AFC Whyteleafe 3 Andover New Street 1 - Goals from Daniel Bennett, Gaspar Mico & Corey Holder hand AFC Whyteleafe two goal advantage over Andover New Street after first leg of their FA Vase semi final tie

Isuzu FA Vase Semi Final 1st Leg, Saturday March 29th

So, the FA Vase for 2024/25 had reached the final four stage, four sides whose dream of reaching Non League Finals Day at Wembley on May 11th, and four sides whose dream of winning this competition for the very first time remained alive, nerve jangling moments ahead in the two semi finals which were to be played over two legs.

 And for AFC Whyteleafe, Andover New Street, Hartpury University & Whitstable Town, this was all new territory as neither of these sides had been this far in the competitions history, so excitement and nerves no doubt as these two ties played out over the next two weekends, but for now let's concentrate on the first leg ties.

Southern Counties East Premier Division Whitstable Town were at home to Hellenic Premier Division Hartpury University at The Belmont in front of a sell out crowd, but I was back over at Church Road, home of AFC Whyteleafe, as the Combined Counties Premier Division South side were taking on Wessex Premier Division Andover New Street, who could take an advantage into next weekend's second leg tie?

It was soon apparent that the visitors from Hampshire would spend the majority of the opening forty five minutes on the back foot, the hosts were certainly putting all the pressure on their opponents and it was no surprise that just before the midway point of the first half they found the lead, skipper Daniel Bennett finding himself in on goal to round visiting keeper Jonathan Hill and slot home, and just four minutes later things got even better for the home side.

Gaspar Mico, scorer of the only goal in their quarter final win against Bourne Town, cut onto his left foot and fired an unstoppable effort past Hill from inside the box, and Leafe now had a comfortable 2-0 lead before the half hour mark, and you felt that the visitors needed to dig in and prevent this semi final from being over after the first leg, the hosts had been that dominant, almost men against boys at times.

Andover managed to get to the break only two behind, they had barely threatened in the opening forty five minutes and after the break Leafe continued to do most of the attacking, but could not find that third goal, they so nearly found it when a close range header was brilliantly stopped by Hill before the follow up struck the bar, but then from nowhere the visitors grabbed themselves a lifeline.

It came in the 66th minute, Andover mounting an attack which saw a decent stop from home keeper George Hill, but he could only parry to substitute Charlie Postance who buried the rebound, Leafe had been in total control for 65 minutes, but now it was back in the balance, and for the next five or ten minutes Andover threatened to level this tie, or certainly looked like they could do, they curled a terrific effort just wide on one occasion, and the hosts had to regroup.

Once the hosts settled though they began to threaten again, but Andover to be fair would have been delighted to take a one goal deficit back to Hampshire with them considering how dominant the hosts had been, but at the end of a big wadge of stoppage time, Leafe added a third goal which could be very important in the overall tie.

Ten minutes of added on time at the end of the game had elapsed when a close range effort was saved by Hill but he could only parry onto Corey Holder and see the ball bounce of him and back into the net, meaning Leafe would indeed take a two goal cushion to Hampshire for the second leg next weekend.

Andover then have it all to do next weekend, they were outclassed for the most in this one, and if they are to prevent Leafe from reaching the Final, they are going to have to drastically improve in the second leg for sure. Advantage AFC Whyteleafe for sure...

Full time AFC Whyteleafe 3 Andover New Street 1

How did the other Semi Final 1st Leg go? Let's find out...

Whitstable Town 2 Hartpury University 0

Southern Counties East Premier side Whitstable feel like they have one foot in the final in May after they will take a two goal lead back to Hartpury University for next weekends second leg. Nathan Jeche put the hosts ahead after eleven minutes and they added a second goal through Finn O'Mara with just over twenty minutes remaining to send home the near 3,000 crowd at The Belmont very happy indeed.

So, after the first legs it's advantage AFC Whyteleafe & Whitstable Town, they both take two goal leads into the second legs next weekend, ties are definitely not over yet but both Andover New Street & Hartpury University will need to put in some pretty special performances to turn these ties around you would say.....

