Frenford 0 Little Oakley 1 - Freddie Tandon's unfortunate second half own goal sees visitors to hard fought win at The Drive, Barking, Tilbury, Halstead, Stanway, Romford & Ensign also grab wins in the ESL this weekend

Essex Senior League, Friday 17th/Saturday 18th November 

I decided to make a first trip of the season to The Drive in mid-November to see two sides I had yet to see this season, fourth bottom Frenford (I hadn’t seen them in the league at least, I had seen them in the Vase earlier in the season) who were finding their first season at this level tough, and Little Oakley who were having a mixed campaign so far, sitting tenth prior to the weekend’s action.

Before that though there were a couple of Friday night games in the league, one at Roding Lane and the other at Ashton’s, let’s see how those played out before we go onto the game I attended before the other Saturday action that took place…..

Buckhurst Hill 0 Barking 2

Its four games without defeat for Barking and three wins in a row in all competitions without conceding a goal now after they netted twice at Roding Lane to take all the spoils in this one. The visitors went ahead after thirty-one minutes after Anthony Martin punished an error at the back to see the Blues lead at the break, and a second goal from Luke Hirst with just under twenty minutes remaining sealed their victory and sent them into the top ten as a result.  It’s been a brilliant turnaround after losing 6-0 at home to Halstead, three wins and a draw since, and just two conceded in that time too, well done.

 

Woodford Town 1 Takeley 1

The hosts knew a win would take them top of the division ahead of the Saturday games, but they were held at home by 16^th placed Takeley on Friday night at Ashton’s. The visitors did lead at the break but were pegged back by the hosts in the second forty five, but a great result for the visiting side who remain 16^th in the table, whereas for Woodford it means they do close the gap to leaders Tilbury to just a point, but with The Dockers scheduled to play on Saturday, they could see that gap increase.

 

Right, onto Saturday, and we begin as said at The Drive in Ilford/Redbridge/Gants Hill (wherever it is, make your own conclusion!!!) where I was for the afternoon as Frenford welcomed Little Oakley to their shores, here is what happened…..

Frenford 0 Little Oakley 1

The hosts first season at this level has been largely a struggle, only four wins from their eighteen league games saw them fourth from bottom headed into this contest, however they are capable of beating some of the best sides in this division, two of those wins coming against Romford and Sporting Bengal United who are both top five sides, showing that on their day they can cause a surprise.

Those days have been few and far between this term though, and a 4-0 loss at home to an improving Barking last time out wasn’t particularly pleasing for them, and they were taking on a Little Oakley side packed with danger and had netted a recent 3-0 win away at Great Wakering Rovers although they have had a rather inconsistent season so far themselves, they had had some great results but also some difficult days at the office too, and began the weekend nine points off a play-off spot in tenth position as a result (and after Barking’s win at Buckhurst Hill on Friday night they had slipped to eleventh).

These two had met on the opening day of the season back in the summer (feels like a long time ago now!!!) and it saw Oakley net a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Harry Mann & Jordi Papple, it was certainly a difficult beginning to life in the ESL for Frenford and this game would be no easier, but could the hosts do what Oakley had done to them back in late July, or could the visitors here today grab a double over their opponents?

The visitors began the game on the front foot and had their opponents pushed back in their final third and saw a couple of early efforts go straight at Frenford keeper Matt Knight, both that were fielded fairly comfortably, but as the half went on the hosts began to settle and get a foothold in the contest, and ended up creating the best two chances of the opening forty five minutes.

An error at the back allowed Dion Johnston in to round keeper Billy Lawlor before squaring to Kai Haysman who looked certain to score before seeing his effort brilliantly blocked by a flying defender, and then just before half time Haysman stole in after two defenders left the ball to each other, but Lawlor came to the rescue to somehow tip the hosts striker's effort wide of the target, it was some save!!!

The caused the two defenders in question to square up to each other in an incredible moment, neither would back down and it ended with them both being booked, total frustration for the visitors who had started well but allowed their opponents to settle and probably end the half better, it had been a tight contest so far though with action at both ends, how would the second half pan out?

Well, ten or so minutes into the second period came what ended up being the winning moment, and it was a very unfortunate moment for hosts centre half Freddie Tandon, as a ball drilled into the six yard box by Daniel Rowe towards Harry Mann saw a blocked clearance back towards Tandon hit him and end up in the net for a very unfortunate own goal and a lead for Oakley. This kind of summed up Frenford's luck it has to be said in this contest.

The hosts should have levelled soon after this but saw another brilliant stop from Lawlor before a follow up effort was blocked, and with Frenford pushing forward to try and find an equaliser they were almost caught on a couple of occasions as the visitors nearly doubled their lead, firstly a superb powerful long range strike from Adrian Cant thumped off the underside of the bar, and then another sweeping move saw Daniel Rowe's effort glance off that same cross bar before going over.

