There are some fixtures tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday in the Ryman Division One (North) that will hopefully all be on now the snow has melted. The games will be the first played in the league since the 14th of December.
Saturday 1st January
AFC Sudbury v Heybridge Swifts
Cheshunt v Ware
East Thurrock United v Waltham Forest
Harlow Town v Enfield Town
Leyton v Romford
Maldon & Tiptree v Needham Market
Waltham Abbey v Brentwood Town
Wingate & Finchley v Potters Bar Town
Monday 3rd January
Ilford v Great Wakering Rovers
Thamesmead Town v Redbridge
Tilbury v Grays Athletic (kick off 1.00 p.m.)
London Senior Cup Round Three
Harrow Borough v Wingate & Finchley
Tuesday 4th January
AFC Sudbury v Enfield Town
Brentwood Town v Harlow Town
Heybridge Swifts v Needham Market
Leyton v Cheshunt
Friday, 31 December 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
As the year draws to an end the cold end brings you some of the highlights brought to you in 2010 -
On a very cold Tuesday night on the 9th February Enfield Town found themselves 3-0 down at half-time against local rivals Ware. A amazing fight back in the second half saw an own goal scored and substitute Stuart Blackburne score two goals to make the score 3-3. The above is the equaliser scored by Stuart.
THE COLD END MUST WARN YOU IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME INDUSTRIAL LANGUAGE FROM ONE EXCITED FAN. DON'T WATCH IF YOU ARE OFFENDED!!
The 27th April 2010 is the date all ETFC fans will remember for along time. The highlights of the 2-3 play-off semi-final victory at Wingate and Finchley are above. What a night! GIVE US AN EEEEE!
On the 17th August the cold end witnessed "the real North London" derby between Kingsbury London Tigers and Kentish Town. Just 29 people witnessed this fantastic Spartan South Midlands game which ended 2-2. The highlights are above.
On the 1st September the cold end witnessed the above goal scored by Letchworth Garden City Eagles player Robert Groves against local rivals Baldock Town Letchworth in the Hertfordshire Senior Couty League. Definitely a contender for NON-LEAGUE GOAL OF THE SEASON if not goal of the season. Had a Drogba, Fabregas or Tevez scored this goal it would of been shown replayed over and over.
On a very cold Tuesday night on the 9th February Enfield Town found themselves 3-0 down at half-time against local rivals Ware. A amazing fight back in the second half saw an own goal scored and substitute Stuart Blackburne score two goals to make the score 3-3. The above is the equaliser scored by Stuart.
THE COLD END MUST WARN YOU IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME INDUSTRIAL LANGUAGE FROM ONE EXCITED FAN. DON'T WATCH IF YOU ARE OFFENDED!!
The 27th April 2010 is the date all ETFC fans will remember for along time. The highlights of the 2-3 play-off semi-final victory at Wingate and Finchley are above. What a night! GIVE US AN EEEEE!
On the 17th August the cold end witnessed "the real North London" derby between Kingsbury London Tigers and Kentish Town. Just 29 people witnessed this fantastic Spartan South Midlands game which ended 2-2. The highlights are above.
On the 1st September the cold end witnessed the above goal scored by Letchworth Garden City Eagles player Robert Groves against local rivals Baldock Town Letchworth in the Hertfordshire Senior Couty League. Definitely a contender for NON-LEAGUE GOAL OF THE SEASON if not goal of the season. Had a Drogba, Fabregas or Tevez scored this goal it would of been shown replayed over and over.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE WHOEVER YOU SUPPORT AND WHEREVER YOU ARE.
THANKS FOR READING THE COLD END.
WITH ALL THE SNOW GONE AT LEAST 2011 WILL START WITH SOME FOOTBALL!!
THE BIG FA PREMIER LEAGUE RELEGATION BATTLE
THREE W'S TO GO DOWN??
WOLVES, WEST HAM UNITED AND WIGAN ATHLETIC??
IT'S TOO CLOSE TO CALL!
Every football fan loves a relegation six pointer and it's the results of which sometimes decide who unlucky side goes down and which club stays up by the skin of their teeth. With this in mind the cold end has looked into the Barclay's FA Premier League race to beat the drop which could help you to decide who is going down.
For any West Ham United fan the current FA Premier League table makes grim reading as the Hammers are bottom of the table and firmly in the battle to avoid the dreaded drop into the Championship. The cold end may be able to bring some good news to supporters of the East London side with the following table as West Ham are top of the league!!
From the above tables it's the cold end's opinion that Fulham, who up until their unexpected victory at Stoke City had terrible form away from Craven Cottage, may be in more trouble than bottom of the table West Ham United. The Cottagers still have to travel to play Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers whereas the Hammers only have to go to Wigan Athletic on their last away game of the season and play three of their relegation rivals at home where their form is better.
If Avram Grant's side can gain points from these three home games (Wolves, Birmingham City and Aston Villa visit) it may bring them out of the relegation zone. As you can see the average points total for the last five seasons to avoid relegation has been 36.4. The Hammers also have home games against Liverpool, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland, if they get something from these games too it would take them somewhere near that magical total.
Wigan Athletic seem to be in the same position as West Ham United with only one game played against the bottom six at the DW Stadium which they won. If they could get a few wins from these games after the encouraging 2-2 draw against Arsenal all is not lost for the Latics either.
For Wolverhampton Wanderer's fans it looks grim despite their famous victory at Anfield on Wednesday night. They are the odds on favourites for relegation and out of the eighteen points they could of gained from playing sides in the bottom six they have only got four (equates to 22.22% as the table shows). Their clash with West Ham United at The Boleyn Ground on Saturday now looks to be a huge game as a win for either side would possible lift them out of the drop zone depending on how other results go. A must win game for both sides!!!
The aim for most of the club's in the bottom half at the start of the season is to beat the drop and what is amazing is that Blackpool who were most pundits choices to go down are currently on 25 points. Just four wins from their remaining 21games would maybe be enough to keep them up although I think most clubs will be aiming for at least 40 points to beat the drop. In 1992/93 Crystal Palace were very unlucky to be relegated on a total of 49 points with Oldham Athletic escaping on goal difference. That total would of got The Eagles to 11th place last season,
With just twelve points covering sixth placed Bolton Wanderers and bottom of the table West Ham United it is just not the current bottom six who will be worrying about the 'R' word as any number of teams can be drawn into the fight with only a few bad results.
Everton, Liverpool and Newcastle are all on 22 points at present just 3 points away from the relegation zone so could it be a big name who goes down at the end of the season??
The cold end has (just for fun with it's anorak firmly fitted) worked out the percentages of points gained by the current bottom six against each other, the top five, and teams from 6th position to 14th. This has been cross referenced against the number of games each club has left against those teams to work out their final predicted points total which are as follows -
Regular readers will know how good the cold end is at predicting and tipping so the above will probably be totally wrong. Maybe our crystal ball will be correct or I think it might be way off the mark. We'll just have to wait and see??
What will be key in the quest to beat relegation will be the forthcoming transfer window with many fans across the country face some nervous Saturday afternoons and midweek games in the next few months.
KEY RELEGATION BATTLE FIXTURES FOR JANUARY
Saturday 1st January
West Ham United v Wolves
If you ever needed to define a relegation six-pointer this game is that! A draw will be no good for either team.
Tuesday 4th January
Fulham v West Brom
If Fulham win this one it will bring West Brom further down the league.
Wednesday 5th January
Newcastle United v West Ham United
Not exactly a must win game for the Toon but if the Hammers get a win it will pull Alan Pardew's side down closer to the drop zone.
Saturday 15th January
Wigan v Fulham
Another six pointer
Sunday 16th January
Birmingham City v Aston Villa
Not just local bragging rights up for grabs in this game. Both teams need points to pull away from the bottom of the league.
Tuesday 25th January
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
If the result of the Birmingham derby goes against Villa they could be deep in relegation trouble by the time this game comes round??
WOLVES, WEST HAM UNITED AND WIGAN ATHLETIC??
IT'S TOO CLOSE TO CALL!
Every football fan loves a relegation six pointer and it's the results of which sometimes decide who unlucky side goes down and which club stays up by the skin of their teeth. With this in mind the cold end has looked into the Barclay's FA Premier League race to beat the drop which could help you to decide who is going down.
