Written by Scott W [Twitter: :@ScottMHC14] – Non-League Writer
Hello all and welcome to the new season of blogs here, you’ll find blogs on the Essex Senior, Essex Olympian League divisions & maybe a little more besides during the course of the season too.
This initial blog is looking at the local sides that were in action this week, which saw eleven Essex Senior sides progress and one Eastern Senior South side. Thanks for reading.
Monday 31 August
Woodford Town 3 – 1 London Colney | The Harlow Arena | Attendance: 247
Woodford Town opened the round’s action with a fine comeback victory over London Colney at the Harlow Arena. Scott Knight had given Colney an early advantage though Luke Parrott levelled matters on the half-hour for Town. Rigert Rama then turned the tide in favour of the hosts as the match approached the hour mark, tapping home following a goalkeeping error before sealing the contest thanks to a fine strike by Parrott to seal his brace and cue wild celebrations from the excited Towners faithful. Woodford are rewarded with a trip to Capershotts to face Waltham Abbey in the Prelim Round.
Tuesday 1st September
Cockfosters 4 – 2 Stanway Rovers | Chalk Lane | Att: 221
The ‘Fosters made a miraculous comeback with ten men to overcome Eastern Counties Premier side Stanway at Chalk Lane. Stanway started well and took the lead after four minutes through debutant Dan Gilchrist’s strike. The ESL side responded through George Beattie’s 20th-minute goal but had a double set-back around the half-hour mark as combative midfielder Matt Thomson was dismissed and soon after, Rovers made the most of the man advantage as Harry Thomas bundled the ball over the line after a set-piece. The drama only escalated after the break though as three goals in 15 minutes swung the tie in favour of the hosts. First, new signing Carl Mullings levelled midway through the half after a defensive howler, then player-boss Ryan Wade powered home a spot-kick mere minutes later. Substitute Rueben Campbell provided the telling fourth goal with eleven minutes left to eventually seal a terrific victory.
Walthamstow 3 – 2 London Lions | Wadham Lodge | Att: 292 |
Cockfosters will face Walthamstow in the next round as ‘Stow fought back to deny London Lions progression into the Prelim Round. Max Kyte broke the deadlock for the Lions in the early stages on the contest and although ‘Stow got more threatening in front of goal, it took until after the break for them to level through substitute Michael Osei’s curling drive. Kyle nabbed his second for the visitors soon afterward, but goals from Connor Scully and Charncey Dash [for Peter: Dash! Dash!] sealed the win in front of Walthamstow’s biggest crowd since 1996.
Hullbridge Sports 0 – 2 Hadley | Lower Road | Att: 310
Another bumper crowd at Lower Road saw Hadley shock higher league opposition again with a fine win at Isthmian North side Hullbridge. Second-half strikes by that man Solomon Ofori and a Sam Edwards free-kick handed the impetus to the Bricks. ‘Bridge also had a penalty saved by Hadley ‘keeper Luke Ward which added to a frustrating evening for them on-the-pitch. Hadley will face FC Clacton away on Saturday week.
Stansted 3 – 2 Takeley | Hargrave Park | Att: 143
Stansted also had to fight back to secure their passage with a hard-fought win over local rivals Takeley at Hargrave Park. Luckless home skipper Billy Coyne headed into his own net five minutes in, but Jack Mitchell converted a spot-kick on 26 minutes to level things up. Paul Pittuck & John Watters’ side then took the ascendency on the score-sheet after the break as Mitchell struck again ten minutes after the break. Ash Siddik notched the Airportmen’s third in the last few minutes to effectively seal the tie. Substitute Samson Adelaja netted for Marc Das’ side deep into added-time but their focus turns now to the league opener at West Essex on Friday night. Meanwhile, the ‘Blue Brazil’ welcome Basildon Utd to Hargrave in the next round of the Cup.
