Essex Senior League, Saturday August 17th
The third weekend in August saw just two Essex Senior League games take place due to nine of the leagues sides being in Emirates FA Cup action, more on how those cup ties went later, but the two league fixtures already had some importance to them even though these were on the fourth league outings for the four sides involved.
That is because the four sides all sat in the bottom six of the division after having slow starts, FC Clacton hosted Stansted with the hosts yet to grab a point or score a goal against an Airportmen side who were not exactly flying themselves having only picked up one point from their three games so far, more on that contest later as well, but I was at the other league fixture taking place as Sawbridgeworth Town hosted Buckhurst Hill at Crofters.
Sawbo, like FC Clacton, had not picked up a single point in three games and had also failed to net in any of those contests, Hill, like Stansted, only had one point to show for their troubles so far as well so both these games seemed to have a degree of importance to them, could either side grab a first win of the campaign to give them a kick start and a boost.
An early goal would have certainly helped either side in this one, for the hosts a goal in general would have been lovely to get themselves off and running in that department for this season, although Hill had only netted once in their last three in all comps with all three ending in defeats, they flashed a decent ball across goal early on but midway through the first period a moment of brilliance, or not, handed them the advantage.
Archie Hammond looked to have been fouled on the edge of box out on the right hand side, but play continued and with players seemingly waiting for a whistle, play continued and Tyreece Robertson was on hand to swing a left footed effort into the box, over keeper William Kiers, and into the far corner of the net, it was a brilliant goal, but whether he meant it or not only he knows, but it certainly stunned all at Crofters and the hosts found themselves behind once again.
Sawbo did respond positively though but had no end product when they did get themselves into decent positions, they forced a blinding close range save from visiting keeper Finn Rushton with the last kick of the half although it would not have counted as the flag had gone up, but they had least showed they were well in this contest, a very even and well contested one with the sides separated by that Robertson strike.
However, less than a minute into the second half and with the half time team talks still ringing in the ears of the players, Hill caught Sawbo cold and doubled their lead, as a ball in from the left saw Robertson and a defender go for the ball and whether it came the defender or was touched home by Robertson who knows, but the ball ended up in the far corner, I gave it to the forward as I would rather do that than give an own goal, so the Hill attacker had a brace and the visitors had a two goal cushion.
It was a disaster for the hosts, conceding so quickly after the break, and they almost gifted Hill a third goal and Robertson a hat-trick, the attacker pouncing on an error at the back to go clean through on goal, but keeper Kiers saved his sides bacon by saving the effort, keeping the scoreline at just 0-2, had it gone three nil then it would have pretty much been game over.
Sawbo again huffed and puffed and battled gamely, but once again they were found wanting when they did get into some decent attacking areas, you can see why they are yet to trouble the scorers this season, they desperately need someone to find the net as right now they just do not have that cutting edge whatsoever, and to be honest they rarely tested Hill keeper Rushton despite getting into some decent positions.
The hosts cause to try and get back into the game wasn't helped as with around 82 minutes on the clock Shane Bambridge talked himself into a sin bin for pretty much the rest of the game meaning the hosts would have to play almost the remaining ten or so minutes with ten men, not ideal, and they were unable to find a way through meaning another game that ended in defeat without scoring.
It certainly wasn't vintage Hill by any means, but they did what they needed to do and grabbed that all important first win of the season as well as a first clean sheet to boot, Robertson was the difference for them for sure, he was excellent throughout, and it proved enough for them to earn the W.
Sawbo did play some nice stuff at times, but were caught out twice and also failed to capitalise on any openings that did come their way, they are a side that are certainly lacking confidence in that part of the field, it's an issue they need to solve quickly if they are to have any chance of improving their position going forward.
Full time Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Buckhurst Hill 2
So, a good win for Buckhurst Hill, could either of FC Clacton or Stansted pick up their first win of the season in their game at Rush Green Bowl on the Essex Coast.....
FC Clacton 1 Stansted 1 (Att: 67)
The hosts finally got themselves on the scoresheet this season when they saw Nkosinathi Mwanza hand them a 41st minute lead, but they were unable to hold on and saw The Airportmen level midway through the second period through Corey Davidson meaning both sides ended up sharing a point a piece, so at least the hosts now do have a point on the board, whereas Stansted picked up their second one of the campaign.
