Grays Athletic 0 Hitchin Town 1 - Mbunya Alemanji's early goal enough for Hitchin Town to edge out Grays Athletic in their Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay to set up an away tie at Potters Bar Town in the First Qualifying Round

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay, Wednesday 20th August

It was a trip over to Tilbury and Chadfields for my latest football fix, and it was an FA Cup replay between Grays Athletic & Hitchin Town to see who would travel to Potters Bar Town in the First Qualfiying Round, the sides played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday with Hitchin netting a 95th minute leveller to earn this second chance at progression, for more detail on that and the two sides involved in this one, visit https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2025/08/hitchin-town-1-grays-athletic-1.html for my blog on the original tie.

As said Grays were seconds away from winning that tie at Hitchin's Top Field ground, but they would have to go again in this tie and try and see off a Hitchin outfit who were just glad to have a second bite at the cherry after they were seemingly heading out at the weekend until the last twist in that one.

Grays had started that tie well, they didn't start this one well though and found themselves a goal behind after just seven minutes, a lapse in concertation allowed a ball to be played into the path of Mbunya Alemanji and with hosts keeper George way off his line, the visiting striker sent the ball over his head and perfectly into the net, a great start for the visitors then and Grays now had to find a solution to get back into this contest if they wanted to carry on their FA Cup run for this season.

Hitchin though looked the likelier to net again, and they should of done when a close range header was brilliantly tipped over by Marsh, but once Grays settled, it took them the best part of twenty five minutes or so, they began to get a foothold in the contest, and Callum Fitzer, the man who volleyed Grays ahead in the original tie, almost levelled but saw his left footed effort well saved by Josh Bowler in the visiting goal.

Alemanji could and should have grabbed a second for himself and the visitors when he headed over from a decent position, but the game was still well in the balance at the break with Hitchin holding that slender advantage courtesy of that early goal from their number ten, all to play for you could say.

The second half certainly belonged to the hosts, they applied most of the pressure in the second period but despite this their keeper Bowler had very little to do in terms of saves as Grays could just not muster many attempts on goal, their were two scrambles inside the penalty area that would just not fall the way of a hosts boot, and another attack saw Sam Bantick's superb ball in just invade players coming in, although they didn't really attack the cross, much to the crossers dismay.

Whatever Grays tried just did not work, Hitchin were just happy to clear their lines and defend what was in front of them, and they remained solid and resolute throughout, they were a danger on the counter but they rarely threatened in the second period if truth be told, and it was the hosts who were as said applying most of the pressure.

Seven minutes of stoppage were added on at the end, could Grays do what Hitchin had done on Saturday and level late late on and force extra time, well Bowler had to help an effort over the bar but despite this moment there wasn't really any other close calls for Hitchin who defended anything that came into the box, and after several tense moments they held on to net a very hard fought win, and progress through to the First Qualifying Round.

Tough for Grays this one, they so nearly won the first tie and deserved something from this one too, but that's football and well done to Hitchin who battled well in the two games to earn their place in the next round, they will take on Isthmian Premier Potters Bar Town away from home on the last weekend in August, and with Potters Bar not starting their season too well, Hitchin will fancy beating their Step Three opponents perhaps, who knows.

Full time Grays Athletic 0 Hitchin Town 1

 

Hackney Wick 3 Bognor Regis Town 1 - Sidibe at the double as Essex Senior Hackney Wick cause Emirates FA Cup upset after seeing off Isthmian South Central Bognor Regis Town to progress into First Qualifying Round for very first time

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Sunday 17th August

My second FA Cup action of the weekend came from familiar surrounding of Witham Town's Spa Road ground (sorry but I will not call it anything else!!!) for a matchup between Essex Senior League Hackney Wick & Isthmian South Central Bognor Regis Town, so Step Five versus Step Four in the non league pyramid.

These sides were actually three steps apart last season, Wick won promotion from the Thurlow Nunn South via the playoffs at the end of last season to take their place in the ESL, whereas Bognor were relegated from the Isthmian Premier, meaning they were now in the South Central division and having a rebuild after most of last season's side disappeared following relegation.

