Essex Non League Football Round-Up (with a bit of league thrown in)

Wednesday, 30 September, 2009

It was a somewhat trying weekend for our teams in the FA Cup with many now able to 'concentrate on the league'. Canvey Island went down 0-2 at home to Tooting & Mitcham and their local rivals Concord Rangers lost by the same scoreline at Slough Town. Different venue but same result, too, for East Thurrock United as they were knocked out at Welling United and Billericay Town fared no better, losing 2-4 at Chesham United. An easier time, though, for Conference South side Chelmsford City, who dispatched Essex Senior League outfield Enfield 1893 5-0, although the Step 5 side held the Clarets until early in the second half. Thurrock continued their fine form, too, with a 3-2 victory at Bishop's Stortford and Heybridge Swifts produced the result of the day, defeating St. Albans City 1-0.

Never a dull moment for Grays Athletic in the Conference. An abject 1-2 reverse at fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers was followed by a marvellous 2-0 win over promotion chasing Cambridge United at the New Rec. Julian Dicks's boys have now lifted themselves out of the relegation zone but they still face another arduous campaign if their inconsistency so far is anything to go by.

Not too much league action due to the FA Cup but in the Ryman Premier lowly AFC Hornchurch picked up a useful point in a goalless draw at Margate, lifting the Urchins out of the drop zone. More action in Ryman One North, however, with Harlow Town snatching the honours 2-1 away at basement club Ware. Tilbury also picked up something on their travels, the Dockers drawing 2-2 with Redbridge. Not so good for Maldon Town, however, going down 0-3 at home to Cheshunt and second bottom Brentwood Town also let the visitors take the points having lost by the odd goal in five against Northwood.

In the Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Benfleet were beaten 0-1 by visiting Canning Town and Epping defeated White Ensign 3-1. Plenty more goals in Division One, with Sungate taking the points at Hutton after a superb 4-3 triumph. Lakeside were also among the goals, disposing of Shell Club Corringham 4-2 while Leigh Ramblers had a welcome 3-1 victory away at Bishop's Stortford Swifts. In Division Two, Herongate Athletic lost 0-1 at home to Takeley Reserves, but Basildon Town continue to lead the way in Division Three thanks to 2-0 defeat of Upminster. Shenfield Athletic also picked up a useful point when they shared six goals at Wadham Lodge.

Turning briefly to the league ranks, it's been a tough week for Southend United. A 0-1 reversal against Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall was followed up by losing to a couple of penalties in a 1-2 defeat at Brentford. This has left the Shrimpers floundering in mid-table of League One, in stark contrast to Colchester United. The Ewes may have felt slightly disappointed in being held 1-1 at struggling Tranmere Rovers but a superb 2-0 defeat of Charlton Athletic at the Community Stadium, the visitors first of the season, leaves them right in the thick of promotion battle. That's a position Dagenham & Redbridge also find themselves with in League Two, but being held 1-1 by Morecambe at Victoria Road and losing 0-2 at Barnet has done the Daggers no favours.

So many matches, so little time, so let's see what next weekend has in store for us all. Wherever you are enjoy the game.

Essex Non League Football Round-Up (with a bit of league thrown in)

Monday, 14 September, 2009

On a week where England qualified for the World Cup in record quick time, it's a good time to see which of our fair county's sides are dreaming of record FA Cup runs as the first qualifying round kicked in.

Billericay Town, whose heroic failure against Swansea City was shown live on tv, are on their way again after a splendid 3-0 win at Ryman Premier rivals AFC Hornchurch. Ryman One North leaders East Thurrock United are also through, dispatching Ware 4-1 at Rookery Hill. Maldon Town's road to Wembley, however, was rather more truncated, coming to a halt at Harefield United 1-3.

The rest of the county's sides all live to fight another day having forced replays. Canvey Island must be kicking themselves, though, throwing away a 3-0 lead against Southern League leaders Hitchin Town to draw 3-3 draw in a Park Lane thriller. Essex Senior League side Enfield 1893 must almost fight it out again with Halstead Town after both sides drew a blank, and the battle of the last two ESL champions will go to Thames Road after Romford and Concord Rangers ended up 1-1 at Mill Field. It was the same score, too, for Heybridge Swifts and Stanway Rovers to leave Essex with still a very healthy contingent left in the Cup at this stage.