For any West Ham United fan the current FA Premier League table makes grim reading as the Hammers are bottom of the table and firmly in the battle to avoid the dreaded drop into the Championship. The cold end may be able to bring some good news to supporters of the East London side with the following table as West Ham are top of the league!!
FA PREMIER LEAGUE CURRENT BOTTOM SIX LEAGUE TABLE only includes fixtures played against each other so far HOME AWAY P W D L GF GA P W D L GF GA GD PTS ODDS* 1. West Ham United 2 1 1 0 4 1 4 1 2 1 6 7 2 9 4/5 2. Aston Villa 2 1 1 0 3 0 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 8 7/2 3. Fulham 5 2 2 1 7 6 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 7 11/4 4. Wigan Athletic 1 1 0 0 2 0 4 1 1 2 3 6 -1 7 11/10 5. Birmingham City 2 0 2 0 2 2 3 0 2 1 1 2 -1 4 4/1 6. Wolves 3 1 1 1 3 3 3 0 0 3 2 6 -4 4 8/13 * denotes current odds with skybet.com for relegation POINTS PERCENTAGE TABLE FROM PLAYING TEAMS IN THE CURRENT BOTTOM SIX PA GAINED % 1. Aston Villa 12 8 66.66 2. Fulham 18 7 55.55 3. West Ham United 18 9 50.00 4. Wigan Athletic 15 7 46.66 5. Birmingham City 15 4 26.66 6. Wolves 18 4 22.22 PA denotes points available BOTTOM SIX VERSUS TOP FIVE CURRENT TABLE Who raises their game against the top teams?? HOME AWAY P W D L GF GA P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1. Birmingham City 3 1 2 0 3 2 2 0 1 1 1 2 0 6 2. West Ham United 3 1 0 2 3 6 2 0 0 2 0 4 - 7 6 3. Wigan Athletic 3 0 1 2 2 10 2 1 0 1 1 2 - 9 4 4. Wolves 2 1 0 1 2 3 3 0 0 3 2 7 - 6 3 5. Aston Villa 4 0 2 2 5 8 2 0 0 2 1 6 - 8 2 6. Fulham 3 0 1 2 4 8 2 0 0 2 1 3 - 6 1
From the above tables it's the cold end's opinion that Fulham, who up until their unexpected victory at Stoke City had terrible form away from Craven Cottage, may be in more trouble than bottom of the table West Ham United. The Cottagers still have to travel to play Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers whereas the Hammers only have to go to Wigan Athletic on their last away game of the season and play three of their relegation rivals at home where their form is better.
If Avram Grant's side can gain points from these three home games (Wolves, Birmingham City and Aston Villa visit) it may bring them out of the relegation zone. As you can see the average points total for the last five seasons to avoid relegation has been 36.4. The Hammers also have home games against Liverpool, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland, if they get something from these games too it would take them somewhere near that magical total.
Number of points required to avoid relegation table
2005/06 38
2006/07 38
2007/08 36
2008/09 35
2009/10 35
Average - 36.4
Wigan Athletic seem to be in the same position as West Ham United with only one game played against the bottom six at the DW Stadium which they won. If they could get a few wins from these games after the encouraging 2-2 draw against Arsenal all is not lost for the Latics either.
For Wolverhampton Wanderer's fans it looks grim despite their famous victory at Anfield on Wednesday night. They are the odds on favourites for relegation and out of the eighteen points they could of gained from playing sides in the bottom six they have only got four (equates to 22.22% as the table shows). Their clash with West Ham United at The Boleyn Ground on Saturday now looks to be a huge game as a win for either side would possible lift them out of the drop zone depending on how other results go. A must win game for both sides!!!
The aim for most of the club's in the bottom half at the start of the season is to beat the drop and what is amazing is that Blackpool who were most pundits choices to go down are currently on 25 points. Just four wins from their remaining 21games would maybe be enough to keep them up although I think most clubs will be aiming for at least 40 points to beat the drop. In 1992/93 Crystal Palace were very unlucky to be relegated on a total of 49 points with Oldham Athletic escaping on goal difference. That total would of got The Eagles to 11th place last season,
With just twelve points covering sixth placed Bolton Wanderers and bottom of the table West Ham United it is just not the current bottom six who will be worrying about the 'R' word as any number of teams can be drawn into the fight with only a few bad results.
Everton, Liverpool and Newcastle are all on 22 points at present just 3 points away from the relegation zone so could it be a big name who goes down at the end of the season??
The cold end has (just for fun with it's anorak firmly fitted) worked out the percentages of points gained by the current bottom six against each other, the top five, and teams from 6th position to 14th. This has been cross referenced against the number of games each club has left against those teams to work out their final predicted points total which are as follows -
Aston Villa 43
Fulham 41
Birmingham City 40
Wigan Athletic 40
West Ham United 32
Wolves 28
Regular readers will know how good the cold end is at predicting and tipping so the above will probably be totally wrong. Maybe our crystal ball will be correct or I think it might be way off the mark. We'll just have to wait and see??
What will be key in the quest to beat relegation will be the forthcoming transfer window with many fans across the country face some nervous Saturday afternoons and midweek games in the next few months.
KEY RELEGATION BATTLE FIXTURES FOR JANUARY
Saturday 1st January
West Ham United v Wolves
If you ever needed to define a relegation six-pointer this game is that! A draw will be no good for either team.
Tuesday 4th January
Fulham v West Brom
If Fulham win this one it will bring West Brom further down the league.
Wednesday 5th January
Newcastle United v West Ham United
Not exactly a must win game for the Toon but if the Hammers get a win it will pull Alan Pardew's side down closer to the drop zone.
Saturday 15th January
Wigan v Fulham
Another six pointer
Sunday 16th January
Birmingham City v Aston Villa
Not just local bragging rights up for grabs in this game. Both teams need points to pull away from the bottom of the league.
Tuesday 25th January
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
If the result of the Birmingham derby goes against Villa they could be deep in relegation trouble by the time this game comes round??
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
BLUE SQUARE SOUTH - THE SEASON SO FAR
Current Blue Square South Table - As of 29th December HOME AWAY P W D L GF GA W D L GF GA GD PTS CURRENT ODDS* 1 Braintree Town 16 6 0 2 16 6 4 3 1 13 5 18 33 9/2 ------------------------------------------------------- 2 Bromley 17 3 5 0 10 7 6 1 2 16 17 2 33 5/1 3 Farnborough 18 4 4 1 14 9 5 1 3 18 11 12 32 6/1 4 Dover 16 3 3 3 18 14 6 0 1 17 7 14 30 6/1 5 Ebbsfleet United 15 3 2 2 11 7 5 3 0 13 6 11 29 11/2 ------------------------------------------------------- 6 Welling 17 6 1 1 19 7 4 2 3 16 15 13 28 12/1 7 Chelmsford 14 5 1 0 13 1 3 2 3 14 17 9 27 6/1 8 Bishop's Stortford 18 3 1 6 7 20 5 1 2 13 10 -10 26 40/1 9 Eastleigh 16 4 1 3 14 9 3 3 2 12 9 8 25 20/1 10 Weston-S-Mare 20 6 2 3 19 11 1 2 6 11 24 - 5 25 125/1 11 Woking 17 3 3 3 12 11 3 2 3 7 10 - 2 23 20/1 12 Havant and W 15 2 2 3 9 10 4 2 2 12 7 4 22 10/1 13 Staines Town 16 3 3 3 12 12 2 3 2 11 9 2 21 50/1 14 Maidenhead Utd 17 2 2 4 7 14 3 3 3 11 14 -10 20 150/1 15 Dorchester 16 2 2 4 7 11 3 2 3 12 9 - 1 19 100/1 16 Hampton & Richmond 16 2 2 4 10 15 2 5 1 9 8 - 4 19 66/1 17 Basingstoke Town 15 3 1 4 11 12 1 3 3 2 6 - 5 16 100/1 18 Dartford 16 2 3 1 12 10 1 3 6 9 17 - 6 15 50/1 19 Thurrock 17 2 4 3 13 16 0 2 6 7 15 -11 12 - ------------------------------------------------------- 20 Lewes 18 2 2 4 7 11 1 1 8 8 17 -13 12 - 21 Boreham Wood 16 2 3 4 18 18 0 2 5 5 15 -10 11 - 22 St Albans 16 0 3 5 6 14 1 4 3 9 17 -16 10 - *odds courtesy of bluesq.com each way bets on 3 places to a 1/4 odds Top Seven League record (playing each other so far) P W D L GF GA W D L GF GA GD PTS 1. Dover Athletic 5 1 1 1 10 8 2 0 0 4 1 5 10 2. Ebbsfleet Untied 5 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 0 3 2 3 8 3. Braintree Town 5 2 0 2 7 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 7 4. Welling United 5 1 0 0 3 2 0 2 2 5 10 -4 5 5. Farnborough 6 1 1 1 6 5 0 1 2 3 9 -5 5 6. Bromley 4 1 1 0 3 2 0 0 1 0 2 -1 4 7. Chelmsford City 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 6 11 -5 3Top of the table and current favourites are Braintree Town. The Iron have a good home record of six wins from eight games. The two defeats have come against 2nd placed Bromley (0-2) and 4th placed Dover Athletic (1-2) with their only defeat on the road coming at 15th placed Dorchester Town (0-1). Rod Stringer's side face a gruelling 4 games in 12 days at the start of February which could be critical in their race for the Championship. They face 18th placed Dartford home and away along with trips to Dover Athletic and Welling United. The Darts are a better side than their current league position says and Dover are well in the title race having beaten three the five top seven teams they have played so far as the above mini-table shows. The Wings have one the best home records in the division so will be well up for the Essex side visiting South of the River.
