Written by Scott W & Peter D
Hello and welcome to another extended edition of our Preview pieces, looking at the FA Vase 2RQ ties involving ESL & Eastern Senior Lge South sides and a few ESL fixtures this weekend.
The FA Vase – Second Round Quallifying
Saturday 15th September
Baldock Town v Stanway Rovers | New Lambs Meadow
Pete: Stanway travel to Arlesey Town FC’s New Lambs Meadow ground to take on Baldock Town in the Vase, and they will fancy their chances after an improved last few games and with the hosts being 16th in their division it proves to be a close game no doubt. Despite this, I feel the hosts may prevail.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Scott: Stanway travel up to Spartan South Midlands Premier side Baldock. Lee Fisher’s side won through their replayed game against White Ensign and have shown signs that going forward they are stronger than in defence. Baldock have started their league season in a ‘hit and miss’ manner though they did run Romford close in their recent FA Cup match and also sent Long Melford out in the last round of the Vase.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Barkingside v Wodson Park | Cricklefield
Pete: This could be a tough one for the hosts despite their one step gap to the visitors, as Wodson Park have won all four league games this season in the Spartan South Midlands One, but the hosts will still feel they should pick up a win here and get their season kick-started. Can they take their chances, that is the million dollar question, my belief is they will do enough.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 0
Scott: Wodson Park make the trip to Cricklefield to take on Barkingside who were dumped out of the Gordon Brasted Trophy by St Margaretsbury in midweek. Wodson are unbeaten in their start to the Spartan South Midlands Division One, up to last weekend. Given that ‘Side are going through a difficult patch at present, I wouldn’t be that surprised if the visitors cause an upset here.
Scott’s Prediction: 0 – 2
Brantham Athletic v Takeley | Brantham Leisure Centre
Pete: Possible tie of the round in this region sees Brantham host Takeley with the ESL side still smarting from their thrashing at Bowers & Pitsea last time out in the FA Cup. This will be a tough test too although Takeley did win at fellow Thurlow Nunn Premier side Norwich United earlier this season so know they can do it. The hosts are unbeaten this season though and will be a tough nut to crack on their own patch, and I feel they may sneak this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Scott: Takeley face a second tricky trip in as many weeks, following last weekend’s loss at Bowers & Pitsea in the FA Cup. Although Marc Das’ side are unbeaten in the league, they may want to banish that defeat at Bowers out of their memories. Brantham have got through three rounds of the FA Cup and have started the Thurlow Nunn Premier very well and they could have the edge here in this tie.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Clapton v Newbury Forest | Old Spotted Dog
Pete: The Tons welcome Newbury Forest to The Dog confident they can progress against a side a step below them in the pyramid. And it would be hard to argue with that if you look at the form of these two sides and how they have started their campaigns, but Football is not played on paper so doesn’t always follow that way. But I feel the hosts will have too much for the visitors here.
Pete’s Prediction: 3 – 0
Scott: The Tons welcome Eastern Senior League South side Newbury Forest to Cricklefield. The hosts got a point at Redbridge last weekend. Forest have lost four of their matches in their division thus far though in fairness, adapting to their new division is not an easy task.
Jon Fowell & Ray Bartlett’s side should do the job in this tie and progress.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Hadley v Enfield 1893 | Brickfield Lane
Pete: This proves to be a tough assignment for the visitors as Hadley have began their season well with three wins from four in the Spartan South Midlands Premier, and with Enfield being hit for six at Sporting Bengal last time out, confidence is low, although sometimes defeats like that can kick-start you on to better things. But I feel Hadley will come out on top in this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 0
Scott: Enfield travel to the Spartan South Midlands Premier side Hadley on the back of a heavy loss in the league to Sporting Bengal last weekend. The hosts have had a good start to their division and it’ll take some effort for Matt Hanning’s side to go through here.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Hoddesdon Town v FC Clacton | Lowfield
Pete: ESL side Hoddesdon welcome FC Clacton to their Lowfield home and see the visitors come into this one in mid-table of the Thurlow Nunn Premier having won two of their five games so far. Town themselves will be smarting from their late defeat at home last weekend to Hullbridge so will want to get back to winning ways here. Feel a home win will be the outcome.
