Australia 2 New Zealand 0 - Goals from Mitch Duke & Jackson Irvine hand Aussies victory in Soccer Ashes at Brentford

International Friendly (Soccer Ashes), Tuesday 17th October

I was at Brentford's G-Tech Community Stadium on Tuesday evening for something different as I attended the latest instalment of what is known as the 'Soccer Ashes' between Australia and New Zealand.

It was a rare International Game for me these days and I only found out about the game two days before it was scheduled so I thought why not and purchased a ticket for £24, which was top end too, so a very decent seat and view, not bad for a match between to rivals who were contesting for a trophy.

The Soccer Ashes is based on the concept of The Ashes in Cricket between The Aussies and England, and the cigars of former Aussie skipper Alec Gibb and former New Zealand captain George Campbell were encased by a New Zealand soldier during the First World War and competed for in 1923 when New Zealand defeated the Socceroos.

The prize did go missing in the mid 1950s but was recently found and will now once again competed for, so it was a privilege to have this taking place in West London and Brentford's wonderful G-Tech, this was my third visit to the stadium and I am impressed every single time I go, it's a fabulous venue and right next to Kew Bridge railway station too so very convenient.

This was the seventh edition of the Soccer Ashes, and in the previous six the Socceroos had won four of those and drawn one other, with New Zealand's only win coming in that first edition back in 1923, and with the Aussies being ranked 77 places above their opponents in the FIFA World Rankings, it was fair to say Australia were clear favourites to win this latest contest too.

The Socceroos reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and only narrowly lost to eventual champions Argentina and have reached a very decent 27th in the world rankings, New Zealand have managed to just one win in eight games since they won the OFC qualification campaign to reach the 2022 World Cup inter-confederation play-offs last year.

The two sides also met prior to the world cup in 2022 as well, with the Aussies winning both with 1-0 and 2-0 score lines, so not many gave the New Zealanders much hope of victory in this one, although the Socceroos had lost their last four internationals and not won since defeating Ecuador in Sydney in March, so they were not in great form lately themselves.

However, in the 13th minute the Aussies got their noses in front although their was some confusion who got the opening goal, a well placed cross from Miller was nodded back into the heart of the penalty box by Alessandro Circati, who was making his debut, and centre forward Mitch Duke sent a powerful effort into the net, although it appeared to flick off the chest of team mate Harry Souttar on the way into the net.

Souttar was initially awarded the goal but was later given to Duke as he was credited with it on the match officials post match paperwork!!! What was certain was the Aussies lead, a lead they could and should have added too had it not been for a couple of decent stops from New Zealand keeper Michael Woud to thwart Connor Metcalfe and Martin Boyle.

The Aussies though were clearly the better side in the contest although the New Zealanders certainly battled well and gave their all in this one, but they rarely troubled Socceroos keeper Matt Ryan, Chris Wood did force a save from him in the first period, and a free kick struck the Aussies bar in the second half but apart from this the Aussies were fairly comfortable, and with fifteen minutes or so remaining sealed the deal with a second as Jackson Irvine, on as a second half substitute, climbed to head home a Boyle corner.

The Socceroos should have added a late third but saw Brandon Borrello miss an absolute sitter from close range, but it mattered not in the end as they took the Soccer Ashes for 2023, both sides will now look ahead to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign which begins next month.

Full time Australia 2 New Zealand 0

Billericay Town 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0 - A powerful finish from Emmanuel, a Stevenson corner that went in off visiting keeper Lakin, & a close range finish from Stevenson saw Blues to the points at New Lodge

Isthmian Premier Division, Tuesday 10th October

My second game of the month saw me over at New Lodge for an Isthmian Premier contest between mid table Billericay Town and strugglers Dulwich Hamlet in front of 690 on another mild October evening in South Essex.

The Blues are into their second season at this level following relegation from the level above two seasons ago, and they have began this one in a much better frame of mind and compared to last season at this time are in a much better position too, winning their first three games 1-0 and only losing one of their first nine competitive encounters, until they lost at home recently to Canvey Island, funnily enough 1-0.

They have also won all their cup games to date, winning three FA Cup ties to take their place in the Fourth Qualifying Round and also an FA Trophy tie at the weekend, so it's been a more than decent start to life this season, the same cannot be said for their opponents though who started the evening only outside the bottom four on goal difference.

