Saffron Walden Town 0 Woodford Town 0 - Stalemate at Catons Lane as Walden's play off chances finally extinguished after goalless draw with Woodford whose chances of the title are now all but over

Essex Senior League, Saturday 5th April

Just four weeks of the regular season remains now in the Essex Senior League, and the first weekend in April saw me over at Catons Lane as I made the SIX, yes SIX hour round journey by bus from Southend on the Essex Coast to Saffron Walden in the far North West of the county, it's a pretty big county it has to be said!!!

Hosts Walden had seen their play off hopes all but ended after a poor run of form at the wrong time, they came into this game still with a very very slim chance of edging into it, but were eight points behind fifth placed Great Wakering Rovers with just four games to go, and with GWR having an extra game to play, Walden really had to win out and hope GWR slipped up, so as said it was an outside chance at best.

And they were welcoming a Woodford side who themselves were trying to keep tabs with leaders Stanway, the two had been backwards and forwards in taking turns to lead the division, although Rovers always had a game or two in hand, and with both sides now having played the same number of matches, Woodford began the weekend five points behind the leaders, so a win was paramount for them too, so with both sides knowing a win was all they could accept, a decent battle was anticipated.

Well, as it turned out, it was a tight battle, but not decent in any way shape or form, the first period yielded two moments where a goal could have come, that was it, Walden had the best chance of the two, Kaleel Green failing to capitalise on a defensive slip and could only loft over the goal was keeper Manny Agboola off his line, and Woodford's only close moment on goal wasn't even really a chance, it was a free kick from the right which almost sailed into the far corner, but missed the goal by inches.

It was far more interesting in the boardroom at half time with a lovely portion of Chicken Fajitas topped with grated cheese on the menu, that was superb along with a lovely cuppa, it was certainly a better serving than what the football had been, and it didn't really get much better in the second half either.

Woodford came oh so close so close to scoring on a rare bit of goal mouth action, Nathan Sollosi's cross was met by the head of David Goku at the far post, and it seemed destined for the net until hosts keeper George Coton tipped the ball onto the post, it was a brilliant save, but apart from this there was very little in the way of scoring opportunities.

Walden barely threatened in the second period as Woodford saw a lot more in terms of possession in the second forty five minutes, the hosts almost won it at the death but saw a goalbound shot brilliantly blocked by a defender, and the game thus ended goalless, meaning a point a piece which doesn't really help either side.

It meant that Walden now cannot make the playoffs, although that was pretty much the case before kick off anyway, Woodford in turn will probably have to settle for runners up now as they will almost certainly catch leaders Stanway now with just three games remaining, a game that neither side wanted to lose as it turned out, and as it turned also, one that it seemed neither wanted to win either, it was a poor game.

Despite this though it was a great day, a long day, but a good one, made even better by the hosts hospitality which was excellent, so I thank them for that, always enjoy my visits to Catons Lane, even if the action on offer today was below par.

Full time Saffron Walden Town 0 Woodford Town 0  

So, no goals at Catons Lane then, what happened in the division elsewhere? There was a full list of games that took place on Saturday, let's see how they went and how it all affects the table:-

Barking 0 Stansted 0

Fourth placed Barking had all but secured their play off spot, the only thing left for them to do was to try and get a home semi final, so second or third spot, and they began the weekend four points off Takeley in third, Stansted themselves were in very different situation and were fighting for their Senior League status, they were three points from safety with a game in hand too, and a win could take them out of the bottom three on goal difference. Well, the game yielded no goals which earned Stansted a decent point, however the result at Crofters further down this page meant that survival for The Airportmen is out of their hands, Barking themselves would have been disappointed with the point, but they are guaranteed a play off spot regardless now.

Benfleet 3 White Ensign 2

Sixteenth placed Benfleet were pretty much safe with a ten point buffer to the relegation zone with a handful of games to go, they were up against an Ensign team who had almost secured a top ten finish, which is a very good effort indeed.  Mason Shave gave the hosts a 17th minute lead, but Ensign roared back to lead at the break, firstly levelling through Billy Bonham-Dare just past the half hour mark and then Jon Evans giving them the lead seven minutes before half time. Benfleet though levelled the game up through Gianni Frankis 73rd minute goal, and it looked as if the game would end that way until Cory Rider netted a 99th minute winner to hand the home side all three points.

