Basildon United 5 Takeley 1

Essex Senior League Challenge Cup Semi Final, Tuesday 3rd May 2016

Two Brad Warner strikes helped the Bees to a fairly comfortable win against Takeley to take their place in the ESL League Cup final against FC Romania on Saturday.

The hosts went into this as big favourites after just loosing out on the title last weekend whilst Takeley had struggled in the most part to finish the season in 18th, just four points above the bottom three. However both teams still had the chance of some silverware to end the season with so this was important for both sides.

The hosts had the perfect start though when after barely a minute a Warner cross found Ben Sartain who thumped home from inside the box and it looked like the Bees meant business here. Credit to Takeley though, who could of just folded after falling behind so early on, but instead hit back with an equaliser on 9 minutes when a slip from hosts centre half Paul Shave allowed Michael Ogboin in to finish past Bobby Mason and stun the home support.

The hosts tried to do their best to re take the lead thereafter and on 17 minutes went close as Player/Manager Craig Gillam laid a ball into the path of Mitchell Hunt whose shot saw the visiting keeper pull of a decent stop to keep the scores level. Just before the half hour mark Sartain thumped just wide for the hosts but Takeley were making this tie a lot more difficult for the hosts than they would of liked.

However just past the half hour mark the hosts should of retaken the lead as after Farhad Nyanja had pinched the ball off the visiting keeper only yards out, the Bees winger smacked his effort against the outside of the post with an open goal gaping, it really was a poor miss and the hosts must of wondered if it was going to be their evening.

But then ten minutes before the break the hosts did go back in front as a Callum Leahy ball into the box took a touch off a defender’s head, straight into the path of Warner, who buried a finish beyond the keeper and into the net and see the hosts breathe a huge sigh of relief no doubt. The visitors tried to respond moments later as a shot was deflected just wide of the hosts goal, and then to rub salt into the wounds saw the referee give a goal kick, just to annoy them even more.

And they were left even more upset five minutes before half time as they fell further behind as the hosts grabbed a third goal when the brilliant Warner teed up Robert Clark to volley home spectacularly from fifteen yards or so and see the hosts go into the break finally in control of this tie.

Half Time Basildon United 3 Takeley 1

The second half began in a rather sedate fashion and the first sight of goal came for the hosts on 57 minutes when Gillam tried his luck from twenty yards or so but it was straight at the keeper and not really threatening the goal. A minute later saw some great football by Basildon and saw Nyanja back heal to Warner whose cross found Clark, but sadly he could not finish off a great move as his effort went just wide.

But on the hour mark the Bees killed this tie off once and for all when a ball forward into the Takeley area saw keeper and defender make a total mess of it and allowed Warner to roll the ball into an empty net for his second of the evening and 40th of a wonderful campaign for the striker. Thereafter the hosts were doing all the pressing and seemingly cruising into the final.

With twelve minutes to go more good play from Warner released Hunter into the box but the full backs cross was mishit away from the Takeley goal and then as the game entered into stoppage time Warner went close to his hat trick as his long range effort was deflected just wide of the visitors goal, then from the next cross into the box Brenden Cavalier headed wide from point blank range.

The Bees were to end the game with a fifth goal though as two minutes into stoppage time a loose ball fell to Bees skipper Jordan Williams inside the box, and he calmly slotted home to complete a comfortable win for the hosts and see them take their place in Saturday’s final against FC Romania at Ilford’s Cricklefields Stadium, which proves to be a very interesting matchup.

Small mention to Takeley, who in the end were well beaten here, but should be commended for reaching the last four in the League Cup nonetheless. The Bees were then presented with their runners up shield after the game, they will be hoping they will be celebrating as winners come Saturday evening no doubt.

Full Time Basildon United 5 Takeley 1

Greenhouse Sports 3 Sporting Bengal United 2

Essex Senior League, Monday 2nd May 2016

Goalkeeper Taiw Aliu, named on the bench as a forward in this one, came off the bench to net a 90th minute winner for Greenhouse Sports, seeing them to victory in their final game of the season.

This was of course the final ESL Premier Division game of the 2015-16 season and it was switched toBarking‘s Mayesbrook Park ground as Greenhouse’s normal home at Coles Park was being ripped up in readiness for the new 3G surface being put down for next season.

