Ilford 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

Essex Senior League, Saturday 7th November 2015

I was at a big top of the table clash in the ESL as Ilford hosted leaders Sawbridgeworth Town at Cricklefields on a rather wet (and then sunny) windy afternoon in Seven Kings.

With Bowers game falling to the weather earlier in the day Sawbo knew they could go four points clear at the top with a win although they were coming up against a very dangerous and impressive Ilford side who were having a superb season under Allan Fenn’s guidance.

The hosts started the better and saw skipper Glen Warwick strike an effort over from outside the box after good work from Elias Armor-Tackie saw him lay back to the midfielder. On 9 minutes the hosts went close again when a long throw into Sawbo’s box by Warwick saw the ball flicked towards the back post although it was just to high for Atutis at the back post who could not divert his header at goal.

Ilford were doing most of the pressing although the next sight of goal fell to the visitors on 25 minutes when Norton was presented with the ball by the Ilford defence about twenty yards out but his effort was well over the bar in what was the visitors only real foray into the Ilford last third all half. On 36 minutes Ilford skipper Warwick tried to catch Sawbo keeper Byrne out with afree kick but the keeper was alert to it and gathered easily.

Deep into first half stoppage time the Foxes almost grabbed a deserved lead when Jones burst into the box and thumped a super effort off the post. It had been the closest anyone had come to goal by some way in a half the hosts were the better in but in all honesty it wasn’t the greatest of halves of football if truth be told.

Half Time Ilford 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

However the second half was a much easier watch and it started as the first had ended as seconds into it the hosts had a great chance when Jones found himself with acres of space in front of goal but took his time to get an effort away and saw his shot deflect inches wide. Four minutes later the visitors had their first real moment in front of Ilford’s goal when the ball almost broke for George Wappett but the hosts keeper Clark dived on the ball before the visiting forward could get to the ball and then moments later Wappett managed to get in behind the defence but saw his shot deflected wide.

Moments after that Sawbo nearly scored again when Charlie Cole saw an effort from inside the area deflect just over. It was the only time the visitors had looked like a threat up front in the entire game but they were soon defending again as they gave away a free kick but Warwick could only strike this over.

On 57 minutes came Sawbo greatest chance to score when the ball fell to Cole only a few yards out but he sliced his volley wide with just the keeper to beat. It was compounded only two minutes later when the Foxes took the lead when skipper Glen Warwick took aim and whipped a left footed long range effort past Byrne in the Sawbo goal to give the hosts a deserved lead.Ilford 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 0.

Ilford now would just hope they could grab another goal to really give the leaders a mountain to climb and they kept their opponents pretty much at arms length for much of the second half too and the only effort Sawbo could muster came with just over fifteen minutes left when Cole tried an effort from long range but it was never threatening the goal and rolled well wide.

The hosts so nearly got that second goal a minute later when Thomas saw his header deflect off a visiting defender and onto bar and over. However just two minutes later in the 77th minute they did finally double their lead when the ever impressive Elias Armor-Tackie cut inside onto his right foot and smacked one past Byrne for a super strike and put daylight between themselves and the visitors. Ilford 2 Sawbridgeworth Town 0.

And it got even better for the ever impressive hosts when just two minutes after that Ilford won a free kick on the right and saw Harry Matthews head home Armor-Tackie’s cross and give the hosts an almost third clinching goal and cue a pile of bodies on top of the goal scorer. Ilford 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 0.

After this the hosts could of added further goals and on 83 minutes Armor-Tackie burst into the box and squared for Carl Mullings whose effort struck the base of the near post, the third time the hosts had struck the woodwork in the game and although Sawbo sub Barrett fired well over for the hosts soon after it should of been another Ilford goal four minutes from time when sub Da Silva had only the keeper to beat but hit it straight at Byrne.

Moments later the rampant hosts missed another golden chance when Matthews volleyed straight at Byrne from point blank range as the hosts could of made it very embarrassing for the league leaders, who were heading for their first league defeat of the season.

