Sunderland 1 Reading 0

EFL Championship, Saturday 11th February

I was up in the North East on Saturday for a yearly pilgrimage for my beloved Dad, and saw a late Patrick Roberts goal hand Sunderland a hard fought win against Reading at The Stadium of Light, lifting them to seventh and a point off the play off places.

As you all know my dad passed away in 2008, and being a Sunderland fan for north of forty years me and my step mum always make the trip north every February near his birthday to honour him and go watch his beloved Black Cats, this was our fifteenth such trip and we had only seen them win on three of those occasions, so we were both hoping that in the year he turned 70, his side could give us a fourth win.

The odds were stacked in favour for a victory too, Sunderland are enjoying a very good campaign in the second tier of English football as they hope to return to the promised land of the Premier League once again, this was their first season back in the Championship for a few years after four seasons down in League One, but the club have some decent youth coming through as well as adding some very good players to that, and under the stewardship of Tony Mowbray, things seem to be coming together and are exciting the fans once again.

The Black Cats sat ninth in the division prior to kick off and within touching distance of those play off places, and they had come into this contest of the back of two very competitive games against Premier League Fulham in the FA Cup and they had also seen off Middlesbrough in their last league game too, so confidence was obviously high, and they welcomed a Reading side to SOL who they had comfortably beaten 3-0 away from home back in September.

Paul Ince admitted he had got his tactics wrong in that contest though, so said that he had been better prepared for this contest, and although Reading were down in 17th spot ahead of kick off, they were only four points behind their opponents and six off the play offs, such is the craziness of the championship and it's unpredictability, despite this though Sunderland were beginning the match as favourites.

It must be noted though that apart from their 4-0 loss at Stoke, their recent form had shown they could certainly make life difficult for their opponents, they gave Manchester United a good contest in the FA Cup and come back from two goals down at home to Watford to grab a point in their last outing, so they sure had character, which would certainly be needed here in front of 38,000 plus at SOL.

Reading had the third worst record away from home in the division and set out to disrupt the hosts rhythm from the off, and this certainly worked in the opening forty five minutes as the home side could not muster up anything of note, and an often frustrated home crowd were not enjoying it, as the game was dire at best and goalless at the break, with many thinking maybe the hosts were having an hangover from Wednesday nights hard fought contest against Fulham.

The hosts certainly looked lethargic but after a rousing team talk from boss Mowbray at half time, they began to carve out chances in a second period that saw the hosts look the likelier to grab a goal, however chances for Joe Gelhardt, Aji Alese, Trai Hume & Edouard Michut went begging, and you felt it may not be the Black Cats day, much to me and my step mums frustrations. At least they were not losing we thought!!!

Reading had ex Newcastle players Andy Carroll and Jeff Hendrick in their ranks, and the former was copping most of the stick coming from the home stands, but it looked as if their current side would get out of Sunderland with a very hard fought point, but Sunderland were not to be denied as their dominance finally told in the 84th minute when Roberts played a one two with Hume down the right before the former drove into the box and fired past Joe Lumley.

The roar that greeted that goal was immense, and yes I did punch the air and hug my step mum when it happened, it was joy mixed with relief I can tell you, and the deserved goal had finally come, now to hold on for the remaining moments.

This was done in fairly comfortable style though as the visitors could not really muster a decent attempt on the hosts goal, and after four or so minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle was greeted with glee amongst the home crowd, and seeing the Black Cats go up two places to seventh as a result as their march towards the play offs continues, whereas for Reading, that late goal saw them drop a place to 18th, nine points above the drop zone and eight points from the play offs.

A very enjoyable day it was, we met some lovely people in the Black Cats bar before and after the game, and we all rose a glass or two to my dad, which was really cool, and emotional too, fabulous stuff, made the 5.30pm start earlier in the day well worth it.....Ha'Way The Lads!!!!!

