Pre Season Fixtures 2024/25 - Non League (Involving sides in Essex/London area)

I have once again devised a list of Pre Season fixtures ahead of the 2024/25 season involving clubs in the area I normally cover, so the Isthmian North, Essex Senior League & Thurlow Nunn First Division South, and also sides from Essex through all the Senior Leagues in the non league pyramid in the Vanarama National Leagues, and the Isthmian Premier and others.  Have also included some Junior sides in the Olympian League and Alliance League, below are the latest fixtures I have found through socials, I will add anymore that I come across too as more sides release/update their schedules, I hope you find it useful.

Thursday 27th June

Stanway Rovers Vs Stanway Rovers U23s

Saturday 29th June

Estudiantes London Vs Stansted

Hackney Wick Vs Elizabeth Allen

Maldon & Tiptree Vs Colney Heath 

Whitton United vs Stanway Rovers

Tuesday 2nd July

Athletic Newham Vs Concord Rangers

Bishop's Stortford Swifts Vs Harlow Town

Brimsdown Vs Soul

Buckhurst Hill Vs Barkingside

Cornard United Vs Stanway Rovers

Little Oakley Vs Maldon & Tiptree 

Sawbridgeworth Town Vs St Margaretsbury (Neutral Venue)

Takeley Vs Redbridge

Wingate & Finchley Vs Sporting Bengal United

Wednesday 3rd July

Enfield Vs Benfleet 

Hackney Wick Vs Lewisham Borough

Hutton Vs White Ensign

Springfield Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Thursday 4th July

Erith Town Vs Sporting Bengal United

Friday 5th July

Barking Vs AS London 

Billericay Town vs Hutton

Saturday 6th July

Athletic Newham Vs FC Romania

Bishop’s Stortford vs Hornchurch

BKS Sports Vs Southend Manor

Bowers & Pitsea Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Brightlingsea Regent Vs Hackney Wick

Brimsdown Vs Frenford Development

Burnham Ramblers Vs Shenfield AFC

Chatham Town Vs Grays Athletic

Clapton CFC Vs Waltham Forest Borough

Coggeshall Town Vs Maldon & Tiptree 

East Thurrock CFC Vs Canvey Island 

Enfield Borough Vs Soul Tower Hamlets

FC Baresi Vs Sawbridgeworth Town

Frenford Vs Concord Rangers

Harlow Town Vs Buckhurst Hill

Harold Hill vs Romford

Holland vs Thorpe Athletic

Ilford Vs Tilbury

Little Oakley Vs Harwich & Parkeston (Norman Mann & Tim Gooch Memorial Trophy)

London Colney Vs Cheshunt

Newbury Forest Vs Basildon United

Old Southendian Vs Benfleet

Rayleigh Town vs Hullbridge Sports

Saffron Walden Town Vs Dunmow Town

Stansted Vs Witham Town (Neutral Venue)

Stanway Rovers Vs Felixstowe & Walton United

Takeley Vs Wormley Rovers

Toby Vs Cannons Wood

White Ensign Vs Barkingside

Whitton United Vs Enfield

Woodford Town Vs Colney Heath 

Monday 8th July

Aveley Vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Tuesday 9th July

AFC Sudbury Vs Chelmsford City

Barking Vs Basildon Town 

Benfleet Vs Hashtag United

Billericay Town Vs Brightlingsea Regent 

Buckhurst Hill Vs Basildon United

Colchester United XI vs Grays Athletic

Frenford Vs Redbridge

Harlow Town Vs Fisher

Heybridge Swifts Vs Burnham Ramblers

Hornchurch Vs Leyton Orient

Hullbridge Sports Vs Concord Rangers

Little Oakley Vs Kings Park Rangers

Needham Market Vs Braintree Town

Rayleigh Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Saffron Walden Town Vs Witham Town

Snodland Town Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Stanway Rovers Vs Walthamstow (game will be moved to Monday 8th July if England make Euro Semi Finals)

Takeley Vs Cockfosters

Toby Vs Welling Town 

Woodford Town Vs Clapton CFC

Wormley Rovers Vs Sawbridgeworth Town 

Wednesday 10th July

Enfield Vs Bowers & Pitsea 

Hackney Wick Vs Heavy Hitters

Hutton Vs Stansted

Shenfield AFC Vs Barkingside

Tiptree Heath Vs Stanway Pegasus

Thursday 11th July

Cheshunt Vs FC Romania

Hullbridge Sports Vs Catholic United

Saffron Walden Town Vs Brentwood Town

Thetford United Vs Stanway Rovers

Saturday 13th July

Amersham Town vs Brightlingsea Regent

AS London Vs Fisher 

Athletic Newham Vs Welling Town

Aveley Vs Billericay Town

Barking Vs Cockfosters 

Basildon Town Vs Catholic United

Benfleet Vs Burnham Ramblers

BKS Sports Vs Hutton Reserves

Buckhurst Hill Vs Cambridge City

Canvey Island Vs Bishops Stortford

Cockfosters Vs Waltham Abbey

CSM London Vs Brimsdown

Dulwich Hamlet Vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Eastbourne Borough Vs Hashtag United