Then in stoppage time the visitors miserable afternoon was compounded when Todd overran the ball out for a throw in and booted the ball away in frustration and was shown a second yellow and so was sent off in what was a very needless red card it has to be said and showed the level of frustration the visitors were feeling by now.

After several minutes of stoppage time the referee brought proceedings to an end and saw Ilford run out deserved winners in what was a great performance from Allan Fenn’s side. As for the visitors they need to regroup and go again when they visit Southend Manor in midweek, a game no doubt boss Marc Das is already looking ahead to after this poor show from his side today.

Full Time Ilford 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

Southend Manor 3 Sporting Bengal United 3 (Sporting Bengal United won 4-3 on penalties)

Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy, Tuesday 3rd November 2015

So another Tuesday evening match at Southchurch Park and another cup tie, this time a Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy fixture between Southend Manor and Sporting Bengal United.

The winners would go through to the last eight and face Stansted away and after a twenty minute delay for kick off due to the away side arriving late due to traffic problems they were caught cold as the hosts led inside the first minute when Manor top scorer Rhys Fatt was sent in on goal and he slotted home for the hosts and the boys in yellow had an ideal start. Manor 1 Sporting 0.

On 6 minutes Manor almost scored again in fortuitous circumstances after a charge down from a defensive clearance rolled towards the goal but a defender managed to get back to strike a clearance of the hosts for a goal kick. Sporting were certainly taking there time in getting into the tie and just past the quarter hour mark Manor threatened again when they curled an effort over the bar, this after Sporting had a couple of efforts at other end although they failed to test the keeper on either occasion.

On 18 minutes the visitors had their best chance of the game up to that point when goal machine Tunde Adewunmi struck an effort at goal but this was saved by the hosts keeper but five minutes later they came even closer to levelling the tie when Tunde Adewunmi again found himself in space and he chipped the keeper but saw his effort come back off the bar.

The visitors were now putting the hosts under some pressure as they had finally come into this tie after a slow start although just before the half hour good play from the hosts saw the final effort ballooned over before a bit of a mad scramble inside Manor’s box on the half hour following a visiting corner eventually saw an over head kick go well wide. Fatt then whipped one over the bar for Manor with ten minutes till half time before moments later a Sporting corner saw a header wide from a decent position.

The visitors finished the half strongly though and four minutes before half time felt they should of had a penalty after a foul inside the box and then they stuck the loose ball home but were given offside which upset the visitors somewhat. However two minutes later they did level when a cross foundTunde Adewunmi who headed home although it was the hosts turn to be unhappy with the officials as they wanted a foul in build up. Manor 1 Sporting 1.

And then just as the teams lined up for the restart Manors Jason Warner shouted something rude which he claimed was aimed at a teammate but the referee obviously thought it was aimed at him and sent off the Manor centre half to his utter disbelief. To say he was unhappy as he trudged off was an understatement but it left the hosts down to ten men for the entire second half to come. It nearly got worse for the hosts in first half stoppage time when the visitors got in behind but a good save kept them out although Manor’s keeper suffered concussion and had to be replaced at half time by sub keeper Hawkins. So a mad end to the half which saw the sides go in level in the scoreline at least.

Half Time Southend Manor 1 Sporting Bengal United 1

So you would have been forgiven for thinking that Sporting would now go on and control the tie with the numerical advantage for the second half but erm no, as Manor came out all guns blazing and re took the lead six minutes into the half when a deep free kick found Brennan Nolan who headedhome from close range and saw the ten men in front. Manor 2 Sporting 1.

And then incredibly a minute or so later the Manor boys had a third as they ripped the visiting defence apart again and saw Rhys Fatt burst into the box, beat a defender, and slo t the ball across the keeper and into the far corner for a wonderful goal and a two goal lead for the ten man hosts. Manor 3 Sporting 1.

However the visitors were gifted a route back into the tie on 56 minutes when a cross towards the back post saw keeper Hawkins totally miss the cross while trying to come and claim it and saw the ball knocked towards the empty goal before it was eventually tapped home by Tunde Adewunmi for his and Sporting’s second of the evening. Manor 3 Sporting 2.

