Match Report: Barkingside 2 – 1 Hadleigh Utd (FA Cup EPR)

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Venue: Cricklefield Stadium

Date: Sunday 7th August

Attendance: 105

Barkingside: Sky Blue & dark blue shirts, Dark Blue shorts & Sky Blue socks

Hadleigh Utd: Red & navy blue shirts, Red shorts & Red socks

(Barkingside & Hadleigh Utd players shaking hands before the match)

Scott W reporting (follow me on Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

On a glorious sun-baked afternoon at Cricklefield stadium, Barkingside took on Suffolk side Hadleigh Utd in an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie.

After the customary handshakes were observed, the match got underway with both sides having chances early on. Hadleigh striker Ben Golding was making his physical presence felt, leading the line for the visitors. The Brettsiders’ took the game to ‘Side as the first half wore on, with decent build-up play contributing to ‘Side looking shaky in defence.

As the half-hour mark came, ‘Side started to come back at the visitors having a couple of free-kicks and a more possession before a Jason Fontaine header needed to be turned wide by visiting ‘keeper Sam Mansfield.

From a resulting corner, ‘Side defender Maxwell Amoako connected with a powerful header past Mansfield to give the ESL side the lead. ‘Side kept the pressure on the Brettsiders’ defence for the remainder of the first period but couldn’t hit the target.

Half-Time:  Barkingside 1 – 0 Hadleigh Utd

Barkingside had the first attack after the break, full-back John Spencer making a good run down the right before slotting the ball to winger Michael Ademiluyi, getting to the by-line before being tackled by the Hadleigh backline.

Hadleigh were still looking dangerous on the counter-attack with decent passing and pace in their armoury. ‘Side at times struggled to clear their lines though they could’ve gone 2-0 in front though winger Ademiluyi was flagged off-side when one-on-one with  visiting ‘keeper Mansfield, subsequently booked for putting the ball in the net, which didn’t go down well with the home fans! It was a harsh decision from the referee, in my view.

Brettsiders’ substitute Dan Knight made an impact soon after coming on, floating a good cross in though Golding couldn’t find the finish for the visitors.

‘Side soon after had two good chances to score, Luke With had a good effort well-saved by Mansfield after good work down the left flank by Fontaine, then saw another header hit the woodwork from the resulting corner.

It looked like ‘Side were edging closer to extending their lead, though they paid for those missed chances as Hadleigh counter-attacked, Knight’s cross blocked by ‘Side defender Spencer. From a resulting corner, Home ‘keeper Francis under severe pressure from Hadleigh attackers, couldn’t reach the ball and defender Damon Artiss nodded the ball in from close range.

That goal sparked a change in the game as the Brettsiders re-took the initiative and went for the win. They had chances to win it, Kyle Cassell again proving a threat with his direct running and passing.

Though ‘Side’s defending was ‘backs-to-the-wall’ stuff at times, in the last few minutes of the regulation time they were still launching players forward. Their attitude was rewarded soon after as in injury-time ‘Side were awarded a free-kick. Sam Edwards scored with an absolute peach of a free-kick right into the top right corner of the net. ‘Keeper Mansfield made a good effort but couldn’t get to it.

After 5 minutes of injury-time, the referee blew the final whistle and Barkingside were through to the next round where they’ll play Ryman North’s Haringey Borough at Coles Park on Saturday August 20th at 3pm.

A morale-boosting win for ‘Side today though Hadleigh Utd can understandably feel aggrieved, even though the winning goal was one fit to win any match.

Full-Time:  Barkingside 2 – 1 Hadleigh Utd

Goal-scorers:  Amoako 37’            Artiss 71’

Edwards 90 +2

Teams:
Barkingside	Hadleigh Utd
1  Jack Francis (GK)	1  Sam Mansfield (GK)
2  John Spencer	2  Ben Elliott
3  George Winn	3  James Ross
4  Paul Wright (c.)	4  Michael Barwick
5  Maxwell Amoako	5  Garry Burdett (c.)
6  George Lutaaya	6  Damon Artiss
7  Michael Ademiluyi                    (Booked)	7  Kyle Cassell
8  Sam Edwards	8  Tom Driscoll
9  Luke With	9  Ben Golding
10  Billy Hickford	10  Brett Crisp
11 Jason Fontaine	11  Luke Simpson (Off for Knight 55’)
Substitutes:
12  Dean Ellul	12  Sam Sharp
14  Sam Dowridge	14  James Gaffer
15  Sam Konway	15  Dan Knight  (On for Simpson 55’)
17 Danny Blake	16  Lee Hammond
(GK) Joseph Insoie	17  Jack Lambert
	(GK) Sam Hunt
Referee:	Kennedy Kikulwe
Assistant Referees:	Paul She Joshua Bratt