Bromley are in 2nd place going into 2011 and are currently 5/1 to win the Championship. Owner and Chairman Jerry Dolke recently put a message out on the Bromley FC website regarding the fact the club have not had a home game in nearly eight weeks. This combined with the decline in revenue due to the terrible weather and the news the club suffered a burglary in early December where extensive damage was caused to the sports bar and Glemnet Suite along with other parts of the Hayes Lane ground have obviously put a dent in the club's finances. Mr Dolke has invited suggestions for fundraising ideas from fans to email him at the club. Bromley's have only played four league games over November and December although they do have a rearranged fixture this Thursday 30th December at home to Maidenhead United to complete. Their last game came on the 11th December when they had a "Weston" (cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk rates as more Mockney than Cockney but the cold end likes it!!!) at Weston-Super-Mare losing 7-0.
Last season's Zamaretto Champions and the 2008/09 Ryman League Champions are next. Farnborough and Dover Athletic are both well placed to be involved in the title race as their 6/1 odds show.
Ebbsfleet United who were relegated from the Blue Square Premier last season are 11/2 for the title and are the only team without a defeat on the road so far. January is a big month for Liam Daish's side as they face Braintree Town, Bromley and Dover Athletic. The cold end thinks two wins out of these three games would put them right up in contention for the title.
The cold end is never a good tipper but thinks seventh placed Chelmsford City are in a very good position to make a challenge for the title. They have only won once out of the four games they have played against fellow top seven sides but that was at Dover Athletic and so in turn out of their remaining away games only two come against current top seven sides in Bromley and Ebbsfleet United. They have yet to entertain a top seven side at home where they are unbeaten winning 5 out of 6 games and letting in only one goal. They also have games in hand over all the team above them and they are only six points off the top of the table. Glenn Pennyfather's side also has lots of experience in being at the top of the division.
At the bottom of the table it's been a miserable season for St Albans City. They haven't won a league game at Clarence Park in eleven games with their last home league win coming on 13th March 2010 in a 1-0 win against Thurrock. They have only scored six league goals at home in the eight games played so far, three of which came in one game against Weston-Super-Mare who scored four and won the game. Their only league win came on the 18th September against Havant & Waterloville (0-1 away). Since then they have lost six of seven league games. All is not yet lost as they are still in touch with the teams above them but if their terrible form continues it could be relegation at the end of the season. A massive relegation six pointer game takes place this Saturday when The Saints (22nd place) make the short trip to 21st placed Boreham Wood. Steve Castle's side have five home league games in January against Maidenhead United, Bromley, Dorchester Town, Eastleigh and Lewes, the results of which could prove highly important in their battle to beat the drop.
Boreham Wood, Thurrock and Lewes join St Albans City in the club's struggling at the bottom of the table.
Thurrock didn't record a win in the league until the 16th November when Staines Town were beaten 2-1 at home. This victory came on the 15th game of the season after Hakan Hayrettin left his post as manager of the club. Greg Lincoln has since taken over in the hot-seat and in doing so has become the youngest boss the three Blue Square divisions. A player Enfield Town fans will know well in pacey winger Joao Carlos has recently signed from Ryman North Brentwood Town and has been on the bench for the last few games.
Another former Ryman North player albiet for only a handful of games has been signed by Seventh placed Bishop's Stortford. Walid Matata, who signed after spending a short spell with Enfield Town after joining from Billericay Town, will be looking to fire the goals in to lift his new side into play-off contention. The Blues have only scored seven goals in their ten home league games so far.
After only a small number of games have been played over the last month due to the big freeze it's looking like a very exciting season in the BSS. Just 14 points separate table-toppers Braintree Town and 16th placed Hampton and Richmond Borough with a large number of team capable of reaching the play-offs there is still all to play for.
Here are what the cold end thinks are key forthcoming games in January and February -
Saturday 1st January
Boreham Wood v St Albans City (KICK OFF 12noon)
A massive relegation six pointer local derby at Meadow Park.
Dover Athletic v Bromley
4th plays 2nd. A victory for the home side would see them leapfrog their visitors in the league table due to their superior goal difference.
Monday 3rd January
Braintee Town v Ebbsfleet United
1st v 5th. Important game for both sides to get a result from.
Tuesday 11th January
Bromley v Chelmsford City
City will want to get a result in this one to push up into the play off zone
Saturday 15th January
Farnborough v Dover Athletic
Another important clash between two championship/play off contenders
Saturday 22nd January
Ebbsfleet United v Bromley
Welling United v Dover Athletic
The above two matches involve four teams all in the play off/championship shake up.
Tuesday 25th January
Ebbsfleet United v Thurrock
A North v South, Kent v Essex derby. Ebbsfleet will need to win to keep the pressure on at the top of the league wherea Thurrock will need to gain something in their fight for relegation.
Saturday 29th January
Boreham Wood v Maidenhead United
Dover v Ebbsfleet United
St Albans City v Lewes
One game is a play-off clash where Ebbsfleet tavel to Kent rivals Dover Athletic. Boreham Wood host Maidenhead United who could with a few defeats be pulled into the basement battle for survival. St Albans City v Lewes at Clarence Park is yet another huge relegation six pointer!!
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
LONDON LEAGUE'S IN FOCUS - THE ILFORD AND DISTRICT LEAGUE
The Premier Division of the league sits at Step 9 of the non-league ladder which would mean if an aspiring team was very successful and ultra ambitious they would require five promotions to get to the Ryman Divison One North. The league sits on the pyramid below and as a feeder to the Essex Olympian League (EOFL).
 |
| Above - The current champions of the Ilford and District League - Castle United FC |
Castle have 24 year old pacey forward Courtney White on their books who by scoring 30+ goals already this season is already on his way to maybe beating his total of around 50 goals last season. To score this many times at any level of football is an incredible achievement. Since reformation in 2005 the club have gained promotion in every season bar one.
I&DFL PREMIER DIVISION CURRENT TABLE
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 Redbridge Elite 8 6 0 2 37 13 24 18
2 Chingford Athletic 6 5 1 0 17 9 8 16
3 Supreme Athletic 6 5 0 1 19 7 12 15
4 St Francis 10 4 1 5 25 31 - 6 13
5 FC Barolle 8 3 2 3 24 25 - 1 11
6 Forest United 6 2 2 2 25 19 6 8
7 Glendale 6 2 1 3 11 26 -15 7
8 London & Essex 7 2 0 5 8 16 - 8 6
9 Loughton 10 1 3 6 11 28 -17 6
10 East Londoners 7 1 2 4 13 16 - 3 5
As you can see from the above table Redbridge Elite currently top the table. They were runners up to Castle United last season and have scored an amazing 37 goals in only eight league matches so far this season. Ten of those came in a 10-0 victory against Loughton on the 9th October. Their only defeats have come against London and Essex and second placed Chingford Athletic.