A few minutes later Manor struck a free kick miles over from a good position but they were doing very well with ten men and were the better side for sure in this half. On 68 minutes good football from the hosts almost saw them add another goal but the offside flag went up just as the ball trickled wide. Two minutes later it should of been four for the hosts as Rhys Fatt burst through down the right for manor but dragged his shot wide.

Sporting had barely threatened the hosts goal in the second half apart from the goal but on 76 minutes they went close as after good work down the right the ball almost rolled across the goal linebut was just about cleared by the defence although the clearance back to keeper Hawkins, who picked up the ball, had the visitors screaming for a back pass which fell on deaf ears.

Manor though continued to be resolute in defence and often tried to attack but as the minutes ticked by you felt maybe they could hold out for the win and a quarter final berth but with two minutes of the ninety to go Sporting levelled the tie when after the ball was laid across the edge of the box toJavier Riviera his deflected shot beat Hawkins and nestled into the corner of the net and give the visitors there leveller. Manor 3 Sporting 3.

It was tough on the hosts who had probably should of killed the tie off earlier in the half but they couldn’t and the visitors made them pay for that. Anyway the six minutes of stoppage time couldn’t produce a winner so the tie went straight to penalties.

Full Time Southend Manor 3 Sporting Bengal United 3

So to penalties, a lottery some say, and they would be right. Who would be able to hold their nerve. Well it seemed like the hosts were as they gained an early advantage in the shootout when Sporting missed their first spot kick. Manor missed one too but then saw Hawkins produce another save to leave the hosts needing to score their fifth penalty to progress to the Quarter Finals. However they missed and allowed the visitors to level the shootout up at 3-3 after five penalties each meaning sudden death. Sadly for Manor they missed again and Sporting took advantage to win the shootout 4-3.

It was harsh on Manor who had showed admirable desire and togetherness with a man short in the second half. They must take great heart from this performance as they outplayed a very decent Sporting side in the second half with players out of position and a man down obviously so can hold their heads up high for sure. As for Sporting their season continues to be a successful one under the guidance of boss Anwar Uddin who seems to have molded a decent squad together for the Mile Endoutfit. So it is the visitors who therefore progress into the Quarter Finals of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and a clash with Stansted at Hargrave Park.

Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1

FA Vase 1st Round Proper, Saturday 31st October 2015

So FA Vase 1st Round Proper day and I was back at Broadwater for Berkhamsted‘s home tie with Northampton Spencer on what was a lovely Halloween afternoon in Hertfordshire.

The hosts are having a good season, sitting third in the Spartan South Midlands Premier, whilst Northampton Spencer are down towards the bottom of the United Counites Division One, a step below the hosts, so a home win was again expected here.

The home side made their intentions clear from the off, beginning the opening five minutes with a high tempo pressing game. On 4 minutes the hosts had a good chance when the ball fell to Farrelly inside the box but he hit his effort way over from a good position. Spencer though are here on merit and they shocked their opponents by taking a sixth minute lead when Liam Tuckrifled home from inside the box after a flick on into his path and the hosts suddenly found themselves behind. Berkhamsted 0 Northampton Spencer 1.

Despite this set back the hosts continued to play this high tempo attacking football and on ten minutes winger Mannion got in down the left for the hosts but his ball to the near post was just missed by O’Donovan but a minute later the home side levelled the tie when centre half DaveSears headed home a cross and we were back all square. Berkhamsted 1 Northampton Spencer 1.

The game continued at a fast pace and this suited the hosts more and they won a free kick out on the left midway through the half and Mannion’s set play was dangerous and into the six yard box were it was flicked home by Jim Baldry’s head and the hosts now had the lead they deserved. Berkhamsted 2 Northampton Spencer 1.

