Rayleigh Town 4 Galleywood 0

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Tuesday 3rd May

I was back over at Rayleigh Sports & Social Club on Tuesday to see if Rayleigh Town could keep their title hopes alive, and a superb second half from the hosts saw them sweep struggling Galleywood aside to do just that, keeping the pressure on Ongar Town and Basildon Town.

The equation for Rayleigh was simple, they had to win, and a win would take them to the top of the pile on goal difference and would leave both Ongar Town and Basildon Town needing to avoid defeat in their final league games over the coming two weekends to overhaul Rayleigh and have a chance of winning the title themselves.

Ongar Town led the way on goal difference from Basildon Town with Rayleigh three points back, Rayleigh would complete the campaign this evening, and also play their last game at the Sports & Social club for at least a season after announcing they would be ground sharing at Concord Rangers next season as they have ambitions of promotion to Step Six and senior football.

Galleywood in contrast have different ambitions right now, chiefly trying to stay in the Premier Division and avoid a swift return to Division One after just one season, but they had been in decent form lately as they looked to gain enough points to climb out of the bottom three, in the six games they had played in April they had won three, drawn one and lost two, although when they played Rayleigh at home in March they had suffered a thumping 5-0 home defeat, so they were hoping to avoid another crushing defeat here.

A point for the visitors would have been enough to take them out of the bottom three on goal difference, and in the first half they certainly more than matched their opponents who were getting frustrated that things were not going their way, and with the score line goalless at the break Wood were very much on their way to gaining a precious point thus preventing the hosts continue their title hopes.

However, this all changed in the second period as four minutes after the break Rayleigh managed to get their noses in front when a ball in behind the defence saw Harry Talbot run onto it and with the keeper slow to come out to get to the ball first, Talbot slotted the ball beyond him and saw it roll towards the goal and go over the line, and from that moment on the hosts totally dominated proceedings.

Just before the hour mark it was two after the brilliant Talbot beat his man on the left, drove into the box before slotting across the keeper and into the far corner for a lovely solo effort, and then Talbot was involved once again for Rayleigh's third just five minutes later, seeing a lovely flowing move ending with Talbot squaring for strike partner Liam Oliver who slammed home from close range.

And the scoring was completed in the fading light with two minutes to go when guess who, yep you guessed right, Talbot, grabbed another assist when his ball across the box to the far post found Will Vile who thumped home from a yard or so out to complete a marvellous second period for the home side, and send them top of the table on goal difference.

It was a very disappointing second half for the visitors after such a promising opening forty five minutes, and this defeat leaves them in the bottom three with two games remaining, but with a much worse goal difference prior to kick off, although it is still just about better than the teams above them, which could prove very crucial indeed.

Full time Rayleigh Town 4 Galleywood 0

So, after this result, this is how the table looks.....

The title race is simple, if Basildon Town avoid defeat at Hutton on Saturday they will take over at the top, and depending on what Basildon Town do at Hutton, Ongar Town would have to at least match what Basildon Town did to win the title as their goal difference is superior. If both Basildon Town and Ongar fail to avoid defeat though then Rayleigh Town would pick up the title on goal difference, Ongar are at home to Catholic United for your info.  I am expecting both Basildon and Ongar to win their final games anyway meaning Ongar would win the division, but what do I know, pressure does funny things doesn't it, and Hutton and Catholic are decent sides so it won't be easy that is for sure.

Down at the bottom just the one point separates third bottom Galleywood and tenth placed Swifts, so the battle to stay out of that third bottom position and possible relegation to Division One will be interesting to say the least, Leigh Rams have finished their season now and will hope results go in their favour regarding the two teams below them who can still overhaul them with positive results. The Springfield Vs Galleywood match on the 14th May will be a massive game, the hosts would stay up if they won that game regardless of Wood's result on Saturday at Catholic, so strap yourselves in for that one!!!

I plan to be at Polo Fields for the Hutton Vs Basildon Town match up on Saturday to see if the visitors can gain the points to keep their title hopes alive for another week at least, should be fun!!!

 

Ten man Hashtag United Reserves take Len Cordell Plate/Enfield win thrilling Errington Challenge Cup finale on a superb day at Burroughs Park

 (Action from the Errington Challenge Cup final)

Monday 2nd May

I was over at Burroughs Park, Great Wakering, for two Essex Senior League finals on bank holiday Monday, and it saw Hashtag United Reserves and Enfield take the honours as they both won their respective finals in front of another decent crowd on a at times warm and sunny day in what is statistically the driest part of the UK.

