was a 3G surface so the masses of rain meant the game would not be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and secondly because it was an easy journey, their was cover at the ground in case of any rogue showers, and it was a cheap day out as finances heading towards Christmas and new year, the cost of living, were tight!!!

But most importantly it was a local side in Catholic United who needed some support after what has been a retched run of form in the league of late, the club had started the season brilliantly, winning six of their first seven and inflicting to date league leaders Rayleigh Town’s only loss this campaign (they have won the other eleven!!!) but since then they had lost four games in a row before last weekend’s 2-2 draw at strugglers Harold Wood Athletic.

Catholic did win in the Anagram Records Trophy two weekends ago against CSM London, but their last league win was way back on 16^th September, and this form has seen them down in fifth and way behind the top two now, so they desperately needed a positive result against a Kelvedon Hatch side who had only won two league games thus far this campaign and sat down in tenth and only a point above the bottom two places.

Hatch have tasted league success more recently though than their opponents, a 2-0 home win over Canning Town in mid-October, but it’s been another tough season for the visitors this campaign, a campaign that did start with victory at Harold Wood Athletic, but since then it was seven games without a win (six defeats) before that win over Canning Town, although they did also lose last weekend narrowly against Shenfield AFC.

These two did meet in the league on September 9^th when the weather was a lot better than recently, and Catholic ran out 3-2 winners at Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall, so would we get a similar contest here?

Well, the hosts began the contest in the best possible fashion, taking a 2nd minute lead when a lovely long through ball from Tom Kearney released Aaron Baldwin in on goal, and after rounding keeper Rhys Hughes who had got himself rather in no mans land on the edge of the box, the hosts striker slotted home beautifully from an acute angle, 1-0 to the Essex Bhoys.

Catholic though could not build on this early advantage, and in the 18th minute were pegged back by the visitors after Reece Simpson drove into the box before cutting back onto his left foot and seeing an effort take a couple of ricochets before finding the bottom corner of the net, but it didn't take the hosts long to regain that one goal lead when Baldwin curled home a superb left footed free kick from around twenty yards or so out, leaving keeper Hughes rooted to the spot.

But, back came Hatch once again as it was 2-2 after just twenty five minutes of action, and it was another poor goal for the hosts to concede, as a flick into the six yard box saw Simpson manage to react quicker than anyone else around him to swivel and prod a finish into the bottom corner, and with no further goals in the remainder of the half, the sides went into the break all square.

How would the second half pan out? Well, five minutes into it the visitors got their noses in front for the very first time in the contest when a ball into the box was not dealt with by the hosts and allowed Luke Skinner the chance to convert from close range, the ball didn't go in cleanly but it went in all the same, and Hatch now had a lead to hold onto.

For a period after that goal they looked the slightly better outfit, but Catholic dug deep and started to create chances, and with seventeen minutes to go found a leveller to tie this one up once again as centre half Brad Vaughan rose to power home a header from twelve yards out and now it was the hosts who looked the likelier to find a winner.

They probably should have found one but either found keeper Hughes in the way or poor finishing thwart the home side, and the contest ended with Baldwin curling over a free kick from a pretty identical position for his second goal, but he could not find the target and the game ended all square meaning a point each for both.

It was for the neutral at least a very entertaining and enjoyable contest, so kudos to both sides for putting on a good show for all who were there, and the point sees Catholic slip a place to sixth as they have now gone six games without a win, although as I told them afterwards, it's two games unbeaten now after four straight losses in the league, positive thinking hey.

Kelvedon Hatch also slip a place to 11th, fourth bottom in the division, but will be boosted by this performance today and it's now five precious points from their last four games which is a vast improvement on what they had picked up prior to this, so plenty to be positive about too.

