Lymore Gardens 8 Chigwell Rovers 0

EAFL Division Three Cup Final, Wednesday 10th May 2017

Friday night saw the Essex Alliance Football League Division Two Cup Final between fifth placed Lymore Gardens and third bottom Chigwell Rovers.

Both sides had done very well to get to the final at Dagenham and both hoped they would put on one last hurrah and end their season in style.

Lymore probably started as favourites for this one though and in the 6th minute went close to opening the scoring as Dylan Roberts saw an effort saved before his ball across to Ryan O’Carrol saw his effort strike the post, come back to him, before he struck his second effort wide.

A couple of minutes later Mark Troy Morris hit over the Chigwell bar when well placed and in the 17th minute Dylan Roberts got in on goal and scored rebound after the keeper had saved, but a late flag denied Lymore a deserved lead.

However just four minutes later they did grab that deserved lead when a cross into the box saw a looping header go into the far corner and just before the half hour mark they doubled that lead when a good move ended with O’Carrol slotting home.

And just past the half hour mark it was three in ten minutes for the Leyton side when another cross was headed back into the six-yard box and Dylan Roberts applied the finishing touch to possibly seal the win right then.

Moments later though Chigwell thought they had scored as a shot parried by the keeper dribbled towards the goal and it was close to being over the line but the linesman kept his flag down and adjudged it hadn’t gone over.

And five minutes before half time Lymore made it four after Teriq Roberts produced a terrific finish, lofting over the onrushing keeper, before moments later it was five as Dylan Robertsadded another by slotting across the keeper.

There were more chances for Lymore towards tue end of the half but it was a half that ended with the Leyton side in dreamland after what had been a devastating half of football from the Lymore side.

Half Time Lymore Gardens 5 Chigwell Rovers 0

All Chigwell could really do in the second period was play for pride and seconds into the half they almost scored as a ball knocked beyond keeper was cleared away from goal and two minutes later Lymore almost had a sixth when Teriq Roberts got in again but this time saw him loft over the crossbar.

However in the 49th minute it was six for Lymore when after two efforts were blocked, the loose ball was turned home by skipper Thomas O’Shea although to their credit the Chigwell boys kept running, looking for that illusive goal, and they saw an effort saved in the 53rd minute before a long range effort fell to Chigwell two minutes later, but the effort was ballooned over.

Just before the hour mark a great ball in by Lymore’s O’Carrol invaded all but just past the hour mark it was seven when a ball laid back to O’Carrol saw him thump home from close range for his second of the game.

Chigwell fired a great chance wide in the 66th minute and then with just over fifteen minutes left O’Carrol had to take over in goal for Lymore after their keeper got a back injury after landing awkwardly minutes earlier.

Two minutes later Lymore made it eight with another great finish across the keeper and then saw O’Carrol thwart Chigwell with a brilliant one on one save with his legs as his all round performance continued.

In the 83rd minute Lymore whistled one over the bar and with three minutes left Chigwell thumped a long range effort wide. As the clock ticked onto ninety minutes a long range free kick saw the Chigwell keeper turn over his bar before a cross come shot just went over.

Lymore could of added a couple more before the end but they would have to settle for just the eight as they ran out emphatic winners on the night.

Full Time Lymore Gardens 8 Chigwell Rovers 0

Wapping 4 Custom House 2

EAFL Division Three Cup Final, Wednesday 10th May 2017

The second Essex Alliance Football League Cup Final took place on Wednesday evening at Victoria Road and it pitted Divison Three winners Wapping against runners up Custom House in the Division Three Cup Final.

And with only three points separating the sides in the table this was seen as a potentially decent final. Another decent crowd of over 200 were in attendance in the bright May sunshine to see if this would be the case.

And after only two minutes the Wapping boys had their noses in front and what a goal it was too as a blockbuster of an effort from way out by Fuad Ibrahim beat keeper Ian Whitmore, who did get a big hand on it, to see the ball nestle in the top corner.

Custom House almost responded to this early setback instantly though after seeing an effort land on the roof of the net before moments later another effort was volleyed inches over the Wapping crossbar. It had been a terrific start.

In the 13th minute it was almost two for Wapping as they saw an effort saved by Whitmore before the rebound bounced off a defender and dribbled just wide and then moments later a great ball released Wapping in on goal but they could only loft the effort effort over the bar.

However in the 21st minute Wapping did increase their lead when skipper Karl Blake run onto a corner to power home a close range header and give the Blues a tight grip on proceedings.

In the 25th minute Wapping went close again as an effort from inside box waw saved by Whitmore and you felt the next goal in this contest would be crucial. Five minutes before break Custom House went close as they rifled an effort inches over from the edge of the box and a minute before the break they saw another effort goes over after a corner caused Wapping some concern.

But right on half time Custom House did get that all important goal when Nils Welham glanced home a header into the far corner and it meant that Wapping would go into the break only one goal ahead.