FOOTBALL IN CHINGFORD ON THE UP??
Second placed Chingford Athletic were only formed four years ago playing football on the Wanstead Flats in what one of their team describes as turning out in a 10-bob kit. Since then the club has played at the Met Police Chigwell Sports club and now at the newly named Matchday Centre aka Wadham Lodge. The club have expanded to form a second team for this season and are possibly looking to progress up to the EOFL if they finish in a position they can gain promotion in at the end of the season. The team have come along way since formation and it seems the only way is up at the moment which is brilliant to see for local football.
 |
| The badge of Division One side Chingford Harriers |
* Note - Chingford also have one more Saturday side in the form of Chingford Town. Slightly older local football fans will remember this old name from Amateur Football day's past. Reformed in 2008, they currently play in the GA Robert's Enfield Alliance. The original club folded way back in 1951 but re-appeared in 1992 when Chingford Wanderers of the then London Spartan League changed names but the new club withdrew from the league in the 1993/94 season. Chingford United, then also of the London Spartan League, changed names to Chingford Town in 1997 playing the Intermediate Division until 2001/02. The finishing positions of 13/13, 15/16, 11/14, 8/12 and 13/13 shows how 'Town' struggled in the seasons from 1997.
Third placed Supreme Athletic are making their debut in the I&DFL this season having transferred from the Enfield Alliance in the summer and look set to be involved in the title race having only lost one of their seven games so far. Supreme have been very successful since formation in 2003 having won the Enfield Alliance Division One in their debut 2007/08 season and the Premier Division title in 2008/09 and again in 2009/10 when they completed the treble by adding the Enfield Charity Cup and JJ Kelley Cup to their trophy cabinet. They have also reached the final of the Middlesex Junior Cup on 2009 where they were narrowly beaten by Grosvenor House FC.
Other clubs in the Premier Division include St Francis (formed in 1930),Glendale (formed in Loughton in 1964, although the club now play in Clayhill Park) and Forest United. They were formed in 1999 and are based in the Forest Gate area of East London. Forest won the coveted and historic East Ham Memorial Hospital Charity Cup last season against EOFL Division Three side Newham United.
Another team who play in the Olympic borough of Newham are bottom of the table East Londoners who won their first league game of the season at the sixth time of asking when beating St Francis 4-3 on the 20th November. St Francis got their own back when reversing the result on the 11th December in winning 2-1.
I&DFL DIVISON ONE CURRENT TABLE
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 Enfield Elite 7 6 0 1 30 17 13 18
2 Chingford Harriers 8 5 2 1 26 18 8 17
3 FC Golazo 6 4 1 1 13 7 6 13
4 United Borough 6 3 2 1 14 10 4 11
5 Chingford Athletic Res 7 2 4 1 19 12 7 10
6 Singh Sabha Barking 6 3 1 2 15 14 1 10
7 Ryan Res 7 2 2 3 20 22 - 2 8
8 Trelawny 7 1 4 2 15 20 - 5 7
9 Midland 10 2 1 7 23 32 - 9 6
10 Esprit 6 2 0 4 14 24 -10 6
11 St Francis Res 10 1 1 8 10 23 -13 4
In Division One the current leaders are a team which represent Enfield Town's borough in 'Enfield Elite' closely followed by Chingford Harriers and FC Golazo. The word 'Goalzo' is a Spanish expression which is used to describe 'an awesomely amazing improbable beautiful goal'
Sixth placed Singh Sabha Barking (SSB) have the tag line 'on good days we play good football, on bad days we try to play good football' on their website which is an excellent approach to playing the beautiful game. SSB were formed in 1969 and have represented their local community in tournaments around the world in Europe and as far away as Autralia. The club runs two senior teams in the I&DFL and the Essex Business Houses League Division One.
ON GOOD DAYS WE PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL, ON BAD DAYS WE TRY TO PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL.
Ryan FC have a reserve side in this division. Another team to have a somewhat unique name, they were formed in 1994 as Beaumont FC but renamed 1995 after Richard William's (who was then in sole charge of the club) newly born son Ryan. Ryan FC's first team play in the EOFL Division One at Town Mead Leisure Centre in Waltham Abbey.
I&DFL DIVISION TWO CURRENT TABLE
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 AAH Romford 9 9 0 0 43 18 25 27
2 DM United 8 5 0 3 30 25 5 15
3 Euro Dagenham Res 7 4 1 2 27 16 11 13
4 Forest United Res 10 4 1 5 38 32 6 13
5 RYPSA 6 3 2 1 21 17 4 11
6 Newham Royals 9 3 0 6 25 34 - 9 9
7 Lotus Sports 8 2 2 4 21 24 - 3 8
8 Melbourne Sports Res 8 2 2 4 26 35 - 9 8
9 Hainault Wanderers 9 2 2 5 19 36 -17 8
10 Ascot United 8 2 0 6 19 32 -13 6
The Third Division is currently headed by AAH Romford and seems to be place to witness goals, goals and more goals. A massive total of 269 goals have been scored to date in just 41 games. Glancing at the results so far this season the following scores stand out -
DM United 11 Melbourne Sports Res 7 (11th December)
AAH Romford 7 Lotus Sports 4 (11th December)
Forest United Res 10 Hainult Wanderers 0 (25th September)
Euro Dagenham Res 5 RYSPA 6 (9th October)
In all three divisions there has been no 0-0 draws so far and on only three occasions out of all the division two games played have one of the teams failed to score as follows -
Forest United 10 Hainult Wanderers 0 (25th September)
Melbourne Sports Res 0 Euro Dagenham Res 3 (16th October)
Newham Royals 6 DM United 0 (23rd October)
The average goals per game in each division are as follows -
Premier Divsion - 5.14
First Divsion - 4.98
Division Two - 6.56.
Division Two also has the reserve sides of Euro Dagenham whose first team play in the Romford and District League Division One and Melbourne Sports whose first team play in the Essex Business Houses Division One. Melbourne Sports were formed in 1953 as Green Stores as most of the original players came from The Green Stores Factory in Hainault. In 1955 the club changed to the name of Melbourne Sports although as the club's website explains it's a mystery why??
It also has three teams with letters in their names who are RYPSA (Redbridge Young Peoples Sports Association), DM United (DM stands for ???*) and AAH Romford (AAH stands for ???*).
*Please contact the cold end if you know what the two club's names stand for.
RYSPA were formed in early 2008 "to offer local youths of the surrounding areas of Redbridge, Wanstead, and Ilford the opportunity to come together and compete in a competitive environment. The founders had a vision of creating a multi-national team, bringing together people of all backgrounds, which would be able to compete at the highest levels of amateur football."
*Courtesy of RYSPA FC website
The cold end congratulates all the teams playing in the I&DFL and all the people who work so hard to get teams out on the pitch on a Saturday. It's clear to see the various clubs are bringing people together to play a good standard of football which is all positive for the local East London area. I'm sure there are a few star players in the making turning out in the league this season that could and should make the jump up to a higher level of non-league football.