So, how have the sides fared so far this season in there new divisions? Wick are still finding their feet but have picked up four points in their last two outings, that after opening up with two losses, and they did win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round to reach this stage after defeating Bearsted in Kent 2-1, their last league outing was certainly interesting, coming back from 3-0 down at Sporting Bengal United to draw 3-3 in a bonkers game.

Bognor only began their league campaign last weekend and had an even more bonkers contest too, they were 4-1 down at AFC Portchester with thirty five minutes remaining before mounting a remarkable comeback to win 5-4!!! Madness, although they did lose last time out at Littlehampton 2-0, so a mixed start shall we say, but Bognor despite all their changes over the summer were expected to see off Step Five opposition in this game.

Wick though had nothing to lose in this one, so were always going to give it a good go, they haven't been the best first half team this season but they started this one very well indeed and after twenty minutes had their noses in front when a ball squared across goal was finished off by Leo Lopate and Wick had a shock lead at Spa Road, how would Bognor react?

Well, in the 34th minute they managed to find a leveller, a ball in from the right saw Callum Laycock send a flick at goal towards the near post which keeper Teddy Baena made a mess of and allowed the ball to squeeze over the line, it had been the visitors first attempt on target, they hadn't been at their best for sure, but they were on level terms despite this.

Wick's pace and power up front was causing the visitors issues, but despite Wick having the better of the first period, the score remained 1-1 as they headed into the break, it had been a good half from the hosts, could they possibly kick on and cause a upset or would Bognor regroup and stamp their authority on this tie?

Well, with their managers voice ringing in their ears (I can vouch for this as could hear him shouting at his players during half time break when I wondered past changing room window which was open) the visitors came out with much more vigour in the second period, at least for the early part of it, and they missed a golden chance to take the lead when Lennie Smith somehow headed wide from point black range at the back post, it was a head in hands moment and I believe a pivotal moment in the contest.   

This is because had that gone in, I believe Bognor may have taken control and gone further ahead perhaps, instead Wick, who had been on the back foot for the opening few minutes of the second period, retook the lead against the run of play eight minutes into the half when after a brilliant run down the right by Lopate saw him knock the ball past the full back and basically run past him like he wasn't there, he crossed for Issa Sidibe to flick home at the near post and give the Step Five side the lead once again.

Could Bognor respond again, well they had chances for sure, and were way more threatening this half than they had been first half, but they just could not find the target, much to the frustration of the visitors, and Wick to their credit dug deep to thwart as much as Bognor could throw at them, even when the hosts appeared to look like they were tiring somewhat.

However, just like all afternoon Wick's attackers were a danger to their opponents, and they had chances to make it 3-1 as well and seal the tie, they even saw one chalked off for offside but they were not to be denied a third which finally killed off Bognor, it came in the 86th minute and saw Sidibe blast home from close range and cue mass celebrations with all teammates and bench over in the far corner, job almost done.

Their was to be quite a lot of stoppage time due to a few breaks in play although the thirteen minutes that were added was a mystery to many of us, however, Bognor never really threatened a comeback in the time remaining and Wick duly completed what was a superb result against Step Four opposition and make it through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the very first time in their history, a brilliant achievement for sure.

For Bognor their run ends at the first hurdle, and judging by the noises coming from their dressing room after that result, all was not well in there, mainly the manager screaming and shouting at his players who will now have to pick themselves up and go again in the next game and try and get back to winning ways, I wish them all the luck in doing that.

Full time Hackney Wick 3 Bognor Regis Town 1

Hitchin Town 1 Grays Athletic 1 - Southern One Central hosts net 95th minute equaliser to force replay in Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round & deny Isthmian One North visitors hard fought win & passage into the next round

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Saturday 16th August

This was my first Saturday football in the UK for quite a few weeks, but it was a good one as I finally got myself over to Hitchin Town's Top Field, and it is a top field in every sense of the word let me tell you, I have heard lots of good things about it, so have always wanted to visit it myself.

