Basildon Town 0 May & Baker 3 - A Gabriel Odili brace helps visitors to back to back wins after they saw off Bas Town at Rookery Hill

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 12th January

I was at my second Thurlow Nunn South contest in forty eight hours and this time it was action towards the foot of the table as Basildon Town hosted May & Baker at Rookery Hill in Corringham.

The hosts were having a tough season and sat just three places and three points above the drop zone, whereas Bakers were a further two places and four points ahead of tonight's hosts and were looking to put plenty of daylight between themselves and the bottom three with a win in this one.

Bas Town were obviously looking to stop that happening and try and put more points between themselves and the bottom three ahead of the weekend fixtures, although the hosts only had two wins since early October so three points had become a rarity for them, could they put that right here?

The two had met only a month ago at Parkside and Bakers had run out a close 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Idris Aminu, Gabriel Odili & Remi Awosanya, with the Bas goals coming from Dylan Jones & Ayodele Awosika, so a tight contest was again expected based on that contest.

Now Bakers had tasted victory a lot more recently than their opponents, a 2-0 success at Park View last weekend where Aminu & Odili were again on the scoresheet, and those two were to be pivotal in this contest too, and in fact the opening goal which came in the 26th minute saw Aminu adjudged to have been felled inside the box, although the hosts were less than impressed with the award of the spot kick as they felt it was not a penalty.

Up stepped Odili though and he sent keeper Dan Blockley the wrong way to hand the visitors the advantage, it had not been the best half of football though, scrappy at best is how I described in on social media, and am not sure anyone could disagree with that.

Bas Town were struggling to create anything of note, and their frustrations with the officials got the better of one of their players who received an early second half sin bin for shouting something unruly at the assistant referee on the far side after another decision went against them, so they were down to ten men for the following ten minutes.

Bakers should have made that one man advantage count but found keeper Blockley in the way to prevent them from increasing that lead, but after they were back to full strength, the hosts did concede a second goal twenty minutes into the second period after Bakers second half pressure finally brought rewards, Odili bursting clear, and although Blockley saved his initial effort, the ball bounced back off the striker who then had the simple task of slotting into the empty net.

You kind of felt at this stage that the game was pretty much done, the hosts still had not created anything of note, and they didn't force a save from the visiting keeper until well inside the final ten minutes of the ninety, and with the clock ticking into eight minutes of added on time, the hosts headed over from point blank range, which kind of summed up their night, they also felt they should have had a penalty themselves in a late period of pressure on the Bakers goal.

Had they scored that header, they may have had a sniff at an unlikely comeback, but four minutes into stoppage time Bakers sealed the deal when substitute Abidemi Lamina was brought down inside the box and he duly picked himself up to roll the spot kick into the corner, with keeper Blockley going the wrong way, just like the first spot kick in the first period. Game, set & match to Bakers.

It had been a poor night for Bas Town and they would be the first to admit that, Bakers hadn't been a lot better themselves but they didn't need to be and did all they needed to do in this one to take another three points on the road, they seemed to want it more than the hosts who were second best to a lot of things in this game, and they remain three points above the drop zone as a result of this defeat.

Bakers have now recorded back to back wins on the road without conceding, and they have now put a huge ten points between themselves and the bottom three, so a lot of breathing space for now, and they jump up two places to 13th as well, so a good night for them indeed.

Full time Basildon Town 0 May & Baker 3

 

Hutton 1 Cannons Wood 1 - Hosts net stoppage time leveller to salvage point at New Lodge

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Wednesday 10th January

I decided to brave the cold weather and head out to New Lodge, Billericay, for a Thurlow Nunn South contest between two sides who are looking to grab promotion to Step Five and continue their rise up the pyramid, Hutton of course are having a decent first season in Senior Football, whereas Cannons Wood are looking to build on last season's solid ninth place finish and be right in the play off mix at least.

Hutton sat in third place in the division, six points behind leaders Clapton Community, with three games in hand, so they knew that a win here would really put the pressure on them and second placed Harlow Town, in fact Hutton would climb into second with maximum points, however the hosts had lost back to back home games (this was their seventh straight home game!!!) against promotion rivals Harlow Town and Dunmow Town so three points would be a hard thing to achieve against another top side.