Scheduled forthcoming fixtures for January 2011
Sunday 2nd January
East Ham Memorial Cup - 1st Round
Newham United v FC Barolle
Saturday 8th January
Premier Division
London & Essex v St Francis
Chingford Athletic v FC Barolle
Redbridge Elite v Loughton
Division One
St Francis Res v Esprit
United Borough v Midland
Singh Sabha Barking v Chingford Athletic Res
Division Two
RYPSA v Newham Royals
Melbourne Sports Res v Lotus Sports
Hainault Wanderers v Forest United Res
Fenton Cup - 2nd Round
Forest United v AAH Romford
Enfield Elite v FC Golazo
League Cup - 1st Round
East Londoners v Glendale
Spartak Cup - 1st Round
Ryan Res v Chingford Harriers
St Mary's Cup - Quarter Finals
DM United v Euro Dagenham Res
Middlesex Junior Cup - 3rd Round
North Hillingdon v Supreme Athletic
* Supreme's opponents are currently top of the East Berkshire Football League Division One
Saturday 15th January
Premier Division
St Francis v Redbridge Elite
FC Barolle v Glendale
Loughton v Forest United
Supreme Athletic v East Londoners
Division One
Trelawny v United Borough
Midland v Ryan Res
Esprit v Chingford Harriers
Chingford Athletic Res v FC Golazo
Division Two
Newham Royals v Melbourne Sports Res
Forest United Res v DM United
Euro Dagenham Res v AAH Romford
Fenton Cup - 2nd Round
RYPSA v Ascot United
Spartak Cup - Quarter Finals
Singh Sabha Barking v Enfield Elite
St Mary's Cup - Quarter Finals
Lotus Sports v Hainault Wanderers
Saturday 22nd January
Premier Division
Forest United v Glendale
Division One
St Francis Res v Ryan Res
Enfield Elite v Trelawny
Singh Sabha Barking v Esprit
FC Golazo v Chingford Harriers
Division Two
Lotus Sports v Euro Dagenham Res
Melbourne Sports Res v Forest United Res
DM United v Newham Royals
Fenton Cup - 2nd Round
East Londoners v Midland
League Cup - Quarter Finals
Chingford Athletic v London & Essex
Redbridge Elite v FC Barolle
Loughton v Supreme Athletic
Spartak Cup - Quarter Finals
United Borough v Chingford Athletic Res
St Mary's Cup - Quarter Finals
AAH Romford v RYPSA
Saturday 29th January
Premier Division
St Francis v Glendale
FC Barolle v London & Essex
Redbridge Elite v Forest United
Supreme Athletic v Chingford Athletic
Division One
Esprit v United Borough
Chingford Athletic Res v Enfield Elite
Division Two
Forest United Res v RYPSA
DM United v AAH Romford
Euro Dagenham Res v Hainault Wanderers
Fenton Cup - 2nd Round
Lotus Sports v Newham Royals
Loughton v Singh Sabha Barking
Spartak Cup - Quarter Finals
Trelawny v Ryan Res or Chingford Harriers
FC Golazo v St Francis Res
St Mary's Cup - Quarter Finals
Melbourne Sports Res v Ascot United
CLUB WEBSITE LINKS
PREMIER DIVISION
Chingford Athletic
FC Barolle
Forest United
Glendale
Loughton
St Francis
FIRST DIVISION
Chingford Harriers
Enfield Elite
Espirit
Ryan
Singh Sabha Barking
SECOND DIVISION
Hainault Wanderers
Melbourne Sports
Monday, 27 December 2010
THE BIG FREEZE BEATEN BY FIVE RYMAN LEAGUE CLUBS
All scheduled games in the Ryman League Division One (North), Spartan South Midlands and the Essex Senior League were called off today due to the snow and ice.
Better news has come from the Premier Division and Division One (South) where Carshalton Athletic v Sutton, Margate v Cray Wanderers, Whitehawk v Horsham YMCA, Whitstable v Ramsgate and Worthing v Bognor Regis Town all got the go ahead and are currently playing. The big local derby games at Colston Avenue and Woodside Road are bound to attract good attendances with all the other games that are off.
It's the same in the Zamaretto League where only one fixture being Weymouth v Truro City is being played.
The constant bad weather has meant Enfield Town have just played one game of Ryman League football since the 20th of November. On the plus side it does mean we are unbeaten in December with a 100% record.
Better news has come from the Premier Division and Division One (South) where Carshalton Athletic v Sutton, Margate v Cray Wanderers, Whitehawk v Horsham YMCA, Whitstable v Ramsgate and Worthing v Bognor Regis Town all got the go ahead and are currently playing. The big local derby games at Colston Avenue and Woodside Road are bound to attract good attendances with all the other games that are off.
It's the same in the Zamaretto League where only one fixture being Weymouth v Truro City is being played.
The constant bad weather has meant Enfield Town have just played one game of Ryman League football since the 20th of November. On the plus side it does mean we are unbeaten in December with a 100% record.
MATCH OFF
The cold end brings you the news we all expected this morning in that the scheduled game this afternoon versus Cheshunt at Goldsdown Road is OFF.
As I write this only two fixtures from the original list of eleven remain ON at present with pitch inspections due at 11am for the Potters Bar Town v Waltham Abbey game and 12noon for the Heybridge Swifts v Maldon and Tiptree game. With the ice and snow still not thawing out we all know the chances of those going ahead are pretty slim!!
Enfield Town's next scheduled game is the big New Years Day trip to Harlow Town.
As I write this only two fixtures from the original list of eleven remain ON at present with pitch inspections due at 11am for the Potters Bar Town v Waltham Abbey game and 12noon for the Heybridge Swifts v Maldon and Tiptree game. With the ice and snow still not thawing out we all know the chances of those going ahead are pretty slim!!
Enfield Town's next scheduled game is the big New Years Day trip to Harlow Town.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
PROSPECTS OF TOWN'S GAME TOMORROW BEING ON - NOT GOOD
It's very icy in Ryman Country at present with temperatures predicted to be hovering around zero with some sunny spells the prospect of the pitch being playable at Goldsdown Road tomorrow is probably quite low.
Three games have already been called off in the Ryman North Division at Needham Market (v Sudbury), Redbridge (v Leyton) and Ware (v Harlow). The terrible weather meant that out of all the fixtures in the Blue Square Premier, North and South scheduled today only one game (at Woking) went ahead.
Expect lots of pitch inspections and postponements tomorrow morning!! Lets hope the Sunny Spells burn away the ice and some football takes place somewhere.
Three games have already been called off in the Ryman North Division at Needham Market (v Sudbury), Redbridge (v Leyton) and Ware (v Harlow). The terrible weather meant that out of all the fixtures in the Blue Square Premier, North and South scheduled today only one game (at Woking) went ahead.
Expect lots of pitch inspections and postponements tomorrow morning!! Lets hope the Sunny Spells burn away the ice and some football takes place somewhere.
Friday, 24 December 2010
WISHING ALL COLD END READERS A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
The festive period for football fans is usually one of the best times of the year with games coming thick and fast over Christmas and New Year. However, with the freezing weather as it is, there is a chance no games will go ahead in the Ryman League Division One (North) on Monday. Lets all hope the thaw takes place over Saturday and Sunday and some of the big local derby games get the go ahead.
Christmas is also time to reflect so there is no time like the present than to look back over how far Enfield Town has come since formation during the supporters meeting in June 2001. The club's first competitive game was just under two months later on the 18th August 2001 when the team took to the field at Gardiners Close to take on Basildon United in the Essex Senior League. It was fitting we returned to that stadium in the Essex Senior League Cup Final at the end of our first season when we famously beat big rivals Leyton FC on penalty kicks. My overriding memory of that match was nervously not being able to look when the final penalty was taken and then glancing along at the mass ranks of Town fans with a large number of them doing the same as I was.
The cold end would like to thank all of those people who have made OUR club happen from the members of the board, to the coaching staff and players, and the people behind the scenes who carry out so much hard work and so often get overlooked.
In just nine and an half seasons the club has developed from playing on a railed off pitch to some time next season (if all goes to plan) moving into the re-developed Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
When fans moan and whinge about the team losing or not doing well they should stop and look back on how far the club has come in just under a decade. The fact we have a team to support that will have it's own ground in the borough for all the community to use is far better than the grim situation football in Enfield found itself in when the bulldozers moved in and so sadly demolished the hallowed Southbury Road at the end of 1999.
