Benfleet 2 Burnham Ramblers 2

Thurlow Nunn Division One South, Wednesday 13th October

Wednesday night saw me over at Park Lane for a Thurlow Nunn One South top of the table clash between Benfleet and Burnham Ramblers, and a late Harry Shawyer equaliser saw the visitors grab a very fortunate point on Canvey Island.

Both sides knew a win would send themselves into second spot behind leaders Ipswich Wanderers and after both had lost at the weekend, each side wanted to bounce back in this one and get one over another promotion hopeful, and also local bragging rights were at stake to seeing this was an Essex Derby too (only fifteen or so miles separate these two geographically).

The visitors were probably lucky not to have gone down to ten men inside two minutes in my view after a rather poor challenge from Liam Barry on hosts keeper Flo Gislette which left the latter in a heap and in a lot of pain, but the referee deemed it only a yellow card offence, I did wonder had the offence happened later in the game it may have been a different colour, but there you go, it was a yellow that was handed out.

It seemed that there would be no way Gislette would continue, but with no keeper on the bench the hosts decided to risk him staying between the sticks, and you would have thought Burnham would have done all they could to try and force the keeper into action with practically one leg, but the only shot they managed in the opening half hour was off target and high by Adebolu Adeyemi.

On the half hour mark though Ramblers did go in front as after Samir Ali had been impeded inside the box, he stepped up to thump the penalty into the bottom left hand corner, giving the injured Gislette no chance whatsoever, although a fully fit Gislette probably wouldn't have got no where near it anyway, it was a superbly taken spot kick, and the visitors had edged ahead.

This seemed to wake Benfleet up, and they saw two efforts off the line and then saw another effort well saved by Adam French, and as the game entered the second period the hosts began to dominate proceedings.

The visitors had keeper French to thank for keeping them in the game, he produced a couple of decent stops early in the second period but he would have been disappointed with himself for the leveller twenty minutes into the second half when a shot from distance took a big bounce, causing the keeper to palm the ball way up into the air, and as it came down, Ben Foord beat him to the ball to head beyond him, and the hosts had a well deserved leveller.

French then made a brilliant double save to deny the hosts, before he then pulled off another diving save to his left to keep another decent effort out, however, with seven minutes to go it looked as if Benfleet's pressure finally got them a winner when Billy Bonham-Dare, just on as a substitute, converted a pass from Luc Harpin, and it looked as if the hosts would go on and win it.

But no, because just two minutes after that moment, the hosts went to sleep defensively and allowed the superb Shawyer to stroll onto a pass and fire a decent effort across goal and into the far corner, it had been their only shot on target in the entire half, but they made it count and were now back level again, could they snatch a win from the jaws of defeat perhaps?

In the end no, both sides had to settle for a point a piece, Benfleet would have been immensely frustrated not to have won that game after so many second half chances, whilst Burnham would have been delighted to have nicked a point in the end and definitely had Frenchy (the keeper) to thank for that point for sure.  And well done for Gislette to get through the game with a very painful left leg for the entire game, be interesting to see how long it keeps him out for, if it does. 

It all means Benfleet do climb into sixth spot, that is still a point behind Burnham who jump up to third spot themselves, both sides are on the road at the weekend, Benfleet are at Holland whilst Ramblers travel to The Royal Oak to take on Harwich & Parkeston, and both would fancy winning those games too.

Full time Benfleet 2 Burnham Ramblers 2

Hornchurch 0 Cheshunt 1

Isthmian Premier Division, Tuesday 12th October

Tuesday night saw me over at Bridge Avenue as Hornchurch welcomed Cheshunt to Upminster in an Isthmian Premier contest, and a Amadou Kassarate header ten minutes from time handed the visitors a much needed win.

The hosts came into this one after a mixed start to their season, winning four and losing four of their eight league games so far in ninth, whilst Cheshunt had also had a rather mixed start to their campaign too, having three wins, a draw and four defeats, sitting in 14th and just a point behind their opponents before kick off.

The opening half hour was not the best it has to be said, with the only shot on target coming from Urchins Joe Christou who drilled an effort straight at George Marsh in the visitors goal, whilst Cheshunt's only effort on goal (if you can call it that) came from Ken Charles who blasted an effort miles over the bar.

