Essex Senior League Playoff Semi Finals - Takeley net win over Barking to set up home play off final against Woodford Town who netted two stoppage time goals to dramatically see off Great Wakering Rovers at Ashton's

(Takeley celebrate Olly Miles goal to settle their win over Barking and set up a home play off final in the process, photo courtesy of the Essex Senior League (@EssexSenior) so thank you for that)

Essex Senior League Playoff Semi Finals, Wednesday 30th April

The regular season was over, and now it was down to the post season and the play offs in the Essex Senior League, who would be joining Champions Stanway Rovers in Step Four next season, runners up Takeley had a home semi final against fifth placed Barking, whilst third placed Woodford Town would welcome Great Wakering Rovers to Ashton's with all four still harbouring hopes of getting to Saturday's finale and a chance of promotion.

Home advantage is often important in these games, but pressure does funny things to teams, who could handle the pressure the best, would both home sides get through for a shot at glory, or would the two visiting sides upset the applecart? Let's find out who kept their chances of glory going for a few more days.....

Takeley Vs Barking

Runners up Takeley kept champions Stanway honest almost up to the end of the season but just could not prevent them from winning the title and automatic promotion, however, they did defeat Stanway on the final day of the season to only finish two points behind the winners, & come into this play off game with plenty of confidence. 

Barking ended up finishing level on points with fourth placed GWR, with goal difference deciding who they would travel to in these semi finals. the Blues ended their regular season with a 1-1 draw at third placed Woodford Town, had they bettered GWR's on the final day, they would have returned to Ashton's for these play off games. 

Takeley though were their opponents, and the hosts tonight would need to be wary of The Blues whose boss Craig Edwards knows what it takes to win these play off encounters, so a tight and tense game was expected with plenty of physicality of course, who could gain the edge in this one and make it through to Saturday's finale?

It was the hosts who would draw first blood nine minutes before the break, George Powell managing to get on the end of a whipped corner in by Lewis Wicker to head home at the back post and hand the hosts the advantage as the sides went into the break, and it was an advantage they continued to hold on to in a second period that had fewer opening with the game bogged down in a midfield battle.

And with 81 minutes on the clock they were to double that advantage when Olly Miles remained composed to fire beyond keeper Joseph Johnson after Lanre Balogun had seen an initial effort rebound into the path of Miles, and it was enough for the hosts to book a home play off final at the weekend.

Takeley 2 Barking 0

Woodford Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers

Hosts Woodford ended up finishing behind Takeley in the run for promotion and fell well off the pace after at one stage leading the division although Stanway always had games in hand so they knew if those were won, which they were, the eventual champions knew they would be in control.

Woodford ended up nine points off the leaders and seven behind the runners up too, which would have disappointed them no end, they ended the season with a 1-1 home draw against Barking, and because both The Blues and GWR drew on the final day, it meant GWR would visit Ashton's for these play off games, either way it would be a tough assignment for whoever came to visit.

GWR have had a very solid campaign, a fourth placed finish, two cup finals, one which they had already won, with the other coming two days after the play off final, not ideal, but Rovers just wanted to have the chance of promotion and have that worry to still be a worry come the end of the evening, the visitors ended their regular season campaign with a 1-1 draw at bottom two side Stansted, could they go one better here against a dangerous Woodford side?

The first half saw the hosts have one ruled out for offside, a couple of efforts off the line and also see both teams strike the woodwork, but it meant the sides remained locked together at 0-0 as they headed into the dressing rooms at the break, and after the break both sides went very close but the score line remained goalless.

Then, in the 72nd minute the visitors had a golden chance to get their noses in front when they were awarded a penalty after Callum Boylan was brought down inside the box, and Harry Talbot was a cool as you like from the spot, firing into the bottom corner, and Woodford now had just over fifteen minutes to salvage their season.

It looked like this would not be the case, and the visitors were minutes away from a superb win to earn a place in the play off final, but, their was to be a dramatic twist in added on time, firstly when Woodford finally found the visitors net to level after a long throw into the box caused chaos, and Ernest Okoh was on hand to fire the ball into the roof of the net in the 92nd minute.

And unbelievably in the 96th minute Woodford won the game when Okoh again was the hero, converting at the back post to hand the hosts the most dramatic of wins and see the visitors chances of promotion ended in the most cruellest of ways imaginable. Incredible stuff!!! 