Cannons Wood themselves were currently on the outside of the play off spots looking in with interest, they were in seventh and just two points outside so maximum points in this one would propel them into the top five so that was in itself a big incentive to win this one, although they were winless in four games themselves after victory over leaders Clapton Community back on December 8th, however they had drawn those four games, with three of those coming against fellow promotion rivals Benfleet, Harlow Town & Wormley Rovers, so, just like Hutton, it had been a tough run of games which continued here at New Lodge.

Both teams did see openings in the opening forty five minutes, but the visitors certainly created more and probably had the better of the half, and two minutes into first half stoppage time they grabbed the lead when Samuel Adetiba broke down the right hand side, and with the hosts claiming offside, the flag didn't come (it did look tight but I could not see from my angle if he was on or not) the visitors forward cut into the box before rifling a lovely finish in off the crossbar, and hand his side the half time advantage.

Adetiba was a constant threat to the hosts back line, and his pace was allowing him to have the chance to run onto balls over the top, on a couple of occasions hosts keeper Jamie Grossart misjudged the bounce of the ball but on both occasions the hosts managed to clear their lines, Adetiba also lobbed just wide with another attempt, and a cross from the right also struck the cross bar too as Cannons Wood looked to seal the game.

Hutton though dug in and kept plugging away, and weren't without their chances too, Andrew Webster headed a ball towards the far post which was millimetres from finding a teammate, and another cross was somehow headed over from point blank range, so although the visitors felt they should have been further in front, they had to keep their concentration at the back to make sure Hutton were not allowed in.

And it looked like the visitors would end that run of four successive draws and boing into those play off spots, that was until the 97th minute when Hutton pounced to end their run of two defeats at home when Jack Griggs, on as a second half substitute, nodded home from close range and deny Cannons Wood the win right at the death.

It was only Hutton third draw of the entire league season so far, and that point keeps them third but they fail to go second and are behind Harlow on goal difference, for Cannons Wood it's a tenth draw in twenty seven games, and five in a row now, too many draws you feel, this is why they are not right up there instead of being just in the mix and still sitting just outside the top five, if they could turn some of those draws into wins then things could be very good for them that's the sure.

Full time Hutton 1 Cannons Wood 1

 

Callum Boylan nets stoppage time winner as Great Wakering Rovers come from behind to take a huge three points in intense battle at Burroughs Park against West Essex, whilst Hullbridge Sports, Barking, Buckhurst Hill, Halstead Town, Tilbury & Sporting Bengal United also pick up wins

Essex Senior League, Friday 5th / Saturday 6th January

Another weekend, and the first one of the new year, and it was Essex Senior League duty for me as I headed over to Burroughs Park for Great Wakering Rovers Vs West Essex, let’s look at what happened in that contest first before having a look back at all the action in the division this weekend…..

Great Wakering Rovers 2 West Essex 1

These two sides are harbouring hopes of a promotion charge this campaign, and a playoff spot for either would probably be a minimum requirement, GWR are one of the most inform sides in the division right now and under Marcus Bowers have gone from strength to strength, and sat fifth in the standings, two points and two places above today’s opponents.

West of course knew a win here today would most likely propel them into the top five and above GWR in the table, but their form over the last six games had been mixed, with a equal amount of wins, draws and defeats in that period, so what West would turn up today we wondered, could they tame the in form Rovers on their opponents own patch?

Well, things looked good after just three minutes when West grabbed the lead, poor defending from the hosts saw them fail to clear their lines and allowed the loose ball to be fired home by Darnell Bromfield into the bottom corner, GWR were slow out of the blocks in this one but they soon found themselves on level terms.

It came on the quarter hour mark after a superb long range strike from Ben Search looked to be heading in, but West keeper Luke Adams made a brilliant save to tip the effort onto the post, but the league's top scorer in Callum Boylan was first to react to fire the rebound across goal into the far corner, meaning the contest was back on level terms.

The game remained level into the second period as well, it certainly was an intense battle between two sides fighting for the play off spots, the hosts though were looking much likelier to get ahead though as they had much more of the play and chances, Adams somehow kept out a close range effort from Wakering's Tommy Barton, it's one of the greatest saves I have ever seen live, it was that good, and then Adams again had to be smart to thwart another hosts effort at goal after an air shot from one of his defenders inside the box trying to clear his lines.

