Southend United 0 Wycombe Wanderers 2

SkyBet League One, Saturday 13th April 2019

Adebayo Akinfenwa netted a second half brace as Wycombe Wanderers defeated Southend United at Roots Hall to pick up a massive three points in their fight against the drop in SkyBet League One.

This was a rather important game as the sides sat 21^st and 20^th in League One with the visitors just a point ahead of the bottom four at kick off, so The Blues knew a win would see them leapfrog their opponents and out of the bottom four, whilst The Chairboy’s knew a win would see them put daylight between themselves and the teams below.

Both teams were totally out of form though, hence they were both down in a relegation scrap, the hosts were winless in 13 games whilst Wanderers were on a five-game losing run, so neither side came into this big game with much confidence.

Unsurprisingly it was a nervy first half although the visitors probably shaded possession, and Akinfenwa did send a close-range header straight at Shrimpers keeper Nathan Bishop, however the first half ended goalless with little in much in the way of quality, and with the nerves from both sides still evident.

Half Time Southend United 0 Wycombe Wanderers 0

Wycombe though managed to take control after the break and broke the deadlock with around twenty minutes remaining when that man Akinfenwa, the recipient of some fun jibes from the home fans, converted Scott Kashket’s low cross from the left by netting a well-controlled finish across goal into the far corner.

The 700 odd visiting fans behind that goal were delirious and they knew how important that goal could be in the relegation battle, and four minutes later they were jumping for joy once again as Michael Harriman sent a long diagonal ball into the hosts area, and Akinfenwa managed to send a brilliant looping header back across goal and into the far corner, and you felt the win was pretty much sealed.

The majority of the 7,500 plus crowd inside the stadium were now turning on their side, and many now believe their team are down, even though they are only two points from safety with four games to go.  They do drop a place to 22^nd though as a result, and on this display Kevin Bond, along with help from his mate Harry Redknapp have plenty of work to do to pick this side up who are clearly low on confidence.

It’s also fourteen games without a win for the Blues too so it’s easy to see why many of the home fans have lost hope, but football is a funny game so you never know until it’s mathematically impossible.

For Wycombe it was a fabulous result, and ended a five-match losing run, and the three points takes them up three places to 17^th, and now three points above the drop zone, so still plenty of work to do, but this will give them plenty of heart going into their final four games of the season.

Full Time Southend United 0 Wycombe Wanderers 2   

Buckhurst Hill 5 Catholic United 1

Essex Premier Cup Final, Wednesday 10th April 2019

Braces from Nathan Sollosi and Zuhdu helped see Buckhurst Hill to an emphatic victory over Catholic United at New Lodge to win the Essex Premier Cup for the second successive year, and also completed a league and cup double too after winning the Essex Olympian Premier at the weekend.

These two met in last years final too and Buckhurst Hill came out on top in that one, so Catholic United, who won this competition previously too, were hoping they could turn the tables and win this one.

Hill of course are runaway leaders of the Olympian Premier and are hoping that they will be allowed promotion into the Eastern Senior League South for next season after winning the division, whilst Catholic United, winners of last years Premier Division title, sit in fourth and are chasing down a runners up finish this year.

But tonight was all about winning the Essex Premier Cup and Buckhurst Hill almost had a disaster early on when keeper Blockley tried to clear a short back pass but ended up hitting it against Catholic striker Jacobs and the ball spun towards the goal before being cleared off the line in the nick of time.

Buckhurst skipper Wells then struck a long range effort wide before they took a tenth minute lead when a cross into the box saw Moore send a powerful close range effort into the net, and the Olympian Premier champions had the advantage.

Catholic tried to respond and saw Jacobs drive at the area but saw his effort sail over, before Buckhurst winger Sam Sollosi drifted into space inside the box but saw his ball across the box fail to find a teammate.

Buckhurst then should of doubled their lead when a cross sailed over the head of a defender and found Townsend all alone in front of goal, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Godwin-Green, whilst Catholic saw a Salmon strike down the other end force Blockley into a decent tip over the bar.