Dulwich Hamlet themselves fell from Step Two into this division and like their opponents last season have not adapted well to their new division, picking up only seven points from a possible twenty seven so far this campaign, and they were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first time of asking as well, losing a replay in the First Qualifying Round.

They have won two cup ties though, albeit one being in the County Cup against lesser opposition, and the other being at the weekend in the FA Trophy away from home, so at least they were coming into this one with a rare win and clean sheet, but this was going to be a tough test against a side who were playing with a lot of confidence.

The game kind of followed this pattern too, Hamlet did have a couple of decent openings in the opening forty five minutes, one which saw a rather awkward save from home keeper Dan Wilks glance off the bar and over, but apart from these moments the half belonged to the hosts in the main, and it was no surprise to see them ahead at the break when Moses Emmanuel provided a powerful finish after the ball had been slipped into him inside the box in the 27th minute.

And the early exchanges of the second period saw the hosts take complete control, they doubled their lead in the 57th minute when a Bradley Stevenson corner looked to go in straight off visiting keeper Will Lakin, but it seems FWP have given the goal to the hosts player, so he can have it, I'd rather that than an own goal if truth be told, but whatever happened it was a second goal for the hosts for sure.

And just two minutes later their was no doubting who grabbed the goal as Stevenson grabbed a quick double, as after he saw a close range effort saved by Lakin, he followed up to bury the rebound and at this point you felt the hosts could go on and score a few more, the visitors looked done.

However, the hosts took their foot off the gas somewhat after that third goal and allowed the visitors to get a bit more of the ball, they did apply a bit of pressure on their opponents and almost saw Wilks gift them a goal back when he made a mess of an effort which seemed to no danger at all and spilled it onto the post and thankfully for the stopper, back into his grateful arms.

Billericay though were good value for their win and applied all the damage in the opening hour, this win, their fifth of the season in the league, takes them up several places to fourth in a tight looking and early league table (it is still only October!!!) whereas Hamlet actually drop into the bottom four on goal difference after losing by three, both teams will be in different mindsets right now that is for sure.

Full time Billericay Town 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Sporting Bengal United 0 Woodford Town 4 - Clinical performance from league leaders sees them net four at Mile End in big top of the table clash

Essex Senior League, Saturday 7th October

The first Saturday in October, still too early in the season to have six pointers, right? Probably…. but Mile End was my location for a huge and potential six pointer at the top of the Essex Senior League as fourth placed and surprise package Sporting Bengal United hosted unbeaten league leaders Woodford Town.

My day began earlier than normal after I was invited onto the hosts pre match podcast show where we discussed today’s game and how it would go (many thanks to the club for allowing me to appear on this show by the way, feel very privileged to be invited on as a guest) and we certainly thought it was a hard one to call as both sides are full of confidence right now. (That podcast can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Xoiz1poDg)

Sporting are many peoples surprise package so far, I saw their first two games of the season, both wins away from home after going behind in both, turning a 1-0 deficit at Great Wakering Rovers into a 2-1 win, and then coming back from 2-0 down at Ilford to win 4-2 (this seems to be a trend this season, which shows belief and character in the squad), and these were not flashes in the pan as they have gone onto take twenty two points in their eleven league games so far to take their place inside the play off places.

Visitors Woodford were my dark horses for the season and I felt after the way they ended last season they would continue that and make a right crack at promotion and even the title this term, well so far they have outshone all, taking twenty seven points from eleven games and have a five point cushion back to West Essex, Romford and today’s opponents Sporting who are the ones closest to them in the standings.

Woodford are also the only side in the division who have not lost in the league so far (eight wins & three draws) so could Sporting be the first club this season to end that unbeaten run in the division, well home form for the hosts certainly suggests a tough game for the visitors as Sporting are yet to lose at home this season in any competition (six games) and they have won their last three at home too, so it certainly is ‘fortress Mile End’ this season.

Sporting in fact haven’t tasted defeat themselves since a 3-1 reverse at Tilbury seven games ago back on 15^th August, there only league defeat of the season so far, and there only other loss came on penalties in the FA Cup at Stansfield, this after being 3-0 down in the original tie after just eight minutes and twice coming back to earn a 4-4 draw, so Sporting are not used to losing either.