Search then curled a brilliant long range effort against the bar, and it seemed as if GWR were not going to get what they deserved in this one, but deep into added on time came the winning moment, a ball into the box was headed back across goal by substitute Sonny Noble and that man Boylan was on hand to turn the ball home and cue mass celebrations amongst the home players and fans behind that goal, it did feel like a huge goal, and it was one that saw GWR to another three points and a fifth straight win.in the league (seven straight in all competitions).

It was heartbreak for West though, it had been a terrific rear-guard action in the second period and it looked as if they would earn a very hard earned point, but they just fell short here although they certainly put in maximum effort in this one so should be proud of that.

Full time Great Wakering Rovers 2 West Essex 1

Right let’s see what else happened this weekend in the Essex Senior League…..

Friday

Ilford 1 Hullbridge Sports 5

The Foxes were heavily beaten at home for the second successive Friday, as after their 8-0 home loss to Great Wakering Rovers seven days ago, they conceded another five here against Hullbridge Sports. Martin Tuohy tapped home the opener on twenty-five minutes before new signing Otote produced a great finish to double the visitors lead right on half time, and when Jay Leader headed home Sports third goal early in the second period, the job was as good as done. Tuohy then grabbed a second goal to make it 4-0 before Dixon then netted to make it five with eight minutes remaining, and although Ilford did manage a goal in the 87^th minute, it was a brief moment of joy for the struggling hosts as Bridge ran out comfortable winners.

 

Saturday

Barking 3 Woodford Town 0

It's eight unbeaten in the league now for The Blues as they pushed promotion chasing Woodford Town aside at Mayesbrook Park, Luke Hirst opened the scoring on nine minutes after converting from a Jack Dickinson driving run, and it was two right on half time when Karl Kayembe capitalised on a defensive mix up to smash home from close range. And the game was sealed in the 82nd minute when Kayembe netted again, this time from the spot, to hand the hosts another superb win.

 

Frenford 0 Buckhurst Hill 1

Buckhurst Hill netted a very hard fought win at The Drive against Frenford after the hosts had laid siege on the visitors in the second half but were unable to find a way through. The only goal of the game came two minutes before half time and was enough for Hill to take all three points.

 

Halstead Town 2 White Ensign 1

Goals from Harry Pinckney & Kane Gilbert saw Halstead come from behind to net another win in their chase for a play off place, Bademosi tuned inside the area before firing the visitors in front eight minutes after the break but with just under twenty minutes to go Pinckney netted after a scramble inside the box. And with nine minutes remaining an Older corner found the head of Gilbert to win the game for the hosts as their incredible season continued. 

 

Little Oakley 1 Tilbury 4

It's now fifteen league games unbeaten for The Dockers as the league leaders netted another four goals as they swept Little Oakley aside at The Memorial Ground, they grabbed a 12th minute lead when Roman Campbell's deflected effort found the net, and Tilbury doubled their lead twenty minutes into the second period after Harry Donovan bent the ball into the far corner. Dan Rowe gave Oakley some hope when firing home in the 86th minute to reduce the deficit, but two minutes into stoppage time Trendall drilled a ball across the Oakley goal and Sibbons slid the ball into his own net, and there was still time for a fourth goal in the 94th minute after Trendall calmly slotted home to seal the deal.

Sporting Bengal United 5 Coggeshall Town 1

Second placed side Sporting Bengal had to come behind to eventually see off bottom side Coggeshall Town at the Mile End Stadium, 16-year old Lester Ward gave Town the lead but goals from Dami Olusesi & Dan Pepple handed the hosts the half time lead. Sporting were much better after the break and dominated their opponents, Alagi Juwara added a third before a Chris Gyamfi penalty & a lovely lob from Keanu Hill rounded off a good day at the office for the home side as they continued their impressive campaign.