Pete’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Scott: The Seasiders travel to Hoddesdon in what could be a tightly-contested match at Lowfield. Both sides have started their respective league campaigns well, Town in the Essex Senior League and Clacton in the Thurlow Nunn Premier. Hoddesdon are a young, hard-working outfit and home advantage may see them progress here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Little Oakley v Hadleigh Utd | Memorial Ground
Pete: Hadleigh United travel to Little Oakley knowing that despite their one step advantage it will be a tough test against the high-flying Eastern Senior South outfit. Hadleigh though have decent cup pedigree and are always a tough side to beat, and I feel they may just prevail in this one too.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Scott: This will be a tough tie for both teams as Oakley have started their season very well while Hadleigh are mid-table in Thurlow Nunn Premier at present, though they did beat Wroxham in the league last weekend. I have to agree with my esteemed colleague that Utd may edge it.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 3
Saffron Walden Town v May & Baker | Catons Lane
Pete: These two have already met at the same ground earlier this season in the County Cup, and the hosts came out on top, just, in a seven goal thriller. May & Baker will travel to Walden knowing they have nothing to lose and with the firepower they posess will cause the hosts problems. Walden though will know what to expect this time around so I feel they will be much more prepared this time, and I feel they will get the job done.
Pete’s Prediction: 3 – 2
Scott: This cracker-jack of a tie sees in-form May & Baker travel to Catons Lane to face Saffron Walden. The Bloods battled but went out of the FA Cup this week in their replay at St Ives Town. May & Baker dispatched Burnham Ramblers 8 – 1 in the last round of the Vase and are unbeaten in the Eastern Senior League South thus far this season. If SWT are not on their game here, M & B have the firepower to cause an upset. Stuart Wardley’s side might edge it though given their experience.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 2
Southend Manor v Haverhill Rovers | Southchurch Park
Pete: Manor welcome another Thurlow Nunn side to their shores when Haverhill Rovers visit for this Vase tie, although their last opponents Ipswich Wanderers are a step below in the First Division North. Despite this I still feel Manor are favourites for this one as the visitors haven’t started their season too well, although they did knock Ilford out in the last round. Feel Manor will win this one though.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Scott: Manor welcome Rovers to Southchurch Park on the back of a win on penalties in the Essex County Cup though will want to improve on their home loss to Stansted in the league last weekend. Haverhill knocked Ilford out in the last round of the Vase and may well be a threat here as the hosts need to improve defensively.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Stotfold v West Essex | Roker Park
Pete: West Essex travel to Stotfold knowing that despite the hosts having lost all five of their league games so far, they did thump Leyton Athletic 4-0 in the previous round, so the Mayesbrook Park side need to be aware. Ironically, West got their season up and running last time out with a 4-1 win over the same opposition and if they apply themselves correctly to this one they will win this one too.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 3
Scott: Stotfold welcome another ESL side in West Essex to Roker Park. The hosts knocked Leyton Athletic in the last round though the Stags finally got their first league win last week, ironically it was over Leyton as well. Kwame Kwateng’s side might rest a few in this one though on the other hand, an FA Vase run would be helpful to get their season going.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 3
Wick v Hackney Wick | Crabtree Park
Pete: Hackney Wick travel to West Sussex side Wick, yes you read that right, who are also known as ‘The Wickers’. Confusing to say the least but the hosts also a Step 6 side though being a home tie they will feel confident of victory, although the visitors will be sure to put up a fight no doubt and have plenty of attacking talent to trouble their opponents. Got a feeling Wick may win this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Scott: Yup, you’ve got two sides with a lot of ‘Wick’ between them meeting at Crabtree Park. The Eastern Senior League South side travel to Southern Combination Division One outfit on a good run, being unbeaten in their division thus far. Wick have also started their league campaign well and they may edge it though am going for a draw here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Sunday 16th September
Coggeshall Utd v Sawbridgeworth Town | West Street
Pete: The Robins travel to West Street to take on Coggeshall United knowing they will have to be on their game if they are to progress in this one. The hosts recently thrashed then unbeaten league leaders Halstead Town away so will be full of confidence in this one, although Sawbo themselves hit five at home in their last outing so that would of given them a boost too. Fancy an away win here.