It would be easy to say it's back to more mundane league matters, but the words 'Grays Athletic' and 'mundane' do not go. Having decided that the manager of the month award is a requirement and not an honour, with their next incumbent due to take the reins at any moment, the New Rec men enlivended the Conference by somehow managing to throw away the lead three times to go down 4-5 away at Rushden & Diamonds. It leaves them in their customary position near the foot of the table, third bottom, but just a point adrift of safety.

No such worries in the Conference South though. Thurrock continued their fine form with a 2-1 win over potless and luckless Weymouth at Ship Lane, consolidating the Fleet's play-off position. Above them only on goal difference now are Braintree Town, disappointingly held 0-0 by struggling visitors Worcester City. Just three points behind both teams on 16 lie Chelmsford City, the Clarets at last getting into gear after an indifferent start, after an injury time winner in their excellent 1-0 victory at Staines Town.

There's new leaders in the Essex Senior League. Burnham Ramblers have assumed top spot, keeping up their 100% with a 5-0 thumping of Clapton at The Old Spotted Dog. Just two points behind lie Takeley, who had their own unblemished record ended in a goalless draw at Stansted, and surprise packet Basildon United, who continue to defy their doubters with a 1-0 win at Barking. Morning leaders Sawbridgeworth Town fell out of the top five after losing 0-3 at Tiptree United and Bowers & Pitsea also put paid to another high flying side when defeating Bethnal Green United 2-1. In other games London APSA beat Hullbridge Sports 2-0, Witham went down 2-3 at home to Bakingside, and Mauritius Sports were beaten by the same score against visiting Southend Manor.

In the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, Wivenhoe Town picked up their first point of the season when holding Walsham-le-Willows to a 2-2 draw. No such home comforts for Harwich & Parkeston, though, beaten 0-2 by Woodbridge. Better times for FC Clacton in Division One, however, slaughtering Fakenham Town 8-0 to move into second. Happy days at Saffron Walden, too, 3-0 winners over March Town.

Weeley Athletic won their first points of the season in the Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division, defeating Alresford Colne Rangers 2-1 to destroy their 100% start. Brightlingsea Regent overcame Mersea Island 2-1 and Little Oakley won 3-2 at promoted Hedinghams United. In Division One Boxted Lodgers were hammered 1-4 at home to Bradfield, Clacton United went down 2-3 at Bures Athletic, but Coggeshall Town won a humdinger by the odd goal in seven against West Clacton.

Early days in the Essex Olympian League but new boys Rayleigh Town have already shown they are in the Premier Division as of right, after a seemingly fortuitous promotion, thanks to a 1-0 at the much fancied Mountnessing Boca. Elsewhere, Ongar Town succumbed 2-6 at home to Westhamians, Shell Club Corringham defeated new boys Southminster St. Leonards 3-1 in a Division One clash, Old Chelmsfordians had a fine 3-1 win at Herongate Athletic in Division Two, and Basildon Town had an equally excellent 1-0 victory over Wadham Lodge in their Division Three encounter at the Selex Recreation Ground.

Turning briefly to league matters, Southend United put paid to seemingly unstoppable Leeds United's 100% League One record after a goalless encounter at Roots Hall on the Friday night. It could have been so much more, though, for the Shrimpers but Lee Barnard had his second half penalty superbly saved. The seasiders remain in mid table, having drawn five of their seven league games, but Colchester United are right in the thick of the play-off battle in sixth place. With talented new manager Adrian Boothroyd in place, the Ewes managed a fine 1-1 draw at Swindon to leave everyone at the Community Stadium in a confident mood. Not perhaps as confident as Dagenham & Redbridge, though, up to second in League Two thanks to a 2-1 defeat of an experienced Chesterfield at Victoria Road. Ex White Ensign striker Paul Benson was again amongst the goals and it looks like being a season of cheer for the Daggers.

After this week's cup thrills, there's no let up as the FA Vase occupies many club's time next weekend. No rest for the wicked – or non league cup competitions ....

Essex Non-League Round-Up (with a bit of league thrown in)

Thursday, 16 April, 2009

So, here we go, Easter weekend and squeaky bum time for so many of our fair county's sides. There's masses of matches to get through, so let's see who's reached for the Immodium just in time and who has mistaken grabbed the Ex-Lax instead.

First of all congratulations to Ryman One North side Tilbury, who pulled off an amazing Ryman League Cup success last Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 win over much fancied Harrow Borough at Staines Town F. C., the goals coming from ex ESL player Chris Stowe. Well done to all concerned, especially for the way in which three Premier Division sides were beaten en route. The spirit of '78 is back!