 

Stanway Rovers 1 Saffron Walden Town 1

Visitors Saffron Walden Town netted a late leveller to salvage a point at The Hawthorns against Stanway Rovers, Rovers took the lead twelve minutes before the break when a superb run by Ellis ended with him one on one with the keeper and he calmly lobbed him into the net, but a long ball into the box in the 85th minute from the visitors saw the keeper misjudge it, leaving an open goal to find, meaning a point a piece.

 

Right, let’s look at the latest table following this weekend’s results…..

Tilbury still lead the way, and have games in hand too, but it's very tight for those play off spots with anyone as far down as Athletic Newham in tenth feeling they have a chance to claim one of those top five positions. Some of those top five sides will have aspirations of winning the league, Tilbury are certainly in the driving seat right now but sides like Romford & Great Wakering Rovers may have something to say about that. It's going to be one hell of a race that's for sure!!!

Down at the bottom heavy defeats for the bottom two see them as they were whilst the sides above them have a decent buffer for now, and looking likely they will keep the bottom two at arms length for now as well, Coggeshall are all but doomed if truth be told, Ilford are not in good shape right now either, things not looking good for those bottom two sides that's for sure.

Anyway that's all for now, really enjoyed my day over at Burroughs Park today watching two totally committed sides go at it, hope your enjoyed reading my blog, as said before I really appreciate you taking the time to read it, so thank you.

  

Essex Senior League / Thurlow Nunn First Division South Festive Review

(Action from Basildon Town's 0-0 draw at home to Clapton in their Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest on December 30th at Rookery Hill)

Thought I'd pen the latest goings on in the Essex Senior League and Thurlow Nunn First Division South over the festive period and see how each league looks heading into 2024. Spoiler alert both divisions look likely to be headed for pretty exciting finishes if anything is to go by on what has happened thus for for 2023/24.....

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

There wasn't much in the way of action between Christmas and New Year in the ESL but there were two league games and a Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup tie to look back at, so let's see what happened.....

Friday December 29

League

Ilford 0 Great Wakering Rovers 8

Callum Boyle netted four at Mayesbrook Park as struggling Ilford were well and truly put to the sword against promotion chasing Rovers. A fairly tight opening quarter saw the visitors take a 14th minute lead through Ben Search, but once Boylan had doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break, the game ran away from the hosts big time. Search added a third four minutes after the break before Boylan added three quickfire goals to see the visitors into a 6-0 advantage after an hour, Harry Talbot & Callum Bloss then added two late strikes to complete the rout as Marcus Bowers tenure at Rovers continued to flourish.

Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup

Saffron Walden Town 2 Chelmsford City 2 (Chelmsford City won 5-3 on penalties)

Walden were in Charity Cup action over the festive period and they nearly completed an amazing turnaround against Chelmsford City at Catons Lane but ended up losing out on penalties after coming back from two goals down at the break. A Jones double had City cruising into the next round but a second half double from Miles saw the tie end up going to penalties, but City managed to hold their nerve to win through.

Saturday December 30

League

Stanway Rovers 3 FC Clacton 0

Rovers continued their revival after netting a three goal win over FC Clacton at The Hawthorns, the breakthrough came seven minutes before the break when Joe Debell headed home, and two minutes into first half stoppage time Debell again netted, getting on the end of a Bennet cross. And the hosts clinched the three points when adding a third goal with fifteen minutes to go, George running through before sliding an effort home.

Let's see how the ESL table looks heading into the new year.....

Tilbury lead the way and with games in hand too are the ones in the driving seat, Sporting, Romford, Woodford are all within two wins from going above them though if the Dockers have a sticky patch, and with the likes of GWR & Halstead, the latter being one of the surprise packages of the season along with Sporting, are only seven points off the lead, and with as many as a dozen teams who are believing in a play off run, it could be a pretty entertaining few months going forward.

For me it is more clear cut at the bottom, Coggeshall United & Ilford appear to be the worst two teams in the division and I believe they will be finish in those bottom two positions as the likes of Frenford, Buckhurst Hill, Takeley & White Ensign have more in terms of quality and are unlikely to be caught by the bottom two,  the six point gap could widen even more over the coming weeks sadly for those two at the foot of the table. Only time will tell of course....

THURLOW NUNN FIRST DIVISION SOUTH

There was a lot more in the way of action in the Thurlow Nunn South between Christmas and New Year with twelve league fixtures over the period, let's see how those went.....