East Thurrock CFC Vs Hashtag United 

Enfield Borough Vs Camden United

Enfield Town Vs Tottenham Hotspur XI

FC Baresi Vs Soul Tower Hamlets

FC Clacton Vs Harwich & Parkeston (Kevin Beattie Memorial Trophy)

Frenford Vs Hutton

Grays Athletic Vs Corinthian Casuals 

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Southend United

Hadley vs Sporting Bengal United

Haringey Borough Vs Cheshunt

Harpenden Town Vs Ilford

Hertford Town Vs Chelmsford City

Heybridge Swifts Vs Springfield

Holland Vs Woodbridge

Holmesdale Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Hullbridge Sports Vs Leigh Ramblers

Independiente de Vallecas Vs Clapton CFC

Jolof Sports Vs Fairlop Rovers

Little Oakley Vs Hadleigh United

London Colney vs Hoddesdon Town

Long Melford Vs Stanway Rovers

Lymore Gardens vs Shenfield AFC

Margate Vs Concord Rangers

Meridian Vs Witham Town

Maldon & Tiptree Vs Colchester United 

Rayleigh Town Vs Old Southendian

Redbridge Vs Dunmow Town

Runwell Sports Vs Galleywood

Saffron Walden Town Vs Haverhill Rovers

Sheppey Sports Vs Barkingside

Sungate Vs Romford

Stanway Pegasus Vs Stansted

Takeley Vs Harlow Town

Toby Vs Hashtag United 

Waltham Cross Vs Hackney Wick

Waltham Forest Borough Vs Sawbridgeworth Town 

Walthamstow Vs Enfield 

White Ensign Vs Southend Manor

Woodford Town Vs Wormley Rovers

Monday 15th July

Hoddesdon Town Vs Sawbridgeworth Town

Tuesday 16th July

Aveley Vs Redbridge

Basildon Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Billericay Town Vs Chelmsford City

Benfleet Vs Southend United U21s

Benfleet Vs Grays Athletic

Bowers & Pitsea Vs Tilbury (Essex Thameside Trophy Quarter Final)

Brimsdown Vs London Colney

Canvey Island Vs Southend United

Edgware & Kingsbury Vs Barkingside 

Enfield Town Vs Arsenal U21s 

Fisher Vs Witham Town

Frenford Vs AS London 

Glebe Vs Sporting Bengal United

Harlow Town Vs Cockfosters

Harwich & Parkeston Vs Brantham Athletic

Hornchurch Vs Sutton United

Hullbridge Sports Vs Hashtag United

Ilford Vs Wembley

Little Oakley vs East Bergholt

Maldon & Tiptree Vs Colchester United U21s

Rayners Lane Vs Cheshunt

Runwell Sports vs Herongate Athletic

Saffron Walden Town Vs Basildon United

St Margaretsbury Vs Stansted (Neutral Venue)

Southend Manor Vs Springfield

Stanway Rovers Vs Holland

Takeley Vs Cannons Wood

Wingate & Finchley Vs Brentwood Town 

Woodford Town Vs Walthamstow

Wormley Rovers Vs Dunmow Town

Wormley Rovers Vs Romford

Wednesday 17th July

Barking Vs Brentwood Town 

Buckhurst Hill Vs Tilbury

Catholic United Vs Concord Rangers

Enfield Borough Vs Baldock Town

Ipswich Wanderers Vs Barking 

Shenfield AFC Vs Halstead Town U23s

West Essex Vs Hackney Wick

Thursday 18th July

Hullbridge Sports Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Friday 19th July

Barking Vs Brentwood Town 

Saturday 20th July

Athletic Newham vs May & Baker

Aveley Vs St Ives Town

Barking Vs Cockfosters

Benfleet Vs Hutton

Barton Rovers Vs Ilford 

Billericay Town Vs Boreham Wood 

Brantham Athletic Vs Stanway Rovers

Brightlingsea Regent Vs Hashtag United

Buckhurst Hill Vs Harrow Borough

Canvey Island Vs Concord Rangers

Catholic United vs White Ensign

Chadwell Heath Spartans Vs Brimsdown

Cheshunt Vs Harlow Town (Cheshunt Community Cup, Match Two, 2.30pm)

Cheshunt Vs Clapton Community (Cheshunt Community Cup, Match Three, 4.15pm)

Dagenham & Redbridge Vs West Ham United

East Thurrock CFC Vs Grays Athletic 

Enfield Vs Woodford Town

Enfield Borough Vs Rising Ballers Kensington

FC Baresi Vs Lewisham Borough

Fisher Vs Redbridge

Frenford Vs FC Romania 

Haverhill Rovers Vs Stansted

Harlow Town Vs Clapton Community (Cheshunt Community Cup, Match One, 12:30pm)

Harwich & Parkeston Vs Kings Park Rangers

Heybridge Swifts Vs Bishop's Stortford

Holland Vs Barkingside

Hornchurch Vs Braintree Town

Hutton Reserves vs Shenfield AFC

Leighton Town Vs Basildon United

Letchworth Garden City Eagles Vs Hoddesdon Town

Needham Market Vs Maldon & Tiptree 

Old Southendian Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Old Southendian Reserves Vs BKS Sports