They will hold no fears against the league leaders despite Woodford’s brilliant start to the campaign, the side from Ashton’s only loss in their seventeen games so far in all competitions was at home to a very decent Step Four side in Felixstowe & Walton United in the FA Cup, this after they had knocked out two Step Four sides in Hertford Town and Bowers & PItsea, so they can certainly mix it with sides a level above too.

And since that FA Cup defeat on September 2^nd they have won four of their six games in all competitions, five of those were in the league, only dropping points to Hullbridge Sports (that was a late leveller) and Little Oakley, who also needed a late leveller to deny the league leaders, in fact late goals have been something Woodford Town enjoy, so the hosts here would need to be on their metal for the entire game.

So, the hosts like to come from behind, and the visitors like a late goal, well goals have not been an issue for either side, Sporting have managed twenty-six so far whilst Woodford have netted thirty, a combined fifty-six goals, and that’s just in the league alone!!! Therefore (and I say this with much trepidation!!!) this game must have goals in it for sure!!! Let’s find out what happened hey…..

The hosts actually started well, and were the better side for the opening half hour or so, but once Woodford took a 32nd minute lead, it went downhill from there for the hosts, that own goal came when lovely work down the left by Ernest Okoh saw his powerful ball across the box strike a defensive player and end up in the net, and then five minutes later the task got harder for the home side when Okoh turned goal scorer this time as Luke Parrott's brilliant play inside the box saw the ball fall into the path of Okoh who could not miss from a yard out, and now Woodford were in control all of a sudden.

And unlike previous deficits where Sporting fought back to grab something from the game, on this occasion they could not do this, and lacked a bit of fight and energy if truth be told, some of their players looked tired and Woodford did enough to keep any home attacking prowess out, and then with eighteen minutes remaining they struck a killer blow by adding a third goal to seal this game once and for all when Parrott again turned provider, sliding in David Gokou-Siakouri to fire across goal and in off the far post, it was another clinical finish from the visiting league leaders.

Bengal continued to huff and puff but were having an off day in front of goal, but they never really looked like getting back into the contest and were up against a superior side on the day, especially after they had grabbed that first half lead, and there was still time for Woodford to add a fourth goal in stoppage time when Parrott managed to get his goal, punishing sloppy defending to slot home and cap a clinical display from the league leaders.

This is a wake up call for the home side who must not allow this disappointment to define their season, it's been a superb start for the hosts and they must now put this behind them, learn from it and move on, which I am sure they will do, whereas for Woodford that's now nine win's from twelve league games, still a five point cushion at the top (West Essex and Romford both won too) as there brilliant start to the season continued.

Finally I would just like to thank the hosts, especially Clarky (manager) Matty G (assistant) and Luke (podcast host and keeper coach) for their wonderful hospitality today, it was a very enjoyable day and it was nice to share the off the field stuff with you and get an insight to how your club works, good things are happening there so I am sure you will be right up there come the end of the season, also was nice to catch up with Shane Baptiste (Woodford manager), Dee Safer (assistant) and James Walkinshaw from the visitors too, Shane even wanted a photo taken with me, which was a pleasant surprise!!!   

It's nice to see these people show me so much love and support and appreciate what I do, it really does make it all worthwhile, and really does make a difference to me, so thank you, it is very much appreciated.....

Full time Sporting Bengal United 0 Woodford Town 4

 

  

Hutton 1 Basildon Town 3 - Visitors through in Essex Senior Cup after Marcus Bowers net's hat-trick at New Lodge

Essex Senior Cup 1st Round, Wednesday 4th October 

My first game in October saw me over at New Lodge, Billericay, as two familiar foes did battle for a place in the 2nd Round of the Premier County Cup competition in Essex in what was an all Thurlow Nunn Division One South match up between Hutton & Basildon Town.

The hosts have had the better start to the season so far, they are sitting third in the division in their maiden season at Senior football (this was their first appearance in this competition as well as a result) having picked up twenty five points in their thirteen league encounters thus far, which is eight more than Basildon Town have picked up in the same number of games.

Town sit five places below their opponents in the table having had a mixed start to their season, although far from terrible as they are only two points off the play off spots, which both sides will be aiming for come the end of the season as a minimum achievement you would have thought, although league thoughts were put aside for this evening as cup football was on the agenda in the prestigious Essex Senior Cup.

Basildon Town themselves are only into their second season as a Senior Club, their first one was certainly one to be proud of, and Hutton have so far been making waves so far in theirs, these two sides know each other very well though, having had some battles in Junior Football (Essex Olympian League) and also in the Essex Premier Cup, so this was bound to be another competitive battle for sure.