Little Oakley 0 Great Wakering Rovers 1 - Bradleigh Rowland nets 72nd minute winner as Great Wakering Rovers edge out Little Oakley to clinch Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy and claim first silverware of the Essex Senior League season

Essex Senior League Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy Final, Wednesday 26th March

The final Wednesday in March saw the first of the cup finals take place in the Essex Senior League as the first silverware would be contested between Little Oakley & Great Wakering Rovers at Billericay Town's New Lodge ground.

Now Oakley are having a very sold season in the division and they have also reached the Semi Final of the Errington Challenge Cup, the league cup for the ESL, too so it's been a pretty solid campaign for sure, their route to this final though needed quite a bit of luck as three of the four contests were won on penalty shoot outs.

They began in the Preliminary Round with a shoot out win at Ensign before another away trip to Wadham Lodge in Round One saw shoot out success at West Essex, they then travelled to Mayesbrook Park to knock Romford out on spot kicks, and their fourth away trip in a row saw them actually take the win in normal time, away at Saffron Walden Town at Catons Lane, so to say they earned this final appearance would be an understatement.

GWR themselves are having a good season too and are still in with a shot at promotion, they are sitting in fifth and final play off spot currently and have a healthy five point gap to sixth placed Walden too, they also are in the semi finals of the League Cup, just like Oakley, in fact if both win their semi finals in that competition too then that final will be a repeat of this one.

Unlike Oakley though, GWR did not need penalties in any of their ties to get here, a 4-0 home win at home to Benfleet in the Preliminary Round was followed by a 2-1 success at Buckhurst Hill, they then netted another 4-0 win, this time away at Halstead Town in the Quarter Finals, before a narrow 1-0 win at home to Woodford Town in the Semi Finals saw them take their place here in the final.

The only time the sides met so far this season saw a 4-2 success for GWR at Oakley's Memorial Ground back in early September (they actually play each other at Burroughs Park on April 1st, which is next week) but how would this final pan out? 

Well, it was to be no six goal thriller that's for sure, finals are rarely exciting are they, normally cagey niggly affairs with not much in the way of goalmouth action, well this one was no different sadly although the Green and Whites were always the ones who looked likelier to find a breakthrough if one did come.

GWR were certainly the ones who felt at home, three quarters of the superb crowd of 505 were from the small village near Southend, and they were making plenty of noise behind the goal their side were attacking, but their fans were getting frustrated as the game continued along at it's tight and physical affair, and the first shot on target didn't come till first half stoppage time, that kind of summed up the contest.

Would the second half be any better, well GWR certainly again were the ones looking the more likely to score, although Oakley had their moments just to keep their opponents honest, but as the game entered it's final quarter, you started to think this may well be headed for extra time, but in the 72nd minute came the winning moment.

A ball in by substitute Kingdom Dawson was helped on by Ben Search, into the path of both Callum Boylan & Bradleigh Rowland & it was the latter who managed to stretch out a leg and prod the ball beyond Oakley keeper Billy Lawlor who had come out to try and beat them to the ball, and see it go over him and into the net to send those noisy Rovers fans wild with delight, they had around twenty minutes to hold on and claim some silverware.

Things got slightly better for Rovers as well in the 77th minute after Oakley skipper Lewis Wood was sin binned for dissent, but Wakering could not take advantage of this and in fact it was them hanging on a bit at the end as Oakley threw everything at Rovers in search of a late leveller and force an extra half hour and maybe penalties.

Rovers though did hold on after several tense minutes of added on time and claim the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy for 2024/25, commiserations to Oakley who could have levelled late on, but Rovers probably deserved the win overall and celebrated with their fans accordingly after, not the greatest final by any means, but a winner in normal time nonetheless, well done Great Wakering Rovers!!!

Full time Little Oakley 0 Great Wakering Rovers 1

Now there was some league action in the ESL on Tuesday, so here is a look at what happened there:-

Tuesday March 25th

Benfleet 2 Takeley 3

Takeley kept their slim hopes of the title going with victory at Woodside, George Powell opened the scoring two minutes after the break to give Takeley the lead but Gianni Frankis levelled things up on the hour mark. Coby Miles though restored Takeley's lead in the 69th minute before that lead was extended by Jamal Obeng in the 84th minute, Jayden Oshitola did net a consolation deep into stoppage time but it was the visitors who earned another important three points.