Apart from these efforts though Oakley spent long period on the back foot in the second half as they continued to keep Frenford at bay, Lawlor made another good stop to deny them once again and despite a lot of pressure from the home side, especially late on, they could not find the net and saw Oakley cling on for what was certainly a hard fought win.

Frenford did everything but score today, but their failure to find the onion bag means a 12th loss in the league this season as they slip a place to third bottom, three points above Ilford who are just up the road of course (the name Frenford was created from the slogan 'Friends of Ilford' of course) but if they continue to play this way they will win enough games to be fine come the end of the campaign.

Oakley to their credit dug in and put up a rear-guard action in that second period at times, it was one of those wins that can be much more satisfying at times and I am sure their management will be pleased at how they put their bodies on the line at times to make sure they grabbed a clean sheet and the points, a very hard fought win indeed it was, and this sees them reclaim tenth spot as a result and only six points off those play off spots too.

Full time Frenford 0 Little Oakley 1

   

So, a hard fought win for the visitors who certainly rode their luck at times, let’s now see what else happened on Saturday in the division…..

Athletic Newham 0 Tilbury 2

The Dockers extended their unbeaten run to an incredible eighteen games as they saw off Athletic Newham at The Terrance McMillan Stadium. Both goals came in the second period, the visitors grabbed the lead ten minutes after the break when Macauley Joynes saw a corner go straight in, and with nine minutes remaining Harvey Browne smashed home from long range to seal the now league leaders all three points.

 

Halstead Town 3 Ilford 2

The Humbugs twice came from behind to see off The Foxes at Rosemary Lane, a Okuguni free kick went past Cherry to give the Foxes the lead but Older was on hand to tap home the leveller, however Ilford restored their lead shortly after this following a superb goal from Tacine, all of this action coming in the opening twenty three minutes of the contest. It remained this way until Ade Funbi converted a second half Kane Gilbert cross to make it 2-2, and with two minutes remaining Matt Coppen headed home a Older corner to win the game for the home side and send them into the top six.

 

Hullbridge Sports 0 Stanway Rovers 5

Stanway Rovers boinged out of the bottom three after an extraordinary 5-0 win at Lower Road against Hullbridge Sports. The game was only five minutes old when the visitors took the lead when Jack Johnson headed home, and midway through the first half Reece Conway applied a header of his own to double Rovers lead. The hosts then saw a penalty saved on the half hour mark before they sealed the deal with twenty or so minutes to go as Mardell headed home at the far post, and after the hosts were reduced to ten men Rovers added further goals through Josh Hughes & Jack Madley late on to cap a superb away day.

 

Saffron Walden Town 0 Romford 1

A brilliant rear-guard action from the visitors saw them to an heroic win at Catons Lane, this was after Michael Turner was sent off for the visiting side with less than half an hour on the clock, and then finishing the game with nine men after Kris Newby was sin binned with five minutes plus stoppages to go. The winning moment came five minutes into the second period in farcical circumstances when a pass back from defender Jamie Riley was missed by keeper Jarvis Monk and ended up in the net for a rather embarrassing moment for the hosts, and even more embarrassing as this proved to be the only goal too, sending Romford into second spot in the process.

 

Sporting Bengal United P-P Great Wakering Rovers

The only match to fall this weekend in the ESL was at Mile End after the pitch was deemed unplayable by the match referee after he had arrived at the ground and had a look at the pitch. Very frustrating for all, especially for the visitors who had already travelled to East London to play the game. 

 

White Ensign 3 Coggeshall Town 1 

Ensign were the latest side to hand bottom side Coggeshall Town defeat as they eased themselves to victory at Burroughs Park. A fine curling finish from Iyiola Adebayo in the opening minute plus a further goal from the hosts striker had Ensign two up inside twenty minutes before a firm finish from Robbie Allen three minutes into the second period had the hosts pretty much out of sight with most of the second half remaining. A good counter attack from the visitors which saw Nathan Dennis slot home a goal back after sixty-four minutes gave them brief hope, but it wasn't to be as the hosts ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Let's see what this weekend's results do for the table as we head towards the half way mark of the campaign.....

Tilbury lead the way after they continued their long unbeaten run, that slow start to the season now a distant memory, previous leaders Woodford Town slip two places to third after they dropped points on Friday night, Romford's win at Walden sees them now the closest challengers to the leaders, just, the top five are only separated by seven points.

Behind them, only three points cover sixth placed Halstead Town and eleventh placed Barking, the Blues have recovered well after their thrashing at the hands of Halstead a few weekends ago, even fifteenth placed Buckhurst Hill are only eight points off sixth place in what is a very tight competitive division once again.