Grays Athletic have done their Conference survival hopes a power of good thanks to a 3-1 win over Salisbury City at the New Rec on Saturday. Although they went down 1-2 at Eastbourne Borough on the Monday, it now leaves them 3 points and a couple of places out of the drop zone in 19th on 46, something that like nigh on impossible just a few weeks ago.

Thurrock, too, appear to have somehow avoided relegation from the Conference South, albeit it in much sadder circumstances. Their results over Easter weren't particularly good, a goalless draw at Welling followed up with a 1-3 capitulation to Bishop's Stortford at Ship Lane to remain well adrift in third bottom, though the bottom two cannot catch them. What has apparently saved them, however, is Team Bath's decision to withdraw from the pyramid system after the FA ruled they would not be allowed to compete at a higher level should they ever gain a promotion place. With only two now going down along with Team Bath's resignation, the Fleet are safe.

At the other end of the table an excellent week for Chelmsford City has almost guaranteed them a play-off place. The Monday before Easter saw The Clarets overcome title chasing Hampton & Richmond 3-2 at Melbourne Park, where a 1-1 draw with St. Alban's City was also secured on Good Friday. An excellent 2-1 win at Braintree Town on the Monday has put Jeff King's side 6 points clear of the chasing pack, in 5th on 74 points, with just 2 games left. The home side had also completed a 3 game week, having beaten doomed Fisher Athletic 2-0 the previous Tuesday and lost at Hampton & Richmond 1-2 on the Saturday, confirming their mid-table status.

The drama was no less apparent in the Ryman Premier. AFC Hornchurch have just about kept up their play-off bid. A 2-2 draw at second placed Staines Town on Good Friday was, on the face of it, a good result, but conceding a last minute equaliser made it feel like a defeat. No mistake at Bridge Avenue on Monday, however, when after an early blip they defeated Harlow Town 3-1 to move into 7th on 56, just 2 places and 5 points from the play-offs but with a game in hand. This completed a miserable weekend for the visitors, who 48 hours before had gone down 0-1 at home to Horsham and slipped to third bottom, 2 places and 3 points off safety on 42, with just a couple of games left.

They are still better off than Heybridge Swifts, sadly relegated after Monday's 0-2 loss at Billericay Town, making their last gasp 3-2 home win over rivals Margate on Saturday academic. As for the New Lodge side, however, it erased unpleasant memories of 48 hours previously, where they surrendered tamely 1-3 at Carshalton Athletic, after a 1-1 home draw with Tonbridge Angels the previous Tuesday. The county's other side, Canvey Island, were equally mid-table form wise, a 1-0 win over Ashford Town (Mx) at Park Lane negated by a 0-4 tonking at Dartford.

A thrilling finale is in store for the Ryman One North title as the teams enter the last couple of matches. It's now a straight fight between East Thurrock United and Aveley, both on 92 points from 40 matches, but the Rocks having a mammoth +20 goal difference advantage. The leaders had a great Easter, beating Cheshunt 5-0 at Rookery Hill and Tilbury 1-0 at Chadfields. The latter side, you can only imagine, were still suffering hangovers from their cup heroics, having lost 0-1 at Enfield Town a couple of days earlier. Aveley kept in touch by beating Redbridge 2-0 at Mill Field and then Leyton 2-0 away.

Nine points behind them lie Brentwood Town, warming up for the play-offs by beating Wingate & Finchley 3-0 at The Arena before going down 0-1 at Redbridge. Waltham Abbey have also secured a play-off berth thanks to a 2-2 draw at Great Wakering Rovers and 1-0 home defeat of Redbridge. Concord Rangers have a real chance to make it an Essex clean sweep, just two points off the play-offs in 6th on 67, but with a game in hand on Northwood, thanks to a 5-0 slaughter of Waltham Forest away and 4-0 thumping of Great Wakering Rovers at Thames Road.

At the other end of the table, however, Witham Town have bowed to the inevitable and been relegated, their fate confirmed well before their 1-2 home loss to Thamesmead Town. A splendid 1-0 derby win at Maldon Town, however, gave their Easter Monday a bit of sheen. Free of the stresses of going down, Ilford have picked up, a 1-1 draw at Potter's Bar complemented with a 1-0 home defeat of Waltham Forest. Maldon Town themselves also took something from their weekend thanks to a 2-0 away victory at basement club Hillingdon Borough.