Boxing Day

Harlow Town 1 Cannons Wood 1

Two promotion chasing sides did battle in from of 369 at The Harlow Arena, and it ended all square meaning a point a piece for both. The visitors went in front ten minutes into the second half when Harry Brown scored but the hosts managed to level through Arley Barker twelve minutes later meaning the contest would end all square.

Hutton 3 Basildon Town 1

A record home crowd of 205 for hosts Hutton saw them net victory over struggling Bas Town at New Lodge to keep their promotion charge on track. David Johnson netted a brace and Harry Rawlins also netted for the hosts against a visiting side who were reduced to ten men early on when Modou Diop Gueye was sent off for giving away a spot kick, Jamie Bradbourn did net one for the visitors but there tough season continued here.

December 27

Barkingside 2 Clapton 3

Clapton continued their unlikely charge for a play off spot as they made it back to back wins with victory at Cricklefield against Barkingside. Eraid Desa netted a brace for the visitors and Warren Kayembe netted the other as the visitors continued their remarkable turnaround under Bash and co, that's eight wins from their last ten games now.

Wormley Rovers 4 Hackney Wick 1

Reece Mosanya netted a brace as Wormley netted four in defeating Hackney Wick at Wormley Sports Club. Danny Haigh & Michael Mignot also netted for the hosts as they kept up their promotion hopes.

December 30

Basildon Town 0 Clapton 0

For a report on this game go to my blog at https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2023/12/basildon-town-0-clapton-0-stalemate-at.html 

Dunmow Town 1 Wormley Rovers 2

Rovers made it two wins in three days after they defeated fellow promotion chasing Dunmow Town despite having to survive a second half comeback from the hosts with ten men. Ryan Stevonson & Archie Hammond both netted to see the visitors two goals up at the break, but the hosts pulled one back and saw Rovers reduced to ten, but despite a tough second period for the visitors they held on to take a big three points.

Enfield Borough 2 Clapton Community 2

Leaders CFC had to dig deep to prevent defeat in this one after they came back from two goals down to snatch a late late point. The hosts led 2-0 after an hour and looked destined for the points but Taylan Gul found the bottom corner in the 76th minute before Joel Akuwudike dinked over the keeper in the 95th minute to salvage what could be an important point come the end of the campaign.

Hoddesdon Town 1 St Margaretsbury 1

There were 126 at Lowfield for this local derby and it saw the points shared after Harrison Cage netted in the 69th minute to cancel out an earlier strike from the visitors and prevent them from having bragging rights in this one.

Hutton 1 Harlow Town 4

Another bumper crowd of 198 (seven short of that Boxing Day record) were back at New Lodge to see a big top of the table clash, and Harlow Town netted four as they put Hutton to the sword and gain some revenge for that opening day mauling against today's opponents. Ruben Santos 13th minute strike had Harlow ahead at the break but when Joshua Boxall levelled just before the hour mark, the game was back in the balance. However, Raheem Gray restored the visitors lead with just over twenty minutes remaining before Santos & Jack Zielinski netted further goals to hand Harlow a huge win.

Newbury Forest 4 Burnham Ramblers 3

To say this was an eventful game was an understatement, the hosts went ahead on fourteen minutes and then doubled their lead on the half hour, Ben Wood then reduced the arrears eight minutes before the break, only to see the hosts open up a 4-1 lead by the 55th minute. Elliot George & Aiden Brown then netted within two minutes of each other as the game was suddenly 4-3 with just over twenty minutes to go, and then Forest's keeper was sent off with fifteen minutes to go for taking out Oscar Jones when he was one on one. Ramblers came close to a great escape but could not find a leveller, and stoppage time saw Forest reduced to nine men when the player in question was booked for taking his time to walk off and then given a second yellow for saying something to the official. And in the 14th minute of stoppage time Ramblers saw one of their players sin binned before they saw Jack Morris sent off after the final whistle after a frank discussion with the officials, crazy scenes, but the points ended up with the hosts.

