Hitchin Town 1 Grays Athletic 1 - Southern One Central hosts net 95th minute equaliser to force replay in Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round & deny Isthmian One North visitors hard fought win & passage into the next round

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Saturday 16th August

This was my first Saturday football in the UK for quite a few weeks, but it was a good one as I finally got myself over to Hitchin Town's Top Field, and it is a top field in every sense of the word let me tell you, I have heard lots of good things about it, so have always wanted to visit it myself.

Today was that day, and they were up against a familiar side to myself, and a side that are just up the road from where I live, Grays Athletic, in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, the hosts were a Step Three side last term but suffered relegation and are now in the Southern League One Central, which is the same level as Grays who are competing in the Isthmian One North.

Before I go on to put some meat on the bones of how this game could play out and did play out, a little bit about the ground, well it has a nice bar and lots of space to drink in, lots of TV screens and projectors showing live football and all the channels you would associate with a football club, and once inside the ground you are met with a wonderful stadium which has plenty of character too it, and considering how old the ground is, it's very good indeed.

I love these old grounds, obviously some of it has been touched up over the years, but the lovely old seated stand on one side, a superb open terrace at one end, a nice sized covered one which bends around the other end and then an old wooden terraced stand on the other side behind the dug outs, it really is a wonderful place to watch football, it also has a lovely tea bar with friendly staff serving you decent grub, even if it is a bit pricey!!!

One other thing I'd like to mention, after I had walked as far away from the tea bar as possible, I fancied a coffee, and I just happened to mention this to a club official in a lovely club suite, he had just come out of the boardroom, and he duly took me into their and got some one to make me a coffee, I mean how cool is that, very much appreciated, it's not a bad little boardroom either, so whatever happened after this didn't really matter, my day had already been made and enjoyable.

Right, to the game, Hitchin were probably favourites to win this game, they had kept largely the same squad from the season before when they were relegated from Step Three and were amongst the favourites to take the Southern One Central and get back up, Grays themselves knew this would be a tough game but they also had a decent squad assembled by the management for this campaign and were equally ready to give the season a crack and make the play offs at least.

Both sides had started their league campaigns last weekend and both had record one win and one defeat so far, Grays did gave to beat Essex Senior League Barking in the Extra Preliminary Round whereas Hitchin were beginning their journey in this years competition, so based on both sides starts, there wasn't a lot in it, but people in the know knew that the visitors would have to play very well if they were going to record a positive outcome.

Well, the opening exchanges were very promising for the Essex side, and they took a 12th minute lead when a cross from the right saw Callum Fitzer send a wonderful first time volley beyond hosts keeper Joshua Bowler and give them the early advantage, stunning the home crowd of almost 500 and sending the decent sized visiting support wild, it had been a very good start to this contest for Grays.

Hitchin had a lot of possession but found the Grays defence a tough nut to crack, and to be honest keeper George Marsh had very little to do as his defence put in a few blocks to deny the hosts any chance of testing him, and in fact Grays, who had the dangerous Jayden Silcott-Brown as an outlet down the right hand side, could easily have doubled their lead when a break from a hosts attack saw him burst in down the right, see an effort deflect towards the far stick, and seemingly find strike partner Luke Hirst to apply a finishing touch.

But no, a superb last ditch clearance from right under Hirst's nose from full back Lewis Franklin denied the visitors, it was a goal saving challenge if ever I saw one, and it kept the hosts only a goal behind rather than two, Hitchin's best chance of the half did see striker Taylor Rhiney get across his marker to glance a header just over the bar rather in into the net, it meant the visitors would go into the break a goal ahead and executing their game plan to perfection.

Hitchin once again had plenty of possession in the second period, but they just could not penetrate a solid and organised visiting back line, and the frustrations were clear to see, they were running out of ideas as the second period went on, Grays were just happy to soak it all up and repel, although they offered very little going forward in the second period and their were some rather tired bodies out there.