The last time I had seen these two do battle was in a Premier Cup tie a couple of seasons ago, and in that one Town player boss Marcus Bowers had netted twice in a 2-1 win, well after just two minutes of this one Bowers had already stamped his mark on this tie, curling home a wonderful effort from the edge of the box to give the visitors an early lead, it was some start for the visiting team, and it was a lead that for a long time looked likely it might be enough for them to progress.

There was a bit of a worry at the start of the second half when one of the floodlight pylons went out, but the game did restart despite this, and it did eventually spring into life during the second period, a period that the more it went on the more chances Hutton were passing up, but with eight minutes to go they finally found a leveller when a ball found it's way to the back post where George Nash was on hand to convert (funnily enough he netted Hutton's only goal in that Premier Cup tie I mentioned in the last paragraph!!!).

Penalties looming then, could someone grab a late winner, Hutton seemed to have the momentum and I even said to myself that they looked the likelier to find one if one came along, well what do I know, as four minutes after Hutton's equaliser the visitors got themselves back in front when a lovely one two between Bowers and Alfie Yeend saw the former thump an effort past the keeper and see the player boss grab his second of the game and a potential winner too.

There was quite a bit of stoppage time to be added though so the game was not over just yet, however, seven minutes into eight minutes of added on time Town did seal their passage into Round Two as a ball into the channel saw Bowers chase although it looked a lost cause as keeper and defender were on the scene, but as the keeper tried to trap and clear, he made a total mess of it and presented Bowers, showing everyone to never give up and treat every chase as not a lost cause, with a simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net and complete his treble and cap a perfect night for his side.

It means that Basildon Town will now host Essex Senior League side Little Oakley at Rookery Hill, that should be a decent contest, for Hutton it's a first home defeat of the season and a disappointing exit from their maiden Essex Senior Cup, the two meet again at New Lodge on Boxing Day, will Hutton grab the spoils in the league??? Only two and a half months or so to wait and find out..... 

Full time Hutton 1 Basildon Town 3

Ensign through in Essex Senior Cup after seeing off Harwich, Basildon Town through in Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup, also a look ahead to the weekend's action in ESL/TND1S

 

(Action from Basildon Town's win at May & Baker in the Thurlow Nunn Challenge Cup, photo courtesy of Richard Brock @Beckton86)

I was bored so decided to do another blog on the latest action involving Essex Senior & Thurlow Nunn South sides, Wednesday only saw two games in total, so here is what happened in those and I will also look ahead to the weekend games in both divisions....

Wednesday Evening

Essex Senior Cup 1st Round

White Ensign 3 Harwich & Parkeston 1

Ensign are through to the 2nd Round of the Essex Senior Cup after they saw off Thurlow Nunn North side Harwich & Parkeston at Burroughs Park. Ensign grabbed a third minute lead when Jordan Fisher flicked home a neat close range finish and that lead was doubled in first half stoppage time when Joe Gregory slotted home a low angled finish. The visitors got back into the game in the 63rd minute thanks to a thunderous Jamie Beecham strike, but Ensign sealed their passage into the next round in stoppage time at the end of the contest after a cut back found Billy Hutchison who fired home a low finish, setting up another home tie in the next round against either Newbury Forest or Dunmow Town.

Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup 1st Round

May & Baker 0 Basildon Town 2

Basildon Town are into the next round of the League Challenge Cup after goals from Alfie Terry and Alfie Yeend were enough for them to see of May & Baker at Parkside.

Let's look ahead to the weekend's fixtures now, with all but one of those across the two leagues being league fixtures and they are all on Saturday too.....

Essex Senior League

Athletic Newham v Stanway Rovers

Barking v FC Clacton 

Frenford v Tilbury 

Great Wakering Rovers v Coggeshall Town 

Halstead Town v Romford 

Hullbridge Sports v Buckhurst Hill 

Little Oakley v West Essex 

Saffron Walden Town v Takeley 

Sporting Bengal United v White Ensign 

Woodford Town v Ilford 

A full set if fixtures in the ESL this weekend after a few weekends of cup competitions and my picks to look out for see Romford's visit to Halstead Town, Hullbridge Sports taking on Buckhurst Hill at Lower Road and Walden hosting Takeley at Catons Lane. Romford are in third and currently trail leaders Woodford Town by five points, but they travel to a Halstead side who have started the season very well indeed, they are in seventh and only four points behind Romford so that should be a decent contest at Rosemary Lane.