Full time Sunderland 1 Reading 0

 

Old Southendian 1 Catholic United 2

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Wednesday 8th February

Garon Park was my venue for a rare midweek Essex Olympian Premier contest and saw early goals from James Warder and Mike Sammut enough for Catholic United to get the better of local Southend rivals Old Southendian and leapfrog them into second spot.

This was billed as a pretty big game at the top of the Olympian's Premier division, OS began the night in second spot and a point ahead of Catholic, although the visitors did have the small matter of five games in hand on their opponents, but a very decent crowd of just over 100 turned up to watch what they all thought would be a decent contest, despite the very cold temperatures.

OS have surprised this season at being so far up the table, and their form since the new year had been very good, four straight wins in all competitions and scoring eighteen goals in that period too whilst only conceding two, although Catholic would certainly provide a sterner test perhaps than the sides they had already played this year, with of course no disrespect to those sides.

The visitors had won nine of their twelve league games so far this season, and lost the other three, and believe it or not their last league loss had come at home to, yep you guessed it, OS, back on bonfire weekend, but since that loss they had won seven out of eight games in all competitions so like the hosts were in very good form too, so surely we would get a very decent derby game.

The opening exchanges certainly belonged to the visitors as they grabbed an early advantage, grabbing the lead on eleven minutes when a corner found its way into the six yard box where Warder was on hand to bundle home, and then three minutes later an absolute rocket from Sammut from long range flew past Pete Loveday in the hosts goal and into the net.

A shell-shocked hosts tried to find a way back into the game and saw Callum Ludlam miss a golden chance, although that was pretty much the only decent chance OS created in the opening forty five minutes, and in fact in could have been worse had the visitors not stuck the post late on in the half, however the hosts would come on very strong in the second period.

Catholic keeper Woody Wells was in superb form in the second period, pulling off two terrific stops to keep the hosts at bay as the visitors were having to dig very deep in the second half, and it looked like a very frustrating night would see the home side unable to find that net, but with thirteen minutes remaining they gave themselves hope of a comeback when Nico Debouchet broke the offside trap to rifle an effort past Wells to reduce the arrears.

Catholic had fleeting attacks but it was mainly them on the back foot in the second half, and they had Wells to thank once again late on when he pulled off another brilliant stop, and the defence also pulled off several blocks to deny shots on goal from the hosts who certainly deserved something from the game, but you don't always get what you deserve in sport, and the visitors managed to hold on to take the points and go above OS into second spot after a very decent hard fought win which will please them no doubt.

OS will be disappointed to have lost but they still remain in a decent position in the table, although both sides are miles behind runaway leaders Hutton, who hold a thirteen point cushion over second placed Catholic, so realistically they are all vying to try and finish as runners up to Hutton, who look almost certain to win the league and gain promotion to Senior Football.

An enjoyable night though, even if it was freezing, I am still waiting for the feeling to come back in my toes and fingers.....

Full time Old Southendian 1 Catholic United 2

Southend Manor 0 Saffron Walden Town 0 (match abandoned at half time due to fog)

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 7th February

I was back at Southchurch Park for the first time since September to see bottom side Southend Manor take on Saffron Walden Town, but sadly the match was abandoned at half time with the game goalless after thick fog rolled in off the Thames Estuary on the cold Essex coast. 

Manor have had a truly awful season so far, rock bottom of the Essex Senior League picking up just two points from a possible 72, that’s two draws and twenty-two losses in their twenty-four outings, with their only win in any competition this season coming on the 6^th August when they beat Cockfosters 1-0 at home in the FA Cup. They are onto their fourth manager of the campaign (I think as I have lost count) and their last point (and draw in any competition) came back on 15^th October, meaning a run of fifteen straight defeats since.

