Tilbury 2 Frenford 0 - Second half goals from Oli Spooner & Alex Clark help hosts to hard fought win over Frenford to seal Essex Senior League title & promotion back to the Isthmian North at first time of asking

Essex Senior League, Saturday 20th April

The penultimate weekend in April brought the penultimate weekend of the Essex Senior League regular season and I was over at Chadfields to see if runaway leaders Tilbury could finally seal the title and promotion back to the Isthmian North Division and Step Four football at the first time of asking following their relegation last season.

It's been a incredible season for the Dockers, they made a slow start to their campaign and the management were called into question by some after losing three of their first six league games, but once they got into their stride they went on a long unbeaten run of twenty three league games until they were finally beaten again at Buckhurst Hill, a run of over six months without defeat in the league.

They have only lost once more since then, a home loss to Woodford Town, but with such a big lead at the top they could afford the odd slip up for sure, and they also had a marvellous run in the FA Vase, reaching the Last Eight of the competition before bowing out on penalties at home to North Greenford United, so an amazing season for sure, and now they had the chance to finish it with silverware and the chance to call themselves champions of the Essex Senior League, which would have been a more than deserved accolade.

They had the chance to claim the title on a couple of occasions in the week leading up to this one, a win at Saffron Walden Town on Tuesday would have sealed the title, but they found themselves 2-0 down in that one before some unsavoury scenes ended with that game being abandoned, and then if Romford had lost on Wednesday at Athletic Newham then Tilbury would have claimed the title, however Romford had other ideas and romped to a 4-1 win, to at least keep the title race going for a few more days.

Tilbury's opponents today were Frenford, a side they had beaten 3-0 at The Drive in last September as The Dockers juggernaut was getting into full flow, this game would be different though for sure in terms of pressure and atmosphere and how much was a stake for the hosts, Frenford themselves had endured a tough season in their first foray into Step Five football, and were sat in third bottom in the division.

They were pretty much guaranteed not to finish in the bottom two though unless Ilford, who were three points behind Frenford, overturned a twenty four goal swing goal difference wise, which was extremely unlikely, especially as The Foxes last game of the season was next weekend against third placed and play off bound Woodford Town, so the visitors could end their season playing with freedom, which can sometimes be a hindrance to the ones going for victory.

Frenford have had some decent wins this season so can not be taken lightly, and have been in a lot of games that they have ended up losing, so Tilbury would have to be wary of them for sure, but on paper at least this only looked like a home win, but as said pressure does funny things to sides sometimes when they get so close to the line, something that Frenford didn't have to worry about, although Tilbury knew how to win games on the whole, so if they played well they would win.

You felt that if The Dockers could get in front early then that would certainly settle some nerves and maybe set the tone for the afternoon, however this did not materialise as a rather nervy performance from the hosts saw a rather nervy atmosphere inside Chadfields amongst a decent 425 crowd, the hosts certainly had a lot of the ball but could not really create much in terms of chances to grab that elusive goal that would settle them and the crowd down.

Frenford rarely threatened in the opening forty five minutes but had the two best chances of the half at the end of it, both of them falling to Nick Reynolds, firstly seeing a close range downward header somehow saved brilliantly by Christian North, and then with the final kick of the half Reynolds sliced wide when in a great position, and the game remained goalless heading into the break, to say the hosts were worried and nervy was an understatement.

The early exchanges of the second period didn't help the hosts in terms of easing those nerves and anxiety, the only thing that was in their favour perhaps was that Romford, who needed to better Tilbury's result to keep the title race alive , and with them drawing at Buckhurst Hill, they would still be champions if it stayed as it was, however The Dockers really wanted to win the league with a win and grab a goal to ease the pressure which had been building.

Frenford to their credit had been making it a very hard fought contest, and were giving nothing to their opponents, but the more the second period went on, the closer Tilbury were coming to opening the scoring, they thought they had taken the lead when a lovely run from Shea Hutchinson ended with his effort being deflected to the back post where David Knight was on hand to turn the ball home, however the assistants flag had gone up, meaning it would not count.

This only added to the frustration and anxiousness amongst the hosts, but midway through the second period came the moment they craved, as they finally grabbed the lead, as after they somehow headed against the inside of the post from point blank range, the ball went across the box and perfectly into the path of Oli Spooner who managed to fire home via keeper Jimmy Parker's hand and into the net to bring utter joy and relief amongst the home fans and players/management.

