Clapton 1 Basildon United 0

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 11^th March 2014

I was back at the old spotted dog ground for the second time in four days as this time landlords Clapton hosted Basildon United in a mid-table clash.  The game was only 3 minutes old when the hosts took the lead when after Basildon failed to clear their lines the ball fell to Tons centre back Jamie Lyndon and he smashed into the top corner past Steve Brown to give Clapton a 1-0 lead.  They nearly doubled their lead soon after when more hesitant defending in the box allowed Raphael Duyille to poke the ball just wide.  Basildon looked a threat down the left hand side with Greg Akpele causing problems with his pace but the away side rarely troubled the Clapton goal, struggling to get any meaningful shots away.   Clapton were dogged and determined and the game was fast becoming a brutal battle with heavy tackles flying in and Basildon felt hard done by on numerous occasions when decisions didn’t go their way.  They almost shot themselves in the foot before half time when Bees centre back John Sinnott inexplicably hit the ball towards his own goal from 20 yards out or so and it looked to be heading over Steve Brown but he managed to get back and chest the ball down brilliantly and clear away before any more danger came from it.   Into the second half and much the same really, Clapton digging in and making life difficult for the away side.  Chances were becoming few and far between and apart from a couple of long range efforts well palmed away by Clapton stopper Pape Diagne the game was becoming scrappy on a hard a bobbly pitch.  Basildon had one final chance towards the end when after a scramble in the six yard box the ball was cleared off the line by a gaggle of Clapton defenders, using the motto ‘thy shall not pass’ which has seen them become very hard to beat this season.  After six minutes of injury time the final whistle sounded and Clapton had earned this 1-0 victory indeed.  Both teams remain together in the table and both will no doubt finish in top ten positions come the end of the season, a big improvement from past seasons for both clubs.

Tower Hamlets 3 Barking 0

Essex Senior League, Monday 10th March 2014

The Mile End Stadium was my next port of call in my local football watch.  Tower Hamlets were looking to cut the gap to leaders Wakering to just three points with a win.  Barking are lower half these days are an indifferent season.  Both teams created good goalscoring opportunities early on, Hamlets with a shot well saved and Barking with a header over the top.  But then on 21 minutes a moment of controversy.  A ball forward was challenged by defender, keeper and forward and after a coming together the keeper was down in a heap leaving the forward Joe Killingback to beat the defender and slot home for 1-0.  Barking were furious that the goal stood and on closer inspection (my mates video and close up photo shots) appeared to see Killingback foul the keeper.  Anyway the goal stood.  Four minutes later and it was 2-0 as Barking hadn't really recovered from that setback.  A cross into the box was headed home emphatically by Luke With and soon after the second goal Barking keeper Tristan Hickman was replaced by the sub keeper as he hadn't recovered from his challenge with Killingback for the first goal.  Hamlet's continued to control the first half and went in 2-0 up at the break.  Barking pushed the home side back for a lot of the second half but were reduced to mainly long range efforts at goal which were at best woeful.   The killer third came with Hamlets only real attack of the second period on 86 minutes when a breakaway found Kane Wilson unmarked in the area and he swept the ball past the keeper emphatically to finish the match off.  Barking were awarded a penalty in injury time when keeper Robert Hatton brought down  one of the Barking forwards.  Barking captain Ben O'Brien took it but the penalty was brilliantly saved to his right by Hatton and this was immediately followed by the final whistle.  Barking were poor by all accounts but Hamlet's do cut that lead to the top and continue to knock on the door for the time being.

London Bari 0 Southend Manor 0

Essex Senior League, Saturday 8th March 2014

My latest footie fix took me to the picturesque surroundings of Upton Lane, Forest Gate to the Old Spotted Dog ground, home of Clapton FC and London Bari FC. Manor played only there second game in just under three months against an ever improving Bari side who had won their last two games.  Manor begun well and produced the first chance of the game when Charlie Little turned in the box and his shot was well saved. Bari had an effort on goal during the first half too when a snap shot across goal was easily gathered by Lawrence Priddle but it wasn't a great first half on a bobbly pitch with both sides final ball letting them down again and again but Manor had the better of the half no doubt. The second half started with Manor on the back foot as Bari showed a bit more purpose going forward but only produced one good chance when Priddle made a good save from a glancing header. They also headed over the bar when it was easier to score soon after. Manor started to get back on top again after the hour mark and produced a great chance for Charlie Little, who ended up one on one with the keeper but the ball got stuck under his feet and allowed the defender to get back to block the effort on goal. Little was causing the Bari left back all kinds of problems. Nick Henesey also had an effort on goal blocked as Manor turned the screw but they could not find the net.  Their were no more real chances in the game so both sides gained a point.

Ilford 0 Hullbridge Sports 4

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 5th March 2014

So I found myself back at Cricklefield Stadium for another rearranged league game from earlier in the season. Ironically after all the wet weather we have had the pitch was frozen the night before this game but luckerly it thawed out enough to be playble!!! Anyway to the game and a dominant 'Bridge' left Cricklefield's with all three points. Tom Ranger put them in front on 19 minutes with a opportunistic flick past the keeper at the near post to give them a 1-0 half time lead. It was 2-0 on 54 minutes as Rory Clarke volleyed home from twelve yards. Ilford were then reduced to ten men on 61 minutes when Joe Maskell was given his second yellow of the match before Michael Edgar finished from close range to give Hullbridge a 3-0 lead in the 70th minute. The scoring was complete on 89 minutes when Tom Ranger let fly from 20 yards out and it beat the keeper all ends up to complete a 4-0 away win for the side from Lower Road.