Basildon Town 5 Enfield Borough 2 - Mack Polybank, Robbie Scanlon, Jack Hurley, skipper Grant Cumming & substitute Abedemi Lamina all on target for Basildon Town who hit five in dominant win over Enfield Borough in Thurlow Nunn South

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday 25th October

I was back over at The Hive for the second time this campaign, again to watch Basildon Town, as they took on Enfield Borough in a league clash, and I was there to see what Bas Town were now like under the stewardship of Matt Knight & also to check out Enfield Borough who despite being in the bottom three were probably in a false position.

This is because the visitors had only played seven league games thus far and had several in hand over most other sides in the rest of the division, and the hosts would be wary of them too after some decent results lately including a 4-2 home win over FC Baresi last time out, the hosts themselves were just below mid table and several points above today's opponents (having played five more games) and came into this one off an abandoned contest at Hoddesdon, with Town leading that 1-0 at the break.

Town did get a creditable draw at Stansted before that and their last home game resulted in a 3-1 home win against NW London, the side that had dumped Town out of the Vase under the last management team, that was the last time I was here, so things have certainly changed since that day in late August, but with Borough coming into this off the back of two wins on the bounce, I expected a close contest.

It was to be anything but though, the hosts were the better side in the early exchanges and it was no surprise when they did grab the lead just past the midway point of the first half, a mix up between keeper and defender allowing Mack Polybank to find the net, and then just before the half hour it was two for the hosts when again poor defending allowed a simple diagonal ball to the far post saw Robbie Scanlon steal in unmarked to send a close range finish home.

And six minutes before the break Bas Town had a 3-0 lead when another cross into the box found Jack Hurley who sent a lovely looping header into the far corner, the hosts were so dominant and looked like they could score with every cross they sent into the area, the visitors just could not deal with it, and looked well out of the game as they went into the dressing room at half time.

No doubt they would have had serious word with each other at half time, and briefly after the break it looked as if Borough may mount some sort of comeback when they pulled a goal back six minutes into the second period, a slip from a defender allowed a ball to be squared across box before a nice touch and finish past keeper Joe Durrant reduced the arrears, come back on perhaps?

Well, not really, as five minutes after that another cross into the box saw the ball headed back across goal for skipper Grant Cumming to apply a close range header and send the ball beyond the keeper into the net, another cross that hadn't been dealt with by the visitors and Town were reaping the rewards for sure, they were playing very well too and were in cruise control once again.

The hosts then made a flurry of changes to freshen things up, but then saw Freddie Smyth taken off injured meaning the hosts would have to play the final quarter of the game a man light as they had no more substitutes left, but it didn't make any difference and in fact Town then grabbed a fifth goal with nine minutes remaining when after the visitors shot themselves in the foot again, trying to play out from the back and loosing the ball, allowing one of those subs Abidemi Lamina to thump a powerful effort in off the post and put the hosts 5-1 up. Emphatic.

Borough did manage to score with the final kick of the game deep into added on time when a nice lofted ball over the top of the backline saw an attacker run onto it and finish past Durrant, but it was far to little to late and Bas Town could celebrate a superb win and performance in this one, for Borough it was certainly a day to forget.

Full time Basildon Town 5 Enfield Borough 2

Let's now have a brief look at what happened in the rest of the division's action this weekend and how it affects that league table:-

Cannons Wood 1-3 Burnham Ramblers (Friday)

Lymore Gardens 2-0 Dunmow Town (Friday)

NW London 1-2 Coggeshall Town (Friday)

Clapton Community 1-2 AS London

FC Baresi 2-1 May & Baker

Newbury Forest 4-4 Brimsdown

Rayleigh Town 4-0 Barkingside

There were three Friday night contests ahead of Saturday's fixtures, it was certainly an eventful game at Parkside, Burnham were reduced to ten men inside ten minutes and also had a sin bin soon after, they recovered from this though to net victory against Cannons Wood, leaving the home side second bottom and seeing the visitors two points off the play offs. Lymore Gardens continued their brilliant home form with a 2-0 win over Dunmow Town, it saw the home side go above Newbury Forest and to the top of the table whilst it left Dunmow down in 15th spot. Finally on Friday NW London suffered a rare home defeat as they went down to Coggeshall Town, that result sees The Seedgrowers two points off the play off places whilst NW London are down in 12th.

Onto Saturday and Clapton Community suffered a surprising home defeat to AS London to leave them in fourth and the result saw the visitors into the top ten and six points off the top five, FC Baresi got back to winning ways after last weekend's loss by handing May & Baker another defeat, Baresi are in 11th and also six points off the play off zone, Bakers are down in 14th spot.  It was a bonkers game at Oakside as Newbury Forest, who would have gone back top with a win, shared eight goals with fifth placed play off chasing Brimsdown who remain in the top five on goal difference.  And finally Rayleigh Town, another side chasing promotion dreams, thumped Barkingside at Thames Road, meaning they 9th and only three points off the top five, whereas Side are just one point and one place above the bottom three.  

That completes my latest blog, thanks again for reading and taking the time too, until next time, bye bye for now.....

Billericay Town 3 Waltham Abbey 0 - Goals from Freddie Hockey, Jack Evans & Alfie Cerulli help Billericay Town see off Waltham Abbey to progress in the BBC Essex Senior Cup, thirteen other sides also progressed on a busy night in the Last 32 of the competition

BBC Essex Senior Cup Third Round, Tuesday 21st October

There were fourteen Third Round ties taking place on this evening in the BBC Essex Senior Cup, and I was at the tie between Isthmian Premier Billericay Town & Isthmian North side Waltham Abbey at New Lodge.