The hosts did create a couple of chances late on in the first period, Liam Nash firing an effort left footed across goal which keeper Marsh gathered fairly comfortably, but Nash then forced a wonderful left handed save from Marsh at his near post in what was the best chance by a long way in a half that was starved of much quality of chances of too much note.

The second period was a much better fare though, and it began with Nash heading over from six yard's out, and then Cheshunt were lucky not to go down to ten men after centre half Adam Crowther wiped out Christou with an appalling challenge, but only a booking resulted, and Nash curled the resultant effort over the bar.

The Urchins then saw further chances missed by Ronnie Winn and then Ollie Muldoon, but Cheshunt did cause some problems for their opponents, especially down the left through Charles, and his trickery set up Jack Thomas on one occasion whose effort was put over the bar, and then the visitors were screaming for a penalty after a goal bound effort appeared to be blocked by a hand. And then hosts keeper Joe Wright had to make a superb save down to his right to turn a Joe Re effort round the post, it was a superb stop leaving the Cheshunt management team with their hands on their heads.

Would anyone find a winner? The answer came with ten minutes to go as a corner from the visitors saw Kassarate find space inside a crowded area to power home a header from close range, and it meant the hosts had to try and respond with little time remaining.

Nash had a chance late on when a looping ball fell into his path, but he could only volley across the box and no where near the target, and it meant the hosts would end what had been a very frustrating night empty handed and saw them fall to a fifth league loss of the season, whilst for the visitors this was a much needed win and a big morale boost after a difficult two weeks in their words.

It also meant Cheshunt leaped up four spots into tenth, and only four points off the play off positions too, and above Hornchurch who dropped three places to 12th, The Urchins are at home again against bottom side Leatherhead, they really need to get something from that to get their season back on track.

Cheshunt have an extra day's rest, but they have a very tough assignment at second placed Kingstonian who have won all four home games so far this campaign, although if they show as much spirit and battling qualities as they did in this one, then they have a chance, this win would have certainly put a spring in their step heading to King George's Field this weekend.

Full time Hornchurch 0 Cheshunt 1

Ware 2 Canvey Island 2 (Canvey Island won 7-6 on penalties)

Buildbase FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round, Saturday October 9th

My latest FA Trophy Road To Wembley tie saw me at Wodson Park for Ware against Canvey Island in a 2nd Qualifying Round tie, and after a pulsating second period, the visitors won a dramatic shoot out to progress.

Hosts Ware had been given a bye into this round, whilst Canvey had beaten Coggeshall Town in convincing style in the previous round to set up this tie, and both sides had began well in their respective divisions too, so this was fancied to be a close but entertaining contest in front of a very healthy crowd in the Hertfordshire sunshine.

It was the Southern League One Central hosts who started the better, and they should have taken the lead after just ten minutes when a good move ended with striker Taufee Skandari somehow side footing wide of the post, and then Bobby Mason had to beat away an effort from Liam Dulson and also tip over hosts skipper's Louis Rose's header.

Canvey's main threat came down the right through Evans Kouassi, and he twice sent in dangerous balls across goal that striker Matt Price couldn't get on the end of, whilst Price himself almost punished the hosts after a wayward clearance ended with his near post effort being beaten away by Bradley Robinson, but the hosts had certainly had the better of the opening forty five minutes and would have been disappointed not to have held a lead at the break.

Ware began the second half with a couple of more openings, Skandari fired an effort which went inches wide of the near post, and then some pin ball inside the Canvey box just about saw the visitors clear, but five minutes into the second period Canvey grabbed the lead when a loose ball fell to Connor Hubble inside the box and he fired home to send the Canvey Ultras behind the goal wild.

That lead lasted only six minutes though as Ware finally found the net after a corner from the left saw Mason fail to claim and centre half David Kendall had the simple task of heading home at the back post, but, Canvey wasted little time in restoring their lead on the hour mark after Price managed to get in behind and after winning a challenge with keeper Robinson, swept the ball home, three goals in ten second half minutes, the tie had exploded into life.

