Hashtag United 3 Clapton 0

Essex Senior League, Monday 19th October 2020 

Monday night saw me back over at The Len Salmon Stadium as Hashtag United hosted Clapton in another Essex Senior League contest, and it saw a brace from Joe Gregory help The Tags to the points in a tough battle against The Tons to go five clear at the top.

These two sides could not have started the season anymore differently, The Tags of course sat top of the pile by two points following their hard fought victory at Cockfosters at the weekend, making it seven wins from their eight so far, whilst for The Tons it was no wins in eight league games so far as they sat second bottom.

The Tons though had a new manager in the shape of former May & Baker and Redbridge boss Micky Wetherall, and the arrival of some new personal in his squad should perhaps see them get that first league win soon, although his first game as manager against his former employees The Motormen at the weekend didn’t go to plan despite taking the lead on the hour mark.

The hosts knew this would not be an easy game despite the league table showing that the league leaders should net a routine win over their 17^th placed opponents, but I got the feeling prior to the contest that this could be a close one, just like The Tags last home league contest against bottom side Woodford Town.  No team should ever be underestimated in this division.

After the hosts almost took the lead from kick off when a cross to the near post was almost turned in by a defender, The Tons sent an ambitious effort onto the roof of the net although whether it was an overhit cross who knows, whilst back down the other end a quickly taken free kick saw Josh Osude fire across goal but George Smith just failed to convert.

Both teams continued to trade attacks in what was an end to end affair at times, and then just past the half hour mark Clapton so nearly took the lead when they got in down the right but Tim Pitman pulled off an important stop to keep the scoreline at 0-0, but it was a warning to The Tags that the visitors meant business here.

Clapton keeper Qamil Dervishaj then had to be alert to beat away a fierce free kick from Kris Newby as a tight first period ended goalless, and if the hosts didn’t already know that they were in a game here then they did by half time that was for sure.  This one was still well up for grabs and no doubt Wetherall would have been pleased with his troop’s efforts so far against the title favourites.

Half Time Hashtag United 0 Clapton 0

No doubt Jay Deveraux would have had some stern words to say to his side at the break and they came out looking to try and grab an early second half goal to settle the nerves, and five minutes into the period they did just that, after The Tons gave the ball away cheaply, Osude got down the right and squared across the box to Gregory who swept home a first time finish into the bottom corner.

The manner of the goal would of annoyed Clapton, they had worked so hard in this contest and a lapse in concentration had cost them, so how would they respond to such an early set back in the second half?

Well, quite well actually and twenty or so minutes into the second period they were adamant they should have had a penalty after a foul inside the box, but the referee waved away their protests, quite fierce ones at that, and this didn’t go down well with The Tons who were fuming.  The Tags defender in question was also fuming. Claiming the Clapton attacker had made a meal of it so to speak, eyeballing the player in question, but it was most certainly a big talking point and The Tons felt they were not getting the decisions, just like their game against Redbridge at the weekend.

You don’t get the big decisions go your way when your down the bottom many people say, and with Clapton still miffed at this non penalty award they soon found themselves two goals down as midway through the half Sam Byles sent a ball into the box for Gregory to control the ball, turn, and fire home for his second of the evening.

This compounded the visitors dissatisfaction at not getting that penalty, and they were still arguing with the referee after the second goal, but they were just going to have to try and get it out of their system and try and somehow get back into this contest, although that would be hard against a good side like Hashtag with a two goal cushion.

With fifteen minutes remaining Tags reserve team boss Kiernan Hughes-Mason came on for the hosts, replacing George Smith, and he almost got on the end of a driven effort across goal by Osude with nine minutes of the contest remaining, but, he was to have his moment a minute from time when the reserve boss curled a beauty into the bottom corner after good work from Jesse Waller Lassen, and it capped a rather useful night for the home side.

For the hosts it was job done, three points and a five point lead at the summit of the ESL now, whilst for The Tons, 3-0 was probably a bit harsh on them as they had certainly more than played their part in this one, but it’s a fifth loss in eight league outings now, and still no wins, but surely their first win is just around the corner as Wetherall has got them playing some nice football.