Today was that day, and they were up against a familiar side to myself, and a side that are just up the road from where I live, Grays Athletic, in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, the hosts were a Step Three side last term but suffered relegation and are now in the Southern League One Central, which is the same level as Grays who are competing in the Isthmian One North.

Before I go on to put some meat on the bones of how this game could play out and did play out, a little bit about the ground, well it has a nice bar and lots of space to drink in, lots of TV screens and projectors showing live football and all the channels you would associate with a football club, and once inside the ground you are met with a wonderful stadium which has plenty of character too it, and considering how old the ground is, it's very good indeed.

I love these old grounds, obviously some of it has been touched up over the years, but the lovely old seated stand on one side, a superb open terrace at one end, a nice sized covered one which bends around the other end and then an old wooden terraced stand on the other side behind the dug outs, it really is a wonderful place to watch football, it also has a lovely tea bar with friendly staff serving you decent grub, even if it is a bit pricey!!!

One other thing I'd like to mention, after I had walked as far away from the tea bar as possible, I fancied a coffee, and I just happened to mention this to a club official in a lovely club suite, he had just come out of the boardroom, and he duly took me into their and got some one to make me a coffee, I mean how cool is that, very much appreciated, it's not a bad little boardroom either, so whatever happened after this didn't really matter, my day had already been made and enjoyable.

Right, to the game, Hitchin were probably favourites to win this game, they had kept largely the same squad from the season before when they were relegated from Step Three and were amongst the favourites to take the Southern One Central and get back up, Grays themselves knew this would be a tough game but they also had a decent squad assembled by the management for this campaign and were equally ready to give the season a crack and make the play offs at least.

Both sides had started their league campaigns last weekend and both had record one win and one defeat so far, Grays did gave to beat Essex Senior League Barking in the Extra Preliminary Round whereas Hitchin were beginning their journey in this years competition, so based on both sides starts, there wasn't a lot in it, but people in the know knew that the visitors would have to play very well if they were going to record a positive outcome.

Well, the opening exchanges were very promising for the Essex side, and they took a 12th minute lead when a cross from the right saw Callum Fitzer send a wonderful first time volley beyond hosts keeper Joshua Bowler and give them the early advantage, stunning the home crowd of almost 500 and sending the decent sized visiting support wild, it had been a very good start to this contest for Grays.

Hitchin had a lot of possession but found the Grays defence a tough nut to crack, and to be honest keeper George Marsh had very little to do as his defence put in a few blocks to deny the hosts any chance of testing him, and in fact Grays, who had the dangerous Jayden Silcott-Brown as an outlet down the right hand side, could easily have doubled their lead when a break from a hosts attack saw him burst in down the right, see an effort deflect towards the far stick, and seemingly find strike partner Luke Hirst to apply a finishing touch.

But no, a superb last ditch clearance from right under Hirst's nose from full back Lewis Franklin denied the visitors, it was a goal saving challenge if ever I saw one, and it kept the hosts only a goal behind rather than two, Hitchin's best chance of the half did see striker Taylor Rhiney get across his marker to glance a header just over the bar rather in into the net, it meant the visitors would go into the break a goal ahead and executing their game plan to perfection.

Hitchin once again had plenty of possession in the second period, but they just could not penetrate a solid and organised visiting back line, and the frustrations were clear to see, they were running out of ideas as the second period went on, Grays were just happy to soak it all up and repel, although they offered very little going forward in the second period and their were some rather tired bodies out there.

They kept plugging away though, and it just seemed as though Hitchin would not find that leveller, too many final balls were wanting as they tried to force the issue, caused by some superb defensive play from the visitors who were mastering a perfect gameplan and away performance, again Marsh was rarely tested in the visitors goal due to defensive blocks and wayward finishing, although they did come close when the ball struck the base of Grays post late on, and at that moment you could have been forgiven that this was the visitors day.

