Athletic Newham 2 Buckhurst Hill 3 - Suley Zuhdu nets 97th minute winner as Buckhurst Hill snatch all three points in their Essex Senior League contest at Parsloes Park against Athletic Newham

Essex Senior League, Saturday September 14th

Mid September and the second weekend of the month saw me over at Parsloes Park for the second time this season and two more sides doing battle on the main pitch at the state of the art facility in Dagenham, and it saw Athletic Newham host Buckhurst Hill in an Essex Senior League contest.

This was one of five matches taking place in the division today, and their was also an Emirates FA Cup tie involving one of league sides, more on that and the other four league games later in a brief round up of the action, but the main focus was on the game I was attending, it had large significance for the hosts as this was their first home game at their now new home after finally leaving The Terrence McMillan Stadium behind.

They join the likes of May & Baker and several Essex Alliance League sides to call this 'home', it's certainly a magnificent hub for the community and with plenty of sides using it for their games, football is always on at the venue, which is also good for the locals who can go and either watch these sides and support them, or when those sides are not playing can participate themselves in various programmes there for sure, so a very useful facility indeed.

Newham's first game there competitively saw them welcome Buckhurst Hill, Newham were sitting in sixth coming into this one and only outside the play off places by a point, and they did have two games in hand as well, athough they did see their unbeaten league start end at Great Wakering Rovers in midweek when they were defeated 3-1, that off the back of their first defeat in all comps against Amersham Town in the FA Cup, although sandwiched in between those two defeats was a 2-1 win at Frenford.

Opponents Hill sat down in 16th place in the division having lost four of their seven games so far, although in the two games I'd seen of them so far this season, a 2-0 win at Saebridgeworth Town (their only league win so far this season) and a 2-2 draw at White Ensign (they conceded a 98th leveller in that one) suggested to me they were probably better than that 16th place suggested.

They had also defeated Cockfosters 3-1 in the Vase too this season, although they came into this contest off the back of a 1-0 loss at Hullbridge Sports, a side Newham had dismantled 6-1 at the same ground last month, but it would be interesting to see how Newham's attacking prowess would match up against a tough and well drilled Hill side who themselves had plenty of weapons to hurt their opponents.

And it was the visitors who drew first blood in this one, just before the half hour mark saw a ball towards the back post hit the arm of a defender which was punished with the award of a penalty to the visitors, much to the dismay of the hosts, George Thompson duly then stepped up to convert the spot kick and Hill had the advantage, although it was an advantage that was only to last nine minutes.

This was because a lovely long ball from George Rankin split the visiting defence and allowed goal machine Jaime Obama Nvumba to run onto the pass and loft a lovely effort over Muhammed Otuyo in the visitors goal and find the net for what was his ninth goal already this campaign, it also meant the sides went into the break all square.

Hill though were to regain the lead early in the second period as when 55 minutes on the clock a ball fired into the area straight at Tyreece Robertson saw the attacker control a cushioned pass back into the path of Thompson who rifled a lovely powerful effort beyond home keeper Lindrit Beqiri and into the roof of the net, meaning the hosts would have to come from behind once again to try and grab something from the contest.

This hosts certainly tried all they could to get back to parity thereafter, and with ten minutes remaining they made their pressure tell when finding a leveller, as after a handball on the edge of the box, Alex Kozak smashed home an unstoppable free kick to set up a grandstand finish to what had been a brilliant entertaining contest it has to be said.

Momentum was with the hosts you felt, and most of us thought their would be only one winner, but football continues to throw up surprises doesn't it, and in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Oliseh Okuguni played a lovely through ball to substitute Suley Zuhdu who made no mistake by slotting beyond Begiri into the far corner and send his side wild with delight, they had soaked up a lot of pressure in this one, especially second half, but they had dug in and then snatched a point right at the end, leaving them very happy indeed.

It was utter despair though for the hosts who will be scratching their heads on how they lost this one, but it's a second league defeat in three now, whereas it's a superb battling win for Buckhurst Hill who now have two wins in the league this season, oh and I have seen both those wins too, just saying.....

