Preview: Essex Senior League (with FA Vase 2RQ & EaSL fixtures) (Sat 14 Sept) [ESL 12.9.19]

Action Still from Ilford 1 – 2 Enfield (FA Vase 1RQ on Aug 31) [Image: Scott W] 

Written by Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

Hello and welcome to this week’s Preview piece looking at the five Essex Senior League matches, plus a listing of the Essex Senior & Eastern Senior South sides involved in The FA Vase weekend, plus fixtures in the Eastern Senior League South for Friday 13th September – Sunday 15th September

 

Essex Senior League

Friday 13th Sept  –  Woodford Town  v  Southend Manor  | Harlow Arena

The first of the weekend’s league action starts here with this battle at the Harlow Arena as Manor travel to face Woodford. Despite having a number of players unavailable, Woodford battled hard before losing out to West Essex last weekend. On-the-pitch, Manor have been inactive though off-it, it has not been quite so quiet, after news emerged of chairman Jerry Omango appointing himself as the club’s new manager, with support from the coaching staff. Difficult to gauge this one as Manor will need to keep the same core group of players that started the season in my opinion to do alright. Wins have not been too far from Town’s grasp of late and they may get one here.

Scott’s Prediction:  3 – 1

Saturday 14th Sept

Hadley  v  Sawbridgeworth Town  | Brickfield Lane

The Bricks welcome Sawbridgeworth to Brickfield Lane. Anthony Clark’s side are certainly in the midst of a ‘bubble’, particularly at home after a win over Arlesey Town in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Cup last weekend. They are unbeaten at home in the league thus far as well though they do face a busy ten days ahead with Cup action, in the Gordon Brasted Trophy and back in the FA Cup. Sawbo have been improving in some ways, just not in results terms recently as they lost out narrowly to Hashtag Utd last weekend, having led earlier in the match. Hard to go against a home win though it may be a tight one.

Scott’s Prediction:  2 – 1

 

Hoddesdon Town  v  Clapton   | Lowfield

Hoddesdon welcome Clapton to Lowfield. The hosts had a free weekend last time out and will want to get their league campaign rolling here, while the Tons had another disappointing defeat last weekend at Ilford. This will be a tough match for the visitors and I would head for a win for the hosts here.

Scott’s Prediction:  2 – 0

Sporting Bengal Utd  v  Ilford   | Mile End

Bengal entertain an Ilford side that has seen a mini-renaissance of sorts recently. The Foxes comfortably defeated Clapton last weekend to put them up into the top half with two wins from their opening six matches. Bengal played their part in a terrific match for the neutral with a high-scoring draw at Enfield last time out and are only one spot below their opposition in 10th spot, with only goal difference separating them.  This is Imrul Gazi’s first home league match this term so that may their side a lift. Draw for me.

Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2

Stansted  v  Cockfosters   |  Hargrave Park

Finally in the ESL this weekend, Stansted welcome Cockfosters to Hargrave Park. Paul Pittuck & John Watters’ team were held at home by St Margaretsbury last weekend before defeating Eastern Senior South side Benfleet in the Essex Senior Cup in midweek. The ‘Fosters defeated Tower Hamlets last weekend and have only lost once in the league, at Takeley on the opening day. This will be another intriguing battle, though the Airportmen’s steely defence may give them the edge here.

Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1

 

 

The FA Vase – Second Qualifying Round   (ESL & EaSL sides)

Friday 13th Sept   –   New Salamis  v  Tower Hamlets   | Queen Elizabeth II Stadium

 

Saturday 14th September

 

Enfield  v  Enfield Borough   | Woodside
FC Broxbourne Borough  v  Wivenhoe Town   | Goffs Lane
FC Clacton   v  Redbridge    | Rush Green Bowl
Frenford  v  Hashtag Utd   | Len Salmon Stadium [3G]

Langford  v  Hackney Wick

Lopes Tavares  v  Catholic Utd   | Terence MacMillan Stadium

Takeley  v  Wormley Rovers   | Station Road
West Essex  v  Brantham Athletic   | Mayesbrook Park

White Ensign  v  Newbury Forest   | Burroughs Park
Whitton Utd  v  St Margaretsbury   |  King George V Playing Field

Sun 15 Sept  –  Coggeshall Utd  v  Long Melford   | West Street

 

And.. Eastern Senior League South (Sat 14 Sept)

 

Barkingside  v  Brightlingsea Regent Res   | Cricklefield

Benfleet  v Little Oakley    | Park Lane

Burnham Ramblers  v  Holland  | Leslie Field

Harwich & Parkeston  v  Halstead Town  | Royal Oak

 

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Match Report: Frenford 1 – 1 White Ensign (Sat 16 Feb) (EaSL Sth 17.2.19)

Eastern Senior League South

Venue: Jack Carter Centre, the Drive

Attendance: 56

2018-19 Season – Match 48

Saturday 16th February 2019  – 3pm KO

Frenford: Red & White Striped Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

White Ensign: White Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Navy Blue Socks

 

Frenford hold firm to deny Ensign a vital win

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

This weekend’s second match took me to a new ground and a league I rarely get a chance to watch as Frenford welcomed promotion-chasing White Ensign in this Eastern Senior League South encounter at the Jack Carter Centre in Gants Hill, East London.

