Written by Scott W & Peter D
Hello and welcome to another of our preview pieces looking at the weekend’s action in the FA Vase Second Round Proper (involving ESL & EaSL sides) & the Essex Senior League. What do you think of our thoughts?
The FA Vase – Second Round Proper (Sat 3rd Nov)
Hullbridge Sports v Irchester Utd | Lower Road
Pete: Lower Road boys Hullbridge Sports enter the competition at this stage and they welcome United Counties League Division One side Irchester United to Essex. The visitors are a step below their ESL Premier opponents and sit ninth after eleven games having won six and lost five so far, so the hosts, who are third in their division, should be confident however Irchester haven’t reached this stage without being a decent side so will no doubt cause the home side some problems. But I feel the hosts will win this tie.
Pete’s Prediction: 3 – 0
Scott: Hullbridge begin their FA Vase campaign here after their heroics in getting into the last 32 last term. They have shown moderate form of late though it is an aim of manager Darren Manning to get to Round Four again this time round. Irchester have had a good run and may pose problems here given their hosts recent defensive record though I still believe the hosts will pull through here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Redbridge v Peterborough Northern Star | Oakside
Pete: The Motormen welcome United Counties Premier side Peterborough Northern Star to Oakside and will be looking to grab their first win at home this season after their eight league outings to date on their own patch have yielded five defeats and three draws so far. The visitors sit tenth in their division with five wins and five draws but will no doubt pose a threat to their opponents, and I have a feeling the Peterborough side will sneak this one too.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Scott: Redbridge take on Peterborough Northern Star as they look to get a home win for the first time this season. Defensively, the hosts have struggled thus far though in a one-off tie their fortunes may change. ‘Star are a tough outfit though I will go for a draw here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Sunday 4th Nov
Enfield v Leverstock Green | Harlow Arena
Pete: Sawbridgeworth Town’s conquerors Leverstock Green visit another ESL Premier side in the shape of Enfield at the Harlow Arena on Sunday although the visitors league record reads three wins, three draws and three defeats as they sit in 15th spot in their division. Enfield’s league record is as mixed too, but this is the Vase and they will fancy themselves at home on the 3G and I feel they may grab a win here too.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 0
Scott: Enfield take on Leverstock at the Harlow Arena. Matt Hanning’s side defeated EaSL side Little Oakley in a replay in the last round while Green knocked Sawbridgeworth out last time out. Both sides are in the bottom half of their respective divisions (Essex Snr Lge and Spartan South Mids Lge) though Enfield will have to play well to go through. Away win for me.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
May & Baker EC v Swaffham Town | Barking RFC
Pete: This proves to be a terrific tie at Barking Rugby Club as Eastern Senior South meets Eastern Counties League North and with both sides fourth in their divisions too it’s two confident sides who will clash too. Bakers have picked up nine points this week so are in good form whilst Swaffham haven’t won in three outings although two of those were draws, so you’d say that the hosts may be the favourites here on that stat alone, but it’s unlikely either will feel this way. But I think the hosts might just win this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 3 – 2
Scott: This tie sees Eastern Senior League South take on Eastern Senior League North as May & Baker welcome Swaffham Town. Both sides have done well in their respective divisions and this will be a sore test for Micky Wetherall’s side. Going head for a narrow home win.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Saturday 3rd November | Essex Senior League
Clapton P – P Walthamstow
The Tons home match against Walthamstow has been postponed due to the ongoing problems with the pitch at The Old Spotted Dog. A new date is yet to be announced.
Hoddesdon Town v St Margaretsbury | Lowfield
Pete: The visitors are flying right now having won three of their last six which has put them on the brink of the top ten positions, whilst hosts Hoddy have only won one of their last six although for of those were draws, but their cup form has been mixed, losing at Leyton Athletic and conceding six in the process before thumping four past Woodford Town last time out. That was as many as they had scored in six league games recently so very different form in the league to cup, and I feel the visitors may continue their good form here.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Scott: Hoddy welcome their local rivals St Margs to Lowfield. The hosts here have had a mixed week with a narrow loss at Tower Hamlets last weekend though boy did they respond with a impressive Errington Cup win at Woodford in midweek. St Margs have had a good week themselves as they won at Sawbridgeworth last weekend before holding Clapton to a draw in another away fixture. This one is a hard match to call though will go for a draw.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Ilford v Sporting Bengal Utd | Cricklefield
Pete: This should be a decent game at Cricklefield as Ilford, who have been mixed of late but can show flashes of brilliance, take on an in-form Sporting Bengal side who went through October unbeaten and netting 27 goals in the process. Really depends what Ilford turn up as to how this one goes, although Sporting right now are a match for anyone in the division and I feel they may win this one too.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Scott: The Foxes welcome a Bengal side whose manager Imrul Gazi won the Essex Senior League ‘Manager of the Month’ for October. will that award’s curse strike again though as these two are both in good touch recently as Ilford got a point at Hullbridge last weekend before doing well to win at Enfield on Monday night. Bengal held Walthamstow last Saturday before winning the Mile End derby over Tower Hamlets, also on Monday night. If Sporting can cope with the hosts’ physicality then they ‘could get the ‘W” here though again I think this will be a close one. Honours-even for me in what could be a cracker-jack match.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Leyton Athletic v Stanway Rovers | Kitchener Road
Pete: The hosts slipped into the bottom two recently after defeat at Takeley last weekend, whilst Stanway have started to pick up again and are unbeaten in four league games. The hosts do have firepower and put six past Hoddesdon not that long ago, but their problem is at the back having conceded 14 in six games recently. Stanway have actually conceded more despite their better form recently so could be in for some goals here, and I reckon a draw could be the outcome.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Scott: Stanway travel to Leyton on the back of two goal-laden matches away from home, which ended in getting a point from both Redbridge and West Essex. Ath have stalled somewhat with no wins in five league matches though Rovers should be wary of them. Leyton lost at Takeley last weekend though given they have had the midweek off, they might fancy taking on a Rovers side who are unbeaten in four. Got a feeling that Stanway will get the points here in a hard-fought scrap.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Saffron Walden Town v Barkingside | Catons Lane
Pete: Walden, who are top of the form table and sitting second in the division, face bottom side Barkingside who have conceded 22 goals in their last six and are still winless in the division. You really do fear for the visitors whose 6-1 home defeat to Woodford last Friday really was a poor showing, and they cannot play like that again otherwise the hosts will do some damage you would have thought. Can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win here.
Pete’s Prediction: 4 – 0
Scott: The hard games keep coming for ‘Side as they make the trip to Saffron Walden. The hosts are unbeaten in eight matches league -wise and although they were held at Southend Manor last weekend, they won well at West Essex in midweek. Barkingside have to look to play better than they did in defeat to Woodford last weekend. Could well be a home win here.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Tower Hamlets v Takeley | Mile End Stadium
Pete: Hamlets have slowly started to pick themselves up after a poor start, and they welcome a Takeley side whose recent endeavours has made them more vulnerable than previous months. Saying that they have won back to back games in the league and are back in the top ten as a result, and they will no doubt cause Hamlets problems too. Feel the visitors will make it three in a row here.
Pete’s Prediction: 0 – 2
Scott: Takeley make the trip to Mile End to take on Hamlets. The hosts won at home to Hoddesdon last weekend before losing out to Bengal in the derby on Monday night. Takeley defeated Leyton last weekend and will want to keep their run going here and I reckon they will do.
Scott’s Prediction: 0 – 2
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