Full time Athletic Newham 2 Buckhurst Hill 3   

Right, to the day's other action, starting with Barking's Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round contest at Gorleston:-

Gorleston 2 Barking 2

It was another tough away trip for The Blues in this years FA Cup as they travelled to Great Yarmouth to take on Isthmian North Gorleston who had started the season well, but Barking had dispatched Redbridge who are in the same division as Gorleston and have had a similar start too, so the visitors were certainly not lacking confidence in another upset. Well, at half time it looked as if Barking were nailed on to cause another one as an eleventh minute goal from Marcel McDonald and a further strike from Abuntunde Olawajuwon just past the half hour mark saw The Blues two goals to the good at the break, but Harley Black then pulled one back early in the second half and then Adam Tann netted a leveller with eleven minutes to go to force a replay at Mayesbrook Park next week, still in the hat though for Monday's draw despite the disappointment of losing such a commanding lead. 

Onto the other four Essex Senior League games that took place today, here is how they panned out:-

Benfleet 3 Halstead Town 2

ESL newboys Benfleet have had a mixed start to life at this level having won three and lost three so far this season, meaning they sat in a still decent eighth spot, and they were up against a Halstead Town side who up until last weekend were winless and bottom of the pile, that was until they netted a late late winner against Stansted last time out. And it was the visitors who drew first blood in this one, netting through Asa Cansdale after thirteen minutes, but the hosts roared back and levelled through Billy Carter in the 25th minute, and then took the lead four minutes into the second period thanks to Max Jobson. Aaron Russell then added another for the hosts with just 53 minutes in the clock, and although Cansdale pulled one back for The Humbugs in stoppage time, it was not enough to deny the hosts a fourth win of the season. 

Hullbridge Sports 0 Stanway Rovers 3

It was seventh placed Bridge against third placed Rovers at Lower Road, Bridge came into this one off the back of a very welcome win over Buckhurst Hill, this after a run of three without a win, visitors Rovers had recovered from their opening day loss to be unbeaten since then in the league. Reece Conway gave the visitors the lead just before the half hour mark and they took total control after the break when Joe Debell netted early in the second period, and when Debell netted again just past the hour mark, the match was as good as done. The result sees Rovers go top of the division too. 

Stansted 5 FC Clacton 1

This was an important game down at the bottom of the division, these sides have just one combined win between them so far this season, Stansted's 3-1 win at Benfleet, the hosts did manage to earn a point last time out whereas bottom side FC Clacton have just two points from eight games and have lost the last three in a row without scoring. Well, it was to start well for the struggling visitors when they grabbed a sixth minute lead through Emmanuel Ikwuegbu, but sadly for the visiting side that was as good as it got, Psaul Henry brought the hosts level midway through the first half before John Clarke gave Stansted the lead just before the break. George O'Connor then extended that lead just past the hour mark before Correy Davidson added a fourth goal a minute later, and the scoring was completed with seven minutes to go when David Limber got himself on the scoresheet to cap a brilliant day for The Air portmen and a heap more misery on the visitors who have now suffered four defeats in a row and seventh of the season.     

Takeley 1 West Essex 0

Despite Takeley's 11th placed position in the league, many have tipped them to be dark horses for the playoff places, they have only lost one of their five league games so far and come into this one off the back of a very creditable draw at Saffron Walden Town, West themselves are only two points below their opponents, but have suffered back to back defeats coming into this contest. Just the one goal was enough to settle this one too, it came after just nine minutes to, Lanre Balogun netting for the home side as they took all the points at Station Road, their third of the campaign.        

How does the table look after today's games, let's find out:-

Stanway Rovers hit the summit, they lost their first game of the season but since then have gone in a good run, Benfleet's fourth win of the season sees them into the play off places, closely followed by Takeley who have only lost once so far this campaign, Woodford, who were not in action today, are now the only unbeaten side left in the division.

Stansted & Buckhurst Hill put more daylight between themselves and the teams down at the bottom after they both netted second wins of the campaign, the only side not to have won this season are FC Clacton, who remain glued to the foot of the table after another tough day at the office today.

That concludes today's blog, it's been another decent day in the ESL, thanks for reading and until next time, take care and goodbye!!!