However, there was to be one last twist in this tie, as in the 95th minute the hosts mounted one last attack down the left, and saw Callum Kane send a ball into the box which glanced of Rhiney's head straight into the head of Grays centre half Lewis Clark and saw the ball fly perfectly beyond Marsh into the far corner, and hand the hosts a late late equaliser.

It was gutting for the visitors who had worked so so hard in this game, and had up till that point done everything correctly, but one moment right at the end of the game had denied them what would have been a superb hard working win against the odds, and saw Hitchin live to fight another day, Wednesday in fact, in a replay against Grays at Chadfields in Tilbury.

A good cup tie though and fair play to the hosts who didn't give up even if it looked as though it wasn't going to be their day, Grays will no doubt fancy their chances at home in midweek but Hitchin will certainly be a threat still and will equally fancy winning second time round, should be a decent replay that, that's for Wednesday, but today was a very enjoyable day, played at a marvellous venue.

Full time Hitchin Town 1 Grays Athletic 1

  

   

May & Baker 1 Cannons Wood 0 - Bakers grab 88th minute winner to record first league win of Thurlow Nunn South season after a deserved victory over Cannons Wood at Parsloes Park in Dagenham

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 15th August

My latest football match of the new season saw me make a Friday evening trip over to Dagenham and the Bobby Moore Sports Hub in Parsloes Park for a Thurlow Nunn South contest between May & Baker & Cannons Wood.

Now the hosts were under new management in the shape of Steve Clark and Matt G, who had worked together at Sporting Bengal United, and they were shaping a side they were hoping to make a charge for one of the play off places at the very least, the season had not started how they had hoped, three games down and three draws in games they felt they should have won comfortably.

They were still unbeaten though and were aiming to claim a first league win at the fourth time of trying against a Cannon Wood side who had started the season in decent form themselves, two wins, a draw and a defeat so far, and they could possibly climbed into those play off places with a point although they were no doubt aiming for all three, yes it's early days but it was still a good incentive to grab a positive result in this one.

It was Cannons Wood who had the first opening early on, but this turned out to be a rare thing during the contest as it turned out as once May & Baker settled into the stride, they were the ones creating the bulk of the chances that came along, their best two in the first half saw skipper and centre half Murad Kutateladze somehow glanced a header wide from point blank range, and then striker Reon George was sent though on goal, but he could only fire against keeper Brandon Bullman before the loose ball was hacked away.

They had numerous other openings too but just could not find that killer instinct in front of goal, and Cannons Wood were certainly the happier of the two sides going into half time level, with the hosts arguing amongst themselves as they headed off cutting very frustrated figures indeed at how they had failed to be ahead at the break.

The second followed pretty much the same pattern, Bakers missing chances and Cannons Wood holding on for the majority, they were digging in though to their credit and did have some rare moments of danger at the other end, a couple of corners caused problems but they were really the ones being put under pressure time and time again by a goal shy hosts.

It really was starting to feel like the home side would not score if they played till Christmas, and you expected them to fluff their lines everytime they got into a goal scoring position, some of the chances were easier to score, they even struck the post too, it was looking like one of those evenings for them, and a repeat of their opening three games.

But, in the 88th minute they finally found the breakthrough, and it was a total fluke of course, full back Sam Townsend, who had sent in quite a few decent balls in the second period after coming on as a substitute, lofted a cross in from the right and was merely attempting to get the ball into the danger area, well keeper Bullman should have claimed the cross easily you thought, but no, the ball somehow ended up in the net, no idea how, but it did, and Bakers could finally celebrate a goal they thought was never going to come, quite bizarre, but deserved if truth be told.

And even though their was a good chunk of stoppage time to come, Cannons Wood never really threatened a leveller, in fact the hosts should have sealed it but of course missed again, Bullman making a good stop to deny I think George, but the hosts did manage a goal at least to earn them a first win of the season, even if they made hard work of it and should have won it comfortably, they did win it though so that's all that matters.

So, May & Baker are now unbeaten in their first four outings this season and will now hope to add more wins to take them up to where they would like to be, for Cannons Wood this was a disappointing performance as they lose a second game of the season, they did almost hold on for a point but it would have been a very fortunate one had they achieved it, no doubt they will go again in their next outing and make some improvements in that one. 