Match Report: Ilford 0 – 2 AFC Hornchurch (PSF)

Venue: Cricklefield’s

Date: Wednesday 3rd August 7.45pm

Ilford: Red & white shirts, Red shorts & Red socks

AFC Hornchurch: Yellow shirts, Blue shorts & Yellow & Blue socks

(Image: Ilford training ahead of the match)

(Image: AFC Hornchurch training ahead of the match)

Scott W reporting (Follow me on Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

On a nice summer’s evening at the Cricklefield stadium, Essex Senior League (ESL) side Ilford took on last season’s Ryman North’s AFC Hornchurch in what was Ilford’s final pre-season friendly.

The Urchins got going early on showing their intent, though the Foxes held their own in the early passages of play & had a couple of chances to open the scoring before having a penalty appeal turned down.

Unfortunately for Ilford, an Urchins free-kick was spilled by the Foxes ‘keeper and Hornchurch scored from the resulting corner, scoring from inside the box after a good pass.

The Urchins blazed another couple of efforts over the bar as they sought to increase their advantage, whereas the Foxes were trying to get some confidence back in possession.

Hornchurch continued to pile on the pressure and after three corners on the trot, they doubled their advantage just before the break with a good cross into the box and the impressive Urchins forward Leon McKenzie made no mistake, scoring his second of the match.

Half-Time: Ilford 0 – 2 AFC Hornchurch

The Urchins began the second half well with their miserly defence not giving much away, though Ilford still had the desire & energy to create a few chances, typified by a decent effort over the bar from a tight angle.

In the latter stages of the match, Hornchurch kept the ball well and at times, the Foxes struggled to get out of their own half.

The Urchins held on for a comfortable win, though Ilford have no reason to be despondent as their endeavour was promising at times. The Foxes play Burnham Ramblers at home in the FA Cup Extra Prelim round on Saturday (6/8/16).

Full-Time: Ilford 0 -2 AFC Hornchurch

Ilford Manager Allan Fenn commenting on the match said: “Although we made 8 changes to Saturday’s win, I was pleased with the lads who came in. There were players who required much needed match fitness along with a few lads who I needed to look at so all in all and under difficult circumstances I am pleased.”

Thank you to Allan for his comments.

 

Match Report: Barkingside 1 – 5 Brentwood Town (PSF)

Venue: Cricklefield’s

Attendance: 64

Date: Monday 1^st August 2016

Barkingside: Yellow & dark Blue shirts, Yellow shorts and dark Blue socks

Brentwood Town:  Claret & sky Blue shirts, Claret shorts & Claret socks

(Image: The teams shaking hands before the match got underway)

Scott W reporting                             (Follow me on Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

On a wet and fairly chilly evening at the Cricklefield stadium,  Essex Senior League  (ESL) side Barkingside took on Ryman North’s Brentwood Town in a pre-season friendly encounter. Both sides were relegated from Ryman North & Ryman Premier Division respectively last season.

The Blues started the game better, having some early chances, hitting the woodwork and having an effort cleared off the line by the ‘Side defence in the first 10 minutes.

Barkingside came into the game a little bit more and opened the scoring when a ‘Side long ball was misjudged by the visiting goalkeeper and striker Luke With made no mistake with the finish, beating the Blues defenders to the ball.

‘Side had a chance to increase their lead, but the curled effort sailed wide. This seemed to galvanise the Blues who really got into another gear and scored two goals in two minutes as they looked to take control.

In this phase of play, the Blues started to show their passing game & their pace going forward, though ‘Side nearly caught the visiting goalkeeper napping again just before half-time  with a looping shot though the Blues ‘keeper recovered & made the save.