Hullbridge, who are in 12th, take on 13th placed Buckhurst Hill with the visitors galvanized by the return of Suleyman Zuhdu and have picked up three wins since he returned to the club, and they will want to heap more misery on a Hullbridge side who have not started the season as they would of hoped and will be looking to grab a win that could kick start there season perhaps, it proved to be a very intriguing encounter at Lower Road.

And there is local bragging rights at stake over at Catons Lane as two sides who have had indifferent starts to their campaigns clash head on, Walden recently welcomed Jason Maher back as manager after Terry Spillane departed, it was supposed to be the season they finally had a good crack at promotion but it hasn't started how they would of hoped, leading to Spillane's departure, can Maher galvanize a club he loves so much and defeat a Takeley side who are also getting used to changes off the field as well following the Marc Das era ending in the summer, with Martyn Westcott taking over the reigns.

Takeley have also had a tough start this campaign, and with the clubs sitting 15th and 16th respectively, a win for either here could really kick start their season, so this is an important battle in terms of getting their seasons going as well as bragging rights, it promises to be a rather blood and thunder tie that's for sure.

Elsewhere 8th placed Athletic Newham take on manger less Stanway Rovers after Karl Duguid resigned from his post following a rather disappointing start to their campaign, 11th placed Barking host 6th placed FC Clacton at Mayesbrook Park, 17th placed Frenford welcome 5th placed Tilbury to The Drive, and 9th placed Great Wakering Rovers welcome bottom and winless Coggeshall Town to the Essex coast with the visitors hoping they can finally grab a win in the league.

10th placed Little Oakley welcome second placed West Essex to their Memorial Ground on the outskirts of Dovercourt near Harwich, that could be a very entertaining contest, surprise package Sporting Bengal United, who are 4th and playing some neat football this season, welcome 14th placed White Ensign who will be a tough nut to crack, and finally but most certainly not least, leaders Woodford Town and only unbeaten side left in the league this season take on a struggling Ilford side at Ashton's looking to increase their lead at the top if others slip up. 

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

Basildon Town v Brimsdown

Clapton Community v Cannons Wood

Hackney Wick v Tower Hamlets

Harlow Town v Barkingside

Hoddesdon Town v Burnham Ramblers

NW London v Newbury Forest

Park View v Dunmow Town

Southend Manor v Clapton

St Margaretsbury v Hutton

Herts Senior Centenary Trophy 1st Round

Wormley Rovers v Tring Corinthians

7th placed Basildon Town take on 10th placed Brimsdown at Rookery Hill with both sides looking to get into that all important top five, CFC and Cannons Wood also have similar aspirations and they clash at The Old Spotted Dog ground at the weekend which should be a feisty affair in front of a big crowd, Hackney Wick & Tower Hamlets clash at Spa Road in Witham and both sides are looking to pull clear of the drop zone whilst second placed Harlow, who since their 5-1 drubbing at home to Hutton on the opening day, have won seven of their games since out of eleven, take on a Barkingside who have picked up recently and are themselves trying to pull away from the drop zone.

Struggling Hoddesdon Town, who were relegated from Step Five last season, host a Burnham Ramblers side aiming to break into the top five, bottom side NW London entertain ninth placed Newbury Forest at Coles Park, the visitors also aiming for a top five position at the surprise to many, whilst league leaders Dunmow Town will look to net more goals as they travel to face fourth bottom Park View who themselves will look for a shock result to try and pull away from the bottom three. Two teams who were relegated from the Essex Senior League last season clash at The Southchurch Park Arena, hosts Southend Manor will desperately be looking for a win to pull themselves away from the drop zone against a Clapton side with similar aspirations.

At The Recreation Ground third bottom St Margaretsbury welcome Senior new boys Hutton to their gaff, the visitors have stuttered slightly after a superb start to their season, but the fourth placed side could see a win take them back top of the pile if other results go their way, you just never know in this division which is almost impossible to predict!!! 

And finally, there is a cup game at Wormley Sports Club as Wormley Rovers take on Tring Corinthians in the 1st Round of the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy with the winners setting up a trip to either Sandridge Rovers or Royston Town U23s in the next round.

That's it for today's blog, more to come over the coming days no doubt, especially if I get bored.....  