Hullbridge Sports 3 Halstead Town 2

Sports took a huge stride to confirming their ESL status for next season with a big three points at Lower Road, Connor Hart put Hullbridge ahead nine minutes before half time but they were pegged back a minute before the break when Joel Older levelled for the visitors. Piers Hatcliff though restored the hosts lead two minutes after the break and then extended that lead just four minutes later, James Eveleigh did make it a nervy finish when pulling one back with thirteen or so minutes remaining however the hosts held on for a massive three points.

Saffron Walden Town 0 Buckhurst Hill 1

Walden suffered a huge blow in their chase for a play off spot as they were beaten at home by Buckhurst Hill, the only goal of the contest came twenty minutes into the second half from Alfie Harris, and it handed the visitors a welcome win.

Stansted 2 Athletic Newham 1

The Airportmen grabbed a huge win in their battle against the drop, Aaron Thomas gave the hosts the lead in the 17th minute and they were in dreamland when Charlie Portway doubled that lead just before the half hour mark. The visitors did respond through Wilson Mendes with around twenty minutes remaining to make it interesting, but Stansted held on to record a very important win.

Let's quickly see how that affects the table:-

Takeley's win means they are now five points off Stanway who lead the way and are now pretty much guaranteed a play off place but will want to finish in the top three to earn a home semi final if they fail to catch the leaders, Walden on the other hand are seeing their chances of a play off spot fade after back to back losses.

Hullbridge are now eight clear of the bottom two after they won, Stansted are back to just three points off Sawbo with a game in hand after they won, so that final relegation spot is still to be decided with five/six games to go.

That's all for now, thanks for taking the time to read, and well done to Great Wakering Rovers in picking up the first piece of silverware this season in the division!!!
    

Essex Senior League (Friday 21st/Saturday 22nd March) - Woodford Town saw off Ilford at Ashton's, Stanway Rovers netted battling win at Little Oakley & Takeley defeated Saffron Walden Town in front of 586 at Station Road

(Action from Little Oakley Vs Stanway Rovers on Saturday afternoon, which saw the visitors net a hard fought win to return to the summit of the ESL after Woodford's win on Friday Night)

Essex Senior League, Friday 21st/Saturday 22nd March

The penultimate weekend of March saw Non League Day take place, it's an annual event to celebrate the local game and is normally scheduled in this time of year when the International Break takes place, meaning fans from top teams can go and support their local sides and the clubs often do deals or incentives to go along and give them some support.

Now the Essex Senior League were giving fans the opportunity to attend up to four games in the league across the weekend, there were two Friday night games, and eight on Saturday with some of the kick offs staggered meaning fans could get to three of those contests on the Saturday, I myself would be attending three of these games, starting on Friday night, and would be taking in four of the top six clubs as a result, not bad eh.

West Essex were hosting Barking at Wadham Lodge in one of the Friday night encounters, but I was over at Ashton's for title chasing Woodford Town's game against Ilford, so let's start there with Game one of three for me in the league this weekend:-

Friday March 21st

Woodford Town Vs Ilford

The hosts simply knew a win was the only thing acceptable, they began the weekend two points behind leaders Stanway Rovers having played a game more, so anything else just wouldn't do, and of course if they could beat Ilford at Ashton's they would go top for at least twenty four hours or so.

The hosts were on winning streak of three games to coming into this, they had hit form again at the right time, and when these two met in the corresponding fixture, Woodford won that game 2-0, so they would certainly welcome a repeat of that, and in contrast to Woodford, The Foxes hadn't won in three games, only picking up a single point in those contests too, but Ilford would not be an easy task for the hosts, so a close fought encounter was expected as this was also a London Derby (these clubs are around five miles apart).