Three minutes later Nash-Barker, who had replaced the injured O’Donovan early on, forced a good save from Spencer keeper Thomson who got down well to his right to palm away the effort and then just past the half hour mark Spencer headed one just over the top of the hosts bar but it had largely been the home side who had been the better side thus far.

Five minutes before half time Farrelly headed a difficult effort just wide for the hosts but just as we entered first half stoppage time a moment that spiced up the tie when Berko midfielderHawes challenged Melling with a very hard but fair challenge although he did go in with both feet together and the Spencer side went mad saying he had gone in two footed and were wanting a straight red. The referee sensibly took his time over the decision and gave Hawes ayellow although some referee’s may have given a red. Personally I didn’t think it was too bad. Yes it was a hard challenge but the ball was won in my view. It certainly made the sidelines very spicy indeed as we approaced half time.

Avery went close for Spencer at the back post just before half time but it was the hosts who trugged back into the changing rooms ahead at the break.

Half Time Berkhamsted 2 Northampton Spencer 1

Half time seemed to calm down the simmering tension that was building and on 49 minutes good play by Berko’s Chamberlain down the left saw his near post cross cut out by keeper Thomson and then seconds later Nash-Barker did well down the right and crossed for Farrelly whose header deflected over although it resulted in a clash of heads which delayed the game for a minute or so.

Spencer’s McBride went off after the clash of heads with a massive lump on his head and although he wanted to continue his bench said no way. Hopefully the lad is ok and it’s nothing to serious. Anyway from the corner the hosts increased their margin of lead when Chamberlain’s corner was glanced home by Jim Baldry for his second of the game and gave the hosts breathing space in the tie. Berkhamsted 3 Northampton Spencer 1.

Spencer tried in vain to get back into the tie and on 55 minutes only two brilliant defensive blocks denied the visitors and for the next few minutes it was the away side who were doing the pressing although the Berko defence was holding firm.

Jowle came on for the hosts on 65 minutes and was given a great chance to score almost straight away after Spencer keeper Thomson miskicked a clearence to him but the Berko playmaker could only drag his shot well wide. On 73 minutes after some head tennis in the Spencer area Sears volleyed miles wide for the hosts but moments later from Berko’s next attack Josh Chamberlain was played through and he hit his effort across keeper Thomson and in off the post for a deserved goal for the striker. Berkhamsted 4 Northampton Spencer 1.

The visitors continued to try and attack when they could and on 78 minutes Lowery headed over a corner before substitute Pickering headed over another chance for the visitors moments after as the hosts had briefly switched off having established their three goal cushion.

The hosts though were now going for a fifth goal and on 83 minutes good play by Jowle saw him lay off to Chamberlain whose effort from outside the box whistled a foot wide before the same man curled one just over two mins later. Two minutes later Berko’s Nash-Barker went on a brilliant run which saw him cut inside but saw his effort saved down to his right by keeper Thomson. There was nothing he could do about the next effort though as a minute into stoppage time Nash-Barker slipped the ball to Josh Chamberlain who fired past Thomson emphatically to put the seal on the tie once and for all. Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1.

There was still time for Tuck to hit the outside of the hosts post three minutes into stoppage time from a free kick but despite the visitors heart and desire they were well beaten by a better side on the day in Berkhamsted so it is the Hertfordshire side who progress into Monday’s 2nd Round Proper draw.

Full Time Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1

Boreham Wood 2 AFC Hornchurch 1

The Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, Saturday 24th October 2015

So it was FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round day on Saturday and I was at Meadow Park to see if AFC Hornchurch could spring a surprise on Boreham Wood and make it through to the 1st Round Proper.

The hosts were in the lower reaches of the National League after a difficult start to the season and were also under new management following the departure of long term boss Ian Allison. AFC Hornchurch meanwhile were flying high in the Ryman North, some three divisions below their hosts, but were hoping to cause an upset and heap more misery on the Hertfordshire side.

We didn’t have to wait too long for the first talking point of the contest either as on six minutes the hosts were awarded a penalty after Connor Clifford was alleged to have been bundled over inside the box although it looked a harsh on the visitors if truth be told. Anyway after the Urchins complaints to the referee finished keeper Mott dived to his rigth to save Billy Clifford‘s spot kick and the tie remained scoreless.