Woodford Town 2 Great Wakering Rovers 1

So, it all means that Takeley will hosts Woodford Town in Saturday's play off final, so Runners Up against Third, Takeley did finish seven points ahead of Woodford in the table but that will mean nothing on Saturday, both sides beat each other in the two league games during the regular season, Woodford winning 1-0 at Ashton's before Takeley netted a 2-0 win at Station Road, but again that counts for very little at the weekend.

There is sure to be a big crowd as well at Station Road on Saturday, 430 attended Takeley's semi final this evening, so no doubt their will be a large crowd at the weekend, who will go up to Step Four, hard one to call but only time will tell as they say!!! Will be exciting, especially if it ends like it did at Ashton's this evening, that was insane.....

Eastbourne Town 0 Merstham 1 - Late Bradley Wilson winner hands play off bound Merstham hard fought win against Eastbourne Town in their Isthmian One South East contest at The Saffrons

Isthmian One South East Division, Saturday 26th April

I decided to make a first trip to a ground I nearly went to a few years ago, but never got round to doing it, well today was the day I visited The Saffrons in Eastbourne for a final regular season game in the Isthmian One South East division, and it saw play off bound Merstham make the fifty mile trip & over the boarder from Surrey to East Sussex to take on Eastbourne Town.

And with the weather set fare it was sure to be an enjoyable day, and after a visit to a local pub for some food and drink, and the arrival of two coach loads of Merstham supporters in fancy dress to boot, it was time to make my way to the ground, once I'd been told where it was after walking the wrong way, this is what two beers does to me!!! Thankfully two locals showed me the way to go, and I soon arrived at the wonderful old turnstile, which was open, so a nice way to enter the ground.

It's a nice setting too, the ground is in between the cricket club and the bowls club, and with the lovely looking town hall with its clock tower looming over the grounds, it certainly was a wonderful back drop to the ground, and on such a gorgeous day weather wise too, that certainly helped as well, especially after my soaking last weekend in Cornwall!!!

Now there was nothing riding on this game, hosts Eastbourne Town were just below mid table in 13th spot but were on a three match winning run as they were finishing the season strongly, visitors Merstham were already guaranteed a play off spot as they had cemented fifth spot in their last outing, so this was a warm up ahead of their big play off semi final at Sittingbourne on Tuesday, & they were on a five match unbeaten run, so both sides were in good form, so I was expecting a decent game of football hopefully.

The first half saw the visitors create the bulk of the chances, hosts keeper Chris Winterton had to make two decent saves, tipping two curling efforts destined for the bottom corner wide of his post, and right on half time visiting full back Jude Molloy headed an effort against the post after sneaking round the back and getting on the end of a lovely ball into the box, Eastbourne rarely threatened in the opening forty five minutes but they did go into the half time break level.

Despite nothing riding on this game it didn't mean both sets of players wanted to win, and as they went down the tunnel at half time there was disagreements amongst the players who had to be separated, I think over a coming together just before the break which the visitors didn't like, it showed just how much this meant to them still but there was more drama to come during the half time break.

As I walked round to go for a comfort break, the PA announcer said that the referee was injured and could not continue and therefore one of his assistants would take the middle, but then asked if anyone in the ground was a qualified assistant and could take the flag in place of the now referee, if not then the game could not continue, but after several minutes someone came forward, and as he headed over to the far side to take up his new position, he was warmly applauded by the crowd who along with me were relieved the game would go on. 

Merstham decided to make four changes at the start of the second half to freshen things up and give others forty five minutes ahead of their big game on Tuesday, and they started the half how they ended the first initially and the hosts were grateful for their keeper once again as Winterton had to thwart another decent chance from the visitors, but as the half went on Eastbourne began to threaten much more than they did in the first half.

Sadly their end product wasn't there, meaning they could not take advantage of the openings they did create, would we get a goal though, I was certainly hoping so although it had been a decent battle between the two sides despite no goals to show, but, in the 82nd minute and with the hosts probably edging the game in the second half, Merstham struck the winning goal as it turned out, and it was one of those half time subs that grabbed it.

A ball into the box was eventually headed back into the danger zone and fell nicely for Bradley Wilson who fired home from close range to see them celebrate in front of those Merstham fans behind that goal all in fancy dress, and send them into that play off semi final in good spirits, and thus stopping the hosts ending the season with four straight wins too.