Canvey were dealt a big blow when their in form striker Price pulled up with a groin injury, so he had to be replaced, and the visitors were beginning to sit deeper and deeper as Ware piled on the pressure to try and find another leveller, and after the Canvey goal had led a charmed life once again, the hosts finally grabbed a deserved equaliser when skipper Rose volleyed home from close range, setting up a grandstand finish.

The last few minutes saw frantic end to end action and saw both keeper pull of excellent saves, but the game was to end all square, and this tie would be settled by a penalty shootout, and it turned out to be a rather dramatic one as well.

Canvey saw their first two penalties saved brilliantly by Robinson, and with Ware netting both of theirs they opening up a 2-0 lead, Mason then saved and then after he saved another later on in the shoot out, it was 3-3 after five penalties each, and after Mason saved again, his third of the shoot out, Canvey had the chance to win it but missed after Robinson stuck up an arm for his third save of the shoot out. 

The next six penalties were all converted, leaving it 6-6, Mason then saved for a fourth time meaning it was match point number two for The Gulls, and no other than keeper Mason himself stepped up to ram home the winning penalty and send Canvey Island through to the next round, brilliant drama and well worth the trip.

Ware will count themselves very unlucky to have lost this tie, but they failed to ram home their advantage when they had the chances to score, and keeper Robinson will feel aggrieved to have lost a shoot out he saved three penalties in, but Mr Mason starred in the shoot out for the visitors and Canvey battled their way though some difficult moments to net themselves a place in Monday's draw.

Full time Ware 2 Canvey Island 2 (Canvey Island won 7-6 on penalties)

 

 

White Ensign 3 Takeley 2

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 6th October

Wednesday saw me make the short trip to Great Wakering for an Essex Senior League contest between White Ensign & Takeley, and a Connor Barnby brace helped the hosts to an entertaining win at Burroughs Park and net a league double over their opponents in the process.

The hosts came into the game with five wins from their thirteen games so far but had smashed eight past Cockfosters at the weekend so were full of confidence no doubt, whilst Takeley have been having a fairly poor season by their standards and were in the bottom half, also with five wins so far this term. Their game had been postponed at the weekend so this was their first outing since the FA Vase loss almost two weeks ago now. Also these two had already met in the league this season at Station Road, and that one saw Ensign run out 2-1 winners.

It did not take long for the action to hot up as firstly the visitors were denied what seemed an obvious penalty after Elliot Long was felled inside the Ensign box, and then moments later in the 2nd minute Ensign went up the other end and took the lead when Dominic Locke was played in and he slotted home to give his side the advantage.

The hosts, who were ruthless at the weekend, had failed to bring their shooting boots here, and missed a number of chances to go further ahead, and just past the half hour mark they were made to pay for these misses when Takeley levelled when a wonderful cross from George Wappett found Kieran Southgate who applied the finishing touch in off the far post, and Takeley somehow found themselves on level terms.

Ensign then struck the bar as they almost restored the lead, and almost fell behind near the end of the first half when a ball slammed towards the far post just failed to find the boot of an attacker, that really would have rubbed salt into the Ensign wounds as it would not have been a deserved lead for the visitors had they grabbed it, and the hosts were left scratching their heads as how they were not ahead at the break, it's fair to say the Takeley goal had led a charmed life so far.

So how would the second period pan out? Well, ten minutes into it Ensign did edge in front when Barnby tried his luck from twenty yards or so out and his shot, which although did dip slightly in front of Sam Soutar in the visitors goal, saw the keeper make a real mess of saving the shot and it slid under his body and into the net, not a moment he will want to relive that's for sure.

It was a deserved lead for the hosts though, but to Takeley's credit they did not give up and battled back to level with twenty minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Glenn O'Hanlon's shot towards goal was blocked with a hand, and Southgate stepped up to ram home the spot kick, and now either side had to chance to go and win this contest.

Takeley were now having a good spell and saw Grant Hayward produce a couple of decent saves to keep the visitors out, however with just under fifteen minutes remaining Ensign netted what proved to be the winner when new signing Timo Monsheju, who had come off the bench, saw an effort saved by the legs of Soutar, but the ball fell into the path of Barnby who from just outside the box rammed a brilliant effort back past the keeper and into the net for his second of the evening and Ensign's third and winning strike.