Down at the bottom Coggeshall Town are still four points adrift Ilford and a further three adrift of third bottom Frenford, The Seedgrowers are in danger of being cut adrift if they continue in this vain, since they beat West Essex in mid October it's been five straight defeats in the league, worrying times indeed for the West Street side.

Anyway hope you enjoyed my latest blog, it's been fun writing it, thanks for taking the time to read.....

Hutton 3 Burnham Ramblers 1 - A Tom Stephens brace & a Stephen Judge penalty help Hutton to a fourth straight win in all competitions whilst heaping more misery on Ramblers in the process

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Saturday 11th November

Remembrance Day saw me over at New Lodge, Billericay, for a Thurlow Nunn First Division South contest between two local sides in the shape of Hutton & Burnham Ramblers on what is always a very poignant day when we all remember those who fought for today’s freedom, they must never be forgotten. Lest we forget…..

Anyway back to today’s battle, and hosts Hutton sat fifth in the division and in the final play off spot after what has been a pretty solid start to their maiden senior campaign, they had an incredible start when winning six of their opening seven league games of the season, but a run since then of five wins, one draw and six defeats has certainly brought a dose of reality back into the frame. They were only still three points off the leaders though, so it was still a terrific position to be in.

There form in October saw them play five games in all competitions, they lost at home to Basildon Town in the County Cup before netting a narrow win at Barkingside in the league, defeats against Dunmow Town & Tower Hamlets then followed in the division before victory at Southend Manor saw them see out the month with a win.

And they come into this one-off back-to-back wins after they followed up that win at Southchurch Park with a thumping 5-1 home win against Newbury Forest on the first day in November, so they do come into this fixture having won two in a row (they did also net a 1-0 win at home to Stanway Pegasus in midweek in the League Cup, so technically three straight wins!!!)

Their opponents today, Burnham Ramblers, are not having such a great season this time around, they sit in 12^th spot and only four points above the bottom three, such is how tight the bottom of the division is this season so far. They have won only six of their nineteen games so far and have lost ten of them too and have the second worst goal difference in the division too, not like Ramblers at all over the past couple of seasons.

Their form in October has seen them pick up five points in their six league games, a crazy 4-4 draw at home to Southend Manor and then a creditable draw away at Clapton Community was followed by losses against May & Baker and Harlow Town, those two without scoring and conceding nine, before a last minute win at home to Clapton was followed by a 3-1 loss at Southend Manor, so they come into this one in not particularly brilliant form.

These two have already met this season, back on August 22^nd in the league, and Hutton ran out 4-2 winners at Leslie Field in front of 200 spectators, Ramblers actually led that game 2-1 at the break before the visitors roared back to win that one, how would today’s encounter go?

Well, from the outset it was obvious the hosts would go on and win this one, they found themselves two goals up in eleven minutes and looked likely to threaten a big score line against their beleaguered opponents, they went in front after six minutes when full back Tom Stephens burst into the box before firing a powerful effort in off the far post, and then five minutes later headed a lovely cross from Nana Adarkwa into the far corner like any striker would, and the hosts were off to the perfect start.

The visitors had to try and stay in the game and desperately needed the next goal, but just before half time were dealt a killer blow when they conceded a penalty after a lovely through ball from Andrew Webster into the path of  Dave Johnston saw the latter felled by visiting keeper Ryan Bungaradu, and up stepped Stephen Judge to fire the penalty home with the keeper getting a good hand to it but unable to prevent it finding the net, 3-0 at half time and total control for the hosts.

Ramblers tried their upmost to get back into the contest after the break but rarely tested home keeper Jamie Grossart, and Hutton should really have put the icing on the cake with around twenty minutes or so to go when they were awarded another spot kick after Callum Ismail was felled inside the box, Judge allowed full back Stephens to take the penalty for his hat-trick, but sadly the latter's kick struck the post, meaning no hat-trick and the score line remaining 3-0 to the home side.

Ramblers then saw their task become almost an impossible one soon after though when substitute Yaya Djau managed to get himself sent off after two bookings, it had seemed inevitable if truth be told after getting booked not long after coming on, it was his third or fourth foul and rather brainless it has to be said, and the visitors were down to ten with seventeen minutes of the ninety still to play.

Their was to be one more goal in the contest though, and it did go to the struggling visiting side, another substitute and well known forward Lheureux Menga, forced a save from keeper Grossart but the loose ball fell into the path of Oliver Wells who converted from close range, but it was a mere consolation as the hosts took the points.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the struggling Rams who did end the game with nine men after star striker Karl Swanborough was sin binned for dissent with almost the last action of the contest, Ramblers slip a place to 13th now after an eleventh loss in the league this season, and remain just four points above the bottom three.

