Haywards Heath Town 2 Tunbridge Wells 1

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Saturday 24th August 2019


Nico Cotton struck home just past the hour to help Haywards Heath come from behind to defeat Tunbridge Wells at Hanbury in their Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie on a very warm day in West Sussex.


The hosts came into this one as slight favourite seeing as they were a league above their opponents, and they had also won their first two games in the Bet Victor South East Division to sit top after two games.


The visitors though had won all three of their games in the South East Counties League to sit top as well, and they had defeated Pagham away in the Extra Preliminary Round by a score line of 2-0, so they were sure to be difficult opponents for the home side no doubt.


The opening fifteen minutes saw the hosts get into a good shooting position but then fail to pull the trigger, whilst the hosts keeper managed to punch clear under pressure from the visiting side, but not much else happened in the early exchanges.


The visitors then saw an effort blocked on the edge of the box before the hosts broke down the left but ended up shooting tamely at the keeper, and then midway through the half the referee halted play for a couple of minutes for a drinks break as it was very hot out there.  It had certainly been a rather slow-paced encounter thus far so we all hoped the drinks would liven it up a bit!!!


The hosts saw a free-kick from the right glanced straight at the keeper, before the home side really should have broke the deadlock but saw a header from point blank range straight at the keeper again.


But then from nowhere in the 33^rd minute Tunbridge Wells struck as a brilliant quick free-kick released Danny Powell down the left-hand side and he fired home a superb finish from the angle and put the Step Five visitors into the lead.


Haywards Heath then fired wide as they looked to try and find a response before the break, and moments before half time they won a very soft penalty kick it has to be said, but the hosts took full advantage as Callum Saunders rolled home the spot-kick to level the tie up.


In first half stoppage time the visitors were unhappy after the hosts keeper had fouled one of their attacker’s way outside the box, but with covering defenders about, this could be the reason why the referee chose to book the keeper and not send him off.  There were also shouts for handball by the keeper too but I didn’t see this clearly enough.


The resulting free-kick was then brilliantly saved by the keeper, and it meant the teams went into the break all square.  It had certainly been a slow burner this one so far, and had certainly livened up in the final fifteen minutes of the period.


Half Time Haywards Heath Town 1 Tunbridge Wells 1


The hosts looped a header onto the roof of the net early in the second period, and then a decent chance fell to the home side again as the ball fell to them inside the box, but a poor sliced finish went way wide of the target.


The hosts went close again, firing across goal and wide, but just beyond the hour mark their early second half pressure told as Cotton fired home a brilliant effort from twenty or so yards out into the bottom corner and the hosts had turned this one around.


However, once the home side had gone in front the visitors began to threaten a leveller, and almost immediately responded but sent an effort straight at the keeper, before another effort from the edge of the box went wide.


The visitors then somehow failed to level when a cross into the six yard box was fired at goal from point blank range but the ball hit the keeper on the line and stayed out, and with the hosts hanging on somewhat cleared another visitors effort off the line as the clocked slowly clicked towards ninety minutes.


In the several minutes of stoppage time that followed the hosts did have chances to seal it, firstly curling miles wide from a good position, and then secondly seeing a goal-bound effort blocked by a defender.


And then the hosts missed what proved to be the final act of the game when curling wide from eight yards out when it looked easier to score, but it mattered not as Haywards Heath progressed into the First Qualifying Round of the competition.  Well played to both teams who gave it all in searing heat is has to be said!!!


Full Time Haywards Heath Town 2 Tunbridge Wells 1

Ilford 1 Tower Hamlets 0

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 21st August 2019


Clifford Newby-Harris rammed home an 82^nd minute winner as Ilford picked up their first win of the season at the expense of Tower Hamlets in their Essex Senior League encounter at Cricklefield.


The Foxes had begun the season not in the best of form and came into this one off the back of a 3-0 home defeat against Hoddesdon Town, whilst Hamlets had won their first league match last time out with a 4-1 win at Sawbridgeworth Town with striker Ezra Ndukuba grabbing a hat-trick in that one.