There were two finals, the Len Cordell Plate for the reserve sides, and the Errington Challenge Cup for the first teams, Hashtag United and White Ensign were competing in the Plate whilst Cockfosters and Enfield contested the Challenge Cup, shall we see how these two games panned out?? Why not.....

Len Cordell Plate Final

White Ensign Reserves 1 Hashtag United Reserves 2 (aet)

On paper you would have expected the Tags to win this one, they had narrowly missed out on the Reserve Division One title to Billericay Town and were up against a White Ensign side who had finished down in eighth out of eleven sides in Division Two.

Both sides had finished bottom of their respective tables in the Group Stages of the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy, but had ended up in this Plate Final in the end, so both sides at least had a chance to win something this season. It was a morning kick off too, so who would be the most awake and take the title?

It turned out to be a much tighter affair than most expected, and Ensign were the ones to break the deadlock just past the midway point of the first half, and it was a very disappointing goal for The Tags to concede to as hesitant defending allowed Ensign attacker Emmanuel Abudiore to steal in and loft a header over Jack Gannon and into the net.

Hashtag though managed to respond five minutes before the break when a free kick into the box saw Brandon Chapman send a glancing header towards the far corner, and although Archie Matthews got a big hand on it, he could not prevent it from finding the bottom corner, Matthews would have been disappointed to have not kept it out though.

But then moments before half time Hashtag's Jonny Vandyck was brought down just outside the box on the by-line, and appeared to take a dislike to whatever his opponent did and duly kicked out at him, resulting in a straight red for the Tags player and an early bath, and leaving his side a man light for the remainder of the contest, it was a very stupid thing to do and Ensign must have thought advantage them.

It did not turn out that way though as the Tags seemed to cope quite well with a man light, and it were they who enjoyed the better of the majority of the second period, but as the game headed towards extra time, Ensign begin to get a foot hold back into the contest, maybe Hashtag were tiring, and they almost lost the game right at the end when Abudiore found himself with a clear shot at goal, but keeper Gannon made a crucial save meaning an extra half hour was needed.

And in the 109th minute the winning moment came, although many felt it was a controversial lead up to it, as the linesman flagged for a free kick over on the right flank which looked soft to say the least, although I did speak to the official afterwards and he says he played the man before the ball, so that is why the free kick was given.

Anyway from this free kick the ball was swung in to the box and substitute Brad Bunker rose to nod home and send the ten men into the lead, this was too much for the Ensign bench who were still incensed with the award of the free kick, and resulted in one of their management being shown a straight red for something said towards the linesman.

Hashtag managed to hold onto the lead as well and saw them crowed Len Cordell Plate winners for 2021/22, this after having to play the best part of 75 minutes with ten men, an extraordinary effort for them indeed, whereas it was disappointment for White Ensign who could not take advantage of that man extra and fell to a tough defeat.

Full time White Ensign Reserves 1 Hashtag United Reserves 2

Errington Challenge Cup Final

Cockfosters 2 Enfield 3

Time for the main event then, an all North London affair between Fosters and the Es, ok the Es play in Bishop's Stortford these days but do originate from North of the capital, Fosters had finished ninth in the ESL whilst Enfield had finished fifth, so a decent game was expected. And we were not to be disappointed..... 

Both sides had received byes into the First Round of the competition, Fosters then saw off Clapton, FC Clacton and then Stanway Rovers on penalties in the semi finals, whilst Enfield saw off Saffron Walden Town, Sawbridgeworth Town and then Hoddesdon Town in the semi finals, setting up this final tie at Burroughs Park.

Fosters actually started the better of the two sides but it was Enfield who broke the deadlock after eighteen minutes when Louie Johnson cut inside onto his right foot and struck a shot from outside the box which bounced off the hard surface in front of keeper Charlie Mann, hit the keeper, and then squeeze over the line, it was a error for sure and it handed Enfield the lead.

It was a lead that was to be doubled five minutes later with one of the best goals I have ever seen, as Dwade James hit a rising ball with his right foot from the right side of the box, cutting across it to put backspin on the ball, and saw an unstoppable effort fly past Mann and thump into the top corner of the net, it was an amazing goal and had everyone in the ground going wow, it was superb and now Enfield had a two goal cushion from nowhere.

Fosters were shell shocked to say the least, as was I and most of the other spectators inside the ground, still reeling from that James wonder goal, and Enfield pretty much ended the contest just past the half hour, or so we thought, when a free kick from the left was nodded home at the near post by Samrai Gebrai, and Enfield had a three goal lead to take into the changing room.