It's a much brighter picture for Hutton through who have now recorded four straight wins in all competitions, three in the league, and they go up a place to fourth and are in a four way tie for second, just two points off new leaders Clapton Community, it's a tight top six that are separated by just three points, crazy, but the hosts are right in the mix for promotion to Step Five as we approach the half way stage of the season, not bad for their first senior season as a club eh.

Full time Hutton 3 Burnham Ramblers 1

  

Catholic United 3 Kelvedon Hatch 3 - Aaron Baldwin & Reece Simpson both net braces as Essex Bhoys & Hatch play out six goal thriller at Len Forge

Essex Olympian Premier Division, Saturday 4th November

So, Guy Fawkes weekend, and the first Saturday in November, saw me take a forty minute or so bus journey from the bottom of my road to Eastwoodbury Lane for an Essex Olympian Premier Division contest at The Len Forge Centre between Catholic United and Kelvedon Hatch.

The main reasons for this being one, it was a 3G surface so the masses of rain meant the game would not be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and secondly because it was an easy journey, their was cover at the ground in case of any rogue showers, and it was a cheap day out as finances heading towards Christmas and new year, the cost of living, were tight!!!

But most importantly it was a local side in Catholic United who needed some support after what has been a retched run of form in the league of late, the club had started the season brilliantly, winning six of their first seven and inflicting to date league leaders Rayleigh Town’s only loss this campaign (they have won the other eleven!!!) but since then they had lost four games in a row before last weekend’s 2-2 draw at strugglers Harold Wood Athletic.

Catholic did win in the Anagram Records Trophy two weekends ago against CSM London, but their last league win was way back on 16^th September, and this form has seen them down in fifth and way behind the top two now, so they desperately needed a positive result against a Kelvedon Hatch side who had only won two league games thus far this campaign and sat down in tenth and only a point above the bottom two places.

Hatch have tasted league success more recently though than their opponents, a 2-0 home win over Canning Town in mid-October, but it’s been another tough season for the visitors this campaign, a campaign that did start with victory at Harold Wood Athletic, but since then it was seven games without a win (six defeats) before that win over Canning Town, although they did also lose last weekend narrowly against Shenfield AFC.

These two did meet in the league on September 9^th when the weather was a lot better than recently, and Catholic ran out 3-2 winners at Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall, so would we get a similar contest here?

Well, the hosts began the contest in the best possible fashion, taking a 2nd minute lead when a lovely long through ball from Tom Kearney released Aaron Baldwin in on goal, and after rounding keeper Rhys Hughes who had got himself rather in no mans land on the edge of the box, the hosts striker slotted home beautifully from an acute angle, 1-0 to the Essex Bhoys.

Catholic though could not build on this early advantage, and in the 18th minute were pegged back by the visitors after Reece Simpson drove into the box before cutting back onto his left foot and seeing an effort take a couple of ricochets before finding the bottom corner of the net, but it didn't take the hosts long to regain that one goal lead when Baldwin curled home a superb left footed free kick from around twenty yards or so out, leaving keeper Hughes rooted to the spot.

But, back came Hatch once again as it was 2-2 after just twenty five minutes of action, and it was another poor goal for the hosts to concede, as a flick into the six yard box saw Simpson manage to react quicker than anyone else around him to swivel and prod a finish into the bottom corner, and with no further goals in the remainder of the half, the sides went into the break all square.

How would the second half pan out? Well, five minutes into it the visitors got their noses in front for the very first time in the contest when a ball into the box was not dealt with by the hosts and allowed Luke Skinner the chance to convert from close range, the ball didn't go in cleanly but it went in all the same, and Hatch now had a lead to hold onto.

For a period after that goal they looked the slightly better outfit, but Catholic dug deep and started to create chances, and with seventeen minutes to go found a leveller to tie this one up once again as centre half Brad Vaughan rose to power home a header from twelve yards out and now it was the hosts who looked the likelier to find a winner.

They probably should have found one but either found keeper Hughes in the way or poor finishing thwart the home side, and the contest ended with Baldwin curling over a free kick from a pretty identical position for his second goal, but he could not find the target and the game ended all square meaning a point each for both.

It was for the neutral at least a very entertaining and enjoyable contest, so kudos to both sides for putting on a good show for all who were there, and the point sees Catholic slip a place to sixth as they have now gone six games without a win, although as I told them afterwards, it's two games unbeaten now after four straight losses in the league, positive thinking hey.

Kelvedon Hatch also slip a place to 11th, fourth bottom in the division, but will be boosted by this performance today and it's now five precious points from their last four games which is a vast improvement on what they had picked up prior to this, so plenty to be positive about too.