A decent battle as said, played in lovely conditions in front of 255 at The Saffrons, certainly a nice setting pretty much in the centre of the town, a very enjoyable trip and visit, I certainly recommend visiting here if you can.

Full time Eastbourne Town 0 Merstham 1

 

 

Bowers & Pitsea Reserves 3 Hutton U23 2 - Lindo Khumalo nets extra time winner to hand Bowers & Pitsea Reserves victory against Hutton U23 & claim Essex Senior League Len Cordell Memorial Trophy success

Essex Senior Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Final, Thursday 24th April

I was over at another Essex Senior League Final on the last Thursday of April, and it saw Bowers & Pitsea's Reserve side up against Hutton's U23 side at Lower Road, home of Hullbridge Sports of course, below is all the results of the competition which would climax here this evening:-

Round One

Buckhurst Hill Reserves 0-3 Heybridge Swifts Reserves

Walthamstow U23 3-0 White Ensign Reserves 

Takeley Reserves 4-2 Aveley U23 

Basildon United 13-1 Hullbridge Sports Reserves (game voided)

Ilford Reserves 3-2 Southend Manor Reserves

 

Round Two

Barking U23 4-2 Grays Athletic Reserves

Bowers & Pitsea Reserves 5-0 Waltham Abbey Reserves

Hashtag United Reserves 3-1 Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves

Heybridge Swifts Reserves 7-4 Ilford Reserves

Redbridge Reserves 1-2 May & Baker Reserves

Walthamstow Reserves 3-1 Basildon United Reserves

Takeley Reserves 1-3 Billericay Town Reserves

Hutton U23 received a bye into the Quarter Finals

Quarter Finals

Barking U23 2-1 Walthamstow Reserves

Heybridge Swifts Reserves 2-1 Hashtag United Reserves

Billericay Town Reserves 1-3 Hutton U23

Bowers & Pitsea Reserves 3-1 May & Baker Reserves

Semi Finals

Barking U23 3-3 Bowers & Pitsea Reserves (Bowers & Pitsea Reserves won 5-3 on penalties)

Heybridge Swifts Reserves 2-5 Hutton U23

So, Bowers had seen off Waltham Abbey, May & Baker before winning a semi final shoot out against Barking, Hutton had played one less round and seen off Billericay & Heybridge, how would this final go?

Bowers started the better in this one and midway through the first half grabbed the lead when a ball into the box found Lindo Khumalo who kept his composure before lifting the ball high into the net, they had further openings to add to their lead but could not capitalise on this, and a few minutes before half time they were made to pay.

A tackle sent Hutton's George Briton-Watkins through on goal, and he made no mistake in finding the net and saw the sides go into the break all square, Bowers would have been scratching their heads and wondering how, but fair play to Hutton who had dug in and stayed in the contest, getting their reward late on in the half.

Both sides had good chances early in the second half, but just past the hour mark Bowers retook the lead, and it was awful defending by Hutton, who all stopped and watched John Elongo receive the ball inside the box, totally free, and given all the time in the world to fire home, and left the Hutton players looking at each other and wondering who was supposed to be covering him.

Hutton though were not done, and after they saw keeper Carter Collins had to go off injured and be replaced by sub keeper Alfie Fitzearle, they levelled once again in the 80th minute, as a ball in from the left saw Oliver Noble who helped it on it way into the far corner, extra time was now looming.

Bowers though were handed a golden chance to win the game in normal time when they were awarded a penalty for a foul inside the box, which was too much for Hutton's Cameron McKenzie who was duly sin binned for his protests towards the referee, and it meant Ibrahim Adi stepped up to take the spot kick, but it was a poor one and allowed keeper Fitzearle to make the stop, and the game was heading for extra time.

Bowers must have felt this wasn't their night, although in extra time they definitely looked the stronger as Hutton seemed to be tiring more than their opponents, but they were fighting for everything in what was a superb cup final, however, Bowers were not to be denied and with 111 minutes on the clock they grabbed the winner as Khumalo was sent through on the right and he fired across the keeper and into the corner and win the Trophy for his side.

A superb game and a great contest, watched by a decent crowd of 186 too, well played both sides but congratulations to Bowers on their success!!!