Southend Manor 0 Barkingside 1

For a report on this game please visit Scott W's blog at https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2023/12/31/s23-24-match-report-southend-manor-0-1-barkingside-sat-30-dec-easl-south/

Tower Hamlets 3 NW London 1

Hamlets netted a welcome three points at Mile End after a brace from Connor French & one from Solomon Asomah saw them to victory over NW London whose sole strike came from James Allen.

Let's see how the table looks heading into the new year.....

CFC lead the way but have played far more games than the teams below chasing them, many say that Benfleet are the ones to watch and if they won their games in hand would be some way ahead of the rest, but it sure proves to be a decent title/promotion race for sure. 

Down at the bottom Park View have issues both on and off the field and are struggling to raise sides currently, they nearly went to the wall in September and it would not surprise me if they do not finish the season, however the rest of the sides are embroiled in one hell of a relegation battle, only five points separate 15th placed May & Baker and 21st Hoddesdon Town, so it proves to be one hell of a battle at both ends of the table for sure!!!

So, that's how both leagues look as 2023 comes to a close, Happy New Year to you all, and here is to a prosperous 2024!!! Thanks for reading as always..... 

Basildon Town 0 Clapton 0 - Stalemate at Rookery Hill as Bas Town & Clapton end year with a hard earned point

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday 30th December

My final game of 2023 saw me over at Rookery Hill, Corringham, as struggling Basildon Town welcomed an in form Clapton in a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest, with both sides looking to end the calendar year with three points for very differing reasons.

The hosts are embarking on their second season in Senior Football and after almost winning promotion last season, they are finding the 'second season syndrome' very tough indeed, although that is mainly down to big changes on and off the field which saw player manager Marcus Bowers depart for Great Wakering Rovers a couple of months ago along with several of the playing staff too.

In came Alec Simm & Andy Everett as manager and assistant, now Simmo was joint manager at May & Baker when Everett was also at Bakers too in a chairman capacity, so both have been reunited and tasked with the job of pulling Town away from the drop zone, they sat two points above it in 18th at kick off but even before kick off they were up against it in this fixture.

This was because fifteen players were unavailable for one reason or another, meaning the hosts would have to field a team made up of half their reserve side who play in the Essex Olympian Division Two, that's Junior football and four levels below, so a tough task indeed, but it was an opportunity for them to show what they could do at this level at least.

It would be tough though against a Clapton side who are harbouring an outside chance of grabbing a play off spot, something which seemed impossible early on in the campaign which saw the Terry Mac side bottom of the league and looking lost, but once ex boss 'Bash' came back to take the reins after Ross Weare left for a job in the Boreham Wood academy, thing have turned round big time for sure.

They found themselves in eighth spot, nine points off the top five, and believing that if they could have a superb second half of the season they could just could grab a play off spot, providing others above slipped up too, and give themselves a chance of making an instant return to Sep Five football and Essex Senior League status once again after their relegation last season.

Like Basildon the visitors had youth in their squad too today, two sixteen year olds in the starting line up plus four under the age of eighteen amongst their substitutes as well, as 'Bash' mentioned before the game, if you are good enough and put the effort in then you are old enough, never a truer world spoken I'd say.

The game itself turned out to be a very decent battle, Town almost grabbed a sensational lead barely thirty seconds into the contest when a ball across goal was thumped against the post from a yard or so out, and the hosts also stuck the same post later on in the half in what was their two best openings.

Clapton themselves saw a header cleared off the line, two other efforts go just wide of the far post, and another effort well saved by the home keeper, it meant the half finished goalless with both sides certainly putting in great effort and commitment, the second period did see the visitors look the more dangerous and they saw another couple of efforts fly just the wrong side of the post once again.

This did not mean Basildon were without there chances though, they forced a decent stop from the visiting keeper, and were screaming for a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the game although this was probably wishful thinking perhaps, Clapton probably should gave had a penalty of their own earlier in the half but this fell in deaf ears too, so maybe the referee was levelling it up, who knows, both sides felt they should of had one.

But alas there were no goals, although plenty of endeavour and effort for sure, and despite the zero goals tally it was still a very enjoyable contest to watch, Simmo and Co were very proud of their sides efforts, especially with half of them made up of their reserve side, Bash & Co were disappointed to not take all three points but they came up against a determined home side who certainly earned their point today, both sides did and they both end the year with a point a piece.