Neither side had anything to play for other than pride and trying to finish the season on a high, but on a hard, dry, bouncy and bobbly surface the game began in a rather subdued fashion and the first chance didn’t arrive until the 10th minute, although it was a good one ,as sloppy defending from the hosts allowed Toch Singh in with a sight of goal but he could only drill wide of the target.

The hosts immediately went up the other end and made them pay for this miss as a ball forward found the pacey Ephraim Oyemakinde who ran in on goal before firing past Lewis Lockyer into the far corner to give Sports a 1-0 lead. The half though failed to really get going as the game had an end of season feel to it.

The visitors had a moment on 34 minutes when Tunde Adewunmi produced some great skill on the left hand side of the box, but saw his cross flash across the box and away. It just was not happening for the visitors as yet in what had been a frustrating half for Adwar Uddin’s side. They were seeing alot of the ball but not making it count and seven minutes before half time saw another opening go array when after Abdisamad Mohamed had out muscled his marker, his cross into the six yard boxfailed to find Adewunmi and was cleared.

However their luck was to change three minutes before the break when they were awarded a penalty after Abdisamad had pinched the ball of a defender and then was brought down inside the box andAdewunmi stepped up to tuck home the spot kick and bring the visitors level, which saw the sides go in level at the break as a result.

Half Time Greenhouse Sports 1 Sporting Bengal United 1

Sporting started the half strongly and barely a minute into it a good one two between Abdisamad and sub Jeff Nguede Noubissie saw the former strike a decent effort inches over the bar and then a couple of minutes later centre half Teo Borozan headed a corner just wide of the Greenhouse post.

And then six minutes into the half the visitors won another penalty kick when Noubissie’s flick header towards goal struck the hand of a defender and saw the referee instantly point to the spot. However Bruno Carvalio saved Abdisamad spot kick and then saw Abdisamad’s rebound effort squirm across the six yard box and away from danger as the hosts survived.

The visitors then almost took the lead in bizarre fashion just before the hour mark as a bog standard clearance from visiting defender Toib Adeuemi sailed into the Greenhouse box and bounced high of the hard dry surface in front of keeper Carvalio and almost went over the keeper, but he just managed to tip the ball over.

It looked likely that Sporting would eventually find a second goal but then came a disastrous moment in the 66th minute for the visitors, as against the run of play, a ball forward saw striker Oyemakinde and centre half Jordan Meikle chase the loose ball. The Sporting defender got their first but then failed to control the ball, maybe due to the nature of the surface, and saw Oyemakinde pounce and run in to smash home past an exposed Lockyer and give Greenhouse an unexpected lead.

More bad luck was to follow for Sporting as in the 74th minute centre half Meikle thought he had made amends for this error eight minutes before hand when he headed a loose ball from ten yards out towards goal and saw it deflect past Carvalio and into the net, but the linesman had his flag up so the goal was ruled out.

With ten minutes left the visitors attacked yet again and saw a great ball in from Prince William found Abdisamad all alone ten yards out, but his volley went miles wide and another chance went away. Eventually though the pressure told and the visitors grabbed their equaliser when another ball into the six yard box saw Noubissie touch past Carvalio and set up a grandstand finish with seven minutes to go.

Sporting were now pressing for a winner and with three minutes to go Borozan struck a free kick towards the bottom corner but saw Carvalio get down to make a decent save. Again it looked likely that Sporting were going to find a winner if there was to be one, but then came the crowning moment, as the hosts attacked down the right, and after good play from the impressive Oyemakinde, his pull back so substitute Aliu, keeper turned striker for this game, drill a left footed effort past sub keeper Luke Burns and net what proved to be the winner. Wonderful stuff eh.

It really was a wonderful story to end the league season although Sporting will wonder how they managed to lose this one. The win sees Greenhouse Sports climb above Southend Manor to finish in 15th spot and end their season on a positive note, whilst Sporting end the season in 12th spot.

Full Time Greenhouse Sports 3 Sporting Bengal United 2

Clapton 4 Stansted 0

Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy Final, Saturday 30th April 2016

Clapton hit four as they thrashed Stansted at Burnham Ramblers Lesie Field Stadium to win the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy this afternoon in front of over 200 of their adoring ‘Clapton Ultras’.