It certainly was a release of pressure, however they still had around half an hour to go, so it wasn't done yet, and as the game got closer and closer to the end, it was tense inside the ground to say the least, but, two minutes into six added on, Tilbury sealed the contest and the title when they countered on Frenford who were trying to find a leveller, and the ball was eventually squared to Alex Clark who fired home to send the hosts wild with delight, and bring utter relief that they had managed to get over the line after a very tough contest.

And with the news that Romford had fallen behind to a stoppage time goal at Roding Lane, celebrations had already begun the stands and almost on the pitch too, they knew they were going up as champions now and could enjoy the final few moments before the whistle sparked great scenes on the pitch and the fans also came on to celebrate with them, ESL champions for 2023/24 and promotion back to the Isthmian North at the first time of asking, well done to everyone at the club for achieving this feat, it was well deserved.

Full time Tilbury 2 Frenford 0

So, we know that Tilbury are champions, let's see what else happened in the division and see how the table looks with one week of the regular season remaining:-

Athletic Newham 0 

Barking 0 

Att-45

Buckhurst Hill 1 (Youcef Tacine 90+3) 

Romford 0

Att-125

Saffron Walden Town 4 (Olly Miles 64,77,80; Jacob Noble 67) 

Great Wakering Rovers 3 (Max Gnandi 10,74; Jake Gordon 22)

Att-223

Stanway Rovers 4 (Harry Thomas 51, 58; Tom Maycock 55; Nathaniel Mardell 90+1)

West Essex 0

Att 80

White Ensign 2 (Ethan Evison 65,88)

Little Oakley 3 (Jordi Papple 22; Daniel Rowe 35; Harry Mann 90)

Att-62

So, today's results mean pretty much all has been decided title/automatic promotion/play off wise now, Tilbury are of course champions now and will be back in Step Four football next season, Romford, Woodford Town, Barking & Sporting Bengal United will most likely be the four sides competing for a place in Step Four in the post season, Romford and Woodford will have home advantage regardless of where they finish now, all that needs to be decided is who they face at home. GWR cans till make the play offs mathematically but they need to make up thirteen points in their final five games which is pretty unlikely as those games have to be played in the next couple of weeks or so.

Down at the bottom and it's almost certain that Ilford will finish in the bottom two along with already relegated Coggeshall Town, whether Ilford go down with them is still a matter for discussion and really depends on reprieves from elsewhere, the league did say two were going down a couple of months or so ago but Ilford seemed to think they had survived a few weeks ago when they knew they would definitely not finish bottom, so who knows how that's going to pan out!!!

Anyway congratulations again to Tilbury for their success today, it was a pleasure to share the day with you and also be part of the presentation at the end too, handing the tankards to ESL president Robert Errington to pass onto the players of the winning side, no doubt their celebrations will go long into the night and quite frankly who could blame them, they deserve it 100% after a long tough season and especially after the disappointment of relegation last season.

Erith & Belvedere 0 Three Bridges 2 - Goals from Noel Leighton & Ibrahim Jalloh hand visitors hard fought win to clinch play off spot in Isthmian South East & in turn hammer another nail into the hosts relegation coffin

Isthmian League South East Division, Sunday 14th April

As I did not do any football on Saturday (was off playing golf in Kent) I woke up this morning and decided to head over to Park View Road, Welling, for an important match in the Isthmian South East as hosts Erith & Belvedere were looking for a result and keep up their slim hopes of avoiding the drop, whereas visitors Three Bridges were looking for three points to confirm there play off spot in the post season.

Now the hosts sat bottom of the division, eight points from safety but with a much inferior goal difference, to technically nine points if truth be told, they did have a game in hand too, which was today's game, but they would have to do something they hadn't done since February 6th, win, as since they had defeated Hythe Town away on that date, they had not won since, that's nine games, taking only three points from a possible twenty seven, and they were up against a side with much differing fortunes.

Three Bridges sat in fifth, the final play off spot, and ironically since they lost on February 6th against Cray Valley PM at home, they had not lost a single game since, that is eleven games and they had taken twenty seven points from a possible thirty three, so to say the sides could not be more far apart in terms of form since that date in early February was stating the obvious you could say.

