Southend United 4 Bury 1

SkyBet Football League One, Friday 18th December 2015

So my football double header began on Friday night with a match at Roots Hall,Southend, as the Blues welcomes Bury who were just above the hosts in the table in 7th spot looking to reduce the gap to the top six.

The Blues themselves were looking to do the same and knew a win would take them above Bury into seventh place and outside the top six only on goal difference.  The opening exchanges were fairly subdued as both sides looked to strike the first blow in the contest.

Both teams had half chances in the first twenty or so minutes but Southend were beginning to get slightly on top and managed to take the lead midway through the half when Noel Hunt turned home a loose ball from close range and give the hosts the advantage.  This gave them all the confidence they needed and began to dominate proceedings and Bury looked ragged.

The second goal came on the half hour mark and it was no surprise that is was the home side who doubled their lead when a cross was missed by the keeper and saw the ball played back into the dangerzone were Hunt turned home for his and the hosts second.

The Blues were well on top and in control now and looked to try and finish the game in the first half as the visitors were being outplayed.  However with three minutes of the half remaining the tie took a dramatic swing as a long clearance from the visiting keeper caught out the Southend defence and saw ex-Blues striker Leon Clarke take advantage by running into the box and slotting home.

Suddenly the Blues looked nervous and it looked like the visitors could level before half time although they didn't manage to as the hosts held onto their now slender lead and knew they would have to work hard to hold onto that lead in the second half.

Half Time Southend United 2 Bury 1

The Blues continued to struggle after the break as Bury's momentum from the end of the first half continued into the second half and saw the hosts really have to dig deep to hold onto their lead as the visitors created a couple of good chances,including a free kick coming off the foot of the post, as they looked likely to level the match.

However Southend regrouped and as the half entered its final fifteen minutes Jack Payne went on a mazy run into the box and was upended as he was about to shoot at goal and a penalty was awarded to the home side and saw David Mooney tuck the spot kick away and see the Blues and a 6,000 plus strong crowd breathe a sigh of relief as they restored their two goal cushion.

A few minutes later and with the hosts now playing with more freedom again they made it four when a quick free kick found Payne who cuts inside onto his left foot and bent a quality effort into the top corner for a great strike and it sealed the three points for the hosts who now move up to 7th as a result.

Part two of the double header comes tomorrow afternoon from Portman Road as Ipswich Town host Derby County in a top six clash in the Championship.  It proves to be another enjoyable game.


Full Time Southend United 4 Bury 1

Saffron Walden Town 2 Berkhamsted 3

FA Vase Third Round Proper, Saturday 12th December 2015

My latest Vase outing was a trip to the lovely town of Saffron Walden and Catons Lane asSaffron Walden Town hosted Berkhamsted in the Third Round Proper of the competition.

Walden were without a home win in the league all season whilst their opponents were suffering from injuries and suspensions but a hard fought battle was still expected. The visitors had the first effort on goal after just four minutes when Tom Carter ran down the right hand side and then cut inside and whipped an effort inches wide of the far post.

Chances were at a premium though for the first fifteen minutes and the only other moment came at the other end when a 13th minute long throw into the Berko box was scrambled clear by the visitors. On 19 minutes another long throw caused Berko issues as it was flicked on into the six yard box but was hacked clear. But then after a fairly quiet opening twenty minutes came a breakthrough midway through the half and it came from the visiting side as a great curling effort from Steve Hawes from twenty yards out put the Spartan South Midlands side ahead. Saffron Walden Town 0 Berkhamsted 1.

Thereafter the visitors started to take control of the contest and with the wind with them were pressing the hosts further into the own half. On 27 minutes Berko saw a strike go just over the hosts bar as they threatened to go further ahead and ten minutes before half time they almost got that second when great skill by Aaron Nash-Barker saw him beat his man and strike an effort towards the near post which the keeper tipped onto the woodwork.

However with four minutes of the half to go the visitors won a penalty after a foul just inside the box and Adam Mead stepped up to convert and give the visitors a two goal cushion. Saffron Walden Town 0 Berkhamsted 2.