The visitors were the ones though to settle the quicker and should have been at least three goals up but were unable to convert any of the clear cut chances they created, and they would rue this in a big way as Woodford, who had been well off the pace if truth be told, find the net in first half stoppage time when Nathan Sollosi turned home at the back post, and despite their first half showing, Ilford found themselves behind at the break.

The Foxes missed another guilt edged chance early in the second half, and once again Woodford made them pay as nine minutes after the break Miles Mitchell-Nelson sent a header back across goal and into the far corner, and the hosts now had some breathing space and despite them not being on it in this contest, they still had a two goal cushion.

Ilford didn't throw in the towel though and kept going, and with just over twenty minutes remaining finally found the net to give themselves hope of a comeback, Abdul Shobowale firing home from inside the box, and once again the hosts would have to dig deep to try and keep out a Foxes side who were attempting to find a leveller in this one.

However, two minutes into stoppage time Woodford sealed a big three points when Luke Steele converted from close range, it had not been a vintage performance but they had done what they had needed to do, win the game, that's all that matters at this time of the season, and it sent them top of the table ahead of Stanway's game at Little Oakley on Saturday.

This was another frustrating night for the visitors though, they will rue those missed chances, especially in the first period, and it means another loss, their third in four outings now, if only they could have found a goal scorer this evening, if they could have things may have been very different in this one.

Full time Woodford Town 3 Ilford 1

There was one other game on Friday night, and there was a surprising score line in that one too....

West Essex 1 Barking 0

An 81st minute penalty from Jaedon Phillips handed West Essex a superb win over play off bound Barking at Wadham Lodge, in front of a bumper crowd of 212, a superb effort from all. It sent West into 10th spot in the league, whereas for Barking it pretty much ended any faint hopes of winning the title as they remained in third, seven points off the leaders with only five games to go. They should still claim a play off spot though.

So, two games down in the weekend, and two superb crowds as well, 212 at Wadham Lodge and 184 at Woodford, a good start to the ESL weekend then, what would we have in store on Saturday, lets find out.

Saturday March 22nd

Little Oakley Vs Stanway Rovers

My next port of call was the match at The War Memorial between ninth placed Little Oakley and title chasing Stanway Rovers, the visitors of course had been knocked off the top after Woodford Town's Friday night win, they knew though that they were only a point behind them at kick off, with two games in hand.

You still have to win those games in hand, although two draws would be enough to overhaul Woodford's points tally, and with Rovers having a better goal difference too (five better) a point would take them top, however, they were no doubt going all out for the win to take control back in the division, Oakley though would not make it easy for them.

Oakley had won five of their last seven, with only defeat, including wins against Walden, Takeley & Woodford, all sides in the top six of course, so Stanway knew this would be a toughie that's for sure, although the visitors had only lost twice all season, so tend to get the job done more often than not, although when these sides met back in September, it ended all square in a 2-2 draw, not that has much bearing on this one now.

Could Stanway get a positive result though to take them back to the summit of the ESL? Well, the hosts certainly started the better but once Rovers settled they began to put the hosts under pressure, however, Oakley were to take the lead in fortuitous circumstances when striker Darren Mills appeared to completely shank an effort at goal, which was perfectly into the path of a team mate, but before he could get to it Stanway defender Reece Harris tried to get to it bit sliced a looping effort into his own net over keeper Callum Robinson, and the league leaders were suddenly behind with eight minutes of the first half remaining.

Stanway though are not league leaders for nothing, and they were to go into the half time break ahead after two quickfire goals at the end of the half, firstly levelling when hosts keeper Ryan Lees allowed a cross to slip through his grasp to give George Okoye the easiest of tap ins, and then in first half stoppage time Tom Maycock fired home from close range after being left free at the far post, three goals in ten first half minutes at the end of the half, it had taken a while to get going, but was catching fire now.

You felt if Stanway could get a third then that would be job done, they so nearly found a third when a wonderful one touch passing move ended with a strike thumping against the inside of the post, Oakley though were never out of this contest and as the game got closer to the end, they were putting a solid Rovers back line under some pressure, but Oakley, themselves had a great chance to level earlier in the half, could not breach the visitors backline again.