Nerves do funny things to sides though, and with the visitors needing three points to confirm their place in the post season play offs, maybe their would be some nerves, if they could not do it here then their last two games were fairly tough, so they wanted to get the job done as soon as possible so they could at least enjoy the final two games knowing they were definitely in the play offs, but up against a side playing freely knowing they had nothing to lose here, the result could easily go in the hosts favour, who knows?

However, when the sides did meet back on November 25th, Three Bridges netted a substantial 6-1 win at their Jubilee Field ground, so the hosts were hoping that was not to repeat itself again, but after The Deres had seen an early header cleared off the line (some thought it might have been with the defenders hand too), Noel Leighton, who netted a brace in that thumping in the corresponding fixture, gave the visitors a ninth minute lead when powering home a close range header from a visiting corner.

Advantage Three Bridges then, the hosts should have been in front, but now trailed, again, so they would have to muster some kind of energy and spirit from somewhere to keep their slim survival hopes going, they certainly had a lot of the ball in the opening half and did create another decent opening but saw visiting keeper Jordan Perrin save with his legs, Three Bridges were definitely not at their best but did do enough to get to the break a goal ahead and half way to confirming that play off spot.

Could The Deres fight back in the second half, well just like the first half their was plenty of effort and endeavour from them, but they just lacked that cutting edge up front, maybe a reason why they had only netted twenty three league goals all season and why they sat where they did, obviously defensively had been a problem too, the Three Bridges goal was the eightieth they had let in this season, in contrast the visitors were one of the highest scorers in the division, goals really do win games of football and kind of summed up why the sides were where they were in the table.

The hosts defensively were not to bad in this contest though if truth be told, and they limited their free scoring opponents to only a few openings, but with twelve minutes of the ninety to go, Three Bridges netted their second of the contest and the ninety-fourth league goal of their campaign (only second to leaders Ramsgate) when a free kick swung into the box was headed back across goal, finding it's way to Ibrahim Jalloh who had the simple task of finding the net, and with that clinch the points they needed to confirm their play off spot.

It had been hard work for them, but they did enough to get over the line in this one, the hosts, who just could not find that cutting edge up front as said, put in a lot of effort in this one, but once again came up short and with them effectively now nine points from safety because of their awful goal difference with just three games to go, it's looking bleak now and it will take the miracles of all miracles for them to not drop down to Step Five next season.

Full time Erith & Belvedere 0 Three Bridges 2

 

Billericay Town 2 Hashtag United 7 - Tags add BBC Essex Women's Cup to their League Cup triumph after a hat-trick from Wiktoria Fronc helps them hammer Billericay Town in the County Cup finale at Victoria Road

BBC Essex Women's Cup Final, Thursday 11th April

The second Thursday in April saw me back over at Dagenham & Redbridge's Victoria Road ground for another County Cup final, and this time is what the turn of the Women as holders Billericay Town took on Hashtag United in an all FA Women's National League Southern Premier contest.

Now Billericay Town as said are the current holders of the Essex Women's Cup after they defeated Hashtag's Reserve side 1-0 in last years final, but they were up against the first team this time around and probably went into this final as underdogs after Hashtag's superb season this season, Billericay were a huge twenty nine points behind Hashtag in the league, Hashtag sat second behind champions Portsmouth whereas Town were third bottom although safe from relegation.

Hashtag were also looking to add another trophy to their cabinet this season after picking up the FAWNL League Cup recently, and they were coming into this final on an unbeaten run of ten games in all competitions, winning nine of those contest in the process, one of them was against tonight's finalists too, a 2-0 win in mid march, so the signs certainly pointed towards a Hashtag win here.

Billericay's form wasn't great either, they had lost all four league games in March, although they can take some heart from winning some silverware nine days ago when they thrashed Ashford 5-0 in the Isthmian League Women's Cup Final, so they were at least going for some more silverware here too, maybe they were a cup side this season, so maybe this would be much tougher for Hashtag than people may have thought.