The hosts had the first effort at goal but saw visiting keeper Jack Gannon get down well to save, before Miles Mercury then had a shot at the hosts goal but saw it go straight at Hugo Rosetti, and then the hosts should of taken the lead but saw Ryan O’Connell head wide from close range.


A long-range effort from the visitors then went straight down the throat of Rosetti, before Anthony Musoke, Hamlets wing back, cut inside onto his right foot and fired a decent effort at goal, but Rosetti got down well to save.


A long ball from the visitors almost found Ndukuba who did manage to throw a head at it and glance it towards goal but keeper Rosetti fielded the ball easily, and although the visitors had shaded the half on chances created, it had been a poor game up till then and was goalless at the break.


Half Time Ilford 0 Tower Hamlets 0


So, would the second period be any better? Well the hosts almost led when a corner was almost turned in by Hamlets centre half Ali Omar, whilst the hosts then dragged wide soon after, but to answer that question, no the game hadn’t really improved in this half.


Chances were at even more of a premium in the second period as it turned out and Hamlets keeper Gannon had to punch clear under pressure but there wasn’t too much else to write about if truth be told as the game entered its final quarter.


Valter Simao then headed wide for the hosts before they then went down to ten men for the final twelve minutes or so after they saw a player off injured and because they had already used their full quota of substitutes, they had to finish the game a man short.


Advantage Hamlets then you would say?  Well no actually as the Foxes saw Nic Keyamo almost get in the clear but see a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Kirwan-Meade thwart him, but with eight minutes to go Ilford took the lead when Newby-Harris rammed home from close range and the ten men had the lead.


Hamlets only response of note saw a great run down the right by centre back Omar, but his final ball, a toe poke from the angle, was straight into the arms of Rosetti, and it meant the hosts took the three points in what had been a rather poor game all in all, although the hosts won’t care about that.


Full Time Ilford 1 Tower Hamlets 0

Frenford 4 Leyton Athletic 0

BBC Essex Senior Cup Preliminary Round, Monday 19th August 2019


Alex Watson netted a hat-trick for Frenford as the hosts saw off Leyton Athletic at The Len Salmon Stadium in their BBC Essex Senior Cup Preliminary Round tie, setting up a First-Round home tie against Barkingside.


This was an all Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South contest and the winners knew they would face a home tie against another fellow Eastern Senior South side Barkingside.  Frenford had begun the season with five points from three games, whilst Leyton have not played a league game as yet due to ground issues, and their only competitive fixture had been an FA Cup defeat at Cockfosters.


The visitors were a bit of an unknown quantity then, but it was they who dragged the first opening wide, whilst the hosts saw a good ball in mis controlled before the ball was then cleared, and then Leyton found themselves in a good shooting position again, but dragged this one wide too.


The hosts then whipped in a dangerous cross which saw them almost nip in ahead of the keeper but the keeper was brave enough to dive and gather, getting a whack for his troubles, but in the sixth minute the hosts did lead when a poor throw out from the keeper, coupled with a weak challenge from the defender saw the ball squared to Watson who side footed home.


The visitors sprung forward in search of a quick leveller but a woeful finish went high over the bar, before Watson headed wide of the target down the other end, and then Leyton saw an effort blocked with the visitors half hearted appeals for a penalty being waved away.


A nice Leyton move ended with a ball being fired over, the visitors were playing some nice stuff it had to be said, but Frenford went down the other end but saw Watson’s effort plucked out of the air by the keeper.


Frenford were playing ok themselves too and should of doubled their lead but Watson somehow glanced a header wide from point blank range, before Leyton attacked with promise again and a ball through almost found them clear, but a great tackle put paid to that.


The final act of the half saw a Frenford free-kick whipped into the near post sliced over their own bar by a defender, and this brought an end to the half with the match very much in the balance.


Half Time Frenford 1 Leyton Athletic 0


Frenford centre half Freddie Tandon saw an early second half free-kick well saved, before the resulting corner was turned over their own bar by the visitors, and then Leyton threatened themselves but saw a left footed effort dragged wide.


Then came a flashpoint which came from nothing and saw all players involved, some pushing and shoving, some just shouting, and others trying to pull others away, and after it all calmed down both sides received a booking each.


