Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to the first round-up of action of the new season in the Bostik League Division North on Saturday (12th August).
Saturday 12th August Results
AFC Hornchurch 3 – 0 Soham Town Rangers
Venue: Bridge Avenue Attendance: 168
Jimmy McFarlane’s Urchins started the season with a good win against Soham at Bridge Avenue. New signing Brad Warner put the home side ahead after just six minutes. Hornchurch made the win safe with goals from George Purcell on 72’ and substitute Ross Wall added a late third with six minutes left.
AFC Sudbury 1 – 1 Canvey Island
Venue: Wardale Williams Stadium Attendance: 384
This battle of the two recently-relegated clubs ended all square. Canvey took the lead just before the break through George Sykes. Jamie Godbold’s Sudbury got a late leveller three minutes from time though thanks to forward Adam Mills.
Aveley 1 – 3 Bowers & Pitsea
Venue: Parkside Attendance: 354
Bowers were the party-poopers at Aveley in their first league match at their new Parkside home. All the goals came in the second half. Bowers took the lead through Fahad Nyanja’s opener ten minutes after the interval. Rob Small’s side doubled their advantage on 66 minutes thanks to forward Lewis Manor. Terry Spillane’s men pulled one back four minutes later thanks to Jordan Peart’s goal. Manor struck again though for the visitors nine minutes from time to seal a good win for one of last season’s surprise packages.
Barking 2 – 3 Waltham Abbey
Venue: Mayesbrook Park Attendance: 85
Barking narrowly lost out in their first match back at Step 4. Abbey took the lead ten minutes in through Billy Holland’s opener. Ben O’Brien levelled for Glen Golby & Justin Gardner’s men. The visitors re-took the lead thanks to goals from Darelle Russell and new signing Christian Assombolonga, before the hosts made it a nervous end thanks to Billy Jones’ penalty late on.
Brentwood Town 2 – 2 Hertford Town
Venue: The Brentwood Arena Attendance: 144
Brentwood began their campaign with a draw against newly-promoted Hertford Town at the Brentwood Arena. It started well for Craig Shipman’s side as Matt Price gave them the lead after just five minutes. Forward Harrison Georgiou doubled that lead five minutes before the break. To their credit, Hertford responded with two goals in four minutes in the last quarter of the match. First, Charlie Edwards scored then just three minutes later Ollie Sharman levelled. Brentwood finished the match with ten men as Georgiou was sent off late on.
Bury Town 1 – 1 Romford
Venue: Ram Meadow Attendance: 318
Bury Town & Romford shared the points at Ram Meadow. Paul Martin’s side took the lead through Jonathan Nzenga’s goal with 18 minutes left. The Blues responded though with nine minutes remaining as Cemal Ramadan’s goal ensured a point for Ben Chenery’s side.
Dereham Town 1 – 0 Cheshunt
Venue: Aldiss Park Attendance: 161
Dereham picked a narrow but nonetheless decent win over Cheshunt at Aldiss Park. Jamie Forshaw grabbed the only goal of the game just after the hour mark in Neal Simmons’ first league match in charge.
Heybridge Swifts 2 – 1 Mildenhall Town
Venue: Scraley Road Attendance: 172
Heybridge picked up an opening-day win against newly-promoted Mildenhall at Scraley Road. Reece Grant grabbed a first-half brace to give Jody Brown’s side the advantage at the break. Mildenhall pulled one back from the penalty spot thanks to Christopher Bacon 13 minutes from time. The visitors were reduced to ten men late on as Jake Kerins saw red for two bookable offences.
Norwich Utd 0 – 2 Haringey Borough
Venue: Plantation Park Attendance: 124
Haringey pulled off a good win at Plantation Park. An OG from Andy Eastaugh after just six minutes put Tom Loizou’s side ahead. A late second from substitute Michael Ademayui made the points safe.
Tilbury 1 – 2 Grays Athletic
Venue: Chadfields Attendance: 202
Grays grabbed all three points late on at Chadfields. Jamie Stuart’s side took the lead eight minutes after the break thanks to talismanic striker Kieran Bishop. Tilbury levelled six minutes from time through Emiel Aiken’s goal. Though Grays were not to be denied as a late penalty from Bishop sealed the win.
Ware 0 – 1 Maldon & Tiptree
Venue: Wodson Park Attendance: 95
Maldon started their season with a narrow win at Wodson Park. Forward Chris Millar got the game’s only goal four minutes before the break to give Kevin Horlock’s men the perfect tonic as they set about another promotion charge this season.
Witham Town 1 – 2 Potters Bar Town
Venue: Spa Road Attendance: 72
Potters Bar came from behind to grab a good win at Spa Road. All the goals came in a frantic three-minute period. First, Witham took the lead thanks to Usman Adeniji’s goal four minutes after the re-start. Only a minute later, the visitors levelled through Eoin Casey. And only moments later, George Nicholas scored what ended up being the winner on a good day for Steve Ringrose’s side.
There is a mid-week programme of matches in the Bostik Division North, the fixtures are below.
Monday 14th August – 7.45pm KO
Haringey Borough v Barking Venue: Coles Park
Tuesday 15th August – 7.45pm KO’s
Bowers & Pitsea v Witham Town Venue: Len Salmon Stadium
Canvey Island v Tilbury Venue: Park Lane
Cheshunt v Ware Venue: Theobalds Lane
Hertford Town v Bury Town Venue: Hertingfordbury Park
Maldon & Tiptree v AFC Sudbury Venue: Park Drive
Mildenhall Town v Dereham Town Venue: Recreation Way
Potters Bar Town v Brentwood Town Venue: Pakex Stadium
Soham Town Rangers v Norwich Utd Venue: Julius Martin Lane
Waltham Abbey v Aveley Venue: Capershotts
Wednesday 16th August 7.45pm KO’s
Grays Athletic v AFC Hornchurch Venue: Parkside
Romford v Heybridge Swifts Venue: Ship Lane
Check back later this week for more from the Bostik League Division North.
survivor16b 