Needham Market 2 Harlow Town 2

Ryman North, Saturday 18th April 2015

I was at sunny Bloomfield's today for a massive game between leaders Needham Market and second placed Harlow Town in the Ryman North.

Simply put a win for the hosts would see them win the title and promotion to the Ryman Premier whilst a draw would keep Needham one point clear with one game left and a Harlow win would see them two points clear at the top with a game to go, so the steaks were very high hence a crowd of almost 1,000 turned up to watch.

The game actually started slowly with both teams looking cagey and maybe even slightly nervous with the enormity of the game possibly on their minds.  It took until the 7th minute for the first sight of goal which came for the visitors when they saw shots blocked from Antoine and Cowley as Harlow shaded the first ten minutes or so.

However on 10 minutes Needham scored with their first attack as Brothers went past the full back and knocked the ball across the face of goal for Newson to tap in at far post and give the hosts the lead and ease their nerves.  Three minutes after this Harlow attacked and Antoine beat the offside trap down the right before cutting inside onto his left foot but hit his effort straight at keeper Philips.

On 20 minutes Needham doubled their lead with their second attack of the game when a break out saw a great run by Ingram to the edge of the area and his shot deflected across the six yard box into the path of Newson who hits the rebound in off keeper Walker for 2-0 and strengthen their grip on the title a little bit more.  They almost made it three on 27 minutes when a cross from the left was headed towards the top corner by Ingram but Walker managed to save well.

Just past the half hour mark Needham's Westlake showed good skill to get him space inside the box but he was caught in two minds and neither shot or crossed and the ball sailed way off target and off for a goal kick.  On 41 minutes Needham came again and Newson's lay off to strike partner Brothers saw the latter strike wide from twenty yards out but the home side seemed well in control with their 2-0 lead.

When Harlow were getting forward their full back Eadie was resorting to long range efforts which both sailed miles over as the visitors looked desperate to get a goal back before the half, but they didn't and Needham held all the cards going into the break knowing they were 45 minutes away from the title and promotion.

Half Time: Needham Market 2 Harlow Town 0

Harlow knew they had to come out with much more attacking intent and barely a minute into the half a decent effort from Antoine was saved by Phillips and soon after this they made two attacking substitutions when they brought on Read and Small to try and give them some impetus.  Harlow's final ball was letting them down though and the hosts were dealing with them quite comfortably.

But then on the hour mark Harlow scored to reduce the arrears and set up a potentially cracking last half hour as Cowley's cross was headed in by sub Read who got ahead of keeper Phillips to score.  Needham looked to restore the two goal cushion four minutes later when Newson got in behind the Harlow defence although he did look a fraction offside but his finish was woeful and went miles wide although he was under pressure from the chasing defenders.

It was so nearly three on 65 minutes when a cross eventually found its way to Izzet after hesitant defending but his effort was brilliantly blocked by Pope as it looked like Izzet would score.  With twenty minutes to go a Needham corner saw centre half Hogg's downward header well saved by Walker and soon after another corner was headed over.

Harlow though always remained a threat going forward and on 75 minutes they thought they had their equaliser when the ball was turned back into the six yard box and tapped home on the goal line but the linesman had his flag up for offside, saving Needham and disappointing the visitors.

So into the last ten minutes and Needham were slowing the game down at any opportunity as they knew they were getting closer and closer to the result they craved.  On 81 minutes Harlow so nearly levelled when a ball was slipped through to Small who struck an effort towards the far corner and forced Phillips into a great save down to his right to tip around the post and preserve Needham's now fragile looking lead.

It was a lead they couldn't hold onto as on 89 minutes the visitors drew level. Cowley's free kick from the left went into the six yard box and bounced into the path of Pope who was  quickest to react to poke the ball over the line from close range and make it 2-2 with minutes to go.

You felt that Harlow could go on and win it after this but on 90 minutes a corner from Needham fell to Coakley who somehow poked over from six yards out when it looked easier to score.  Then deep into stoppage time Needham won a free kick in a very decent position but Wright hit the ball way over.  Harlow then almost won it with the last kick when after the ball had pinged around inside the area it was poked just wide of the goal.  That was that and both sides go into next weekend's final round of games still in with a shout of the title although Needham will start slight favourites having a point more and a goal difference of six more than Harlow.  It should be a dramatic final day.