Rayleigh Town Vs Welling Town

Royston Town Vs Chelmsford City

Runwell Sports Vs Cannons Wood

Saffron Walden Town Vs Arlesey Town 

Sawbridgeworth Town Vs Baldock Town

Sheppey United Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Southend Manor Vs Wakering Sports

Stowmarket Town Vs Hullbridge Sports

Sungate Vs Fairlop Rovers

Takeley Vs Ware

Tilbury Vs Romford 

Toby Vs AS London 

Waltham Forest Borough Vs Cuffley Town

Welwyn Garden City Vs Enfield Town

West Essex Vs Walthamstow

Witham Town Vs Hackney Wick

Woodbridge Town Vs Little Oakley

Monday 22nd July

Chelmsford City Vs Barnet

Hoddesdon Town Vs Stansted

Tuesday 23rd July

Arlesey Town Vs Enfield 

Barking Vs Southend United 

Billericay Town Vs Witham Town

Brimsdown Vs Haringey Borough U23s

Canvey Island Vs Aveley

Cheshunt Vs Ware (Herts Charity Cup Quarter Final)

Concord Rangers Vs Colchester United U21s

Dulwich Hamlet Vs Hornchurch

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Brentwood Town 

Halstead Town Vs Basildon United

Harwich & Parkeston vs Thorpe Athletic

Hashtag United Vs AFC Sudbury

Hayes & Yeading Vs Enfield Town 

Horley Town Vs Hackney Wick

Long Melford vs Holland

Needham Market vs Brightlingsea Regent

Runwell Sports Vs Barkingside

Saffron Walden Town Vs Cambridge City

Sawbridgeworth Town Vs Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Southend Manor Vs Wivenhoe Town

Stansted Vs Dunmow Town

Tilbury Vs Grays Athletic (Stan Veness Trophy)

Walthamstow Vs Leyton Orient 

West Essex Vs Redbridge 

Wormley Rovers Vs Harpenden Town (Herts Charity Cup)

Wednesday 24th July

Chelmsford City Vs Milton Keynes Dons

Enfield Borough Vs Romford

Rayleigh Town Vs ACD United

Thursday 25th July

Brook House Vs Hoddesdon Town

Sittingbourne Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Friday 26th July

Braintree Town Vs Cambridge United

Concord Rangers Vs Hashtag United

Saturday 27th July

Aveley Vs Colchester United XI

BKS Sports Vs Corinthians

Bowers & Pitsea Vs Erith Town

Brightlingsea Regent Vs Enfield 

Catholic United Vs Concord Rangers

Dagenham & Redbridge Vs Tottenham Hotspur U21s

East Thurrock CFC Vs Pitsea Athletic 

Enfield Town Vs Hendon (FSA Cup)

Halstead Town U23s Vs Fairlop Rovers

Hanworth Villa Vs Billericay Town

Haringey Borough Vs Woodford Town 

Harlow Town Vs St Margaretsbury

Herne Bay Vs Tilbury 

Heybridge Swifts Vs Canvey Island

Hornchurch Vs Barnet

Maldon & Tiptree Vs Bishop's Stortford

Meridian Vs Sporting Bengal United

Phoenix Sports Vs Basildon United 

Ramsgate Vs Brentwood Town

Rayleigh Town Vs Chadwell Heath Spartans

Runwell Sports Vs Basildon Town

Southend United Vs Gillingham

Sungate Vs Woodford Town Reserves

Toby Vs Herongate 

Waltham Forest Borough Vs Bermondsey Town

Walthamstow Vs Ashford United 

Ware Vs Grays Athletic

Wroxham Vs Cheshunt

Monday 29th July

Redbridge Vs Newbury Forest

Tuesday 30th July

Aveley Vs Hashtag United

Basildon United Vs Basildon Town

Canvey Island Vs Tilbury 

Coggeshall Town Vs Runwell Sports

Enfield Town Vs Billericay Town

Grays Athletic Vs Potters Bar Town 

Hertford Town Vs Cheshunt

Walthamstow Vs Walthamstow Reserves

Witham Town Vs Chelmsford City (Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup Final)

Wednesday 31st July

Herongate Vs Catholic United

Toby Vs White Ensign 

Saturday 3rd August

Billericay Town Vs Hornchurch

BKS Sports Vs Catholic United Reserves

Brentwood Town Vs Hashtag United (Essex Thameside Trophy)

Canvey Island Vs Brightlingsea Regent

Chelmsford City Vs Southend United

Cheshunt Vs Aveley

Concord Rangers Vs Bedford Town

CSM London vs Catholic United

Dagenham & Redbridge Vs Leyton Orient

Frenford Alliance Vs Shenfield AFC

Hadley Vs Basildon United

Harrow Borough Vs Walthamstow 

Heybridge Swifts Vs Bowers & Pitsea

Lymore Gardens Vs Lymore Gardens U23s

Maldon & Tiptree Vs Enfield

Old Southendian Vs East Thurrock CFC 

Runwell Sports Vs Canning Town

Sungate Vs Sawbridgeworth Town U23s

Toby Vs Ongar Town 

Waltham Forest Borough Vs Bishops Stortford Swifts

Ware Vs Enfield Town

Woodford Town Reserves Vs Fairlop Rovers

Monday 5th August

Cheshunt Vs Leyton Orient U21s

Saturday 10th August

BKS Sports vs BKS Sports Reserves

Hinton vs Fairlop Rovers

Sungate Vs Ongar Town

Waltham Forest Borough Vs Rotherhithe FC

Fixtures are obviously subject to change, so please check with clubs involved before attending re this and also kick offs times and venues