FC Clacton 1 Stanway Rovers 5

The equation was simple for the hosts, anything but victory against league leaders Stanway and their time in Step Five would be over as relegation would be rubber stamped for the Seasiders. And even if they did record a huge shock win over Stanway, they could still be relegated anyway if Sawbridgeworth Town won, Rovers were looking to at least maintain their five point cushion at the top and almost have one hand on that trophy, and in the 25th minute Tom Maycock gave the champions elect the lead.  FC Clacton though did manage to level four minutes later through Cameron Button but that was as good as it got for the hosts, George Okoye restored the visitors lead just past the half hour mark before Jamie Bennett netted in first half stoppage time, and the writing was on the wall for the hosts you felt. Bennett added a fourth just before the hour mark, before Nathaniel Mardell capped a fine display for the visitors when adding a fifth late on, and it meant that the hosts relegation to Step Six is confirmed, and Stanway's title and promotion to Step Four is all but confirmed now. 

Great Wakering Rovers 2 Romford 0

Hosts GWR would pretty much rubber stamp their participation in the post season play offs if they beat a Romford side whose season has rather petered out in the last few weeks, seeing their play off ambitions fall by the way side, and Wakering grabbed the lead after 32 minutes through Bradley Bennett to lead at the half.  It remained that way until stoppage time, Romford saw yet another player sent off this season when substitute Byron Humbles was given a straight red before GWR sealed the win and their play off spot when Kingdom Dawson netted five minutes into added on time.

Halstead Town 1 West Essex 2

The thought of Halstead being in the top ten a few months ago when they were bottom of the league would have been a pipe dream, however they came into this one in tenth spot and a point ahead of their opponents West Essex knowing a win could really help them on the way to achieving just that. West themselves wanted the same, so knew a win here would certainly help that too, and they made an unbelievable start when Yemi Adelani & Nathan Braithwaite netted in the opening eight minutes to give the visitors a two goal lead. They couldn't build on it though and when Joel Older pulled one back in the 80th minute, nervous times were ahead, but, West held on to leapfrog their opponents into tenth spot.

Ilford 1 Buckhurst Hill 1

The Foxes have pretty much confirmed their status in the ESL for another season, they have a eleven point gap to the dropzone and in fact are more looking upwards than down in recent weeks, although a top ten finish is probably out of the question now, they were ten points from that at kick off, and they welcomed a Buckhurst Hill side who at one point harboured an outside chance of a play off run, but their form dropped off and they began this one in 12th and two points outside the top ten, although a top ten finish would still be a very good achievement. The game was to end all square though, Tyreece Robertson handing the visitors a 28th minute lead, only to see that cancelled out by Maksym Trush in the 75th minute to see the game end in a score draw.

Little Oakley 0 Frenford 1

Another side who were trying to rubber stamp a top ten finish were Oakley, they began the weekend in ninth and knew a win could certainly help them on the way to achieving this, Frenford were in 14th and seven points from the top ten, although anything now would be a bonus after all but confirming their ESL status for next season. And only one goal was needed to settle this one, and it went to the visitors in first half stoppage time through Harry Honesty, meaning Frenford picked up a very good win indeed.

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Hullbridge Sports 1

This pitted third bottom against fourth bottom, the hosts needed a win and hoped Stansted didn't get one, a defeat for Sawbo and a Stansted win would see Sawbo drop into the bottom three on goal difference, Hullbridge themselves were eight points above the bottom two and knew a win would almost certainly confirm their safety from the drop. Things looked good at half time after Morgan Arnold's goal on the half hour mark had Sawbo ahead at the break, Bridge though fought back to level through Piers Hatcliff just before the hour mark, but in the 88th minute George Lusardi netted what could be a huge goal in the relegation battle with Stansted as his goal proved to be the winner and saw them extend their gap to Stansted and now see survival in their hands.