Full Time: Needham Market 2 Harlow Town 2

Tower Hamlets 0 Bowers & Pitsea 3

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 15th April 2015

The visitors were trying to keep the pressure on leaders Haringey knowing anything but a victory would give Haringey the title and promotion to the Ryman North.  Bowers had drawn 0-0 at the same ground last weekend against bottom side Sporting Bengal United so this ground did hold the best memories for them.

The hosts did create the first opening on 4 minutes when Luke With, their tall gangly centre forward, headed over.  The home player was certainly making his presence felt up front too being very physical with centre half Luke Wilson in particular. On 7 minutes came the first chance for Bowers as Lewis Manor's lofted ball into full back Vinny Durrant, who had made a run into the penalty area, saw his effort struck well wide whilst off balance and stretching for the ball.

Bowers came again on 12 minutes when a shot by Tom Hine on the turn was just about held onto by Jerome Paul in the hamlets goal as the ball almost slipped from his grasp.  On 20 minutes the hosts won a corner and from this Hamlets headed wide but it had been Bowers half for the most part although the score line still read 0-0.

However the visitors were to take the lead just before the half hour mark when a long throw into the box by Scott Pethers saw Luke Wilson glance a looping header into the far corner of the net and give Bowers a deserved lead.   More good play from the visitors on 31 minutes saw Lewis Manor lays the ball off to Jamie Salmon whose long range effort sailed just wide of the target.

Hamlets did threaten when they did get forward and on 32 minutes poor defending allowed Luke With in for a sight of goal but a good double save from keeper Dylan Skinner kept Bowers ahead although it was a warning to them that this game was far from won.  Four minutes before the break and with the hosts enjoying their best spell of the game With struck a powerful free kick at goal but Dylan Skinner was again equal to it and saved well.

Two minutes later Hamlets were in again but Luke With could only strike the ball across the face of goal and wide from an acute angle but it was another decent chance for the hosts.  However Bowers laid what looked like a knockout punch right on half time as they doubled the lead when a corner from Vinny Durrant was flicked back into the six yard box and saw Lewis Manor swivel on a sixpence and blast home from close range giving Jerome Paul absolutely no chance whatsoever and sent the visitors into half time in control.

Half Time: Tower Hamlets 0 Bowers & Pitsea 2

Bowers came out determined to put the game to bed as they should of made it three two minutes into the half when Lewis Manor somehow headed over from point blank range and then a minute after this Alfie Hilton got free inside by pulling away from his marker but could only volley over the bar.

The chances continued to come and on 52 minutes Lewis Manor got into the box and with the ball coming over his shoulder he swivelled and hits a dipping shot just over the bar.  It would have been an brilliant goal had it gone in but it was a decent effort nonetheless.

They did make it 3-0 just before the hour though when after they were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box following some poor discipline from the hosts, Lewis Manor touched the ball to Jamie Salmon who rifled home past Jerome Paul emphatically.   Just past the hour another long Scott Pethers throw in caused chaos in the Hamlets box and Jamie Salmon somehow saw his effort saved from a yard out by the sprawling Jerome Paul.

After a break in play to repair a damaged goal net caused by a pile up inside the goal
Ashley Wackers-Kyriacou got in to the box for the visitors but saw his stab at goal saved by Hamlets keeper Jerome Paul.  With four minutes to go another Bowers attack saw Tom Hine effort come back of the bar and then the post before coming out and then the follow up shot was saved comfortably by Jerome Paul as Bowers were now cruising at 3-0 up.

Hamlets had their first shot on target in the second half with two minutes to go when a long range effort was caught at head height by Dylan Skinner and then on 90 minutes they almost grabbed a consolation when they won a free kick just outside the box and this was struck well at goal but was tipped onto the bar and over by Dylan Skinner to preserve the clean sheet.

So Bowers won comfortably and go into second place on goal difference ahead of their showdown with Haringey on Saturday.