Whoever you support The Cold End wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Scheduled Christmas Fixtures for Ryman Division One (North), Spartan South Midlands & Essex Senior League (Check before travelling for kick off time and if game is on) Monday 27th December RYMAN NORTH Brentwood Town v Tilbury Enfield Town v Cheshunt Grays Athletic v East Thurrock United Great Wakering Rovers v Thamesmead Town Heybridge Swifts v Maldon & Tiptree Needham Market v AFC Sudbury Potters Bar Town v Waltham Abbey Redbridge v Leyton Romford v Ilford Waltham Forest v Wingate & Finchley Ware v Harlow Town ESSEX SENIOR Eton Manor v Witham Town SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS Premier Division Aylesbury United v Tring Athletic Biggleswade United v Dunstable Town Hatfield Town v Haringey Borough Hertford Town v Leverstock Green Hillingdon Borough v Colney Heath Holmer Green v Chalfont St Peter Kingsbury London v Harefield United Oxhey Jets v Hadley Royston Town v Broxbourne Borough St Margaretsbury v Kentish Town Stotfold v Langford Division One AFC Dunstable v Berkhamsted Amersham Town v Buckingham Athletic (kick off 2pm) Ampthill Town v Bedford Town Reserves Bedford v Hoddesdon Town Cockfosters v Wodson Park Crawley Green v Cranfield United Harpenden Town v Welwyn Garden City (kick off 2pm) Kings Langley v Sun Postal Sports (kick off 12 noon) London Lions v London Colney New Bradwell St Peter v Stony Stratford Town Tuesday 28th December ESSEX SENIOR (note - not sure if these are 3pm or 7.45pm kick offs????) Hullbridge Sports v Burnham Ramblers Stansted v London APSA Takeley v Mauritius Sports Association Wednesday 29th December ESSEX SENIOR Enfield 1893 v Bethnal Green United (kick off 7.45pm) Saturday 1st January 2011 RYMAN NORTH AFC Sudbury v Heybridge Swifts Cheshunt v Ware East Thurrock United v Waltham Forest Harlow Town v Enfield Town Leyton v Romford Maldon & Tiptree v Needham Market Waltham Abbey v Brentwood Town Wingate & Finchley v Potters Bar Town ESSEX SENIOR Basildon United v Bowers & Pitsea (kick off 12 Noon) Clapton v Barking Sawbridgeworth Town v Takeley Sunday 2nd January ESSEX SENIOR Barkingside v Mauritius Sports Association Monday 3rd January RYMAN NORTH Ilford v Great Wakering Rovers Thamesmead Town v Redbridge Tilbury v Grays Athletic (kick off 1.00 p.m.) SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS Premier Division Broxbourne Borough v Biggleswade United Chalfont St Peter v Aylesbury United Colney Heath v Royston Town Dunstable Town v Stotfold Hadley v Hertford Town Hanwell Town v Kentish Town Harefield United v Hillingdon Borough Haringey Borough v St Margaretsbury Langford v Hatfield Town Leverstock Green v Holmer Green Tring Athletic v Oxhey Jets Division One Ampthill Town v Crawley Green Bedford Town Reserves v Bedford Berkhamsted v Cockfosters Buckingham Athletic v New Bradwell St Peter Cranfield United v AFC Dunstable Hoddesdon Town v London Lions London Colney v Harpenden Town Stony Stratford Town v Kings Langley Welwyn Garden City v Amersham Town Wodson Park v St Albans City Reserves Tuesday 4th January (all 7.45pm kick offs) RYMAN NORTH AFC Sudbury v Enfield Town Brentwood Town v Harlow Town Heybridge Swifts v Needham Market Leyton v Cheshunt ESSEX SENIOR Barking v Basildon United Barkingside v Takeley Burnham Ramblers v Bowers & Pitsea Southend Manor v Clapton
Christmas is also time to reflect so there is no time like the present than to look back over how far Enfield Town has come since formation during the supporters meeting in June 2001. The club's first competitive game was just under two months later on the 18th August 2001 when the team took to the field at Gardiners Close to take on Basildon United in the Essex Senior League. It was fitting we returned to that stadium in the Essex Senior League Cup Final at the end of our first season when we famously beat big rivals Leyton FC on penalty kicks. My overriding memory of that match was nervously not being able to look when the final penalty was taken and then glancing along at the mass ranks of Town fans with a large number of them doing the same as I was.
The cold end would like to thank all of those people who have made OUR club happen from the members of the board, to the coaching staff and players, and the people behind the scenes who carry out so much hard work and so often get overlooked.
 |
| Above - The programme for Enfield Town's first competitive fixture |
When fans moan and whinge about the team losing or not doing well they should stop and look back on how far the club has come in just under a decade. The fact we have a team to support that will have it's own ground in the borough for all the community to use is far better than the grim situation football in Enfield found itself in when the bulldozers moved in and so sadly demolished the hallowed Southbury Road at the end of 1999.
Whoever you support The Cold End wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thursday, 23 December 2010
ENFIELD TOWN V ENFIELD 1893 FC - MATCH OFF
As expected tonight's scheduled Middlesex Charity Cup game against Enfield 1893 FC has been called off due to the ice and snow on the pitch at Goldsdown Road.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
GOLDSDOWN ROAD TODAY...STILL COLD AND SNOWY!!
The cold end made a quick visit over to Goldsdown Road earlier today and can report the pitch is still covered in snow. With temperatures in the Enfield area hovering around the zero level it looks like there is a good chance the Middlesex Charity Cup game scheduled for tomorrow night against Enfield FC1893 will be called off. News will follow on The Cold End..
 |
| THE VERY COLD END |
 |
 |
| Some views of the ground and pitch covered in snow. |
Monday, 20 December 2010
THE VERY VERY VERY COLD END
The big freeze looks set to continue all week with temperatures dipping to -10 and under in Ryman country last night. The forecasts are not set to get above zero all week up until Christmas so the chance of the Enfield Town v Enfield 1893 Middlesex Charity Cup game going ahead as scheduled on Thursday 23rd December is probably extremely low at present. All the cold end can say is stay warm and safe in the snow.
 |
| Views across a cold Recreation Ground yesterday. The home of Hertfordshire Senior County League side Knebworth FC is currently covered in snow and ice. |
Saturday, 18 December 2010
RYMAN LEAGUE WIPE OUT
It won't surprise you that Enfield Town's game against Romford along with every other game in the three Ryman League's has been postponed today due to the freezing weather conditions. All Essex Senior League and Spartan South Midland games have also been wiped out.
THE BIG FREEZE SET TO WIN AGAIN
Early morning pitch inspections are scheduled throughout Ryman country this morning as the big freeze looks set to play havoc with the fixture list yet again. You won't be surprised to hear that the pitch at Goldsdown Road is currently frozen and with temperatures not looking at getting beyond the zero mark throughout the day it's not looking good for the Enfield Town v Romford game.
The cold end will publish an update as soon as it knows what games are confirmed on (if any are??) or off in the Ryman Division One (North).
Christmas shopping anyone??
The cold end will publish an update as soon as it knows what games are confirmed on (if any are??) or off in the Ryman Division One (North).
Christmas shopping anyone??
Thursday, 16 December 2010
ENFIELD TOWN MENTIONED IN PMQ'S
An eagle eyed cold end reader (thank you to The Letchworth One) saw that the name of 'Enfield Town' was mentioned in Parliament yesterday.
Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy, in asking a question to the Prime Minister, mentioned that there were 'two great football clubs in North London being Tottenham Hotspur and Enfield Town'.
To see the footage visit the BBC I PLAYER'S link HERE to the Daily Politics Show from yesterday. The question from David Lammy MP is at around the 46 minute mark.
Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy, in asking a question to the Prime Minister, mentioned that there were 'two great football clubs in North London being Tottenham Hotspur and Enfield Town'.
To see the footage visit the BBC I PLAYER'S link HERE to the Daily Politics Show from yesterday. The question from David Lammy MP is at around the 46 minute mark.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
MIDDLESEX SENIOR CUP 2010/11
The final places in the quarter-finals of the Middlesex Senior Cup were sorted out last night with Hampton and Richmond Borough beating Enfield FC 1893 0-1 at Goldsdown Road and Hendon winning 2-3 at Wingate and Finchley AET. Lubomir Guentchev scored the winner deep into the 2nd half of extra-time.
Hayes and Yeading United of the Blue Square Premier are the highest ranked side left in the competition with Blue Sqaure South Hampton and Richmond and Staines Town joined by Ryman Premier Hendon, Harrow Borough and Wealdstone along with Zamaretto Central Bedfont Town in Round Three. Combined Counties League side Wembley are the lowest ranked side left in the competition at present.
Quarter Final Fixtures
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Hendon
Harrow Borough v Hayes & Yeading United
Bedfont Town v Wembley
Wealdstone v Staines Town
* Matches due to be played week beginning 10th January 2011
Bedfont Town are the only side left who have yet to lift the famous trophy. Hayes and Yeading United have sort of as the two former clubs that merged did previously win the cup on several occasions.