They easily saw out the rest of the half and went into the changing room in control of the tie. The hosts knew they would have to be much much better if they were to even threaten any sort of comeback in this one.

Half Time Saffron Walden Town 0 Berkhamsted 2

The hosts, now with the wind in their favour, came out with much more purpose and were back in the contest within two minutes of the restart when a long throw into the six yard box again caused problems and eventually saw the ball poked home by James Thomas to lift the homecrowd and give them life once more. Saffron Walden Town 1 Berkhamsted 2.

But the saying goes ‘Your at your most vulnerable when you’ve scored’ and this certainly applied to the hosts as no sooner had they got back into the tie they went two goals behind again two minutes later when Carter curled home a beauty into the top corner to give the visitors breathing space once again. Saffron Walden Town 1 Berkhamsted 3.

It had certainly been a mad start to the second half but the hosts were certainly asking the visitors more questions and on 57 minutes a corner from the hosts saw the keeper miss a cross and an effort subsequently cleared off the line and then moments later the Bloods broke down the right but the ball across goal was turned just wide of the far post.

However on the hour mark they were to convert one of their chances as another ball across goal found Jamie Solkhon unmarked at the back post and he duly slotted home and it was game on once again. Saffron Walden Town 2 Berkhamsted 3.

Lightning almost struck twice though as Berko almost restored their two goal lead immediately as Carter beat his man on the right and flashed a ball across goal which just invaded the man at the far post. Walden regathered and almost levelled on 66 minutes when a long range effort was brilliantly turned over the bar and then from the resulting corner saw the hosts head wide.

With twenty minutes to go another Walden long throw caused more issues inside the Berko box but again was scrambled clear and saw the visitors break but a poor pass ended that attack, an attack that gave the visiting defence brief rest bite from the hosts who were pouring forward in search of that leveller. On 76 minutes another ball into the Berko box was headed out poorly and saw a volley go just over and then moments later the hosts headed one just wide from another corner as they were giving the visiting side one hell of a battle as Berko were struggling to get out of their own half.

With seven minutes left the battered but non the worse visitors won themselves a free kick on the edge of the Bloods area and so nearly settled this tie once and for all when Mead curled a great effort into the post with the keeper nowhere near it. It certainly would of given the visitors some breathing space going into the final moments of the game.

The hosts though failed to really test the Berko goal too much thereafter and sadly the final moments saw rather unsavoury scenes as Berko’s Hawes saw red, his second booking, after a late challenge which saw both sets of players come together. Passions were running high of course in what was an important tie for both sides. After almost eight minutes of added on time one more ball was sent into the visiting area but saw a headed clearance signal full time and it was Berko who progress into the last 32 although they were pushed all the way by a spirited Saffron Walden side. A cracking cup tie it most certainly was.

Full Time Saffron Walden Town 2 Berkhamsted 3

Concord Rangers 6 Romford 0

Essex Senior Cup 4th Round, Tuesday 8th December 2015

On Tuesday evening I was over on Canvey Island for the first time this season as I visited Thames Road and Concord Rangers as they hosted Romford in an Essex Senior Cup 4th Round tie.

Concord are playing their football in the National League South these days whilst Romford are two leagues below in the Ryman North, and Concord of course had won this competition for the last two seasons so had pedigree in the competition for sure.

Both teams looked to show some attacking intent in the first couple of minutes, both testing out each others defensive line early on. However after this opening exchange the hosts began to carve out openings with the first one arriving on four minutes when Steve Cawley found himself played in on goal but he could only chip wide of the far post.

Two minutes later and Cawley went close for the hosts again as after Ben Greenhaigh squared to him his effort was blocked at point blank range by a desperate defender and then on eleven minutes the hosts came closer still when a corner was headed against the base of the near post by Steve King.