Essex Senior/Thurlow Nunn South round up (Tuesday 26th September)

(Thanks to Clare Heatley for the photo from Frenford Vs Barking in the Essex Senior Cup, follow her at @clare_heatley)

Tuesday evening saw several contests take place amongst Essex Senior and Thurlow Nunn South sides in the Leagues and County Cups, lets see what went on shall we.....

Essex Senior Cup 1st Round

Buckhurst Hill 1 Holland 0

ESL hosts Buckhurst Hill netted with nine minutes remaining to settle this contest against Thurlow Nunn North leaders Holland at Roding Lane. A pinpoint delivery found Luke Sackey at the far post to cushion a shot across goal and into the far corner in the 81st minute and set up a 2nd Round home tie against Barking.

FC Clacton 4 Coggeshall Town 2

Two late goals saw FC Clacton settle this all ESL tie at the Rush Green Bowl, the hosts took an 11th minute lead after Teddy Collis picked the ball up twenty five yards from goal before sending a brilliant dipping shot just under the crossbar, but the visitors response was immediate as a free-kick was turned home by Leandro Sain at the near post just three minutes later. It took until the 69th minute for the next goal as The Seasiders edged back ahead after a right flank cross was nodded home by Mekhi McKenzie, but just five minutes after that Coggeshall responded yet again as Jack Zelinski smashed home an unstoppable effort into top left hand corner. The tie looked to be headed for penalties until the hosts got their noses in front for a third time in the 87th minute as a ball cut back to Charlie Collis saw him steer home a neat, low finish, and then two minutes into stoppage time the hosts wrapped up the tie as an angled shot was spilled into the path of Teddy Collis who tapped home at the far post.  FC Clacton will now host either Benfleet or Hullbridge Sports in Round Two.

Frenford 1 Barking 2

Barking came from a goal down early on to net victory at The Drive to progress in the Essex Senior Cup, all the goals came in the opening twenty minutes as well and it was Frenford who took an eighth minute lead through Liam Foster, but the visitors then levelled seven minutes later when Kai Haysman slotted past Matt Knight from a Martin Tuohy flick on. And five minutes later Barking netted what proved to be the winner after Gael Kileba drove forward, beats three defenders, before shooting low inside the post into the net, setting up a trip to Buckhurst Hill in Round Two.

Harlow Town 3 Burnham Ramblers 1

Hosts Harlow won the all Thurlow Nunn South contest at The Arena after goals from Ishaq Ameen, Celso Da Silva and Roman Percil were enough to see off Burnham Ramblers and set up a trip to ESL side Stanway Rovers in the 2nd Round of the competition.

Wivenhoe Town 1 Ilford 1 (Ilford won 5-4 on penalties)

The Foxes netted ten minutes into stoppage time before winning a shootout to progress against Thurlow Nunn North Wivenhoe Town at Broad Lane. The hosts took a first half lead after Mike Nwankwo had exchanged passes with Harry Willoughby, broke into the box and fired a powerful effort across the keeper and into the far corner, and that looked likely to be enough to send The Dragons into the next round, however in the 100th minute Dephin Moorat headed home from a corner to equalise, sending the tie to penalties, and the ESL visitors managed to prevail in that to set up a trip to either May & Baker or Takeley in Round Two.

London Senior Cup 1st Round

Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1

Athletic Newham put on a decent showing at Isthmian Premier Haringey Borough but saw two late goals from the hosts knock them out of the London Senior Cup. The visitors stunned their opponents by taking a 62nd minute lead after Joel Appiah was pushed over in box and Richard Kone, off the bench, scored from the spot, and when the hosts saw Scott Mitchell sent off in the 73rd minute, it looked good for the ESL side. But, the hosts managed to level with ten minutes to go when a cross from left got through Wilkinson Boateng's hands and hit one of the defenders before ending up in the net, and with four minutes left the hosts grabbed the winner when Matthew Young stole in near the penalty spot to fire home and send them through to face either Barking or Leyton Orient at home in the next round.

Essex Senior League

Little Oakley 2 Woodford Town 2

Ten man Little Oakley managed to net a late equaliser to thwart league leaders Woodford at The Memorial Ground, Oakley lead at the break courtesy of Harry Mann's spot kick, however the visitors, who had been held up in traffic getting to the game meaning it kicked off late, fired in off the far post to level, and then things got worse for the hosts when Adrian Cant was shown a second yellow and sent off. Woodford then bundled home to take the lead and it looked like an eighth league win of the season until Oli Hart popped up with a late leveller for the hosts to snatch a point, meaning the hosts remain tenth in the standings and the visitors extend their lead at the top to five despite that late disappointment.