Full time May & Baker 1 Cannons Wood 0

Sporting Bengal United 3 Hackney Wick 3 - Issa Sidibe nets second half hat trick as visitors produce extraordinary fight back after a first half hat trick from Noah Adejokun seemingly had hosts cruising to victory in their Essex Senior League contest

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 13th August

Another Wednesday night and another trip to Mile End to watch Sporting Bengal United, this time they were in league action against Hackney Wick in a rearranged fixture after the original game was abandoned two weeks ago due to a broken goal post, which was a new one for most of us!!!

Thankfully the goalposts were now fixed and all was well once again at Mile End, and both sides looked to catch up on that fixture and gain more points in their league campaigns, the hosts had come into this one off the back of a humbling 4-0 loss at Woodford Town whereas Wick had picked up a first win this season in the league after they came from behind to win at Hullbridge Sports.

Could Sporting then bounce back from that heavy loss or would Wick build on that first success in the league and make it back to back wins, well it was the hosts who flew out of the blocks and lead inside three minutes, Wick failed to clear their lines and allowed Noah Adejokun to apply and neat finish into the bottom corner, and for the rest of the half the hosts dominated.

They struck the bar with a free kick soon after and then also saw a header come back off the post, and they also saw another opening goal inches wide of the far post, they did however double their lead just past the half hour mark and it was either a absolute moment of genius, or just pure luck, whatever it was it was brilliant.

Adejokun got the ball on the right and sent a ball into the box with the outside of his boot, but the ball spun perfectly over keeper Teddy Baena who was a fraction off his line, and saw the ball end up in the far corner, whether it was meant or not who knows, but it gave the hosts a deserved second goal and breathing space.

Wick had been well below par it had to be said, their manager even made a triple change a few minutes before the break, that's how upset he was with his side, although they did concede again in the 44th minute when Adejokun completed a first half hat trick by ramming home from barely a yard out, and even missed another great chance before the half was out.

It could easily have been six or seven to the hosts at half time, they were that dominant, but they still held what looked like a unassailable three goal cushion at the break, and surely they were well on their way to the points and bouncing back from that defeat at the weekend.

Football is a funny game though isn't it, whatever was said in that visiting changing room at half time certainly did the trick, Wick were far more on it from the start of the second half and were a totally different side it seemed, and they duly pulled a goal back just before the hour mark when Issa Sidibe followed up to score on the rebound after his initial effort was blocked, game on now perhaps?

Wick were now totally on top and the hosts could barely get out of their own half, and you felt it was only a matter of time before Wick would find another goal to really make it interesting, and sure enough in the 77th minute they reduced the arrears further when a long ball brilliantly controlled before Sidibe was handed the ball to ram home superbly for his second and now the hosts were really on the back foot and clinging on somewhat.

Would they hold on or even somehow find a fourth goal to clinch this one and breathe a sigh of relief, they had barely threatened in the second period, a total contrast to the first half, and it was Wick who were doing all the running in this half after a very poor opening forty five minutes.

There was a whole heap of stoppage time of course, and five minutes into that Wick were handed a golden chance to grab that leveller and salvage what looked at half time like a very unlikely point, a foul inside the box gave Sidibe the chance to complete his hat trick and level the game, and he smashed home the penalty to do just that, could they do the unthinkable and actually win the game?

They nearly did just that, but missed a golden chance just before the end, they had enough openings in the second half to have won it, this had certainly been a game of two halves if ever I saw one, absolutely mad, bonkers, but brilliant entertainment, it means both sides earn a point, but weirdly both would probably have been disappointed with that, Sporting because they should have been out of sight at half time and led 3-0, and Wick because they probably should have won it at the end.

Football eh, never ceases to amaze does it.....