Half Time Wapping 2 Custom House 1

However just three minutes after the restart Wapping restored their two goal cushion after Nathan Ake converted from close range and Custom House had it all to do once again.

They tried their best to get back into the contest and in the 56th minute a deep cross towards Wappings back post found Tim Mason who could only head into the side netting, whilst just past the hour Jack Field tried his luck from range and saw Wapping keeper Kristian Konichev make a real meal of the effort, allowing it to bounce off his chest, but no one was following in so the keeper gathered the loose ball.

And then midway through the half Wapping increased their lead further still when a great cross from Ibraham found player manager Adel Mouaden who headed home superbly and you felt the game could well be over at that stage.

Custom House to their credit didn't give up and in the 73rd minute were screaming for a penalty after Richard Bazeley appeared to be impeded going for the ball, but nothing was given, however with eleven minutes to go they did pull a goal back when a John Chapman free kick was well saved by Konichev, but the ball squirmed free and was turned back across goal for Welham to turn home from close range.

Another goal back would of made things interesting but this didn't materialise and in the 92nd minute Wapping almost made it safe when a free kick was headed off the line whilst down the other end Custom House saw an effort blocked after a good run by Mason and then a free kick swung into the Wapping box by Chapman was eventually headed wide although the flag had gone up.

And after several minutes of stoppage time the referee blew for full time and Wapping had claimed a league and Cup double in their first ever season.

Full Time Wapping 4 Custom House 2

Chingford Athletic 1 London Falcons 0

EAFL Fenton Cup Final, Monday 8th May 2017

Monday evening saw me over at Dagenham & Redbridge FC for the first of five Essex Alliance Football League Cup Finals and this one saw Chingford Athletic and London Falcons compete for the Fenton Cup.

Both sides are in the Premier Division although Athletic did finish twelve points and four places above their opponents in the division so they would have gone into this as slight favourites.

And it was Chingford who carved out the first opportunity in the 7th minute when a free kick whipped in saw the keeper just about save with his legs before he dived on the loose ball with the striker there for any mistakes. And then a minute later the Falcons had a great chance when getting through on goal but Harry Rouse lost his footing before he could get an effort away.

Good football from Chingford in the 17th minute saw a shot from an angle beaten away by the keeper and then a minute later a good effort from outside the box from Falcons Neil Adams took a deflection and saw the Chingford keeper tip over brilliantly.

But just past the half hour mark the Blues found a breakthrough as after the keeper dropped the ball under pressure, the loose ball was headed over the line by Will Gleeson to give Chingford the edge.

However their was almost an instant response from the Falcons as Adams saw an effort blocked then Rouse fired just over moments after before Chingford should of doubled their lead nine minutes before the break when Gary Murray headed over a terrific cross from point blank range.

There was another chance for Murray in first half stoppage time but his effort was well tipped over by the Falcons keeper and it meant the Blues still only had a slender lead at the break.

Half Time Chingford Athletic 1 London Falcons 0

Eleven minutes into the second period a dangerous ball across from Chingford along the floor saw the keeper gather well but on the hour mark came miss of the season as Chingford passed up a perfect opportunity to double their lead when after the keeper had come out and was beaten to the ball by Murray, the striker squared to Gleeson who somehow hit over the gaping goal, a truly head in hands moment!

With just over twenty minutes remaining a mistake from the Falcons defence allowed Murray an effort at goal which the keeper saved with his legs, then soon after Gleeson fired a decent effort at the keeper.

With fifteen minutes left frustrations threatened to boil over as it started to get rather silly out there as tempers frayed, but the referee took control of the situation and it soon calmed down.

Thereafter Chingford had more opportunities to seal the deal, seeing Murray hit over from point blank range after a bounce had deceived a defender, and then a cross into the six yard box was somehow smuggled away by the Falcons back line.

However it mattered not as the Blues got over the line and that Gleeson header after 31 minutes proved enough for them to take the Fenton Cup honours.

Full Time Chingford Athletic 1 London Falcons 0

Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves 3 Stansted Reserves 1

ESL Reserve Shield Final, Saturday 6th May 2017

So the last game in the Essex Senior League for the season was the Reserve Shield Final at Hullbridge Sports Lower Road ground on the first Saturday in May, and it saw rivals Sawbridgeworth Town and Stansted compete for the Shield.

The first chance came in the fifth minute when a mistake by Sawbo allowed Ross Gill in but he could only blast an effort way off target before three minutes later Aaron Thomas beat Stansted’s offside trap but the finish was horribly wide with the outside of the boot.

Stansted had another chance in the 13th minute as Terrell Hunter found himself in but his attempted lob was saved by Matt Bonini who had come to the edge of his area to narrow the angle.

Just before the half hour mark a Sawbo chance saw a ball lifted across to Thomas but the cross was just to high for the striker who could only direct his header wide before another chance for the Robins six minutes before the break saw a poor clearance go straight to Joe Rudkin whose effort was deflected over.