They kept plugging away though, and it just seemed as though Hitchin would not find that leveller, too many final balls were wanting as they tried to force the issue, caused by some superb defensive play from the visitors who were mastering a perfect gameplan and away performance, again Marsh was rarely tested in the visitors goal due to defensive blocks and wayward finishing, although they did come close when the ball struck the base of Grays post late on, and at that moment you could have been forgiven that this was the visitors day.

However, there was to be one last twist in this tie, as in the 95th minute the hosts mounted one last attack down the left, and saw Callum Kane send a ball into the box which glanced of Rhiney's head straight into the head of Grays centre half Lewis Clark and saw the ball fly perfectly beyond Marsh into the far corner, and hand the hosts a late late equaliser.

It was gutting for the visitors who had worked so so hard in this game, and had up till that point done everything correctly, but one moment right at the end of the game had denied them what would have been a superb hard working win against the odds, and saw Hitchin live to fight another day, Wednesday in fact, in a replay against Grays at Chadfields in Tilbury.

A good cup tie though and fair play to the hosts who didn't give up even if it looked as though it wasn't going to be their day, Grays will no doubt fancy their chances at home in midweek but Hitchin will certainly be a threat still and will equally fancy winning second time round, should be a decent replay that, that's for Wednesday, but today was a very enjoyable day, played at a marvellous venue.

Full time Hitchin Town 1 Grays Athletic 1

  

   

May & Baker 1 Cannons Wood 0 - Bakers grab 88th minute winner to record first league win of Thurlow Nunn South season after a deserved victory over Cannons Wood at Parsloes Park in Dagenham

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 15th August

My latest football match of the new season saw me make a Friday evening trip over to Dagenham and the Bobby Moore Sports Hub in Parsloes Park for a Thurlow Nunn South contest between May & Baker & Cannons Wood.

Now the hosts were under new management in the shape of Steve Clark and Matt G, who had worked together at Sporting Bengal United, and they were shaping a side they were hoping to make a charge for one of the play off places at the very least, the season had not started how they had hoped, three games down and three draws in games they felt they should have won comfortably.

They were still unbeaten though and were aiming to claim a first league win at the fourth time of trying against a Cannon Wood side who had started the season in decent form themselves, two wins, a draw and a defeat so far, and they could possibly climbed into those play off places with a point although they were no doubt aiming for all three, yes it's early days but it was still a good incentive to grab a positive result in this one.

It was Cannons Wood who had the first opening early on, but this turned out to be a rare thing during the contest as it turned out as once May & Baker settled into the stride, they were the ones creating the bulk of the chances that came along, their best two in the first half saw skipper and centre half Murad Kutateladze somehow glanced a header wide from point blank range, and then striker Reon George was sent though on goal, but he could only fire against keeper Brandon Bullman before the loose ball was hacked away.

They had numerous other openings too but just could not find that killer instinct in front of goal, and Cannons Wood were certainly the happier of the two sides going into half time level, with the hosts arguing amongst themselves as they headed off cutting very frustrated figures indeed at how they had failed to be ahead at the break.

The second followed pretty much the same pattern, Bakers missing chances and Cannons Wood holding on for the majority, they were digging in though to their credit and did have some rare moments of danger at the other end, a couple of corners caused problems but they were really the ones being put under pressure time and time again by a goal shy hosts.

It really was starting to feel like the home side would not score if they played till Christmas, and you expected them to fluff their lines everytime they got into a goal scoring position, some of the chances were easier to score, they even struck the post too, it was looking like one of those evenings for them, and a repeat of their opening three games.

But, in the 88th minute they finally found the breakthrough, and it was a total fluke of course, full back Sam Townsend, who had sent in quite a few decent balls in the second period after coming on as a substitute, lofted a cross in from the right and was merely attempting to get the ball into the danger area, well keeper Bullman should have claimed the cross easily you thought, but no, the ball somehow ended up in the net, no idea how, but it did, and Bakers could finally celebrate a goal they thought was never going to come, quite bizarre, but deserved if truth be told.