Pete’s Prediction: 0 – 2
Scott: On Sunday, Sawbridgeworth travel to Coggeshall Utd. Sawbo arguably had their performance of the campaign last weekend in knocking Tower Hamlets out of the Gordon Brasted Trophy. That said, Coggeshall had an excellent away win at Halstead in the Eastern Senior League South this week. I believe that this will be a close match though if Sawbridgeworth are clinical, they could get the result here.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 3
Enfield Borough v Sporting Bengal Utd | Summers Lane
Pete: Sporting face a tough tie at Wingate’s Maurice Rebak Stadium as they take on an Enfield Borough side who thumped Halstead Town 6-0 at home in the last round. The hosts did lose their last league outing though and Sporting won 6-0 at home themselves last weekend, although they also lost in midweek so similar forms for both heading into this one. I do fancy the visitors just in this one though.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Scott: Borough welcome Bengal to Summers Lane. The hosts smashed fellow Step 6 side Halstead in the last round of the Vase while Bengal enter the competition here after a mixed week. Imrul Gazi’s side won well at home to Enfield 1893 last weekend but went out of the Gordon Brasted Trophy away at Walthamstow in midweek. There may well be goals in this one though given the hosts have had an excellent start to their league season. The hosts may edge it.
Scott’s Prediction: 4 – 2
Essex Senior League – Saturday 15th September
Hullbridge Sports v Walthamstow | Lower Road
Pete: It’s first against fourth in the ESL at the weekend and the hosts will be looking to put a four-point gap between them and the rest at the top with a win here, but Walthamstow will certainly make life difficult for the hosts with their own firepower. Stow could close the gap to the top to three points with a win themselves although I think it may end a draw.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Scott: Into the league action now and Hullbridge battle Walthamstow in a match which will test both sides’ ambitions of being in the upper echelons of the division this term. ‘Stow won through in the Gordon Brasted Trophy in midweek though they lost out in the FA Cup last weekend to Step 3 Beaconsfield Town. Darren Manning’s side will need to be at their best for the whole match to deny the visitors’ goal-power. Draw for me.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Redbridge v Ilford | Oakside
Pete: The Motormen are unbeaten in the league this season although three draws from their four games shows they are solid if not spectacular. Ilford come to Oakside hoping to end their opponents’ unbeaten start and themselves have started the season fairly well after a disappointing opening day defeat. Not much between the sides though and has a draw written all over it.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 1
Scott: Meanwhile at Oakside, Redbridge welcome local rivals Ilford. This will be an intriguing contest as both sides have had a similar start to the campaign/ Ilford have lost one in the league while the Motormen are unbeaten though have had three draws in four league matches. The hosts need to turn draws into wins to elevate themselves up the table. Martin Haywood’s side have been improving of late so cannot be under-estimated. Think this may end up being honours-even.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Tower Hamlets v Stansted | Mile End Stadium
Pete: Hamlets are finding life tough this season and they welcome a Stansted side full of confidence and in good form themselves after two wins this week. It’s hard to look past an away win in this one and I feel this is what will happen.
Pete’s Prediction: 0 – 3
Scott: Finally, Stansted make the trip to Mile End to take on struggling Tower Hamlets. The hosts have yet to win in the league and given their form in other competitions, they need to get a win on the board. Stansted won’t be charitable though as will be looking to build on last week’s win at Southend Manor. Can see the Airportmen securing another victory here.
Scott’s Prediction: 0 – 2
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
survivor16b 