And shortly after the restart Leyton should have been level, as a ball played through saw them clear on goal but after the keeper had saved the ball bounced back into the visitor’s path but they somehow put the rebound wide, it was a huge let off for Frenford.


It proved key as moments later just beyond the hour mark the hosts doubled their lead as Watson rammed home a corner from inside the box, and just like that the hosts had some breathing space.


And just four minutes later substitute Ashley Taylor-Forbes twisted and turned past a defender before firing brilliantly beyond the keeper to pretty much seal this tie, and Leyton had gone from almost levelling to being three goals behind in the blink of an eye.


Taylor-Forbes almost nicked a second for himself when almost pinching the ball off a fortunate keeper, but credit to the visitors who kept trying to play decent attacking football and put together a terrific move but the final ball in was gathered by the keeper before the striker could get on the end of it.


With fifteen minutes remaining though Frenford made it four as Watson completed his hat-trick, thundering home a header at the near post, and it should have been five soon after but they somehow side footed wide from six yards out.


There was then a hairy moment for the Leyton keeper when he almost lost the ball to Luke Woodward inside his own penalty area, before the hosts then saw another effort well saved by the visiting keeper.


Woodward then saw a shot from Watson fall into his path, but he could only drag his effort wide, but the whistle went shortly after and Frenford were into the next round to face Barkingside back at the Len Salmon Stadium in the First Round of the competition.


Full Time Frenford 4 Leyton Athletic 0

Frenford 2 Coggeshall United 2

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Friday 16th August 2019


Ben Madden netted an 88^th minute equaliser as Coggeshall United gained their first point of the season with a draw at The Len Salmon Stadium against Frenford in their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South contest.


The hosts had picked up four points from their opening two league matches whilst last years runners up Coggeshall had lost all four of their games in all competitions and were hoping not to make it five straight losses this year.


After a first ten minutes which yielded little in the way of goal mouth action, Frenford pounced on hesitant defending between keeper and defender as Luke Woodward managed to nip in and go around keeper Lewis Down and slot into the unguarded net in the 13^th minute.


The hosts then fired a decent ball across the six yard box but to much power on it meant it flew away for a throw, whilst down the other end Danny Fowler had to punch clear under pressure from the visitors before visiting striker Khris Oti saw a cross hit him on the back after a defender had failed to cut out a cross and go wide.


But in the 27^th minute Coggeshall did find a leveller when Oti was played in and he sent a decent finish beyond Fowler and into the net to square the game at 1-1.


The visitors then started to threaten another and Twana Ibrahim should of put them in front but could only loop a header onto the roof of the net, before Oti missed a cut-back before getting the ball back, turning and seeing an effort deflect onto the bar.


The hosts then broke and saw a Woodward effort deflected into the arms of Down, before Frenford then pinched the ball off a sloppy defence and saw a powerful Harry Daly effort beaten away by Down.  Soon after the referee blew for half time with the sides going in level.


Half Time Frenford 1 Coggeshall United 1


After the hosts saw Lee Samways fire over early in the second half, Fowler had to make a decent save down the other end to keep out Emmanual Olayinka, before the follow up shot by Mwetsi Matangi was blocked by the home defence.


Ibrahim then saw a free-kick almost deflect over home keeper Fowler, who managed to get back to catch the effort, before a deep cross to the visitors far post saw keeper Down allow the ball to slip from his grasp, but it landed on the foot of Frenford substitute Alex Watson and was cleared before he knew what had happened.


A visitors throw into the box skipped off the wet surface and almost caught out keeper Fowler who had to tip over, although I don’t think it would of counted had it had gone in anyway, but from the resultant corner Fowler had to claw away a dangerous ball as the visitors were building some pressure.


But it was the hosts who were to retake the lead in the 57^th minute when Woodward turned provder this time, squaring for strike partner Ian Sawyer to side foot home a first-time finish and give the hosts the advantage once again.


The visitors though continued to carve out openings and saw a downward header saved by Fowler before centre half Lewis Soraf fired an effort at goal but this was straight at Fowler who gathered.