Frenford are in a good mid-table spot and named Danny Driscoll as their focal point in attack, with Luke Woodward and Nick Hughes supporting him while skipper Carl Conway was joined in central defence by Nick Pegg. Ensign brought with them a strong squad with skipper Dave Limber alongside Andy George at the heart of their defence with John Williams and Connor Barnby in midfield and a front two of Dominic Locke and recent signing Nathan Dewberry.

The visitors showed flashes of their sharp passing game in the early stages with one example being midfielder John Williams looking to set attacks going with Connor Barnby bombing forward from midfield. Barnby had a sight of goal after a error by home goalkeeper Danny Fowler in clearing his lines fell to him though he fired over from 20 yards. Frenford did grow into the game though as full-back Enoch Freeman made a number of enterprising runs down the right flank, and although at times he was a little isolated, he gave the visiting back-line something to think about. With 16 minutes on the watch, Freeman fed midfielder Harry Daly whose cross found forward Nick Hughes though his header lacked the power to beat visiting custodian James Parkins.

The home side were having some joy down both flanks, with inter-play between full-back Billy Whatling and forward Luke Woodward ending up in crosses finding the Ensign box though more often than not, skipper Dave LImber was well-positioned in heading them out of danger. Ensign did look handy on the counter withexperienced forward Nathan Dewberry looking to beat the off-side trap though he also twice fizzed efforts wide of Fowler’s goal. Ensign spurned a decent opening three minutes before the break as Barnby broke free of the home defence though his strike failed to unduly trouble Fowler, who gathered well.

Half-Time: Frenford  0 – 0  White Ensign

In that first-half, although the hosts had more of the play and showed plenty of vigour, they didn’t really create many clear-cut openings. A mere 40 seconds after the re-start, midfielder Bradley Gates gave Ensign the lead with a vicious lob which diipped over Fowler and straight into the top right corner to leave quite a few in the ground a bit stunned. The hosts nearly responded before the hour though forward Danny Driscoll’s strike was well-saved by Parkins and for the next passage of the game, Frenford’s tempo dipped as Ensign conversely found more of the rhythm they needed. Forward Dominic Locke was also posing problems with his pace and trickery. Fowler was called into action again on 71 minutes though somehow centre-back Andy George missed a good chance to tuck home the re-bound.

Moments afterward, at the other end, Billy Whatling’s driving run from left-back led to another Woodward ball in to the area though Parkins did well to smother with home forwards lurking. However, Frenford were not to be denied as Woodward compounded a good performance by taking aim on the left of the penalty area which a sweet chip which evaded Perkins and crept under the bar. Both sides had chances to win it in the latter stages, with Barnby scuffing an effort whilst one-on-one with Fowler and Driscoll similarly couldn’t bypass Parkins after another telling Woodward pass. In the blur of added-time, a corner for the visitors was knocked on before before being cleared off the goal-line and substitute Julian Edwards got in front of Parkins but lobbed wide.

All in all though, a draw was a fair result, given both sides had their respective strong phases of the game. On another day, either side could have won it though Ensign may feel it is two points dropped, because of their keenness to keep tabs on the leaders. Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to all at Frenford (chiefly, the Forbes clan) for their hospitality and the welcome they extended today. I really wish them well with big plans coming to fruition ahead of next season.

Full-Time: Frenford  1 – 1 White Ensign

Teams

Frenford   | Manager: Dave Forbes

Danny Fowler (GK), Enoch Freeman, Billy Whatling (Tom Quinn 85′), Carl Conway (Capt), Nick Pegg, Harry Daly, Charlie Fairhead (George Fairhead 72′), Joe Villiers, Danny Driscoll, Luke Woodward, Nick Hughes (Julian Edwards 55′)

Goal-scorer: Luke Woodward [75′]

Booked: Villiers   | Subs Not Used: Cook

 

White Ensign  | Player-Manager: Brett Munyard

James Parkins (GK), Jack Maleary, Thando Mayo, Andy George, Dave Limber (Capt), Jake McWee, Bradley Gates (Peter Paoletti 80′), John Williams, Connor Barnby, Dominic Locke (Charlie Little 80′), Nathan Dewberry (Luke Skinner 64′)

Goal-scorer: Bradley Gates [46′]

Booked: Dewberry, Locke  | Subs Not Used: Austin, Howard

Match Report: May & Baker EC 0 – 1 Swaffham Town (FA Vase R2 – Sun 4th Nov) [FAV 4.11.18]