Takeley 1 Athletic Newham 0

Takeley still had an outside chance of the title, although they were eight points behind the leaders albeit with a game in hand, but they just had to keep winning and hope others slipped up, and also make sure they confirmed that home play off tie by finishing in second or third if they couldn't catch the leaders. Athletic Newham were the visitors to Station Road, they had dropped to 13th in the table and were three points off the top ten, and it was to be another disappointing afternoon for the visitors as Coby Miles 74th minute goal proved enough for the hosts to pick up another win and further enhance their top three position in the table.

Right, let's see what the table looks like after the latest round of results:-

Stanway are all but champions now, Woodford & Takeley have all but sewn up home play off semi finals, and Barking, GWR also confirmed their participation in the post season today as well.

FC Clacton are confirmed now as relegated, the only thing in the league to contest now is that final relegation spot, Sawbo taking a huge stride towards safety with a win today, the gap is now five points and although Stansted have a game in hand still, it's looking harder for them to survive now.

Well, that's it for today, I am going to rest up now after a very long day, hope you enjoyed reading, thanks as ever for taking the time too.  

 

AFC Whyteleafe 3 Andover New Street 1 - Goals from Daniel Bennett, Gaspar Mico & Corey Holder hand AFC Whyteleafe two goal advantage over Andover New Street after first leg of their FA Vase semi final tie

Isuzu FA Vase Semi Final 1st Leg, Saturday March 29th

So, the FA Vase for 2024/25 had reached the final four stage, four sides whose dream of reaching Non League Finals Day at Wembley on May 11th, and four sides whose dream of winning this competition for the very first time remained alive, nerve jangling moments ahead in the two semi finals which were to be played over two legs.

 And for AFC Whyteleafe, Andover New Street, Hartpury University & Whitstable Town, this was all new territory as neither of these sides had been this far in the competitions history, so excitement and nerves no doubt as these two ties played out over the next two weekends, but for now let's concentrate on the first leg ties.

Southern Counties East Premier Division Whitstable Town were at home to Hellenic Premier Division Hartpury University at The Belmont in front of a sell out crowd, but I was back over at Church Road, home of AFC Whyteleafe, as the Combined Counties Premier Division South side were taking on Wessex Premier Division Andover New Street, who could take an advantage into next weekend's second leg tie?

It was soon apparent that the visitors from Hampshire would spend the majority of the opening forty five minutes on the back foot, the hosts were certainly putting all the pressure on their opponents and it was no surprise that just before the midway point of the first half they found the lead, skipper Daniel Bennett finding himself in on goal to round visiting keeper Jonathan Hill and slot home, and just four minutes later things got even better for the home side.

Gaspar Mico, scorer of the only goal in their quarter final win against Bourne Town, cut onto his left foot and fired an unstoppable effort past Hill from inside the box, and Leafe now had a comfortable 2-0 lead before the half hour mark, and you felt that the visitors needed to dig in and prevent this semi final from being over after the first leg, the hosts had been that dominant, almost men against boys at times.

Andover managed to get to the break only two behind, they had barely threatened in the opening forty five minutes and after the break Leafe continued to do most of the attacking, but could not find that third goal, they so nearly found it when a close range header was brilliantly stopped by Hill before the follow up struck the bar, but then from nowhere the visitors grabbed themselves a lifeline.

It came in the 66th minute, Andover mounting an attack which saw a decent stop from home keeper George Hill, but he could only parry to substitute Charlie Postance who buried the rebound, Leafe had been in total control for 65 minutes, but now it was back in the balance, and for the next five or ten minutes Andover threatened to level this tie, or certainly looked like they could do, they curled a terrific effort just wide on one occasion, and the hosts had to regroup.

Once the hosts settled though they began to threaten again, but Andover to be fair would have been delighted to take a one goal deficit back to Hampshire with them considering how dominant the hosts had been, but at the end of a big wadge of stoppage time, Leafe added a third goal which could be very important in the overall tie.

Ten minutes of added on time at the end of the game had elapsed when a close range effort was saved by Hill but he could only parry onto Corey Holder and see the ball bounce of him and back into the net, meaning Leafe would indeed take a two goal cushion to Hampshire for the second leg next weekend.