And even though their was a good chunk of stoppage time to come, Cannons Wood never really threatened a leveller, in fact the hosts should have sealed it but of course missed again, Bullman making a good stop to deny I think George, but the hosts did manage a goal at least to earn them a first win of the season, even if they made hard work of it and should have won it comfortably, they did win it though so that's all that matters.

So, May & Baker are now unbeaten in their first four outings this season and will now hope to add more wins to take them up to where they would like to be, for Cannons Wood this was a disappointing performance as they lose a second game of the season, they did almost hold on for a point but it would have been a very fortunate one had they achieved it, no doubt they will go again in their next outing and make some improvements in that one. 

Full time May & Baker 1 Cannons Wood 0

Sporting Bengal United 3 Hackney Wick 3 - Issa Sidibe nets second half hat trick as visitors produce extraordinary fight back after a first half hat trick from Noah Adejokun seemingly had hosts cruising to victory in their Essex Senior League contest

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 13th August

Another Wednesday night and another trip to Mile End to watch Sporting Bengal United, this time they were in league action against Hackney Wick in a rearranged fixture after the original game was abandoned two weeks ago due to a broken goal post, which was a new one for most of us!!!

Thankfully the goalposts were now fixed and all was well once again at Mile End, and both sides looked to catch up on that fixture and gain more points in their league campaigns, the hosts had come into this one off the back of a humbling 4-0 loss at Woodford Town whereas Wick had picked up a first win this season in the league after they came from behind to win at Hullbridge Sports.

Could Sporting then bounce back from that heavy loss or would Wick build on that first success in the league and make it back to back wins, well it was the hosts who flew out of the blocks and lead inside three minutes, Wick failed to clear their lines and allowed Noah Adejokun to apply and neat finish into the bottom corner, and for the rest of the half the hosts dominated.

They struck the bar with a free kick soon after and then also saw a header come back off the post, and they also saw another opening goal inches wide of the far post, they did however double their lead just past the half hour mark and it was either a absolute moment of genius, or just pure luck, whatever it was it was brilliant.

Adejokun got the ball on the right and sent a ball into the box with the outside of his boot, but the ball spun perfectly over keeper Teddy Baena who was a fraction off his line, and saw the ball end up in the far corner, whether it was meant or not who knows, but it gave the hosts a deserved second goal and breathing space.

Wick had been well below par it had to be said, their manager even made a triple change a few minutes before the break, that's how upset he was with his side, although they did concede again in the 44th minute when Adejokun completed a first half hat trick by ramming home from barely a yard out, and even missed another great chance before the half was out.

It could easily have been six or seven to the hosts at half time, they were that dominant, but they still held what looked like a unassailable three goal cushion at the break, and surely they were well on their way to the points and bouncing back from that defeat at the weekend.

Football is a funny game though isn't it, whatever was said in that visiting changing room at half time certainly did the trick, Wick were far more on it from the start of the second half and were a totally different side it seemed, and they duly pulled a goal back just before the hour mark when Issa Sidibe followed up to score on the rebound after his initial effort was blocked, game on now perhaps?

Wick were now totally on top and the hosts could barely get out of their own half, and you felt it was only a matter of time before Wick would find another goal to really make it interesting, and sure enough in the 77th minute they reduced the arrears further when a long ball brilliantly controlled before Sidibe was handed the ball to ram home superbly for his second and now the hosts were really on the back foot and clinging on somewhat.

Would they hold on or even somehow find a fourth goal to clinch this one and breathe a sigh of relief, they had barely threatened in the second period, a total contrast to the first half, and it was Wick who were doing all the running in this half after a very poor opening forty five minutes.

There was a whole heap of stoppage time of course, and five minutes into that Wick were handed a golden chance to grab that leveller and salvage what looked at half time like a very unlikely point, a foul inside the box gave Sidibe the chance to complete his hat trick and level the game, and he smashed home the penalty to do just that, could they do the unthinkable and actually win the game?