They have conceded eight on three occasions too although lately they have been more competitive, especially in their last two outings, losing to FC Clacton and Ilford 1-0, and in that Ilford game at home they missed several decent chances and probably should have taken something from that game, so something to build on they hoped as they try and finish the remainder of the season with some positiveness heading into what looks like Step Six football for next season. (Relegation from Step Five seems a matter of time now)

They welcome a Saffron Walden Town side who have by their own accounts had a poor season so far, they currently sit ninth in the division and miles off the pace, twenty-two points off league leaders Enfield and fourteen behind second placed Redbridge as their repeat of their runners up finish last season looks very unlikely at the moment.

The club have had quite a few changes off the field which hasn’t helped, including a change of manager and chairman and other important positions within the set up, and they come into this game having lost at home to Redbridge last time out, which really did not help their hopes of grabbing that runners up spot, form has been up and down too lately, their last five league games have seen three wins and two losses, one step forward and one back it seems at the moment.

They would have been confident of victory at Southchurch Park though, when the two sides met back in August, Walden thumped their opponents 7-1 at Catons Lane, and they certainly would not want to be the first side to lose a league game to their opponents this season, whereas Manor would no doubt do their upmost to achieve this at their 25^th attempt this season, although not many were predicting this to happen.

Manor though gave as good as they got in the opening forty five minutes and more than competed with their opponents who were getting more and more frustrated as the half wore on, although neither keeper had much to do as neither side could muster up a real attempt at goal, but no doubt the hosts would have been much the happier heading into the changing rooms at half time, and we all wondered how the second half would unfold.

Sadly none of us would find out, as literally as referee Michael Smith blew for half time and the teams and spectators headed for the warmth of the changing rooms and clubhouse respectively, the fog poured on off the Thames Estuary, it had been forecast too later in the evening but it had come in a couple of hours or so earlier than forecast, and with the freezing temperatures and lack of wind, the fog was not going anywhere and the game was abandoned, very frustrating for all concerned, especially the ones who had travelled from Saffron Walden.

It means this one will have to be rearranged for a second time, the original fixture had been postponed due to an unplayable pitch so hopefully it will be third time lucky when it is eventually pencilled in again, but Manor can at least take some heart from their last two and a half games, they just need to find a goal scorer if they are to have a chance of winning any games. Walden would have been frustrated with their performance for the half a game they played, but in the end all their endeavours this evening were for nothing.   

Southend Manor 0 Saffron Walden Town 0 (match abandoned at half time due to fog)

Stansted 0 Enfield 2

Essex Senior League, Saturday 4th February

I made my first trip to Hargrave Park for sometime in the first weekend in February and saw early goals from Aaron Greene and Solomon Ofori enough for league leaders Enfield to see of Stansted and grab another three points towards their pursuit of the title and promotion to Step Four of the non league pyamid. 

This was arguably the game of the weekend in the Essex Senior League, these two sides always provide spicy competitive encounters, and the two contests at Woodside Park this season have not disappointed that’s for sure, Stansted netted a 97^th minute winner in the league contest there, Enfield’s only league defeat at home all season.

And the Peter Butcher Memorial Cup tie there saw The Airportmen lead 2-0 before The Es roared back to win that 3-2, although Stansted ended up being put through as an away walkover win after the hosts had fielded an ineligible player in that contest, a rare mistake from what had been a great season for the Es, but anyway, today’s contest was expected to be tight and tense.

The hosts certainly needed the points, they are in a tussle with quite a few sides who let’s be honest are playing for the runners up spot behind who many think are champions elect Enfield, the Es are eight points clear of second placed Redbridge at kick off with a game in hand, whereas Stansted are fifth and five points off second place right now having played a couple of games more, so a win in this one would certainly help their cause.

The Es though were obviously looking to continue their domination at the top, a win could see them as much as eleven points clear of the rest, they have won seventeen of their twenty league games and have netted sixty seven times in those games too, and also have the best defensive record too, only seventeen conceded, which kind of explains why they are where they are in the division.