Full time Catholic United 3 Kelvedon Hatch 3

 

  

Chadwell Heath Spartans 2 Bakers693 0 - Second half goals from Peter Adeleye & Courtney Holness see Spartans to all three points at Lower Road

Essex Alliance League Senior Division, Wednesday 1st November

I popped over to Lower Road, home of Hullbridge Sports, for an Essex Alliance Senior Division clash between Chadwell Heath Spartans and Bakers693, the hosts hierarchy are well known to the Bridge Boys, player manager Aaron Hunwicks played for the club whilst his father and Spartans Chairman Neil was club photographer for a number of years, so surroundings for those two at least were familiar.

Spartans of course normally play their home games at Lakeside Sports Ground 3G, but the pitch at Lower Road was like a billiard table and perfect for football, so there would be no issues with the playing surface despite it being played on the night before and the wet weather that has been around lately, so no doubt both sides competing in this contest would have looked forward to the surroundings and facilities for the evening.

Getting to the ground was a challenge for some mind, including myself, due to temporary traffic lights in the village which caused some hefty delays getting into Hullbridge, and with some of the visiting side not arriving at around 7.30pm, it meant a slight delay to proceedings and an 8pm start, no biggie, and kudos to Spartan's chairman Neil Hunwicks who bought me a beer on arrival, it was certainly needed after a stressful journey on the bus due to the delays!!!

So, how have both sides started their league campaigns? Spartans were looking to jump into second spot behind leaders FC Baresi who have been the stand out side so far this campaign, Spartans had played eleven league games, winning five, drawing four and losing two, whereas visitors Bakers693, part of the May & Baker family, had played nine games, winning four, drawing one, and losing four as they were down in tenth out of fifteen sides in the division.

Spartans were coming into this contest off the back of a decent 2-0 success at Sporting Hackney, a team in a similar position to their opponents this evening, Bakers693 saw their game scheduled for Friday night at Haringey Borough U23s postponed so they had not been in action since the previous Friday night away at Aveley U23s, but they also picked up a 2-0 success in that one so both were coming into this game off the back of identical victories so would have felt good about themselves.

I was expecting a decent game if truth be told, and a great battle between two sides who try and play football, but the game really failed to get going for the first hour, the opening forty five minutes saw hosts keeper Lamar Johnson made a couple of decent stops to keep the visitors out, whilst Spartans only real opening saw Enoch Salami's effort well blocked by a defender, but that was about it for goalmouth action.

The opening exchanges of the second half yielded little as well, but just before the hour mark Spartans so nearly got ahead when skipper Elie Fanga got clear of the backline but saw his lob over the onrushing keeper bounce off the inside of the post and someone stay out as a relieved keeper managed to get back to claim the ball before it went over the line.

You thought at this stage it was destined to be goalless, but barely a minute later on the hour mark, Peter Adeleye, who had only come on as a substitute moments before, got clear in the same way his strike partner had done moments before, and this time he applied a deft touch past the onrushing keeper and saw the ball roll home with him chasing after it just in case it didn't reach the net, finally a break through!!! Thank goodness!!!

Could the visitors respond? Well, with fifteen or so minutes left of the ninety they were handed a golden opportunity to level the contest when they were awarded a penalty after one of their players was shoved over inside the box, and after a lengthy wait to take the spot kick, the visitors ballooned the spot kick miles over the bar and out of the stadium, it was probably one of the worst penalties I've seen, certainly a forgetful moment for the striker you could say!!!

It meant Spartans remained ahead, and a minute or so into stoppage time at the end of the game they sealed the deal with a second goal as player boss Aaron Hunwicks curled a beautiful corner to the far stick where Courtney Holness was waiting to send a header in off the post, and cue more celebrations from the home side who had had to work very hard for this victory, so no doubt it made it sweeter and more satisfying.

Spartans then go up to second spot, six points behind the leaders FC Baresi after a six win of the season, Bakers693 remain in tenth and will wonder what could have been had they netted that spot kick and levelled the contest, we will never know now but it meant Spartans could go on and take the points in a good battle in the end, a slow burner you could say!!! But at least it got going eventually.....

Full time Chadwell Heath Spartans 2 Bakers693 0

Essex Senior League Round Up (27th/28th October) - Romford, Halstead Town record big away wins, Frenford stun Sporting Bengal United at Mile End, Tilbury win huge game at Hullbridge Sports

 

(Sporting Bengal United and Frenford prior to their game at Mile End, which saw the visitors net a stunning win, photo courtesy of @Frenfordfc)

The latest weekend in the Essex Senior League began on Friday evening when league leaders Woodford Town hosted FC Clacton at Ashton's, lets see how that one went and how all eight contests on Saturday fared too on Halloween weekend .....