List last updated 21/06/2024

Essex Senior League - Cup Final double header - Stanway Rovers dismantle Saffron Walden Town to net Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy/Woodford Town take Reserve Shield after penalty shoot out success over Grays Athletic

 (Stanway Rovers lift their second piece of silverware this season after winning the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy following a 5-1 success over Saffron Walden Town)

Sunday saw me over at Rosemary Lane, home of Halstead Town, as they hosted both the Essex Senior League Reserve Shield & The Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy Finals as the season was finally headed towards it's climax following what has seemed a very long season that's for sure.

First up at midday was the Reserve Shield Final between South Division winners Grays Athletic and North Division Runners up Woodford Town, let's see what happened in that contest:-

Essex Senior League Reserve Shield Final

Grays Athletic Vs Woodford Town

This was a match up between two decent sides, Grays had won the Reserve South Division by nine points having won thirteen of their sixteen league games, and they had seen off West Essex Development, Billericay Town and Romford to reach this final, Woodford, who had finished runners up to Hashtag United in the North Division, had overcome Barking U23s, Heybridge Swifts & Takeley.

Woodford were also competing in their second of three cup finals in five days, they had won the divisional cup on Friday night and were back in action just two days later at this one, before another final on Tuesday night, they had won Friday's one so were looking for a second piece of silverware in forty eight hours!!! Grays were of course going for a league and cup double, who would get what they wanted in this one?

Well, after twenty minutes of the contest disaster struck for Grays when they literally handed Woodford the lead as a routine pass back from Reiss Hatwell to keeper Kevin Manuel saw the latter allow the ball to go under his foot and roll into the net for a very unfortunate own goal, not a moment he will want to remember in a hurry!!!

However, the unfortunate Hatwell was to find the net at the other end of the pitch seven minutes before the break when a ball in was allowed to find him at the back post, and after the ball bounced into his path he looped a header over keeper Callum McEvoy and into the net and see the sides go in level at the break.

Woodford though regained their lead just past the hour mark as the brilliant Tom Cottle-Wood persistence paid off down the left, disposing the ball from Hatwell on more than one occasion before firing a ball into the near post where Phorell Brooke, on as a second half substitute, converted first time in at the near post.

Grays though managed to find another leveller in the 89th minute to take the final to extra time when skipper Stephan Richard-Kingson applied a lovely first time finish from inside the box from a corner swung over from the left, meaning two already exhausted sides would have to go again for another thirty minutes in the warm temperatures in North Essex.

Grays started extra time the stronger and they got their noses in front eight minutes into it when Dhillon Sandhu-Nelson fired an effort into the bottom corner, and you felt maybe Woodford's Friday night endeavours were catching up with them now, however, not a bit of it, as in the 107th minute they levelled the contest up once again when Jacob Richards, another second half substitute, fired home a loose ball inside the box, and it meant penalties would be needed to decide this one.

Woodford stopper McEvoy, the skipper, was to be the hero in the shootout, saving the first two penalties from Grays, and with his side netting their first two, they had a big advantage, McEvoy almost stopped the third one too, but could only palm it into the corner, and although Woodford missed their third, McEvoy saved his third penalty in four meaning they had the chance to win it, and they duly converted meaning a 3-1 shoot out win and a second cup success in two days!!!

Full time Grays Athletic 3 Woodford Town 3 (aet; Woodford Town won 3-1 on penalties)

Congratulations to Woodford Town then, but commiserations to Grays who more than played their part in a wonderful final in very warm conditions, how would the second final of the day go, it had a lot to live up too that was for sure!!!

Essex Senior League Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy Final

Saffron Walden Town Vs Stanway Rovers

This was ninth against seventh in the league table, so both had finished in the top ten of the ESL for 2023/24, both had finished the season in pretty fine fettle too, and had a cup final to finish their seasons, for Stanway this was a second cup final of the month after they had thrashed now FA Vase winners Romford in the Errington Challenge Cup Final over at Heybridge Swifts earlier in May.

They were going for a cup double then, but they had a very physical and tough Walden to contend with, and also in front of a fine crowd of over 300 at Rosemary Lane in beautiful warm sunny conditions, who would come out on top in this one, it was a hard one to call although predictions amongst us slightly leaned towards a Stanway win as their form in the second half of the season had been tremendous.

Walden;s path to the final saw wins over Frenford, Athletic Newham, an away walkover win against FA Vase runners up Great Wakering Rovers and then a Semi Final win over Barking, whereas Stanway had seen off Little Oakley, Sporting Bengal United & Woodford Town, the same side they had seen off in the semi finals of the Errington Challenge Cup on route to winning that, a good omen perhaps?

