Round-up: Bostik Division North (Fri 16/Sat 17 Nov) [BLN 18.11.18]

Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

Hello and welcome to the latest of my regular round-ups of the action in Bostik Division North this weekend. How did your side do? Following that are the results from both the Bostik South Central and Bostik South East Divisions this weekend.

Friday 16th Nov

BLN

Witham Town   1 – 3  Aveley  | Spa Road  | Att: 166

Aveley started off the weekend’s action with a win at Spa Road. Tom Richardson put the visitors here ahead after only three minutes, although Johnny Ashman levelled for Town only six minutes later. The Millers found another gear after the break though as goals from Sam Cross [49’] and Reggie Hubbard [90’] saw them to a fourth straight win and leave their hosts still bottom of the standings.

Sat 17th Nov

Barking  2 – 1  Soham Town Rangers | Mayesbrook Park | Att: 73

The Blues took advantage of a good start here to record their third win in their last six outings. Joshua Davidson broke the deadlock after seven minutes before Darelle Russell made it two with 34 minutes on the watch. Soham responded late on through prolific scorer Sam Mulready though they fell to their 5th loss in their last six matches and remain second-bottom. Barking sit 12th.

Basildon Utd  0 – 1  Felixstowe & Walton Utd   | Gardiners Close | Att: 100

The new era at the Bees under joint-managers Michael Walther and Lee Connor started with a narrow defeat at home to Felixstowe. Sam Ford got the only goal after 27 minutes to the visitors to their sixth win of the season thus far and they reside in ninth place. Basildon’s winless stretch extends to six matches now and therefore drop to 5th place.

Brentwood Town  3 – 0  Bowers & Pitsea   | Brentwood Arena  | Att: 190

Town got arguably the result of their league season thus far by defeating under-par Bowers and consequently ending their unbeaten streak this term. The hosts broke the stalemate thanks to goalkeeper James Pellin’s long free-kick midway through the first half. Two former Bowers players struck the other goals with Ryan Mallett [49’] and substitute Charlee Hughes [82’] also netting to give Craig Shipman’s men their third win of the campaign. Rob Small’s side remain top on goal difference.

Bury Town  2 – 3  Coggeshall Town   | Ram Meadow  | Att: 372

Coggeshall went joint-top of the division after coming through in this thriller at Ram Meadow. Cemal Ramadan’s spot-kick after four minutes gave the hosts the lead though two quick-fire goals from Curtis Haynes-Brown [12’] and Connor Hubble [20’] turned the tide in the visitors’ favour. Ollie Hughes then struck two minutes before the break to make it even-stevens again. Ross Wall got the decisive strike nine minutes after the interval to see Cogg to their sixth win in their last seven matches. Bury remain 8th.

Canvey Island  0 – 2  AFC Sudbury   | Park Lane  | Att: 214

The Suds continued their upturn in form with this good win at out-of-form Canvey. First-half goals from Reece Harris [18’] and Thomas Monk [24’] saw the visitors to the win and have only lost one of their last seven now. Canvey have won only one of their last seven themselves and drop to 12th place.

Grays Athletic  5 – 1  Dereham Town  | Parkside (3G) | Att: 188

Another cracker of a performance saw Ath to a big win at Parkside. It started poorly for Jamie Stuart’s side as Joe Gatting put Town ahead on seven minutes. The hosts showed their spirit soon after as Tommy Wade levelled on the quarter-hour before Joao Carlos’ spot-kick put the hosts ahead just two minutes later. Wade’s second on 59 minutes plus late strikes by Mitchell Hahn [80’] and Michael Finneran four minutes afterward steered Ath to their 5th win in their last six matches, they rise to 6th while Dereham drop to 14th.

Great Wakering Rovers  3 – 2  Heybridge Swifts  | Burroughs Park | Att: 237

Rovers continued their good start to life back in Isthmian North by edging this cracker at Burroughs Park. Jake Gordon’s penalty on eight minutes put them ahead though Odei Martin restored parity for Swifts seven minutes later. Billy Johnson handed the lead back to Garry Kimble’s side on 33 minutes and after Gordon grabbed his brace four minutes into the second half, the hosts had the initiative.
Swifts are made of tough stuff though and Kreshnic Krasniqi’s strike eight minutes from time made it a nervy end, despite Heybridge being down to ten men after forward Matt Price’s dismissal. Wakering’s fifth win this term sees them rise to tenth while Swifts’ first loss under boss Julian Dicks sees them fall to seventh.