Yes the hosts were in a higher division than their opponents, but The Blues had struggled this season and were fifth bottom in their division and only above the drop zone on goal difference, and with Abbey sitting in ninth in the North Division, potentially this could be a rather intriguing tie.

Both were beginning their County Cup campaigns as they had both come into the competition at this stage being Step Four and above, and both were looking to get themselves into that Last 16 draw which takes place on Friday (24th October) so if your reading this before that date, then this quote still applies, if not then that draw would have already taken place!!!

The early exchanges were fairly even although you could see the hosts had maybe half a yard of extra pace and movement, as expected, but once the hosts got into their stride they began to become a real threat, and with twelve minutes remaining of the first period they grabbed the lead, the excellent Alfie Cerulli hammered a ball into the danger zone and saw Freddie Hockey divert a powerful effort beyond visiting keeper Lenny Jones and hand the hosts a deserved half time lead. 

Could the hosts go on and run away with this tie in the second half? Well, twelve minutes after the break they did double their cushion when Jack Evans was given all the time in the world from range, probably 20-25 yards out, to pick his spot and fire a brilliant low drive beyond Jones and into the bottom corner, and now it seemed The Blues would cruise into the next round.

However, Abbey were not to lie down and if truth be told had the better of the remainder of the game, and the hosts had to work very hard to keep them at bay and finding a goal that would really put the tie in the balance, but despite a lot of Abbey possession and pressure on the hosts goal, they didn't test keeper Dondre Abraham and could not find that all important goal back.

Of course Town had their moments too, and could have added a third goal to really kill off the tie, but two minutes into added on time they did find that third goal, which turned out to be the final act of this contest, Liam Nash doing well down the right before his ball across the box found Cerulli who took a touch before finding the bottom corner with aplomb to cap a decent performance from himself and also seal his sides passage into Round Four.

Full time Billericay Town 3 Waltham Abbey 0

Well done to Billericay then, who else could join them in the hat for Round Four along with Essex Senior League side Little Oakley who thrashed National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge a week ago, let's see how the other thirteen ties on this evening went:-

Maldon & Tiptree 1 Walthamstow 0 (Macaulay Bonne's 85th minute goal saw Maldon & Tiptree battle past Walthamstow in their all Isthmian North tie)

Takeley 1 Great Wakering Rovers 1 (Great Wakering Rovers won 5-4 on penalties) (These two were battling promotion against each other last term in the Essex Senior League, but now Isthmian North Takeley were humbled at home by GWR on penalties. The hosts did lead midway through the second half courtesy of an own goal, but Harry Talbot levelled with seven to go to force spot kicks, which the visitors won to prevail)

Redbridge 1 Hornchurch 3 (National League South league leaders Hornchurch got the better of Isthmian North Redbridge at Oakside, Solomon Ogunwomoju had given the hosts an eighth minute lead, but The Urchins fought back and saw Darren McQueen level three minutes later before McQueen then put them in front just before the half hour mark.  And McQueen completed his hat trick ten minutes into the second half to make sure the visitors won through to the next round.

Colchester United 1 Aveley 3 (Isthmian Premier Aveley produced a brilliant performance to see off League Two side Colchester United, Suley Zuhdu gave The Millers a ninth minute lead before Jayden Gipson doubled that lead just before the midway point in the first half, and when Zuhdu added another early in the second half the game looked done.  Kaion Lisbie did pull one back for The Us midway through the second half but it was too little too late as Aveley progressed)

Brentwood Town 3 Brightlingsea Regent 2 (Isthmian Premier leaders Brentwood edged past struggling Isthmian North Regent to progress, George Doyle stunned the home side after six minutes to give Regent the lead but soon levelled through Danny Ogunleye five minutes later.  Charlie Durling though restored the visitors lead twenty minutes from time but the hosts fought back again to level through Benas Vaivada in the 76th minute before netting the winner in stoppage time thanks to Charlie Edwards)

Canvey Island 1 Benfleet 1 (Benfleet won 4-1 on penalties) (Essex Senior League Benfleet stunned their former landlords, Isthmian North Canvey, to progress in the County Cup on penalties after a dramatic ending to normal time. It looked like Max Fiddes 33rd minute goal would be enough for the hosts to progress, that was until Benfleet keeper Florent Gislette levelled late on to send the tie to spot kicks, a shootout that saw Benfleet dominate to progress)

Harwich & Parkeston 2 Woodford Town 1 (Harwich won their all Essex Senior League tie against Woodford, Yemi Adelani put the visitors ahead just before the half hour mark but Zach Pedro levelled after the break before Shaun Avis netted the winner with three minutes to go to send the hosts through)

Grays Athletic 4 Southend United 0 (Grays saw off a young Shrimpers outfit to progress, the Isthmian North hosts broke the deadlock three minutes into the second period through Jack Turner before a Sam Bantick penalty made it two in the 51st minute, Oscar Shelvey netted a third in the 63rd minute before Bantick, who left to join Witham Town after this contest, added his second and fourth for Grays in stoppage time)

Hullbridge Sports 1 Witham Town 3 (Isthmian North Witham Town came from behind to see off Essex Senior League Sports at Lower Road, the hosts led through George Briton-Watkins in the 16th minute but saw Town level seven minutes before half time courtesy of Darius Gabriel Ghinea. William Ademiluyi then handed Witham the lead with ten minutes to go before Gabe Campbell sealed the tie two minutes after)