On the quarter hour mark Greenhaigh pounced on loose Romford pass and drove into the box but his ball across goal invaded Cawley and drifted away from danger and then on twenty minutes more Concord pressure saw Cawley turn inside the box and strike just wide of the near post. It had been relentless from the hosts but they hadn’t managed to find a way through.

Just before the half hour mark Cawley found himself in again but the ball got stuck under his feet and eventually saw the visitors clear the danger. You could sense the hosts starting to get frustrated as they still hadn’t found a way through and the visitors were starting to grow in confidence and ten minutes before half time almost snatched a shock lead as after their first effort was blocked, Lee Weemes dragged an effort just wide. It was a very close call for the favourites.

But then four minutes before the break came Concord’s eventual breakthrough as Greenhaighwas played in and he confidently rounded keeper Nick Reynolds and slotted home to see the hosts breathe a sigh of relief at finally getting that opening goal. Concord Rangers 1 Romford 0.

A minute before half time the hosts almost doubled their lead when a great header from Max Cornhill produced a great save from Reynolds in the Romford net and made sure his side only went in a goal down at the half time break.

Half Time Concord Rangers 1 Romford 0

It didn’t take long for Concord to get a second though as just three minutes after the restartCawley got in on the left hand side of the box, took aim and hammered a left footed effort past Reynolds into the far corner. Concord Rangers 2 Romford 0.

The hosts smelt blood now and almost made it three on 50 minutes as Cawley’s cross to Greenhaigh was tipped wide by Reynolds. Then from the resulting corner the visitors cleared off their own line as Concord were threatening to run riot.

Then came a decent five minute spell from the Ryman North visitors and on 55 minutes they flashed one across the face of Concord’s goal before threatening again three minutes later when
Weemes played in Chinedu Mckenzie who flashed his effort across goal but wide of the far post. It was only a brief restbite for the visiting defence though as just past the hour mark the hosts made it three when Joe Gardner was played in and he duly rounded Reynolds before slotting home. Concord Rangers 3 Romford 0.

Moments later Gardner missed from close range, mishitting a volley into Reynolds hands as he nearly got his second in as many minutes and then from the hosts next attack a great lay off from Cornhill to Sam Bantick saw the latters effort saved at the near post by Reynolds. However the keeper could not do anything to prevent Concord’s fourth on 65 minutes when King headed home a corner from close range. Concord Rangers 4 Romford 0.

And barely sixty seconds later it was five for the dominant Beachboys as Greenhaigh nipped in to fire past Reynolds at his near post and grab his second of the evening in the process.Concord Rangers 5 Romford 0.

The game quietened down somewhat after this and Romford did have a couple of attacks, one seeing a decent effort from Weemes deflect wide. With ten minutes to go the hosts went close as a free kick flicked across goal saw King just fail to connect at the far post and then a minute later Bantick beat the offside trap, cut inside onto his left foot, but hit his effort straight at Reynolds.

As time ran down the hosts looked more likely to add to their growing lead rather than the visitors pulling one back and with literally the final action of the match Cawley was brought down by Reynolds for a hosts penalty which saw Cawley himself get up, dust himself down and dispatch the spot kick and at that moment see the referee blow for full time. Concord are in the Quarter-Finals yet again and will no doubt be one to avoid in the Last Eight.

Full Time Concord Rangers 6 Romford 0

Barkingside 2 Thamesmead Town 5

Ryman One North, Monday 7th December 2015

Monday evening saw me at Cricklefields for a Ryman North clash between Barkingside andThamesmead Town on a clear dry evening in Seven Kings.

The hosts had shipped plenty of goals in recent weeks and came up against a side who were currently mid table who possessed enough weapons to test the hosts fragile defence once more.

However it was the struggling hosts who took the game to their opponents from the off and straight from kick off they had a decent effort at goal from Jonathan Azengo from outside the box but his effort was saved but it was a good positive start nonetheless. On five minutes the hosts really should of been rewarded for their positive beginning when a ball flicked towards goal by the giant frame of Luke With found Azengo yards out in front of goal but he somehow lifted his effort over the bar.