Maldon & Tiptree  0 – 0  Tilbury   | Park Drive  | Att: 137

New Dockers boss Marc Harrison began his tenure with a more than respectable draw at Maldon. Maldon are a tough side to beat though with only two defeats in seven now residing in 4th spot while third-bottom Tilbury haven’t won in seven outings now.

Mildenhall Town   2 – 1  Romford  | Recreation Way  | Att: 149

A good first 45 minutes saw Town to eventual victory over Boro at Recreation Way. Emmanuel Osei-Owuso’s eighth-minute strike put the hosts ahead before Aboudhadje Kouassi doubled that advantage ten minutes before the break. Henry Fisher did give Paul Martin’s side hope by reducing the deficit on 61 minutes though they still fell to their 5th straight loss and sit 16th. Town go level on points with their opponents here in 17th after ending their own four-match losing run.

Here’s your results from the Bostik South Central & South East divisions now:

 

Before I close, we heard the sad news this week that long-serving Isthmian League President and former Chairman Alan Turvey has died at the age of 85. My very best thoughts to Alan’s family and I am aware he was held in very high regard by many people in Non-League for many years.

That’s all for this week, thank you for reading.

Round-up: Bostik Division North (Sat 10th Nov) [BLN 11.11.18]

Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

Hello and welcome to this week’s Bostik North round-up. How did your side do?

 

Sat 10 Nov

AFC Sudbury  0 – 0   Basildon Utd   |  King’s Marsh (3G) | Att: 287

The new era at Basildon started with a shut-out at Sudbury. The Bees, under the Interim leadership  of co-chair Lee Connor, have not won in five matches though still picked up a credible result with a much-changed side following their ‘reorganisation’ this week.

Bowers & Pitsea  3 – 0   Mildenhall Town   | Len Salmon Stadium (3G) | Att: 111

Bowers continued their unbeaten run this term and their superb defensive record with this win over the Hall at the Len Salmon. A double from Lewis Manor [30′ & 45′] saw the hosts ahead before David Knight made another three points safe on 56 minutes with the hosts’ third. Mildenhall’s day got worse as both Thomas Boxer and James Seymour were dismissed here as they fell to their fourth straight loss.

Coggeshall Town   1 – 0   Barking    | West Street | Att: 112

Cogg maintained their fine form with a late winner at West Street. Sam Bantick kept up his superb scoring run with a goal ten minutes from time and secure his side’s fourth win on-the-spin. Barking are still finding wins hard to come by with two wins in their last six outings.

Dereham Town   2 – 3  Maldon & Tiptree   | Aldiss Park | Att: 143

This game saw the sides trade superiority on the score-sheet at Aldiss Park. Dereham led at the break through Jamie Forshaw on four minutes before Ollie Ebbage [28′] doubled that lead to put the out-of-form hosts in a good position. Maldon roared back though in the last 20 minutes of the contest as first, Oliver Kensdale pulled one back on 74 minutes before Jack Cawley [85′] levelled things up. Kensdale scored the decisive winner a minute from time to give Wayne Brown’s side their third win on-the-bounce.

Felixstowe & Walton Utd  1 – 2   Grays Athletic    |  Dellwood Avenue | Att: 310

Grays withstood a comeback from Felixstowe to pick up the victory at Dellwood Avenue.  Early goals from Joao Carlos [2′] and Kieran Bishop [23′]  put Jamie Stuart’s side in command. Miles Powell’s goal three minutes after the interval opened the game up though Ath held on to claim their 4th win in their last five matches.

Heybridge Swifts   2 – 1   Canvey Island   | Scraley Road | Att: 357

Canvey came unstuck at in-form Heybridge. Swifts led  through regular scorers Matt Price [30′] and Harrison Chatting [49′]. Although Canvey made it a tense end thanks to Jake Joliffe’s strike 15 minutes from time, the hosts won their fifth game in their last six.

Soham Town Rangers  3 – 0   Witham Town   | Julius Martin Lane | Att: 151

Soham won this bottom-two clash with Witham. They led after only four minutes thanks to Will Gardner’s goal. In the second half, further strikes from Ryan Auger [50′] and Sal Mulready on the cusp of the 90 saw Soham to only their second win this season while Witham have lost five of their last six natches now.

Tilbury   1 – 2  Bury Town   | Chadfields | Att: 110

Finally on Saturday, Bury Town came back to win at Chadfields. Jack Carlile put the hosts ahead on 66 minutes though a late brace from Cemal Ramadan [81′ & pen 85′] turned the tide to get their third win in their last five games while the Dockers parted company with boss Joe Keith and assistant Lee Hodges following this match and swiftly replaced them with former Basildon management duo Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace.

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.