Full time Bowers & Pitsea Reserves 3 Hutton U23 2

 

Cornwall/Devon Trip 18th/19th April - A soggy Good Friday saw Torpoint edge out Saltash, Torquay defeat Truro & Wadebridge & Camelford net point a piece, whilst on Easter Saturday Tiverton saw off Gosport

 

(Easter Saturday action from Ladysmead as Tiverton Town saw off Gosport Borough in the Southern League Premier South)

The start of the Easter weekend saw me make a trip West to Cornwall and then Devon on the way home to take in four games in four different divisions and taking in four new grounds in the process, sadly the weather was pretty awful on Good Friday in Cornwall, but amazingly all the games did take place despite the deluge of rain that had fallen there, and in fact all four games over the two days went ahead so that was a relief, anyway after a 4am alarm clock on Good Friday, I headed West, three games on Friday and one on Saturday before the journey home, he is how those games went, it was an adventure for sure.....

Good Friday (April 18th)

Torpoint Athletic Vs Saltash United (Western League Premier, 11am)

The first port of call was The Mill, home of Torpoint Athletic, and they had a home game against local rivals Saltash United in the Western League Premier, both were not having the best of seasons, the hosts were down in 17th spot and a point behind their opponents who were one place and one point above them, both though were in no danger of going down, so this game was all about bragging rights.

Despite all the rain, the pitch was in superb condition and our fears of this game being called off on the way across from Essex were thankfully all in vain, so to our delight when we arrived after a five hour journey at 10am, there was no danger of this game not going ahead, so we settled down for hopefully a good battle between two sides who were only twenty minutes apart.

And a decent crowd of 205 turned out to watch this derby even though the weather was far from spring like, the hosts took only nine minutes to grab the lead when after Ryan Richards had broke clear, turned inside past a defender, and hit a shot which was blocked, James Rowe was on hand to fire the loose ball into the back of the net and give the home fans something to cheer early on.

Persistent rain and wind was the conditions for the majority of the contest, the remainder of the first period was scrappy at best as both teams tried to come to terms with the elements, and the hosts went into the half with a slender lead, but they were to increase this lead nine minutes into the second half, Joe Rapson broke clear and played a ball to Damerell who in turn crossed for Richards who fired home and the hosts now had a two goal cushion and looked likely to go on and win this game.

Things got more interesting though in the 73rd minute when Saltash grabbed a lifeline as a header back across goal was met by Payne who found the far corner, and suddenly the hosts lead looked a fragile, however despite some nervy moments for the home side and there supporters, they managed to hold on and take derby victory in the glooming conditions, a good start to the trip then, and one game down.

Full time Torpoint Athletic 2 Saltash United 1

Truro City Vs Torquay United (Vanarama National League South, 3pm)

This was a rather big game you could say, league leaders Truro against promotion chasing Torquay United, and it was a derby of sorts too, yes there is 90 miles between them but in terms of this division and this level, they are close together as many other games are a long long way away, and a sell out crowd of over 3,000 certainly suggested the enormity of this contest.

The Truro Sports Hub which is brand new this season does not have much in the way of cover, just a main seated stand which goes either side of the half way line, and a covered terrace behind one goal, which was packed out with noisy home support, the rest of us had to stand out in the open getting wet shall we say, I hear there is more work to be done on the facility so more cover would be helpful for sure, and more terracing too perhaps, it did have a unfinished feel to it, all the same the pitch again was excellent, so no issues with this game being on too.

Now the top six in the division were all in with a chance of winning the league still with three games to go, Truro held the cards going into this one and knew if they could win they would increase their chances of automatic promotion and the title, and in turn all but end Torquay's chances of winning the league themselves and having to at best settle for the playoffs.

The game though didn't live up to the billing quite frankly and failed to really excite if truth be told, the game though was decided by one moment of brilliance, and it came from Matt Jay twenty minutes into the second period, he received the ball on the right, cut inside, and fired a dipping effort into the far corner from outside the box, it was a superb goal and worthy of winning any game of football.

It won this one, and kept the visitors well in the title hunt, along with a few others, in fact only four points separate now leaders Worthing and sixth placed Boreham Wood with two games to go, so as title races go this is right up there!!! It should be an exciting end to the season, sadly this game was far from that but Torquay won't care a jot and take bragging rights too in the process, and are now level on points with now second placed Truro. 

Full time Truro City 0 Torquay United 1

Wadebridge Town vs Camelford AFC (South West Peninsula League Premier West, 7pm)

The final port of call on Good Friday was Bodieve Park, home of Wadebridge Town, and they had a local derby against Camelford AFC, the sides are only ten miles apart so this was certainly going to be a well contested match although their wasn't anything riding on it, these sides sat 8th and 9th respectively heading into this one.

