S22-23 Round-ups: Essex Senior League (Sat 26 Nov) [ESL 22-23 27.11.22]

Archive Image – Halstead Tn v FC Clacton earlier this term

Written by Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & ESL Writer

Hello & welcome to the latest of my occasional series, rounding-up the full Essex Senior League programme that took place on the weekend of Saturday 26 November. We also include the Reserve Shield action & the solitary Ressie league match in Division Two.

ESL crest

Essex Senior League –  Saturday 26 November

The weekend’s action starts with an important win for Barking as they powered past Stanway Rovers 5 – 1 at Mayesbrook Park 3G. Charlie Heatley’s first hat-trick inside the first hour led the way for Charlie MacDonald’s side, while Ahmed Abdulla and George Fairhead added further pain to Danny Slatter’s team, who replied through Will Crisell’s goal. At the Terry Mac, Clapton got another big three points as they fought back to defeat Romford 4 – 3. Khyreece Smith-Reid’s fifth league goal this term plus goals from Leon Wildman, Sharn Quinn’s spot-kick & an OG enabled Ross Weare’s side to move eight points clear of bottom side Southend Manor. Romford responded through strikes from Emmanuel Ogunrinde, Adalberto Pinto and Shomari Barnwell’s goal in stoppage time but they are now five points adrift of landlords Barking in tenth.

Takeley continued their recent good form, with a 4 – 0 victory at Southend Manor. Charlie Allum and George Frodsham goals inside the first ten minutes led the way for Marc Das’ side, then Jayden Gipson & Jordan Westcott goals added more anguish for Alex O’Leary’s side. At the summit, Enfield stay at the top on goal difference after a 3 – 0 victory at managerless Saffron Walden Town. Danny Norton, Louie Johnson’s penalty & a Usman Adeniji goal sealed the points for Jamie Cureton in front of 330 spectators at Catons Lane. Redbridge are second on the same points total (36) after a gritty 1 – 0 win at West Essex. Ibrahim Kehinde got the only goal there for George Christou’s side at Wadham Lodge. FC Clacton are now five points clear in third spot after a 2 – 1 success at White Ensign. Jake Clowsley & the league’s top scorer Mekhi McKenzie got the goals for Tom Austin’s side there, while Teddy Rumsby got the goal back for Aaron Bloxham’s team.

Elsewhere, Stansted remain in sixth after a 4 – 0 win at Halstead Town. The quartet of Ashaan Siddik, George O’Connor, Michael Mignot and Andre Embalo all netted for the Airportmen to add more concern for the Humbugs, who stay 16th. Buckhurst Hill got an important victory after the loss of two big players this week, as they won 4 – 1 over Sawbridgeworth Town at Roding Lane. Jake Knight had given Kieran Amos & Ben Taylor’s side an early lead, but Ezekiel Bademosi levelled the match just before the interval before a double from Hassan Nalbant and a late goal by replacement Jake Moss sealed the win for Mark Williams’ side, who reside in eighth. Athletic Newham are ninth after a 3 – 1 victory at Ilford, with Daniel Izekor notching another double and Abdul Shobowale also on target for Chris Davis’ team. Jack Zielinski got the reply for the Foxes there. Lastly in the top-tier, Woodford Town bagged a 1 – 0 away win at Little Oakley, thanks to Wale Odedoyin’s goal to spoil new manager James Good’s first league game in charge, after the resignation of Matt Carmichael this week – I’d like to pass on my best wishes to Matt & his family at this tough time.

Now into the Reserve Shield action, Barkingside Res edged through on Friday night, defeating White Ensgn Res 2 – 1 at Lakeside Sports Ground. Junior Mandeng-Fotabeng netted for the Ensign side, but strikes by Emmanuel Banahene & Kolade Oshun secured the hosts’ progression. Woodford Town Res joined them there after a 3 – 1 victory at Athletic Newham Res. David Avram, Albert James & replacement Izac Clarke all scored for Town in that game. The other two games needed spot-kicks to determine the victor and Billericay Town Res drew 1 – 1 with Frenford Res, before winning 4 – 3 on penalties. Redbridge Res also drew, 2 – 2 with West Essex Development but it was the Stags side who won 3 – 1 on penalties in that one.