Sporting Bengal United 1 Basildon United 4 - Substitute Nidal Berri nets brace as Basildon United continue 100% start to Isthmian North campaign with victory over Sporting Bengal United at Mile End Stadium

Isthmian Division One North, Wednesday September 11th

I popped over to Mile End for my latest venture to see two sides who had began the season well, Sporting Bengal United were embarking on their first ever season at this level after back to back promotions from Step Six, and they were up against a Basildon United outfit who had won all three of their league games thus far.

The hosts themselves had a 100% record at home after winning both their games so far this season at Mile End, so something had to give this evening, who would prevail and keep their records going, assuming it didn't end a draw of course!!!

A lively first period ensued, Basildon having the better chances, the best one falling to Ruben Bartlett-Antwi who someone fired an effort from point blank range at hosts keeper Sidi Haidara who made a brilliant stop to thwart the striker, the hosts best opening saw the lively and dangerous Tanel Ayvaz drill a decent ball across the six yard box but no one was able to get on the end of it.

It meant a goalless first period, but the Bees got their noses in front nine minutes after the break when a brilliant run down the left by Darren Esuka saw him square a pass into the box for Karl Kayembe to run onto and side foot home beyond Haidara in the hosts goal, however, Sporting managed to respond to going behind when with just under twenty minutes to go, a square ball across goal was tapped home by Kevin Krans.

Parity though did not last long as Basildon quickly regained the lead, Nidal Berri had only been on the pitch two minutes when he managed to convert from inside the box in the 73rd minute, and then seven minutes after that the visitors extended their advantage when a flick on found Bartlett-Antwi, and after seeing two previous chances from point blank range saved by Haidara earlier in the game, he managed to round the keeper this time and slot into the net.

Sporting then laid siege to the visitors goal for the next ten minutes or so as they looked for a route back into the contest, but they just could not find that second goal that would have made the final few minutes interesting, a scrum inside the six yard box somehow saw the visitors keep the hosts out, and then another effort was deflected onto the bar as Basildon did all they could to remain two goals ahead.

The counter was always a danger for the hosts, and two minutes into stoppage time they were caught on one such counter as the superb Esuka again did excellently down the left, and he squared to Berri who eventually managed to slot past am exposed Haidara and seal the points for the visiting side, much to the joy of the travelling contingent who had come to Mile End for the evening.

Hard on the hosts who more than competed in this physical battle, they certainly made the visitors work hard for the win, but it means their 100% home record ends here and it's now two wins and three defeats in their five league matches thus far, for Basildon it's now four wins from four in the division as they go top of a very early league table, exciting times indeed for the Bees who take on second placed Bury Town at the weekend, oooooh.....

Full time Sporting Bengal United 1 Basildon United 4

   

England 2 Finland 0 - Skipper Harry Kane celebrates his 100th cap by netting brace as England defeat Finland at Wembley in their UEFA Nations League contest

UEFA Nations League - League B - Group 2, Tuesday September 10th

I was offered a free ticket for England's first home game after their runners up at the Euros, and also the first one of their latest Nations League campaign, so I said why not and so made my way up Wembley Way for the umpteenth time for England's match against Finland.

Me and 70,000 others were interested to see how interim boss Lee Carsley's first match at the home of football would go, and how they would build on a decent 2-0 in Dublin at the weekend against Republic Of Ireland, Carsley's first game in charge, and the first outing for England since that heart-breaking defeat to Spain in Germany. 

They were expected to beat a Finland side who had lost their opener in this Group against Greece by a scoreline of 3-0 in Athens, Greece are probably England's main threat in this section, and the two clash at Wembley next month in the next round of fixtures, but that is for then, for now Finland were England's target, although Finland would no doubt make it tough for their opponents.

It was a special night at Wembley too, as skipper Harry Kane was earning his 100th cap for his country, and only the tenth person to do so for the Three Lions, so a great achievement for the new Bayern Munch forward, and he was presented a gold cap prior to the anthems and was duly given a warm reception by everyone inside the stadium.

There was also a special tribute paid to ex England boss Sven Goran Eriksson who passed away recently due to cancer, and again everyone stood to applaud the great man who won forty of his games in charge of this country, which was around two thirds of them, and he gave us all hope once again when he did take charge after a period where we were not given much hope.

Ironically his first match in charge was a 2-1 win over Finland in the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup, so it seemed fitting that England's first match at home since his passing was against the same country, obviously we then went onto thrash Germany Munich in one of his most famous victories, he was a great coach and manager but more importantly a great man too, rest in peace Sven, you will never be forgotten.