Andover then have it all to do next weekend, they were outclassed for the most in this one, and if they are to prevent Leafe from reaching the Final, they are going to have to drastically improve in the second leg for sure. Advantage AFC Whyteleafe for sure...

Full time AFC Whyteleafe 3 Andover New Street 1

How did the other Semi Final 1st Leg go? Let's find out...

Whitstable Town 2 Hartpury University 0

Southern Counties East Premier side Whitstable feel like they have one foot in the final in May after they will take a two goal lead back to Hartpury University for next weekends second leg. Nathan Jeche put the hosts ahead after eleven minutes and they added a second goal through Finn O'Mara with just over twenty minutes remaining to send home the near 3,000 crowd at The Belmont very happy indeed.

So, after the first legs it's advantage AFC Whyteleafe & Whitstable Town, they both take two goal leads into the second legs next weekend, ties are definitely not over yet but both Andover New Street & Hartpury University will need to put in some pretty special performances to turn these ties around you would say.....

Little Oakley 0 Great Wakering Rovers 1 - Bradleigh Rowland nets 72nd minute winner as Great Wakering Rovers edge out Little Oakley to clinch Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy and claim first silverware of the Essex Senior League season

Essex Senior League Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy Final, Wednesday 26th March

The final Wednesday in March saw the first of the cup finals take place in the Essex Senior League as the first silverware would be contested between Little Oakley & Great Wakering Rovers at Billericay Town's New Lodge ground.

Now Oakley are having a very sold season in the division and they have also reached the Semi Final of the Errington Challenge Cup, the league cup for the ESL, too so it's been a pretty solid campaign for sure, their route to this final though needed quite a bit of luck as three of the four contests were won on penalty shoot outs.

They began in the Preliminary Round with a shoot out win at Ensign before another away trip to Wadham Lodge in Round One saw shoot out success at West Essex, they then travelled to Mayesbrook Park to knock Romford out on spot kicks, and their fourth away trip in a row saw them actually take the win in normal time, away at Saffron Walden Town at Catons Lane, so to say they earned this final appearance would be an understatement.

GWR themselves are having a good season too and are still in with a shot at promotion, they are sitting in fifth and final play off spot currently and have a healthy five point gap to sixth placed Walden too, they also are in the semi finals of the League Cup, just like Oakley, in fact if both win their semi finals in that competition too then that final will be a repeat of this one.

Unlike Oakley though, GWR did not need penalties in any of their ties to get here, a 4-0 home win at home to Benfleet in the Preliminary Round was followed by a 2-1 success at Buckhurst Hill, they then netted another 4-0 win, this time away at Halstead Town in the Quarter Finals, before a narrow 1-0 win at home to Woodford Town in the Semi Finals saw them take their place here in the final.

The only time the sides met so far this season saw a 4-2 success for GWR at Oakley's Memorial Ground back in early September (they actually play each other at Burroughs Park on April 1st, which is next week) but how would this final pan out? 

Well, it was to be no six goal thriller that's for sure, finals are rarely exciting are they, normally cagey niggly affairs with not much in the way of goalmouth action, well this one was no different sadly although the Green and Whites were always the ones who looked likelier to find a breakthrough if one did come.

GWR were certainly the ones who felt at home, three quarters of the superb crowd of 505 were from the small village near Southend, and they were making plenty of noise behind the goal their side were attacking, but their fans were getting frustrated as the game continued along at it's tight and physical affair, and the first shot on target didn't come till first half stoppage time, that kind of summed up the contest.

Would the second half be any better, well GWR certainly again were the ones looking the more likely to score, although Oakley had their moments just to keep their opponents honest, but as the game entered it's final quarter, you started to think this may well be headed for extra time, but in the 72nd minute came the winning moment.

A ball in by substitute Kingdom Dawson was helped on by Ben Search, into the path of both Callum Boylan & Bradleigh Rowland & it was the latter who managed to stretch out a leg and prod the ball beyond Oakley keeper Billy Lawlor who had come out to try and beat them to the ball, and see it go over him and into the net to send those noisy Rovers fans wild with delight, they had around twenty minutes to hold on and claim some silverware.