It was harsh on Fosters who did not deserve to be three goals down, but The E's had been ruthless in attack and had grabbed that three goal lead, did Fosters have anything left, or would Enfield go on and win handsomely?

It was imperative Fosters got the next goal, and seven minutes after the break they did just that when The E's backline fell asleep and allowed Reece Mosanya to nip in and slot past James Bransgrove, game on?? Well things were about to rather halt that comeback or any chance of one.

That is because just before the hour mark Fosters defender Michael Okafor produced a very poor and dangerous challenge on Reece Conway, leaving the Enfield midfielder in a lot of pain and discomfort, and cued a rather angry reaction from Conway's teammates as a melee ensued.

After it had all calmed down the referee had no choice but to show Okafor a straight red card, it was the correct decision in my view, and it left Fosters down to ten men for the final half hour and leaving their comeback hopes less likely now, attention then turned to Conway who received lengthy treatment before being helped off the pitch, hopefully the damage isn't too much although he could at least lip around afterwards which was a good sign.

Would the game now just drift to a conclusion, well of course not, the ten man of Fosters continued to battle gamely and try and get back into the contest and risk being countered on by the E's, but just after the board had gone up for seven minutes of added on time to be played, Fosters netted a second to really set up a grandstand finish, and what a goal it was, we were being spoiled in this one!!!

Substitute Daniel Ferrigno, not to be outdone by James after his first half stunner, sent a terrific right footed volley from outside the box and saw it dip over Bransgrove into the net and reinstall belief back into Fosters as an unlikely comeback was very much on again with several minutes left to play.

However, they could not muster another decent chance, and fair play to Enfield whose game management in stoppage time was first class, and it meant they held on to win this prestigious competition and become winners of the Errington Challenge Cup for 2021/22. What a game it had been, so fair play to both sides for creating such a wonderful game of football.

Full time Cockfosters 2 Enfield 3

A brilliant day then and thanks to the Essex Senior League for having me once again at another couple of finals, it is always very much appreciated.....
 

 

East London side Baiteze took FA Sunday Cup honours for 2021/22 after deserved victory over Highgate Albion at The Den

(Baiteze hold aloft the FA Sunday Cup after victory over Highgate Albion at The Den)

The FA Sunday Cup Final, Sunday 1st May (at Millwall FC)

I was over at The Den on the first day of May and saw goals from Shomari Barnwell and Chaka Barnett help East London side Baiteze to a well deserved victory over North London side Highgate Albion and take FA Sunday Cup honours for 2021/22.

I had been contacted by the Essex Corinthian League and asked if I wanted to come along to this prestigious final, and of course I said yes, so I tagged along with them to watch one of their sides compete in what is a National Final, so it was a very big day for the league and I was chuffed to have been asked along to watch it with them.

Baiteze play in the Senior Division of the Corinthian League so it was them who I would be cheering on today along with the other nine members of our party, and they were up against North London side Highgate Albion who play their football in the Barnet Sunday League, shall we see how both sides got to this final as they battled 64 other clubs to reach this stage of the competition.

First Round

Baiteze 0 Borussia Martlesham 0 (Baiteze won 5-4 on penalties) 

Skew Bridge A-W Highgate Albion

Baiteze could have easily gone out in the very first round but managed to sneak through on spot kicks against Ipswich Sunday League side Bourussia Martlesham. It was a slightly easier passage for Albion in their First Round Tie after their Herts Advertiser Sunday League opponents Skew Bridge withdrew from the competition.

Second Round

Baiteze 3 SE Dons 2

Falcons A-W Highgate Albion

Baiteze had another tough encounter against Orpington & Bromley District side SE Dons, but they came out on top in the odd goal of five in front of over 2,000 at Barking FC's Mayesbrook Park in what was a monumental effort by all for an FA Sunday Cup contest, whereas Albion once again went through without kicking a ball after their Cambridge & District opponents Falcons withdrew.

Third Round

Grand Athletic 1 Baiteze 3

Highgate Albion 2 Burghfield 0

Baiteze played away for the first time in the competition and made it through after a 3-1 win at Metropolitan Sunday League Grand Athletic, and Highgate finally played a game in this seasons competition and won it 2-0 at home to Reading & District side Burghfield.

Quarter Finals

Scawthorpe Athletic 2 Baiteze 4

Highgate Albion 6 Club Lewsey 1

Baiteze had the long journey to Doncaster for their final eight tie, but they saw off Doncaster Rovers Sunday League outfit Scawthorpe Athletic, whereas Highgate Albion welcomed Leighton & District side Club Lewsey to North London, and stuck six past them as they cruised into the semi finals.