There was a game to come though, and the first period saw England dominate possession but were unable to turn that into anything meaningful, Kane thought he had given the hosts the lead but saw his powerful close range header ruled out for offside, it was the only thing that was getting past Finnish keeper Lukas Hradecky, who was saving anything that was coming his way, making two excellent stops from Kane.

Finland's breaks forward were brief, but they did almost punish England on one occasion but saw an effort go just wide of the post, but this was brief as the visitors defended stoutly for the majority of the first half and made it very hard for England to find anyway past them, and they would have been more than happy with how the contest was going when it reached half time.

The second half saw England step it up a bit and Finland struggled to live with them if truth be told, and it it hadn't been for Hradecky, the score line would have been more,  and at this point England would have already been in front before they did actually find a breakthrough against a very stubborn Finnish side.

That breakthrough finally came midway through the second half, and it was who else but Kane, who after receiving a clever pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold before unleashing a thunderbolt of a strike from outside of the box which flew past Hradecky and in off the crossbar, it was a superb strike and it was only going to be something like this that would beat the Finnish keeper this evening, 67 goals and counting now for his country, Kane's record speaks for itself really.

England were now pouring forward and looking to score another to make it even more comfortable, substitutes were made, one of them being a debut for Noni Madueke, and he was to grab an assist soon after, a lovely pass from Alexander-Arnold sent the Chelsea player in down the right, and his lovely outside of the boot first time pass across the box found Kane who fired a lovely shot beyond Hradecky into the far corner, devastating from England and the match was now safe with around fifteen minutes to go. 

Another decent showing from the Three Lions then, especially second half where they really found their mojo at times, it's two wins from two now in this nations league and two wins from two for the interim boss, Finland on the other hand have zero points from two games and no goals scored, not the ideal start to their nations league campaign.

Full time England 2 Finland 0

Rayleigh Town 2 Dunmow Town 0 - Goals from Pat Mills & Owen Barratt enough for hosts to earn all three points and maintain one point lead at summit of Thurlow Nunn South

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday September 7th

It was about time I gave the Thurlow Nunn South some love on a Saturday so me and my good mate Scott W decided to go and cover one of their games this weekend, and it was over at Thames Road, Concord Rangers, as league leaders Rayleigh Town welcomed Dunmow Town to the Island.

This game was part of eight matches today in the division, more on the other seven contests later, but for now the focus was on this game and hosts Rayleigh Town were having a very decent start to their first ever season as a Senior club, six wins out of seven league games meant they occupied top spot in the division by a point, the only points they have dropped so far this campaign was a 1-1 draw at home to Coggeshall Town.

In fact the only other match they did not win in ninety minutes this season so far was at Burnham Ramblers in the League Challenge Cup, although they ended up winning that one on a shoot out, so they are still unbeaten this campaign all comps, so apart from that and the one league game they have drawn, they have tasted victory in every other game this season, and on three occasions netting four goals in their wins, so they were no doubt looking to build on that superb start with another positive result at home to a Dunmow Town side who to say were inconsistent was an understatement.

Sadly for the visitors they have lost double the amount of games they have won, three wins and six defeats so far as they languish down in 13th spot, they have won big when they have won, netting five, four and three goals in their three wins, but they have had some heavy losses too, 6-0 at Hackney Wick being one of those reverses, this after a 4-1 win at home to FC Baresi.

That result was part of a three game run where they lost all three, but they do come into this contest off the back of a superb 3-0 win at AS London, a team they were smashed 4-0 at home by only a few weeks ago, so it was sometimes hard to know what Dunmow side were going to show up, they were hoping that the good one would show up today, they had to otherwise it would be a long afternoon for the visitors if they were not to against a very good Rayleigh outfit. 

The visitors were mainly on the back foot in the first period as the hosts created plenty of openings, Rayleigh came out of the blocks quickly and it was no surprise when they did get themselves ahead after just ten minutes when skipper Charlie Seaden sent in a lovely corner and found centre half Pat Mills who looped a lovely header over visiting keeper Marlan Hassan and into the net.

