Essex Senior League Finals Day, Monday 4th May
It was the turn of Oakside, Redbridge FC, to host the now annual event in the Essex Senior League as a double header of finals took place, firstly the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy at lunchtime followed by the Errington Challenge Cup in the late afternoon, so this blog will cover both contests throughout the day, starting with of course the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy final.....
Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Final
Barking U23 Vs Billericay Town Reserves
This final brought together a Barking U23 side who finished down in ninth in a ESL Reserve league that ended with thirteen sides (after starting the season with fifteen before two sides pulled out) having grabbed twenty five points from their twenty four games, only six wins too, and a Billericay side that finished runners up to winners Bowers & Pitsea (ten points behind) having won seventeen of their twenty games and grabbing twenty seven points more than today's opponents.
However, one of Billericay's six defeats in the season came at home to Barking, with the visitors that day netting a 3-2 win, Billericay did win 2-0 at Barking in the return game but despite the huge gap in the finishing standings, this final could well be closer than many people would expect, it was a final after all so it's who applies themselves on the day the best and who can hold their nerve that normally come out on top.
Barking did actually get knocked out in the First Round, losing on penalties to Hashtag Reserves, but, that Tags side folded meaning Barking were put through instead, and they have taken full advantage of that, facing penalties again but winning this time against Takeley in what was a action packed Quarter Final (I did see this one myself and it's included in this blog if you are interested https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2026/02/mayesbrook-park-double-header-saturday.html)
They then thumped Rayleigh Town 4-0 in the semi final to set up a final against a Billericay side who netted sixteen goals in their three ties to get here, a 7-1 win over Hutton U23, a 4-0 win at Brentwood Town U23 before they defeated title winning Bowers 5-4 in the semi final, Billericay would certainly be favourites but it would not be easy against a confident Barking U23 outfit.
And this was evident in the early exchanges as Barking flew out of the traps and were a goal up inside three minutes, a corner swung in from the right saw Kyle Smith rise to send a powerful header towards the bottom corner, and although Billericay keeper Fred Strang got a strong hand to it, he could not prevent it from finding the net, and in the 17th minute they had doubled that lead.
Barking had a shot from outside the box deflect through behind the back line, and nobody except Barking skipper and striker Teddy Bowden reacted to this and he duly strode in behind the defence to prod the loose ball beyond Strang and into the net, leaving the Billericay side looking at each other and wondering what was going on.
Well, they did regroup and pulled a goal back midway through the half, as a corner swung in from the right by Joe Davis appeared to be glanced home by Alex Ansell across goal and into the far corner, although some did say the corner went straight in without anyone touching it, whatever happened what was certain was it was now 2-1 and Billericay were right back in it.
They could not find a leveller before the break though and the second period wasn't that old before Barking established their two goal cushion once again, the superb Nelly Mallek burst down the right before sending a lovely ball across for skipper Bowden to fire home into the roof of the net for his second and Barking's third, giving them a cushion and allowing them to breathe easier.
It was a lead they never really looked like giving up either and were the better side for the majority of the game, Billericay were not on their game today it appeared and so it was a deserved win for Barking who made the most of that reinstatement into the competition that first round defeat by winning the whole competition, congratulations to them for doing that.
Full time Barking U23 3 Billericay Town 1
Onto Part Deux of the afternoon then, the Errington Challenge Cup Final.....
Errington Challenge Cup Final
Halstead Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers
This final saw a Halstead side who finished eighth in the ESL Premier in what you could say were the best of the rest in the division after finishing several points off seventh and way off the play off places, up against a GWR side who of course were embroiled in a title battle with Little Oakley and SOUL Tower Hamlets, finished third in the end and lost in the play off semi final to eventual play off winners Buckhurst Hill to end that part of their season in disappointing fashion.
The points gap between the two sides though over the thirty eight game season was vast, nineteen points to be exact, however, Halstead had beaten GWR 2-0 at home earlier in the season, and at Burroughs Park GWR netted a 3-0 win over today's opponents, so one win each although those results were pretty academic in trying to work out who could get the win in this competition.
Halstead's route to the final saw a 2-0 win over Barking before they thumped Romford 5-1 at Mayesbrook Park to reach the Quarters, the last eight tie against Woodford was far more stressful as after a 1-1 draw Halstead needed penalties to progress, and in the semi final they saw off Hullbridge Sports 2-0 to set up today's final against a GWR side who began their quest for the Challenge Cup by netting a 2-1 win at Frenford.
They then edged past West Essex 1-0 at Burroughs Park before netting a superb 4-2 win at Roding Lane against Buckhurst Hill, and then they claimed their place in today's final by seeing off title winners Little Oakley 4-0 at Burroughs Park, and after failing to achieve promotion, GWR were no doubt desperate to claim a trophy this season to at least end it on a positive note. although of course The Humbugs wanted to end their season on a high too, who would prevail.
Well, it was GWR who drew first blood in the 14th minute, Max Harbrow was slipped in with a lovely pass and he duly fired it beyond Jack Cherry in the Halstead goal who although got a touch to the effort could not prevent it from going into the net, and to be honest they should have been further in front before the break but missed two or three guilt edged chances to go further in front.
The Humbugs had threatened themselves on occasions, but knew they needed to improve after the break to get back into this contest, they did just that and were level eight minutes after the restart when after being awarded a penalty for a foul inside the box, Kane Gilbert made no mistake from the spot and Halstead were now the ones with their tails up and GWR appeared to be losing their way somewhat, it could go either way you felt at this point.
But, GWR did regather themselves and they restored their lead in this one in the 75th minute, a great ball in from substitute Shaun Gittleson went right across goal and saw Max Gnandi with an unmissable chance and he duly tapped home from close range with the goal at his mercy, advantage GWR and they now had found their mojo again and made it three just five minutes later.
This time it was Bradley Bennett with the ball into the box, and his lovely pass was perfect for GWR skipper Ben Search, who made no mistake by side footing home beyond Cherry and into the net, and you felt it was game over now, and despite some late Halstead pressure in the nine added on minutes at the end, GWR had done more than enough to take the victory and retain the Errington Challenge Cup and at least end their season on a positive note.
Full time Halstead Town 1 Great Wakering Rovers 3
Two decent finals then, and eight goals in total, and attendances of 231 for the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy final and then 427 for the Errington Challenge Cup final, very good crowds indeed and an awesome day once again, congratulations to the winners and commiserations to the runners up, they all played their part today in two very watcable contests.
No comments:
Post a Comment