Full time Basildon Town 0 Clapton 0

 

Woodford East 3 FC Petrocub 1 - Peacocks net superb win at Mayesbrook to keep tabs on leaders, plus a look back at the rest of the action in the Essex Alliance Senior including bonus coverage from Parslows

Essex Alliance League Senior Division, Saturday 23rd December

My final action before Christmas saw me over at Mayesbrook Park to see a potential decent and feisty matchup between Woodford East and FC Petrocub in the Senior Division of the Essex Alliance Senior Division, with both looking to end the year on a high with victory.

East came into the game in third spot, twelve points behind leaders FC Baresi with three games in hand so they knew if they could win today technically top spot was still in their hands as they still have the leaders to play as well, although goal difference was in favour of the side top of the table, but anyway, winning was the only option for the hosts who had won ten of their fourteen leagues games this season.

They were up against FC Petrocub, who are a Moldovan side and a very skilful and technical one too, but their league form this season hasn't been the best, a mixed campaign which sees them down in tenth spot having only won five league games this campaign although their cup form has been much better and the current defending London Senior Trophy winners are back in the Quarter Finals this time around, so they could make it back to back wins in that competition against sides who play in Senior Football, so no mean feat at all.

Anyway, entertaining and feisty, not really, the opening half hour yielded very little in terms of chances or anything else, neither side could really hold onto the ball and a lot of stray passes and errors came from both, it wasn't the best game to watch and you felt both sides were ready for the festive break, however that changed late on in the first period when East grabbed two goals in a three minute spell to wrestle some sort of control.

Ten minutes before the break they went in front when after the visiting keeper had made a decent stop at his near post, the ball was eventually recycled back into the box where Eamon Payne was on hand to strike a decent effort into the far corner, and then just three minutes later a great ball in from the left by the full back saw a team mate get across the keeper who was in no mans land and glance the ball with his foot towards the far corner, and despite the best attempts from a defender to keep it out, he could only help it on its way into the net, and East went into the half time break with a two goal cushion.

And that two goal cushion was extended too just past the hour mark when a lovely ball through to the guy who had netted the second goal saw him produce a composed finish beyond the onrushing keeper, and at 3-0 you felt that was probably game set and match with around half an hour or so to play.

The Moldovan's to their credit continued to play their way though, pass and move pass and move, and they had a lot of the ball but just could nothing with it as East stood firm and rebuffed anything that came their way, although they were unable to keep a clean sheet in the end as the visitors did find a way through with five minutes to go when their number ten lashed home a loose ball inside the box, but it was only a mere consolation for the visiting side as they fell to defeat here.

It meant that East now have eleven wins from fifteen this term and are well in the hunt for promotion and the title still having games in hand in those above them, for FC Petrocub it's all about the cups I feel this season as they are kind of in no mans land in the division this time around as they remained tenth and way off the promotion spots at the festive break.

Full time Woodford East 3 FC Petrocub 1

Anyway, that wasn't the end of the action for me as I was with EAL officials Rob Parker, Barry Fitzgerald and Howard Parker so we all jumped back into our cars and headed over to Parslows Park where we could catch the second half of the game between Kit Out London & CSM London, which was also a EAL Senior Division contest.

Now I had never been to Parslows before so this was a treat for me, here are some photos I took of he venue...

It's a very decent set up I must say although one word of warning if you are planning to attend the venue, you need to download an app in order to get a QR code which you need to scan at the barriers inside the building in order to get through to the pitches, my advice would be to do the prep before getting there as you need to download the Leisure United app from your app store and then search for Parslows Park and then register, of which you then can obtain a QR code.

The took me several minutes to do so best to get this all done before you head to the venue to avoid irritating delays like I did, but apart from that it's a decent modern venue, although I can see the QR code thing being an annoyance to many ground hoppers around the land no doubt, but we are in an age of tech so it's how it is these days.

Anyway once I'd got onto pitch side I witnessed a interesting second half between Kit Out London and CSM London, the score was 1-1 at the half when we got there, CSM then grabbed the lead but then had a player red carded for a second booking, although he was very reluctant to leave the field, and the hosts managed to find a late leveller meaning the game ended 2-2. There was obviously some bad blood between the two as there was some aggro outside the dressing rooms after the game, they were obviously wishing them all a Merry Christmas no doubt!!! Ahem!!!