Frenford weren’t without their moments though and saw Daly try an effort from range which lacked power and was easy for keeper Down, whilst down the other end miscommunication in the hosts defence almost saw a high ball bounce into the net, but instead bounced just over.


Woodward then got clear down the right for Frenford but slipped at the vital moment, before a visitors free-kick into the box fell to substitute Marley Okosi but his finish was wayward, and then Matangi put a brilliant cross into the hosts six-yard box and it took a great defensive header to clear the danger.


Frenford then pumped a free-kick into the box which Down managed to punch clear although only straight to Samways but the hosts midfielder could only send his first-time effort over the bar, and then the visitors should have levelled when Matangi got beyond keeper Fowler but could only hook over from an acute angle.


But Coggeshall did grab a deserved equaliser in the 88^th minute when substitute Madden swept home from inside the box and the visitors felt they could go on and win this perhaps.


And with the hosts now clinging on for a point the visitors so nearly did win it with the last kick of the contest as Soraf side footed inches wide of the upright and it meant the game did end a draw in the end.


A first point of the season for the hosts then, whilst Frenford now have five points from their first three games.


Full Time Frenford 2 Coggeshall United 2

White Ensign 3 Woodford Town 1 (aet)

Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay, Wednesday 14th August 2019


Extra time goals from John Hilliard and skipper Jake McWee saw White Ensign stun Woodford Town at Burroughs Park and progress into the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup to set up an away tie against Takeley in two weekend’s time.


This was of course Ensign’s first ever venture into the FA Cup and they had come close to winning the original tie at The Harlow Arena on Friday night against a Woodford Town side who were a league above and had netted ten goals in their first two league games of the season.


Many had them down to cause a surprise in this replay too in what was their first competitive fixture at their new home at Great Wakering Rovers, and it was they who had the first opening when Conner Barnby curled inches wide.


But on twelve minutes they did take the lead as a corner from player manager Brett Munyard saw Elliot Vile run onto it and power home a header from close range as the hosts started very well indeed.


Ensign were threatening to add a quick second as well as Dominic Locke saw an effort saved by Alex Reed, before Woodford did finally manage an effort at goal but Asher Modeste’s effort was over the bar.


As the half went on though Woodford started to see more and more of the ball and Temi Babalola fired an effort into the side netting, and then another attack from the visitors saw a cross into the box headed over by Georges Kebi.


Woodford were now on top and they managed to get in behind the hosts but Babalola’s cross was behind his strike partner Modeste, before Ensign did then attack and saw Locke lay in Munyard, only for the latter to drag wide of the far post, although he had been flagged offside anyway.


But with seven minutes to the break Woodford found a leveller when Babalola managed to get through on goal and send a finish under James Parkins and this tie was back to where it had begun, all square.


Half Time White Ensign 1 Woodford Town 1


There was an early second half chance for the hosts but Locke’s effort was saved by Reed before Woodford went up the other end but Kebi saw his effort blocked, and then Andrea Mantovani saw a free-kick well saved by hosts keeper Parkins.


A Munyard free-kick was then headed over from close range by Harry Skinner as the hosts went close, and then another cross from the player boss to the far post saw Locke sliding in but unable to send the ball into the net.


Munyard then thought he had broken through on goal, only for a terrific last-ditch tackle from Woodford centre back Tola Odedoyin to thwart him, and then Munyard should of given Ensign the lead when with the goal to aim at he saw his effort cleared off the line.


Ensign continued to knock on the door and another decent free-kick from Munyard saw Harry Skinner head wide, before Barnby then fired over before Barnby again tried his luck from outside the area, but the effort was deflected into Reed’s hands.


With four minutes remaining though Woodford so nearly grabbed a winner when a downward header was brilliantly saved by keeper Parkins (Brett’s Dad told me in the bar afterwards he taught the keeper all he knew so saves like that were down to him!!!).  It was most certainly an important save as it meant the tie would indeed go to extra time.


Full Time White Ensign 1 Woodford Town 1


The first period of extra time saw a Locke effort go straight at Reed, however all the action came in the final ten or so minutes of the extra half hour.  With just over ten to go Luke Skinner was fouled by Odedoyin, and the big Woodford defender was shown a straight red.