The opening twenty five minutes saw the sides feeling each other out, but once Rovers went in front after twenty seven minutes, they never looked back, a long range effort from Tom Maycock was beaten away by Walden keeper Jarvis Monk, but into the path of Nat Mardell who applied the killer finish, and then ten minutes before the break Rovers doubled their lead.

Mardell, who was causing all kinds of issues for the Walden back line, ran onto a ball over the top of the defence to apply a finish across Monk and into the far corner, and three minutes before half time the contest was all but over when Mardell turned provider, teeing up Harry Thomas who fired home from inside the box, Rovers were now cruising.

They did give Walden a sniff of hope though deep into first half stoppage time when Stan Leech was bundled over inside the box for a penalty, which Olly Miles converted, and it meant Walden went into the break still two goals behind but with some hope of a comeback perhaps.

The opening exchanges of the second half were crucial then, although Walden's cause was not helped in the 55th minute when striker Leech was sin binned for ten minutes for something he said, and although his ten minute period off the pitch didn't cost them too much, they conceded again with twelve minutes remaining when a free kick swung in by Maycock found the head of centre half Joe Debell who found the net, and that really wad game set and match.

And Rovers really rubbed salt into the wounds of Walden by adding a fifth in the 85th minute after Freddie Cooper, who had literally just come on to replace skipper Reece Conway, was played in by the superb George Okoye to rifle home and put the icing on the cake for Rovers.

It was a very bad day at the office for Walden which was compounded in stoppage time when Jamie Riley was given a second yellow for committing a foul, it just about summed up their afternoon/evening in Halstead, and they were out out of their misery soon after when the whistle sounded.

Rovers were superb once again and had added the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy to their Errington Challenge Cup success, two pieces of silverware in one season, not bad eh!!!

Full time Saffron Walden Town 1 Stanway Rovers 5

A superb day then, twelve goals, superb hospitality and plenty of laughs and fun throughout the day, and well done to Woodford Town Reserves and Stanway Rovers on your success today!!!

Catholic United 3 Harold Wood Athletic 1 - Goals from Lucas Polyblank, Mike Clark & Harrison Phillips see Essex Bhoys come from behind to defeat Harold Wood Athletic & end their season on a high

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday 18th May

Mid May has been a gone and my football season is pretty much coming to a close for the 2023/24 season, and I was over at The Len Forge Centre for the final Essex Olympian Premier Division contest of the season as Catholic United hosted Harold Wood Athletic in a game that had nothing riding on it for either side as the most important placings in the division had already been sorted.

With nothing riding on this game though it meant two relaxed sides who could express themselves for one final time this season before they both take a few weeks off before pre season comes around again, so maybe this would equate to an entertaining contest?  Only time would tell.....

The hosts were looking to give their chairman 'Pav' a good send off as he announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season, and a win in his final game in that position would be a good way for him to bow out, and a good way for the club to end their tenure under him, they were confirmed to finish fourth in the standings whatever happened, the best of the rest in the division behind the top three, champions Rayleigh Town, runners up Old Southendian, and third placed Sungate, who were streets ahead of the rest this season.

Despite this it's been a solid season for the hosts, whereas for Harold Wood Athletic, back in the Premier after a season down in Division One, things have been much tougher this term, and they only really confirmed their status in the division recently after battling down in the bottom few positions pretty much all season, but they are guaranteed to finish at least eleventh and if they could avoid defeat in this one, would finish the season a place higher, knocking Leigh Ramblers down a spot in the process.

That would be a tough assignment though as Catholic United are finishing the season in pretty good form, their last league loss came back on 24th February when they lost narrowly at runners up Old Southendian, that's an eight game unbeaten run, with six of those wins, and on a three match winning streak which has yielded fourteen in those last three, the hosts were certainly going out with a bang this campaign.

They had conceded six in those three games too, that's two goals a game (nice and easy to work out, even for me!!!) so you felt Harold Wood Athletic would have chances to have an impact in this one too, but the visitors have had to play a lot more games in the same period of time, seven of those in three weeks before they had a week off leading up to this final one of the campaign, and it's certainly been a mixed run of results too.

Only one win, that was against bottom side Canning Town, three draws (against runners up Old Southendian, Old Chelmsfordians & Bishop's Stortford Swifts) and defeats to Canning Town, Shenfield AFC & Rayleigh Town, with goals aplenty on both sides, two of those draws were eight and six goal thrillers, so it has certainly been an entertaining three weeks for Wood, but they have survived so that was the main goal.

Goals then were probably likely in this contest (I hope I haven't jinxed it!!!) although with the score line remaining goalless heading into the latter stages of the first half I did start to wonder if I had, both sides had chances before that, Wood striking the bar early on before the hosts saw a wonderful save from the visiting keeper deny them just before the half hour mark.

Just before the break though the visitors edged ahead as a wonderful through ball released Billy Reed in on goal, and he duly rounded hosts keeper Owen Wells before slotting into the net, and it meant Wood had a slender half time lead. At least we had a goal though so that was a relief!!!