And it was only a combination of Hassan and poor finishing that prevented the hosts from having a bigger lead at the break, Dunmow did have fleeting moments going forward, with their number nine Darnell Fuller being the biggest threat, and with the scoreline remaining 1-0 Rayleigh knew it would only take one moment for the visitors to be level in this one.

The hosts needed a second goal but with a second period that became scrappy at times, Dunmow were beginning to believe that they might be able to grab something from this game as it looked as if Rayleigh were becoming tired, but not a bit of it, as after several changes to freshen things up, two of those substitutes combined to double the hosts lead in the 75th minute, Matt Tapley's corner into the six yard box saw Owen Barratt power home a header and give Rayleigh some breathing space.

Another one of the substitutes, Leo Clark, certainly made a big impact as well, and the hosts finished the game as they had started it, on the front foot and looking to increase their lead, but they were unable to add to the two goals they did manage and still ran out comfortable winners in the end, grabbing the three points and staying top of the pile which is the most important thing.

Full time Rayleigh Town 2 Dunmow Town 0

So, a good win for Rayleigh to continue their brilliant start to the campaign, let's look at what else went on in the division today, there were seven other games that took place:-

Coggeshall Town 2 Cannons Wood 1

Jack Charnock put in a MOTM performance for hosts Coggeshall Town who took all three points at home to Cannons Wood who were playing their first match under new boss Elliot Thompson, although the result was almost immaterial for the visitors after skipper Reece White suffered a very serious injury and was laid up on a stretcher for some time waiting for an ambulance so my best wishes to him.

  

Enfield Borough 1 AS London 3

AS London mounted a comeback in the final twenty minutes to come from behind and take all three points at Enfield Borough, the hosts led at the break thanks to a powerful strike from Rory Harding, but with 72 minutes on the clock the visitors levelled when Lamin Bangura converted a rebound. And the visitors then took the lead after Nicolas Sanchez found Kofi Billy who applied the finishing touch before sealing the points with two minutes to go after Alie Bangura netted a spot kick.

Hackney Wick 3 Brimsdown 2

Wickers are still smarting a 100% record in the division after making it seven wins from seven with victory over Brimsdown at Spa Road in Witham. The hosts saw a MOTM performance from Romaine B Wallace as the home side remained a point behind leaders Rayleigh Town with a game in hand. Jordan McNally & Alex Coster netted for the visitors but they have now lost six of their first eight in the division.

Harlow Town 4 Barkingside 0

Ishaq Ameen netted a brace as Harlow kept up the pressure on the top two with a thumping win over Barkingside at The Harlow Arena.  Cav Clarke gave them an early lead but they were unable to double their money until just before the hour mark when Fabion Simms netted, before Ameen netted a third with twenty minutes to go. And Ameen was on target again with ten minutes remaining to complete a good day at the office for the hosts.

Hutton 1 Burnham Ramblers 1

Ramblers netted a 97th minute leveller to snatch a point against Hutton at New Lodge, which was even more impressive after they saw Taylor Nicholson sent off for a second yellow just past the hour mark, and when the hosts edged ahead in the 83rd minute it looked as if the hosts would go onto take all three points.  But deep deep into added on time a great ball whipped into the box found Will Hayes at the far post to convert and grab a very well earned point for the visitors.

NW London 2 May & Baker 2

The match between NW London and May & Baker ended all square at Coles Park, meaning NW London are now two points above the drop zone and visitors Bakers remain just inside the top five on goal difference.

Southend Manor 0 FC Baresi 2

FC Baresi netted their very first win as a Senior Club after they saw off Southend Manor at Southchurch Park. A goal in each half proved to be enough, Isioma Richard netting after just four minutes to give the visitors the lead, and then with three minutes remaining they sealed their first three points of the campaign when Edson Lami found the net. 

Let's have a look at the table before ending this blog:-

The top three all won so it remained as before, with Rayleigh holding a one point lead over Hackney Wick with Harlow Town a further two points behind them, Hutton & May & Baker dropped points today against struggling sides meaning they lost ground to the top three. 

Down at the bottom FC Baresi jumped up two spots and off the bottom after they netted their first ever win at this level, Brimsdown slip to second bottom after their battling loss at Hackney Wick, it's all very tight though after a few weeks of the season.

That's all for now, thanks for reading!!!  