Full time Sporting Bengal United 3 Hackney Wick 3

  

Lymore Gardens 4 Stansted 1 - A second half brace from Dylan Roberts helped Lymore Gardens continue 100% start to their debut season in Senior Football as they netted four in victory over Stansted in their Thurlow Nunn South contest

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 8th August

My second competitive outing since I got back to the UK a few days ago saw me take in a first league matchup, and it came in the Thurlow Nunn South in what was a very intriguing looking contest between Senior Football newboys Lymore Gardens, and Stansted, who had been relegated from the Essex Senior League last season.

Lymore had won promotion from the Essex Alliance Senior Division last season to take their place in Step Six football and senior status for the very first time, and they were up against a Stansted side who themselves had suffered relegation heartache last season and had totally rebuilt their squad for this campaign, so it really was interesting to see how these two sides would match up against each other.

Lymore could not have asked for a better start to life in Senior football as well, two games played, both at Oakside, and two wins scoring nine goals in the process, a 5-1 thumping of Hoddesdon Town was followed by a 4-2 success over Brimsdown as they continued their brilliant attacking football from last season's promotion winning campaign, could they continue this free scoring game against a Stansted side who after netting a 4-2 at, you guessed it, Oakside, on the opening weekend against Newbury Forest, they had failed to win in the next two.

One of those games was a creditable 1-1 draw at May & Baker, but that was followed up by a late 2-1 loss at Burnham Ramblers, meaning they came into this game having experienced all emotions already in their three games thus far, could they repeat their opening day success at Oakside and get back to winning ways perhaps?

Well, it was the hosts who began on the front foot in this one, full of confidence after they two thumping wins already this campaign on the 3G at Oakside, and in the 11th minute they broke through to take the lead, a lovely flowing move down the right saw Yinka Akinlabi's ball find Munnir Saad who got past a rather naive attempt to win the ball from a defender who dived in, allowing Saad to go into the box and finish beyond the keeper at his near post, advantage Lymore.

However, once Stansted had weathered the hosts storm and settle into the contest themselves, they began to look dangerous and had a couple of decent openings to level, however it remained 1-0 to the hosts into the second half and it looking increasingly likely that the visitors would find a leveller and make their pressure count.

It was however Lymore who should have doubled their lead when they countered on their opponents but after rounding the keeper saw a goalbound effort blocked by two covering defenders, and minutes later Stansted were level, in the 58th minute another attack saw a loose ball go across goal to I think Thomas Lawrence (I could not make out who it actually was but it was in his position so guessed it may be him!!!) who swept home first time.

The game was now in the balance although you felt maybe the visitors could net again as their tails were well up by now, and a couple of minutes later they should have gone ahead when Dan Jones saw an effort well saved, and moments later guess what, Lymore punished them for this by going down the other end and restoring their lead, a lovely pass from Wisley Baltazar found Dylan Roberts who raced through to slot home.

No doubt the visitors would have been frustrated with this, they had finally got in level terms and were now having to chase the game again versus a very dangerous opponent, especially in transition, they could break on you at pace and really cause you issues, as they did, it remained in the balance though as Stansted tried to get back on level terms once again, but whatever they tried, Lymore could deal with.

And in the 84th minute, the game was all but sealed, Lymore mounted an attack which ended with a foul on the edge of the box, Thomas duly stepped up to fire a low free kick beyond the keeper into the bottom corner, he had a brace and five for the season already, and Lymore had three and breathing space heading into the final moments of the game.

A sizable chunk of stoppage time followed, and gave the hosts enough time to add a fourth to add gloss to the scoreline, Thomas turning provider this time to invade another naive challenge, square the ball across goal, finding Ryo Brown who took a touch before slamming home to cap a fine evening for the hosts and make it three wins from three having netted thirteen goals to top a very early league table.

A perfect start then to life in Step Six football for Lymore then, for Stansted it was another big lesson for their new side, especially the youngsters in it, they were in this game for large parts but ended up on the end of a 4-1 loss, the scoreline was harsh on them for sure, but it's back to back defeats now and no wins in three, still early days so no need to panic yet, they came up against a very good athletic Lymore side who play some decent football, and they will be a danger to all in this division for sure this season.

Full time Lymore Gardens 4 Stansted 1