The FA Vase – Second Round Proper

Venue: Barking Rugby Club

Attendance: 165

2018-19 Season – Match 31

Sunday 4th November 2018  – 3pm KO

May & Baker EC: Red & Black Striped Shirts, Black Shorts, Red Socks

Swaffham Town: Black & White Striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Swaffham progress with a injury-time winner in a real battle at Barking Rugby Club

Report by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14) with Photos by Peter D (Twitter: @ped1980)

The FA Vase Second Round weekend ended here with this battle of Eastern Senior League South v Eastern Senior League North at Barking Rugby Club where May & Baker Eastbrook Community (to give it it’s full title) welcomed Swaffham Town. The hosts have already beaten Saffron Walden Town and North Greenford Utd in their Vase run and named a front two of Dan Gilchrist and Besmir Hoxhaj, both players who have been scoring well for the club in all competitions this season. Swaffham, who are among the leaders in their division, named Tommy Rix between the sticks with Nick Castellan and Joe Jackson on the flanks with diminutive skipper Alex Vincent partnering Kyle Plumb in attack.

It must be said that after a rugby match was played on the pitch the previous day, it may have had an effect, as it was a tad bobbly to say the least. Still, it was the hosts who had the opening sighters of goal as midfielder Sam Dickins blasted over the bar in the opening five minutes. Both sides did rather struggle to settle and adapt to the conditions during the first half though during the midway point of the first 45, Swaffham had their best period of the match thus far as forward Alex Vincent was showing his skill to trick his way past the home defence  on a coupl of occasions.

As the half was teetering towards its conclusion, Swaffham winger Joe Jackson was well denied a one-on-one oppurtunity with home ‘keeper Micheal Gooch by a last-ditch challenge by defender Joe Maskell, who shortly after required treatment for a head injury (Cue the ‘Terry Butcher bandaged head’ look from the World Cup in Italy in 1990). M & B winger Kiel Chandler had a good strike well-saved by visiting stopper Tommy Rix three minutes before the break though it was scoreless at the interval, with the tension rising.

Half-Time: May & Baker EC 0 – 0  Swaffham Town

The visitors began the second-half with a fair bit of the ball though neither side really had a stranglehold on the game. On the hour, the hosts were denied by good save by Rix as midfielder Conor Okus made a surging run into the box before driving a good strike which needed the intervention of the Swaffham ‘keeper. Only a moment later, Okus headed wide from the resulting corner.

The hosts kept the pressure on in the next passage of the game though star striker Dan Gilchrist didn’t really have the type of chances he thrives on as the Swaffham defence soaked up the pressure from defending a number of set-pieces. As we entered an increasingly nervy latter part of the match, the visitors kept going and after a good run by Vincent, Jackson was one-on-one with Gooch though contrived to skew his strike wide of the far post in what was a huge let-off for M & B.

That let-off was a sign as it turned out as in the first minute of added time, substitute Luke Reed was played in well and buried a low shot past Gooch into the corner to send Micky Wetherall’s side out in heart-breaking circumstances. Some may argue they didn’t create enough chances though in fairness, there was little to seperate the sides here for the majority of the contest. Swaffham advance though to the next round and they await their opponents in the draw to come early next week.

Full-Time: May & Baker EC  0 – 1 Swaffham Town

 

May & Baker EC  | Manager: Micky Wetherall

Michael Gooch (GK), Craig Hall, Joe Maskell, Dean Hall (Capt), Henry Osei, Sam Dickins, Conor Okus, Kiel Chandler (Reece Tranter 69′), Tom Harvey, Besmir Hoxhaj (James Barlow 60′), Daniel Gilchrist

Booked: D Hall   | Subs Not Used: Warren, Oxby, Martin (GK)

Swaffham Town     | Manager: Paul Hunt

Tommy Rix (GK), Danny Tindall, Louis Duarte (David Weaver-Pope 68′), Dean Miller, Matthew Gilchrist, Ryan Pearson, Nick Castellan, Tommy Hunt (Luke Reed 79′), Kyle Plumb (Sam Carter 73′), Alex Vincent (Capt), Joe Jackson

Goal-scorers: Luke Reed [90’+1]

Booked: None     |  Subs Not Used: Conner, Watson (GK)

Results Round-up: Eastern Senior League South (Sat 27 Oct) [EaSL 27.10.18]

Written by Scott W

Here is my results round-up from the action in the Eastern Senior League South this weekend, reduced due to Cup action.

Eastern Senior League South 

Brightlingsea Rgent Res  1 – 3  White Ensign

Ensign made it six wins on-the-trot as a brace from Luke Skinner and one from Gates saw them to victory

 

Burnham Ramblers 3 – 2 Holland

Ramblers produced a fine comeback to defeat Holland at Leslie Field. Goals from Grant Webb, Karl Swanborough and Sam Whinney saw them to a much-needed victory.