Friday 27th October

Woodford Town 5 FC Clacton 0

Luke Parrott grabbed another couple of goals as leaders Woodford put FC Clacton to the sword at Ashton's, Parrott gave the hosts a 15th minute lead before he added another five minutes before the break, and with a minute to go to half time it was three as Nathan Sollosi netted. David Gokou-Siakouri netted on the hour mark to make it four, and the scoring was completed fifteen minutes from time when Yemi Adelani added a fifth for the rampant hosts and complete another superb evening at the office. 

Saturday 28th October

Athletic Newham 0 Saffron Walden Town 2

Two second half goals handed Saffron Walden Town a superb win at The Terrence McMillan Stadium. After a goalless first half the deadlock was broken six minutes into the second period when Daniel Kithambo netted for The Bloods, and he netted again from the spot later on in the half to seal the visitors all three points.

 

Barking 0 Halstead Town 6

Alfie Cleal netted a brace as Halstead Town ripped Barking apart at Mayesbrook Park after a devastating first half saw the visitors net five. The Humbugs opened the scoring on two minutes thanks to a lovely cushioned header from Ade Funbi, and it was two after just nine minutes when Jake Brown slotted home a rebound, before a fantastic volley from Robbie Bennett handed the visitors a three goal lead just before the half hour mark. It was four on the half hour mark when Cleal sent an overhead kick into the net, and it was five when Cleal netted his second with a volley. A shell shocked hosts managed to make the second period more competitive but it was Halstead who had the last laugh when they made it six with six minutes to go after Joel Older drove into the box before passing to Sonny Dutton who finished the move to cap an amazing afternoon for the visiting side.

 

Coggeshall Town 2 Romford 7

Finlay Dorrell netted four first half goals as Romford ended a poor recent run by netting seven at West Street against bottom side Coggeshall thus ending the hosts recent mini revival in the process. Romford took a 14th minute lead after a heavy pass was met at the touch-line and fired home at a tight angle by Dorrell, and Romford doubled their lead after twenty six minutes when George Cox saw a slow effort bounce into the back of the net. Dorrell then added two more to complete his hat-trick before great play set up Dorrell for his fourth of the first half and cap an extraordinary first half showing. And within a minute of the restart Charlie Morris turned inside and drilled a low shot inside the post to make it six nil. Jack Zielinski then headed home for the hosts but a close range volley from Morris, his second of the afternoon, saw the visitors go 7-1 up, before a great run from Nathan Dennis ended with him firing home to give the hosts a second but ultimately the damage had been done in the opening forty five minutes as Romford left with all the points.

 

Great Wakering Rovers 2 Stanway Rovers 0

Two goals in the final twenty minutes saw Great Wakering Rovers take all the points against Stanway Rovers at Burroughs Park, Rovers caught Stanway on the counter in the 73rd minute and saw Shemarie Perkins-Palmer net, and then six minutes after that the hosts doubled their lead and sealed the points when a well worked set piece to the near post saw Oliver Jenkins convert to continue their climb towards those play off spots.

 

Hullbridge Sports 0 Tilbury 2

Two late goals handed Tilbury a huge three points against Hullbridge Sports at Lower Road in a game between the two most in form sides in the division. With six minutes to go Tilbury were awarded a penalty after Harvey Browne was pulled down inside the box, and Roman Campbell converted the penalty via the keepers hand, and then five minutes later The Dockers sealed a massive win when Campbell again found the net after a scramble inside the box and seal all three points for the visiting side.

Little Oakley 3 Buckhurst Hill 0

A Dan Rowe brace helped Little Oakley to a fourth league win of the season and take themselves above opponents Buckhurst Hill in the table as a result. A Pinpoint cross from Rory Harman ended with a header from Rowe finding the net to give the hosts the lead before Rowe calmly slotted in to make it two, before a third goal from Mason Lumley sealed the deal.

 

Sporting Bengal United 0 Frenford 3

Frenford netted three second half goals without reply as they stunned high flying Sporting Bengal United at Mile End to take only their third league win of the campaign. Early in the second period Frenford took the lead after good work down the right saw a ball into the box which ended with a good finish from ex Sporting player Lewis Francis and then were then awarded a penalty with twelve minutes to go which was slotted home by Dion Johnston. And deep into stoppage time Sam Ince added a third for the visitors to give them a stunning win and a massive three points down at the bottom of the division.