A minute before the break a ball broke to Hunter inside the Sawbo box after a long throw but after swivelling round he could only strike an effort over the bar before in first half stoppage time and Stansted full back Connor Randell produced a great cross-field pass to Gill whose effort rolled just wide of the far post. It meant the sides went into the break all square.

Half Time Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves 0 Stansted Reserves 0

The Airportmen took off Hunter at the break for Tom Hollamby and six minutes into the half he almost made his mark when seeing a close range effort saved at the near post by Bonini but two minutes later The Robins so nearly took the lead when a Rudkin effort was brilliantly saved by Jay Brown from inside the box

Moments after that Stansted should of taken the lead when after Hollamby had broke the offside trap, he squared to Thomas Lakin who somehow side footed wide with just the keeper to beat, it was a shocking miss it had to be said.

Just past the hour mark James Richardson flicked up the ball to himself to get beyond the defence, but he could only volley wide of Stansted’s goal, however in the 66th minute The Robins took the lead when a perfect cross from player manager Andi Pearce found the head ofThomas who headed into the far corner.

However the mantra ‘your at your most vulnerable when you’ve just scored’ rang true for Sawbo as literally seconds later The Airportmen levelled as a Lakin cross found Hollamby who volleyed home and we were level once again.

But in the 77th minute Sawbo managed to retake the lead when another substitute Daryl Doolan got in on goal and as he lobbed keeper Brown was brought down by the keeper for a penalty, and skipper Dean Mcateer made no mistake by converting the spot kick to see his side edge ahead once again.

And with several minutes remaining the Robins sealed their victory when Richardson went on a cracking run at the Stansted penalty box before unleashing a superb strike from range which went in off the post to give the Robins a two goal cushion.

Stansted couldn’t muster any more after that and it was the side from Crofters End who take the Reserve Shield for this season.

Full Time Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves 3 Stansted Reserves 1

Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Takeley 1 (aet)

Essex Senior League Challenge Cup Final, Monday 1st May 2017

So Bank Holiday Monday at the start of May saw me at a cup final at Oakside as rivalsSawbridgeworth Town and Takeley contested the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup Final.

Sawbridgeworth had lost out to fourth place on the final weekend of the season to Takeley and so had an instant chance to gain revenge for this whilst Takeley were going for a cup doubleafter they had won the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy on Easter Monday.

A decent bank holiday crowd of 342 were in attendance to see what the teams could muster and after five minutes Reece Cosson tested Takeley keeper Ronnie Yates with a long range effort and then five minutes later Gavin Cockman got in down the left and after cutting inside he could only drag his effort well wide of the Takeley net.

Sawbo went closer still in the 17th minute when Yates had to make a superb save from a Matt Frew header at point blank range as the Robins threatened to edge in front in this final.

Just before the half hour mark Takeley woke up and saw a great chance fall to Mitchell Das as after the ball had dropped to him his point blank range effort was saved by Matt Ponter, before moments later Ponter was called into action again, producing another good seventh keep theStation Road side out.

Ten minutes before the break a Sawbo break down left through Cosson saw him lay a ball across goal and this was miskicked before the final effort from Daryl Doolan went way wide. During the build up Das went down for Takeley and limped off with what looked a nasty hamstring injury, and Reece Barrett came on to replace him.

In first half stoppage time Charlie Cole had a decent sight of goal down the left, but he could only blasts high and wide and it meant despite the feisty competitive nature of the contest, there were no goals to show for it at the break.

Half Time Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Takeley 0

Sawbo began the second period like the first and two minutes into it saw Cosson fires a foot over the bar and then in the 57th minute a good run by Doolan saw him square a pass across the edge of the box to Cockman, but the latter’s effort was well wide of the target.

In the 63rd minute Takeley should of taken the lead when a Cole ball across goal, after a great run by George Wappett, saw Barrett somehow put his effort wide at the far post, and in the 71st minute the Takeley defence almost put the ball into their own net, after a ball pumped into their area was just cleared over the bar.

Both teams were looking threatening now and in the 73rd minute the ball broke to Matt Hurley outside the box, but his effort flew over the Sawbo bar, whilst there minutes later Cosson almost got in for Sawbo but Yates slid in to clear away any danger.

With a minute of the ninety remaining a defensive slip from Takeley almost cost then and saw Cockman almost get in but a terrific tackle denied him before he could pull the trigger. It meant the final would go into extra time.

Full Time Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Takeley 0

So could anyone score in the extra half hour. Well in the 100th minute we got out breakthrough, and it came from Takeley, as Cole teed up Barrett to slot Takeley ahead and cue wild celebrations although they knew their was still work to be done.

And in the 105th minute Sawbo came oh so close to levelling when Cosson headed over, thereafter Takeley had chances to seal the deal when Barrett saw a far post header blocked and then Ponter saved from Wappett and Cole as Sawbo pushed up to try and find a leveller.

It wasn’t to be though and Takeley made it a cup double for the season so well played to them for that. It was a keenly contested final though so hats of to both teams for a good battle today.

Full Time Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Takeley 1 (aet)