Things got slightly better for Rovers as well in the 77th minute after Oakley skipper Lewis Wood was sin binned for dissent, but Wakering could not take advantage of this and in fact it was them hanging on a bit at the end as Oakley threw everything at Rovers in search of a late leveller and force an extra half hour and maybe penalties.

Rovers though did hold on after several tense minutes of added on time and claim the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy for 2024/25, commiserations to Oakley who could have levelled late on, but Rovers probably deserved the win overall and celebrated with their fans accordingly after, not the greatest final by any means, but a winner in normal time nonetheless, well done Great Wakering Rovers!!!

Full time Little Oakley 0 Great Wakering Rovers 1

Now there was some league action in the ESL on Tuesday, so here is a look at what happened there:-

Tuesday March 25th

Benfleet 2 Takeley 3

Takeley kept their slim hopes of the title going with victory at Woodside, George Powell opened the scoring two minutes after the break to give Takeley the lead but Gianni Frankis levelled things up on the hour mark. Coby Miles though restored Takeley's lead in the 69th minute before that lead was extended by Jamal Obeng in the 84th minute, Jayden Oshitola did net a consolation deep into stoppage time but it was the visitors who earned another important three points.

Hullbridge Sports 3 Halstead Town 2

Sports took a huge stride to confirming their ESL status for next season with a big three points at Lower Road, Connor Hart put Hullbridge ahead nine minutes before half time but they were pegged back a minute before the break when Joel Older levelled for the visitors. Piers Hatcliff though restored the hosts lead two minutes after the break and then extended that lead just four minutes later, James Eveleigh did make it a nervy finish when pulling one back with thirteen or so minutes remaining however the hosts held on for a massive three points.

Saffron Walden Town 0 Buckhurst Hill 1

Walden suffered a huge blow in their chase for a play off spot as they were beaten at home by Buckhurst Hill, the only goal of the contest came twenty minutes into the second half from Alfie Harris, and it handed the visitors a welcome win.

Stansted 2 Athletic Newham 1

The Airportmen grabbed a huge win in their battle against the drop, Aaron Thomas gave the hosts the lead in the 17th minute and they were in dreamland when Charlie Portway doubled that lead just before the half hour mark. The visitors did respond through Wilson Mendes with around twenty minutes remaining to make it interesting, but Stansted held on to record a very important win.

Let's quickly see how that affects the table:-

Takeley's win means they are now five points off Stanway who lead the way and are now pretty much guaranteed a play off place but will want to finish in the top three to earn a home semi final if they fail to catch the leaders, Walden on the other hand are seeing their chances of a play off spot fade after back to back losses.

Hullbridge are now eight clear of the bottom two after they won, Stansted are back to just three points off Sawbo with a game in hand after they won, so that final relegation spot is still to be decided with five/six games to go.

That's all for now, thanks for taking the time to read, and well done to Great Wakering Rovers in picking up the first piece of silverware this season in the division!!!
    

Essex Senior League (Friday 21st/Saturday 22nd March) - Woodford Town saw off Ilford at Ashton's, Stanway Rovers netted battling win at Little Oakley & Takeley defeated Saffron Walden Town in front of 586 at Station Road

(Action from Little Oakley Vs Stanway Rovers on Saturday afternoon, which saw the visitors net a hard fought win to return to the summit of the ESL after Woodford's win on Friday Night)

Essex Senior League, Friday 21st/Saturday 22nd March

The penultimate weekend of March saw Non League Day take place, it's an annual event to celebrate the local game and is normally scheduled in this time of year when the International Break takes place, meaning fans from top teams can go and support their local sides and the clubs often do deals or incentives to go along and give them some support.

Now the Essex Senior League were giving fans the opportunity to attend up to four games in the league across the weekend, there were two Friday night games, and eight on Saturday with some of the kick offs staggered meaning fans could get to three of those contests on the Saturday, I myself would be attending three of these games, starting on Friday night, and would be taking in four of the top six clubs as a result, not bad eh.

