Redbridge 3 Ilford 4

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 13th September 2016

So Tuesday night saw me over at Oakside for a derby between Redbridge and Ilford in theEssex Senior League.

Redbridge had improved after their poor opening to the season with two wins and two draws after four defeats whilst for visitors Ilford this was only their fourth league game of the season although they had won two of the three played so far.

However as this was a derby form mattered not and both sides showed plenty of endeavour in the opening quarter of an hour of the match however neither keeper were tested thus far as the game remained goal less. A couple of minutes later Ilford went the closest to scoring when Elias Armar-Tackie got through after beating two players but drilled his shot just wide.

But on 21 minutes it was the hosts, with their first real effort on goal, take the lead as a free kickwhipped into the six yard box saw DJ Adelekan beat Ilford keeper Chris Clark to the ball and head home to send the Motormen into the lead. It was a lead that lasted only three minutes though as Ilford bounced straight back as a ball laid back to Sipho Mtyanda saw the striker place a shot into the bottom corner and this derby was all square once again.

As the game passed the half hour mark Armar-Tackie got through for the visitors but saw a defender get back well to block effort but nine minutes before the break he wasn’t to be denied, scoring a wonderful goal, as he curled a wonderful effort beyond keeper Jake Mernaga into the top corner, despite the best efforts from the keeper to keep it out with his outstretched left hand.

Ilford sensed more goals and looked to kill the game before the break and only more defensive blocks from the hosts denied Dan Jones this time round before another attack saw Armar-Tackie head wide from a deep cross to the back post.

Redbridge’s only real chance was their goal but a couple of minutes before half time then saw a dangerous free kick into the dangerzone find goal scorer DJ Adelekan but he could only flick his header across the area and out for a throw in but they were lucky not to concede a third right on half time as Ilford missed a golden chance to score when Armar-Tackie sent substitute Chris Stevens in the clear but he could only drag his finish horribly wide, meaning the Foxes only went into the break a goal ahead when it should of been more.

Half Time Redbridge 1 Ilford 2

The hosts, rather fortunate to still be in the game, set about using this to their advantage and came out well at the start of the second period and saw skipper Adam Hunt fire one just over the bar as they looked for a quick equaliser. And five minutes into the half they found it when a cross saw Stephen Good flick on for DJ Adelekan to bundle in at the back post for his and the hosts second of the evening as parity was restored yet again.

The game was now end to end stuff and it was hard to see who would get their noses in front although a moment of controversy came when Ilford forward Mtyanda looked like he was brought down by Redbridge defender Good as he was getting clear of the defender but the officials thought otherwise, much to Ilford’s dismay.

However with an hour gone the game remained all square and the next moment of note saw an Ilford free kick whipped off the line by the hosts and then the game switched straight down the other end and saw an effort hit straight at Clark in the Ilford goal. It was certainly a good derby this.

But then on 73 minutes Ilford managed to get their noses in front once again as a ball across goal was bundled home by Stevens, making up for his poor miss at the end of the first half, to restore the Foxes advantage in this pulsating derby. Redbridge skipper Hunt immediately whipped an effort a foot wide of Ilfords goal as they looked to restore parity again. The hosts had been good in this half however Mtyanda then struck an effort just wide for the visitors.

However with just under fifteen minutes left Ilford gained a big advantage when they were awarded a penalty after as keeper Mernaga brought down Jones and saw the keeper sent off as he was the last man. Skipper Hunt had to go in goal but could do nothing as Jones picked himself up to convert thespot kick and give Ilford a two goal cushion with an extra man.

To the hosts credit though they continued to fight and make life difficult for their opponents and were doing ok still despite the red card and DJ Adelekan almost converted a hosts corner for his hat-trick but saw his effort bounce just over the bar. However the hosts did win a penalty two minutes into stoppage time after the referee had originally given a free kick on the edge of the box, only to then consult his assistant and then change his mind and point to the spot. Lee Weemes stepped up to thump a powerful spot kick in via Clark’s hand but this was the last act as Ilford held on for the points in what was a cracking derby at Oakside.

Full Time Redbridge 3 Ilford 4

Southend Manor 7 West Essex 0

FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round, Saturday 10th September 2016

So the FA Vase began this weekend and I was beginning my trail at my local side Southend Manor as they hosted West Essex at Southchurch Park.

Manor are looking far more solid this season after two or three seasons of struggle, whilst visitors West Essex begin their first ever venture into the Vase after promotion from the Intermediate Level of football last season but had lost their last three games after a pretty decent start to life in Senior Football.

This was still a hard one to call though as both teams looked fairly well matched and the first ten minutes suggested a tight contest as the game endured a fairly quiet opening with Manor having the only real opening but saw Michael Hopkins fail to convert from close range.