Full Time: Tower Hamlets 0 Bowers & Pitsea 3

Southend Manor 1 Takeley 1

Essex Senior League, Saturday 11th April 2015

Manor almost had the lead inside the first minute when a cross into the box was missed by two incoming players and the ball found its way to Yasin whose effort forced a save from Haywood. Stephenson then headed the resulting corner over the bar as the hosts looked to grab an early initiative.

On 9 minutes Manor's Drury got the ball inside the box but shot straight at Hayward from an angle when maybe a cross would have been better and then a minute later Takeley's Lockett forced a great save from Warren who tipped the effort away for a corner.

From this corner the ball eventually came back out to Lockett who drove into the box and smashed past Warren into the far corner from an acute angle to give the Station Road side the lead.  The keeper would have been disappointed having been beaten from such an angle but it was a good strike nonetheless.

It was so nearly two for Takeley on 18 minutes when defender Jenkinson was caught napping allowing Mays to nick the ball from him and run in in goal but Warren made a great save to deny the visiting player and keep the score at 0-1.  You felt if it had gone to 0-2 Takeley could of run away with the first half but Manor were still very much in the game.

On 36 minutes Lockett's header almost sneaked in the Manor goal as it hit the post then Warren on the hands and then went out for a corner.  It would of been an embarrassing moment for the keeper had it gone in.  Four minutes later Manor really should of levelled when a ball into Yasin saw him drill it wide from twelve yards with just the keeper to beat, it was a big miss.

Manor continued to attack and on 41 minutes Baldwin's cross shot almost sneaked in at the near post but Haywood was alert to it and tipped it wide.  The resulting corner saw Stephenson drift in unmarked but he could not direct his header at goal and it glanced well wide of the goal.

Half Time: Southend Manor 0 Takeley 1

The first few minutes of the second half were pretty much chance free but on 59 minutes a long throw found Takeley goalscorer Lockett whose left footed strik hit the post with Warren totally beaten and the follow up shot was straight at the keeper as Manor survived that particular moment.

Takeley broke the Manor offside trap on 63 minutes when Ogboin broke in behind the back line and he squared to Martin whose effort went inches wide.  Manor then broke down the left
through Hall and his lofted cross was headed over by a retreating defender from under his own bar with Manor's Fatt lurking just behind.

On 65 minutes a long ball into Takeley's box saw Stephenson produce a fine header at goal but Haywood was on hand to tip over brilliantly and preserve Takeley's lead.  However a minute later Manor were to equalise when Rhys Fatt received a ball from midfield and burst through on the right hand side and produced an unstoppable strike past Haywood into the top corner and give Manor a crucial goal.

Manor almost went behind soon after however as Ogboin muscled his way in but he hit his effort well wide whilst under pressure from Stephenson who was chasing back.  It was hard to see who might win this contest although the hosts had belief it could be them.

Into the last ten minutes and Manor created another opening when a ball over the top found Hall on the edge of the box but Haywood came out and punched clear before the Manor forward could have a chance of a shot at goal.  On 84 minutes Hall got clear but with the keeper to beat he produced a poor and tired looking finish allowing Haywood to save to his left comfortably. Takeley then went down the other end and saw a shot blocked by the defence.

Takeley then won a controversial free kick just outside Manor's box on 88 minutes when Lane and Ogboin went up for a header seeing both crash to the floor in what looked like a 50/50 challenge although the referee thought otherwise.   Lockett struck the free kick very well but Warren made a great save to keep it out.

So a draw it was which sees the hosts remain second bottom whilst Takeley remain 11th.  Manor were disappointed to not have won the game although I am sure Takeley thought the same as well.

Full Time: Southend Manor 1 Takeley 1

Concord Rangers 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 1

Concord Rangers hosted Hemel Hempstead Town in a play off chasing Vanarama Conference South Clash on Easter Monday. The hosts could go 5th with a win, the last play off spot, whilst the visitors would draw level with Concord with a win themselves, so it was an important game for both sides.