And from the resulting free kick John Hillard curled an absolute beauty in off the bar to send Ensign back into the lead in this tie to send them wild with delight, they had just ten minutes to hold on.

Reed then made a save from an angled drive as Ensign threatened another, and with five minutes left they sealed their passage into the next round when skipper McWee poked home a loose ball and give Ensign breathing space.


Barnby then missed a couple more efforts to make it four, and then deep deep into added on time Ensign saw Vile given a second yellow after a clash with Babalola, but it wasn’t going to dampen the hosts spirit and the final whistle went soon after to confirm the hosts passage to the Preliminary Round.


Full Time (after extra time) White Ensign 3 Woodford Town 1

Burnham Ramblers 2 Brightlingsea Regent Reserves 1

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Tuesday 13th August 2019


Burnham Ramblers netted twice in the final ten minutes to come from behind to defeat Brightlingsea Regent and claim all three points at Leslie Field in their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South contest.


Both sides knew that a win could see them go to the summit of the table, albeit after only a handful of games, but even so it’s nice to see your club’s name at the top isn’t it!!!  And it was the visitors who grabbed an early lead when a poor mistake at the back allowed Samson Alalade in to fire home off the keeper’s hand and into the roof of the net.


It was a poor start from the hosts, a start that could have been made even worse moments after when Regent should of doubled their lead but somehow fired over from ten yards out, before the home side then sent in a dangerous cross which keeper George Ponta could only spill but regather at the second attempt.


The hosts then lobbed wide before Regent then saw a good block deny them, and then Ramblers broke down the other end but a great tackle denied them too.  Ramblers then sent a volley at goal but this was straight at Ponta who saved.


Regent then saw an effort go straight at the keeper before the hosts saw a flick towards the back post cleared away before an attacker could get on the end of it, and then the visitors came so close to a second but saw a close-range header brilliantly saved.


Adekunle Adeyemi then put an effort over for the hosts before another opening for the home side was sliced wide of the target, and then Bagnall twisted and turned before firing at the visitor’s goal but this was saved by Ponta.


And in the final piece of action of the half the hosts came close when Adeyemi cut inside but saw his effort go wide, and then the visitors burst forward but fired over.  It meant that early goal was still the difference at the break.


Half Time Burnham Ramblers 0 Brightlingsea Regent Reserves 1


The hosts came out straight on the front foot in the second period and saw a great opening missed completely before a follow up was blocked, then Bagnall managed to get in but was taken out by Ponta who received a yellow card for his troubles.  The resultant free-kick was curled wide.


It had been all Burnham in the opening fifteen minutes of the half and they saw another effort deflected wide, and then a lovely diagonal ball found hosts full back Joe Howard who fired just wide of the far post.  And then Ponta somehow saved a close-range header from Adeyemi as the visitors somehow stayed ahead.


Ponta then almost undone all his hard work by sending an awful goal kick straight to Adeyemi but the strikers finish was straight at the keeper, and then Regent almost nicked a second in their first attack of the half but sent an effort trickling wide of the far post.


Regent then forced a save before sending another effort over the bar, before Ramblers missed another decent opening when poking over, and then another guilt edged chance passed the hosts by when they headed over.  It really was looking like it wasn’t going to be their day.


Regent then fired wide of the near post before an awful mistake allowed the visitors to drive at goal, but they could only fire at the keeper, and then with ten minutes remaining Burnham managed to finally level when substitute Brad Morgan lobbed keeper Ponta and saw full back Will Putt force over the line to make sure and the hosts had a much deserved leveller.


And five minutes later then won themselves a penalty after a handball from Regent skipper Jack Higgleton, who received a straight red for his troubles, and Morgan stepped up to fire an emphatic spot-kick beyond Ponta and give his side the lead.


Regent flicked a header wide late on but they didn’t really trouble the hosts too much apart from that meaning Ramblers took the win and moved level on points at the summit of the table.


Full Time Burnham Ramblers 2 Brightlingsea Regent Reserves 1