Could the hosts fightback? Well just past the hour mark they found a leveller when a wonderful pass from Mike Clark from his own half sent Lucas Polyblank through on goal, and the latter sent a an effort across the keeper and into the far corner, Wood then tried to respond to that leveller and looked a threat to go back in front, but their keeper was also keeping them in the contest when making another smart stop, but with eleven minutes remaining the visitors were to give away a silly penalty when the defender trod on the attacker's heal as he was going away from goal, it was a daft challenge.

Clark, who assisted the first goal, stepped up to put Catholic ahead for the first time in this one, and in doing so netted his 49th goal of the campaign, meaning he had around fifteen minutes to try and make it to fifty goals for the season, and he so nearly got it too.

The game was barely a minute into stoppage time at the end of the game when a ball in found Clark inside the penalty area and his header seemed destined for the net until the Wood keeper made yet another superb save, but sadly for him none of his defenders reacted quick enough as Harrison Phillips was first to the loose ball to fire home the rebound and seal the points for the home side.

A good end to the season then for the hosts who can now rest up in the summer and go again in a couple of months or so and make a better fist of it next season although a fourth placed finish and being the best of the rest is something to be happy about although I am sure they will want more than that.

For Harold Wood it is a losing end to the season although they will be playing Premier Division football next season once again, so that is a big positive after a tough season down in those lower places of the league, no doubt they will be back next season looking to try and improve and have a better season next time around in what is always a tough competitive league.

Full time Catholic United 3 Harold Wood Athletic 1

Manchester United 4 Tottenham Hotspur 0 - An Ella Toone cracker, a Rachel Williams header & a brace from POTM Lucia Garcia hand United comfortable win over Spurs to see them win their first ever Womens FA Cup

Adobe Women's FA Cup Final, Sunday 12th May

I was back at Wembley for the second day running, this time to see the showpiece finale in the Adobe Women's FA Cup between to WSL sides in the shape of Man United & Spurs, this was United's second successive final, they lost last years one to Chelsea in what was a poor game, so they were hoping they could have a change of fortunes against an improving Spurs outfit who had certainly had a much better season this time around.

United were not having as good a season as last time around despite reaching this final once again, last season's runners up finish is a distant memory this season as they find themselves down in fifth spot and outside the top three by twelve points, very disappointing for such a big club with a terrific squad of players to choose from, and with just one round of matches to come, today was the only chance to salvage a season that has been largely disappointing as said.

And for Spurs it's been a total opposite in terms of how their season has gone comparted to last, they were in a relegation battle last term but this season they are only one place behind today's opponents in the table in sixth, ok they are seven points behind the top five, but this plus a cup final appearance is certainly something to be proud of, and if they could get a win today and end the season with some silverware, wow what a season that would be under the stewardship of Robert Vilahamn who has transformed this side in his first season in charge.

Now how did these two get to this final then, remember the competition began way back on Sunday 10th September when 208 sides did battle in the First Qualifying Round, but of course the WSL sides didn't enter the competition till the Fourth Round Proper in mid January, six rounds later, Man Utd saw off Newcastle United 5-0 at home before netting a 3-1 win at Southampton.

A 4-0 Quarter Final win at Brighton & Hove Albion then followed before a semi final win over Chelsea saw them into today's final, Spurs themselves squeezed past Sheffield United 3-2 at home before another narrow home win, 1-0 over Charlton Athletic saw them get into the quarter finals, another home tie, against giants Manchester City.

And after a 1-1 draw after extra time, Spurs dumped their much fancied opponents out on penalties to progress to a semi final tie against Leicester City, which they edged by a 2-1 score line after extra time to reach Wembley and a date with United and a chance to win the FA Cup.  

How would this one go then? The teams were greeted by a superb crowd of 76,082 at Wembley in what was a superb atmosphere, and it was United who looked more at home in this final, with Leah Galton testing Spurs keeper Rebecca Spencer with a close range effort early on.

Katie Zelem was proving dangerous from set pieces, and her deliveries gave both Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia chances to open the scoring, Spurs best chance of the half came on the counter as they had to soak up a lot of pressure, Ashleigh Neville finding Matilda Vinberg at the back post, but the winger could not keep her header down.

United though were the ones most likely to be looking to break the deadlock, Ella Toone got a shot away following a break, whilst another corner was kept out after a superb block by Martha Thomas, and it seemed the sides would go into the break with no goals on the board.

But, enter Toone, who produced a moment of brilliance to give United the lead in first half stoppage time, Lisa Naalsund began the breakaway from United before Toone got the ball about twenty five yards out, sat a defender down on the floor before curling a beauty into the top corner giving Spencer no chance whatsoever.

It was a brilliant goal, and the many replays afterwards and at half time saw gasps of wonder at how brilliant it was, it was certainly a deserved lead, and Spurs knew they would have to improve and keep United at bay if they were to have any chance of getting back into this contest.

It wasn't to be though as United tool total control after the break, in the 54th minute Zelem's set piece into the box found this season's FA Cup top scorer Williams who duly nodded a header back across goal and into the far corner, and then came a moment to forget for the Spurs keeper as after receiving a back pass, she miskicked the ball across goal and straight to Garcia who had the simplest of tasks to fire the ball into the net, oh dear, it was an awful moment for Spencer and one that pretty much ended this contest.