Full time Catholic United 3 Kelvedon Hatch 3

 

  

Chadwell Heath Spartans 2 Bakers693 0 - Second half goals from Peter Adeleye & Courtney Holness see Spartans to all three points at Lower Road

Essex Alliance League Senior Division, Wednesday 1st November

I popped over to Lower Road, home of Hullbridge Sports, for an Essex Alliance Senior Division clash between Chadwell Heath Spartans and Bakers693, the hosts hierarchy are well known to the Bridge Boys, player manager Aaron Hunwicks played for the club whilst his father and Spartans Chairman Neil was club photographer for a number of years, so surroundings for those two at least were familiar.

Spartans of course normally play their home games at Lakeside Sports Ground 3G, but the pitch at Lower Road was like a billiard table and perfect for football, so there would be no issues with the playing surface despite it being played on the night before and the wet weather that has been around lately, so no doubt both sides competing in this contest would have looked forward to the surroundings and facilities for the evening.

Getting to the ground was a challenge for some mind, including myself, due to temporary traffic lights in the village which caused some hefty delays getting into Hullbridge, and with some of the visiting side not arriving at around 7.30pm, it meant a slight delay to proceedings and an 8pm start, no biggie, and kudos to Spartan's chairman Neil Hunwicks who bought me a beer on arrival, it was certainly needed after a stressful journey on the bus due to the delays!!!

So, how have both sides started their league campaigns? Spartans were looking to jump into second spot behind leaders FC Baresi who have been the stand out side so far this campaign, Spartans had played eleven league games, winning five, drawing four and losing two, whereas visitors Bakers693, part of the May & Baker family, had played nine games, winning four, drawing one, and losing four as they were down in tenth out of fifteen sides in the division.

Spartans were coming into this contest off the back of a decent 2-0 success at Sporting Hackney, a team in a similar position to their opponents this evening, Bakers693 saw their game scheduled for Friday night at Haringey Borough U23s postponed so they had not been in action since the previous Friday night away at Aveley U23s, but they also picked up a 2-0 success in that one so both were coming into this game off the back of identical victories so would have felt good about themselves.

I was expecting a decent game if truth be told, and a great battle between two sides who try and play football, but the game really failed to get going for the first hour, the opening forty five minutes saw hosts keeper Lamar Johnson made a couple of decent stops to keep the visitors out, whilst Spartans only real opening saw Enoch Salami's effort well blocked by a defender, but that was about it for goalmouth action.

The opening exchanges of the second half yielded little as well, but just before the hour mark Spartans so nearly got ahead when skipper Elie Fanga got clear of the backline but saw his lob over the onrushing keeper bounce off the inside of the post and someone stay out as a relieved keeper managed to get back to claim the ball before it went over the line.

You thought at this stage it was destined to be goalless, but barely a minute later on the hour mark, Peter Adeleye, who had only come on as a substitute moments before, got clear in the same way his strike partner had done moments before, and this time he applied a deft touch past the onrushing keeper and saw the ball roll home with him chasing after it just in case it didn't reach the net, finally a break through!!! Thank goodness!!!

Could the visitors respond? Well, with fifteen or so minutes left of the ninety they were handed a golden opportunity to level the contest when they were awarded a penalty after one of their players was shoved over inside the box, and after a lengthy wait to take the spot kick, the visitors ballooned the spot kick miles over the bar and out of the stadium, it was probably one of the worst penalties I've seen, certainly a forgetful moment for the striker you could say!!!

It meant Spartans remained ahead, and a minute or so into stoppage time at the end of the game they sealed the deal with a second goal as player boss Aaron Hunwicks curled a beautiful corner to the far stick where Courtney Holness was waiting to send a header in off the post, and cue more celebrations from the home side who had had to work very hard for this victory, so no doubt it made it sweeter and more satisfying.

Spartans then go up to second spot, six points behind the leaders FC Baresi after a six win of the season, Bakers693 remain in tenth and will wonder what could have been had they netted that spot kick and levelled the contest, we will never know now but it meant Spartans could go on and take the points in a good battle in the end, a slow burner you could say!!! But at least it got going eventually.....

Full time Chadwell Heath Spartans 2 Bakers693 0