White Ensign 2 Buckhurst Hill 2 - Last gasp header from Ellis Devereux rescues point for hosts to keep their unbeaten start to their Essex Senior League campaign in tact

Essex Senior League, Wednesday September 4th

My first visit to Burrough's Park, Great Wakering, for the season on the first Wednesday in September saw me taking in action between White Ensign, who were unbeaten in their first three league games of the campaign, and Buckhurst Hill, who were looking for a second win of their campaign after two draws and three defeats in their five league outings.

It's been a solid start for the hosts so far, often punching above their weight at this level, but this young energetic side had played five games in all comps with their only defeat coming in the FA Cup against Brantham Athletic, but two wins and two draws in the other four games were certainly something to build on.

Buckhurst Hill themselves lost three of their first four in all comps, with the opening day point against Little Oakley their only positive result, that was until they won at Sawbridgeworth Town in the league before they then netted a very decent win at home to Cockfosters in the Vase before a narrow defeat at Benfleet last time out took them into this one looking to try and end Ensign's unbeaten league start.

The first certainly yielded plenty of openings, mostly for the visitors who were wasteful in front of goal, George Thompson & Tyreece Robertson should have done better with chances they had, and the visitors somehow saw a point blank range effort saved by hosts keeper Bradley Davidson, sending their bench into a frenzy at how they had not taken the lead.

Ensign did come close themselves, their best chance seeing Riley Weir get to the ball before visiting keeper Toby Smith who had come out to try and thwart him, Weir poked the ball towards goal but it didn't not have enough power on it and a defender managed to get back to clear it off the line, but with nine minutes of the first half remaining Ensign did grab the lead.

It came when a poor header from the visitors allowed the ball to be recycled to the right hand side and a ball into the box saw striker Chinedu Duru head back across goal and into the far corner, meaning the hosts went into the break a goal to the good.

The visitors would have no doubt been very frustrated with this after having several chances to grab the lead themselves, however, eight minutes after the break they were to finally find the net and level the contest up when after Robertson saw a close range effort saved on the line by a defender, Ethan Daniels made sure the ball ended up in the net by forcing the loose ball home, and it didn't take long for the visitors to turn it around.

That's because just three minutes later Robertson managed to shift the ball onto his left foot and then sent a powerful effort beyond Davidson from close range and the visitors now had the lead, a lead they probably felt they deserved.

However, after going ahead they spent the majority of the second half on the back foot as Ensign tried all they could to get back on level terms and preserve their unbeaten start to the league season, the visitors rode their luck on more than one occasion but Ensign just could not add that killer touch in front of goal.

Buckhurst Hill had their moments, although they were far less than in the first half, one particular chance for them to seal it saw Dan Jones volley into the side netting from close range when he probably should have scored, but as the game sunk deeper and deeper into the latter part of the contest they tried all they could to hold onto what they had and record a very good win.

It looked like they would do this as well, that was until the eighth minute of added on time when a ball slung towards the far post for the umpteenth time found Ellis Devereaux who managed to send a header back across goal and creep in at the far post and rescue a point for Ensign and maintain their unbeaten start to the season in the league.

Heartbreak though for Buckhurst Hill who were so so close to holding on, the goal was pretty much the last action of the game as the referee blew for full time soon after the restart, a bit of a sickener for them for sure, but it is another point to add to the tally, although after conceding so late they probably won't see that as a positive right now.

A really good battle though and another enjoyable game to watch.

Full time White Ensign 2 Buckhurst Hill 2

There was one other game in the league this evening and it brought two unbeaten sides together.....

Woodford Town 1 Takeley 0

Just the one goal came in the match between Woodford Town and Takeley at Ashton's and it came midway through the first period when a lovely through ball found David Gokou-Siakouri who managed to fire beyond the onrushing Jarvis Monk in the visitors goal and end Takeley's unbeaten start to their league campaign.

Let's check out the table after the midweek action was completed this evening:-

So, after tonight's results there are now only five sides left who have yet to taste defeat, Wakering & Woodford are now level on points at the top after the latter's narrow win over Takeley this evening, but still early days as said many times before.

That's you all up to date with the ESL for now, thanks for reading!!!