They nearly did just that, but missed a golden chance just before the end, they had enough openings in the second half to have won it, this had certainly been a game of two halves if ever I saw one, absolutely mad, bonkers, but brilliant entertainment, it means both sides earn a point, but weirdly both would probably have been disappointed with that, Sporting because they should have been out of sight at half time and led 3-0, and Wick because they probably should have won it at the end.

Football eh, never ceases to amaze does it.....

Full time Sporting Bengal United 3 Hackney Wick 3

  

Lymore Gardens 4 Stansted 1 - A second half brace from Dylan Roberts helped Lymore Gardens continue 100% start to their debut season in Senior Football as they netted four in victory over Stansted in their Thurlow Nunn South contest

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Friday 8th August

My second competitive outing since I got back to the UK a few days ago saw me take in a first league matchup, and it came in the Thurlow Nunn South in what was a very intriguing looking contest between Senior Football newboys Lymore Gardens, and Stansted, who had been relegated from the Essex Senior League last season.

Lymore had won promotion from the Essex Alliance Senior Division last season to take their place in Step Six football and senior status for the very first time, and they were up against a Stansted side who themselves had suffered relegation heartache last season and had totally rebuilt their squad for this campaign, so it really was interesting to see how these two sides would match up against each other.

Lymore could not have asked for a better start to life in Senior football as well, two games played, both at Oakside, and two wins scoring nine goals in the process, a 5-1 thumping of Hoddesdon Town was followed by a 4-2 success over Brimsdown as they continued their brilliant attacking football from last season's promotion winning campaign, could they continue this free scoring game against a Stansted side who after netting a 4-2 at, you guessed it, Oakside, on the opening weekend against Newbury Forest, they had failed to win in the next two.

One of those games was a creditable 1-1 draw at May & Baker, but that was followed up by a late 2-1 loss at Burnham Ramblers, meaning they came into this game having experienced all emotions already in their three games thus far, could they repeat their opening day success at Oakside and get back to winning ways perhaps?

Well, it was the hosts who began on the front foot in this one, full of confidence after they two thumping wins already this campaign on the 3G at Oakside, and in the 11th minute they broke through to take the lead, a lovely flowing move down the right saw Yinka Akinlabi's ball find Munnir Saad who got past a rather naive attempt to win the ball from a defender who dived in, allowing Saad to go into the box and finish beyond the keeper at his near post, advantage Lymore.

However, once Stansted had weathered the hosts storm and settle into the contest themselves, they began to look dangerous and had a couple of decent openings to level, however it remained 1-0 to the hosts into the second half and it looking increasingly likely that the visitors would find a leveller and make their pressure count.

It was however Lymore who should have doubled their lead when they countered on their opponents but after rounding the keeper saw a goalbound effort blocked by two covering defenders, and minutes later Stansted were level, in the 58th minute another attack saw a loose ball go across goal to I think Thomas Lawrence (I could not make out who it actually was but it was in his position so guessed it may be him!!!) who swept home first time.

The game was now in the balance although you felt maybe the visitors could net again as their tails were well up by now, and a couple of minutes later they should have gone ahead when Dan Jones saw an effort well saved, and moments later guess what, Lymore punished them for this by going down the other end and restoring their lead, a lovely pass from Wisley Baltazar found Dylan Roberts who raced through to slot home.

No doubt the visitors would have been frustrated with this, they had finally got in level terms and were now having to chase the game again versus a very dangerous opponent, especially in transition, they could break on you at pace and really cause you issues, as they did, it remained in the balance though as Stansted tried to get back on level terms once again, but whatever they tried, Lymore could deal with.

And in the 84th minute, the game was all but sealed, Lymore mounted an attack which ended with a foul on the edge of the box, Thomas duly stepped up to fire a low free kick beyond the keeper into the bottom corner, he had a brace and five for the season already, and Lymore had three and breathing space heading into the final moments of the game.