The game was billed as a potentially cracking encounter between two evenly matched sides over the season and a tight contest was expected and since the sides had drawn in the league last weekend, there was no reason to suspect any other type of contest.

However the contest started in a rather cagey fashion with neither side able to launch any kind attack and the first shot on target did arrive until the 12th minute, which came from Stansted, as a free kick taken by Jack Isherwood went straight at Pape Diagne, who made a rather comfortable save. The visitors had a half chance on 18 minutes when a corner from the right saw Jack Hayes try to get his head on the ball but he failed to get any meaningful contact on it and it drifted away from goal.

The Tons hadn’t really tested the Stansted goal,that was until the 28th minute, when they sent a cross into the mixer and saw Roddy Lemba rise highest to plant a looping header past Reece Paine in the Stansted goal and into the corner and send the Ultras wild with delight, and cue the Pyro’s which made me and a few others choke slightly in the stand, but it was all good fun and the Tons had the advantage.

They should of been celebrating again just seven minutes later as well after they spurned a golden chance to double their lead when Lemba played in Warren Mfula, and the striker just had Paine to beat, but sent his effort horribly high and wide of the target and saw Stansted breathe a sigh of relief. But this was only a brief sigh of relief as the Tons did double their lead eight minutes before half time when after Mfula had been brought down for a penalty, centre halfEuan Taylor-Reid stepped up to smash home the spot kick and see Clapton take a firm grip on the tie.

Stansted tried to respond but saw Tom Lakin’s header drift wide when well placed inside the box and just before half time Ton’s midfielder Nathan Cook let fly from distance and saw his effort fly just past the Stansted upright. It had been a slow burner but had seen the Tons take control in the final fifteen minutes of the half and just like last weekend, they had a two goal lead at the break.

Half Time Clapton 2 Stansted 0

Stansted went straight onto the offensive immediately after the restart and saw a free kick swung into the box cause slight concern in the Tons defence before Diagne managed to gather the loose ball. However the anticipated Stansted onslaught at trying to get back into the contest never really materialised and saw Clapton look fairly comfortable with their two goal cushion.

Just before the hour mark good play by Clapton striker Mfula saw him tee up Cook, whose shot was blocked and then four minutes after that Stansted managed to get in down the right through Sam Ashford, but his cross was weak and saw Diagne gather the loose ball. Back up the other end and a cross towards the far side of the Stansted box saw Paul Barry in acres of space inside the area, but he took to long to get the ball out of his feet and the chance went away.

You always felt that if Stansted could get one back then last weeks game would play on the minds of the Clapton players, after they threw away a 2-0 lead in that one, but in all honesty this never looked likely to happen and with twenty minutes to go the Tons went close again as a one two between Mfula and Mendez Gomez saw the former in on goal, but his cut back was just about cleared but it was a good chance to seal it.

Moments later Abraham Jariette squared a free kick to Cook whose side footed effort just went wide of the Stansted post and in the 73rd minute Gomez cut onto his left peg before firing at the Stansted goal but saw Paine palm away the effort. Finally though with ten minute to go Clapton sealed the win and the Trophy when Mfula twists and turned past his marker inside the box before firing a deflected shot past Paine into the far corner, and cue wild celebrations once again, knowing that goal almost definitely ended Stansted’s chances of finding a route back into the contest.

And five minutes later the Tons added a cherry to their rather tasty cake when Bradley Joseph‘s ball forward hit a bobble, deceiving defender Mark Roach, and saw Miles Hunter pounce to poke the ball past a stranded Paine and give Clapton a fourth goal in this final.

Deep into stoppage time Diagne came out to claim another cross with authority. It had been a faultless display from the Senegalese keeper today, although he hadn’t really had a save to make in what was a very disappointing afternoon for the Hargrave Park side, who had simply not turned up in this one and were well beaten in the end by a very good Clapton side.

The full time whistle cued a pitch invasion from the Ultras as they ran to celebrate with their heroes and once they had all left the field the celebrations continued with the Clapton players and staff doing a ‘Haka’ like dance in front of their fans, who responded in kind, and then finally they held aloft the Trophy and celebrated once more. Well done Clapton and commiserations to Stansted. The best team definitely won today though.