But on the half hour Buckhurst Hill doubled their lead, and it was one for Catholic to forget, as after Godwin-Green had miskicked a clearance way up into the air, the ball was eventually played to Nathan Sollosi who slotted into the net.

Catholic knew they needed the next goal to realistically stay in the game and they saw another chance fall to Jacobs but his hook towards goal was saved well by Blockley, whilst down the other end a ball into the box saw Townsend send an effort goalwards but this was blocked.

Buckhurst then saw defender Adinall run onto a cutback into the box but his first time effort was beaten away by Godwin-Green, but there was nothing he could do about Buckhurst’s third right on half time when after Catholic saw a decent cross go close, Buckhurst broke in devastating fashion and Nathan Sollosi played in Zuhdu who slotted home to send them into the break 3-0 up.

Half Time Buckhurst Hill 3 Catholic United 0

Buckhurst almost ended this contest for sure when going close to netting a fourth goal seconds into the second period when Townsend sent a first time effort against the post, before Catholic saw a Jacobs effort cleared off the line before a couple of blocks thwarted them and a final effort sliced over the bar meant they failed to find that important goal to get a sniff in this tie.

A brilliant crowd of 266 were witnessing a Catholic side trying to pull themselves back into this contest early on in the half and saw a Sammut effort fired over before another decent opening saw Kearney fire wide of the post.

But any thought’s of a comeback were ended twenty minutes into the second half as a ricochet sent Zuhdu in the clear, and he kept his composure to slot beyond Godwin-Green to make it four.

Godwin-Green then had to make two quick saves to twart Buckhurst grabbing a fifth goal, but three minutes after their fourth they added another to make it 5-0 when a corner to the near post saw Nathan Sollosi ghost in unmarked to send a header into the net, and a rampant Hill looked as if they could win this by as many as they wanted to.

But with four more minutes elapsed Catholic did find a goal to at least grab a consolation when a poor punch out from Blockley went to Salmon who sent a first time long range lob back over his head and into the net.

Buckhurst Hill though searched for more goals and saw Townsend fire another effort at goal which Godwin-Green had to beat away, before Banfield then ran onto a pass and fired a decent effort at goal which Godwin-Green tipped over.

More efforts from Buckhurst saw a Zuhdu effort saved before full back Foster fired a long range effort inches wide, whilst brilliant play from Zuhdu saw him burst into the box but his curling effort went just wide of the far post.

And as the game entered stoppage time Buckhurst almost added a sixth as substitute Shilling saw his point blank effort brilliantly saved by Godwin-Green, but after three minutes of stoppage time the referee brought the final to a close and Buckhurst Hill had ran out convincing winners in the end.

Full Time Buckhurst Hill 5 Catholic United 1   

Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final Weekend (April 6th/7th 2019)

(Gerard Deolufeo celebrates netting the winner as he inspired an incredible Watford comeback against Wolves to reach the FA Cup final in May, thanks to watfordfc.com for the photo)

It was Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final weekend and just four teams remained, Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.  The all Premier League line up had battled through four rounds to get this far and they were all just ninety minutes away from a place in the FA Cup final in May. 

First up on Saturday was current Premier League champions Manchester City up against Brighton & Hove Albion, so here is how that one played out:-

Manchester City 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 0

City stayed on course for the quad this season after they edged past Brighton at Wembley after Gabriel Jesus headed home a Kevin de Bruyne cross in just the fourth minute.

City had netted 19 goals in their four FA Cup encounters so far, after thrashing Rotherham United 7-0 and then Burnley 5-0, before they put four past Newport County before their toughest test saw them fight from 2-0 down at Swansea City to win 3-2 thanks to an Aguero late winner.

Brighton on the other hand had a much tougher campaign so far, and after they got past AFC Bournemouth in Round Three, they needed a replay against West Bromwich Albion, including extra time in the replay, they edged out Derby County in Round Five before they came back from the brink at Millwall in the Quarters to eventually win through on penalties to be here today.