 

Takeley 1 White Ensign 1

Nine man Ensign somehow managed to fight back from a goal down to earn a precious point at Takeley, Archie McFadden was shown a second yellow just before the hour mark to reduce the visitors to ten men, and then the hosts went in front from the spot a couple of minutes later, and the mad five minutes was completed when Kyle McAlindon was given a straight red to reduce the visitors to nine men (I think all these cards and penalty were linked). However, Takeley could not go on and net a second straight win after Mechack Asuka levelled with fifteen minutes remaining to earn a point at Station Road.

 

West Essex 5 Ilford 0

The Foxes have now conceded five goals in four straight league games after they were hammered at high flying West Essex, the hosts opening the scoring just before the half hour mark when Emmanuel Wazola slid in Denzel Effah who sent his finish under the keeper, and then three minutes later it was two after David Bell applied a sublime chip into the net. The third goal came on the hour mark when Ike Olaiya put Effah in and the latter found the bottom corner, and with thirteen minutes remaining Moyo Ajibade stung the keepers hands, and the ball fell to Effah who unselfishly squared to Ruben Bartlett-Antwi to slot home number four. With four minutes left West completed the scoring when Bartlett-Antwi accelerated past the centre half and slotted home number five to keep the pressure on the leaders at the summit.

Let's see how the Essex Senior League table looks after this weekend's action.....

Woodford continue to lead the way, closely followed by West Essex and the in form Tilbury, Romford are back up to fourth after a much needed win, Sporting drop a couple of places to fifth after a shock home defeat to Frenford, it's a tight table isn't it, with fourth to eleventh only separated by seven points.

Down at the foot, that Frenford win at Sporting saw them go third bottom and go two points ahead of the bottom two and three above bottom side Coggeshall Town, Ilford drop into the bottom two after another thrashing, things look bleak for them right now if truth be told. The bottom five are only separated by five points too, so tight down there as well.

Let's see the league fixtures for the next week.....

Tuesday 31st October

Buckhurst Hill Vs Frenford

FC Clacton Vs Saffron Walden Town

Hullbridge Sports Vs Ilford

Friday 3rd October

Coggeshall Town Vs Halstead Town

Woodford Town Vs Athletic Newham

Saturday 4th October

Stanway Rovers Vs West Essex

FC Clacton Vs White Ensign

Frenford Vs Takeley

Great Wakering Rovers Vs Little Oakley

Romford Vs Ilford

Saffron Walden Town Vs Barking

Sporting Bengal United Vs Hullbridge Sports

Tilbury Vs Buckhurst Hill

So, that concludes the latest action in the Essex Senior League, thanks for reading.....

ESL Double Header (21/10/2023) - Blues hit five as they thrash Foxes, Takeley produce remarkable comeback to defeat Romford

 (Action from the first game of the day which saw Barking defeat Ilford 5-1)

Saturday saw me over at Mayesbrook Park for a rare Essex Senior League double header, Ilford's home game with Barking had to be switched to Mayesbrook Park due to ongoing issues with them and Ilford Sports Club at Cricklefield, and also due to the fact Barkingside were at home to Framlingham in the FA Vase, so it was decided that this would now be a Barking home game, hence the two games taking place at Mayesbrook (Romford were already scheduled to play at home to Takeley) and the ESL double header was created.

And what with the dodgy weather around the last couple of days and the potential for more showers throughout the day, a 3G pitch and covered seated stand was a perfect choice for me, and getting two games in the same day too in the same division, well how could I resist!!!

The first game saw Barking take on Ilford at 12:30pm, let's see how that went....

Barking 5 Ilford 1

It has been a tough start to the season for the Blues, many fancied them to do well last season and in he end a seventh placed finish was not a bad return although they were well off the pace (twenty two points off runners up Redbridge), and this season they have struggled to get going again and had only picked up fifteen points from their first thirteen games, not the start they were hoping for.

However, to say their opponents had struggled to get going this season was an understatement, they had only picked up nine points from their opening thirteen games and sat third bottom and only a point above the bottom two sides (Frenford and Coggeshall United) and after a season of struggle in the main last season in a 16th placed finish, many felt The Foxes would find it tough once again this season and thus far were being proved correct.

The Blues form hasn't been great lately though, after winning at home to basement boys Coggeshall Town, they had lost three straight games in the league conceding ten in the process before they managed to beat Takeley at home last weekend (ironically Takeley were back here for a second successive weekend to take on Romford in the later game of the day) so The Blues were at least coming into this one off the back of a win.

The same could not be said for The Foxes though, the last five games had yielded a win at second bottom Frenford, which was a huge win, but they had lost the other four, conceding fifteen goals in the process, and that also included a loss at bottom side Coggeshall Town, so confidence was not exactly brimming you could say, so Barking were most certainly favourites headed into this contest.

