Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
Hello and another of my round-up pieces looking at this weekend’s matches in the Essex Senior League as big tussles happened that both ends of the standings. Thanks for reading.
Friday 22nd February
Woodford Town 0 – 1 Hoddesdon Town | Venue: Harlow Arena | Att: 170
This contest was only settled right at the death after Hoddy had earlier missed a spot-kick. Oliver Gnandi’s stoppage-time goal secured all three points for Simon Riddle’s side, only their second win in their last seven matches. After the weekend’s action, Woodford remain 6th though have Sporting Bengal and St Margaretsbury right behind them in the table. Hoddesdon remain 9th.
Saturday 23rd Feb
Clapton 2 – 1 Barkingside | Venue: Old Spotted Dog | Att: 35
The Tons handed ‘Side a damaging defeat in this local derby at the Old Spotted Dog. Dan Jones struck from the penalty spot for the visitors though strikes by the in-form Giovanni Palmer and ex-‘Side player Andy Greenslade saw Jon Fowell’s side to the win which sees them rise one place to 14th. Alex Goldstone’s side drop back to the foot of the table after their third straight league defeat.
Hullbridge Sports 3 – 1 Takeley | Venue: Lower Road | Att: 204
I attended this big top-four clash as Hullbridge defeated Takeley on ‘Sponsor’s Day’, in front of Hullbridge’s largest crowd for some time. My report is here: survivor16b.wordpress.com/2019/02/23/match-report-hullbridge-sports-3-1-takeley-sat-23-feb-esl/
Ilford 2 – 3 St Margaretsbury | Venue: Cricklefield | Att: 45
In-form St Margs resisted a late comeback from the gutsy Foxes to claim their fifth win in their last eight league matches. They made a blistering start as Dagenham & Redbridge loanee Lanre Balogun opened the scoring on seven minutes. Debutant Wilson Ferreira doubled that lead for ‘Bury eight minutes before half-time. Ilford regrouped at the break before halving their arrears thanks to Musa Manneh’s 47th-minute goal. Daniel Ungudi restored the two-goal cushion for Max Mitchell’s side on 62 minutes though Ilf had the last say as Lauric Diakiesse struck two minutes from time.
Ilford are in 12th spot, one of a clutch of teams in a congested mid-table while St Margs stay 8th, though are only a point off the top six.
Leyton Athletic 0 – 0 Enfield | Wadham Lodge Stadium | Att: 20
Leyton battled to claim a very rare clean sheet against Enfield at Wadham Lodge. This might be an important point come April’s end in Ath’s relegation battle as they go back above Barkingside to second-bottom by virtue of slightly better goal difference as Enfield also extended their unbeaten run to five matches. The E’s stay 11th.
Redbridge 4 – 1 Southend Manor | Oakside | Att: 52
The Motormen powered an important victory over struggling Manor at Oakside. Taylor Tombides opened the scoring 12 minutes in and they went into the break two goals ahead as Daniel Gilchrist scored five minutes before the interval. Manor got back into the contest two minutes after the break through Dylan Jones’ strike. Two goals in eight minutes did the damage though for the home side as Tombides [70’] and Gilchrist [78’] both got their braces to push Micky Wetherall’s side 15 points clear of the bottom two. Manor’s sixth loss in their last nine sees them remain 18th, seven points clear of the bottom two.
Sawbridgeworth Town 0 – 2 Walthamstow | Crofters | Att: 50
‘Stow safely navigated this test at Crofters. Dwade James struck from the spot to continue his fine goal-scoring season and thanks to an unfortunate own goal, they extend their unbeaten stretch to four matches and can leapfrog Takeley in 4th if they win their match in hand. Sawbo’s season is rather petering out with only one win in their last seven matches now, dropping to 15th.
Stanway Rovers 2 – 2 Sporting Bengal Utd | Hawthorns | Att: 51
An entertaining match saw these two top-half sides cancel each other out at the Hawthorns. The visitors were the brighter side in the early stages and went two goals up in the opening quarter-hour. Firstly, they broke the deadlock thanks to Reside Coxi-Sebastiao’s penalty on four minutes for his fifth goal in his last three matches. Jason Ngandu made it two on that 15 minute mark. However, Terry Sillane’s side are made of strong stuff these days and halved that deficit eight minutes later through Scott Kemp’s goal. Rovers also have a knack of scoring late goals and that showed itself again as Tyler Kemp [78’] struck to ensure the spoils were shared. Stanway remain 10th on goals scored. Sporting retain 7th spot on goal difference, ahead of in-form St Margaretsbury.
Tower Hamlets 0 – 1 Saffron Walden Town | Mile End Stadium | Att: 25
Walden ground out the three points as they secured their sixth win in their last seven league matches over ten-man Hamlets. Lewis Francis got the only goal on 23 minutes though Hamlets showed their recent spirit in abundance, even if their discipline deserted them as Tola Odedoyin was dismissed. AJ Ashinike’s side saw their three-match unbeaten run end here as they remain fourth-bottom. Walden sit 3rd and Hamlets remain 17th.
West Essex 0 – 1 Stansted | Mayesbrook Park | Att: 32
The Airportmen were stifled by the plucky Stags until a super substitution brought about the only goal of the game. Jack Mitchell was that substitute, and his strike on 61 minutes was ultimately enough to accrue another three points for Paul Pittuck & Marc Benterman’s side to keep their lead over rivals Hullbridge at four points, having played two more games. West drop to 13th as their struggles at Mayesbrook continue this term.
That’s all for this week, don’t forget to tune in this Thursday when Peter & Scott take the reins on the Grassroots Football Show on ELR.
survivor16b 