Saying that, the two games between the two sides in the league had been close, both won by Hashtag, but this being an Essex derby they were always likely to be tight and tense contests, so this one probably was not going to be any different, let's see how these two set up tonight's final:-

Billericay Town

Quarter Finals - Hashtag United Reserves (H) W1-0

Semi Finals - Billericay Town Reserves (H) W6-0

Hashtag United

Quarter Finals - Bowers & Pitsea (H) W4-1

Semi Finals - Chelmsford City (H) W11-0

As you can see, both sides began their campaigns in the Last Eight so only needed to win two games to reach the final, Town repeated last year's final result, again beating Hashtag's Reserves 1-0, before they thrashed their own reserve side 6-0 in the semi finals, Hashtag themselves had two relatively simple ties to reach the final, thrashing both Bowers & Pitsea and Chelmsford City with a combined fifteen goals in the two ties.

So, how would this final pan out? Well, the contest was as good as done inside the opening twenty minutes as The Tags totally dismantled their opponents with four goals in the opening eighteen minutes, opening their account for the evening after just six minutes when a great move ended with a ball being played in the path of Wiktoria Fronc for her to fire beyond Blues skipper and goal keeper Alex Baker before it was two only a couple of minutes later when Valentine Pursey rifled home brilliantly from an angle after cutting back onto her right foot.

And only a quarter of an hour was on the clock when The Tags made it three after Sammy Rowland found the bottom corner from range, and it was four on eighteen minutes when after Baker could only save a cross from the right across her own goal, Malika Apindia was in the right place to thump the loose ball over the line, and at this point you feared for the young Blues outfit as this final was threatening to become really embarrassing for them. 

The Tags though had been ruthless and maybe they took their foot of the gas slightly for the remainder of the half but credit to The Blues who improved after they had fallen four goals behind so early on, and they did manage to net the next goal of the contest to give them some cheer when a lovely move saw them get down the left, and after Tags keeper Frankie Angel had come out to try and thwart the attack, she was beaten to the ball and saw a square pass to Soraya Walsh allow her to find the empty net with the keeper stranded, all of this inside the opening half an hour.

No more goals were forthcoming in the remainder of the first period, and The Blues were hoping that if they could nab the next goal then maybe, just maybe they could put a bit of pressure on their opponents for the first time in the contest, however, these thoughts and hopes were totally banished inside the opening five minutes of the second half.

This is because The Tags saw Fronc get in to slot home her second of the contest barely two minutes after the break, and then a handball inside the Blues box gave The Tags the chance to add another in the 50th minute, and skipper Grace Gillard thumped home the resulting penalty and The Tags were cruising at 6-1 ahead and threatening to run riot once again.

Baker tipped a couple of efforts wide of her post to prevent further damage, and in fact it was the Blues who managed to add the next goal of the contest with ten minutes left when a lovely long pass was perfectly into the path of Ruby Sealey who lofted a lovely finish over Angel and into the corner of the net to make it 6-2, but The Tags were to have the final say when Fronc completed her hat-trick deep into added on time when flicking a lovely finish over Baker into the far corner, capping a marvellous evening for her and her side.

What a brilliant season Hashtag United have had then, the runners up spot in the FAWNL Southern Premier almost secured along with the League Cup and now BBC Essex Women's Cup triumph, it's certainly not been a bad season that is for sure, for the young Blues side it's a good learning lesson for these players who were well schooled this evening that was for sure, but they have managed to stay in the division this season and have a trophy in their cabinet so no doubt plenty of positives to take from what has been a pretty tough one on the whole.

Full time Billericay Town 2 Hashtag United 7

 

Great Wakering Rovers 4 Hullbridge Sports 1 - Goals from Locke, Gordon, Topliss & Martin see hosts come from behind to defeat Hullbridge at Burroughs Park to keep their Essex Senior League play off hopes alive

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 9th April

I decided to pop over to Burroughs Park and check out FA Vase Semi Finalists Great Wakering Rovers in their latest Essex Senior League match, and on this occasion they welcomed local South Essex rivals Hullbridge Sports in one of their many games in hand mainly due to their special Vase run they were still on as they looked to make it an all ESL final against Romford at Wembley Stadium.

This game came into between the two semi final legs against Worcester City, they had lost the first leg 1-0 at the weekend so was all to play for in the coming second leg at the weekend with a sell out crowd of around 1,400 expected at Burroughs Park for that one, tonight their was around 100 for the bread and butter of the league, and an expected tough assignment against a local rival.