Now the club deserve a lot of credit for getting this game on, so much rain had fell during the day and prior to the day too earlier in the week, and although the pitch was heavy in places, it was in decent shape considering, and the club were rewarded with a bumper crowd of over 400, so that was a lovely gift for working so hard to get the game on.

A goalless first half ensued with the pitch holding firm despite the rain falling for pretty much the entire half, I was getting a soaking along with a few others standing across from the main stand raised up above the pitch with no cover, although I decided not to stand or sit undercover because I could take the rain and have a bit more space and freedom where I was, and it was a good view as well.

Things though weather wise deteriorated in the second half, the pitch was fast becoming more suitable for ducks or anything with webbed feet quite frankly, the rain was biblical and to say I was soaked was an understatement, but we were rewarded with a very entertaining second half more for the fact the sides were playing on a pitch more in turn with the 1980s, but it's rare you see a game played on such a surface now with mud, water etc, and they just rolled up their sleeves and got on with it, very refreshing.

Would we get a goal though, well with twelve minutes to go we got one, and it came from the visitors as a cross from the right found Cam Bidgood who sent a downward header beyond the keeper, but that lead didn't last long as the hosts fought back to level a few minutes later as Lloyd converted from close range.

I was glad the game finished all square as both sides deserved something from the game as a reward for dealing with horrendous conditions it has to be said, it cannot have been easy to play on that pitch, especially the second part of the second period when it was becoming a lake in places, kudos to the officials too who did so well and saw the funny side of it all as well, a decent contest played the right way, it was proper football and I loved it despite being soaked through by the end!!!

Full time Wadebridge Town 1 Camelford AFC 1

 

Easter Saturday (April 19th)

Tiverton Town Vs Gosport Borough (Southern League Premier South, 3pm)

The fourth and final game of this trip saw me pop in to Ladysmead, home of Tiverton Town, and they were desperate for the points in their battle against the drop, they were four points from safety heading into this one with just three games remaining, so winning was pretty much their only option now.

They were up against Gosport Borough from Hampshire who were not playing for anything other than to see how high they could finish in the table, they sat 11th and right in the middle of the division so a top ten finish was the only thing they were after now, but would they be motivated enough against a side who were going to be fighting for their lives.

The locals turned out in force too, over 600 of them, and I must say the ground is a great one, plenty of cover, seats, facilities for everyone to enjoy, it's a lovely little set up and a great way to finish this trip, would we get a game to match?

Gosport had most of the ball in the early exchanges but Tivvy were the ones to find the net first of all, midway through the first period a delightful ball in by Dylan Jones as perfect for Dan Koita to add a finishing touch from close range beyond the keeper and hand the hosts a vital lead, Gosport had chances as well as the hosts, one when a close range rebound was blasted so high over it cleared the netting behind the goal, it was a guilt edged chance.

Tivvy though held that slender lead into the second period and knew if they could grab a second goal then they could breathe a bit easier, they thought they had it when Parker swept home, but the flag had gone up, however just moments later in the 74th minute they did find a second, as after the keeper had fumbled an effort, Koita rounded him but seemed to take the ball to far to the left.

But, he duly back heeled the ball back across goal and into the net, it was cheeky but it was superb, and the hosts now had a two goal cushion to hold onto now and were around twenty minutes away from a huge result, could Gosport though spoil the party? They headed over another brilliant opportunity straight after the hosts second goal, and to be honest the visitors wouldn't score if they played until midnight, it was one of those days in front of goal for them.

Tivvy had chances to add a third but didn't, but they were more than happy with what they had, and after six minutes of added on time the whistle to signal a massive result for the home side, they are now just a point from safety with two games to go, the hopes of survival then are even bigger now, Gosport stay 11th, two points outside the top ten.

Full time Tiverton Town 2 Gosport Borough 0

 A great trip then, good experiences gained, and some lovely venues visited, Ladysmead was my favourite for sure, a really good ground to visit, Torpoint & Wadebridge have their charm and character, Truro wasn't quite as enjoyable as the others if truth be told, yes the weather wasn't great but you can't have it all can yer, at least the sun shone on Saturday eventually, so it ended well!!!

Anyway hope you've enjoyed reading, many thanks for doing so, it mean's a great deal for you to take time out to read it, I certainly enjoy writing them for you all to read!!!