Redbridge 3 Hadley 2

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 3rd November 2019


Tony Martin netted an 84^th minute winner as Redbridge made it four wins on the spin after winning a thriller against Hadley at Oakside in their Essex Senior League encounter.


There was an early opening for the hosts when a cross was sent across the dangerzone but missed by the incoming traffic, then down the other end keeper Florent Gislette had to beat away an effort from the visitors.


The hosts then had a great chance to take the lead when a decent ball in from the left found Taylor Tombides but the forward could only send the ball over from close range, and then the visitors saw a couple of efforts blocked before the hosts got in again but a poor square ball allowed the visitors to clear.


Neat one touch play then saw the visitors almost get in behind but the ball ran on just too far and allowed Gislette to gather, but the visitors then had a great chance to take the lead in the 17^th minute when Solomon Ofori was fouled by Gislette inside the box, but, Alfie Bartram saw his spot kick saved and the game remained goalless.


Hadley the sliced wide as the opening twenty minutes had been action packed to say the least although their were still no goals to show for it, and then a long range effort from the hosts was well fielded by visiting keeper Alex Gavriloaia as the game approached the half hour mark.


Ofori then manged to get in for the visitors, but as he tried to round the keeper, Gislette whipped the ball off his toes and thwarted the visitors, and then came a two-minute spell that turned the game in favour of the hosts.


In the 34^th minute a brilliant reverse through ball found Tombides in the clear, and he finished beyond Gavriloaia emphatically to give Redbridge the lead, and then two minutes later they doubled their lead when Darnell Bromfield let fly from range and see Gavriloaia make a mess of trying to keep it out and see the ball find the net, and the hosts suddenly had a two goal cushion.


Hadley then almost pounced on a defensive clearance which struck someone and fell into the path of them, but keeper Gislette managed to get in the way to prevent the visitors from netting, but in the 45^th minute Hadley grabbed one back when a shot from Stephen O’Hara hit the post before hitting keeper Gislette and tricking over the line for an own goal.


It meant the hosts went into the break with a one goal lead and ended a quite breathless half of football.


Half Time Redbridge 2 Hadley 1


The second half carried on in the same vein and Hadley almost levelled immediately when sending a cross into the six yard box but this was cleared, and then from the resulting corner the ball struck the post before the loose ball was fired wide of the same post.


The hosts then sent a glancing header towards goal which was claimed by Gavriloaia as there was no let-up in the pace of the game, and then good football from the hosts ended with an effort flying over the bar.


The tempo continued to be at 100mph and the hosts missed a sitter at the back post to make it 3-1, before Hadley then sent a dangerous ball across the dangerzone, it was hard to keep up with the pace of the contest even from the stands at times!!!


Another decent opening then came for the visitors, but the half volley went over the bar, and with the away side knocking on the door for an equaliser a good cross from the left was glanced wide of the far post.


Hadley the drove forward again through Ofori, and his ball towards goal almost found a teammate, but the ball dribbled just about through to Gislette who claimed, and then the Motormen got in down the right but the ball across was poor and cleared.


Hadley then flashed another ball across the area before the return ball in just went past the far post, but with eleven minutes left Hadley levelled when a cross from Luke Jupp found substitute Jason Rice who glanced home into the far corner, and you felt the visitors could go on and win this one.


The visitors did prod a decent effort at goal soon after but Gislette saved, and then with six minutes of the ninety remaining Redbridge regained the lead to everyone’s surprise when a flick found Martin who swivelled and struck a left footed effort into the far corner.


Could Hadley find another goal to prevent only a second loss in the league this season, well they almost converted at the back post as the game entered a minimum of six minutes of stoppage time, and despite applying a lot of late pressure the hosts stood firm to hold onto the win and take all three points in a superb contest.


It all means Redbridge have now won four games in a row to go eighth in the division, whilst Hadley slip to fifth after only their second loss in fifteen league games. 


Full Time Redbridge 3 Hadley 2

Tower Hamlets 0 Cockfosters 1

Essex Senior League, Monday 2nd December 2019

Ned Clarke struck home a brilliant long-range effort in first half stoppage time to see Cockfosters to victory over Tower Hamlets at a chilly Mile End Stadium in East London.

The hosts came so close to taking an early lead when they sent a close-range effort against the inside of the post, whilst the visitors then blasted way over down the other end.

The visitors then chipped wide of the far post, but this was pretty much all that happened in the opening twenty minutes or so.

Cockfosters then created a good chance but saw keeper Ade Oyenuga save the effort before the loose ball was taken on by the visitors and then they sent another effort from an angle at goal, but this was cleared off the line.