But, after just two minutes the visitors grabbed the lead, Harry Rawlins did well down the left before driving into the box and seeing a deflected effort find the far corner, The Blues had started slowly but managed to ease their way into the contest and just past the half hour mark found an equaliser when after Ilford failed to clear a cross, the ball fell to Tom Troubridge who thumped home.

It had been a tight contest though and at half time with the game evenly matched and all square, it was anyone's guess where this one was going, however, Ilford were to implode in the opening fifteen minutes of the second period and this settled the contest if truth be told.

Barking started the implosion nine minutes into the second period when Luke Hirst fought off his marker to run onto a ball and loft over the advancing keeper for a neat finish, and then two minutes after that Jake Gordon pounced on some ordinary defending to make it 3-1, and it was three goals in six minutes when on the hour mark Hirst grabbed his second when converting a cross from the right, and just like that the Blues had a comfortable 4-1 lead.

And as the clock ticked into stoppage time Barking added a fifth goal to cap a good second half performance when Gael Kileba managed to get into the box on the left hand side and apply a finish at the second time of asking after his first effort was blocked, and heap more misery on the visitors who had conceded five goals for the third game in a row, worrying times for them for sure.

It means Barking rose to 12th and within touching distance of the top five (seven points off) so if they can now put a run together they could get themselves in the mix perhaps, whereas for Ilford it's another sorry day at the office after a decent first half showing, they cannot have these mad moments where they concede a glut of goals, it's not a receipt for success for sure.

Full time Barking 5 Ilford 1

Ok, time to go onto Game Two of the day at Mayesbrook as Romford welcomed Takeley, in the 4pm showing, this was the second weekend in a row that the visitors had appeared here, they had lost that one to Barking 3-2, so could they have a different outcome today? Let's find out.....

Romford 3 Takeley 4

The hosts had been one of the front runners in the division along with Woodford Town and many had said those two were the best two so far in the division, but recently Romford have hit the buffers and came into this one with back to back defeats, 6-3 at West Essex where they led heading into stoppage time, and then a surprising loss at Stanway Rovers after they had got rid of their manager, so a first bump in the road for the home side this campaign.

They were still in a decent position though, fifth and six points off the leaders and compared to their opponents today were certainly much better off, Takeley had changed their management this season and some playing personal too with some youngsters involved in what was a new era at the club, they, along with Barking were enduring a difficult start to their campaign, down in 16th with just nine points from twelve games, not the start anyone expected.

Takeley's league form had been horrendous as well, as after beating Stanway Rovers back on August Bank Holiday weekend, they had lost six league games in a row conceding twenty goals and as said above had lost here at Mayesbrook Park last weekend to Barking, so most would have felt Romford were to get back to winning ways no?

Well, it was hard to see how Takeley had lost six in a row and were struggling so much early on as they were the better side in this contest and missed a couple of really good chances, and low and behold when your down the bottom and struggling things tend to go against you, and in the 27th minute fell behind when goal scoring machine Hassan Nalbant turned to fire home a left footed effort into the bottom corner and give the hosts a scarcely deserved lead.

And five minutes before the break it got worse for Takeley when they fell two goals behind as Harry Hart got into the box to fire home, and it looked as if Takeley would be headed for a seventh straight loss in the league, but, they were given hope in first half stoppage time when Costi-Marian Varsoi saw a cross from the right sail over the keepers head into the far corner, momentum with Takeley heading into the break perhaps?

Well, it appeared not as Romford restored their two-goal cushion early in the second period when Nalbant was quickest to react to poke home a rebound from close range, and you felt at this point the hosts, who had seemed to come out with much more energy this half, would go on and win comfortably, but this was not to be the case.

Takeley were always remaining a threat and reduced the arrears midway through the second half when sloppy defending from the home side saw them lose the ball outside their own box and allowed George Frodsham to fire home, and then just three minutes after that Takeley were all of a sudden level at 3-3 when Frodsham pounced for his second of the game when the hosts failed to clear their lines.

Things were going south very fast for the home side who had looked in control only ten or so minutes earlier when centre half Darren Phillips was given a straight red for a poor challenge, and with thirteen minutes to go Takeley completed a remarkable turnaround when Caoilan McGettigan, who had been superb for the visitors, get into the box to slot home the winning goal and hand Takeley a huge win and a massive boost no doubt.

Romford just did not know what had hit them, and they have now lost three games on the spin as their season has most certainly hit the buffers now, although they do stay in the top five, whilst for Takeley they remain 16th but will take a lot from this comeback win today for sure, it had been a mad game and so enjoyable to watch!!!

Full time Romford 3 Takeley 4

That concluded the double header from Mayesbrook Park, thirteen goals and plenty of drama in the two Essex Senior League contests, a very enjoyable day indeed!!!