West Essex were hosting Barking at Wadham Lodge in one of the Friday night encounters, but I was over at Ashton's for title chasing Woodford Town's game against Ilford, so let's start there with Game one of three for me in the league this weekend:-

Friday March 21st

Woodford Town Vs Ilford

The hosts simply knew a win was the only thing acceptable, they began the weekend two points behind leaders Stanway Rovers having played a game more, so anything else just wouldn't do, and of course if they could beat Ilford at Ashton's they would go top for at least twenty four hours or so.

The hosts were on winning streak of three games to coming into this, they had hit form again at the right time, and when these two met in the corresponding fixture, Woodford won that game 2-0, so they would certainly welcome a repeat of that, and in contrast to Woodford, The Foxes hadn't won in three games, only picking up a single point in those contests too, but Ilford would not be an easy task for the hosts, so a close fought encounter was expected as this was also a London Derby (these clubs are around five miles apart).

The visitors were the ones though to settle the quicker and should have been at least three goals up but were unable to convert any of the clear cut chances they created, and they would rue this in a big way as Woodford, who had been well off the pace if truth be told, find the net in first half stoppage time when Nathan Sollosi turned home at the back post, and despite their first half showing, Ilford found themselves behind at the break.

The Foxes missed another guilt edged chance early in the second half, and once again Woodford made them pay as nine minutes after the break Miles Mitchell-Nelson sent a header back across goal and into the far corner, and the hosts now had some breathing space and despite them not being on it in this contest, they still had a two goal cushion.

Ilford didn't throw in the towel though and kept going, and with just over twenty minutes remaining finally found the net to give themselves hope of a comeback, Abdul Shobowale firing home from inside the box, and once again the hosts would have to dig deep to try and keep out a Foxes side who were attempting to find a leveller in this one.

However, two minutes into stoppage time Woodford sealed a big three points when Luke Steele converted from close range, it had not been a vintage performance but they had done what they had needed to do, win the game, that's all that matters at this time of the season, and it sent them top of the table ahead of Stanway's game at Little Oakley on Saturday.

This was another frustrating night for the visitors though, they will rue those missed chances, especially in the first period, and it means another loss, their third in four outings now, if only they could have found a goal scorer this evening, if they could have things may have been very different in this one.

Full time Woodford Town 3 Ilford 1

There was one other game on Friday night, and there was a surprising score line in that one too....

West Essex 1 Barking 0

An 81st minute penalty from Jaedon Phillips handed West Essex a superb win over play off bound Barking at Wadham Lodge, in front of a bumper crowd of 212, a superb effort from all. It sent West into 10th spot in the league, whereas for Barking it pretty much ended any faint hopes of winning the title as they remained in third, seven points off the leaders with only five games to go. They should still claim a play off spot though.

So, two games down in the weekend, and two superb crowds as well, 212 at Wadham Lodge and 184 at Woodford, a good start to the ESL weekend then, what would we have in store on Saturday, lets find out.

Saturday March 22nd

Little Oakley Vs Stanway Rovers

My next port of call was the match at The War Memorial between ninth placed Little Oakley and title chasing Stanway Rovers, the visitors of course had been knocked off the top after Woodford Town's Friday night win, they knew though that they were only a point behind them at kick off, with two games in hand.

You still have to win those games in hand, although two draws would be enough to overhaul Woodford's points tally, and with Rovers having a better goal difference too (five better) a point would take them top, however, they were no doubt going all out for the win to take control back in the division, Oakley though would not make it easy for them.

Oakley had won five of their last seven, with only defeat, including wins against Walden, Takeley & Woodford, all sides in the top six of course, so Stanway knew this would be a toughie that's for sure, although the visitors had only lost twice all season, so tend to get the job done more often than not, although when these sides met back in September, it ended all square in a 2-2 draw, not that has much bearing on this one now.

Could Stanway get a positive result though to take them back to the summit of the ESL? Well, the hosts certainly started the better but once Rovers settled they began to put the hosts under pressure, however, Oakley were to take the lead in fortuitous circumstances when striker Darren Mills appeared to completely shank an effort at goal, which was perfectly into the path of a team mate, but before he could get to it Stanway defender Reece Harris tried to get to it bit sliced a looping effort into his own net over keeper Callum Robinson, and the league leaders were suddenly behind with eight minutes of the first half remaining.