Hamlets then won a free-kick right on the edge of the box, about twenty yards out, but this was driven just over the bar, and then Hamlets keeper Oyenuga, who could barely walk after picking up a knock, managed to claw away a mis-hit corner before the then said keeper denied the visitors again 

by saving with his legs.

The hosts then sliced wide at the other end and it looked as though the half would remain goalless going into the break, that was until Clarke let fly from at least thirty yards out two minutes into first half stoppage time, flying into the top corner giving keeper Oyenuga no chance whatsoever, and it meant the visitors held a slender lead going into the half time break.

Half Time Tower Hamlets 0 Cockfosters 1

Hamlets had an early second half chance but after getting goal side of the back line the finish was wayward, and then the hosts attacked again but saw an effort blocked and then sent a looping header towards goal but keeper Brad Robinson was on hand to catch the effort.

The hosts then saw another chance blocked before Robinson made a decent stop after a hosts shot from outside the box had taken a slight nick off a defender, whilst down the other end Cockfosters curled a free-kick miles over the goal.

The visitors then almost got in on goal but saw the ball run away from them and allow the defence to just about clear their lines, and then Fosters saw a long range effort spilled by Oyenuga but the hosts keeper managed to grab it at the second attempt.

Hamlets then fired the ball right across the danger zone but it was too powerful for anyone to get on the end of it and it just went past the far post, and then the visitors managed to bundle home at the other end but a free kick had been given so the goal was ruled out.

Hamlets then saw another effort blocked, and then they fired another effort straight at Robinson, but the visitors almost sealed the points but saw an effort from inside the box brush the outside of the post.

However, Clarke's super strike in first half stoppage time proved enough for the visitors to take all three points and move them up to sixth in the table, whilst Hamlets are down in 15^th spot, three points off the top ten.

Full Time Tower Hamlets 0 Cockfosters 1

Southend Manor 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Essex Senior League, Saturday 30th November 2019


The points were shared between Southend Manor and Sawbridgeworth Town in a bottom of the table clash in the Essex Senior League after Jordan Chambers early second half penalty was cancelled out by Jake Skeets brilliant volley.


The hosts went into the contest nine points and two places above bottom side Sawbo knowing a win would potentially take them above Enfield into fourth bottom and put further daylight between them and their opponents, whilst the visitors knew three points could take them just three behind Clapton and closer to the teams above.


So, an important game indeed and with Enfield and Clapton also meeting in Bishop’s Stortford it was a big day for the bottom four sides, although Manor’s form heading into this wasn’t great having lost nine of their eleven games since the beginning of October, whilst Sawbo had won their first game of the season two weekends after loosing eleven straight, although a 5-0 reverse at Hoddesdon Town brought them back down to earth with a bump last weekend before leading Ilford 2-0 in midweek before the light went out meaning the game was abandoned.


Form was probably with the visitors but it was Manor who created the first chance but Chambers could only head over a cross from the right, and the hosts continued to have the better start as they saw a cross tipped away by keeper Clarke, the hosts broke the offside trap but Chambers could only blaze over.


Manor then got in again down the right but after the ball was cutback into the box, a first time effort was saved by Clarke, whilst down the other end the visitors saw Harry Bushell fire wide in what was their first attempt on goal in the game.


Manor though were carving out the best chances and they pounced on a defensive error to fire another effort at goal which Clarke saved, before the follow up effort was put wide of the goal, it was a head in hands moment for the hosts.


As the game went past the half hour mark though Sawbo began to get more of the ball and so nearly went in front after Myles Passley thumped a powerful effort against the post, and then after a long range effort had bounced up and hit keeper Harrison in the face, Bushell looked certain to chip home the rebound but instead lofted the rebound over the hosts bar.


Manor ended the half with more chances though, firstly forcing a brilliant save from Clarke before another effort from range curled into the side netting with Clarke routed to the spot, but it meant the opening forty five minutes ended goalless with the visitors probably the happier after their opponents had created the majority of the chances in the half.  Oh, and half time between Enfield and Clapton was also 0-0, so it was as you were at the bottom.  


Half Time Southend Manor 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 0


Manor had the chance to take an early second half lead as after Chambers was brought down inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot, and Chambers picked himself up to smash home but was ordered to retake the kick after an encroachment.


Chambers though kept his composure to slot home the retaken penalty, and Manor had an early second half advantage.


Sawbo looked to respond and saw a long range effort go straight at Harrison, but just before the hour mark they found an equaliser and how, and the ball sat up nicely for full back Skeets who volleyed an unstoppable volley from miles out over Harrison and into the back of the net, it was a super strike and the visitors were now back on level terms.