Obviously GWR's Vase run had taken up a lot of the clubs efforts, and their league form had suffered somewhat as a result, March had seen three straight defeats in the league against Little Oakley, Romford & Stanway Rovers, before they netted back to back wins against Frenford to get back on track and get their play off charge back on track, they started this one in 12th spot, thirteen points off Sporting Bengal United in fifth, with no less than six games in hand.  

Their were two ex-Sporting staff amongst the Hullbridge side as well, winger/striker Sherri Artmeladze was in the visiting line up and assistant Matty G was on the side-line, both had moved to Bridge from Sporting a couple of months ago or so and could do their old club a favour here and take points off the hosts and make it harder for them to catch Sporting in that final play off spot.

Bridge themselves can no longer reach the play offs and are down in eleventh spot with just three games left in the season, this largely due to an awful run of form which has seen them lose their last four games without scoring a single goal, and too much inconsistency during the season has ultimately cost them a chance of making the post season play offs, it would be interesting to see what sort of GWR side they would be up against considering the hosts do have a rather big match coming up at the weekend.

Bridge had not actually scored in five games in all comps lately, but it took them less than two minutes to score in this one, as with their first real attack Artmeladze did well on the left hand side before sending a cross into the box and found Jon Evans who took a touch and volleyed a wonderful effort into the top corner, catching GWR cold.

The visitors though could only hold that lead for four minutes as GWR levelled with six minutes on the clock as Harry Talbot did well down the left, and he squared a ball to Dom Locke who applied a lovely finish and level the game up, it had been a decent start to the contest that was for sure!!!

The visitors created the better openings in the remainder of the half but could not capitalise on their openings, not for the first time this season it has to be said, and they were punished for this three minutes before the break when Jake Gordon, on for the injured Hafeez Elegushi, found himself with his back to goal on the far side, and he swivelled and fired a cross into the box, but saw it sail over keeper Bradley Davison and perfectly into the far corner, there is no way he meant to do that, but it didn't matter and it meant the hosts found themselves ahead at the break. 

And just like Hullbridge had caught GWR cold at the start of the game, the hosts returned the favour barely two minutes into the second period by making it 3-1 when centre half Harrison Topliss glanced a header into the far corner, not the start the visitors were looking for in the second period, and no doubt their half time team talk totally out of the window.

Thereafter Hullbridge continued to miss openings as they looked for a route back into the game, and the hosts were playing on the counter and trying to punish the visitors for pushing men forward in search of that route back into the game, had the visitors taken some of their chances then it could have been a different outcome, but the hosts were looking dangerous when they countered, and with twelve minutes left they did find a fourth to seal this one, substitute Tony Martin bursting through to round keeper Davison before slotting home and give the GWR fans behind the goal more to cheer.

The scoreline was probably a bit harsh on the visitors, it certainly wasn't a 4-1 game, but a combination of missed chances and lack of concentration at times at the back ended up costing them here, and the hosts were clinical too and showed why they still had a chance at reaching the play offs unlike their opponents this evening, GWR climb five places to seventh and are ten points off the top five with five games in hand. They will be hoping for a place at Wembley and Vase success plus a chance of promotion too, a pretty special season could be really special if things go to plan.

Full time Great Wakering Rovers 4 Hullbridge Sports 1

Old Southendian 2 Sungate 2 - League leaders winning streak comes to an end after Sungate fight back from two goals down to see big game in Essex Olympian Premier at Garon Park end all square

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday 6th April

It was another big day in terms of the battle for the title and also promotion from the EOFL Premier Division, Wednesday night had seen league leaders Old Southendian defeat fellow title chasing Rayleigh Town at Thames Road, so Rayleigh, who are chasing promotion to Senior Football along with Sungate, were hoping they could bounce back against Old Chelmsfordians today and hope and pray OS would take points off Sungate at Garon Park.

The current standings in the top three saw OS four points clear of second placed Rayleigh, with Sungate another three points back in third, so today's results would certainly have a bearing on how the season may end up. Rayleigh were still in the driving seat and if they win out would win the league by five points as they have three games in hand on the leaders, all OS need to do is win their final three games and hope Rayleigh slip up if the Southend side are to win the division.