But then on 12 minutes came the opening goal, and it went to the hosts, as a Hopkins flick on found Matt Keiller who scuffed an effort past Stephen Reynolds from close range and from that moment on the hosts pretty much had the upper hand in this contest, quickly doubling their lead three minutes later as Eamon Payne headed home a looping cross from the left.

The visitors just could not respond and midway through the first half fell further behind when a poor back header went straight to the feet of Callum Ibe and although his effort was saved by Reynolds, Hopkins followed up to knock the ball home. And then just past the half hour mark it was four as after good work by Ibe on the right, his cross found Daniel Okah who had the easiest tap in from a yard out.

Manor kept searching for more goals before half time and should of found a fifth as another poor defensive mistake allowed Ibe in on goal but Reynolds made a great save and then moments later brilliant football from Manor from back to front saw a bullet of a shot well saved by Reynolds.

However the West Essex stopper could do nothing to prevent Manor adding a fifth in first halfstoppage time as more breathtaking football from the hosts saw Hopkins in and lob over a stranded Reynolds and send the home side in five goals up at the break. Manor had been guilty of lacking a cutting edge in front of goal in previous games so they were certainly putting that right today and had pretty much cemented their passage into the next round already.

Half Time Southend Manor 5 West Essex 0

The second would start pretty much as the first began, quiet. The visitors did muster the first attempt on goal in the second period after an an hour, hitting an effort straight at Ryan Karrer but the game remained 5-0 to hosts and they were just going through the motions it seemed.

The half continued in it’s fairly quiet subdued way as the game had become rather flat. With around fifteen minutes to go Manor almost got in as substitute Abiola Tanimowo out muscled adefender but then misconnected with the ball and then the visitors almost pulled one back as they got in behind the Manor backline but Karrer came out to make a super save on the edge of his box to maintain the clean sheet.

However the hosts restored their control on the tie with a sixth goal on 79 minutes when the pacey Rhys Fatt, on as subtitute, got clear of the defence and slotted a finish beyond Reynolds and in off the inside of the post. Soon after this West Essex saw Oz Stroud sent off for an appalling tackle on Manor defender Robbie Norris and then a couple of minutes later Manor went down to ten men after Aundre Spencer was sent off for a second booking for dissent.

The game was to end though with another Manor goal as they capped a marvellous performance when Tanimowo got clean through and he made no mistake by slotting home beyond an exposed Reynolds and saw Manor cruise through to host Intermediate Side Canning Town in the Second Qualifying Round.

Full Time Southend Manor 7 West Essex 0

Kings Langley 6 Sporting Bengal United 1

The Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round, Saturday 3rd September 2016

So it was back to FA Cup action for me at the weekend when I visited the Hertfordshire village of Kings Langley to see if Sporting Bengal United to spring a surprise and make more history in this famous old competition.

The hosts had been fairly used to success in the last three years, winning two promotions on the spin to ply their trade in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier, Step three in the non league pyramid, and they were up against a side who play in Step Five football in the Essex Senior League who had enjoyed a decent historic making cup run so far.

However if the visitors were to have any chance of a surprise result a good start to the tie would be crucial. Sadly this didn’t happen as the hosts won a penalty after six mins when David Vaughan brought down full back Steve Ward after the Langley player had made a good run down the right. Lewis Toomey stepped up to convert the spot kick and the hosts had their early goal to settle any nerves they might have had.

Sporting almost responded straight away however when they saw Shibli Miah’s effort palmed away by Danny Boness as they looked to shock their hosts with a quick repost, however if you go one nil down the last thing you want to do is fall further behind but this is exactly what happened to Sporting as on nine minutes good work down the left by winger Oran Swales saw his cross deflected high into the air and saw David Hutton volley a first time effort from the edge of the box expertly into the top corner and the visitors already had a mountain to climb.

It was just the start the hosts would have dreamed of whilst for Sporting it was exactly what they had not wanted. However the visitors were far from being outplayed and were doing ok despite the scoreline but would need to find an extra something if they were going to get back into the contest.

The hosts unsurprisingly had a bit extra going forward and Toomey almost had his second when he got in on goal but saw Lewis Lockyer save but then moments later Toomey really should of netted when after getting through again he rounded Lockyer and saw the ball roll on and hit the post but the strikers rebound effort flew across an unguarded net and away from danger.

However Toomey made amends five minutes before the break when he volleyed home from close range and saw the hosts go into the break three goals to the good. The visitors had battled and competed well but just found the higher league opponents clinical up front when it mattered.

Half Time Kings Langley 3 Sporting Bengal United 0

Sporting knew an early goal may give them hope of an unlikely comeback and they certainly started the half well, having a couple of efforts on goal, and then six minutes into the second period they found that goal when Miah found himself in behind the Langley defence and he slotted beyond Boness and into the far corner.

Sporting knew if they could force another goal it really would make it an interesting tie but the hosts were not about to be surprised like that and soon forced visiting keeper Lockyer into action when the stopper had to be smart to palm a hosts effort away for a corner as they looked to try and re-establish their three goal cushion.

