Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & ESL Writer
Hello and welcome to this week’s Essex Senior round-up, here on my blog. This week we had eight matches, starting with one on Friday night. Thanks for reading.
Friday 29 November
Woodford Town 1 – 1 Ilford | Harlow Arena [3G] | Att: 87
Woodford were denied a confidence-boosting win late on by Ilford at the Harlow Arena on Friday night. Lauric Diakiesse put the hosts ahead though with the fog drifting down overhead, a late penalty from Ali Al-Nashi gave Jonny Fowell’s side the points against ten-man Towners, who had former Ilf player Morgan Seaman dismissed. Ross Weare’s side drop to tenth after four games without a win, while Ilford stay 14th.
Saturday 30 November
Enfield 0 – 0 Clapton | Woodside | Att: 57
The battle of these two strugglers ended up being an uninspiring draw at Woodside. The E’s were unable to break down the Tons despite the visitors being down to ten men though looking on the positive side, it is a rare clean sheet for both teams. Enfield remain 16th and their winless run extends to seven matches. Clapton remain second-bottom and haven’t won in five matches themselves now.
Hadley 3 – 1 St Margaretsbury | Brickfield Lane | Att: 74
Hadley continued their irrepressible form at Brickfield Lane as they defeated St Margaretsbury. Goals from Alfie Bartram, Manny Hammond and Shaz Anwar did the business here for Anthony Clark’s side as they grabbed their ninth consecutive success to push them up to third in the standings. St Margs got their goal thanks to Wisley Baltazar though it’s one win in their last five matches now as they fall to 11th.
Saffron Walden Town 3 – 2 Takeley | Catons Lane | Att: 248
This big tussle of two of the top four sides ended with Saffron Walden coming from behind to grab an important three points at Catons Lane in front of a bumper crowd. Charncey Dash gave Marc Das’ side the lead from 12 yards only two minutes in, though top marksman Charlie Cole levelled things up ten minutes before the interval. George Pullen put Jason Maher’s side ahead on 61 minutes before club stalwart Spike Bell got the crucial third eleven minutes later. Lewis Deamer responded swiftly for the visitors two minutes later though it was to be Walden’s day as they rise to 2nd with a five-match unbeaten streak. Takeley’s six-match unbeaten stretch may be over but they are right in contention now, just four points off leaders Hashtag.
Southend Manor 1 – 1 Sawbridgeworth Town | Southchurch Park | Att: 38
In the other crunch battle at the bottom of the table, Manor were held by Sawbridgeworth. Jordan Chambers’ spot-kick two minutes into the second half gave Manor an advantage, though Jake Skeet’s rasping drive twelve minutes later ended up ensuring Sawbo left with a share of the spoils. I attended this match, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2019/12/01/match-report-southend-manor-1-1-sawbridgeworth-town-sat-30th-nov-esl/
Sporting Bengal Utd 1 – 1 Hoddesdon Town |Mile End | Att: 20
Hoddesdon denied Bengal another three points with a late leveller at Mile End. Curtley McIntosh struck again for the hosts after just two minutes as they started in the ascendency. However, Isaac Marfo-Jacobs stepped up again for Simon Riddle’s side with the equaliser ten minutes from time to make it only one loss in their last six matches for Hoddesdon. Imrul Gazi’s side stay 13th, seven points clear of the bottom two.
Walthamstow 0 – 1 Hashtag Utd | Wadham Lodge | Att: 185
Leaders Hashtag overcame a stern test at Wadham Lodge as they defeated Walthamstow late on. After dealing with heavy pressure in a physical battle, Joshua Osude’s strike in injury-time gave Jay Devereux’s side a third straight win and keep their lead to two points over Saffron Walden. Stow’s second loss this term (both have come narrowly at home) means they fall to fourth though they are one of three teams on 35 points (Hadley and Takeley being the other sides).
West Essex 0 – 1 Redbridge | Mayesbrook Park | Att: 23
Finally in the Essex Senior this weekend, Redbridge emerged as narrow winners in another battle at Mayesbrook Park. Tom Harvey’s 77th-minute strike handed Micky Wetherall’s team their third league win on-the-bounce to lift themselves to ninth. West’s tough patch continues as their winless run extends to seven. They drop to 12th.
Also, in the FA Vase Third Round, Stowmarket Town ended Stansted’s hopes this season as Stow won 4 – 0 with Matt Blake, Josh Mayhew, Dean Bowditch and Luke Read all scored to overwhelm the Airportmen in front of over 400 fans, a record attendance at Greens Meadow.
survivor16b 