Hullbridge Sports 3 Romford 3 - Extraordinary night at Lower Road sees ten man hosts fight back from three goals down in the final twenty minutes to salvage a dramatic point

Essex Senior League, Tuesday September 3rd

My first midweek action in September saw me over at Lower Road in Hullbridge for the very first time this season as Hullbridge Sports and Romford did battle, it was part of six league games taking place this evening, more on those later.

Now Hullbridge started the season really well, netting nine goals in their first two league games and only conceding one, but since then it's gone a bit south for them, their next two games both ended in defeats, a thumping defeat at Grays Athletic in the FA Cup was followed by a 6-1 reverse at the hands of Athletic Newham in the league.

They did manage a 2-0 win at Long Melford in the Vase but their last outing in the league saw a 1-0 loss at home to Frenford, so they really were hoping to get back to winning ways in the league this evening although they were up against a Romford side who have started the season well and are unbeaten in the league so far this season (two wins & two draws).

In their seven games in all comps this season their only loss was a 4-0 reverse at Brightlingsea Regent in the FA Cup, and in their last two games, both in the league, they have kept clean sheets in both (a win against Benfleet & and a goalless draw with Takeley), so solid form coming into this match up then, although those were their first clean sheets of the campaign, despite a solid enough start to the season.

Hullbridge though had only scored four goals in the four games since those first two outings of the season, so it would not be easy against a solid Romford back line, and after just twelve minutes they already had a mountain to climb as they fell two goals behind, firstly when Praise Ogbebor saw a deflected effort find the net after just four minutes, and then eight minutes later the hosts gave the ball away on the edge of their own box and saw Ogbebor square to Arnold Mengi who thumped a powerful effort in off the crossbar. It looked like it could be another long night for the hosts at this point.

The visitors continued to look dangerous when they came forward and you feared for the hosts defence at times, Hullbridge did have their moments though going forward but were lacking any cutting edge up front, and when the half time whistle blew, Romford looked fairly comfortable with a two goal lead, a lead that was to increase on the hour mark when a wonderful ball in by full back Sam Elwood found Kennedy Feyi who guided a lovely header into the far corner, and that looked like game set and match in all honestly.

And when the hosts saw Jake Wiggins sent off with twenty minutes to go for a second yellow, things looked bleak for the home side, and surely Romford would cruise to victory, no?

Well, football is a funny old game, and sayings like 'It's not over till it's over' always come around, but no one saw what was to happen in the final part of this contest, the red card seemed to galvanize Hullbridge and with 75 minutes on the clock pulled a goal back when substitute Connor Hart guided home a lovely cross from the right with his head into the far corner, and you thought 'surely not?'.

Even at that point you felt Romford would still see out the game with a man advantage and a two goal cushion, but their shape and discipline was wavering somewhat as they felt a lot of refereeing decisions had gone against them, and even though they were 3-1 up, they seemed very agitated with things and the hosts could sense this.

And in the 86th minute they pulled another one back to really set the cats amongst the pigeons when Hart converted at the back post, and with Romford barely able to recover from that set back they then gave away a penalty a minute later when skipper Ollie Jenkins powerful run was ended by a foul, although the infringement occurred outside the box, but the referee thought otherwise and pointed to the spot, much to Romford's fury.

Freddie Moriaty held his nerve by firing the spot kick home, and the most remarkable of recoveries had been completed, nobody could believe what they were watching, and somehow the hosts had come from three goals down with a man light no less to grab an unlikely point, dramatic scenes for sure at Lower Road!!!

To rub salt in what was already gaping wound for the visitors they saw defender Kojo Feyi dismissed deep into stoppage time as well for second yellow, and after the final whistle they also saw two red cards flashed at the management team for whatever they said as they confronted the referee at the full time whistle, they were furious with him, especially with the award of that penalty for the leveller.

Sadly their were some unsavoury scenes around the tunnel area with words exchanged between visiting players and some personal around the tunnel, and another player decided to shower some of us with a bottle of water too after things were said, lovely stuff, oh and things continued in the dressing room area too where things were said, some of which were quite concerning, all very childish and not what you want to see.

I understand football is an emotive and passionate sport, and things can get heated, but this was not a good example to set kids who were nearby these events, so that is not on in my view, Romford clearly felt hard done by but you cannot condone some of the things that were said and some of the actions afterwards by some, but despite all this you cannot detract from the efforts the hosts put in to pull this one back from the dead.