City were of course favourites to win not only this match but the whole competition, and they looked likely to be on course for a routine victory when Jesus dived to head home De Bruyne’s pin point cross after just four minutes.

Brighton to their credit though battled well thereafter and competed well after their early set-back, but you always felt that City could turn up the gears if they needed too.

The closest the Seagulls came to a leveller was when Aymeric Laporte had to clear from under his own crossbar as Glenn Murray looked poised to score, but ultimately the south coast side never really laid a glove on the City backline.

VAR was of course in use this weekend at both semi-finals, and during the first half it was used to review a clash between Kyle Walker and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, which saw Walker thrust his head into the face of Jahanbakhsh, which saw the pair booked.  VAR agreed with this decision and this was shown on the big screen so everyone knew what was going on.  Walker I feel was lucky to escape a red card if I’m honest.

Apart from these moments though not a lot happened un what had been a rather undistinguished contest City were certainly not at their fluid best and they had been given a good battle by a hard working Brighton side, but City managed to close out the win and take their place in the final.

Some snaps from the Man City Vs Brighton match I took:-

So Man City were through to the final, who would join them, well lets find out as the second semi final took place on the Sunday, and it threw up an absolute classic:-

Watford 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 (aet)

Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench to net a brace as Watford came from two goals down with twelve minutes to go to net an extra time victory and take their place in the final.

This was predicted to be the better of the two semi finals, the sides were pretty well matched and and sat tenth and eighth in the Premier League respectively with only a point between them, so it was always going to be a tight contest.

Watford had defeated Vanarama National South side Woking in Round Three before they saw off Newcastle United at St James Park, QPR at Loftus Road, just, and then Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road in the Quarters.

Wolves themselves dumped out current Premier League leaders Liverpool out at Molineux, befoe they almost fell in Round Four, finding themselves 2-0 down at Shrewsbury before fighting back to earn a replay, and they trailed in that too but managed to turn it around again to win, then in Round Five they saw off Bristol City before knocking out another big gun in the shape of Manchester United in the Quarters.

The first half of this semi final saw a very competitive encounter but it was Wolves who edged in front at the break thanks to Matt Doherty’s 36^th minute header from point blank range, and it looked nailed on that Wolves would reach their first FA Cup final for 59 years when Raul Jimenez’s controlled a cross before volleying home beautifully from close range to double their lead just past the hour mark.  Jimenez whipped a mask from a bag behind the goal too before putting it on in celebration, and Wolves were in party mood.

Watford looked finished and manager Javi Garcia sent on Deulofeu to try and turn this tie around, and with twelve minutes remaining he curled home a beautiful effort into the far corner and suddenly Watford looked like they could pull off a miracle comeback.

Wolves were clinging on after looking fairly comfortable before hand, but it looked like they had just about held on for victory, that was until deep into stoppage time Troy Deeney was fouled by Leander Dendoncker inside the box, and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.  And after a painful wait for VAR to confirm the decision, Oliver was told it was a penalty and Deeney had the chance to send the match into extra time.

And the Watford striker duly rifled home the spot-kick, and incredibly Watford had pulled it out of the fire and extra time was forthcoming, extraordinary.

So could Watford complete the comeback, or would Wolves regroup and fire themselves to the final, or could we require the dreaded shootout to determine the finalists?

Well in the 104^th minute came the winning moment, and it saw Watford complete an unbelievable comeback, as Deulofeu burst through to steer beyond John Ruddy in the Wolves net and send the Watford fans and players/staff wild.

Did Wolves have anything left?  Well they could not breach the Watford backline for a third time in this one and it meant The Hornets reached their first FA Cup Final for 35 years, what a match and what a comeback from Watford, I was genuinely lost for words afterwards, wow.  

Some snaps from the Watford Vs Wolves match I took:-

So it all means the FA Cup Final will be Manchester City Vs Watford at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 18^th May, may the best team win, good luck to all!!!

Sporting Bengal United 2 Walthamstow 0

Essex Senior League Premier Division, Wednesday 3rd April 2019

Sporting Bengal United created history by reaching their best points tally in a league season after goals from Jay Knight and Ashaan Siddik saw them defeat Walthamstow and all but end the visitors title/promotion aspirations for the season.