Full Time Hashtag United 3 Clapton 0

Essex Sunday Football Combination Finals 2019/20 (Beitler & Morfey Cup - Sunday 18th October 2020)

 

(Action from the first final of the day which saw Something For Nothing defeat Beckton Gas to win the Beitler Cup)

Sunday saw me over at Mayesbrook Park for a couple of 2019/20 Essex Sunday Football Combination finals that were unable to be played last season due to the early finish because of Covid-19, so both the Beitler and Morfey Cup were up for grabs with Beckton Gas, Something For Nothing, Debden Sports and Hillford all in action.

First up was the Beitler Cup Final which saw Beckton Gas take on Something For Nothing in the lunchtime showing:-

Beitler Cup Final 2019/20

Beckton Gas 2 Something For Nothing 6

The general consensus before kick off in this one was that SFN were the big favourites to win this final, they had won and drawn in the league this season whilst Beckton Gas had lost three out of four of their matches so far, including a 7-1 loss at leaders Essex Motors (Hornchurch) last time out, whilst SFN had stuck five past Hainault Athletic two weeks ago in what was their last outing before this game. 

And in the 16^th minute SFN grabbed the lead after Oscar Walton climbed the highest to power a header into the net to give them the lead, and you felt they were on their way to a comfortable win, but not a bit of it, as Beckton Gas fought back to level in the 27^th minute after Charlie Owen curled a lovely effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

However, they were only level for six minutes after a lovely deft chip from Cyril Pluche went in off the post, and it meant the favourites led at the break but had been made to work hard by a tough and determined Beckton Gas side who were still right in this contest.

Half Time Beckton Gas 1 Something For Nothing 2

Did I say Beckton Gas were right in this contest……well they most certainly were and started the second half well and levelled it final up once again four minutes after the restart when Joe Bellamy saw his free kick find the bottom corner although the keeper should of probably saved the effort, but this final was proving to be a lot closer than most had imagined.

SFN didn’t panic though, even if they had to also deal with losing their keeper to injury and seeing Walton, scorer of the first goal, having to don the gloves for the remainder of the contest, and continued to play their lovely style of play and just past the hour mark won a penalty after a foul just inside the box given by the assistant on the far side, and De Shaun Folkes slammed home the spot kick to restore their lead for a third time in this one.

The game remained in the balance until the final ten minutes when SFN finally ran away with the contest, netting a fourth with nine to go after the keeper failed to deal with a cross, Rich Manu was on hand to fire home, and then it was five with three minutes to go as David Prenga was played in and he composed himself before firing home.

And a sixth and final goal came four minutes into stoppage time after superb football from SFN ended with Micah Innocent firing across the keeper into the far corner and capping a good hard earned win for them against a very hard working Beckton Gas side who more than played there part in a very decent final.

Well done to Something For Nothing though, Beitler Cup winners for 2019/20.

Full Time Beckton Gas 2 Something For Nothing 6

 

Onto Game Two of the day and the Morfey Cup final which would be contested between Debden Sports and Hillford:-

Morfey Cup Final 2019/20

Debden Sports 0 Hillford 7

These two had met in the league at Debden Sports Club a month ago and saw Hillford all three points in a 2-0 success in a game that could have easily gone the other way, so many expected a decent final here between two good sides. 

Debden had won their other league game this season, a 3-2 home win over South Ilford Catholics, whilst Hillford had won all four of their league games so far this term netting sixteen times and not conceding once, so Hillford went into this one as favourites on paper at least, but most expected a close and tight affair.

And Hllford began in the most perfect way after a cross to the far post saw Sam Norey head home in just the second minute, and Debden were already up against it very early on.

The half though then reverted to type for a majority of the opening period as the tight and well contested affair most had expected happened, and as the half entered its final few minutes you felt it would only be a one goal lead or maybe Debden could force a leveller to go in at the half level if they could somehow break that mean Hillford backline.

But, the last six minutes of the half saw Hillford establish a four goal lead at the break which no one saw coming, and made it almost an impossible task for Debden to recover from.  Hillford made it two in the 39^th minute when a free kick into the six yard box saw the keeper fail to deal with the cross and Norey bundled over the line from a yard out, and then it was three four minutes later as Chris Power literally powered an effort into the far corner.

And the six minutes of madness ended when Sean Greaves made the most of another keeper error to fire through a crowded penalty area into the net, and Hillford had already pretty much ended this contest in the opening forty five minutes.  It was close for 39 minutes, then the last six minutes saw Debden fall apart as Hillford capitalised and go into the break 4-0 up.  It was a rather unexpected end to the half that’s for sure!!!