Round-up: Bostik Division North (Sat 3rd Nov) [BLN 3.11.18]

Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

Hello & welcome to another round of the Bostik North round-up, here on the blog. This article looks at the action in the first weekend of November How did your side do?

Friday 2nd November

Witham Town  1 – 1    Heybridge Swifts   | Spa Road  | Att: 273

The action started on Friday night which saw Witham do well to hold Heybridge to a share of the points at Spa Road. Andrew Tirivanhu put the hosts ahead on 19 minutes though Swifts star man Harrison Chatting levelled six minutes later and the match ended all-square. This improved showing by Town ended their five-match losing run while Heybridge’s four-match winning run also ended here.

Saturday 3th November

Barking  2 – 4   Felixstowe & Walton Utd   | Mayesbrook Park  | Att: 64

The Blues were out-matched by a strong Felixstowe performance in this early kick-off at Mayesbrook Park. Utd led by three goals by the half-hour mark thanks to Josh Kerridge [8′], Jack Ainsley [12′] and Miles Powell [29′] and although Justin Gardner’s men did respond before the break through Daniel Cheema’s strike [38′], they were very much against it. Late on, Joe Bruce  [87′] converted a spot-kick before Joseph Francis capped a fine day for F & W with his goal a minute from time. The visitors ended a four-match winless run here.

Basildon Utd  0 – 4  Bowers & Pitsea    | Gardiners Close  | Att: 408

The Bees were heavily beaten in the ‘El Basico’ derby. Two of Bowers’ stand-out performers thus far this season, David Knight and Quentin Monville really flouished again in this match, watched by over 400 fans. Knight opened the scoring on 11 minutes, before Monville [37′] made it two. Knight’s penalty made it three on 57 minutes before Monville wrapped up a big win late on to retain Bowers unbeaten start to the season from 11 matches. Basildon’s fourth match without a win was compounded by the surprise news that following a ‘reorganisation’, manager Marc Harrison has sadly stepped down following a highly-successful spell in charge.

Brentwood Town  1 – 2  Dereham Town  | Brentwood Arena  | Att: 135

Dereham battled past Brentwood to claim the points. Goals from David Hinton [38′] and Adam Hipperson [59′] gave Neal Simmons’ side a strong lead before Kojo Apenteng halved that lead on 68 minutes though the visitors held on to claim the win. Brentwood are in a bit of a stutter with one win in their last seven matches.

 

Bury Town  1 – 2    Aveley   | Ram Meadow  | Att: 299

The bulk of the action in this match cropped up in the last half-hour. Aveley’s quick-fire double from Andy Freeman [65′] and Tom Richardson [70′] put them in a good position and although Jake Chambers-Shaw pulled one back on 82 minutes , Town fell to their third loss in their last five matches. The Millers picked up their 4th win in their last five here.

 

Canvey Island  2 – 0  Romford   | Park Lane | Att: 200

Canvey battled to another win at Park lane. Jordan Cox [68′] and Ryan Melaugh [76′] goals saw Mark Bentley’s side to their first win in five matches while Paul Martin’s side have lost their last four.

 

Grays Athletic 3 – 2   Tilbury    | Parkside  | Att: 258

The returning hero Kieran Bishop had a hand in this victory over the Dockers in this local derby. Lewis Jaggs’ OG [8′] put the hosts ahead before Bishop made it two on 57 minutes. Another OG from Grays’ Ryan Mahal five minutes later gave Joe Keith’s side a chance. Aron Gordon [85′] extended the hosts’ lead though a penalty from Lewis Smith rounded out the scoring. Ath have only lost one of their last seven league matches now while Tilbury are winless in five.

 

Great Wakering Rovers  1 – 1  AFC Sudbury  |  Burroughs Park   | Att: 104

GWR were held by the Suds at Burroughs Park. Brandy Makhendi put the hosts ahead a minute into the second-half before John Mbamrah’s own-goal two minutes later ended up securing a point for a Sudbury side who are recovering from a poor start to the season.

 

Maldon & Tiptree  1 – 0   Soham Town Rangers   | Park Drive  | Att: 124

Maldon picked up a narrow win thanks to George Sykes’ goal on the stroke of half-time. Soham’s torrid season continues as they fell to their fourth straight loss.

 

Mildenhall Town  2 – 4   Coggesshall Town    | Recreation Way  |  Att: 181

Finally, Coggeshall bounced back from a slow start to power their way to their fourth win in their last five. Jarid Robson put the Hall ahead three minutes in, though Curtis Haynes-Brown’s deflected strike [15′] and top-scorer Sam Bantick [45′] turned things around. Ross Wall [63′] made it three and though Hall threatened a comeback through Emmanuel Osei-Owuso on 86 minutes, Tom Monk’s 90th-minute strike ensured the win. Mildenhall fell to their third straight loss.

