Southend Manor 0 Canning Town 0 (aet; 4-5 on penalties)

Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round, Saturday 24th September 2016

So it was Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying round day and I was back at Southchurch Park to see if hosts Southend Manor could reach the First Round Proper as they took onEssex Olympian Premier outfit Canning Town.

The home side were massive favourites for this tie as they play to steps above Canning Town in the non league pyramid and with the hosts also playing Senior football to the hosts who played Junior football only one result was expected in many people eyes.

But this is cup football and you should underestimate the opponents at your peril and the first ten minutes yielded very little in the way of chances for either side. The first real chance came for the hosts on twelve minutes when Rhys Fatt crossed towards the near post were Daniel Okah’s flick just rolled past the far post with Callum Ibe lurking.

The visitors were next to test the keeper five minutes later when they sent a harmless looking free kick into the box but the ball bounced high off the hard surface and almost deceived Ryan Karrer in the Manor goal but he managed to paw the ball away from danger and then moments later Manor went close as a cross just invaded the diminutive George Crispin at the back post.

However these chances were played in a half that lacked pace and tempo and a certain amount of quality as the game seemed to be played in slow motion. On the half hour mark the visitors sent a dangerous ball into the box but the hosts managed to deal with but they had been well off the pace today so far.

However despite this the hosts almost went into the break ahead as a minute before half time aVinny Murphy free kick was brilliantly tipped over by Nick Wilson in what was arguably the only save either keeper had to make in the opening half. It had been a pretty poor first half in general and as D:Ream once said “Things can only get better”.

Half Time Southend Manor 0 Canning Town 0

And the second half was only four minutes old when one of the keepers was tested again, and it was the hosts keeper Karrer who had to make the save, as a great chance for the visitors saw Julian Edwards in the clear but Karrer managed to stick a leg out to thwart the visitors a shock lead.

Apart from this chance though and a few hosts balls into the box it was as you were, tedious and goal less, as we hit the hour mark in this one. Four minutes later Manor did finally test visitors keeper Wilson in this half as full back Samuel Short tried his luck from range but the visiting keeper made a decent save down to his left.

With just over twenty minutes to go Manor went close as Fatt got into the area down the right hand side but his ball across goal just invaded Crispin at the near post and then two minutes later they thought they had finally found the breakthrough as Fatt’s ball to the back post saw Ibe steam in to score but after this happened the linesman then raised his flag to chalk off the effort, much to the home sides dismay.

So the game was still goal less going into the last ten mins and the hosts mounted another attack and saw a cross towards Tim Beckford missed totally by the Manor forward but at the same time caught out visiting centre half Neil Barratt who almost put the ball into his own net. Moments later another cross from Manor saw Barratt again almost score an own goal but keeper Wilson made a good diving save.

This proved the final act and so the game would now enter an extra half hour.

Full Time Southend Manor 0 Canning Town 0

So would Manor’s extra fitness count against a tiring Canning Town side? Well the hosts certainly started the extra time period on the front foot as Beckford forced Wilson into a diving save and then the hosts went close again as Murphy curled an effort just wide of the far post.

Canning Town to their credit kept plugging away and sent a warning to Manor that they still could pose a goal threat themselves when Chris Barratt volleyed a lose ball just wide for the visitors after Karrer and Edwards had battled for a cross into the six yard area.

And in the second period of extra time Edwards lofted over for Canning Town as the Olympian side continued to make life difficult for their Senior hosts and as penalties got ever closer Mark Argent curled a free kick just wide for Town.

Manor saw an effort on goal blocked before the follow up went way off target as penalties were now looking likely but with what was almost the final act of the 120 minutes Manor had a golden chance to nick the win when Ibe burst through into the box on goal but somehow put his effort over the bar. It kind of summed up the hosts day in front of goal. It also meant that the game ended goal less after extra time so penalties would decide the teams fate.

Full Time (aet) Southend Manor 0 Canning Town 0

And so to penalties and they didn’t start well for either side as they both saw their opening spot kicks saved, however the next four penalties from each side were converted meaning it was 4-4 and sudden death. Canning Town converted their sixth penalty leaving Okah needing to score Manor’s sixth kick in order to stay in the competition but he saw his penalty saved by Wilson and cue celebrations from the visitors, who had caused a major shock in dumping Southend Manor out of the FA Vase and see the Olympian Premier side take their place in the First Round Proper and also find themselves £800 richer threw prizemoney, well done to them for that!!!