Half-Time: Barkingside 1 – 2 Brentwood Town

The second half began with the Blues clearly on the front foot and also retaining possession better in sapping conditions for both sides, making ‘Side work even harder.

‘Side had a few chances to level in the second half and credit has to go to them for keeping going but as we got deeper into the half it was clear that the Blues were “on it” and after a couple of missed chances, including a decent save by the ‘Side ‘keeper, they got their reward for their persistence with another quick-fire double. First, they scored from close range & then piled in with another after initially hitting the bar, scoring with the follow-up effort.

After missing another couple of chances, Blues showed their second half dominance by adding another goal three minutes before the end, their forward blasting home from close range.

In summary, ‘Side can be pleased that in periods, particularly in the first half, they gave the Brentwood defence a few problems with their tireless running though ultimately, the Blues showed their class & their finishing prowess, particularly in the second period.

Full-Time: Barkingside 1 – 5 Brentwood Town

Match Report: Harold Wood Athletic 2-2 Basildon Utd (PSF)

Venue: Harold Wood Recreation Ground

Date: Tuesday 26th July 7.00pm

Harold Wood Athletic: Claret & white shirts, claret shorts with sky blue socks

Basildon Utd: Yellow shirts, black shorts with black socks

(Image: Basildon Utd aka the Bees on the attack early on in 2nd half…)

Scott W reporting (Follow me on Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

On a quite humid evening at the Harold Wood Rec, Essex Olympian League Premier (EOFL) side Harold Wood Athletic took on last season’s Essex Senior League runners-up Basildon Utd in a pre-season friendly encounter.

The Bees started the game better, getting forward in the early stages, particularly on the right flank though stubborn defending by ‘Wood did keep them at bay.

In the latter part of the first half, ‘Wood found their stride in the match and gave the Basildon back-line some problems. The Bees’ woes were compounded when Brad Foley opened the scoring for ‘Wood around the half-hour mark with a decent effort.

‘Wood had a couple more chances to double their lead, one of them was well-saved by the Basildon goal-keeper.

Half-Time: Harold Wood Athletic 1 – 0 Basildon Utd

The second half began as the first one had ended with ‘Wood unsettling the Bees’ defence and their shape, though Basildon did hit the woodwork with a good free-kick.

In doing so, ‘Wood doubled their lead through a Dan Gillard header and the Bees were really up against it. However, they rallied well and scored two goals, one a good header from inside the box and the other a well-taken penalty after a foul in the area.

Both sides had a couple of chances to snatch it near the end, though it ended in a draw. Basildon Utd will be pleased that they came back from 2-0 down though ‘Wood can feel proud of their performance.

Full-Time: Harold Wood Athletic 2 – 2 Basildon Utd

Match Report: Southend Manor 0-0 AFC Hornchurch (PSF)

Venue: Southchurch Park

Date: Monday 18th July 7.45 KO

Southend Manor: Yellow & Black shirts, black shorts with yellow socks

AFC Hornchurch: Dark Blue & Sky Blue shirts, dark blue shorts with Sky Blue socks

Scott W reporting

On a glorious summer evening at Southchurch Park, Essex Senior League (ESL) side Southend Manor took on Ryman North’s AFC Hornchurch in a pre-season friendly encounter.

As perhaps you’d expect, given the Urchins’ being a division above Manor, they started the brighter of the two sides, being superior in possession & also in creating chances. However, they did not create a glutton of opportunities and what chances they did create; wasteful finishing let the visitors down, hitting the woodwork on two occasions.

Manor defended stoutly from the off really, though they were pegged back in their own half for the most part, struggling to keep possession. Although Hornchurch kept plugging away, they could not find a way past a stubborn Manor defence.

Half-Time: Southend Manor 0 – 0 AFC Hornchurch

As the second half began, you could be forgiven for thinking “It’ll only be a matter of time” before the Urchins make the breakthrough. However, Manor improved after the hour mark and certainly caused some nervous moments for the visitors’ defence. Hornchurch did finish the game stronger and had a few chances to pinch the win late on though Manor held on for a very determined draw.

If Southend Manor defend like they did tonight during the ESL Campaign then they may well have a decent season.

Full-Time: Southend Manor 0 – 0 AFC Hornchurch