Half Time Debden Sports 0 Hillford 4

To be fair to Debden they came out determined to grab a goal or two back to make this final more of a contest they hoped at least, and they struck the bar and saw two other efforts saved or go wide as they at least were giving it a go, but that was as good as it got for them as Hillford made it five in the 64^th minute when after Hillford had seen a penalty appeal turned down, Norey completed his hat-trick when his wonderful effort found the top corner from outside the box.

Dan Vale was then given a straight red for Debden three minutes later for an off the ball incident which I missed (sorry!!!) as things were going from bad to worse for Debden, and things got even uglier for them when Hillford added a sixth just three minutes after that when Greaves grabbed his second of the game by driving an effort across the keeper and into the far corner.

The remainder of the contest rather went through the motions as both sides knew this was more than over now, but there was still time for Hillford to add a seventh and complete quite a day for them when Joseph Lana stretched to divert a cross into the bottom corner with two minutes remaining.

So, after a pretty tight first half, Hillford outclassed their opponents from the 39^th minute onwards, and at their fourth attempt at winning a trophy they pick up the Morfey Cup for 2019/20 so well done to them indeed!!!

Full Time Debden Sports 0 Hillford 7

 

Billericay Town U23s 2 Earls Colne 1

Essex Premier Cup Round One, Saturday 17th October 2020 

My second game of the day saw me dash over to New Lodge and Billericay Town FC as their U23 side were hosting Earls Colne in a Essex Premier Cup First Round tie, and it saw a MOTM performance from John Sasere help the hosts to victory and set up a Second Round tie at home to Alresford Colne Rangers.

Now the hosts, also known as Billericay Town Reserves, are playing in the Essex Senior League Reserve Division and have had a very good start to the season, winning four of their six games to sit second in the division, only behind leaders Hullbridge Sports U23s on goal difference.  And they had won 2-0 at New Lodge last time out against Frenford so came into this one full of confidence.

The hosts in fact had not lost in the league since their opening weekend loss at Saffron Walden Town, so were unbeaten in five coming into this one too, and they welcomed Earls Colne down from North Essex who ply their trade in the Essex & Suffolk Border Premier Division.

Earls Colne had drawn four of their six league games so far, so were obviously hard to beat, and they had drawn their last contest at home to strugglers Flitch United, in fact their last three outings had been 0-0, 1-1 and 1-1, with their only win coming on the opening day of the season at Hatfield Peveral by a scoreline of 2-1.

The visitors had also played four of their six games at home, so this was only their third one away from home this season, although both away days so far had resulted in a win and a draw, so they were unbeaten away from home!!!  The other away game other than Hatfield Peveral was a 1-1 draw at second placed Colne Athletic so that was a very heartening result indeed.

So not many goals in Earls Colne games so far on average, seven for and eight against, whilst Town U23s had netted fourteen and conceded nine in their six games, so not a bucket load of goals so would we see the same here, and throw into the mix an U23 development side against a tough Step Seven outfit, it would be interesting to see what would happen here.

Well, it looked like Earls Colne had grabbed the perfect start in this one when a free kick spilled by the keeper was forced home from close range with ninety seconds on the clock, however, their celebrations were cut short after a assistant flag had gone up meaning offside and no goal.

The hosts then took over proceedings after that and twice struck the frame of the goal as they looked to try and edge ahead, but in the 26^th minute they did just that when after a handball inside the area after a superb run, Sasere stepped up to convert the spot kick with ease.

The young hosts caused the visitors plenty of problems as there pace and athleticism was proving hard to deal with, but with three minutes of the half remaining Earls Colne were gifted a leveller as a poor mistake at the back allowed Keiran Adams to get in and round the keeper before slotting home, and just like that the visitors were all square heading into the half time break.

Half Time Billericay Town U23s 1 Earls Colne 1

The visitors actually began the second period well, but in the 56^th minute fell behind once again after a decent ball in found the impressive Sasere who produced a wonderful volley to found the net and send the youngsters back in front.

Earls Colne though were the better side in the second period and created several decent chances to attempt to bring themselves level, forcing a couple of decent stops from the keeper and seeing a corner go inches wide of the far post, although the hosts were always dangerous on the break through Sasere and others, including left winger Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo, who was often an outlet for the home side.