Hayes and Yeading United of the Blue Square Premier are the highest ranked side left in the competition with Blue Sqaure South Hampton and Richmond and Staines Town joined by Ryman Premier Hendon, Harrow Borough and Wealdstone along with Zamaretto Central Bedfont Town in Round Three. Combined Counties League side Wembley are the lowest ranked side left in the competition at present.
Quarter Final Fixtures
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Hendon
Harrow Borough v Hayes & Yeading United
Bedfont Town v Wembley
Wealdstone v Staines Town
* Matches due to be played week beginning 10th January 2011
Bedfont Town are the only side left who have yet to lift the famous trophy. Hayes and Yeading United have sort of as the two former clubs that merged did previously win the cup on several occasions.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) ALTERNATIVE TABLE
On the left hand side is the table as it stands at present and on the right hand side is another alternate table that is based on IF all the teams won their games in hand up to the maximum of the 20 games W&F, M&T, Waltham Abbey and Waltham Forest have played. Technically impossible but it illustrates that the title race is now probably down to just three teams in Needham Market, Romford and East Thurrock United. These trio deserve to be in this position as they have lost the lowest amount of games each (2, 1 and 2). It also shows that all is not lost for Enfield Town's season as if (yes...i know a big if??) we win all the games in hand we will be on the cusp of the play off section. In real terms Town need to go on a good unbeaten run, which the squad are capable of to have any chance of reaching the play offs.
Needham Market, Romford and East Thurrock United have still yet to face each other in the league this season. Tuesday night's scheduled game between Romford and East Thurrock United will be an interesting match. Whatever the result in midweek, Enfield Town's next game on Saturday at home to Romford (who have only let in six goals all season to date), looks a very tough encounter indeed.
OTHER MIDWEEK RYMAN NORTH FIXTURES
AFC Sudbury v Leyton
Harlow Town v Ilford
Needham Market v Ware
Romford v East Thurrock United
Needham Market, Romford and East Thurrock United have still yet to face each other in the league this season. Tuesday night's scheduled game between Romford and East Thurrock United will be an interesting match. Whatever the result in midweek, Enfield Town's next game on Saturday at home to Romford (who have only let in six goals all season to date), looks a very tough encounter indeed.
PTS TEAM (GAMES PLAYED) PTS TEAM
52 NEEDHAM MARKET
----------------------------------
51
50
49 ROMFORD
48 EAST THURROCK UNITED
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39 EAST THURROCK (17) 39 AFC SUDBURY, HARLOW TOWN
----------------------------------- --------------------------------------
38 WINGATE AND FINCHLEY (20) 38 WINGATE AND FINCHLEY
37 37 THAMESMEAD,BRENTWOOD,ENFIELD TOWN
36 NEEDHAM MARKET (14) 36
35 MALDON AND TIPTREE (20) 35 M&T,POT BAR,HEY SWIFTS,GRAYS
34 34
33 33
32 POTTERS BAR TOWN (19) 32
-----------------------------------
31 ROMFORD (14), THAMESMEAD (18) 31
30 30
29 29 WARE, CHESHUNT
28 BRENTWOOD TOWN (17) 28
27 AFC SUDBURY (16) 27 GREAT WAKERING
26 WALTHAM ABBEY (20) 26 WALTHAM ABBEY
25 ENFIELD TOWN (16) 25
24 HARLOW TOWN (15) 24
23 HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS (16), WARE(18) 23
22 22
21 GREAT WAKERING (18) 21 REDBRIDGE
20 GRAYS ATH (15), CHESHUNT (17) 20
19 19
18 18 ILFORD
17 17
16 16 TILBURY
-----------------------------------
15 15 LEYTON
14 14
13 TILBURY (19) 13
12 ILFORD (18), REDBRIDGE (17) 12
-----------------------------------
11 11
10 10
9 LEYTON (18) 9
8 WALTHAM FOREST (20) 8 WALTHAM FOREST
OTHER MIDWEEK RYMAN NORTH FIXTURES
AFC Sudbury v Leyton
Harlow Town v Ilford
Needham Market v Ware
Romford v East Thurrock United
DID YOU KNOW???......STAT ATTACK
The announced crowd of 91 at yesterday's game against Waltham Forest was the joint lowest Enfield Town have played in front of for a Saturday league game since we were promoted from the Essex Senior League in 2005. It equalled the figure who watched the final game of the 08/09 season at Thamesmead Town on Saturday 25th April 2009.
The lowest league crowds (discounting League cups and county cups) Town have played in front have all come in midweek games apart from Saturday 27th Match 2004 when we played London APSA in front of 90 people in an Essex Senior League game.
The lowest league crowds (discounting League cups and county cups) Town have played in front have all come in midweek games apart from Saturday 27th Match 2004 when we played London APSA in front of 90 people in an Essex Senior League game.
Town's lowest league crowds since formation in 2001/02 70 - Leyton (A) - Tuesday 3rd March 2009 - Ryman League 71 - Leyton (A) - Tuesday 20th October 2009 - Ryman League 84 - Witham Town (A) - Tuesday 24th February 2009 - Ryman League 90 - London APSA (A) - Saturday 27th March 2004 - Essex Senior League 90 - Hillingdon Boro (A) - Tuesday 23rd September 2008 - Ryman League 91 - Thamesmead Town (A) - Saturday 25th April 2009 - Ryman League 91 - Waltham Forest (A) - Saturday 12th December 2010 - Ryman League 92 - Maldon and Tiptree (A) - Tuesday 5th October 2010 - Ryman League 93 - Thamesmead Town (A) - Tuesday 17th October 2009 - Ryman League 95 - Stansted (A) - Tuesday 14th October 2004 - Essex Senior League Town's top three lowest crowds inc Cup competitions since formation 49 - Hanwell Town (A) - 19/02/08 - Middx Charity Cup 61 - Southend Manor (A) - 09/10/04 - Gordon Brastead Memorial Cup 61 - W&F (A) - 01/12/09 - Championship Manager Cup Town's top three highest crowds inc Cup competitons since formation 1,004 - Darford (A) - 01/12/07 - Ryman League * only occasion we've played in front 1000+ crowd 802 - Enfield FC (H) - 15/04/06 - Southern League 771 - Lowestoft Town (A) - 13/04/10 - Ryman LeagueI have to go now as this anorak I'm wearing is very uncomfortable.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
AMAZING COME-BACK GIVES TOWN VICTORY
Above - The starting formations for both Waltham Forest and Enfield Town.
As the saying goes football is a funny old game and today's game in East London was a fantastic example of that very famous phrase. Waltham Forest were 2-0 up on 86 minutes with Town having no shots on target up until that point (more on that later??) but the final score was amazingly 2-3 after a fight back from the death took all three points for the visitors.
The pitch at Cricklefields has never been a bowling green whenever Town have played here and today was no different as the recent cold snap seemed to have taken it's toll on the surface. The game was in doubt on Friday afternoon with large amounts of water lying on the pitch but thankfully it all had disappeared overnight to give us all a game to watch even if it was on a bobbly uneven pitch not exactly conducive to the beautiful game.
Town started with a 4-3-3 formation with Walid Matata in the middle of a front three allowing Leon Osei and Adam Wallace to attack down the wings swapping from left to right during the first half. The Stags took to the field with a 4-4-2 formation and included ex Town stopper Jason Willis in goal.
The first half wasn't exactly vintage football but it was all one way traffic with Town controlling most, if not all of the play. The first chance came on 15 minutes when Leon Osei showed some good skill by controlling the ball in the area on the left hand side to put the ball across the goalmouth where Matata was very unlucky not to get his foot to ball to knock it into the net. It was then Wallace's turn to put a cross in for the advancing Dan Forward to put a shot against the post.
Above - Leon Osei shows some skill to cross from Matata
This is where 'shot on target' discussion took place... is a shot against the post a shot on target?? -The consensus was that to be on target it has to one that the keeper has to deal with so one that hits the post (however good??) is not.
Above - Dan Forward hits the post... a shot on target or not ???
Forward then was unlucky again when Matata chested down the ball to him inside the box to shoot past Willis only for the ball to rebound off the left hand post and trickle across the goal-line.
Forest were not able to muster any sort of chance during the first half and only had a few half chances off target which never troubled the Town goal. The only real chance they had was just before the break when Danny Francis got the ball on the edge of the box only for Blackburne to advance and dive at his feet before he could get a shot in.