Sungate themselves really had to win this contest if they had any title aspirations, they were already seven points behind the leaders, albeit with two games in hand on them, but anything other than victory at Garon Park would see them fall further behind, but their primary target was of course finishing above Rayleigh in order to gain promotion, and at kick off they were just three points behind second place although Rayleigh have played two games less, so in terms of both the title and promotion it was essential that Sungate picked up maximum points today, as anything else would see their task made harder, especially if Rayleigh netted maximum points in there game.

March had been a mixed month for the visitors in today's game then, a brilliant win over Rayleigh Town in the Anagram Records Trophy was followed by a shock defeat at Division One side Corinthians in the League Cup, they then followed that up with a home win over struggling Harold Wood Athletic before a disappointing draw at Kelvedon Hatch was followed by a hard fought win at Leigh Ramblers last time out, but they would have to be on their A game in this one against an OS side who were flying.

Since OS lost at home to Rayleigh Town on October 28th, the only game they haven't won were two cup ties, one which they did win on penalties, and the other one where they lost on penalties, apart from that, they have won every single game since that league loss at Garon Park, that's seventeen games, so fifteen wins and they are currently on a twelve match winning run too, and a thirteen match winning streak in the league too, so to say they were in form would be an understatement, and with their last outing seeing them end Rayleigh's sixteen match winning run in the league, confidence was high.

Blustery conditions up at Garon Park meant both sides would have to adapt to the conditions, who would be able to cope with them better? They certainly had no issues with the pitch as this was a lovely 3G surface (even I have played on it and can vouch for that!!!) although at least it was pretty mild and dry, so not the worst conditions either (have had much worse up here in the past trust me!!!).

The wind was blowing diagonally across the pitch towards the clubhouse end and Sungate had the wind in the first half although it wasn't always easy playing with it as OS found out in the second period, but the visitors, who knew only a win would do, were on the front foot early on and had the better of the early exchanges, but it was the hosts who took the contest by the scuff of the neck when netting the opener just past the midway point of the half when Mitch Ali controlled a cross before firing beyond keeper Drew Campbell.

And then came a big moment of controversy when OS doubled their lead just beyond the half hour mark as a ball forward found Callum Ludlaim saw him in acres of space behind the backline, and he rounded keeper Campbell and fired into the empty net, everyone seemed surprised the flag had not gone up and Sungate were adamant he was in an offside position when he received the ball, but after the referee had gone to consult the assistant, they stayed with the goal, much to the dismay of the visitors.

The frustration of not taking early chances and being two goals behind, and that decision, saw midfielder Lee Samways sent to the sin bin for ten minutes for saying too much to the referee, he had been warned about this earlier in the game, so the referee decided he had no choice, and now Sungate were a man down and two goals down for the remainder of the half.

Things were looking good for the hosts then, but Sungate were never really out of the game and were still playing most of the football without success, that was until five minutes before the break when James Smith fired home into the bottom corner leaving keeper Jonathan Pitts wrong footed and unable to make a dive to save it, but although OS had not been at their best, they did hold a 2-1 lead heading into the dressing rooms, and knew they had the wind in the second period, diagonally at least. 

This didn't really affect the visitors though who were continuing to play most of the football, and they were causing the hosts some real headaches however OS were managing to deal with whatever was being thrown at them, and they did have some really great chances to restore their two goal cushion and perhaps clinch the contest, but with just over fifteen minutes to go Sungate managed to provide a moment that saw them draw level, and to be honest on the balance of play throughout deserved it.

A ball forward saw Sungate forward Robbie Farrell beat his marker to the ball, cut inside onto his right foot, and drill a lovely finish across goal into the far corner, so heading into the final fifteen/twenty minutes the game was perfectly set up for a grand stand finish.

And it turned out to be a rather frantic finish to the game, end to end at times, Sungate saw substitute Elton Tettley twice blast past the full back and have a clear sight of goal, but both times he saw his efforts saved by Pitts, whilst OS finished the game with a series of crosses and corners which almost saw them pinch it at the death, but a combination of wasteful finishing and decent keeping from Campbell, who had to deal with the wind and cramp, managed to keep OS from finding that elusive winner.

Despite all the attacking prowess from both, neither could find a winner, so the game ended all square, and it had been a pretty enjoyable one despite the howling winds for most of the game, kudos to both sides for providing such a decent game in such conditions.