 

Frenford  7 – 0  Little Oakley

Frenford piled on the misery for Oakley as four goals from Julian Edwards plus strikes by Charlie Fairhead, Luke Woodward and skipper Lewis Bartrip helped Dave Forbes’ side to a big win.

 

Halstead Town  4 – 1  Braintree Town Res

Newbury Forest 2 – 3  Wivenhoe Town

 

Wormley Rovers  0 – 3  May & Baker E.C

Micky Wetherall’s side got the points thanks to goals by Dean Hall, Dan Gilchrist and Hoxhaj. Certainly is good impetus going into next weekend’s FA Vase Round Two tie.

R’s Round-up: Eastern Snr Lge Sth & Thurlow Nunn Premier (Sat 13.10.18) [EaSL & TNP 13.10.18]

Written by Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

Hello and welcome to another round-up of the results in the Eastern Senior League Sth & Thurlow Nunn Premier Division this weekend (13th Oct – Non-League Day), how did your side do?

 

Eastern Senior League South 

Braintree Town Res  1 – 3   Coggeshall Utd

Fire Utd  2 – 3   Holland

Frenford  2 – 1  Burnham Ramblers

Harwich & Parkeston  2 – 3  Halstead Town

Hashtag Utd  3 – 1   Benfleet

Wivenhoe Town  0 – 1  Hackney Wick

Wormley Rovers  2 – 3  White Ensign

 

Thurlow Nunn Premier 

 

Framlingham Town 2 – 3  Long Melford

Gorleston 2 – 0 Haverhill Rovers

Hadleigh Utd  2 – 0   Ely City

Walsham-le-Willows  3 – 0  Brantham Athletic

Whitton Utd  3 – 2  Norwich Utd

Round-up: Eastern Snr Lge Sth & Thurlow Nunn Prem (Fri 5th/Sat 6th Oct) [EaSL & TNP 6.10.18

Written by Scott W  (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

Hello again and welcome to my results round-up of the action in the Eastern Senior League South and the Thurlow Nunn Premier division. Thanks for reading.

Eastern Senior League South (EaSL)

Saturday 6th October

Burnham Ramblers  5 – 1  Braintree Town Res

Frenford  1 – 3  Harwich & Parkeston

Halstead Town  4 – 3  Newbury Forest

Holland  4 – 2  May & Baker

Little Oakley  0 – 5  Benfleet

Lopes Tavares 0 – 2   Hashtag Utd

White Ensign  4 – 2  Hackney Wick

Wivenhoe Town  2 – 0   Fire Utd

 

 

Thurlow Nunn Premier

Friday 5th October

Walsham-le-Willows   3 – 1   Hadleigh Utd

Saturday 6th October

Brantham Athletic  5 – 1  Haverhill Rovers

Ely City  2 – 5  Whitton Utd

Framlingham Town  2 – 2  Newmarket Town

Godmanchester Rovers  4 – 3  FC Clacton

Long Melford   0 – 6   Woodbridge Town

Stowmarket Town  1 – 1   Histon

 

 

That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading.

Round-up: Eastern Senior Lge Sth & TH Premier Division (EaSL & THP 5.8.18)

Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)

Hello and welcome to a new round-up series for this season (2018-19) which will take in the scores for the new Eastern Senior League South division and the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Premier Division.

The season for both divisions started on the same weekend as the Essex Senior League though not all of the 19 sides in the Eastern Senior League started their season on the opening day.

We’ll start with the Eastern Senior Lge South then move to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division. Thanks for reading.

 

Eastern Senior League South – Sat 4th Aug

Burnham Ramblers   2 – 2   Lopes Tavares (London)
| Leslie Field |

Frenford   2 – 2   Newbury Forest   | The Drive  |

Halstead Town  2 – 2   May & Baker E.C   |

Harwich & Parkeston  3 – 3   White Ensign  |

Holland       3 – 0     Braintree Town Res  | Eastcliff |

Little Oakley   3 – 2  Hashtag Utd   |

Wivenhoe Town   1 – 1    Wormley Rovers  |

 

 

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division – Fri 3rd Aug

Hadleigh Utd  5 – 1  FC Clacton

Histon  4 – 0   Haverhill Rovers

Sat 4th Aug

Ely City   3 – 1    Framlingham Town

Godmanchester Rovers    5 – 0     Wroxham

Kirkley & Pakefield   1 – 2     Brantham Athletic

Long Melford          2 – 2      Gorleston

Newmarket Town  4 – 2   Great Yarmouth Town

Norwich Utd        1 – 0     Whitton Utd

Stowmarket Town     2 – 1    Thetford Town

We’ll be back next week with this results round-up, have a good week.