Spurs did have a golden chance to pull a goal back midway through the second period when Bethany England thumped a close range header against the bar, but it probably would not have made much difference to the outcome as United were far superior by now, and they added a fourth goal soon after when Naalsund found Garcia inside the box and the latter fired home for her brace and put the icing on the cake.

England did have a chance to grab at least one goal for Spurs late on but saw her effort blocked by Mannion, and United closed out a dominant performance with a clean sheet to boot, it had been a comprehensive display from the Reds and they had banished last years memories to record their first FA Cup success.

A humbling experience for Spurs, but they can look back on this season with pride after what they had to go through last season, and Man Utd can at least be happy with the way the season has ended with some silverware, will that be enough for under fire coach Marc Skinner, who knows, but this will surely ease the pressure for now.

Full time Manchester United 4 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Non League Finals Day 2024 - Hassan Nalbant brace hands Romford FA Vase honours in all Essex Senior Final against Great Wakering Rovers, Solihull Moors suffer Wembley shootout heartbreak for second time in six days as Gateshead take FA Trophy

(Great Wakering Rovers form a guard of honour for FA Vase winners Romford, which was in my view the moment of the day at Wembley)

Non League Finals Day 2024, Saturday 11th May

So, another Non League Finals Day had arrived at Wembley on a warm sunny day in North London, but this one for me and a few others was a special one and more special than any other, the reason, well the first game of the day and the Isuzu FA Vase final contest between two Essex Senior League sides in Great Wakering Rovers & Romford.

Ever since the two sides had won dramatic penalty shootouts to win their semi finals, the excitement, and disbelief had been building, it had been forty years since a side from the division had reached the final, Stansted going on to win it in 1984, so for two sides to be playing it out this season was remarkable, and only the fifth time in Vase history that two sides from the same division had done so, amazing!!!

The other game to take place after the Vase final was the Isuzu FA Trophy final to be played out between Gateshead & Solihull Moors, both who finished in the Vanarama National League playoffs, although as is well documented now the former were not allowed to take part in these and this also affected Solihull Moors too in terms of how many games they were eventually to play in that post season competition.

Moors did reach the final of that, losing out to Bromley here at Wembley six days ago on the dreaded penalties, so they were at least looking to end their season with some silverware, as were Gateshead of course who could at least soften the blow of not being able to take part in the playoffs by winning this Trophy and ending their season on a high.

Anyway, it's time to concentrate on the first game, the small matter of an all Essex Senior League contest and the FA Vase final:-

Isuzu FA Vase Final 2024

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Romford

It was a surreal experience watching GWR & Romford fans heading to Wembley and then heading up Wembley way for the FA Vase final I can tell you, having covered these sides and the league for years, to see two of these sides at Wembley was truly amazing, but now the day had arrived I often found myself shaking my head in disbelief, but as you cans see from some photos below, it was official!!!

Seeing Great Wakering Rovers Vs Romford on the signs outside and inside Wembley was surreal too, this was actually happening folks!!! The league and GWR had kindly sourced me a Bobby Moore Lounge ticket for the day so I will be forever grateful for that, so thank you, and going out into the stadium to take in the pre match music and atmosphere and seeing the teams warm up was just another one of those 'is this really happening' moments, and then the teamsheets arrived too, and two familar sides appeared under the 'FA Vase Final' banner, at Wembley, another shake of the head and another wow moment.

Anyway, 12:15 was rapidly approaching meaning the time was almost here, to see the two sides walk out into this famous home of football, and below was that moment, again quite an emotional moment and a another pinch yourself moment too.

What a moment, but there was a football match to be played, and to be played in searing heat as well, to say I was feeling uncomfortable sitting in the baking sun during the first half was an understatement, thank goodness I had sprayed on Factor 50 sun spray before leaving home earlier that day, it was very much needed, imagine how hot it would be for the players competing, would it be a factor or not?

Romford certainly settled the better for sure, and it was they who had the better chances of the opening half, Luis Shamshoum had to make a smart save to deny Finlay Dorrell, and then Pinto saw a shot deflected across goal and just wide of the far post as GWR were living dangerously, Charlie Morris then had a shot which flew off target, and then came a water break which was certainly needed for both the players and us watching too!!! It was thirsty work.

Dorrell then had another chance after getting in behind but could only send his effort wide, Jake Gordon then had GWRs first effort at goal but flew wide, Kris Newby then sent an effort over for Boro before a Harry Talbot effort deflected wide for a corner and then Callum Boylan dragged one harmlessly wide of the Boro goal just before the break, but you felt Romford had definitely had the better of the contest as the players headed into the locker room goalless and with still everything to play for. 

Into the second half then and after diving for the Lounge to try and cool off and get a massive plastic glass of water and ice, I relocated to some shade in the upper reaches of the seats in the Bobby Moore section, anticipating what might come in the second half of this final, well the match was to be decided in the early stages of the half as Romford took a firm grip on proceedings.