Saffron Walden Town 4 – 2 Little Oakley | Catons Lane | Att: 286
Saffron Walden also progressed to the next round with victory over Eastern Senior League South side Little Oakley in another pulsating tie at Catons Lane. Oakley took the lead through Harry Mann before new signing Alfie Hilton levelled the match for the hosts. Oakley were not to be denied a second through as Jordan Heath made it 2 – 1 to Matt Carmichael’s team. More drama though was in the offing as Lewis Francis made his presence felt on his return to the Bloods in a big way. The forward came off the bench and struck a hat-trick to turn the match in favour of Jason Maher’s side and see them into the next round, in front of another hefty crowd. They face the trip to Welwyn Garden City.
Sawbridgeworth Town 2 – 1 Romford | Crofters | Att: 260
Sawbridgeworth pulled off one of the surprises of the round by knocking out Isthmian North side Romford at Crofters. Goals from Conor Clarke and Kieran Amos did the job on a terrific night for Lee Mackman’s side. Malaki Toussaint got one back for Romford midway through the 2nd half but Sawbo went through welcome fellow ESL side St Margaretsbury In the Prelim Round.
Clapton 2 – 2 Sporting Bengal Utd (Bengal won 6 – 5 on pens)
| Terrence MacMillan Stadium
Sporting Bengal edged to the next round on spot-kicks after a two-two draw with Clapton at the Terry Mac. David Tarawali netted to give Imrul Gazi’s side the lead, before Conor Okus equalised for his new club. Bengal re-took the lead soon afterward with Carlos Siegal Hubner slotting home smartly. The Tons forced a penalty shoot-out late on though as Shaun Gittleson once again levelled the match with minutes remaining. It was Bengal who held their nerve in the shoot-out, winning 6 – 5 on spot-kicks here and will travel to Harlow Town in the next round.
Wednesday 2nd Sept
Park View 1 – 2 Hashtag Utd | New River Sports Ground
On Wednesday, Hashtag made their debut in the competition at Park View & came from behind to progress. Kleon James had given the hosts a surprise lead, before George Smith equalised with a well-struck penalty. After the interval, recent addition Toby Aromolaran netted from close range to win the match and they will face Felixstowe & Walton Utd from the Isthmian North in the next round.
West Essex 6 – 3 Crawley Green | Oakside | Att: 147
Finally in our focused ten matches, West Essex progressed in a richly entertaining tie as they powered past Spartan South Midlands Premier side Crawley Green at Oakside. Michael Mignot blasted a hat-trick inside the first 30 minutes before Phil Draycott pulled one back for the visitors six minutes before the break. West extended their lead and sealed the tie through Mignot’s fourth soon after the break. Symeon Taylor and Tom Woodbridge then added further strikes as the Stags saw out a big night for them. To their credit, Danny Watson and Tyler Ingham added late goals for Crawley Green but there was no mistaking the performance by Kwame Kwateng’s side, who are rewarded with a trip to New Salamis in the Prelim Round.
Other Results (ESL & EaSL South Sides) – Tues 1 Sept
Brantham Athletic 1 – 1 Benfleet (Brantham won 3 – 2 on Pens)
Tom Watkins Ben Foord
Harlow Town 5 – 1 Enfield | Harlow Arena | Att: 260
Christian Adu Gyamfi, Hugo Vasconcelos 75’
Craig Alcock,
Ahmet Biler,
Hector Mackie
Sam Taylor (OG)
Hoddesdon Town 1 – 2 FC Clacton |at Ware FC | Att: 129
Cyrus Babaie Mekhi McKenzie
Charlie Thompson
Redbridge 0 – 2 Harpenden Town | Oakside | Att: 134
Mulik Rickman 16’
Harvey Scott 55’
Southend Manor 0 – 5 Ware | Southchurch Park | Att: 200 |
Leigh Rose 15’
David Kendall 46’ & 60’
Louis Rose 74’
Albert Adu-Donyinah 76’
Wednesday 2nd Sept
Baldock Town 2 – 2 St Margaretsbury (St Mags win 4 – 2 on pens)
Scott Piggott Kyle Roberts (pen)
Josh Furness Jae Partridge
Ilford 1 – 3 Halstead Town | Cricklefield | Att: 280
Juan Cardona Joe Jones
Chris Harris x 2
survivor16b 