Stanway though are not league leaders for nothing, and they were to go into the half time break ahead after two quickfire goals at the end of the half, firstly levelling when hosts keeper Ryan Lees allowed a cross to slip through his grasp to give George Okoye the easiest of tap ins, and then in first half stoppage time Tom Maycock fired home from close range after being left free at the far post, three goals in ten first half minutes at the end of the half, it had taken a while to get going, but was catching fire now.

You felt if Stanway could get a third then that would be job done, they so nearly found a third when a wonderful one touch passing move ended with a strike thumping against the inside of the post, Oakley though were never out of this contest and as the game got closer to the end, they were putting a solid Rovers back line under some pressure, but Oakley, themselves had a great chance to level earlier in the half, could not breach the visitors backline again.

The game was to end on a rather sour note when Jordi Papple & Harrison Chatting came together following a challenge, causing a rather unnecessary melee, resulting in straight reds for the two mentioned, all rather unnecessary as said but on the whole it had been a superb battle between two honest sides, but it was Stanway who came out on top and returned back to the top of the division as a result, like Woodford, they just know how to win games.

Full time Little Oakley 1 Stanway Rovers 2

   

Takeley Vs Saffron Walden Town

My third and final game of the weekend came over at Station Road, Takeley, as the hosts welcomed Saffron Walden Town to their shores, and after the afternoon games the hosts sat in fourth spot with a seven point gap to sixth placed Walden who were now five points off fifth placed GWR after their win again Ensign earlier in the day, so it was important now that Walden got a win in this one.

It was a big game then, a win for Takeley would take them ten clear of Walden with only a handful of games to go and above Barking into third spot too, Walden though could close that gap to just four if they won, and and back to just two behind GWR in fifth, and with Takeley's form up and down lately (four wins and two draws in last six) Walden felt that maybe they could get something here.

Walden's form lately had also been up and down though, they had the chance to break into the play off zone in their last outing, but lost at Halstead Town meaning they remained two points behind fifth placed GWR, so it was hard to call in this one who would go on and take the points, and with it being a derby too there was likely to be no quarter given in this one. Their meeting in the reverse fixture this season ended 1-1 as well, so not a lot between the two sides.

Takeley certainly had the better of the opening forty five minutes and did create more of the openings that did arise, played in front of a superb crowd of 586 at Station Road too, it certainly had a carnival atmosphere that was for sure, but would the crowd see any goals, the first half ended goalless but after Walden came out of the traps the better in the second half, it was Takeley who broke the deadlock.

The game had just passed it's hour mark when a long throw into the Walden box wasn't dealt with by the visitors, and Jordon Westcott nipped across his marker to apply a finishing touch beyond George Coton at the near post and give his side the lead, and thereafter the game seemed to go back to how it had been before.

Walden to their credit kept fighting though and were doing their upmost to find a leveller, but deep into stoppage time at the end of another hard fought contest, Takeley countered on their opponents to seal the game and a ball squared to Olly Miles saw him take a touch before firing beyond Coton into the far corner, and Takeley could celebrate victory here.

It's a result that takes Takeley into third and still in with an outside chance of catching the leaders, but they are now in a home play off spot position which would be oh so important if they can get that, for Walden themselves this is a damaging result in their quest for one of those play off spots, now five behind fifth with a handful of games remaining.

Full time Takeley 2 Saffron Walden Town 0

Shall we see how the other Saturday games went and how the weekend affected the table...

Athletic Newham 3 Frenford 2

This pitted eleventh against fourteenth in the division, Freddie Tandon put through his own net after twenty minutes to give the hosts the lead, and that lead was doubled six minutes before half time through Kai Torres. Corey Hewlett did pull one back before half time but Newham extended their lead through Rodney Dame four minutes after the break, and although an Elton Tettey penalty just before the hour reduced the deficit, it was the hosts who would hold on to take the points.

