Spartan South Midlands Premier

The Emirates FA Cup – Extra Prelim Round

Venue: Southchurch Park

Attendance: 110 (Est)

2022-23 Season: Match 5

Saturday 6 August 2022 – 3pm KO

Manor: Yellow & Black Shirts, Black Shorts & Yellow Socks

Cockfosters: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Last-gasp winner sends Manor through to the Prelim Round of FA Cup

Southend Manor 1 – 0 Cockfosters

Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

The new season’s FA Cup roared back into being this weekend with former Essex Senior side Cockfosters (now part of the Spartan South Midlands Premier) travelling to face Southend Manor, who are still among the ESL ranks. This Extra Prelim Round tie had Manor field Luca Collins in goal, with a central defensive three of Montel Shonubi, skipper Daniel Okah and Ope Mosuro, with Josh Devlin and Finlay Gregory in central midfield. Ben Allen and Ayo Awosika were the chief support for forward Robbie Farrell. Cockfosters had Charlie Mann in goal, with a defence of Kenny Norbrega, Prince Madu, Nick Barrett and Aiden Read. Skipper Matt Thomson was alongside Joe Entwistle in central midfield. Recent signings Jervon Campbell and Chikosi Basden joined stalwart forward George Beattie in attack.

This match took a little while to get going, as it was quite cagey from the get-go. Manor had early chances as Robbie Farrell and Ben Allen had early glimmers at goal, while at the other end, ‘Fosters winger Jervon Campbell was a good outlet on the right flank, using his pace to get past the Manor defence. Campbell also sent in a good cross from the right channel which Manor skipper Daniel Okah did well to clear.

Both sides were competing well, although the visitors were slightly more adept at retaining possession, however they couldn’t quite create the chances they would have liked, and their threat mostly came from set-pieces throughout the first half. Midway through the half, there was a good bit of awareness by Manor centre-back Ope Mosuro who sent in a lob which only just cleared visiting custodian Charlie Mann’s crossbar.

With half-time rapidly approaching, Mann was called into action as a fierce strike by Farrell needed a superb save by the Cockfosters goalkeeper to claw the ball away from going in the top right corner of the net. The visitors responded as midfielder Joe Entwistle send in a deft lob which was narrowly off-target, with home stopper Luca Collins being watchful.

Half-Time: Manor 0 – 0 Cockfosters

The second half began with the level of tension rising, as it became increasingly likely that this was going to be one tight Cup tie. Manor had a setback just short of the hour mark, with Mosuro receiving his second booking for holding an opponent. Even though they had the numerical advantage, ‘Fosters still could not create the sheer number of chances to really put their hosts under sustained pressure.

There was a big moment for the visitors on 78 minutes. Visiting forward George Beattie did really well to get past his marker on the left side of the penalty area, but his low strike trickled agonizingly wide of Collins’ right-side post. Manor also had a chance with four minutes remaining, which saw Ben Allen send a header straight at Mann when well-placed to score.

Nick Barrett (6) clearing for Cockfosters

Added time was a tale of two big chances. Firstly on 92 minutes, a fine angled corner by Thomson found the head of full-back Prince Madu but his header was centimetres over Collins’ crossbar. Barely a minute later, the hosts delivered a powerful reply on the counter-attack as after a fine surging run through the middle by Farrell, he had the presence of mind to find substitute Kai Haysman who displayed composure to get past his marker and strike the ball into the right-side corner, past Mann and before the defenders could get back to the goal-line to block. Haysman’s goal was well-taken and the jubilation of his team-mates and the home crowd was palpable.

Visiting skipper Matt Thomson (4) about to strike a free-kick

Full-Time: Southend Manor 1 – 0 Cockfosters

In summary, this was a competitive match although the decent crowd in attendance did have to be patient for the chances to crop up, for either side. ‘Fosters will be disappointed that they couldn’t create enough chances, particularly when they had the numerical advantage for about half hour of this tie. Manor will play better than this but you also have to respect the steel & the feel-good factor they have and boss James Wakeling and his staff have to take their share of credit for that.

There were some good performances as ever. For Manor, forwards Ben Allen and Robbie Farrell were tenacious and full of running, with Allen doing well to give his team an option and also tracked back well defensively. Farrell brought a superb save out of vising stopper Charlie Mann, right on half-time before in added-time, making the fine surging run that led to Haysman’s winning goal. Centre-back Montel Shonubi had a good afternoon, making several important interceptions to stifle Cockfosters’ enterprising approach play at times while I thought Josh Devlin also put in an all-action performance to keep things tight too.