So, what of the sides latest form? Well, since they won at Enfield in mid-November Stansted have only lost once in the league in seven outings, which was a disappointing loss at Ilford in their first game of the new year, and they come into this one off the back of wins against White Ensign and Sawbridgeworth, both by the odd goal, so both have been narrow wins, but a wins a win as they say and they would have been more than confident heading into this one.

Since the Es lost that home game to Stansted, only one of two losses in the division all season, they had won six league games on the bounce until they were held by Halstead Town at the weekend 2-2 at Rosemary Lane in what was another game they thought they were going to win until the Humbugs levelled late on to claim a very decent point and deny the league leaders another maximum haul of points.

So what sort of game would we get here then, and who would prevail, could Stansted complete a double over the runaway leaders, or would the Es stamp their mark on this one and take themselves three more points closer towards that title that many feel is theirs to lose?

Well, after eight minutes, the visitors were already in control of this contest, going two goals up in double quick time, their first came after three minutes when Greene struck an effort from outside the box and it looked like it would be a routine save for hosts keeper James Askew, but the pitch and goalmouth had their ideas as a big bobble took the ball over the keepers outstretched hand and into the far corner.  

And whilst the hosts were still recovering from that, five minutes later Enfield doubled their lead when a shot from outside the box saw an unsighted Askew tip the ball onto the post, and with none of the defenders reacting to the loose ball, Ofori had the simple task of thumping home the rebound from close range, the hosts already had a mountain to climb, and the league leaders had had the dream start.

The Airportmen were shell-shocked but needed to get some foothold in the contest before it ran away from them as a third goal from the visitors would probably had ended this contest before it had even begun, but they really did not get going and Enfield were managing the contest and keeping the hosts at bay whilst frequently trying to grab a match clinching third.

The hosts knew that if they could pull one back they may give themselves a chance, and their only real chance of the first half was a guilt edged one as a Billy Coyne corner saw Carl Conway somehow head wide rather find the target, but this was a rare moment for the hosts really in the opening forty five minutes and Enfield were well in control as the half time whistle came.

After a nice cup of tea and chocolate cake in the boardroom, I grabbed chat with joint Stansted boss Paul Pittuck, who is recovering from his major medical emergency he suffered in the dugout at Saffron Walden on 27th December, it was great to chat with him and see him too, we are all so grateful he is still with us as it could have been so much different, I wish him all the best as he continues his slow recovery back to full fitness.

So, could his and Jon Watters side make a better fist of things in the second period, well, they didn't concede anymore goals but they never really threatened an Enfield outfit who were just managing the game so well and the hosts never really threatened a comeback at all, and with Enfield's pace in attack you felt it was more likely they would add another towards the end.

As it turned the out they did not, but it was a fairly comfortable win for the visiting side who add another three points towards their quest for the title and promotion, and on this evidence they will take some stopping now, for Stansted it was a disappointing day, they huffed and puffed a lot but just could not get anything going today, and they will need to bounce back next time out to keep their pursuit of the runners up spot going.

Full time Stansted 0 Enfield 2

So, what else happened in the division on Saturday, here are the other results.....

Clapton 1 FC Clacton 4 (A Mekhi Mckenzie hat trick helped FC Clacton to the points against struggling Clapton at The Terry McMillan Stadium)

Little Oakley 0 Romford 1 (Camilo Restrepo's 21st minute strike was enough for Romford to pick up three points at Little Oakley)

Saffron Walden Town 0 Redbridge 2 (First half goals from Ibrahim Kehinde and Tony Martin handed Redbridge the points at Catons Lane against Saffron Walden Town)

Southend Manor 0 Ilford 1 (Joe Lilly netted the only goal of the game as Ilford squeezed past Southend Manor at Southchurch Park)

Stanway Rovers 5 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 (A Joe Debll brace plus further goals from Sean Barlett, Sonny David Henry Dutton and Max Sherlock helped Rovers thrash Sawbo Town at The Hawthorns)