A very decent game of football, and back to back wins at home for the hosts, and seven unbeaten in the league now too as they find themselves in eighth spot now, whilst for Takeley they fall to a sixth league defeat and are down in 13th spot, five points behind their opponents.

Full time White Ensign 3 Takeley 2

Frenford 2 Park View 2

Thurlow Nunn Division One South, Tuesday 5th October

I made my way over to the Ilford/Redbridge area and The Drive for a Thurlow Nunn Division One South fixture between Frenford and Park View, and it saw a late leveller from visitors skipper Eugene Asante earn the North London side a point.

Both these sides sat in the lower half of the table at kick off, Frenford were in 14th having on average earnt a point a game so far in thirteen, whilst Park View were three places and four points better off in 11th, and they knew a win would take them into ninth in what has been a decent season for them so far as many, including myself, thought they would struggle somewhat in this division.

The hosts had come into this one off the back of defeat at Holland at the weekend, whilst Park View had beaten Harwich & Parkeston at home for their fifth win of the season so far, so maybe the visitors carried the better morale coming into this one, although Frenford had won their last home game 6-0 against Brimsdown, so they certainly had goal scoring in their ranks.

The opening half hour was not a great spectacle, but just before the half hour mark the visitors did grab the lead when Joel Agyemang pounced on some sloppy play from the hosts to drive into the box and fire a right footed effort across goal into the far corner, and if it had not been for home keeper Jack Ryan, it could have been two, as the home stopper produced a fine close range save.

The hosts though began to show signs of life in the latter part of the first half and put Park View under a lot of pressure, and they continued this on early in the second period too and finally managed to find a leveller in the 64th minute when Ben Bridgeman was played in, and he produced a lovely left footed effort into the far corner.

Frenford continued to be the better side and their play finally bared fruit with nine minutes to go after visiting keeper and former Frenford keeper Luis Silva tried to claim a bouncing ball inside the box but in doing so went through the back of Bridgeman, resulting in a penalty for the hosts, and Bridgeman himself stepped up to emphatically dispatch the spot kick, and Frenford seemed likely to go on and win this.

But they could not hold on as with two minutes of the ninety left, a long throw from Nuhu Ibrahim was flicked on into the six yard box where skipper Asante was on hand to prod home from close range and make sure the New River side went back to Haringey with a point to show for their efforts.

Frustrating for Frenford though after getting themselves in front, only to give away a sloppy goal and come away with just a point, boss Dave Forbes said to me afterwards it was the story of their season, so hopefully they can turn some of these performances into wins soon, but fair play to the visitors who didn't give up and were rewarded for that at least, Frenford remain 14th and keep up their one point a game average, whilst Park View remain 11th with eighteen points from fourteen played.

Full time Frenford 2 Park View 2

Hashtag United 2 Romford 0

Isthmian One North, Sunday October 3rd

Sunday saw me over at The Len Salmon Stadium for some more Isthmian One North action, and it saw Hashtag United net back to back wins for the first time this season after early goals from Harry Haysom & Joe Debell saw them to a comfortable win over Romford.

The hosts came into this one with confidence renewed after a decent 1-0 win at Witham Town in midweek, their first away win of the season and second overall, whilst Romford had suffered a late defeat at home to Tilbury in a game I saw in midweek, meaning they have lost all four games at home this term, however, their away form was much better, having netted two wins in their three matches away from Mayesbrook Park.

Whether or not Romford were still recovering from that tough midweek loss in this one remains to be seen, but they certainly looked like they were suffering a hangover as they just did not turn up in the opening half, and Hashtag toom maximum advantage inside the opening fifteen minutes of this contest as Romford's defence was all over the place.

After seven minutes a hosts corner swung in by Joni Vukaj saw keeper Carlos Simeon fail to come and deal with it, and the ball found centre half Haysom at the back post and he had the simplest of tasks to head the ball home, and then eight minutes after that the Tags doubled their lead as after Harry Honesty and twisted and turned his marker to burst into the box, his shot was saved by Simeon, before Debell then followed in but saw his effort blocked too, before he managed to fire home eventually and give his side a two goal cushion.