Anyway, a nice bonus at the end of a very decent day, lets recap today's results and see what it has done to the league table.....

FC Baresi 5 Aveley U23s 2

Frenford Development 7 Bakers693 2

Kit Out London 2 CSM London 2

Woodford East 3 FC Petrocub 1

So, at the festive break FC Baresi still have an eight point buffer to Chadwell Heath Spartans, then come Woodford East and as said they have games in hand so all three of those look like the ones who will be battling it out for promotion.

Down at the foot, Kit Out London's late leveller did at least give them a rare point against a relegation rival in CSM London although the point doesn't really help either side who both needed a win really to head into the new year in a positive frame of mind. It looks like the bottom five will be the ones battling the drop.

That's all for now, thanks for reading and have a great Christmas all!!!!!

May & Baker 2 Harlow Town 3 - Alex Luque nets 98th minute winner to see visitors to dramatic late win at Parkside

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 22nd December

My penultimate match before Christmas saw me head over to Parkside for the first time this season (yes has been long overdue) to watch a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest between May & Baker and Harlow Town.

Bakers have been under new stewardship this season in the shape of previous reserve team boss Jimmy Donald, and it's been a mixed campaign thus far for them, they sat in fourteenth spot at kick and only five points above the drop zone, whereas for Harlow, who were back after a season out of football following their resignation from Step Three football (I think!!!) two seasons ago due to pitch issues at their Harlow Arena ground were right in the mix for instant promotion to Step Five football as they look to try and get back to where they once were.

Harlow sat in fifth spot, the final play off spot, although their ambition is to win the division of course and they were eight points behind leaders Clapton Community so needed all three points in this one of course, as did Bakers for differing reasons and who knows, a decent run in the new year could see them maybe have play off ambitions themselves, although that was a tall order looking at the table right now.

Their immediate concern was trying to pull away from those relegation places and put further daylight between them and those down their right now, but it was the visitors who had all the early running and it was no surprise when they edged in front after twelve minutes when Ishaq Ameen was played in on goal and he produced a lovely lofted effort beyond Jack Riddell.

Harlow continued to have most of the play but they were unable to build on that early lead, they had chances to go further ahead but could not capitalise and they were made to pay for this this in first half stoppage time when Bakers, who had barely threatened thus far, won a free kick outside the box, and Gabriel Odili curled a delightful effort into the far corner, leaving keeper James Pellin routed to the spot, and it meant the sides went into the break all square.

That late first half leveller seemed to galvanize the hosts who were much more of a threat in the second period, and just beyond the hour mark they had turned this one around when Oliver Beadle struck a lovely long range effort into the far corner, Pellin got a big hand to it but could not keep it out, and now Harlow were the ones chasing this contest.

The visitors though fought back and levelled with ten of the ninety to go after Ameen outmuscled his marker to prod an effort beyond Riddell, the hosts would have been disappointed in how they conceded that goal, but they then had an immediate chance to go back in front again when Idris Aminu was felled inside the box for a Baker penalty, but after Odili had taken the ball of Bobby Breen, who looked like he was going to take the spot kick, Odili saw his penalty saved by Pellin, meaning the game remained all square.

A few stoppages in the second half meant a big chunk of stoppage time was added at the end of the contest, and eight minutes into that came the dramatic conclusion as Harlow found a winner, a ball into the box found it's way through to full back Alex Luque who then drove an effort back across goal and into the far corner, sending him, his teammates and their fans behind that goal into raptures, it had been a rollercoaster of a ride for sure, but they found a way to get those three points and take them up a a place to fourth.

It was gutting for the hosts however who thought they were at least going to get a point from this dramatic contest, that penalty miss at 2-2 certainly was a big moment in the game, and defeat so late on will hurt for sure, they remain fourteenth and five points above the drop zone and will hope that results go their way at the weekend, it was a very enjoyable watch though I must say, and well done to the visitors on their success.

Full time May & Baker 2 Harlow Town 3