Let's have a look at the table after today's two league fixtures.....
Today's results mean that Sawbo are now the only team in the division without a point or goal, Buckhurst Hill's first three points of the season lifts them up two places to 14th, Stansted move up a place to 17th and FC Clacton remain where they started the day, 19th.
Right, as said earlier, nine ESL sides were in FA Cup action as they did battle in the Preliminary Round of the competition, here is a look at how they got on.....
Benfleet 1 Haringey Borough 5 (Att: 322)
Another bumper crowd were in attendance at Woodside to see if Benfleet could cause a big surprise against Haringey Borough, but the visitors proved far too strong, Georgios Aresti, Derek Asamoah, Richard Ennin, Jorge Djassi-Sambu & Manny Yeboah netted for the visitors, Benfleet netted in stoppage time through Taylor Lawrence but the hosts debut FA Cup campaign comes to an end.
Brightlingsea Regent 4 Romford 0 (Att: 190)
Romford are out after they were thrashed at North Road, Jake Clownsley, Louie Kudiabor, Jayden Robinson & Ewan Gordon-Clement all netting for the hosts.
Lancing 2 Athletic Newham 4 (Att: 235)
Athletic Newham's incredible start to the season continued after they blew their opponents away inside the opening half hour at Culver Road. Lancing actually did take the lead after eleven minutes through Harry Scott Docherty, but Newham then went into overdrive after goals from Alex Kozak, Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro, Jaime Obama Nvumba & Abubakar Sadiq Mohammad in a devastating ten minute spell three minutes after going behind saw them 4-1 up inside twenty five minutes. Docherty did pull one back ten minutes before the break from the penalty spot, but after the Lancing saw Harrison Parker sent off just past the hour mark, there race was run, and Newham sailed through to the 1st Qualifying Round.
Little Oakley 1 Berkhamsted 4 (Att: 86)
Oakley's race is run in the FA Cup for this season after they were well beaten at home by Berkhamsted, a first half brace from Matthew Bateman was added to by a brace from Jonathan Lacey to hand the visitors a four goal cushion, Darren Mills did grab a consolation for the hosts late on but it was too little to late for them as the visitors cruised through.
Redbridge 0 Barking 1 (Att: 133)
Barking are into the 1st Qualifying Round after Juwon Akintunde's 39th minute goal was enough to send them through against Redbridge who ended the game with ten men after Wyan Reid was sent off late on in the contest.
Stotfold 1 Takeley 0 (Att: 151)
A Joe Sellers West goal ten minutes into the second period saw Takeley exit this years competition at The JSJ Stadium against Stotfold.
Tilbury 3 Stanway Rovers 1 (Att: 204)
Stanway Rovers are out after a Lewis Manor double and a further strike from Sam Carter handed Tilbury the win at Chadfield's, George Okoye had given Rovers a tenth minute lead but it wasn't to last and they exit the cup as a result.
Walthamstow 3 Saffron Walden Town 2 (Att: 229)
Walden are out of this years competition after they succumbed to Stow at Wadham Lodge, Brian Moses-Songolo & Kymani Thomas both netted as Stow opened up a 2-0 half time lead, Roman Campbell pulled one back early in the second half but Moses-Songolo netted again to restore the two goal cushion, and despite Lee Hursit's late goal reducing the arrears, it wasn't enough to prevent The Bloods from exiting the cup.
White Ensign 1 Brantham Athletic 3 (Att: 68)
Ensign could not build on their encouraging start to the season with more FA Cup magic as they succumbed to Brantham Athletic at Burroughs Park. Billy Bonham-Dare did give the hosts a 16th minute lead, but the visitors fought back with two goals from James Lee either side of half time and a late third from Jack Marshall to seal their place in the next round.
Not a good day for the ESL sides in the Emirates FA Cup then, only Athletic Newham & Barking made it through and are the only representatives of the league in the First Qualifying Round draw that takes place on Monday, well done to those two for advancing!!!
That's it for the edition of my blog, thanks for reading and until next time, cheerio!!!
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