Sasere almost completed his hattrick but was thwarted on one such attack from the hosts, whilst another effort was cleared off the line, and towards the end with the hosts under severe pressure from the visitors, they curled an effort off the bar and over, it would have been a superb goal had it found the top corner.

But it was the visitors who somehow failed to find a leveller after going close on a number of occasions towards the end too, with one header looking like it had found the net, but it had gone inches wide and gone round the back of the net but it looked like it had gone in, but after a few moments a goal kick was rightly given.

The hosts did manage to cling on though after riding their luck it has to be said, and it is they who take their place in Round Two of the Premier Cup and another home tie against Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier opposition.  Commiserations to Earls Colne though who gave a very good account of themselves here and should have probably got more from this one than they did.  Another enjoyable game though!!!

Full Time Billericay Town U23s 2 Earls Colne 1

 

Rayleigh Town 1 Hutton 3

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday 17th October 2020 

My first game on Saturday saw me over at London Road and Rayleigh Town Sports & Social Club for an Essex Olympian Premier Division contest between Rayleigh Town and Hutton, and it saw a second half double from substitute Sean O’Callaghan help secure the points for the visitors.

Now the hosts had not started the season particularly well, losing two of their opening three games, although saying that both losses had only been by the odd goal at Springfield and title favourites Buckhurst Hill, so both could have gone either way, and the only win in the league came at Old Southendian in a 1-0 success.

Town had also netted five in their last game two weeks ago as they defeated Senior Three side Lakeside United in the Senior League Cup, last weekend’s game at Kelvedon Hatch had been postponed, hence the two week gap, so they would have been raring to go no doubt.

Hutton were having a mixed start to the season, with one win (at Harold Wood Last time out), two draws (at Catholic United and home to Sungate) and the one defeat on the opening weekend at home to Basildon Town, who have won all their games so far, and were two points above today’s opponents at the start of play.

So would the two week break for Rayleigh Town see them come into this one with the freshness of having a little break and also bringing the confidence of that big cup win last time out, or would it hinder them as they did not have that match sharpness after a two week break? Or would Hutton be at an advantage having played last weekend and also grabbed their first win in the process, seeing them come into this one with confidence?

Many questions then but those were answered in the ninety minutes that followed, and initially it looked like the hosts would have an advantage but saw two decent stops from Adrian Faherty deny them as the home side started well, although Hutton were not without their chances too and forced Mark Brown into a couple of smart stops at the other end too.

In the 17^th minute though Hutton did find a breakthrough when a cross to Will Marlowe saw him send a lovely back across goal and in off the far post, and despite the hosts good start they were behind in this one.

This saw the home side go off the boil somewhat as Hutton began to get a proper foothold in the contest, but as the half approached the final ten minutes Rayleigh began to find their feet again, and nine minutes before the break won a penalty after Bailey Moss was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box.  And Paul Morris emphatically struck home the spot kick and the sides went into the break all square.

It had been an entertaining match so far with both keepers being kept rather busy at times, so either side still fancied to go on and win this one no doubt.

Half Time Rayleigh Town 1 Hutton 1

The second half began with a bit of controversy as the away side thought they were going to be awarded a penalty after the assistant on the far side flagged for what they believed was a foul, but the referee decided to ignore this and led to rather frustrated reactions from the visitors, and goal scorer Marlowe was duly sin binned for his protests, so Hutton would be down to ten for ten minutes.

Rayleigh were then the side to be frustrated by the officials as a ball across goal saw Cam Glover eventually poke over the line to give Rayleigh the lead, but no, the assistant on the near side had flagged to say the ball had gone out for a corner prior to the cross, so the home side were the ones to be left annoyed by that.

Hutton then went back to full strength and began to get on top, and in the 63^rd minute retook the lead as after Brown had saved well, O’Callaghan followed up to poke the ball over the line, and Hutton now had a lead to hold onto once again.

They did more than hold on though, and with twelve minutes left made it three and increased their lead as after great work from Brad Freeman saw him get into the area and try and round Brown, he was thwarted but O’Callaghan was on hand to ram home the loose ball and the visitors were now well on their way to back to back wins.

Faherty did save another late effort from the hosts, but it was too little too late for them as Hutton deservedly ran out winners after a very good second half showing here, whilst for Rayleigh they started so well and should have been two or three up in five minutes, but Hutton gradually got a foothold and took their chances second half to take this one.