The hosts threatened again on the quarter hour mark when a cross into the Urchins box saw Mcdonald head wide although he was stretching full length for it and just could not redirect his header on target. A minute later and the visitors should of taken the lead it what was a warning to the hosts as Knight received the ball in acres of space inside the box but the ball got caught under his feet and he could only hit the effort wide of the target.

On 20 minutes Macdonald tested the urchins keeper Mott again before seeing the rebound scrambled away and this began a period of pressure from the hosts on the visitors defence as they looked to get their noses in front. On 32 minutes a ball was laid back to Kamdjo whose strike from range saw Mott get down and save the shot and then four minutes later Macdonald thought he had given Wood the lead but after slotting home saw the flag already up for offside, much to the hosts disgust.

Wood would have been feeling slightly aggrieved not to be ahead in the tie by this stage after having a penalty saved and a goal ruled out for offside but eight minutes before the break they did finally break through a stubborn Urchins defence when cross from the left found Mustafa Tiryaki who volley home a first time spectacularly for the hosts and give Wood the lead they probably deserved.Boreham Wood 1 AFC Hornchurch 0.

The visitors tried to reply before half time and five minutes before the break a great strike from Purcell saw an excellent save from keeper Edwards, tipping behind for corner to keep his side in the lead, a lead they held going into the break.

Half Time Boreham Wood 1 AFC Hornchurch 0

The Urchins saw a shot deflected over early in the second half and then on 51 minutes visiting full back Coyne burst onto a loose ball from the hosts and drove at the box but dragged his shot wide of the post. The Urchins had certainly come out with intent in the half though.

Ten minutes into the half good play from the hosts saw Tiryaki force a decent near post stop from Mott before the visitors put more pressure on the Wood defence as Purcell shifted past a defender inside the box before blasting over with his left foot. Just past the hour mark a Billy Clifford free kick to the visitors back post was headed straight at Mott by giant Wood centre half Stephens as the hosts were still looking dangerous up front.

With twenty minutes left Wood broke out from an Urchins attack through Jeffreys down the left hand side and he squared the ball to Connor Clifford whose weak effort was easy for keeper Mott. Three minutes later an error in the Urchins defence saw Macdonald in but his lob over Mott landed on the roof of the net.

The visitors were still shading the half though and were having a lot of the ball but just had no end product when they got into the final third, which is normally what they are good at. With eight minutes left a cross into the visitors box was headed over by Tiryaki, who was most certainly Wood’s biggest threat in this game, before the Urchins attacked again two minutes later when Joseph went on a threatening run before the ball eventually fell to Luke who fired miles over as the Urchins failed to test the hosts keeper yet again.

Time was running out now for Hornchurch to find a leveller and as the game entered the six minutes of stoppage time Wood almost sealed it when Morias found himself in on goal after a counter attack but his eventual effort was snuffed out and Jeffreys couldn’t convert the rebound. However just a minute later Wood did seal the tie when another break out saw Anthony Jeffreys slot home past Mott and surely send the hosts through to the next round. It was tough on the Urchins had had been the better side in the second half. Boreham Wood 2 AFC Hornchurch 0.

The visitors didn’t throw in the towel just yet though and continued to pressure the back line of Wood and won a free kick right on the edge of the box in the sixth minute of stoppage time and sawGeorge Purcell blast home the free kick past an unsighted Edwards and give the visitors seconds to grab an unlikely equaliser. Boreham Wood 2 AFC Hornchurch 1.

And from the last play of the game the Urchins attacked dangerously again down the right through Knight who drove into the box and sent a dangerous ball into the middle of the area which was only just cleared by a panicking Wood defence. This was the last rights though as the referee blew his whistle to end a gutsy display from the visitors although they came up just short against their National League opponents.

Full Time Boreham Wood 2 AFC Hornchurch 1