Full Time Clapton 4 Stansted 0

Harold Wood Athletic 1 Manford Way 3

Essex Olympian Premier Division, Tuesday 26th April 2016

Visitors Manford Way fought back from a goal down at the break to score three second half goals and take the points, giving them a slight chance of winning the Essex Olympian Premier title, whilst denting opponents Harold Wood Athletic’s chances of the title themselves.

This was the visitors final league game of the season and they started the evening eight points ahead of opponents Wood with the hosts having five games in hand, so the visitors knew a win would increase that gap for now and put the pressure on the hosts. Both teams had a shot at goal in the first ten minutes, firstly on three minutes when Manford drilled a free kick just wide and then secondly when the hosts first effort at goal on ten minutes flew a foot or so over the target.

On 12 minutes the hosts keeper saw a backpass hit a bobble in front of him and caused a mis kicked clearance although this was miscontrolled by the visitors and the hosts were let off. Then a minute later came a big moment in the game when the hosts got clear of the defence and saw the keeper come out to try and tackle but in doing so brought the forward down outside the box and after the referee had discussed with his linesman, choose to only book the keeper, when many would of seen red. It was a huge call and a massive let off for the visitors.

This only seemed to spur on the hosts though and they began to take control of the contest and midway through the half an attack down the right saw a cross almost sneak in at the near post, but it hit the side netting before Manford went down the other end and sent a cross to the back post, eluding the keeper but saw the visitors head over. Three minutes later the hosts should of taken the lead when a ball flicked into the dangerzone was volleyed over from right in front of goal.

Just past the half hour mark the hosts headed against the bar before then seeing a looping effort also hit the bar and the keepers hands in one go as he tried to reach up to tip the effort over. And then on 34 minutes the hosts finally managed to break through when Dan Gillardwas sent clear and he rounded the keeper, who had come right out of his goal, and thumped the ball into the empty net for a deserved lead.

It was a lead that was almost doubled five minutes before the break when a long throw was flicked on by a defender but then volleyed just wide by the hosts. However they went into the break a goal up and looking fairly comfortable so far.

Half Time Harold Wood Athletic 1 Manford Way 0

The visitors needed a response and they certainly came out in the second half with much more bite about them and five minutes into the half felt they should of had a penalty kick after what looked like a trip inside the area but the referee said no. Manford continued to put pressure on the hosts and in the 57th minute grabbed an equaliser when Lee Meadows met a corner and sent a bullet of a header into the top corner.

The visitors were now right in this battle now and on 65 minutes so nearly capitalised on a keeper error as a shot was spilled but the stopper managed to regather just ahead of the oncoming pressure, and then down the other end a similar situation saw the visiting keeper just about hold on but he was caught in the process and suffered a bloody nose, forcing a lengthy stoppage for over five minutes.

He was eventually ok to continue but was almost beaten with just under twenty minutes left when he saw a header from the hosts headed off the line by a defender and this proved pivitol when barely a minute later the visitors went up the other end and took the lead as a powerful shot was not held by the keeper and Pete Tyler followed in to score the rebound.

With five minutes left the visitors got in down the left again but saw a shot across goal tipped wide brilliantly and then the hosts felt they were hard done by for the second time in the match when they thought they had found an equaliser as a ball across goal was tapped home, but the linesman’s flag had gone up for offside although it looked like a very tight call indeed.

This was compounded a minute later when the visitors went up the other end and sealed the points and the win when a shot parried across goal went into the path of forward Reece Tranter who tapped home into the gaping goal and give his side a two goal cushion. The referee then added on over ten minutes of injury time, following that lengthy treatment to the visiting keeper earlier in the half, but this brought no more noteworthy action and the visitors celebrated an away win in their final game.

Manford Way have 52 points ahead of White Ensign, who have also finished their season, on 48 points. Then come nearest challengers Kelvedon Hatch on 45 points, but with four games remaining, ahead of Harold Wood, 41 points with five games remaining, and finally Springfield in fifth on 40 points, also with five games remaining. Two of Hatch’s games are home against Harold Wood and Springfield, so those games will go a long way to deciding the destiny of the title. Proves to be an entertaining end to the season, at least Manford Way have given themselves a slight chance after a great second half comeback here whilst Wood will try and get this one out of their system and go again at the weekend. All to play for as they say!!!