Benfleet 4 FC Clacton 2

The Saturday afternoon action begin with the midday kick off at Woodside, sixteenth placed Benfleet began this one ten points above the drop zone and they welcomed bottom side FC Clacton who desperately needed the points in their faint bid for survival, and a bumper crowd of 702 turned up to watch this one!!! It started well for the visitors, taking the lead through Tyrese Miller after just four minutes, but Benfleet roared back and levelled just before the half hour through Gianni Frankis before taking the lead through Nathan Saunders ten minutes before half time. Mason Shave then extended Benfleet's lead two minutes later, only to then see Arthur Bright reduce then deficit before half time, but Fleet sealed the points late on through Sonny Hartman and FC Clacton, who saw Bright dismissed late on for a second booking, looked doomed after this latest loss. 

Buckhurst Hill 1 Hullbridge Sports 1

Thirteenth placed Hill welcomed seventeenth placed Sports to Roding Lane, the visitors began the day seven points above the drop zone with seven games to go, and another bumper crowd of 411 turned up to watch this one too. Piers Hatcliff handed Bridge the half time lead when netting nine minutes before the break, but the points would be shared courtesy of Archie Hammond's 69th minute leveller.

Great Wakering Rovers 3 White Ensign 1

Part Two of the Burroughs Park derby saw fifth placed GWR take on seventh placed Ensign, the hosts were a massive twelve points above their opponents and were looking to enhance their play off ambitions with a win, but Ensign had got the better of GWR in their corresponding fixture earlier in the season. Harry Talbot broke the deadlock twelve minutes before half time to give the hosts the lead, Ensign hit straight back two minutes later through Riley Weir, only for Talbot to give GWR the half time lead deep into added on time at the end of the first period. And GWR were to seal this derby when Callum Boylan netted the hosts third ten minutes from time, and with Walden losing later in the evening, GWR are in pole position for that final play off spot. 

Sawbridgeworth Town 2 Romford 0

Hosts Sawbo have seen their gap to second bottom Stansted and the drop zone shrink rather alarmingly recently, it's now down to just three points after last weekend, so Sawbo knew if they could win they could increase that gap against a Romford side whose season is threatening to end in a rather flat way after their play off hopes are all but over now. Sawbo got the perfect start to this one too, taking the lead after just five minutes through Austen Garrod, and with seventeen minutes to go they sealed a massive three points when Luke Ellis netted.

Stansted 0 Halstead Town 1

Can the Airportmen pull of the great escape, they have got the gap to safety down to three points and are within touching distance of survival now, and they welcomed twelfth placed Halstead to Hargrave Park knowing that their opponents would prove a tough nut to crack. Only one goal would be needed to settle this one, and it went to the visitors in the 66th minute through Nathan Scarborough, inflicting a potentially damaging defeat on Stansted in their battle against the drop.   

Let's see what the table looks like after the weekend's games:-

Stanway remain two clear at the top then with a game in hand meaning it's still in their hands, Woodford are keeping them honest though and still have a gap to third place, Takeley though just have to keep winning and see where it takes them and be there if the top two slip up. Barking & Wakering are pretty set now after the weekend's results, Walden now have a job to do if they are to prevent one of those sides from not being in the post season.

FC Clacton are pretty much down now after their latest defeat, eleven points from safety with just five games to go, and with Sawbo winning and Stansted losing, that gap is now six points, so right now it's hard to see how the bottom two will not be the ones dropping into Step Six next season, Stansted though do have two games in hand, so that might not be quite over yet, only time will tell.

Well, what a weekend that was, three decent battles seen, and lots of money raised for Prostate Cancer too, majority of sides played a player wearing a number 45 shirt, as one man is diagnosed with the disease every 45 minutes, their were 45 second silences and applauses, and there were big crowds at a few of the games too, with the ESL Passport system working well too as fans/hoppers tried to take in as many games as they could.

Stuart Pearce and the Premier League trophy was also a big draw at Woodside, Roding Lane and Station Road, it was a great weekend and hopefully people who came along for the first time will now go back and watch their local side regularly, that's what this day/weekend is all about, and I am sure the ESL will be very happy with how the weekend went too, they should be applauded for this as it takes a lot of work and organisation to do one of these weekends. Your hard work is always appreciated!!!

Anyway that's that for this bumper blog. hope you enjoyed reading it and thanks as always for taking the time too, it means a lot, thank you.