The hosts continued to dominate their opponents and could and should have added more, with Honesty and Josh Osude causing havoc down both flanks, the visitors were not helping themselves either with some sloppy play on more than one occasion, and at times woeful defending and passing which put the hosts on the attack, it was possibly one of the worst halves I have seen from an Isthmian League club, so they had to make 100% improvement if they were to have any chance in this one. Hashtag had been decent at times and had done what they needed to do so far.

There was a moment in the second half that threatened to ignite this one when after Romford substitute Germaine Dua, who actually looked their biggest threat in the second period, won the ball back from Tags skipper Ross Gleed, and as he laid the ball off got clattered from behind by the hosts centre half, which caused a rather silly overreaction from some of the visiting players, resulting in a booking for Gleed.

However, it didn't really spark the second half into life and it was a rather flat half in the majority as the hosts were now in cruise control and had taken their foot off gas somewhat, but apart from a few shots at the hosts goal which were fairly comfortable for keeper Anthony Page, their was no real threat for the hosts to really worry about.

Hashtag should have added more in the second half as well, but they found keeper Simeon in decent form to thwart several efforts at his goal, but the hosts had done more than enough to make it back to back wins and climb up to 11th in the Isthmian One North standings, they are beginning to find their feet at this level now so I expect them to at least maintain a mid table position.

For Romford this was not an afternoon to remember, if Wednesday's loss to Tilbury was hard to take then this performance was even harder to take, and they need a huge improvement if they are to avoid another season of struggle this campaign. Work to do as they say...

Full time Hashtag United 2 Romford 0

Romford 1 Tilbury 2

Isthmian One North, Wednesday 29th September

Wednesday evening saw me over at Mayesbrook Park for a Isthmian One North contest between Romford and Tilbury, and the visitors saw a late Lee Noble goal hand them all three points in what was a tough battle in Barking.

Both these sides came into this contest needing some points to kick start their campaigns, the hosts had lost all three games at home whilst Tilbury had lost both their away games this season, and both were down in the lower reaches of the early league table, who could grab their first points either home or away, as something was going to give in those records just mentioned.

In a first half which lacked any sort of quality, the best moment of note saw Carlos Simeon make a superb stop to deny Tilbury's Phil Roberts, that was until Romford took the lead ten minutes before the break when good work down the right from Jesse Olukolu saw the ball find its way over to Aundre Wholas-Spencer, and the full back fired a shot at goal which was saved by Harry Girling, but onto the boot of the lurking L'heureux Menga who sent it into the net.

Tilbury claimed offside but no flag was forthcoming, so the hosts went into the break a goal to the good, were they on their way to their first league points at home?

Visitors boss Marc Harrison and assistant Liam Wallace cut very frustrated figures at the half as they were not impressed with their side up till that point, so no doubt they demanded more from their side, and despite Girling having to make a decent stop at his near post in the second period, and the hosts sending an effort over the top from a decent position, the second half belonged to Tilbury who were putting more and more pressure on the hosts backline.

But for the majority of the half it was frustration for the visitors, either with their end product or Romford's time wasting as they claimed, the hosts were desperate for their first home win so did anything they could to put their opponents off, as any side would do of course, but with twelve minutes remaining Tilbury were given the opportunity to tie it up after Lewis Smith was felled inside the box by Wholas-Spencer, and a penalty was awarded.

Smith himself stepped up and sent his penalty towards the corner, and although Simeon got a big hand on it, he could not prevent the ball from finding that corner, and now Tilbury sensed they could grab all three points from this position.

Would The Dockers second half pressure get them that winning goal then? Well with a minute of the ninety left they duly did net that winning goal, sparking wild scenes amongst players, fans and the manager Harrison, who ran to join in the celebrations, it came after a lovely move ended with Roberts firing a ball into the box and Noble getting across his marker to steer home first time, you could see how much this meant to them after what had been a rather frustrating contest in the majority.

It had not been the best game in terms of quality, but they made up for that in heart and determination, and the win for Tilbury, their first points on the road of course, sent them above their opponents and up to 14th, a point above Romford who are 17th in what is a rather congested table early on, as is normally the case.

These sides probably won't pull up any trees in this division judging on this contest, but they will be hard to beat for sure, and as for Harrison and Wallace and their Tilbury side, they would have been delighted at full time after seeing their side turn this one around, maybe that half time team talk did the trick...

Full time Romford 1 Tilbury 2