Hashtag United 6 Concord Rangers 0 (Isthmian Premier Tags thrashed Isthmian North visitors Concord to win through to Round Four, Jaxon Brown netted the opener in the 22nd minute before netting again six minutes before the break, Praise Ogbebor then made it 3-0 six minutes into the second half before Bradley Sach made it four midway through the second period.  Luke May-Parrott then made it five a minute later before the scoring was completed in the 90th minute thanks to a second of the night for Sach)

Athletic Newham 0 Bowers & Pitsea 6 (Isthmian North high flyers Bowers cruised past Essex Senior League Athletic Newham at Parsloes, Ross Wall gave the visitors a 12th minute lead but the hosts had a great chance to level early in the second half but saw a Chuks Uzor penalty saved by Joseph Whitney, and it proved a pivotal moment in the game as barely a minute later mike Faulkner doubled the visitors lead. Jon Evans then made it three nil in the 56th minute and then it was four when Kai Redgrave netted making it three Bowers goals in five second half minutes. Elton Tettey then made it four second half goals in ten minutes, and the same man netted again on 66 minutes to make it five for the visitors as they took their place in Round Four)

Heybridge Swifts 4 Burnham Ramblers 0 (Isthmian North Swifts won their local derby against Thurlow Nunn South Ramblers to progress, Adeyeye gave the hosts the lead midway through the first period before Dylan Logan doubled their lead three minutes later, and when Ben McCrow added a third on half time, the tie was as good as done. Swifts did add a fourth in the second period, Mason Gillam adding another with twelve minutes remaining, and Swifts cruised into the next round)

Halstead Town 0 Chelmsford City 3 (National League South Chelmsford City saw off Essex Senior League Halstead at Rosemary Lane to progress, with all the damage done in the first half.  Jett Murphy handed the hosts the lead after just four minutes before Archie Tamplin doubled their lead just past the quarter hour mark, and when Murphy added another twelve minutes before half time, it was as good as over.  The Humbugs did improve after the break but they were well beaten by their higher level opponents who won through to Round Four)

So, that means fifteen of the sixteen Last 16 spots are now filled, their is one more Third Round tie left to play which sees Isthmian North Tilbury host National League South Braintree Town at Chadfields on October 28th, and as said the draw for Round Four takes place on Friday October 24th.

That concludes my latest blog, hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading as always!!!

Wakering Sports 1 Corinthians 2 - Goals from the in form Callum King & skipper Jamie Skinner help Corinthians come from behind to net hard fought win against Wakering Sports & make it eight wins on the bounce

Essex Olympian Premier Division, Saturday 18th October

I was over at Cupid's just outside Great Wakering for an Essex Olympian Premier division tussle between Wakering Sports & Corinthians, the hosts was coming into this one of the back of a decent 3-1 home win over Bishop's Stortford Swifts, the visitors had netted victory at Barleylands against Hashtag United A last weekend.

That win for the visitors by a score line of 3-2 saw them net a seventh straight win in the division to keep them in second spot behind leaders Catholic United, this after starting the season with one draw and two losses, one of those at home to the leaders, but they have found their feet for sure in the top division but knew they would be in for a very tough physical battle against a Wakering Sports side who were in sixth spot and nine points of todays opponents after a rather inconsistent few weeks.

The hosts then were looking to record back to back home wins and get them closer to the top five, Corinthians themselves were looking to keep tabs on the leaders and make it eight straight wins in the process, the early signs in this contest though seem to favour the former as the home side flew out of the blocks and created several decent openings in the opening exchanges, however they were unable to take any of the chances, which included visiting keeper Oscar Baines making a couple of decent saves.

But, on the half hour mark, Sports were finally able to break through, a wonderful ball into the box saw a defender try and flick clear, but all he did was flick it into the path of the hosts who applied a lovely header which looped into the far corner of the net, and hand the hosts a more than deserved lead in this contest, and to be honest it could easily have been two soon after had Baines not saved a one on one situation, and with half time looming, the only real positive for the visitors was that it was still only 1-0.

Their only chance was a good one up till then, when a bouncing cross was somehow headed over, but in the 43rd minute with their second chance of the game, they levelled, when messy defending allowed the ball to fall to the in form Callum King who made no mistake by slotting home and sending his side into the break all square, leaving their opponents scratching their heads and wondering how they were not out of sight and only level.

They were to be scratching their heads even more ten minutes into the second period too when they fell behind, and it was another goal that they could have prevented, they failed to to clear their lines and allowed the visitors to get the ball across the box into the path of skipper and centre half Jamie Skinner who thumped a right footed effort through a crowded penalty area and beyond the hosts keeper who only saw it late and could not react.

The hosts now had to find something once again and try and get back to how they had been playing prior to this Corinthians fightback, but they now found a visiting backline who were dealing with whatever the hosts could throw at them much much better than they had been doing in those early first half moments, and the visitors were playing a whole lot better than they had been doing and were causing the visitors a lot more problems at the other too.

As the game ticked on though the hosts did their upmost to try and find a leveller, there was no doubt they deserved something from this game, especially after dominating most of the first period, but you don't always get what you deserve and ultimately they were unable to break down a stubborn and tough visiting back line, and the visitors could celebrate a very good win and prove to themselves that they can roll up their sleeves and ride out the storm they had to endure today and then go on and win.

It's eight wins in a row now for the visitors, they are just finding ways to win right now, for Sports, they will wonder how they lost this game, well the reason sadly is not taking their chances in the first period and then conceding two soft goals, this must be a frustration for them although they can also take a lot of positives from this contest too, despite the defeat.