There are so many games in the other leagues it's probably best to give a summary at this stage. In the Eastern Counties League Premier Division Stanway Rovers and ESL-bound Tiptree United are locked on 56 points from 34 games in 8th and 9th respectively, with just a goal difference of 4 separating them. Further down are Wivenhoe Town, safe due to a mixture club records expunged and great early season form, in 16th on 34 points from 35 games out of 40, six ahead of the drop zone. In Division One Halstead Town have kept their nerve and remain in the third and final promotion place on 67 from 33 games. FC Clacton, for so long the favourites to overhaul them, appear to have blown up, now 5 points behind with just one game in hand. Saffron Walden Town, meanwhile, coast along in 13th on 40 from 32 matches.

The county's title challenge in the Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division has well and truly faded. Best placed of the teams are Weeley Athletic, in 3rd on 48 points from 27 games, only 2 points behind the top two but having played five more matches. Behind them are a cluster of Essex sides, Little Oakley (47 from 26), White Notley (45 from 26), University of Essex (45 from 26) and last year's champions Gas Recreation, way back on 33 points from 25. At the other end Coggeshall Town are second bottom on 17 points from 28, Mersea Island are just one place and five points above, though they've played five games less, with Great Bentley (25 from 23), Tiptree Heath (27 from 25) and Brightlingsea Regent (30 from 23) all having mediocre campaigns. In Division One, Hedinghams United look set for promotion, 3 points clear at the top on 49 from 24 matches, with Mistley United decidedly mid-table on 37 from 24, and Boxted Lodgers struggling at 4th bottom on 25 from 23 games, just one point above the drop.

It's still wide open at the top of the Essex Olympian League Premier Division. If third placed Harold Wood Athletic win 7 of their last eight games, currently on 38 from 18 games, they will be champions. Current leaders are Frenford Senior on 54 points from 25, and long time leaders Kelvedon Hatch are 3 points further back, but having played a game less and having a vastly superior goal difference. Mountnessing Boca cannot be taken out of the equation, either, just a point behind the top 3 but having played just 20 games. At the bottom, Faces look doomed on just 10 from 20, compounded by being unable to fulfill a recent fixture. Epping are also in grave down on 15 from 19, although they have 3 games in hand on Ongar Town and just three points behind. A further three ahead, on 21 from 21 matches, are Galleywood, and reigning champions White Ensign are now surely safe from the drop on 27 from 22.

Having a look through the other divisions, Hutton look set to win Division One, just three points behind leaders Westhamians on 47 points, but having played 4 matches less on 20. Rayleigh Town, in 5th on 39 but also having played just 20, cannot be dismissed. At the bottom, Leytonstone United are surely down on 10 from 23 but just a single point separates Roydon (18 from 24), Herongate Athletic (18 from 20) and Burnham Ramblers Reserves (19 from 25). As far as Division Two goes, Southminster St. Leonards have it tied up, two points clear on 42, but having played just 21 matches, five games less than pursuers Takeley Reserves, and four less than long time leaders Broomfield. Basildon Town are in a very disappointing third bottom on 24 from 24 games, but it was heartening to see ex-Bee Joe Corey return to playing ranks after two serious injuries this term. Well done Joe.

The game is as good as up for our League One sides. Southend United's brave late play-off charge was finally halted with a 0-2 reverse at Roots Hall on Good Friday against bogey side MK Dons, despite dominating for long spells. Even a 3-2 Shrimpers win at Northampton Town on Monday couldn't close the play-off gap, just two places but crucially five points with just three matches left. Colchester United, meanwhile are ending the season with a mini-slump, a 1-2 Saturday defeat at Leyton Orient compounded with a 0-1 home reversal to relegation threatened Brighton. This makes it an incredible 11 home defeats for the 14th placed Ewes since they moved into the Community Stadium. In League Two Dagenham & Redbridge are still in with a shout, in 10th on 59 points, just four points from the play-offs. A disappointing 1-2 defeat against Gillinghan at Priestfield wiped out their 3-1 home success over Aldershot Town on Saturday, but with that vital game in hand the Daggers still have a fighting chance.

After all that I'd better have a lie down. Still more to come, though, as the season nears its thrilling (for some), disastrous (for others), or just plain average (for plenty) end. Until then enjoy the game.