Stanway Rovers 1 Halstead Town 3

The Humbugs are up to seventh as they continued their brilliant start to the season after coming from behind to defeat Stanway Rovers at The Hawthorns. After a goalless opening half the hosts edged in front early in the second period after Andrew Fennell produced a lovely finish into the bottom corner, but the response from the visitors was devastating, levelling three minutes later following a lovely finish from Joel Older who punished an error at the back. Twenty minutes into the half The Humbugs took the lead after Alfie Cleal fired home from close range before Older grabbed his second of the game with twenty minutes to go by firing a lovely free-kick into the bottom right corner. Defeat for the hosts leaves them second from bottom with just five points from nine games.

Thurlow Nunn First Division South

Wormley Rovers 0 Cannons Wood 0

The eagerly anticipated contest between Wormley and Cannons Wood ended goalless although it was far from drama free!!! Both these sides will be hoping to challenge for promotion this season and a decent game was expected, sadly this was not the case as the discipline of both sides got the better of them, especially second half which saw two red cards for the visitors & a sin bin for both sides too, and in fact the visitors had to play the final twenty five minutes with eight men (I assume another red card but don't know this for sure) so a rather eventful second forty five minutes for the wrong reasons, but a point a piece means they stay fifth and third in the table respectively.

Herts Centenary Charity Trophy 1st Round

St Margaretsbury 1 Hoddesdon Town 2

Hoddy set up a trip to Sarratt or Hertford Heath in Round Two of the Herts Centenary Charity Trophy after they netted victory in their all Thurlow Nunn South division contest against St Margaretsbury at The Recreation Ground.

That's completes the action for Tuesday evening, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed and feel fully informed!!!

Isuzu FA Vase - Bakers see of West to progress plus a look at the draw for the First Round Proper involving Essex Senior/Thurlow Nunn South sides

(Action from May & Baker Vs West Essex on Sunday, pic courtesy of Richard Brock (@Beckton86))

The final Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round tie involving Essex Senior & Thurlow Nunn South sides came on Sunday when May & Baker welcomed West Essex to Parkside in Aveley, let's see how that one panned out shall we.....

May & Baker 1 West Essex 1 (May & Baker won 3-1 on penalties)

Thurlow Nunn South (Step Six) May & Baker pulled off a surprise by knocking out Essex Senior (Step Five) high flyers West Essex, the visitors created a couple of early chances, Darnell Broomfield broke clear and fed Ruben Bartlett-Antwi but the latter could only fire over, and then Bartlett-Antwi had another opening before Zak Oliver then squandered one too, all inside the opening ten minutes.

But just before the half hour mark West took the lead when after Oliver had beaten his man, he slid the ball across goal for Joel Lamb to arrive on the scene and convert at the back post and give the visitors the advantage.

The hosts almost responded seven minutes later though as after they got through in on goal, the effort was poked wide, it was a let off for the visitors and a warning too, but West could have doubled their lead early on in the second period after a lovely move ended with Bloomfield failing to apply a finish, and Bloomfield again was involved in West's next chance in the 64th minute, finding David Bell but he could only poke his effort just wide.

Midway through the half though the hosts found a leveller that would ultimately take the game to penalties, as after keeper Michael Corderoy had made a good save from Dan Barth's effort, Gabriel Odili was the first to the rebound to convert and see this game end all square.

Bakers had put in a huge shift in this contest, it had been a hardworking performance against a very good West Essex outfit, and were rewarded by taking the shootout 3-1 to advance into Monday's 1st Round Proper draw.

Here is a link to highlights of the above tie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-D9jBaSusI and many thanks to Ashley Hanson for these highlights, go follow him at @AshleyJHanson

So, what of that draw then, there were fourteen sides from the Essex Senior & Thurlow Nunn South combined in the 1st Round Proper draw, two of which were entering this stage of the competition (Athletic Newham & Sporting Bengal United) after exemptions through to this round, the draw took place on Monday lunchtime, lets see what came out.....