For Cockfosters, winger Jervon Campbell was their stand-out attacking threat for large parts of the game, getting space on the right flank and put in some good crosses as well. Nick Barrett did well at the centre of their defence too, making several good aerial clearances, while Joe Entwistle had another good game in central midfield. Finally, a word for Charlie Mann who made a few smart saves to deny most of the few chances that the hosts had.

Manor have won £1,125 in prize money with this win (Source: The FA website) and will entertain Shefford Town & Campton in the Prelim Round. Congrats to them and best wishes to Cockfosters for rest of their campaign.

Lastly, thanks to our sporting pal Martyn, who watched his former club prevail along with me today.

Teams

Southend Manor | Manager: James Wakeling | Assistant: Ryan Frost

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Luca Collins (GK), 2 Ben Sargent, 18 Montel Shonubi, 17 Opeoluwa Mosuro, 4 Daniel Okah (Capt), 12 Josh Devlin, 7 Jonathan Evans (5 Keanu Hill 58′), 8 Finley Gregory, 9 Ayodele Awosika (23 Kai Haysman 58′), 10 Ben Allen, 22 Robbie Farrell

Goal-scorer: Kai Haysman [90’+3]

Booked: Farrell, Okah, Shonubi | Sent Off: Mosuro (two bookings)

Subs Not Used: Ferris, Johnson

Cockfosters | Manager: Gavin Kelsey | Assistant: Glenn Draper

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Charlie Mann (GK), 2 Kenny Norbrega, 3 Prince Madu, 5 Aiden Read, 6 Nick Barrett, 4 Matthew Thomson (Capt), 7 Daniel Ferrigno (15 Craig Arnott 65′), 8 Joe Entwistle (14 Archie Jolly 85′), 10 George Beattie, 11 Chikosi Basden, 19 Jervon Campbell (18 Denzil Effah 80′)

Booked: Campbell, Barrett

Subs Not Used: Finch, Donaghue (GK), Ugbomah, Constanti

Referee: Matthew Charles

The FA Vase – Second Round Proper

Venue: Chalk Lane

Attendance: TBC

2021-22 Season: Match 43

Saturday 20th November 2021 – 3pm KO

Cockfosters: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red & White Socks

Tring Ath: Green Shirts, Green Shorts, Green Socks

Inspired Tring overwhelm ‘Fosters to progress into Round Three of the Vase

Cockfosters 0 – 4 Tring Athletic

Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

With no League action this weekend in the ESL, I decided to visit Chalk Lane for this big FA Vase Round Two match as Cockfosters took on former Spartan South Midlands rivals Tring Athletic. The hosts named a strong squad, with Bartosz Bilinski retaining his spot in goal, with a defence of Rueben Campbell, Prince Madu & centre-backs Danny Haigh and Jamal Brimah. The forward three here were Charncey Dash, George Beattie and Reece Mosanya. Options from the bench included player-boss Ryan Wade, fellow forward Fred Agyemang and midfielder Joe Entwistle. Tring were missing several players but had Dave Saunders between the posts, a defence that included Ben Johnson and Scott Bonner, with Emmanuel Gbejuade and Frankie Hercules on the flanks supporting forwards Chris Blunden and captain Kieran Turner. A youthful bench included Reily Churchill, Ali Mohiuddin, Jimmy Doherty and Temi Bankole.

Kaidyn Michael on the ball (right) for Cockfosters

In the early minutes of the match, it was ‘a tale of two chances’. The hosts had a fine downward header by forward Charncey Dash well clawed away by visiting stopper Dave Saunders with the ball close to the goal-line. Tring responded with some vigour and broke the deadlock on seven minutes as a floated ball in by skipper Kieran Turner was spilled by home custodian Bartosz Bilinski which allowed the onrushing George Carbery to prod home from close range calmly, much to the delight of the visiting contingent of supporters.

Cockfosters had a decent start to the tie, although they were conceding territory to the Tring forward line and they were looking good on the counter-attack. Ryan Wade’s side were feeling the fustration even more after an incident on 23 minutes. The Referee consulted with his assistant before dismissing Dash for lashing out at a Tring defender. Unsurprisingly, Tring were keen to ramp up the pressure the hosts were feeling and just shy of the half-hour, a good run down the right flank by winger Frankie Hercules ended with a fine strike by Turner which thundered off the woodwork.

Beattie about to take set-piece right after Dash’s dismissal

‘Fosters responded a few minutes later as from 25 yards out, forward George Beattie let fly with a well-struck effort which Saunders couldn’t gather until the second attempt. Athletic managed to extend their lead at a crucial time (on 39 minutes) as another good ball in ended with an initial header coming back off the goal frame with Bilinski beaten, and midfielder John Smith was happy enough to help himself to a tap-in, ahead of a disorganised home defence, which is unusual for them.