The game was 5 minutes old when the first chance came along, and it fell to the hosts as the ball broke to Cawley inside the box but he fizzed his effort just over the bar.  The hosts were attacking again five minutes later when a defensive slip allowed Cawley another sight of goal but he dragged his effort well wide so it remained goal less.

Hemel had barely been in Concord's last third in the first fifteen minutes but on 16 minutes full back Walker missed a long ball down his side of the field allowing Hemel's Parkes to get the ball in a decent position but his strike from the edge of the box flew over the bar.  However two minutes later the visitors were to take the lead when a corner from Parkes into the box was hit home first time by Oshodi to make it 1-0 to Hemel.

This gave the Hertfordshire side confidence and they began to assert themselves on the game, not giving Concord an inch in the process.  The only time the hosts had any sort of effort on goal was on 33 minutes when midfielder Gardner tried one from range but it was easy for Walker in the Hemel goal.

Hemel nearly made it 2-0 on 36 minutes when the ball popped up nicely for Oli outside the area and his first time volley produced a brilliant save from Vickers and then a minute later he had to make another superb one handed save to keep at a brilliant long range shot from Connolly as Hemel threatened to pull further ahead.

Four minutes before half time their was a clash between Concord's Collins and Hemel's Parker which resulted in a slight melee and saw each player booked. The frustration was clearly building for the hosts who were not having it all their own way at all.  However two minutes later Hemel were reduced to ten men when the booked Parker inexplicably dived over inside the box and was dismissed for a second booking.  It was a stupid thing to do and it meant Hemel had to play the remainder of the game a player short.

A minute before half time the ball broke to Fry inside Hemel's penalty area but he hit his effort horribly wide for the hosts which just about sumed up their first half performance.

Half Time: Concord Rangers 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 1

The hosts tried to assert their one man advantage immediately and they almost levelled within seconds of the restart as a corner from the left was headed back into the six yard box and Taafe somehow put his effort over cross bar from point blank range.  You felt that Concord would continue in this vain but they struggled to get anything going as the visitors were more than comfortable with ten men.

There was a worrying moment on the hour mark when Concord's Fry fell heavily after an aerial challenge and looked more than dazed but did eventually get to his feet thankfully and continue after a minute or so. The hosts were doing there best to turn up the pressure on their ten man opponents.

Hemel had stood firm to any pressure put towards them and on 69 minutes won themselves a free kick in a decent position but Lee's free kick was very poor and bounced into Vickers waiting arms.  As the game entered its final fifteen minutes the visitors made a couple of changes as they looked to slow the tempo of the game down which was frustrating the hosts somewhat. Concord still hadn'tt made Hemel keeper Walker really work thus far which was a credit to the visitors.  .

With just over ten minutes left the visitors had two decent chances, firstly flashing an effort across the goal and secondly when a free kick from Gibson was deflected off the wall and inches wide for a corner, which came to nothing.

The last ten minutes saw the hosts really crank up the pressure as they looked for that illusive equaliser.  On 81 minutes Miles free kick almost sneaked inside the near post but Walker was alert enough to beat away the effort and then Stokes burst into the Hemel box but saw his effort hit the side netting.

On 85 minutes Stokes saw another effort deflected wide as they put more and more pressure on the Hemel back line and then on 87 minutes Stokes again found himself unmarked on the far side of the area and struck an effort goalwards which hit defender Lee and went out for a corner.  The hosts were adament it had struck Lee's hand in the process although it was hard to tell from were I was.

A minute later a fantastic dipping volley from Collins was brilliantly tipped over by Walker as the visitors were now holding on for dear life.  It was frustrating for the hosts and this sadly boiled over in stoppage time when Ogilve and Oshodi clashed causing another Melee after Ogilve had attempted to pull Johnson to his feet following what he thought was play acting in winning a free kick.

Once it had all calmed down the referee booked Ogilvie and then sent off Oshodi for an apparent head butt in that melee.  It was a sour way to end the game but Hemel won't care one jot as they held on for the win.  Both teams now have three games to try and overturn a four point deficit on 5th place in order to get into that illusive play off position.

Full Time: Concord Rangers 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 1