Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – ESL & Non-League Writer
Hello and welcome to my round-up of third & final weekend of the Group Stages of the Len Cordell Cup, a competition run by the Essex Senior to remember a pillar of the Non-League Family in Len Cordell, who was associated with Redbridge FC for many years. Thanks to Pete Dudley (@ped1980) for the main image above (from Holland v FC Clacton)
All the results from this week’s action are below, they took place on Saturday 24th April unless stated in the Result line. The sides highlighted in bold progress to the next round. After each group, we have a final table and at the end of the article we have the draw for the last 16 of the Len Cordell Cup and the eight sides that will face each other in the Len Cordell Plate.
Len Cordell Cup – Saturday 24 April
Cockfosters 3 – 2 Hoddesdon Town | Chalk Lane | Group A
The ‘Fosters went through from Group A in second spot after a good win over Essex Senior rivals Hoddesdon at Chalk Lane. James Verney put his side ahead early on, which was added to by Marcus Crowther five minutes before the break and Jo Wilkinson late on. Harrison Rookard and Alfie Little responded for the Lilywhites but they finish bottom and go into the Plate mini-competition.
DT FC 0 – 2 St Margaretsbury | the Harlow Arena [3G] | Group A
St Margs did enough to inflict the first defeat on newcomers DT at the Harlow Arena. Strikes from Aiden Read [35’] and Jermaine Nicholson in added time secured a place in the last 16 for Ray Bartlett and James Falaise’s side. DT’s loss means they slip down to third but they still make it to the next round.
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Clapton 2 – 0 Barkingside | Played at J. Carter Cen. [3G], Frenford | Group B | Fri 23 Apr
The Tons sealed their progress to the knockout stages of the competition with a decent win over Barkingside in this match played at Frenford on Friday night . Second-half goals from Melos Ajvasi and Bayemore Ndiaye were enough to claim the win which sent the home side to their second win in three games. Both sides go through, with Clapton in second spot.
My good friend Pete Dudley was at this match & his report is here: http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2021/04/clapton-2-barkingside-0.html
Woodford Town 2 – 3 Redbridge | Coles Park [3G] | Group B | Sat 24 April
In the match on Saturday, Redbridge recovered from a poor start to complete their third win in succession. Tariq Alexander had given Dee Safer & Julian Charles’ side a first-minute lead but Tony Martin erased that lead two minutes later. Further strikes by tricky winger Ayub Kadiri [21’] and Sonny Fish [61’] turned the tide of the match. Josh Steele pulled one back on the stroke of the 90 minutes but it is the Motormen who advance as group winners in this competition that they dearly want to get to the latter stages at least. Woodford finish bottom and therefore head into the Plate mini-competition.
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Saturday 24 April – Group C
Billericay U23s 2 – 3 Stansted | New Lodge [3G] | Group C
Stansted made a heroic comeback after their interval to defeat Billericay’s development side at New Lodge. The hosts were two goals to the good at the break thanks to strikes by Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo [25’] and Nyan Msuria five minutes later. But Paul Pittuck & John Watters’ side once again showed the “Stansted resolve” and goals from John Clarke, Michael Salako and Jack Mitchell’s winner later on sealed their first win and progression into the last 16 as the ‘best’ of the fourth-placed sides.
Holland 3 – 2 FC Clacton | Dulwich Road | Group C
These two local rivals met for the first time in a competitive match and it was the Step 6 hosts who prevailed. It was some match for Louis Olymbios who not only netted a treble but was also later dismissed for persistent fouling. Kevin Coyle’s spot-kick and an OG saw Clacton close but ultimately both sides progressed with Holland topping the group.
Fellow Non-League writer Pete Dudley (@ped1980) was also at this match & his report is here: http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2021/04/holland-3-fc-clacton-2.html
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Barking 2 – 1 West Essex | Mayesbrook Park [3G] | Group D | Friday 23rd April
West Essex faced their landlords Barking for the last time whilst being tenants in this local derby on Friday night. It was to be the Blues who won and progressed as Group winners. Strikes from Louis Dillion six minutes before the break & Johnny Ashman midway through the second half cancelled out a thunderbolt from the returning James Jewers early on. West still head into the knockout phase as they finished in second spot.
Frenford 0 – 2 Hackney Wick | Jack Carter Centre [3G] | Group D | Sat 24th April
The Saturday game saw Wick grab their first win & with it progression to the knockout phase with victory at Frenford. Mohamed Raza and Jermain Lachoo provided the goals to ensure they leapfrogged Dave Forbes’ side into third spot and sent the hosts out of the Cup and into the Plate mini-competition.
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Athletic Newham 6 – 2 Great Wakering Rovers | Terry Mac | Group E
Finally in Group E, Athletic Newham sealed a hugely morale-boosting win over Great Wakering at the Terry Mac. Anderson Baro put the hosts head just past the 20-minute mark, with Richard Kone and Joel Appiah both adding doubles to add to Stephen Butterworth’s team’s pain. Babs Sonupe added further gloss to the score-line late on and render strikes by Jake Gordon and Louie Hay to be mere consolation. Newham go through in second while Wakering exit and will compete in the Plate next weekend.
Brimsdown 0 – 3 White Ensign | Moved to Lower Road | Group E
Ensign ended a superb group stage for them with a fine win over Brimsdown at Lower Road. Luke Skinner, Dominic Locke and Luke Woodward all struck to complete a decent three weeks for Brett Munyard & Mark Healy’s team and they march on to the next round as group winners. Brimsdown’s defensive record has assisted them to the last sixteen as they ended up third.
As promised earlier, here is the draw for the knockout round of the Len Cordell Cup. Fixtures in both competitions will be played on weekend of April 30/May 1.
Draw for Len Cordell Cup Last 16
Billericay U23 v Athletic Newham
Brimsdown v Clapton
Cockfosters v Barking
DT FC v Redbridge
Holland v Hackney Wick
St Margaretsbury v FC Clacton
West Essex v Stansted
White Ensign v Barkingside
Here is the draw for the Cordell Cup Plate competition as well:
Draw for QFs on Len Cordell Plate
Frenford v Hoddesdon Town
Frenford Res. v Walthamstow Res.
Great Wakering Rovers v Woodford Town
Sawbridgeworth Town Res. v West Essex Development
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