The Robins now fancied another and fired just wide of the post, whilst down the other end Manor almost got onto a loose through ball, but keeper Clarke managed to come to the edge of his area to just about thwart the danger.


Passley managed to get in down the left for the visitors after a good advantage had been played but fired straight at Harrison, and the visitors, who were much better in this half, forced another good save from Harrison before just getting to the loose ball before Bushell could gobble up the rebound, but Sawbo were looking the likelier to find a second at this point.


Manor then went down the other end and fired a decent effort inches wide of the far post from outside the box, before Sawbo then fired over from distance, as both teams were looking for what would probably be a big winning goal.


Manor should have found that winner too but missed another guilt edged chance as after a long-range effort had deflected into the path of the hosts, they could only fire across goal and wide, it was another heads in hands moment for the home side.


Deep into stoppage time the visitors side footed straight at Harrison as they had the chance to win it late on but both sides had to settle for a point a piece in what was a good honest battle, meaning they remained in the same situation as they found themselves in after Enfield and Clapton also ended with a point a piece after a poor 0-0 draw. 


Full Time Southend Manor 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1

Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 1

Errington Challenge Cup Preliminary Round, Wednesday 27th November 2019


Nathan Scarborough netted ten minutes from time to see Saffron Walden Town into Round One of the Errington Challenge Cup, setting up a home tie against Cockfosters, after they defeated Clapton at a soggy Southchurch Park in Southend.


The pitch just about passed an afternoon inspection but was extremely soft under foot, so conditions would be tricky for both sides,  and after a slight delay due to the goal nets being put up Walden created a couple of early chances, lobbing over before then seeing another effort saved.


The hosts then saw a dangerous ball into the box just about dealt with by the Walden defence, before The Tons had a wonderful chance to take the lead but saw the keeper save their effort.


Walden then spurned another couple of chances, seeing an effort saved at the near post before they then dragged a terrific chance wide of the far post, whilst back up the other end the hosts saw another decent opening well saved.


Clapton then won a free-kick in a dangerous position but this was curled inches wide with the keeper rooted to the spot, and then Walden fired a ball into the six yard box which hit a visitors player and ended up going off for a goal kick.


Walden then saw another effort beaten away but despite some of the first half being played in hefty fine rain, which wasn’t forecast, it had been a rather action-packed opening forty-five minutes, but it did end goalless.


Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 0


Walden nearly broke through immediately after the break as they saw a shot saved before the rebound was fired well wide, but as action packed the first half had been the second half was anything but as a largely poor half followed.


Walden wasted another attacking position after firing a poor overhit cross out of play, whilst The Tons saw a dangerous ball into the six yard box go behind the attacker meaning he could not get on the end of the ball and see it go out for a goal kick.


Walden then got in down the left but sliced wide of the near post, but it looked more and more likely this game may end up being decided by penalties.


That was until the 80^th minute when Walden managed to find the key to unlock the Clapton defence, as a square ball across to Scarborough who side footed home, and they almost doubled their lead soon after but saw a close-range effort blocked.


Scarborough’s goal though proved enough for Walden to progress into the next round in a game that at times, especially second half was a difficult watch on what was a difficult pitch for the players. They coped well though and produced a good hard-fought battle out there.

Full Time Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 1

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Ilford 0 (match abandoned after 75 minutes – floodlight failure)

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 26th November 2019

Sawbridgeworth Town were denied back to back home victories and a huge three points after their match at home to Ilford was abandoned with fifteen minutes remaining due to floodlight failure at Crofters.

The hosts went into the game knowing a second win of the campaign would take them just three points behind second bottom Clapton, whilst the visitors were looking to go three games unbeaten.

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts as Botosan’s effort was straight at Taylor, before the visitors then threatened down the left through Trivelato, but the winger’s effort was kept out by Clarke.

Ilford then had a huge shout for a penalty which on replay looked like a stonewaller it has to be said, and whilst they were still claiming it, the hosts broke downfield and fed Bushell who ran through, cut inside and fired home a left footed effort to give the hosts the advantage after 16 minutes.  The Foxes were understandably annoyed but the hosts jubilant as they had edged ahead.

Ilford almost the immediately equalised but Akanbi’s effort was saved by Clarke before he could only volley the rebound way over the bar, whilst down the other end the hosts fired wide of the far post from range.

The Foxes then sent a dangerous ball into the mix but this wasn’t connected with purposefully so the ball ended up rolling out for a goal kick, and then from nowhere came a huge flashpoint which centred around a clash between Sawbo defender Ndimbalan and Ilford forward Akanbi.

After the dust had sort of settled, Ndimbalen was shown a straight red for something he said to Akanbi, who was also booked for his part in the clash, but it meant the hosts would have to play with a man light.