Finally, there’s one result in Ressie League Division Two, which saw Barking U23 go back to the summit after a thumping 7 – 0 victory at May & Baker Res.

S22-23 Round-ups: Essex Senior Lge (Sat 12 Nov) [ESL 13.11.22]

ESL crest

Written by Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & ESL Writer

Hello & welcome to the latest of my occasional series, looking at the three Essex Senior League matches that took place on the weekend of Saturday 12 November. We saw nine goals in the top-tier, while we also have sections on the FA Vase Round Two, the one Reserve D2 match & the Len Cordell Trophy action, with the latter featuring the Reserve sides.

Essex Senior Lge –  Saturday 12 November

The weekend’s action behigs with Ilford returning to winning ways with a 4 – 2 victory at White Ensign. Ilford were indebted to Joshua Boxall who grabbed a fine treble to give the Foxes a big advantage. Joe Lilly got the other goal for Richard Ponsford’s team. Ensign replied through goals from skipper Mitchell Stuart-Evans and new recruit Kian Bradshaw. The win takes Ilford above their opppnents here & into 13th spot. West Essex had to battle for a 1 – 0 success over Clapton at Wadham Lodge. Oliseh Okuguni was again the hero for Kwame Kwateng’s side with the winning goal midway through the second half, after good initial work by substitute David Bell. The Stags have gone four points clear in fifth.

Lastly, Halstead Town got a hugely important triumph as they won 2 – 0 at Southchurch Park. Tom White and Joel Older got the goals for Mark McLean’s side. This win takes them above Sawbridgeworth into fourth-bottom on goal difference. The majority of sides didn’t play this weekend because of the FA Vase action this weekend, but at present Enfield sit top, two points clear of FC Clacton in second, with Redbridge in third and Little Oakley in fourth spot.


Meanwhile, in the FA Vase Round Two, Athletic Newham booked their spot in Round Three with a 4 – 0 success at home to Kennington. Daniel Izekor added to his growing reputation with a fine treble here for Chris Davis’ team. Richard Kone added the other goal early in the second half as Newham took their place in the Last 64. Romford put a difficult week behind them and also progressed with a 2 – 0 triumph over divisional rivals Little Oakley, with Camilo Restrepo scoring a brace for Steve Butterworth’s side. In other results, Dunstable Town edged Enfield 1 – 0 at Creasey Park on Friday night. Lakenheath responded superbly after an early setback to defeat Buckhurst Hilll 3 – 2. Sam Hawley, a penalty from Luke Young and Thomas Thulborn’s late goal sealed te Eastern Counties Premier side’s progression. Suleyman Zuhdu had given Buckhurst the lead after 13 minutes and Nathan Sollosi added a late consolation.

Elsewhere, Norwich Utd scored two late goals to defeat Stansted 2 – 0 at Plantation Park. Haydn Davis & Thomas Hunter got those goals to break the Airportmen’s hearts. Leighton Town won 2 – 0 at Saffron Walden Town as the Bloods played their first match after the departure of long-serving boss Jason Maher this week. Finally in the Vase, Woodford Town exited on the lottery of penalties after a 2 – 2 draw with Fakenham Town at Ashton’s. Alejandro Machado got both goals for Shane Baptiste’s team but a double from Jack Robinson for the Ghosts forced a shoot-out, with Fakenham won 4 – 3.


In the the Len Cordell Trophy, Barking U23 grabbed a fine 4 – 0 triumph at Frenford Res, with Argest Nela scoring twice, with Abdul Charfi & George Fairhead also scoring. Billericay Town Ressies also won away from home, coming away with a 4 – 2 win at May & Baker Res. Joshua Brown led the way with a double, added to by strikes from Rhian Fowler and substitute Jes Oshitola. Other results in the Cordell Cup were Barkingside Res’ 2 – 2 draw with Grays Athletic Res on Friday night and Romford’s second side drawing 3 – 3 with Redridge Res at Westlands on Saturday.

We close this article with the one Reserve Division Two match that took place on Friday night, which saw Takeley Res win 2 – 1 at Southend Manor U23. Bryn Thorpe notching both goals there for Takeley’s second side, which took them level on points with leaders Barking U23.