Belfair Old Boys 1 Grange Celtic Bhoys 6

Sceptre Division Eight League Cup Final, Thursday 18th April 2013

Grange Celtic Bhoys won this evenings Division Eight final at a canter as they crushed Belfairs 6-1. The game was over in the first 20 minutes as Grange went 5-0 up with an electric start as they totally overpowered their opponents and threatened to run up a cricket score such was their dominance. The second half was far more competitive and Belfairs did finally pull a goal back on 74 minutes but Grange scored again with about 10 minutes to go to seal the victory and a league and cup double to boot.

Bethnal Green United 2 Southend Manor 2

Essex Senior League, Monday 15th April 2013

Bethnal Green and Manor played out another draw this evening at the Mile End stadium in a game the home side probably should of got all three points but a good battling performance mixed with a bit of luck saw Manor leave with a share of the spoils. The only action of a poor first 25 minutes was when Jamie Salmon had to go off injured and he was replaced by Jonathan Kemp. The first chance of note resulted in a goal on 29 minutes when a ball into the box was headed back across goal and Aaron Baldwin got the final touch to head the ball over the line to give Manor a 1-0 lead. Bethnal's wingers were causing Manor a few problems and on one occasions the right winger got in behind the Manor back four but sadly for the home side he lost his footing and the chance was gone. Mark Sissonthen missed a golden chance to extend Manor's lead just before the half when he poked wide from barely 6 yards with just the keeper to beat. This came in a period when Manor were on top and pushing the Bethnal back four back but Manor couldn't capitalise on this.  Bethnal came out in the second half with the bit between their teeth and it was no surprise when they equalised on 54 minutes when the left winger cut inside and struck a sweet shot past Adam Seal into the corner for 1-1. The home sides tails were well and truly up now as they continued to put Manor under pressure. Seal in the Manor goal had to make a good save more than once including one incredible moment when the ball went across the goal line and somehow between Seal and the defender on the line Bethnal didn't score. It was a huge let off for the home side. But on 73 minutes Manor stole the lead with their only chance of note in the second period. Manor got a free kick about 25 yards out and Eddie Hart curled a beauty of a free kick over the wall past the outstretched arm of the keeper for a great goal. This was totally against the run of play in all fairness but it was Manor who had a 2-1 lead going into the final 15 minutes. It was a lead that wasn't to last long though as from a corner kick the ball travelled to the back post where the Bethnal player was given a free header and he duly planted his header past Seal for 2-2. Manor worked tirelessly to keep Bethnal at bay thereafter and Seal made a terrific one handed save from the dangerous left winger after he had cut inside again. Right at the end Seal had to come and clear a through ball with the striker baring down on goal and this was to be the last action of the match which Manor will be happy to have got a point from.

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Southend Manor, Under18s and Under16s double headers

EJA Essex Divisions, Sunday 14th April 2013

Four games this morning into this afternoon as Wakering and Manor's Under 18s and Under 16s sides played double headers to ease the fixture congestion caused by poor weather this winter.  Trying to flick between games was interesting to say the least but I managed to see all 9 goals over the four games so that's good!!! In the actual games the following scores were:-
Great Wakering Rovers U16s 1 Southend Manor U16s 0 - Only goal in a tight affair was a free kick that wasn't gathered by the keeper and forward tapped home loose ball.
Great Wakering Rovers U18s 2 Southend Manor U18s 1 - Wakering went into a 2-0 lead, first goal good finish after ball was squared and second a great strike from 20 yards, Manor's goal was a cute finish after ball over top.
Great Wakering Rovers U16s 0 Southend Manor U16s 1 -   Another tight affair settled by a penalty in last ten minutes.
Great Wakering Rovers U18s 1 Southend Manor U18s 3 - Best game of the four in my view.  Manor took the lead after a through ball was well finished via the keepers hand, Wakering equalised a minute into second half after mistake from the Manor stopper, Manor retook the lead midway through half with neat close range finish and then made game secure in last ten from another close range strike.
So 240 minutes of footie, 9 goals and plenty of endeavour and passion, not bad for a sunday morning/afternoon's work!!!

Here are some U18s pics:-

and now some pics of U16s

Foundary Athletic II 1 Fort United 3

Sceptre Division Seven League Cup Final, Thursday 11th April 2013

Fort United won the Sceptre Division Seven League Cup Final at a cold and foggy Southchurch Park this evening. After an even opening Fort took the lead on 19 minutes with a close range header before Foundary equalised after a good finish past the keeper on 33 minutes. As the fog got thicker Fort re took the lead on 50 minutes through a close range header again and then made the game safe on 77 minutes after good work from the midfielder he slotted through for the forward to finish well past the keeper. A good match played in a good spirit then and congratulations to Fort on their victory meaning they have won the league/cup double for division seven this season.