And just before the hour mark the hosts struck twice in two minutes to end any slight hope the visitors had of a comeback when firstly on 56 minutes they did restore their three goal lead when Ryan Plowright turned home from close range and then on 58 minutes Hutton curled home a delightful effort beyond Lockyer from just inside the box to see the hosts in a very commanding position at 5-1 up with half an hour or so left.

To Sporting’s credit they kept going when many would of possibly just thrown in the towel and struck another effort wide just on the hour mark. They were still competing well but just could not deal with the hosts attacking prowess and they almost conceded a sixth when Sean Coughlan, on as a substitute for the hosts, found himself in on goal but his finish hit the inside of post.

With around twenty minutes to go Sporting were still going for a second goal as goalscorer Miah managed to break the offside trap but as he tried to cut back he lost the ball under a challenge and eventually fouled the defender trying to retrieve the lost ball. The hosts then got in down the left hand side as Sporting’s offside trap failed but keeper Lockyer came out to close the angle and see the ball eventually blocked behind for a corner.

The last ten minutes or so saw Sporting giving it a real good go in the rain that had now arrived in Hertfordshire but they were unable to really test keeper Boness to much and then with five minutes to go Toomey, who really should of wrapped up his hat-trick already, finally did just that when he got clean through and rounded Lockyer to slot home the hosts sixth and final goal.

So despite the visitors giving it a really good go in this tie they ultimately found the Southern Premier hosts just too strong on the day. It’s been a good cup run for the Sporting Bengal boys though and they should be proud of that fact. Well done to hosts Kings Langley though whose cup run continues in two weeks time.

Full Time Kings Langley 6 Sporting Bengal United 1

Sporting Bengal United 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 31st August 2016

So Wednesday night saw me at my first ever Mile End derby as Sporting Bengal Unitedhosted Tower Hamlets in an ESL encounter.

It a game both sides do not want to lose and for hosts Sporting it was only their second game of the league campaign whilst for Hamlets they were looking to put a difficult start to their season behind them.

Sporting of course have a big FA Cup tie on Saturday and perhaps this was on the players minds as the opening ten minutes definitely belonged to the visitors as they had pretty much all the possession and attacking intent.

In fact this carried on for pretty much the first twenty minutes of the contest until the hosts struck with their first attack of note on 20 minutes when a loose ball was bundled home by Codey Cameron from close range to give the hosts a scarcely deserved lead.

The goal understandably lifted the previously subdued hosts and they so nearly added a second minutes later when Kadir Jama hit the crossbar from a free kick although from the resulting clearance Hamlets almost got in down the other end but saw the defence somehow scramble clear.

Despite the visitors having the majority of the attacking play, without any final touch, Bengal creaated another golden chance but saw visiting keeper Jean Manata produce a fine save down to his left and keep the scoreline as it was.

However ten minutes before half time Hamlets should really have been level but they saw skipper Ade Oreniake somehow miss a virtual open net at the back post after a ball across the box wasn’t dealt with. It was an unbelievable miss and kind of typified the visitors match so far, and because of this they trailed at the half.

Half Time Sporting Bengal United 1 Tower Hamlets 0

The opening quarter of the second half produced virtually nothing in the way of goal mouth action, that was until Hamlets went so close again after O’Neal Rowe’s brilliant long range effort was wonderfully tipped over by Lewis Lockyer in the Bengal Goal.

You kind of felt it would be one of those days for the visitors yet again in front of goal but in the 64th minute they finally found a way through when Jhonatas Silas da Silva (what a name by the way!!!) struck home from way out taking Lockyer by surprise in the hosts net. It was a well deserved leveller though after the amount of attacking the away side had manufactured in this game.

Hamlets now had their tails up and soon after Yusuf Ali nearly got in in goal but saw the bounce of the ball favour keeper and defender and they between them managed to thwart the attacker. Rowe then got in down the left for Hamlets but saw Lockyer save as another chance went begging for the visitors.

Bengal didn’t really create to much in the second half but with seven minutes to go looked to have snatched the lead once again when slotting home a through ball, but the flag had gone up for offside although it did look like a tight call however it remained 1-1.

So could anyone be a hero and win this derby, well the answer to that question was yes as in the 92nd minute Rowe got clear of the Sporting back line and duly lofted over the advancing Lockyer and see the ball nestle in the far corner of the net and score a late winner for the visiting side, which you would have to say was deserved over the ninety minutes.

It means Sporting have now lost both their league games so far whilst Hamlets record their second league win of the season. Hamlets should take heart from this performance going forward whilst for the hosts they will need to play a hell of a lot better against Kings Langley at the weekend if they are to push the Southern League Premier side close. No doubt they will though.

Full Time Sporting Bengal United 1 Tower Hamlets 2