A sizable chunk of stoppage time followed, and gave the hosts enough time to add a fourth to add gloss to the scoreline, Thomas turning provider this time to invade another naive challenge, square the ball across goal, finding Ryo Brown who took a touch before slamming home to cap a fine evening for the hosts and make it three wins from three having netted thirteen goals to top a very early league table.

A perfect start then to life in Step Six football for Lymore then, for Stansted it was another big lesson for their new side, especially the youngsters in it, they were in this game for large parts but ended up on the end of a 4-1 loss, the scoreline was harsh on them for sure, but it's back to back defeats now and no wins in three, still early days so no need to panic yet, they came up against a very good athletic Lymore side who play some decent football, and they will be a danger to all in this division for sure this season.

Full time Lymore Gardens 4 Stansted 1

  

Sporting Bengal United 2 Erith Town 4 - Isthmian One South East Erith Town respond from two early set backs to eventually see off Essex Senior League Sporting Bengal United & progress into the next round of the Emirates FA Cup

Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay, Wednesday 6th August

Well, I had not even been back on UK soil for twenty four hours and I was already attending my first competitive game in the country as I made my way over to Mile End to see if Essex Senior side Sporting Bengal United could shock their Isthmian One South East opponents Erith Town in a replay at Mile End.

The original tie has finished goalless in Kent at the weekend, which was a superb effort from the Essex Senior outfit away from home against a Step Four outfit, and with the winners of this tie having a home one against either Little Common or Southall, whoever got through would obviously fancy getting through that tie as well, so it was a big incentive for both.

Could Sporting build on that hard earned draw at the weekend and take advantage at home against a higher league opponent, well there was barely a minute on the clock when the hosts edged ahead, a long throw into the box wasn't dealt with by the visitors and saw Yousuf Hoque sweep home first time, with some of the 110 crowd inside Mile End yet to even settle down to watch the game, it happened that fast.

Erith though responded as you'd expect and levelled in the 11th minute, again it was a long throw into the box that wasn't dealt with, and after a scramble in the six yard box, Elliott Duncan managed to force the ball over the line, but, just four minutes later Sporting had regained the lead, not brilliant defending once again allowed a square ball find Andre Embalo whose scuffed left footed finish found the bottom corner, it had been some start to the contest!!!

Sporting managed to hold that lead till late on in the first half when Erith, who had seen three penalty shouts all turned down during the opening forty five minutes, grab a slice of luck you could say when a scuffed shot from what looked like an offside visiting player was deflected into the path of Mecca Maxime-Samuels who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner three minutes before half time to level the tie up once again.

And Erith managed to edge themselves ahead in first half stoppage time as a corner to the back post saw Aaron Jeffrey left totally unmarked to head home and send his side into the break ahead after they had been behind for most of it, Sporting now had to come from behind if they were to progress in this competition.

The second half saw less in terms of goal mouth action, Sporting were trying their hardest to find a leveller, Erith were keeping them at bay and looking very dangerous going forward especially on the counter as the hosts pushed more players forward, Erith had the chance to seal it with around ten minutes to go when they struck the post before the rebound was somehow sent wide, but with eight minutes to go the only real moment of quality did seal it.

Tom O'Connor was the man to do it, sending a lovely looping long range curling effort into the top corner of the hosts net, and the celebrations told you that they felt that was that in terms of the tie and it was job done as you say, and they were correct as Sporting had no answer to that and Erith had battled through to the Preliminary Round in mid August.

They will face fellow Isthmian League opponents, Southall, who are also Step Four and in the One South Central division, after they saw off Little Common 3-0 in their replay, Erith though will be confident having been drawn at home again, but they can at least celebrate this evening after winning through against a Sporting side who certainly pushed them all the way in the two ties.

Full time Sporting Bengal United 2 Erith Town 4