These early missed opportunities came back to haunt the hosts as with their first attack of note the visitors took the lead on 13 minutes when a defensive slip allowed Tyrus Gordon-Young to ghost into the box and slide home. The hosts had had all the play so far but one defensive lapse had cost them dear. Barkingside 0 Thamesmead Town 1.

Side continued to attack and moments after going behind saw another effort cleared off the line and then on 17 minutes they saw another chance go begging as they lifted an effort over from a great position inside the box. It was almost inevitable therefore that on 20 minutes the visitors were to double their lead with only their second shot on goal although again it was from more abject defending from the hosts, an Achilles heal of their season so far, that saw a ball into the box eventually fall to Paul Vines who had the simplest of chances to slot the ball home. How Mead were two goals was anyone’s guess but they had been clinical unlike their opponents in front of goal.Barkingside 0 Thamesmead Town 2.

Side continued to press for a goal though and midway through the half another ball into the Mead box found With who took a touch but could then only drag his effort wide from twelve yards but two minutes later they were given a lifeline when a good run by Azengo was ended by a foul inside the box and a penalty was awarded to the hosts and With duly stepped up and slotted home to reduce the arrears, the least Side had deserved so far. Barkingside 1 Thamesmead Town 2.

However as useful as the hosts looked going forward, they were totally the opposite at the back, and just past the half hour mark more poor defending allowed a cross into the box were Vines had all the time in the world to head home totally unmarked and restore the visitors two goal lead once again. It had been a clinical performance from Thamesmead going forward, three attempts and three goals told you that, as they had punished Side’s defensive woes to the maximum. Barkingside 1 Thamesmead Town 3.

This third goal seemed to effect the hosts confidence and four minutes before the break should of gone further behind as Mead broke the offside trap as Side’s defence were all over the place again but this time the keeper made a super double save before the defence struggled to clear but just about did and then moments later Thamesmead were in again but Gordon-Young could only lift over the bar.

However a minute before the break it would be third time lucky for the visitors as an ever increasing fragile hosts back line were breached again and saw a simple ball over the top find Vines who calming strode into the box and slot home for his hat-trick and Mead’s fourth in an incredible first half at Cricklefields. Barkingside 1 Thamesmead Town 4.

The hosts had looked useful going forward and had missed chances but were abysmal at the back and paid a heavy price for that as their clinical opponents made them pay heavliy.

Half Time Barkingside 1 Thamesmead Town 4

The second period started much quieter and saw a visitors free kick whipped over the bar six minutes into the half but three minutes later the hosts proved wasteful in front of goal yet again as they got down the left hand side but cross into the six yard box was cleared ahead of With from right in front of goal and then from the resulting corner the hosts saw a close range effort cleared off the line by visitors. Moments later guess what, the visitors scored a fifth, getting in behind the visitors again with ease and saw the ball squared to Gordon-Young who smashed home from barely a yard out.Barkingside 1 Thamesmead Town 5.

To be fair to the hosts they continued to battle for the cause when many would have just folded completely although they always looked vulnerable at the back and on the hour mark a good move from Mead saw a volley at goal fielded well by the hosts keeper and then with twenty minutes remaining a great run in behind by Gordon-Young saw his eventual effort well blocked as the visiting forward sought his hat-trick too.

In between these Thamesmead chances the hosts had done most of the pressing and with just under twenty minutes to go were given another spot kick when Michael Spencer drove into the box and was upended from behind although in doing so poked the ball past the keeper although the referee had already given the spot kick, much to Side’s annoyance. Luckily for the hosts With stepped up and dispatched the penalty with aplomb and reduced the arrears to three goals. Barkingside 2 Thamesmead Town 5.

With just under ten minutes to go the hosts saw another wasteful finish as With struck an effort well wide but as I had said previously the second half had seen the hosts with plenty of the ball and assert a lot of pressure on the visitors defence but a combination of wasteful finishing and good defending made sure the hosts couldn’t reduce the Thamesmead lead further still.