Full time Wakering Sports 1 Corinthians 2

Shall we take a look at what else went on in the division today, and how it affects the table:-

Bishop's Stortford Swifts 1-6 Old Southendian

Catholic United 4-1 Barnston

Harold Hill 1-2 Hashtag United A

Harold Wood Athletic 1-1 Runwell Sports

Herongate Athletic 0-3 Shenfield AFC

Old Chelmsfordians 1-0 Leigh Ramblers

Sungate 2-1 ACD United

Old Southendian got themselves back on track and are up to sixth after they thumped six past Bishop's Stortford Swifts away from home, Swifts had won three of their four outings at home but were well beaten here, and they drop three places as a result, leaders Catholic recorded another win to maintain their five point lead at the top of the standings against a Barnston side who drop to third bottom as a result.

Hashtag United A won the battle of the bottom two at Henderson's against winless Harold Hill, it's a result that takes them up three places in the process and leaves Hill rock bottom with no wins in eleven games now, Harold Wood and Runwell shared the spoils at The Rec which sees Wood up two spots to tenth and Runwell remain in fifth.

Shenfield continued their brilliant season with another win, this time at Herongate which sees AFC in third and right on the coat tails of the top two still, whilst Herongate drop a place to ninth as a result, and last years champions Old Chelmsfordians netted a narrow home win over Leigh Rams, that's four successive defeats now for the visitors, it leaves the hosts fourth still whilst for Rams they drop two places to 11th now.

And finally Sungate's recent revival continued after they made it four wins from five games to lift themselves further up the table to eighth spot after they netted a narrow home win over ACD United who themselves drop a place to second bottom.

That's all for this blog, it's been another enjoyable Saturday afternoon, hope you enjoy reading and many thanks for taking the time too, always appreciated!!! Thank you.....

East Thurrock Community 1 Springfield 0 - Tommy Barnacle's brilliant solo goal just past hour mark settles scrappy encounter as East Thurrock Community edged out ten man Springfield in their Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier contest

Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division, Saturday 11th October

Well, it's nearly mid October (where does the time go) and I saw that East Thurrock Community where taking on Springfield and with the podcast I was involved with (The Back Post Show) covering both these teams in the Border League, it seemed fitting to make my first visit to Wyldecrest Sports Country Club in Corringham to see these two do battle for the second time this season.

Wyldecrest is only a stones throw from where East Thurrock United once played, Rookery Hill, so it wasn't too far for the supporters of the now defunct United to travel too watch the Community club that was formed off the back of that happening a few years ago, and with around 200 in attendance for today's game, it appears that those fans now back this club, a club that seems to have a good vibe about it.

Speaking with the vice chair and chair before the game, they are trying to do things the right way and they have certainly created a good atmosphere at this fan owned club, it's a nice facility with a decent clubhouse which gives you great views of the game from the outside area, and with plans to put in floodlights and a stand, which they have purchased from Rookery Hill, they are certainly looking to get back into Senior Football in the near future.

For now though they had a tough top of the table clash against Springfield, a side like ETC who had come over from the Olympian League for this season, both sides had started the season and were both unbeaten and sitting in the top two positions until recently, the visitors had then lost back to back games coming into this one and had slipped to fourth, four points behind the still league leaders ETC who had lost their first game this season last weekend.

Both were looking to bounce back then from disappointing weekends last time out, the two sides had met already in the league this season at Arun Close in late August, and that game ended all square in a 1-1 draw, a tight contest was again expected here, who could bounce back from defeats last time out, we would soon find out.

A slow start to the game suddenly had a moment that Springfield were not happy about, centre half Frazer Wraight had already received an early booking for a foul just inside the hosts half, and in the 16th minute he was to receive another yellow and a very early bath after what the visitors thought was a free kick to them, was in fact given in favour of the home side, and Wraight duly 'took' the free kick and blasted it down the field.

This was deemed booting the ball away by the referee who pulled a yellow and then red card to dismiss the defender, much to the dismay of Springfield who would now have to play with ten men for the majority of the game, however in what was a very poor first period, the visitors carved out the best chance when Jermaine Da Luz struck the post with a lovely curling left footed effort just before half time.

So, not the half most of us were wanting, but there was little given in what was a scrappy encounter, and fair play to the visitors, it was hard to see who had ten men if truth be told, and they were certainly making the hosts work hard, as you would expect, you felt this was already a very important game even if it's still early in the season.

Could ETC make their numerical advantage count, well it took a moment of genius to break the deadlock just past the hour mark, Tommy Barnacle dancing past three defenders before unleashing a powerful effort high into the net, I had a wonderful view of it from behind the goal on the raised up part outside the clubhouse, it was a brilliant goal and now you felt ETC could go on and maybe win this one more comfortably.

It wasn't to be this way, the ten men of Springfield still had the ability to be dangerous and stayed in the game, and to be fair the hosts didn't create a bundle of chances, yes they did come close to doubling their lead on a couple of occasions, but Springfield caused the home side some nervous moments down the other end, overall though it had been more of a scrap then a quality battle, but the hosts did just enough to see off their opponents and take a big win and remain top of the table.

Congratulations to East Thurrock Community, they have a good thing going over there right now, for Springfield it was a disappointing afternoon again, that three defeats in a row now which sees them slip to sixth and further behind the leaders, they will take alot of positives though after battling so well with ten men for most of the game, fair play to them for that, although losing will still be a disappointment for them.