So, a dramatic night in Hullbridge, and a precious point for the hosts who looked down and out with twenty minutes to go, for Romford this will feel like a defeat after they looked likely to cruise home in this one, football eh, it's a funny old game at times!!!

Full time Hullbridge Sports 3 Romford 3

 

Let's see how the remaining action went in the league on Tuesday, oh and their was the small matter of two FA Cup replays involving Athletic Newham & Barking.....

Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replays

Amersham Town 1 Athletic Newham 0

Athletic Newham suffered defeat for the first time this season after they excited the FA Cup at Amersham Town after the hosts netted the only goal of the contest through Sidney Gueye in first half stoppage time.

Barking 3 St Neots Town 2 (AET)

The Blues saw Jalen Johnson net an extra time winner as they are now the only sole survivors left from the ESL in this years FA Cup, Michael Amaeshike had put the visitors ahead early on but saw Ezekiel Badamosi level with seventeen minutes to go. James Hatch then restored the visitors lead with ten minutes to go but Barking fought back again through Teddy Stacey four minutes later, but when Barking saw Miles Smith given a straight red deep into stoppage time, the hosts would have to play extra time with ten men so advantage St Neots then? Well, no, because in the 105th minute Johnson netted to send Barking into the next round and a trip to Great Yarmouth to take on Gorleston.

League

Benfleet 1 Stansted 3

The hosts solid start to life at Step Five was brought crashing down to earth after Stansted netted their very first win of the season at Woodside Park. The visitors found themselves three goals up by the half hour mark after a George O'Connor goal was sandwiched in between two Correy Davidson strikes, Benfleet did manage a very late consolation from Max Jobson but by then it was too little to late for the home side.

FC Clacton 0 Frenford 4

Frenford's brilliant start to the season continued as they put four past a struggling FC Clacton side at The Rush Green Bowl, Warren Kayembe gave the visitors the lead two minutes before the break and then they increased that lead when Paulius Ditkevicius netted eight minutes into the second period. And goal machine Jordon Elongo netted twice in stoppage time at the end of the game to put more gloss on the scoreline and send the visitors into the play off places.

Little Oakley 2 Great Wakering Rovers 4

Wakering took over at the summit of the ESL after they netted four at Oakley, two Harry Brown goals had them two goals ahead before Daniel Rowe pulled one back before half time, Darren Mills then levelled early in the second period but Brown then completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute and then the visitors sealed the win as Harrison Topliss netted a fourth with eight minutes to go and see Oakley's unbeaten start ended here.

Sawbridgeworth Town 1 Ilford 0

Kieran David's goal three minutes before half time was enough for Sawbo to grab their first win of the season to see them climb two places to fourth bottom, one of those sides they climbed above being Ilford who dropped down to third bottom as a result.

West Essex 2 Stanway Rovers 4

Stanway Rovers fought back to two goals down to record victory at West Essex and climb into second place as a result.  Goals from Nathan Braithwaite on ten minutes and Pascal Thornton just before the half hour mark has West in control, but Stanway have so much firepower and belief and roared back to take the win. They reduced the arrears ten minutes before the break through Harrison Chatting & were level barely a minute after the break when George Okoye netted, Joe Debell then gave the visitors the lead with eighteen minutes remaining and then Chatting added his second and a clinching fourth for Rovers when he netted a minute later.

Here is how the table looks after those games:-

Leaders Wakering, third placed Woodford Town, fifth placed Romford, sixth placed Takeley & also Athletic Newham & White Ensign remain unbeaten, FC Clacton & Halstead Town are now the only two sides who haven't tasted victory as yet after Sawbo's win against Ilford.

Wednesday evening sees two more games in the league, here are those matches:-

White Ensign Vs Buckhurst Hill

Woodford Town Vs Takeley

I'll be over at Burroughs Park for the Ensign v Buckhurst encounter, can Ensign remain unbeaten or will the visitors end that, whereas two more unbeaten sides do battle at Ashton's as Woodford Town look to try and go top of the table with a win wheras Takeley could go past their opponents with a win themselves, promises to be two good battles on Wednesday evening.