Athletic Newham Vs Staplehurst Monarchs

This is a very winnable tie for the ESL hosts as their opponents are in the Southern Counties East Division One and a level below the ESL, although the visitors are unbeaten in their division this season, winning four and drawing two of their six league game so far, so this till be a tricky tie for Athletic Newham for sure.

Barkingside Vs Framlingham Town

This tie pits Thurlow Nunn South against Thurlow Nunn North, so an all Step Six tie, this will be another tough one for Side though against a Framlingham side who sit third in their division having won eight of their eleven league games thus far, however, Side dumped eighth placed Thurlow Nunn Premier Hadleigh United out in the previous round, so they have every chance of winning this one too.

Downham Town Vs Coggeshall Town

This poses to be a very tough assignment for The Seedgrowers as the ESL's bottom side travel to Thurlow Nunn Premier fifth placed Downham Town whose league record reads won five and drawn two of their seven games, so no defeats thus far, so it would take a momumental effort from the visitors to progress if truth be told.

 

Dunstable Town Vs Woodford Town

ESL league leaders Woodford Town travel to Bedfordshire to take on Spartan South Midlands Premier Dunstable Town and will be pretty confident of progressing against a side who sit tenth in their division after a mixed start to their campaign.

Frenford Vs London Lions

ESL hosts Frenford will be confident of progression in this one as they welcome Spartan South Midlands Premier London Lions to The Drive and a side who have had a mixed start to their campaign at best, netting only two wins in nine so far, although the visitors may feel the same about their opponents too so this promises to be a decent battle.

 

Halstead Town Vs Stanway Pegasus

Halstead Town may well be a level above their opponents in this one but the Thurlow Nunn North visitors have began their season very well and have won nine of their eleven league games so far as they sit second in their division, and they dumped ESL side Takeley out in the last round, so this could be a very good battle as well.

Newhaven Vs Sporting Bengal United

This has the potential to be a cracker of a contest as high flying ESL Sporting Bengal United take on a Newhaven side who sit fifth in the Southern Combination Premier have won five of their nine league games fo far, and only losing one, no doubt both sides will fancy their chances in this one for sure.

Norwich United A-W May & Baker (walkover for May & Baker, Norwich United withdrawn)

May & Baker's reward for yesterday's penalty shoot out win against West Essex was a bye straight through to Round Two of the competition after they were the lucky ones to be drawn against the now folded Norwich United who were obviously withdrawn from the competition and as a result an away walkover win for the visitors.

 

Potton United Vs Hullbridge Sports

ESL side Hullbridge Sports travel to face a Potton United side who managed to see of Thurlow Nunn South side Cannons Wood with ten men in the last round, they haven't started their Spartan South Midlands Premier campaign that well though having won three but lost four of their seven league games so far, and are down in fourteenth as a result. Sports will be wary but will be confident of progression.

Saffron Walden Town Vs Long Melford

Walden will certainly fancy progressing in this one as they welcome Thurlow Nunn Premier side Long Melford to their shores, and with the visitors having lost eight of their nine league games this far and only getting one point from a possible twenty seven to sit bottom of the division, surely it all points to a home win, but we shall see.

Sawbridgeworth Town Vs Tilbury

Tilbury travel to now Spartan South Midlands Premier side Sawbridgeworth Town, and the Dockers will certainly be favourites headed into this one as the hosts haven't won in seven league games so far and sit bottom of the pile with just two points. And Tilbury breezed past Baldock Town in the last round who are eighth in the same division as Sawbo, so this could be a difficult afternoon for the home side.

St Neots Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers

This could be a very good tie, although a tough assignment for Rovers who travel to Cambridgeshire to take on a very good United Counties Premier South side in the shape of St Neots Town. The hosts have won eight of their ten in the league so far and sit third on goal difference, but Wakering have had a decent start themselves so this tie will hold no fears for them.

White Ensign Vs Wormley Rovers

The has the makings of a very tricky tie for the ESL hosts, Wormley have had a decent start in the Thurlow Nunn South and Ensign only just about squezed past Cornard United in the last round, albeit with ten men affter their keeper was sent off, their opponents that day are at the same level in the North division, so with Wormley argubly being a better side, this could be a very intriguing tie indeed.

So there you have it, all fourteen 1st Round proper ties covered, how many of sides from the ESL/Thurlow Nunn South go through, one are through already in the shape of May & Baker, who can join them?  Ties are scheduled for the weekend of October 21st.