Full time East Thurrock Community 1 Springfield 0

There were six other games in the division today, let's take a quick look at what happened and how it affected the table:-

Belle Vue Social Club 1-1 Tiptree Heath

Dedham Old Boys 0-4 Great Bentley

Earls Colne 1-1 Alresford Colne Rangers

Gas Recreation 0-3 Hatfield Peverel

Sudbury Sports 5-0 White Notley

Thorpe Athletic 0-2 Cressing United

East Thurrock Community's slayers last weekend, Tiptree Heath, netted a 1-1 draw at struggling Bell Vue Social Club, whilst ETC's nearest challengers right now, Great Bentley, netted four away from home for the second weekend running (they netted a 4-1 win at Springfield last Saturday) to keep the pressure on the leaders, Dedham Old Boys are in mid table after that thumping loss.

Alresford Colne Rangers picked up their first point of the season at their eleventh attempt, netting a 1-1 draw at now seventh placed Earls Colne, Hatfield Peveral are in third and three points behind second after they netted a 3-0 win at struggling Gas Recreation whilst Sudbury Sports hammered second bottom White Notley to go fifth in the standings.

And finally Cressing United, who welcome the league leaders to their home next weekend, are in ninth spot after they grabbed a brilliant win at high flying Thorpe Athletic who are now fourth after this disappointing loss.

That concludes today's blog, hope you enjoyed reading.....

   

Great Wakering Rovers 2 Hackney Wick 2 - A late Issa Sidibe header earns point for Wick after a Harry Talbot brace looked to have been enough for Rovers to net hard fought win in entertaining Essex Senior League contest

Essex Senior League, Saturday October 4th

It had been a whole month since I'd last covered any type of football for various reasons, so it was nice to be able to finally get back to it and feel well enough to do it again, the last few weeks have been a struggle but after taking a step back and having a week in the Greek sun, I felt refreshed and ready to go again.

I plumped for a nice local game in the Southend area, and one of my favourite divisions in the Essex Senior League at Burroughs Park where promotion chasing Great Wakering Rovers welcomed ESL new boys Hackney Wick to a rather blustery Essex Coast thanks to Storm Amy, although the conditions were not quite as bad as it could have been.

In fact a full programme of ESL fixtures all took place despite the overnight rain/wind etc, so more on those later, but for now let's see what happened at Burroughs Park:-

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Hackney Wick

Hosts Wakering had suffered a disappointing loss at Benfleet in midweek so were looking to bounce back from that, Wick themselves had recorded some very notable wins this season, especially in the cups, so they were not fazed by anyone in this division and with their dangerous attacking talent would certainly cause Rovers some issues today.

And in the first period that certainly was the case, Rovers had been disappointing at Benfleet in midweek and they were not really on it in the first half here and had Wick found their shooting boots then this game could really have been over by half time, Leo Lopate fired wide with one effort before Wick grabbed the lead in the 17th minute, it had been coming, when Andre Anderson fired a left footed effort into the bottom corner.

And they really should have doubled their lead when a sublime pass from skipper Adam Cheniti sent Issa Sidibe clean through, but hosts keeper George Martin managed to deflect the ball onto the post before it bounced back out and into his grateful arms, had that gone in then Wick would have been well in control, instead GWR went up the other end and levelled, fine margins as they say.

It came when a ball swung into the box by Shaun Gittleson (I think!!!) appeared to be overhit, but, the gusty winds seemed to hold the ball up and deceive visiting keeper Mohammed Nasim who failed to get to the cross and saw Harry Talbot rise the highest to beat him to the ball and send a looping header into the net, meaning the game was all square heading into the break.

Wick should really have been 3 or 4-1 up at the half, they certainly were found wanting in front of goal, apart from Anderson's goal aside, hosts keeper Martin certainly earned his corn too, and with the hosts now having the wind with them, they must have felt happy to be level and now with a chance to put some pressure on their opponents, they had been miles off the pace so far so needed to improve.

And three minutes into the second half and after Wick almost pounced on an opening down the other end, Rovers edged in front and it was that man Talbot once again, capitalising on some lacklustre defending to fire home from inside the box, and now Wick were the ones who needed to respond, although initially after that goal the hosts had their tails up and you felt if they got another things to go very south for the visitors quickly.

To Wick's credit though they dug in and then started to become a threat, just like the first half, although it was a half where both sides had chances to net further goals, Nasim had to get down smartly to stop one Wakering effort, and Talbot somehow headed a golden chance off the bar and over, had it gone 3-1 then you felt GWR would go on and win the game.

Wick though always looked a danger, and you knew if they could stay in the game they would always have a chance of scoring again and levelling the contest up, and in the 88th minute they won a corner, which was swung into the box where Sidibe rose brilliantly to plant a powerful header in off the post, 2-2, with a heap of stoppage time to come, and they felt they could go on and win it.

Rovers themselves also felt they could win it, it made for a very exciting conclusion to the game, a game that had been pretty exciting throughout, Wick could easily have won it but fired over, Rovers put plenty of pressure on the visiting back line but stood firm, and in the end the game was to end all square, it had been a very enjoyable watch, so not a bad one to witness after a months sabbatical.

Oh, and one final thing, the Wickers fan's behind the goal decided to chant in my direction 'Dudley give us a wave, Dudley Dudley give us a wave' to which I responded with a nice friendly wave back and a clap too, it was a lovely thing to experience and they will never know how much of a boost it gave me after my recent struggles, so I thank them for that, am sure they were happy enough to head back East with a point. The hosts hospitality was excellent as always too, so I thank them for this, it's what makes this level of football so special, the people who make the matchday experience so enjoyable.