Ilford then almost levelled after hosts centre half McQuillan almost saw a looping header from himself find the net, but Clarke managed to brilliantly claw away the ball and save his side from conceding.

It meant the hosts did get to the break with their lead intact, but they knew they had a hard second half ahead of them with a man light of course.

Half Time Sawbridgeworth Town 1 Ilford 0

Sawbo had the first chance of the second period as Bushell almost got onto the end of a ball forward, but keeper Taylor managed to just about come and clear the danger, and then the visitors had a shot at goal but it was straight at Clarke.

Their hadn’t been many chances to speak of in the second period though but it was still a good battle between to honest sides, but in the 71^st minute the ten men doubled their lead as Bushell managed to burst in on goal before firing past Taylor, and it looked like they were well on their way to a big three points.

But with fifteen minutes left two of the floodlight pylons went out meaning one quarter of the pitch was in darkness, and after a fifteen minute delay waiting to see if the lights could be fixed, the referee had no choice but to abandon the game, leaving the hosts frustrated. 

It all means that the game will now have to replayed at a late date which is tough on Sawbo but they at least showed they are capable of getting themselves out of a hole after a dreadful start to their season, whilst for Ilford it gives them another chance to put this right after a below par performance here.

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Ilford 0 (match abandoned after 75 minutes – floodlight failure)

Benfleet 2 May & Baker 3

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South, Saturday 16th November 2019


Substitute Gabriel Odili netted an 86^th minute winner as May & Baker twice came from behind to defeat Benfleet in a thriller at Park Drive and take all three points in their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South contest.


The first chance fell to the visitors when they fired inches over, with the ball taking a slight deflection off a defender, and from the resultant corner saw a close range header cleared off the line, whilst the hosts then sent a good ball into the box and after it was recycled to the edge of the box, an effort was struck wide of the post.


Bakers then missed a great chance as a ball to the far post saw a free header put wide from point blank range, and Benfleet then went up the other end and took the lead in the 25^th minute as Mitch Curran glanced a header into the far corner, which was slightly against the run of play if truth be told.


The visitors almost responded soon after when firing across goal but no one could get on the end of it, and then the hosts almost had the chance to double their lead after intercepting a poor pass across field, but after a nice lofted pass went in behind the defence, visiting keeper Frankie Worboyes managed to come and claim.


The visitors then headed over but five minutes before the break did manage to level when Henry Osei got into the box and fired a decent finish into the net with the outside of the boot, and it meant the teams went in level at the break.


Half Time Benfleet 1 May & Baker 1


The hosts had an early chance in the second period after whipping a ball towards goal which was just about saved by Worboyes, before hosts keeper Confrey somehow palmed a visitor’s effort onto the bar to prevent them from taking the lead.


Bakers then saw another chance go begging as a flick on released them on goal, but a poor touch saw the ball get away from them and roll off for a goal kick, and then moments later another visitors attack saw an effort deflected over the bar.


The hosts then struck wide down the other end as the game continued at a decent tempo, and then the visitors broke the offside trap but saw an eventual finish go off target, and then the hosts then got in down the right, only to send a curling effort go high and wide of the far post.


In the 64^th minute though Benfleet got their noses in front for the second time when a brilliant cross to the far post found Aaron Russell who nodded home brilliantly, and the visitors tried to get back on level terms yet again but Confrey produced a decent stop before another effort was sliced wide.


Benfleet then had a couple of chances to increase their lead, seeing an effort blocked before the resultant corner was blasted over the bar after the loose ball had fallen to them inside the box, and then a terrific block down the other end thwarted the visitors again, you really couldn’t take your eyes off this one!!!


Benfleet then burst down the other end but saw their effort kicked away by Worboyes, and then in the 72^nd minute Baker’s levelled again when a ball into the six-yard box saw Carl Patten loose his marker to side foot home from close range.


Confrey then made another brilliant save to deny the visitors from going ahead, and then the corner was flicked wide, and then the visitors burst through but overrun the ball, only to see Confrey fail to gather and see a defender come to his rescue, and then down the other end a ball was fired across the six yard box as both teams looked for a winner.


Benfleet then saw a header cleared off the line and then the visitors struck the post from close range, but, with four minutes left May & Baker grabbed the lead for the first time in this contest as substitute Odili burst through to slot home.


Bakers so nearly sealed the deal when they struck the woodwork with a terrific free-kick, and Fleet were to end the game with ten men after Curran was sin binned as the game entered stoppage time.


After two or three minutes of stoppage time though this terrific game was brought to an end, and the visitors had taken the points here to remain in the top ten of the division, only two points off the top four places and one behind fifth placed Benfleet.


Full Time Benfleet 2 May & Baker 3