So how does that leave the top three now then? OS remain four points clear after Rayleigh Town could only draw 0-0 at Old Chelmsfordians, so it's as you were with Sungate still a further three points back, Rayleigh will probably be the happier of the three after today, one more game played by all, and no change, and with Rayleigh having games in hand, things are still in their control, but still a lot to play for and a lot to happen before the season is out no doubt!!!

Oh and Rayleigh & Sungate still have each other to play before the season ends, that could be massive.....

Full time Old Southendian 2 Sungate 2

 

Rayleigh Town 0 Old Southendian 2 - Hosts sixteen game winning run in Essex Olympian Premier comes to a shuddering holt after league leaders win top two shoot out at Thames Road to open up four point gap

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Wednesday 3rd April

Wednesday night saw the top two do battle in the Essex Olympian Premier division at The Aspect Arena, home of Concord Rangers & of course tonight's hosts Rayleigh Town, and they welcomed league leaders Old Southendian to the Island to see who could grab another win to add to both sides already long winning streaks and enhance their title aspirations.

The hosts were of course also looking to continue their charge towards promotion, and as long as they finished above closes challengers Sungate in the final standings, they would be celebrating Senior football next season regardless if they win the title or not (OS cannot win promotion in case anyone wondered due to their facilities meaning they have not applied too), they had a three point cushion back to third placed Sungate with two games in hand, and they were a point behind tonight's visitors with three games in hand.

This is largely down to their imperious form which has seen them net sixteen straights wins in the league since they were beaten by Catholic United way back in the second game of the season, but they were welcoming an OS side who were themselves on an eleven match winning run in the league, and their last league loss came against, you guessed it, Rayleigh Town, at Garon Park back in October, meaning something to to give in this one.

Could the league leaders enhance their title aspirations and gain revenge for that 2-1 loss back in late October, or could Rayleigh really take control of the league and promotion too with another win to add to many already gained this campaign and also gain top spot in the process with games in hand?

Well, the opening half hour or so saw little in the way of chances, with the best one falling to the visitors when Mitch Ali managed to get in behind the hosts backline and have a shot a goal, but his effort was weak and easily saved by Town stopper Josh Hudson, and the keeper was to have a big hand in the first real moment of drama on the half hour mark.

This was after OS, who were starting to get on top in the fixture, won a spot kick, and saw Matt Tonking step up to give the visitors the lead, well no, not quite, as Hudson stopped what was a pretty poor penalty, however, the assistant then notified the referee of an encroachment by the hosts, and therefore ordered the penalty to be retaken.

Tonking stepped up to try and put right what had just happened, but Hudson had other ideas, saving his penalty for a second time, and keeping his side level in the contest, although not for very long as it turned out.

This is because in the 33rd minute, a ball into the box saw keeper Hudson attempt to punch clear but saw an attacker (who I did not see who it was because I was a. still trying to type a tweet for the missed penalties, and b because trying to make out the numbers on the back of the shirts was proving very difficult!!!) beat the keeper to the ball, and although his header crashed off the bar, Nathan Elgie was on hand to fire the loose ball home and give OS a deserved advantage in this huge game.

The closest Rayleigh came to threatening the OS goal was when Owen Barratt fired an effort into the side netting via keeper Jonathan Pitts fingertips, but this was really the only threat they managed in what had been a rather poor showing so far from the promotion chasing side, they needed a response in the second period for sure, but that was not to be the case.

Five minutes after the break Rayleigh fell further behind as their long unbeaten winning run was in serious jeopardy as OS caught them cold with a ball being played through to Ali who rounded keeper Hudson before slotting home and giving the league leaders some breathing space and a real chance of netting a big win against a title rival.

Could Rayleigh respond? Well, not really and in fact better finishing from OS thereafter could have seen a more emphatic win, they had been really good in this contest and had done a number on Rayleigh for sure, and OS never looked like they would relinquish their advantage in this one and netted a twelfth straight win in the league to open up a four point buffer to their opponents, albeit having played three games more.

OS now take on Sungate at the weekend in Southend at Garon Park, and Rayleigh will be hoping and praying that OS take points off them in that one and help their cause to finish above Sungate come the end of the season, if Rayleigh win out for the rest of the campaign they will win the league and promotion, but it may not be as easy as that and it could get rather interesting before the season ends to see who wins the league and gains promotion (in the case of Rayleigh & Sungate of course). 

Full time Rayleigh Town 0 Old Southendian 2