It means Hutton are now up to fifth after two straight wins, both away from home, whilst for Rayleigh Town it’s a third loss in four and arguably their worst performance of the season, especially second half, meaning they slip to second bottom, two points above bottom side Kelvedon Hatch although still only three points off mid table.

Full Time Rayleigh Town 1 Hutton 3

West Essex 5 Enfield 1

Essex Senior League, Friday 16th October 2020 

Friday night saw me back over at Mayesbrook Park for the second Friday in three as West Essex were once again at home, this time hosting Enfield in an Essex Senior League contest, and it saw braces from Cameron Gray and Michael Mignot help the hosts to a dominant win.

Now West had come into this one off the back of two home defeats, one against Haverhill Rovers in the Vase in what was a crazy contest, and then a home defeat to Hadley in the league, so this for them was a chance to get back on track so to speak.

Enfield themselves came into this one off the back of two positive results, a 4-0 home win against Sawbridgeworth which was their first win of the season, and then a 1-1 draw at Saffron Walden Town last time out as Jamie Cureton’s troops were doing there best to turn what had been a rather ordinary season around.

An intriguing contest was in prospect then, with the result a hard one to call pre kick off, but the home side had taken control inside twenty minutes as after Sanchez Hardy had got in down the right and forced a decent near post save from Jack Wilmott, moments later in the 11^th minute a lovely ball into the box by Mignot saw Gray nod a lovely heard back across goal and into the far corner.

And in the 17^th minute it was two for the hosts as after Mignot had got in on goal but seen his effort blocked by Wilmott, the ball came back out to George Fairhead who dinked a lovely effort over the covering defenders and Wilmott and into the empty net, and West had a two goal cushion early on in the match.

Enfield tried to respond to these early setbacks and saw Joseph Boachie head straight at Jack Coker before Olly Miles thumped an effort well wide from an angle on the left hand side of the box, but these were only really half chances if truth be told.

And the visitors probably should have found themselves further behind at the break but Mignot somehow missed from close range after breezing in behind the defence once again, striking an effort against the post before Gray slid in and put the rebound over, and then Callum Bloss saw a free kick glance of the bar.

The visitors thought they had grabbed a lifeline right on half time when George Essuman headed home, but the goal was ruled out and it meant the hosts did go into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Half Time West Essex 2 Enfield 0

West knew they had to remain positive and keep their foot on the gas if they were to make life easy for themselves and after last Friday night’s Vase collapse they knew how quickly things could change, and within ten minutes of the restart they found themselves four goals to the good.

In the 49^th minute Joel Lamb brilliantly won the ball in midfield before playing a lovely though to Mignot and the West Number Seven duly strode through on goal before slotting beyond Wilmott to make it three, and after Wilmott had made another two good stops to prevent a fourth for the hosts, a shanked clearance by a defender ended up being a perfect cross to the back post where Gray was waiting to volley into the net for number four in the 52^nd minute.

The assistant referee on the far side flagged for offside, but this wasn’t possible as the defender had effectively crossed the ball to Gray, and after a short discussion the goal was rightly given, with no complaints from either side, and suddenly West now looked like they would go on and net a big big win.

Enfield though had another little spell where they put some pressure on the hosts, and Coker had to make a terrific stop to prevent a Cureton header finding the net, before Miles cut inside and fired an effort into the bottom corner in the 63^rd minute to pull one back for the visiting side, and then shortly after Coker had to push away a decent effort from Rio McKie as Enfield looked for second goal that could of made the West nerves jangle a bit perhaps.

That was as good as it got for the E’s though as West soon began to carve out chance after chance, with Hardy bursting in down the right but finding Wilmott equal to his effort, whilst Mignot passed up more opportunities for the home side, but Mignot was to grab a second for himself and a fifth for the hosts when a lovely ball from Sam McNally found Mignot who controlled before thumping a wonderful left footed effort into the bottom corner.  It was a superb goal and capped a fine evening for the home side.

It means West Essex climb into fourth spot ahead of the weekend fixtures, whilst Enfield recent mini revival hit a rather large bump as they slip a place to 16^th on goal difference.

Full Time West Essex 5 Enfield 1

 

Burnham Ramblers 1 White Ensign 5

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Wednesday 14th October 2020 

Wednesday’s night’s footballing fare for this week saw me over at a South Essex derby at Leslie Field as Burnham Ramblers hosted White Ensign in a Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South contest, and saw Ensign recover from a slow start to cruise to victory against their ten man opponents.