Stow came into this one off the back of eight straight league wins and knew a ninth one would take them into second spot and only a point behind Hullbridge, whilst the hosts were trying to end their season at home in style, and in doing so break their current record points tally of 50 for a season, and also end a run of two straight defeats.

Chances were at a premium in the first half though and any that did come along went to the hosts, firstly when Siddik whistled a powerful effort wide, and then Jay Knight sent a decent volley over the visitor’s bar.

And then Curtley McIntosh almost got in for the hosts but saw an eventual effort scuffed straight at James Bransgrove in the Stow net, but seven minutes before the break Sporting did break the deadlock when Knight shrugged off his marker before firing beyond Bransgrove and giving the hosts a deserved half time lead.

Half Time Sporting Bengal United 1 Walthamstow 0

Stow needed two goals to keep themselves in the title race effectively so needed a quick repost, and Samrai Gebrai almost did that early on in the period but his half effort towards goals was cleared, whilst down the other end Knight went close to doubling the home sides lead.

Stow then went close as a Nick Symonds free kick whipped into the far post saw Dwade James rise but head over the bar from close range, he really should of done better in all honesty, and they almost fell further behind but were thankful to keeper Bransgrove for making a brilliant double save to keep his side in the contest.

Stow then saw James send a brilliant ball across the face of goal, but a defender managed to get a head to the ball to flick it away before anyone could convert, whilst down the other end a lovely ball from Steve Carvell released Knight but before he could get to the ball Bransgrove raced off his line to clear.

The visitors were running out of time to find those two goals to keep them in the title/promotion race and saw a header off the line before Sporting broke and saw Knight try and round Bransgrove but the keeper brilliantly pinched the ball off his toes and gathered.

And then Stow saw another opening as a loose ball fell to substitute Ollie Fortune but he could only slice wide under pressure, and then Sporting again almost sealed the deal when Siddik tried to round keeper Bransgrove, but again the keeper won out to grab the ball off the attacker.

In the 93^rd minute though and with Stow pushing for a goal, Sporting sealed it, when a bouncing ball was controlled by Carvell and he brilliantly slid in Siddik who slotted beyond Bransgrove and ended this contest once and for all.

James did fire wide for Stow in the remaining stoppage time period, but it was too little too late for the visitors whose brave late charge for the title and promotion ended here, whilst Sporting went onto 53 points for the season, a new club record, so well done to them.

Full Time Sporting Bengal United 2 Walthamstow 0   

Clapton 2 West Essex 4

Essex Senior League Errington Challenge Cup Semi-Final, Tuesday 2nd April 2019 

Michael Mignot netted a hat-trick as West Essex reached the Errington Challenge Cup Final after victory over Clapton at The Old Spotted Dog, setting up a finale against Stansted on May 6th at Bishop's Stortford.

Mignot almost got on the end of a long ball over the Tons defence early on, before the hosts so nearly took the lead after that when Giovanni Palmer burst clear, but his effort was well saved by Jack Coker in the visitors goal.

But in the 11th minute the breakthrough came, and it saw the visitors lead, when Mignot got free inside the box and lofted a brilliant effort over Eman Olajide to give West the advantage.

Clapton tried to respond but saw Palmer's effort hooked wide after a coming together with Coker had seen the ball break loose, whilst down the other end Mignot's drilled ball into the near post went off a defender and just wide of the near post.

Just before the half hour though it was two for the visitors as a ball in by full back Emanuel Wazola hit Tons defender Lanre Vigo and went in for an own goal, and the Tons now had a mountain to climb.

It's a mountain they began to climb when pulling a goal back just six minutes later when after an Ali Al-Nashi free kick had thumped against the bar, the ball fell to Andy Greenslade on the edge of the box and he fired an effort into the corner to bring the hosts back into the contest.

But just two minutes after that West restored their two goal cushion as sloppy defending allowed Mignot to convert from close range for his second of the contest.