The game was to end on a rather sour note when Jordi Papple & Harrison Chatting came together following a challenge, causing a rather unnecessary melee, resulting in straight reds for the two mentioned, all rather unnecessary as said but on the whole it had been a superb battle between two honest sides, but it was Stanway who came out on top and returned back to the top of the division as a result, like Woodford, they just know how to win games.

Full time Little Oakley 1 Stanway Rovers 2

   

Takeley Vs Saffron Walden Town

My third and final game of the weekend came over at Station Road, Takeley, as the hosts welcomed Saffron Walden Town to their shores, and after the afternoon games the hosts sat in fourth spot with a seven point gap to sixth placed Walden who were now five points off fifth placed GWR after their win again Ensign earlier in the day, so it was important now that Walden got a win in this one.

It was a big game then, a win for Takeley would take them ten clear of Walden with only a handful of games to go and above Barking into third spot too, Walden though could close that gap to just four if they won, and and back to just two behind GWR in fifth, and with Takeley's form up and down lately (four wins and two draws in last six) Walden felt that maybe they could get something here.

Walden's form lately had also been up and down though, they had the chance to break into the play off zone in their last outing, but lost at Halstead Town meaning they remained two points behind fifth placed GWR, so it was hard to call in this one who would go on and take the points, and with it being a derby too there was likely to be no quarter given in this one. Their meeting in the reverse fixture this season ended 1-1 as well, so not a lot between the two sides.

Takeley certainly had the better of the opening forty five minutes and did create more of the openings that did arise, played in front of a superb crowd of 586 at Station Road too, it certainly had a carnival atmosphere that was for sure, but would the crowd see any goals, the first half ended goalless but after Walden came out of the traps the better in the second half, it was Takeley who broke the deadlock.

The game had just passed it's hour mark when a long throw into the Walden box wasn't dealt with by the visitors, and Jordon Westcott nipped across his marker to apply a finishing touch beyond George Coton at the near post and give his side the lead, and thereafter the game seemed to go back to how it had been before.

Walden to their credit kept fighting though and were doing their upmost to find a leveller, but deep into stoppage time at the end of another hard fought contest, Takeley countered on their opponents to seal the game and a ball squared to Olly Miles saw him take a touch before firing beyond Coton into the far corner, and Takeley could celebrate victory here.

It's a result that takes Takeley into third and still in with an outside chance of catching the leaders, but they are now in a home play off spot position which would be oh so important if they can get that, for Walden themselves this is a damaging result in their quest for one of those play off spots, now five behind fifth with a handful of games remaining.

Full time Takeley 2 Saffron Walden Town 0

Shall we see how the other Saturday games went and how the weekend affected the table...

Athletic Newham 3 Frenford 2

This pitted eleventh against fourteenth in the division, Freddie Tandon put through his own net after twenty minutes to give the hosts the lead, and that lead was doubled six minutes before half time through Kai Torres. Corey Hewlett did pull one back before half time but Newham extended their lead through Rodney Dame four minutes after the break, and although an Elton Tettey penalty just before the hour reduced the deficit, it was the hosts who would hold on to take the points.

Benfleet 4 FC Clacton 2

The Saturday afternoon action begin with the midday kick off at Woodside, sixteenth placed Benfleet began this one ten points above the drop zone and they welcomed bottom side FC Clacton who desperately needed the points in their faint bid for survival, and a bumper crowd of 702 turned up to watch this one!!! It started well for the visitors, taking the lead through Tyrese Miller after just four minutes, but Benfleet roared back and levelled just before the half hour through Gianni Frankis before taking the lead through Nathan Saunders ten minutes before half time. Mason Shave then extended Benfleet's lead two minutes later, only to then see Arthur Bright reduce then deficit before half time, but Fleet sealed the points late on through Sonny Hartman and FC Clacton, who saw Bright dismissed late on for a second booking, looked doomed after this latest loss. 

Buckhurst Hill 1 Hullbridge Sports 1

Thirteenth placed Hill welcomed seventeenth placed Sports to Roding Lane, the visitors began the day seven points above the drop zone with seven games to go, and another bumper crowd of 411 turned up to watch this one too. Piers Hatcliff handed Bridge the half time lead when netting nine minutes before the break, but the points would be shared courtesy of Archie Hammond's 69th minute leveller.