Takeley 3 Buckhurst Hill 0 (Kieran Southgate was amongst the scorers Takeley netted three first half goals to take all three points against Buckhurst Hill at Station Road)

West Essex 2 Barking 4 (Sam Shaban netted twice and George Okoye and Kenndi Dariri were also on target for Barking as they won an entertaining encounter against West Essex at Wadham Lodge)

White Ensign 1 Halstead Town 1 (Matthew Travell's goal grabbed a point for Halstead on the road at Burroughs Park, this after Mechack-Kisoka Asuka had given the hosts the lead)

The match scheduled to be played at Mayesbrook Park between Athletic Newham & Woodford Town was postponed due to the ground having no changing rooms available for either side following scheduling difficulties. Less said about that the better.....

Lets see how that affects the table shall we.....

Enfield continue to lead the way, maintaining their eight point cushion to second placed Redbridge who maintained their three point cushion to third placed FC Clacton, whilst Woodford now find themselves seven points off the runners up spot and Stansted now nine points away from that target now.

It's looking bleak for Southend Manor down at the bottom, and in fact it's looked bleak there for quite some time now, only a matter of time before they are relegated although by all accounts they were very unlucky in their game against Ilford, Clapton also looked in trouble too, nine points of third bottom Sawbridgeworth Town still, and you have to say the bottom two look the most likely to finish there meaning they will slip into Step Six football next season.

That concludes this blog, thanks for reading.....

Benfleet 1 Newbury Forest 2

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Wednesday 1st February

Wednesday saw me over at Park Lane, Canvey, for a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest with a dramatic ending as a stoppage time goal from Miles Peterkin handed visitors Newbury Forest a come from behind victory against Benfleet.

Hosts Benfleet sat tenth in the division having won ten of their twenty one games so far, and were nine points off the play off spots, somewhere were they were expecting to be this season after last season near miss of gaining promotion, and they were up against a side who were five places below them and twelve points worse off having lost fourteen of their twenty two league games.

And the visitors form heading into this one wasn’t brilliant, as in the two games they had played in 2023, both had been defeats, the latest one a 6-0 drubbing at Sporting Bengal United, but the visitors could take comfort from the fact that Benfleet’s home form was awful, no league wins at home all season, and six defeats in those eight home games so far too, but would you believe it Fleet’s only home win all season came against, yes you’ve guessed it, Newbury Forest, in an FA Vase encounter back in September.

In fact Fleet have beaten Forest in both their matches this season, also winning 2-0 at Oakside in the corresponding fixture, so the odds were certainly in favour of a home win, although Fleet have also lost both games in 2023 as well so who knows what was going to happen!!!

So, what did happen? Fleet were certainly undercooked as this was their first outing since 7th January, almost a whole month, whereas Forest had played twice in the final week of January, so would this play a part? 

The first two thirds of the contest certainly were not tinged with much quality as the contest was scrappy at best, the home side probably had the best of the contest in that period though, but found visiting keeper Harrison Cole in the way, Ramblers were left frustrated and even saw their skipper Aaron Russell sin binned towards the end of the first period, and after the break Forest did actually muster up probably the best chance when Brandon Fulton found himself with just hosts keeper Charlee Jackson to beat but sent his effort the wrong side of the post.

The final twenty minutes plus stoppage time though saw plenty go on, the hosts managed to edge themselves ahead in the 73rd minute when Mason Shave stabbed home from inside a crowded penalty area, and that point you felt the hosts were on their way to a first home win in the league and get themselves back on track, and they quickly went about trying to find a second to clinch this contest.

However, there was to be another twist in this contest as the visitors went on a superb swift counter attack from their own penalty area, and it ended with Peterkin being played in on goal to fire beyond Jackson with seven minutes of the ninety to go, and then a few minutes later both sides were down to ten men after a tussle between hosts winger Billy Carter & visitors full back Courtney Justin resulted in a second yellow for the winger and a straight red for the defender.