There was still more driving play from the visitors for Cockfosters to withstand ahead of the interval as a fine strike by Smith from 25 yards out drifted in the air and needed Bilinski to parry it over for a set-piece, it was a good save.

Half-Time: Cockfosters 0 – 2 Tring Athletic

However invigorating Ryan Wade’s team-talk may have been for the hosts at the interval, Tring effectively ended any hopes of a comeback just two minutes after the restart as more hesitant defending encouraged a move involving forward Chris Blunden and Hercules which found Emmanuel Gbejuade who slotted home with aplomb past the adavancing Bilinski.

On the whole, it was a quieter second half with fewer chances though substitute Fred Agyemang had a decent strike which went wide, soon after entering the field in place of full-back Rueben Campbell. Athletic were still a threat going forward, with the impressive Turner and Hercules both having strikes off-target. Cockfosters couldn’t rally to get themselves back into the contest despite the efforts of Mosanya and Beattie in attack, but you also have to give credit to the miserly Tring defence and the work rate displayed by the entire team here for reducing the amount of chances that the hosts could create.

Ryan Sturges’ side added gloss to what was a memorable day for them as Carbery fired home superbly, high into the net to grab a late fourth for Tring, who advanced into Round Three. ‘Fosters will be disappointed at their performance and not being able to put their opponents under sustained pressure for long periods of the match. Despite the result, it was a good occasion to be a part of and I thank the hosts for their welcome today.

Full-Time: Cockfosters 0 – 4 Tring Athletic

In summary, Tring more than deserved the win and the pain could’ve been worse for Ryan Wade’s side as Tring squandered a few other good chances here. It could’ve been rather different if Saunders hadn’t denied Dash’s early header, but you know what they say about chances missed….

For this match’s stand-out performances I’ll start with the victors. Being earnest, there were a lot of good options to pick from, with George Carbery nabbing two goals today, both of them were well-taken and it was a memorable day for him. Hard to not start with the forward two of Chris Blunden and skipper Kieran Turner who between them were a big headache for the home defence with their movement, passing and work rate. Plaudits to them. A mention too for winger Emmanuel Gbejuade who did stretch the opposition backline from the left channel and didn’t hesitate with the finish for his goal. Finally, John Smith did well from midfield and put in a hard-working display and supported his forwards well. For ‘Fosters, forwards Reece Mosanya and George Beattie did what they could to orchestrate a comeback, with Mosanya testing the resolute visiting defence with sharp runs and passes, while Beattie tested Tring stopper Saunders on two occasions. A note also for enterprising full-back Prince Madu who was a good outlet down the left side and also centre-back Jamal Brimah who also cleared several dangerous crosses well.

I’d like to wish Tring Athletic all the best in the next round of the Vase. Fortunately for the Essex Senior, Athletic Newham and Saffron Walden Town did make it through to Round Three on December 11th.

Teams

Cockfosters | Player-Manager: Ryan Wade | Assistant: Sam Ruff

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Bartosz Bilinski (GK), 2 Rueben Campbell (16 Fred Agyemang 57′), 3 Prince Madu, 4 Danny Haigh, 5 Luke Marshall (Capt), 6 Jamal Brimah, 7 Reece Barrett (15 Joe Entwistle 64′), 8 Kaidyn Michael (12 Zivonimir Lopes 79′) , 9 Charncey Dash, 10 George Beattie, 11 Reece Mosanya

Booked: Haigh | Sent Off: Dash [23′] | Subs Not Used: Wild, Hockney, Ungudi, Wade

Tring Athletic | Manager: Ryan Sturges | Assistants: Lee Groves & Ian Henderson

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Dave Saunders (GK), 2 Harrison Cornick, 3 Adam Sawyer, 16 Scott Bonner, 12 Ben Johnson (17 Reily Churchill 84′), 15 George Carbery, 8 John Smith, 7 Frankie Hercules (14 Ali Mohiuddin 79′), 11 Emmanuel Gbejuade (18 Jimmy Doherty 67′), 9 Chris Blunden, 10 Kieran Turner (Capt)

Goal-scorers: George Carbery [7′ & 87′], John Smith [39′], Emmanuel Gbejuade [47′]

| Subs Not Used: Bankole, Pitts (GK)

Category: Spartan South Midlands Premier

S22-23 Match Report: Southend Manor 1 – 0 Cockfosters (Sat 6 Aug) (FAC EPR 7.8.22)

S21-22 Match Report: Cockfosters 0 – 4 Tring Athletic (Sat 20 Nov) [FAV R2 21.11.21]