Full time Great Wakering Rovers 2 Hackney Wick 2

Right, shall we see what else happened this weekend in the ESL, it started on Friday evening at Ashton's:-

Friday 3rd October

Woodford Town 1 Ilford 2 (Woodford suffered a shock home defeat at home to Ilford, the opening goal came inside the first minute when Daniel Izekor scored, and Ilford doubled that lead early in the second period through Greg Akpele, and although Ollie Sotoyinbo netted a late penalty to give the hosts hope, Ilford held on for a superb win)

Saturday 4th October

Barking 4 Hullbridge Sports 0 (The Blues put Bridge to the sword at Mayesbrook Park, with all the goals coming in the second period. Sam Edwards gave the hosts a 50th minute lead from the penalty spot before he added another twenty minutes later, Lekan Osideko then sealed the points with a third in the 84th minute and it was Edwards who completed his treble in the 92nd minute to cap a wonderful afternoon for the home side)

Basildon United 3 White Ensign 2 (United grabbed a vital win over local rivals Ensign at The Hive, Jadon Yamoah gave the hosts a 15th minute lead, a lead that was doubled two minutes into first half stoppage time through Emmanuel Shana, the hosts then saw Harry Baker sent off midway through the second half but then made it 3-0 shortly after thanks to a Nikolay Zlatev spot kick. Ensign though almost pulled off a miraculous comeback, Rio Campbell's penalty in the 88th minute reduced the arrears before Reece Latimer's stoppage time goal made it a nervy ending for the hosts, but they did hold on for a morale boosting win)

Benfleet 5 Romford 0 (Max Jobson netted a hat trick as Benfleet put Romford to the sword at Woodside, Jobson netted his first in the 16th minute before doubling his and Fleet's tally nine minutes before the break, Toby Dickinson then made it 3-0 two minutes after the break & then Jobson completed his treble in the 54th minute as the hosts were now well on their way to victory. And Dickinson grabbed his second of the game and the hosts fifth with just over fifteen minutes to go to complete the rout)

Buckhurst Hill 1 Little Oakley 1 (The points were shared at Myrak Park, Tyler Dolan had given the hosts a 31st minute lead, but this was cancelled out by Bobby Badham's leveller with just under fifteen minutes remaining)

Harwich & Parkeston 1 Athletic Newham 1 (The points were shared at The Royal Oak in Dovercourt, Luke Mayhew had given  the hosts a great start by giving them the lead in just the fifth minute, but the visitors from Parsloes levelled through Enzo Sanchez with nine minutes to go and rescue them a share of the spoils)

Saffron Walden Town 1 Sporting Bengal United 1 (And the points were also shared at Catons Lane as Walden and Sporting shared a draw, Timi Joseph had given the visitors the lead nine minutes into the second half, but this was cancelled out four minutes later by Kaleel Green, meaning the game would end all square)

Soul Tower Hamlets 3 Frenford 0 (Soul carried on their brilliant season so far by heaping more misery on Frenford with victory at Mile End Stadium, Kevin Krans gave the hosts a seventh minute lead, Samir Bihmoutine then added another in the 14th minute before he added another seven minutes later as the hosts were three up inside the midway point of the first half.  And that proved enough for the hosts to take the win)

West Essex 2 Halstead Town 3 (The Humbugs continued their brilliant start to the season although they were made to work hard for it by a struggling West side, Oliver Travell had given the hosts a 16th minute lead but this was cancelled out six minutes before half time through Lewis Clifford, West then restored their lead two minutes before the break through Saliu Lo Seye but the visitors levelled again courtesy of Kane Gilbert's goal in first half stoppage time. And Matt Coppen's 64th minute goal proved to be the winner for the visitors as they edged out their opponents in this one)

Right, let's see what these results have done to the table:-

Well, to say the top half is tight is an understatement, only five points separate the top nine and only two points between the top six, it's so tight. Soul Tower Hamlets are the new leaders with Halstead only second on goal difference, previous leaders Woodford are now fifth after their shock defeat, and GWR have dropped outside the play off places after they failed to win for the second game running.

Barking are into fourth whilst Benfleet are now right in the mix after their thumping win over Romford, down at the bottom West are still the only side without a win this season, Frenford remain in the bottom two after their defeat at Mile End today, Basildon's win saw them jump up to 17th, it was their first win since the opening day, so very much needed for a side who have gone through two managers already this season.

Anyway, that concludes the Blog, it's been good to do one again and was good to be back watching the game I love too, thank again to all who support me and are their for me, it really does make a difference, onwards and upwards as they say, and thanks for reading too, always appreciated.
 

Essex Senior League/Thurlow Nunn First Division South Round Up (Friday 19th/Saturday 20th September) - Here is a look back at how the sides fared in Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round & League action

(Action from the Vase tie at Rosemary Lane between Halstead Town & Coggeshall Town, picture courtesy of the @EssexSenior)

Even though I saw no football myself this weekend, I decided to write a blog on the action that took place involving Essex Senior & Thurlow Nunn South sides, with the majority in Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round action and vying for a place in the First Round Proper,  in fact five of the fifteen ties that took place across Friday & Saturday saw ESL take on TNS, there were also two ESL games and four TNS games, so let's now have a look to see what went down this weekend:-

Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Friday

Cannons Wood 1 Great Wakering Rovers 5

ESL high flyers GWR brushed aside TNS Cannons Wood at Parkside to continue their FA Vase journey, Alex Teniola netted twice inside the opening ten minutes to give the visitors an early two goal advantage before he completed his hat-trick six minutes before half time to all but end the contest.  And when Jack Dickinson netted a fourth for GWR right on half time, it was a matter of how many the visitors would get.  Mekhi Armstrong then put through his own net in the 58th minute to put GWR five goals up, but they did pull one back a minute later through Yusuf Malik to at least get on the scoresheet and that proved to be the end of the scoring as Wood at least draw the second half but ultimately the damage had already been done and GWR progressed into the next round.