Semi Finals

Baiteze 1 Middlesbrough Dormans 1 (Baiteze won 3-2 on penalties)

Highgate Albion 3 Mayfair 2

Both semi finals were played on neutral venues, Baiteze needed a second penalty shoot out of the competition to see of Stockton Sunday League side Middlesbrough Dormans at Boston United FC, and at Solihull Moors FC Highgate won out in the odd goal in five to defeat Liverpool Business Houses side Mayfair)

So, that is how both sides made it to The Den for an all London contest, East versus North, in the South East of the capital, let's see how that final panned out...

Baiteze 2 Highgate Albion 0

Both sides were packed with quality as you would expect, and both had players who played at a very decent level in Saturday football, so this final would be very well contested you would have thought.

And both sides had also unsurprisingly had very good seasons in their respective leagues,  Baiteze had won ten of their fourteen league games although that won't be enough for the title, they sit third in the standings and cannot overhaul leaders Hatch Lane who are already champions, but they can still pinch the runners up spot off FC Ballr if they win their remaining two outings.

Highgate on the other hand can win their division if they win their remaining three games, two of which are against second placed Trabzonspor UK and then leaders AFC Oakwood, so they have some end to their season after this game that is for sure, but all the focus for both sides today was on FA Sunday Cup glory and the chance to call themselves National winners, it doesn't come along often that.

A very decent crowd of 1,440 turned up at The Den to cheer there sides on, a brilliant attendance it has to be said, and they were both hoping that their side could gain the upper hand early on and set the platform for a victory of course, and three minutes in Baiteze did just that when they swept ahead.

It was a brilliant move as well from the East Londoners, and it ended with Samuel Jeremiah bursting into the box down the right before he squared across goal for Barnwell to apply the finishing touch beyond keeper Alexandru Gauriloaia, and it cued huge celebrations amongst the Baiteze squad, it was the perfect start for them, how would Highgate respond?

Well, in fact things almost got worse for them in more than one, as Barnwell almost had a second when he chased down a ball and went into a crunching tackle with Highgate keeper Gauriloaia way outside the box, and Barnwell won this battle and swivelled and lofted an effort just wide of the gaping goal, and the Highgate keeper was left stricken and unable to continue, meaning Luke Ward had to come off the bench and take his place in goal. Not the ideal opening quarter for sure for the North London outfit.

Barnwell could have had a hat-trick in the opening half hour, he and the superb Jeremiah almost combined again, but the tall number nine could not apply the finishing touch this time and somehow missed from close range, the East London side were most certainly having the best of the game that was for sure.

Highgate's main threat was certainly down the right through the pacey and dangerous Solomon Ofori, and he nearly got on the end of a pass but saw his sliding effort saved by keeper Muhammad Otuyo but the keeper injured his knee after Ofori slid into him when he was making the save, and required attention on more than one occasion and I thought I would see a game where both first choice keepers went off injured, but Otuyo soldered on and remained between the sticks.

That was certainly Highgate's biggest chance although they did threaten on occasions but it was the East London side who were causing the biggest threat, and this continued in the second period and saw Baiteze miss several chances to kill the game off, Jeremiah teed up Malachi Napa, who was also a big threat, but he somehow side footed wide, and Ward also thwarted Barnwell at his near post in another chance.

Would Baiteze regret missing all these openings, it would only take one moment for them to lapse in concertation and allow the North Londoners to draw level, and there were some tricky moments for Baiteze at the back, one effort was fired into the side netting whilst keeper Otuyo dived on the ball after it had broken to him inside the box fortuitously.

But Baiteze did finally settle any nerves with a clinching second goal as two substitutes combined to grab that all important second, Alex Teniola struck a magnificent long range effort which thumped against the underside of the bar, and Barnett was the quickest to react to nod the rebound into the corner of the net, and spark wild scenes amongst the East London side and their partisan fans, with only five minutes left they knew the job was done.

It was a deserved win for Baiteze, they had been the best team on the day, and a special mention must also go to midfielder Kevin Gibbs who was my MOTM for sure, he was superb on the day and definitely deserves a mention.

Commiserations to Highgate though, they did all they could but were second best ultimately, but they have done so well to reach a National Final and now have three big league games to come to see if they can win their division in the Barnet Sunday League.

Lastly many thanks to The Corinthian League for inviting me along for hospitality and the like, and it was a pleasure to see your side win a National Competition, and share that with you in person, so congratulations and again many thanks.