After Shamshoum had denied Dorrell once again, Romford broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half when an error allowed Hassan Nalbant to be played in, and the Boro forward made no mistake in cooly finishing past Shamshoum and handing Boro the advatnage, an advantage that was to increase just two minutes later as after Shamshoum had saved, the rebound fell to Sam Deering who made no mistake in finding the net, and Boro were now in dreamland.

Rovers had it all to do and a mountain to climb if they were to get back into this tie, Gordon saw a shot blocked, before a Ben Search cross was headed at goal by Harrison Topliss, but it was straight at Boro keeper Jake Anderson who had very little to do all day if truth be told, and after another water break, Tony Martin saw an effort go wide.

Boro had been comfortable though throughout the whole game, Rovers had just not been at it and as the minutes ticked away towards stoppage time, you could feel that Romford knew they were close, and four minutes into seven added on minutes Nalbant raced clear to apply another cool finish to seal the contest and FA Vase glory for Boro.

Full time Great Wakering Rovers 0 Romford 3

A great occasion then, and one which saw Romford get the better of their fellow ESL opponents, and it was time for the presentations to begin

Rovers went up first and were roundly applauded by all, as you would expect, they had played their part in an amazing FA Vase campaign and to reach the final is an achievement in itself, and then it was time for Romford to go and claim that lovely FA Vase, and then came the moment of the day, Rovers giving the Boro players a guard of honour, a truly class gesture and showed the respect between the two sides, Romford then walked up those famous steps to claim the Vase, Romford, Isuzu FA Vase winners for 2024, well played!!!

It was a truly amazing day for both clubs and the league itself, I for one was very very proud and at times overwhelmed with it all, it's a day I will never ever forget, that's for sure.

And you know what made it even more memorable, take a look below...

Yes, Adam (my co host on the Grassroots Football Show and a good friend too) got to hold the FA Vase afterwards in the lounge when Romford brought it in there to share their success with their loved ones and supporters, it just topped off what had been a superb day, wow.

Anyway, there was another game to enjoy on the day, it was the Isuzu FA Trophy contest between fellow Vanarama National League sides Gateshead & Solihull Moors, at least I could sit back and relax for this one!!!

Isuzu FA Trophy Final

Gateshead Vs Solihull Moors

It was Heed who had the first moment of the game early on when Hannant flashed an effort across the Moors goal but no Heed player was able to gamble on it, Heed then saw Moors defender Whitmore produce a big block to deny Heed an effort on goal, Whitmore then had a chance at the other end but could only send his effort over, before Francis was then denied from close range by Moors player Jay Benn.

Olley then had probably the games best chance thus far when he somehow flashed an effort wide of the Moors goal late on in the first half, but in first half stoppage time Heed managed to get ahead and lead at the break when lovely work from Brown saw him cross for Booty to apply the finshing touch from close range and hand a slender advantage to the North East side at the half.

Could Moors fight back, well they should have levelled two minutes into the second period when Shade's cross was not met fully by Beck before Heed cleared, before Clark's effort was saved by Montgomery from the resulting corner, and then Montgomery produced another good save to deny Boateng from close range and keep Heed ahead.

Heed then had a chance to double their lead after a mistake at the back, but Moors managed to recover, but then with eighteen minutes to go Moors found that leveller to tie this one up when Beck headed home, and then Moors should have gone in front when Sbarra was clean through, but he could only send his effort wide!!!

Heed were then screaming for a penalty late on but it fell on deaf ears, and then Osbourne went close for Moors in stoppage time, but with no one finding a winner, the game was to enter another half an hours action.

It was to be quite an entertaining extra time period too, in the 100th minute Moors were awarded a penalty which Beck tucked away for his second of the contest, but in the 111th minute Heed drew level when Brown volleyed home from close range, and it meant that the FA Trophy Final would go to penalties.

This was deja vu for Moors who saw last Sunday's Promotion Final end 2-2 after extra time and go to penalties, they were up first and saw Warburton score and then see Heed fail to score their first one, early advantage Moors then, well not for long, as Shade missed his kick before Dinanga converted for Heed, 1-1 after two each.

Clark was then denied but Francis was then denied by Moors keeper Hayes, Beck then netted for Moors before Olley then netted for Heed meaning 2-2 after four penalties each, you still with me? Newton, Storey, Mafuta and then another Heed penalty were converted to leave it 4-4 and sudden death, both sets of players and fans nerves were shredded by now, where was this one going?

Labadie then missed for Moors meaning Heed had the chance to win it, but Hayes managed to save that, Whitmore then missed for Moors meaning match point two for Heed, and Brown, who netted the leveller to take it to spot kicks, scored his penalty and Gateshead had won the Isuzu FA Trophy for 2024, hard on Moors who suffered a second successive shootout loss at Wembley in six days. 

Full time Gateshead 2 Solihull Moors 2 (aet, Gateshead won 5-4 on penalties)

So, a dramatic end to a fabulous day, but what a day, lots of memories made and I hope this blog does the day justice, it meant a lot to me and am sure it meant a lot to others too, well done to Romford and Gateshead on their victories, and commiserations to Great Wakering Rovers and Solihull Moors, but all four sides played a huge part in a very memorable day!!! Thank you!!!