Lymore Gardens 2 Frenford 1

TNS high flyers Lymore Gardens defeated another ESL side at home for the second round running to progress into the First Round Proper of the competition in their first ever appearance in it, Tyrique Peter handed the hosts a 26th minute lead but were pegged back by their ESL opponents three minutes before half time when Alfie Geeves netted from the spot. However, Lymore netted an 84th minute winner courtesy of Branlyn Kitondo to see them progress into the next round.

Saturday
Benfleet 5 West Essex 2

It was an all ESL affair at Woodside in front of another decent crowd of 207, and the majority of those were to head home happy as their side netted five against West Essex, it only took the hosts four minutes to lead when Jake Godfrey found the net, and it was two for the hosts nine minutes before the break when Taylor Lawrence netted from the spot to see his side go into the break two goals to the good. Nathan Saunders then made it 3-0 eleven minutes after the break, and although Bieron Ademi pulled one back midway through the second half, they immediately conceded again when Billy Carter added a fourth for the hosts. Saunders then grabbed his second of the game with just under twenty minutes to go, and although the final goal of the contest came from the visitors through Tolani Odetoyinbo with two minutes to go, Fleet had more then done enough to progress. 

Brimsdown 0 Clapton Community 0 (Brimsdown won 5-4 on penalties)

A pretty uneventful all TNS tie at Wormley Sports Club ended with Brimsdown netting a shootout win against Clapton Community after the hosts held their nerve the best from twelve yards to win 5-4 in the shootout and progress into the next round of the competition.

Halstead Town 2 Coggeshall Town 1

A brilliant crowd of 327 were at Rosemary Lane to see ESL hosts Halstead battle back from a goal down at the break to see off TNS visitors Coggeshall Town to progress into the First Round Proper of the Vase. The Seedgrowers were one goal up at the break courtesy of a Alex Banyard goal six minutes before half time, Robbie Bennett though levelled early on in the second period before he netted the winner just past the hour mark to continue what has been a brilliant season for The Humbugs thus far.

Harlow Town 2 Hullbridge Sports 2 (Hullbridge Sports won 3-0 on penalties)

ESL Hullbridge Sports netted a fine Vase win away at Spartan South Midlands Harlow Town, winning on penalties to progress to the next round, in front of another good crowd of 295 at Barrows Farm, it was Raheem Gray who gave the hosts a 32nd minute lead.  But, goalscoring machine Tobias Braney levelled for the visitors only four minute later to restore parity, but early in the second half Gray restored his sides lead, but in the 86th minute Bridge forced penalties thanks to Louis Bragg's leveller, and the visitors would go on to win the shootout to progress into the next round.

Hoddesdon Town 0 Buckhurst Hill 2

Considering how much of a struggle it has been this season for TNS bottom side Hoddesdon, 152 turned up to watch this one, which is commendable, they had grabbed their only win of a season which has seen them lose every game in their division so far in this competition against Burnham Ramblers in the last round, but they were to be defeated in this one against ESL side Buckhurst Hill. The first half was goalless but just seven minutes after the break Reece Simpson gave Hill the lead, and ten minutes later Callum Maltese added a second goal which proved enough for Hill to take their place in the First Round Proper.

Hythe Town 4 Athletic Newham 3

It was a mad game at Reachfields Stadium as the hosts Hythe Town finally managed to see off a battling ten man Athletic Newham to progress into the next round, Arthur Massingham gave ESL Newham a 12th minute lead but saw Richie Keil level on the half hour mark, and then things looked difficult for the visitors when Nicholas Mejia was booked twice in the final six minutes of the first half to leave Newham down to ten men for the entire second period.  Armani-Jordan Martin then gave Hythe the lead three minutes into the second half, but the ten men levelled through Jayden Thiongo just past the hour mark, Hythe then went back in front courtesy of Ikye Dalton in the 64th minute, but back came the ten men again through another Massingham strike in the 68th minute. Hythe though were to have the last laugh when Keil netted his second goal of the game with ten minutes to go and progress into the next round.

Ilford 3 May & Baker 2

A local derby at Cricklefield saw ESL hosts Ilford see off TNS May & Baker to progress into the next round, Ilford started really well, netting after just three minutes through Nickal Luzolo before Greg Akpele doubled their lead with just nineteen minutes on the clock. Rowan Newland did pull one back though just before half time to reduce the arrears but early in the second half Luzolo netted another to give Ilford a two goal cushion once again.  With twenty minutes remaining Ilford were reduced to ten men when Adbul Rahman was dismissed, but May & Baker could not capitalise on their numerical advantage, pulling one back deep deep into stoppage time through George Downs which was too little too late, meaning Ilford would hold on and take their spot in the next round.

Little Oakley 2 Colney Heath 0

It's been another solid start to Oakley's campaign, and that start continued well as they saw off Spartan South Midlands Premier Colney Heath at The Memorial Ground, Dylan Ketley-Gregan handed the hosts the lead nine minutes before the break before a Bobby Rea goal deep deep into stoppage time at the end of the game sealed their passage into the First Round Proper.

NW London 2 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 2 (Letchworth Garden City Eagles won 4-2 on penalties)

TNS side NW London's home form this season has been sublime, so they would have been confident heading into this game against a fellow Step Six side who have been struggling this season, but football is a funny old game isn't it, the the visitors, who had one win in ten in their division, won the tie on penalties. They did take the lead in this one too through Rory Gillham, but when NW London saw goals from Gherardo Lucchesini & Hussein Farhat turn it around, the hosts probably thought they were in business, but Ryan Morgan levelled with fifteen minutes to go to force penalties, which the visitors won to progress.