Great Wakering Rovers 3 White Ensign 1

Part Two of the Burroughs Park derby saw fifth placed GWR take on seventh placed Ensign, the hosts were a massive twelve points above their opponents and were looking to enhance their play off ambitions with a win, but Ensign had got the better of GWR in their corresponding fixture earlier in the season. Harry Talbot broke the deadlock twelve minutes before half time to give the hosts the lead, Ensign hit straight back two minutes later through Riley Weir, only for Talbot to give GWR the half time lead deep into added on time at the end of the first period. And GWR were to seal this derby when Callum Boylan netted the hosts third ten minutes from time, and with Walden losing later in the evening, GWR are in pole position for that final play off spot. 

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Romford 0

Hosts Sawbo have seen their gap to second bottom Stansted and the drop zone shrink rather alarmingly recently, it's now down to just three points after last weekend, so Sawbo knew if they could win they could increase that gap against a Romford side whose season is threatening to end in a rather flat way after their play off hopes are all but over now. Sawbo got the perfect start to this one too, taking the lead after just five minutes through Austen Garrod, and with seventeen minutes to go they sealed a massive three points when Luke Ellis netted.

Stansted 0 Halstead Town 1

Can the Airportmen pull of the great escape, they have got the gap to safety down to three points and are within touching distance of survival now, and they welcomed twelfth placed Halstead to Hargrave Park knowing that their opponents would prove a tough nut to crack. Only one goal would be needed to settle this one, and it went to the visitors in the 66th minute through Nathan Scarborough, inflicting a potentially damaging defeat on Stansted in their battle against the drop.   

Let's see what the table looks like after the weekend's games:-

Stanway remain two clear at the top then with a game in hand meaning it's still in their hands, Woodford are keeping them honest though and still have a gap to third place, Takeley though just have to keep winning and see where it takes them and be there if the top two slip up. Barking & Wakering are pretty set now after the weekend's results, Walden now have a job to do if they are to prevent one of those sides from not being in the post season.

FC Clacton are pretty much down now after their latest defeat, eleven points from safety with just five games to go, and with Sawbo winning and Stansted losing, that gap is now six points, so right now it's hard to see how the bottom two will not be the ones dropping into Step Six next season, Stansted though do have two games in hand, so that might not be quite over yet, only time will tell.

Well, what a weekend that was, three decent battles seen, and lots of money raised for Prostate Cancer too, majority of sides played a player wearing a number 45 shirt, as one man is diagnosed with the disease every 45 minutes, their were 45 second silences and applauses, and there were big crowds at a few of the games too, with the ESL Passport system working well too as fans/hoppers tried to take in as many games as they could.

Stuart Pearce and the Premier League trophy was also a big draw at Woodside, Roding Lane and Station Road, it was a great weekend and hopefully people who came along for the first time will now go back and watch their local side regularly, that's what this day/weekend is all about, and I am sure the ESL will be very happy with how the weekend went too, they should be applauded for this as it takes a lot of work and organisation to do one of these weekends. Your hard work is always appreciated!!!

Anyway that's that for this bumper blog. hope you enjoyed reading it and thanks as always for taking the time too, it means a lot, thank you.

Canvey Island 1 Hornchurch 1 (Canvey Island won 4-2 on penalties) - Bradley Sach nets stoppage time leveller before netting winning spot kick in shootout as Canvey edge out Hornchurch to win BBC Essex Senior Cup

BBC Essex Senior Cup Final, Tuesday March 18th

Mid march and the first major cup final in my season and in the season in general in these parts, and it was the prestigious County Cup in Essex between two big sides in the shape of Canvey Island & Hornchurch at the superb Community Stadium in Colchester, home of League Two Colchester United of course.

Once again I needed to thank Barry Fitzgerald of the Essex FA in inviting me as his guest for this occasion, meaning hospitality in the lounge and decent seats on the halfway line too, very nice and feels like a reward for what I do in local football so I am always grateful to them and Barry for doing this for me, it's very much appreciated.