These two had already met in the league at Burroughs Park this season and saw Ensign came away with a 3-2 win in a tight contest, so despite the hosts having only one win in six with three losses and the visitors having won four out of five of their league games, this was a derby and was sure to be tight again you felt.

And the hosts last two games, against Athletic Newham in the league and then their FA Vase tie at Newbury Forest had both ended all square (Ramblers lost the Vase tie on penalties) and those sides were top four ahead of this contest, so Ramblers knew they could compete with the better sides in this division too.

Ensign themselves knew a win here would not only see them record a double of their local rivals for the season but also take them into third spot and just three points off leaders Little Oakley with a game in hand, so three points although early on in the season was important all the same if they wanted to keep tabs with the leaders.

The visitors were also looking to make it three straight wins in the league after their disappointing loss at Wormley prior to that and after having the weekend off due to their Vase tie being postponed due to Whitton United’s positive Covid results, they were certainly fresh and raring to go.

It was the hosts though who seemed to settle the better of the two and the opening half hour saw Burnham have the better of the contest, and came oh so close to taking the lead when Tom Ranger thumped a terrific long range effort against the underside of the bar and down onto the line.

Ensign had their moments going forward as they always do, but when the hosts took the lead eleven minutes before half time you had to say it was deserved, and it was a lovely ball to the back post which found Tommy Salter who volley home from close range.

Ramblers were looking good at this moment and another tight and difficult contest looking likely for the visitors yet again, just like the game at Burroughs Park, but the following seven minutes after Ramblers took the lead saw the match swing hugely in Ensigns favour.

In the 37^th minute a moment of madness from midfielder Kristian Moore Cowell saw him panic in trying to clear from his own six yard box after a scramble and head over his keeper Adam Seal to gift Ensign a leveller, and then two minutes later Moore Cowell was given a second yellow for what the referee deemed a bookable challenge when many thought it was a fair tackle, but the hosts were now down to ten men.

And with the hosts still reeling from that setback they fell behind late on in the half when Luke Skinner sent a powerful header beyond Seal and send Ensign into the half ahead after struggling to find any rhythm for the majority of it.

Ramblers had played so well and looked good when they went ahead, but those final few minutes in the half certainly changed that and they now had to try and pull themselves back from a goal behind with a man light.

Half Time Burnham Ramblers 1 White Ensign 2

Ramblers knew they had to keep it tight initially after the break, but that went out of the window two minutes into the second period when Ensign increased their lead after a lovely ball across goal from Dom Locke saw Connor Barnby convert from close range and you felt it would be a long second half for the hosts.

Salter, who was the hosts best player in my view, did test Louis Hawes from long range as the hosts searched for a way back into this contest, but any attacking moments like that were very rare for the home side in the second half as Ensign took control of the contest, using the extra man to their advantage.

Ramblers battled gamely though but did concede a fourth goal with fifteen minutes remaining when after Luke Skinner and laid a ball to Brad Gates, his wonderful first time pass split the hosts defence and found Luke Woodward who slotted under Seal and into the net.

And four minutes later it was five as Ensign were threatening to run riot after a loose ball rolling across the box was wonderfully poked in off the cross bar with the outside of his foot by substitute Ben Austin, and the hosts looked a well beaten side by this stage.

Ensign had further chances to add more and should have had a penalty but it seemed the only person in the stadium who didn’t think it was a penalty was the man in the middle, and it left everyone scratching their heads as to why it wasn’t a spot kick.

Ultimately it mattered not as Ensign cruised to victory when at one stage in the first period it would look anything but that, but the points see them up to third and five wins from their six matches, as for Burnham well a few positives to take from this one but as said before they never recovered from that own goal and then red card late on in the half. 

They will feel that was a pivotal moment that the referee got wrong (the red card moment) but Ensign took full advantage of this to run away with it in the end, however despite this the hosts have much to work with and will win a few games this season for sure, but for now they sit 12^th with just one win from seven so far.

Also, many thanks to Ensign Reserve team boss Jack Caten for giving me a lift home, was nice to get home at a reasonable time!!! Also thanks to Adam Seal who had offered me a lift back to Benfleet after the game so appreciate the offer and sorry I could not see you after the game to tell you that I didn’t need a lift, hope you didn’t wait around for me for too long if you did!!! Sorry about that!!!

Full Time Burnham Ramblers 1 White Ensign 5