That’s all for this round-up, thanks for reading.

 

Match Report: Great Wakering Rovers 2 – 1 Witham Town (Sat 20th Oct) [BLN 21.10.18]

Bostik League Division North

Venue: Burroughs Park

Attendance: 104

2018-19 Season – Match 25

Saturday 20th October 2018  – 3pm KO

Great Wakering Rovers : Green & White Striped Shirts, White Shorts, Green Socks

Witham Town: Yellow Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Yellow Socks

Wakering put in strong display to outmatch Witham

 

Report & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

On a sunny autumnal day at Burroughs Park, Great Wakering welcomed Essex rivals Witham in what was for me a rare Bostik League Division North match this season. I’d last seen Rovers in their Errington Challenge Cup Final win in May and since then they’ve had a bit of a squad turnover, as well as a new gaffer in Garry Kimble. Here, they went with the front three of Billy Johnson, Marcus Bowers and Stephen Butterworth with ex-Redbridge defender John Mbamarah skippering the side.

Witham are now managed by ex-Stansted boss Mark Ashford as they seek to avert flirting with danger at the bottom end of the division this season. They fielded Luca Collins in goal, with the physical L’heureux Menga and young forward Alfie Cerulli in attack, plus ex-ESL players Sam Ashford and Johnny Ashman on the flanks.

The match didn’t take long to settle as only four minutes in, a long-throw from home forward Marcus Bowers caused chaos in the Witham back-line and a inital fine strike cannoned off the underside of the bar, fellow forward Billy Johnson reacted quickest to nod his side ahead. The hosts had the better of the forward play and with it, the chances though winger Jake Gordon and captain John Mbamarah had efforts that went wide of the ‘onion bag’. Witham goalkeeper Luca Collins was in fine form throughout, denying Mbamarah’s fine header with an equally good save on 17 minutes.

Witham had few chances in the half though skipper Danny Norton nearly took advantage of a slip-up by home custodian Coey Turipa though the ‘keeper recovered by parrying Norton’s lob wide for a corner. Wakering did go into the break with a two-goal cushion as the impressive Bowers struck a low drive past Collins from a narrow angle seven minutes before half-time.

 

Half-Time: Great Wakering  2 – 0  Witham Town

In the second half, it was a fair bit more even-stevens though on 52 minutes, from Johnson’s corner, forward Stephen Butterworth’s fierce drive smashed off the crossbar. Town did look a threat on occasion with wingers Johnny Ashman and Sam Ashford arguably having the biggest influence with their pace, crossing and touch. Rovers spurned chances to wrap the match up though substitute Billy Harris shot wide with his first touch, while winger  Jake Gordon also saw his strike on-the-volley sail over when one-on-one with Collins.

In the latter stages, the visitors did keep going and substitute Sam Owusu’s effort fizzed wide after good play by full-back Luke Mallett. Fellow substitute Elias Siligato’s shot also pinged off the woodwork though Sam Ashford’s late penalty did give them something to go away with though they will be cursing their inability to create chances in the first half here.

Wakering forwards Marcus Bowers and Billy Johnson and centre-back John Mbamarah stood out for me today while Witham defender Jack Kemsley along with Ashman and goalkeeper Collins did well for Mark Ashford’s side.

Full-Time: Great Wakering  2 – 1   Witham

 

Great Wakering Rovers  | Manager: Garry Kimble

Coey Turipa (GK), Jason Ring, Tom Skelton, Simon Glover, John Mbamarah (Capt), Brandy Makhendi (Billy Harris 72′), Jake Gordon, George Cox (Aaron Russell 84′), Marcus Bowers, Stephen Butterworth (Adam Vyse 81′), Billy Johnson

Goal-scorers: Billy Johnson [4′], Marcus Bowers [38′]

Booked: Cox    | Subs Not Used: Folkes

 

Witham Town      | Manager: Mark Ashford

Luca Collins (GK), Luke Mallett, Liam Whipps, Danny Norton (Capt), Patrick Ahern, Jack Kemsley, Johnny Ashman (Sam Owusu 65′), Michael Osei-Saahene (Elias Siligato 65′), L’heureux Menga, Alfie Cerulli (Antoni Paredes-Garcia 79′), Sam Ashford

Goal-scorers: Sam Ashford [pen 90’+4]

Booked: Menga   |  Subs Not Used: Isherwood, Fisher