Would there be a winner though? Indeed there would be, as six minutes into stoppage time Forest grabbed a winner when Peterkin found himself clean in on goal, we all looked to the assistant on the near side and he kept his flag down, allowing the striker to round the onrushing Jackson before sending the ball trickling towards goal in slow motion it seemed, before it rolled into the net to cue mass celebrations.

It was absolute heartbreak for Benfleet, what looked looked like a rare home win quickly turned to defeat, that would have been a bitter pill to swallow, whereas for Forest it was absolute joy at snatching the win right at the death when it looked as if they may have left with nothing, it had been a crazy last few minutes after the first two thirds had not been very memorable, so it was worth the wait you could say, unless you happened to belong to the hosts that is.

Full time Benfleet 1 Newbury Forest 2

Bowers & Pitsea 1 Corinthian Casuals 0

Isthmian League Premier, Tuesday 31st January

The Len Salmon Stadium was my venue on the final day of January 2023 and it saw an Anthony Papadopoulos header with twenty minutes to go hand Bowers & Pitsea a big three points against relegation rivals Corinthian Casuals in their Isthmian Premier contest.

This was what you could call a six pointer as both sides began the evening in the bottom four, Bowers were fourth bottom with three more points than their opponents who were one place behind, so both knew a win would certainly help their causes of getting out of those relegation spots that was for sure.

The home side knew a win could take themselves out of the bottom four, they were just one point off fifth bottom Wingate & Finchley and two behind Kingstonian, and depending on their results this midweek, a Bowers win could see them leapfrog both of those sides, and they came into this contest off the back of a very good win against Potters Bar Town at the weekend, their first win in any competition since Boxing Day and end a run of six winless games.

Causals themselves were on a run of four straight defeats, this after winning at Kingstonian at the start of the month, so they desperately needed to end this run and grab the points in this one as defeat could leave them further adrift of the safety line above them, which at kick off was four points, and with them having the second worst goal differences in the division, this was even more important for the visitors. 

These two did meet on the opening day of the season and saw Casuals cruise to a 4-1 win, but that was a rare high moment in the visitors season which has only seen them win four more times in the league, in fact they did not win their second game until November, which kind of tells you the season they are having so far, and like Casuals, Bowers struggled to get over that opening day loss themselves and have only four league wins to their name, although Saturday’s win certainly will give them a lift heading into this one.

A first half of few chances came and went, the hosts had the two best chances that did come in the opening forty-five minutes, thumping a long range effort against the cross bar, and then seeing a glancing header from close range go wide of the post, but it wasn't a half full of much quality although it was at least competitive and hard fought, as you would have expected.

The second half followed the same pattern too, the hosts edging the contest but always wary of a dangerous attack from the visitors, and on one such occasion Casuals number nine, Olusola Ayoola, blasted over when in a good position, but Bowers had introduced Funsho (Henry) Sinai and he immediately improved the hosts attacking prowess.

And he should have scored when a cross was mis headed by Emmanuel Oluwasemo but into the path of the dangerous attacker, but he could only fire straight at Callum Coulter, but he was to play a part in the only goal of the contest when after he was fouled the resultant free kick in by Harrison Carnegie saw Papadopoulos get his head to the ball whilst surrounded by a crowd of players and find the net for what was a huge goal.

Funsho (Henry) Sinai should have made the final few minutes comfortable for the hosts when he somehow side footed wide when he just had Coulter to beat, and they were nearly made to pay for not making more of their chances they had created when the visitors nearly headed themselves level in stoppage time, but saw the ball go just the wrong side of the post.

A big win for the home side then, that's back to back wins now and two clean sheets to boot, taking them up two places to 17th and out of the bottom four, two clear of Wingate & Finchley who now occupy that last relegation spot and six clear of Casuals who slip a place to second bottom and are now five points from safety after a fifth straight loss.

Full time Bowers & Pitsea 1 Corinthian Casuals 0