Clapton almost responded before the break when they saw an effort blocked by Coker before a defender managed to scramble clear, but it was the visitors who went into the break with that two goal cushion.

Half Time Clapton 1 West Essex 3

The Tons needed the next goal you felt and almost found it early in the second period when Palmer saw an effort brilliantly saved by Coker.

But it looked like game over just before the hour mark when West added a fourth as after a backheel had found Mignot, the defence parted like the red sea and Mignot strolled into the space and slotted beyond Olajide for his treble.

West almost then grabbed a fifth when Samraj Gill burst through but his effort was well saved by Olajide, before Clapton made the final nine minutes or so interesting when Ryan Reed produced a belter of a strike from long range, beating the dive of Coker and giving the hosts hope.

The hosts did put some late pressure on their opponents but West stood firm to record victory and set up a final against Stansted (who thrashed Saffron Walden Town 5-0 in the other semi final) at Bishops Stortford on May 6th.


Full Time Clapton 2 West Essex 4

Portsmouth 2 Sunderland 2 (aet; Portsmouth won 5-4 on penalties)

Checkatrade Trophy Final, Sunday 31st March 2019

Portsmouth won a dramatic Checkatrade Trophy Final against Sunderland on penalties after a compelling 2-2 draw in front of a record EFL Trophy crowd of 85,021 at Wembley Stadium.

I normally only get to watch my late father’s beloved Black Cats once a season, but I could end up seeing them four times this campaign.  This was the second time so far this season though and it was a Wembley final against another big sleeping giant in Pompey.

Both these clubs have been through the mill over the last few years, so a Wembley finale for both was a nice reward for all those years of heartache, and with both clubs bringing around 40,000 the atmosphere was incredible.

The clubs sit 3^rd and 4^th in League One and separated by a point, although Portsmouth won the only meeting between the sides this season so far 3-1 at Fratton Park just before Christmas, so no doubt Sunderland would want to even things up and win a trophy to boot.

And it was Sunderland who looked like they could do just that after a dominant first period saw them lead 1-0 at the break thanks to Aiden McGeady’s free kick late on in the first half, his effort taking a slight nick off Pompey centre back Matt Clarke, taking it out of the reach of the keeper and into the top corner.

Half Time Portsmouth 0 Sunderland 1

Pompey though were transformed after the break and dominated the half, and should have levelled on more than one occasion, the best of those chances was when Brett Pitman struck the base of the post, but with eight minutes left they grabbed a more than deserved leveller when Nathan Thompson rose to head home Gareth Evans cross.

Full Time Portsmouth 1 Sunderland 1

It meant extra time, and it was most certainly a tense period that’s for sure, but it looked as though Pompey had won it with five minutes of the extra half hour to go when hesitation between defender Jack Baldwin and keeper Jon McLaughlin allowed Jamal Lowe to control the ball and loft over a stranded keeper and cue mass celebrations.

Us Black Cat folk thought that was it, an extra time loss, very frustrating after such a fantastic opening forty five minutes which we could of easily been two or three goals to the good, but for some reason we had stopped playing after the break and now found ourselves on the brink of defeat.

Fair play to Portsmouth though who had come out and turned this one around, and had won the Trophy for their club, or so we thought at that stage anyway.  But their was to be more late drama in this pulsating cup final, as with a minute of extra time to play, McGeady neat footwork had allowed him time and space in the box to fire an effort at goal which Clarke could not keep out, and cue mass celebrations in the Sunderland end, my goodness.

It meant penalties though, so more drama to come, and sadly for the Black Cats Lee Cattermole was the only player to miss in the shootout, meaning Ollie Hawkins fifth and final penalty for Pompey won them the shootout 5-4, and they had won the EFL Trophy for 2018-19.  Deflated yes, but overall proud of how Sunderland managed to at least force penalties and give themselves a chance.  Now lets go and get promotion!!!  The two meet at SOL at the end of April, I’ll be there, let’s win that one!!

Full Time Portsmouth 2 Sunderland 2 (aet; Portsmouth won 5-4 on penalties)