Full Time (aet) Southend Manor 0 Canning Town 0 (Canning Town won 5-4 on penalties)

Hadley 2 Kings Langley 1

The Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, Saturday 17th September 2016

I was on FA Cup duty at the weekend and saw me make my first visit to Brickfield Lane inArkley, just outside Boreham Wood, for a match between hosts Hadley and visitors Kings Langley.

Hadley are managed by ex Chelsea and Spurs midfielder Micky Hazard and he would of no doubt have used all of his cup pedigree and experience to help his side this season as the club were enjoying their best run inn the competition in their history, having dispatched Brantham Athletic,Hertford Town and Colney Heath to reach this stage.

However in opponents Kings Langley they were up against a side two levels above and had smashed Sporting Bengal United 6-1 in the last round. The Southern Premier League outfit, who had enjoyed three promotions in as many years, were on a good winning run in the league so this was going to prove tough for the Spartan South Midlands Premier hosts and understandably started as underdogs in this one.

But this is the FA Cup and it’s not been short of a giant-killing or two over the years and the hosts began by trying to take the game to their higher level opponents and saw skipper Sam Lyon loop an early header a foot wide of the goal. However the visitors then went close themselves after flashing a ball across the six yard box. It had been a decent start to this contest.

The visitors went close again when Sean Coughlan volleyed a Josh Chamberlain cross inches over the bar before the hosts responded in kind when a brilliant one two on the edge of the area released Ivan Machado but keeper Danny Boness managed to block the strikers effort.

And then on 18 minutes came the opening goal, and it went to the visitors, as a good pacey run down the left from Immanuelson Duku saw him burst into the box and be taken out inside the box for a penalty. Duku duly picked himself up and converted the spot kick and the Evo-Stik side had an early lead.

This understandably got the away sides tails up and they went searching for a quick second to try and totally stamp their authority on this contest. Connor Toomey fired just over from range for the visitors after a free kick wasn’t properly cleared by the hosts and then Toomey again fired another long range effort just off target as the visitors were now the better side since going in front.

However Hadley were no where near out of this contest and they saw a cross from the right almost falls to Machado in front of goal but the defence managed to block well and as the half was coming to a conclusion it was the home side who were coming on strong again but the visitors still lead 1-0.

Just before half time both sides tested each others goal, firstly when Zane Gangadeen struck an effort straight at Langley keeper Boness as they continued to look for a leveller, and secondly when Duku nearly got a second for the visitors after the ball had dropped to him inside the box but the hosts keeper Charlie Mann saved well to keep his side in the tie. It was a tie that was tight and still very much in the balance as the teams left the field for the half time break despite the visitors slender lead.

Half Time Hadley 0 Kings Langley 1

The next goal was always going to prove crucial in this tie and eight minutes into the second period came that second goal of the game, and it went to the hosts, in spectacular style. Dom Petrucci had only just come on as a substitute for an injured player when he received a pass and duly flicked the ball up and volleyed first time into the far corner of the goal. It really was a great piece of skill and it really fired up the hosts for a crack at a shock win.

However the visitors were the next to attack and they were screaming for a second spot kick after they felt Duku had been hauled down trying to get an effort in on goal but no penalty was given although it had now developed into a great cup tie.

The hosts then should really have taken the lead on the hour mark as a ball into the box found Machado totally free about eight yards out but he saw his effort blocked somehow and the chance went away. Hadley were doing a lot of the pressing and have been better side in this half but the scoreline remained 1-1 with just over twenty left.

The hosts then missed another wonderful chance when Machado beat visiting keeper Boness to a ball played into the area but saw his poked effort bounce just wide of the goal and you felt that they needed to have taken one of these chances if they were going to have any chance of causing an upset.

Langley spent the majority of the half on the back foot but they gave Hadley a couple of warnings that they could still pinch the tie, firstly when they missed a great chance to go back in front with thirteen minutes to go but Kyle Anthony could only head over a corner from point blank range, and then secondly moments later Oran Swailes got in behind the defence but miskicked his effort wide.

As the game entered its final few minutes Machado missed another great chance for the hosts but saw keeper Boness thwart him again and up the other end Duku forced a save from Mann as both sides were looking to find a winner and prevent a replay in the week.

Hadley then missed another great chance as Nick Chryanthou saw an effort blocked after getting in behind but as the clock ticked into stoppage time at the end of the ninety minutes the hosts finally took one of their chances as Machado looped a header beyond Boness and into the corner of the net to send the hosts wild with delight.

The forthcoming stoppage time period saw the hosts easily hold out and take their place in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history as they caused an upset today, and on their second half showing more than deserved their victory. The draw is tomorrow, and the Step Five outfit will be in the hat, eagerly awaiting who they get in the next chapter in their cup run.

Full Time Hadley 2 Kings Langley 1

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