Full time Baiteze 2 Highgate Albion 0

    

Witham Town 3 Saffron Walden Town 0

Step 4/5 Inter-Step Play-Off, Saturday 30th April

I returned to my spiritual home of football in the shape of Spa Road, Witham, on the final Saturday in April and saw hosts Witham Town survive relegation to the Essex Senior League and keep their place in the Isthmian North after they swept Saffron Walden Town aside in their Step 4/5 Inter-Step playoff.

It is always a special and emotional time for me when I return to Spa Road, it is the ground my father took me too for my very first football game as an excited ten year old back in 1990 when Witham Town drew 2-2 with Rainham Town, and we spent many a time watching them play for the next two decades and became heavily involved with the club with my dad being programme editor for six years.

And in 2008 when my father passed away, the club’s officials came to his funeral which I will always be grateful for, and they also played a charity game in his honour the summer after, which was very nice indeed. One of those club officials who attended my dad’s funeral was then chairman Tony Last, who sadly passed away a few years later, so I made sure I went to his send off too, may him and his wife and daughter forever rest in peace up there in the sky, you will all be missed that is for sure.

So, as you can see, I have a big emotional attachment to the club, I grew up in Witham and went to school there too, spending my first 17 years there before moving away, so yes coming back is always an emotional time, and this was a very big game for the club against ESL runners up Saffron Walden Town, who I have great affection for too after covering the league for a few years now.

Walden have always treated me like royalty when I have visited their Catons Lane ground, and this was there big chance to win promotion to Step Four, which for the club would be an amazing achievement, so on one side I had the awful thought of Witham being relegated, but on the other side Walden winning promotion, and vice versa (Witham staying up and Walden failing to achieve their goal), so to say my emotions were all over the show would be an understatement.

Anyway, enough about how I was feeling, and more about the game, Witham netted a 95^th minute winner last weekend to make sure they got the relegation playoff spot in the Isthmian North at the expense of Barking, who were sent down as a result, Walden of course netted a comfortable win over Hoddesdon Town last weekend to seal the runners up spot in the ESL and the play off game today, if you would like to see my blog on Walden’s win last weekend click here http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2022/04/saffron-walden-town-2-hoddesdon-town-0.html

It had been a remarkable run of form for The Bloods coming into this tie, they were unbeaten in twelve games with eleven wins, whereas Witham had struggled hence their lowly position although four points from their last two games made sure they made this playoff tie, so they would draw on that grit and determination to get themselves through this tie, it would certainly be a battle against a Walden side who know how to win games right now.

The visitors almost had the ideal start too, as less than five minutes in had a golden chance to take the lead when Kris Oti found himself clear on goal, but saw his finish well saved by the onrushing Rhys Madden, who saved his side from making the worst possible start in front of 697 at Spa Road, but thereafter Walden barely threatened as Witham began to create the more clear-cut chances.

Jimmy Wallace could only nod wide at the far post from a corner, and then Adam Vyse saw an effort beaten away by James Young, and Young would make another couple of decent saves to keep the hosts out, and although Walden did see Gavin Cockman drag an effort wide down the other end, their only other chance of the half of note, the hosts were to go into the break a goal ahead.

This is because five minutes before the break a corner kick in from the right saw keeper Young fail to deal with it and the ball found it’s way through to Rian Mclean who sent a downward header from point blank range into the corner of the net, and send the home fans behind that goal wild, Witham had that all important lead.

Walden needed a quick response in the second period, but it was Witham who were to strike the next blow, and what a goal it was too, as ten minutes into the second period Josh Osude burst down the right flank before cutting inside onto his right foot and firing an unstoppable effort beyond Young into the far corner, it was a special strike and Walden now had it all to do.

Seven minutes later though Witham all but ended the contest when they added a third, again from a corner as no one from Walden dealt with the ball in and Wallace climbed highest to power home a header from close range, and the hosts now had a comfortable three goal cushion, and they could almost see the game out with relative comfort.

The hosts did blot their copybook before the end though as with seventeen minutes of the ninety to go Archie Tamplin was shown a second yellow for going through the back of Craig Calver meaning the hosts would finish the game with ten men, but this was really the only negative for the hosts all afternoon and they easily saw out the game to take a big win and keep their place in the Isthmian North for next season.

This was Walden’s first loss in thirteen games, and they choose one of their biggest to put in probably one of their most disappointing performances especially second half where they were outplayed by their hosts, keeper Young was the only reason the score line wasn’t more as he made some decent saves.

They battled well especially first half and if Oti had netted that early chance who knows, but it’s another year of ESL football for The Bloods next season as a result, but they can be proud of their achievements this season for sure.

Full time Witham Town 3 Saffron Walden Town 0