Phoenix Sports 4 Sporting Bengal United 1

This was SCEFL Premier versus ESL in Kent, both had been Step Four very recently, although this was still going to be a tough away tie for Sporting, and it proved to be that way sadly for the Mile End outfit.  It started in the worst possible way for the visitors when they found themselves a goal down in no time at all courtesy of Harry Smarts first minute goal, but Evander Lopes did level six minutes later to see the visitors respond in the best kind of way.  Phoenix though restored their lead late on in the first half through Lyle Della-Verde and then increased that lead in the first minute of the second half courtesy of Kristian Campbell, Smart then added another in the 56th minute to increase the hosts lead further still, and the damage had been done, meaning Phoenix were the ones to progress.

Potton United 1 Hutton 2

This step five versus step six encounter would normally see the hosts installed as favourites, but not in this one, Potton were bottom of the Spartan South Midlands Premier having lost eight of their ten league games, Hutton were joint league leaders in the TNS although did suffer a rather shock 3-0 loss at Basildon Town in midweek. Elliott Howson have Hutton a tenth minute lead, only to see the hosts level seven minutes later through Cam Watson, and the game stayed this way till late on as the tie entered it's final ten minutes.  But, Hutton would have the final say as they netted an 83rd minute winner to see them through to the next round.

 
Saffron Walden Town 3 Hackney Wick 0

Walden had just suffered back to back home defeats to Athletic Newham, and had conceded six at GWR prior to that, so they would have been slightly apprehensive coming into this Vase tie against a Wick side who had been banging in the goals lately, but backed by a decent crowd of 227, they would record a very decent win.  Kaleel Green gave them a 19th minute lead before he then netted from the spot eight minutes later to hand them a two goal cushion, and Mekhi Mckenzie then added a third early in the second period as Walden saw off a very dangerous and kept a clean sheet to boot as they won through to the First Round Proper.

 
SOUL Tower Hamlets 2 Bridon Ropes 0

Everything in this game pointed to a home win, the ESL hosts had been having a very good season so far and reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, Bridon Ropes are struggling somewhat in Step Six in the SCEFL One, and although SOUL would record a win, it was certainly a harder job than many thought.  It took the hosts till seven minutes before the break before Samir Bihmoutine gave them the lead, and Sherman Artmeladze doubled that lead on the hour mark as they recorded a two goal win to progress into the next round. Job done as they would say. 

So, congratulations to the sides who made it through in the Vase, now for the league games that took place and how they affect the tables:-

Essex Senior League

Harwich & Parkeston 3-3 White Ensign

Woodford Town 2-0 Basildon United

It was a bonkers second half at The Royal Oak, Harwich & Ensign was goalless at half time but no one was prepared for what was to follow, Shaun Avis gave the hosts a 49th minute lead, that was cancelled out by a Jack Stone leveller on 55 minutes, Alfie Eldridge restored the hosts lead in the 65th minute, only for an own goal two minutes to bring the visitors level again.  And two minutes after that, Harwich went ahead again through a second goal for Eldridge, but, you guessed it, Ensign were to force a draw after Arnold Mengi levelled once again with eight minutes to go.

Woodford Town, who were still buzzing from their FA Cup heroics in midweek, saw off a struggling Basildon United at Ashtons, Ollie Sotoyinbo netted yet another goal to give his side a 15th minute lead, and they sealed the win with four minutes to go with Dimi Christou found the net for the home side, and this was to be the final game Micheal Walther would be in charge of the visitors as they decided to part ways with him after only 51 days in charge, meaning they have gone through two managers before September is out, not ideal.

That win put Woodford top of the pile, Ensign's draw sees them just outside the playoffs., Harwich are only two points back themselves in ninth, Basildon remain in the bottom two and are now looking for a third manager of the season.

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

AS London 1-1 Newbury Forest

FC Baresi 2-1 Dunmow Town

Southend Manor 3-3 Burnham Ramblers

The points were shared at New River Stadium between AS London & Newbury Forest, the hosts were reduced to ten men when Zivonimir Lopes was dismissed with twenty minutes to, AS London did take the lead though Naim Mejdoubi netted soon after, however they couldn't hold on as the visitors earned a point with a leveller ten minutes from time.

Another two goals from Junior Appiah handed FC Baresi another win, that's ten points from twelve in their last four games, Dunmow did see Darnell Fuller net from the bench, but it wasn't enough to prevent another defeat for the visitors.

And their was a six goal thriller at Southchurch Park as Manor and Ramblers shared six goals which also had a very dramatic ending, Manor lead early on through Kehinde Sanni, but Ramblers fought back to level before half time, Ramblers then went in front early in the second half before George Jessey restored parity with a 76th minute penalty.  Then came the dramatic ending, Ramblers thought they had won it in the 92nd minute when heading home, but Manor would not give up and levelled in the 94th minute thanks to a curling free kick from Jude Morgan.

Newbury Forest do go top of the pile on goal difference with that draw at New River, Burnham stay outside the top five after they saw Manor level late on, FC Baresi are up to 12th after their win, AS London are one place behind them after holding the now league leaders, Manor go 14th with that last gasp point, Dunmow are just above the bottom three after their fifth loss of the season.

That concludes the blog for now, not sure when I'll do another one, but until then goodbye for now, and thanks for reading and for all the support you give me, you know who you are, so thank you.