We all had a potentially decent final to enjoy too, Hornchurch started the game as favourites being the side from a higher division, Canvey currently are one place above the drop zone in the Isthmian Premier Division, albeit seven points above it, whereas The Urchins were mid table in the Vanarama National League South, one level above.

However, this was a cup final so anything could happen and it was all on the day, both these sides had began their campaigns in the Third Round, and had got through four games to reach this final, Canvey had seen off Essex Senior League Buckhurst Hill & Vanarama National League Dagenham & Redbridge before needing penalties to see off Isthmian North Brighlingsea Regent & then Vanarama National League South Chelmsford City in the Semi Finals, so they had beaten sides above them in the pyramid to get to this stage.

Hornchurch's campaign saw them begin by squeezing past Isthmian North Maldon & Tiptree on penalties before they then saw off a plucky Thurlow Nunn South side Rayleigh Town in Round Four, they then netted a 4-2 win at Hashtag United who are in the Isthmian Premier before they netted a comfortable 4-0 semi final win at Isthmian North Heybridge Swifts to reach this final at Colchester United's Community Stadium.

So how would this contest go? The first half saw little in the way of goal mouth action, the first real chance came in the 27th minute when Bradley Sach, the Canvey number nine, fired inches wide of the post, and four minutes after this Hornchurch thought they had taken the lead when Giles Phillps nodded home after a ball over to the far side had been nodded back into the danger zone, however the assistants flag had gone up as the ball had gone out of play.

But, three minutes before the break came the breakthrough, and it was a screamer too, Charlee Adams thumping an unstoppable effort into the top corner from thirty yards out to hand Hornchurch a slender lead at the break, it had been the only real moment of quality in the game thus far on a rather poor pitch it has to be said, but The Urchins held the advantage as everyone poured back into the warmth for a half time cuppa.

Canvey certainly were the better side after the break and although their were not to many clear cut chances they were the ones who were applying the most pressure, but a solid Urchins back line kept them at arms length although they rarely threatened in the second period, but still it looked as though that brilliant strike from Adams just before half time was going to prove decisive and win the cup for the Vanarama South outfit.

Canvey though had other ideas and just would not give up, and two minutes into stoppage time they found a dramatic leveller, Sach seeing a effort appear to take a deflection and bounce over keeper Mason Terry and end up in the far corner of the net, and cue mass celebrations between the Canvey players and supporters, and penalties were now needed to decide who would win the Senior Cup.

Canvey of course had won their last two ties on spot kicks so were not afraid of this scenario, Hornchurch had won their Round Three tie on spot kicks too so had also experienced this outcome in their run too, this was the final though so no doubt both sets of players would be nervous, that's only natural.

Hornchurch went first and it was an awful penalty if truth be told, the ball being dragged wide of the target, Canvey then netted their first penalty before Hornchurch then managed to find the target before Canvey netted again and then saw The Urchins strike the post with their third kick, Canvey once again netted a composed kick meaning they held a 3-1 lead after three pens each. Advantage Canvey for sure.

Hornchurch were now pretty much in sudden death territory and managed to net their fourth kick to keep the shootout going, but knew if Canvey netted their fourth, it was all over, and who was the man to take the penalty, none other than Sach, the guy who had netted the stoppage time leveller and public enemy number one The Urchins supporters, they had battered him all game, so the irony was apparent.

Sach held his nerve too, slotting the penalty beyond the dive of Terry before ripping off his shirt and running over to celebrate in front of those Hornchurch fans, it was the perfect end for him and for Canvey who have had a tough season this campaign, so to win this prestigious competition was a perfect tonic for the club who will now look to secure their Isthmian Premier status for next season.

For Hornchurch it was so near yet so far, they were two minutes or so away from winning this themselves, but that's football as they say and they will now look to finish as best they can in the Vanarama South this season and go again next year, not the greatest of finals, but a dramatic end and worth the wait for sure.

Full time Canvey Island 1 Hornchurch 1 (Canvey Island won 4-2 on penalties)