Side had one more opportunity as we entered stoppage time when With got in for the hosts, turned back onto his left foot but saw his hat trick goal denied by a good save. Soon after this the referee blew for full time and Thamesmead had run out winners by five goals to two.

Full Time Barkingside 2 Thamesmead Town 5

London Bari 2 Tower Hamlets 0

Essex Senior League, Saturday 5th December 2015

My latest ESL outing saw me at the Old Spotted Dog on a rather blustery day in Forest Gate,East London as London Bari took on local rivals Tower Hamlets.

The teams were separated by just a single point in midtable so a tight local derby was expected and apart from a Bari free kick from Tony Cookey skipping through to keeper Sean Bazell, who just about held on, there were scarcely any chances in a quiet opening. However on the quarter hour mark the hosts grabbed the lead when a cross from the right saw Cookey flick across the face of goal for Junior Decker to tap home ahead of his marker. London Bari 1 Tower Hamlets 0.

Bari were looking dangerous now and three minutes later Cookey got down the right and sent in a dangerous cross which was hacked away by a visiting defender over his own bar. Jide Alaga had Hamlets first effort on 21 minutes but his shot across keeper Wilkinson Boateng saw the keeper get down to his right to make the save.

On 27 minutes Andy Greenslade’s ball through to Cookey saw the Bari forward’s effort saved by Bazell’s legs and then just past the half hour mark the Hamlets stopper was in fine form again, firstly beating a Cookey effort away and then tipping over a rasping long range effort from Greenslade.

Hamlets up to this point had struggled in the conditions and with the bobbly pitch underneath them not helping their cause it had been a struggle so far but ten minutes before half timeSunday Wasiu had a left footed effort saved by Boateng and then a minute later they nearly grabbed an equaliser when Nasser Bello beat his man and struck at goal but saw his effort cleared off the line.

Four minutes before the break Alaga’s cross saw Yusif Ali chest down and hit just over the hosts bar and the visitors ended the half the stronger, a half that saw the hosts go in with a slender lead.

Half Time London Bari 1 Tower Hamlets 0

Eight minutes into the second half the hosts should of made it two as Cookey got in behind the Hamlets defence but hit a wayward effort over the bar and then soon after another long rangeeffort was beaten away by Bazell in the Hamlets goal. Just past the hour mark saw another chance for Cookey but this time he tried to be to cute and lofted his effort over the bar with only keeper Bazell to beat.

The hosts were creating chances at will and on 63 minutes Decker hit over from inside the box in what was another wasteful finish and then on 69 minutes Joel Appiah got in down the left for Bari but saw his effort beaten away by the ever impressive Bazell. The hosts had a rare sight of goal with just under twenty minutes to go when a free kick found Ade Lazolo who had a free header but made a mess of it and keeper Boateng gathered comfortably.

On 74 minutes saw the save of the game from Bazell, diving full length to his right to keep out Appiah’s header but a minute later he could do nothing to stop the hosts finally doubling their lead when Cookey capitalised on a defence error to run through and slot past the exposed Bazell and give the Old Spotted Dog side a deserved second goal. London Bari 2 Tower Hamlets 0.

With just over ten minutes to go Decker dragged one wide from good position for the hosts as they looked to totally put the seal on the performance. With three minutes remaining the visitors should of reduced the arrears when Wasiu got in behind but after half rounding keeper Boateng he struck his effort wide of the near post.

Moments later Bari saw another chance go begging as a great run into the box by Decker saw his eventual effort with the outside of his boot go well wide of the far post and then just as the match entered stoppage time a Hamlets free kick into the box saw keeper Boateng come for it and get caught in no man’s land and Wasiu’s header was cleared off the line to preserve their clean sheet.

There was time for one more chance for the hosts when Tobi Adesina got in for Bari but he saw his effort tipped round the post by the brilliant Bazell. So Bari took the points and move above their Old Spotted Dog rivals Clapton into 9th place whilst Hamlers drop to 15th after this defeat.

Full Time London Bari 2 Tower Hamlets 0