Full Time Harold Wood Athletic 1 Manford Way 3

Hullbridge Sports 0 Bowers & Pitsea 9

Essex Senior League, Saturday 23rd April 2016

Bowers & Pitsea put nine (yes NINE) past local rivals Hullbridge Sports at Lower Road to leave the Pitsea side on the brink of promotion to the Ryman North.

I had (now famously) predicted that the visitors would find this a tough game and fancied the hosts to pinch a 2-2 draw as this being a local derby they may well raise their game for this one, but it was soon apparent that the visiting side meant business and on nine minutes probably should of had the lead when Chid Onokwai’s flicks across goal saw Tom Hine head home but the referee saw an apparent push and duly disallowed the effort.

However they did take the lead three minutes later when Dan Trenkel flicked a header across goal for Jamie Salmon to rifle home for the opening goal and two minutes later almost gave the hosts a route back into the game when a poor header back towards goal by Trenkel went straight to the hosts but they could not take advantage and Bowers were off the hook.

And just past the quarter hour mark they doubled their lead when another Trenkel flick on this time found Hine, who wasn’t to be denied his goal this time and slid in to finish past Dan Blockley in the Hullbridge goal. And then came a moment the young home goalkeeper will want to forget, as on 21 minutes a long ball towards goal from Alfie Hilton bounced over the keeper and just went over the line and the visitors had a three goal lead.

And then five minutes later the visitors made it four as a Vinny Durrant corner was headed in byOnokwai as Bowers were finding this way to easy against their local rivals and also were making my pre match preview look utterly ridiculous!!! The hosts were given a good chance to at least get some sort of foot into the tie when they won a free kick in a very decent position, but Sam Taylor struck it way over the bar.

It looked likely to get worse for the hosts with four minutes of the half remaining when Hine was brought down inside the area by keeper Blockley for a penalty but the keeper made amends by saving the spot kick from Onokwai, and keeping the scoreline down to just four for the visitors. It had been a half to forget for the hosts though whilst Bowers were in total control.

Half Time Hullbridge Sports 0 Bowers & Pitsea 4

The visitors came out to try and finish off the hosts once and for all and almost made it five seconds into the second half as after the ball had bounced around inside the box, Hine couldn’tt convert from close range, but eight minutes into the half the visitors did score their fifth as a Hine lob was pawed out by Blockley but straight to Salmon who volleyed home.

The hosts response was to go on an attack down the left hand side but Charlie Little’s cross was just too high for Bradley Morgan, who could only direct his header well wide of the target. Moments later and it was six for the visiting side, and the first of many for full back Durrant, who got in behind the home defence and slid a finish past Blockley with ease.

Bowers went on the hunt for more goals and just before the hour mark Onokwai breezed past a defender with ease but saw his effort saved by Blockley before Jack Gardner struck an effort at goal three minutes later but Blockley got down well to save. Moments after this Gardner again found himself with a sight of goal but he could only screw his effort across goal and wide.

Sports did on the odd occasion go on the attack and with just over twenty minutes to go Luke Hornsley struck a decent effort from the edge of the box, but it was straight at Martin Guest, who made a comfortable stop. And the came three goals in three minutes, all from Durrant. On 77 minutes it was seven heaven for Bowers as a long ball from James Stevens over the top sawDurrant run onto it and slide home before he made it eight a minute later and then with nine minutes to go grabbed his fourth of the game, following in to blast home a rebound after Blockley had made a decent stop from an original effort.

You thought at that point double figures would be a formality but the closest they came to scoring a tenth arrived just before the end when Rob Whitnell saw a header saved by Blockley. So Bowers now need just one win from their remaining two games to gain promotion into Step Four of the non league pyramid and they will also take the title if they win their final two games. It was a day to forget for the hosts, and for me as well, as I left the ground with one huge massive egg on my face!!! Predictions eh…..

Full Time Hullbridge Sports 0 Bowers & Pitsea 9