HALF TIME - 0-0
The half-time verdict was that if Town could carry on playing as they did it'll be only a matter of time before they score and that Waltham Forest had had a poor half and looked like a team with only one win all season prior to this game. Nobody could of predicted what would happen??
Forest came out like a different side and looked the one most likely to score with Smith having a shot blocked by McKay and Taylor-Forbes getting an effort on target which was comfortably saved by Blackburne.
John Stevenson playing his first game after recently returning to Enfield Town then was rather harshly sent off for a challenge on Haywood. Stevenson won the whole ball and did make some contact with the Forest player who went down injured. The referee brandished the red card after witnessing the incident at close range.
Forest made it 1-0 shortly after when substitute Ade Cole got in behind Lee Protheroe on the left hand side and put in a cross to the far post which looped in over the unlucky Rob Blackburne. The video below could be titled -"When half decent crosses become goals??".
Above - Ade Cole scores Forest's first goal
It was then 2-0 when McKay was muscled off the ball by Brian Okwera who calmly slotted the ball under Blackburne to give the small number of loyal Forest fans and officials a dream of winning their second game of the season.
Town showed some signs of a response when Protheroe put in a great cross for substitute Liam Hope to header just wide but it was the home side using their one man advantage who looked the more dangerous.
Above - A great cross by Protheroe and unlucky for Liam Hope not to get his header on target
Marquin Smith was probably best placed to shoot but unselfishly crossed to Danny Francis who missed the chance to score.
The cold end heard Mark Kirby shouting 'COME ON EVERYONE... LETS SHOW SOME HEART' and Town certainly did that and more!!!!!.
With the score at 2-0 and with 86 minutes on the clock the betting in play for an Enfield Town win would of been at least 5000/1...All the Town fans present thought there was no chance??
Liam Hope's penalty kick made it 2-1 after Willis brought down Wallace in the area for what most people watching thought was a consolation goal.
Above - Liam Hope scores Town's penalty kick
It was 2-2 amazingly on 89 minutes when Lee Protheroe launched a free kick into the box that was headed on for Willis to jump for and only palm towards the advancing Wallace and Matata to put the ball into the net. The goal was given to Matata but from the replay I can't tell who scored it or if the two Town forwards actually got a touch on the ball.
Above - Town's 2nd goal scored by ???????????????
The game got worse for the home side as after a fair challenge from Andy Jones, Joe Ellul was stretched off with a leg injury. Ellul who had had a very accomplished game at centre back next to Des Thomas was given a warm round of applause from the travelling Town faithful.
On 96 minutes this crazy game was topped off when after some great work by Adam Wallace who slotted the ball through to Matata who calmly placed the ball past Willis to the absolute delight of the Town fans and players. There was no doubt who scored this one with Matata taking his shirt off and celebrating by taking his shirt off and running on to the athletics track. The cold end is gutted I didn't capture this goal on film - Sorry!!!
When the final whistle went the Town players celebrated a remarkable win that seemed like it was never on the cards even in the dying minutes of the game. Town had had three shots on target and scored with everyone of them to escape with all three points.
The Forest players looked understandably crest-fallen at the end of the game but can take heart from their performance in the second half for the relegation battle they face ahead of them upon their return home to Wadham Lodge in the coming weeks.
Town showed some spirit today and can hopefully build on this remarkable victory in the home game versus Romford next Saturday.
Enfield Town
Rob Blackburne, Lee Protheroe, Michael Bardle, Craig McKay, Mark Kirby, John Stevenson, Paul Marks, Dan Forward (Liam Hope), Walid Matata, Adam Wallace, Leon Osei (Andy Jones)
Subs not used - Jey Siva, Daniel Jones, Darren Bonfield
Booked - Marks, Matata
Sent Off - Stevenson
Waltham Forest
Jason Willis, Ian Walsh, Jamie Haywood, Des Thomas, Joe Ellul (Gbenga Ladega), Anthony Gradley, Ashley Taylor-Forbes (Emeka Nkemdirim), Brian Okwera, Danny Francis, Marquin Smith, Charles Simpson (Ade Cole).
Subs not used - Adan Bolle, Danny Penfold.
Booked - Willis, Walsh and Ladega.
MATCH STATISTICS -
ETFC WALTHAM FOREST
SHOTS ON TARGET 3 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET 5 2
CORNERS 6 1
GOALS 3 2
FINALLY SOME FOOTBALL............
After numerous postponements due to the freezing conditions the Ryman North division should get back to normal this afternoon with the following matches scheduled -
Brentwood Town V Ilford
East Thurrock United V Potters Bar Town
Needham Market V Leyton
Redbridge V Great Wakering Rovers
Thamesmead Town V Maldon & Tiptree
Waltham Abbey V Tilbury
Waltham Forest V Enfield Town
Wingate & Finchley V Grays Athletic
As mentioned Harlow Town and AFC Sudbury are the divisions only representatives left in the FA Trophy. The cold end sends them the best of luck in their matches versus Woking and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Town's match, which is definitely ON following an early morning pitch inspection, against Waltham Forest will be our third visit to Cricklefields this season and pits us against The Stags who are currently bottom of the table. An big incentive for the home side who are soon to return to their home at Wadham Lodge is that a win (depending on results in the games involving Leyton and Redbridge) would see them out of the relegation zone. A decent win for Town would see us rise to possibly 9th depending on other results. Following Town's poor record in the last month or so the East London side actually have a better record in the last six games winning one and drawing one whereas Town have only one draw in six.
It will be all to play for over in Ilford as 22nd plays 14th in the league.
Brentwood Town V Ilford
East Thurrock United V Potters Bar Town
Needham Market V Leyton
Redbridge V Great Wakering Rovers
Thamesmead Town V Maldon & Tiptree
Waltham Abbey V Tilbury
Waltham Forest V Enfield Town
Wingate & Finchley V Grays Athletic
As mentioned Harlow Town and AFC Sudbury are the divisions only representatives left in the FA Trophy. The cold end sends them the best of luck in their matches versus Woking and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Town's match, which is definitely ON following an early morning pitch inspection, against Waltham Forest will be our third visit to Cricklefields this season and pits us against The Stags who are currently bottom of the table. An big incentive for the home side who are soon to return to their home at Wadham Lodge is that a win (depending on results in the games involving Leyton and Redbridge) would see them out of the relegation zone. A decent win for Town would see us rise to possibly 9th depending on other results. Following Town's poor record in the last month or so the East London side actually have a better record in the last six games winning one and drawing one whereas Town have only one draw in six.
It will be all to play for over in Ilford as 22nd plays 14th in the league.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
CHAMPION HILL, REYNOLDS FIELD AND BAYLISS AVENUE - ON!!
The big freeze has claimed most of the local non-league games tonight with only games Championship Manager Cup games South of the River at Dulwich (v Romford) and Thamesmead (v Cray Wanderers) and Hanwell Town v Wembley in the Middlesex Senior Cup remaining from the Ryman Division One (North), Spartan South Midlands League and Essex Senior League fixtures that were scheduled.
 |
| Views across a frosty Bury Lane today - The spiritual home of Hertfordshire Senior County League side Codicote. Although the first team now play down the road at the Gosling Sports Stadium the reserves & other sides still play here . |
RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) MIDWEEK FIXTURES AND THE MAGIC OF THE CUP VISITS EAST LONDON
Here is the fixture list for tonight's scheduled games involving the Ryman North teams. With it being extremely frosty across Ryman North country this morning and the forecasters predicting it will struggle to get above 0c today the pitches are going to struggle to thaw out so expect many games to be called off.
Championship Manager Cup – Fourth Round
Dulwich Hamlet v Romford
Thamesmead Town v Cray Wanderers
Division One North
AFC Sudbury v Tilbury
Needham Market v Heybridge Swifts
Redbridge v Grays Athletic
Essex Senior Cup – Fourth Round
Billericay Town v East Thurrock United
Brentwood Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Hertfordshire Senior Cup – Fourth Round
Broxbourne Borough v Potters Bar Town
Cheshunt v Bishop’s Stortford
Ware v Colney Heath
Middlesex Senior Cup – Second Round
Wingate & Finchley v Hendon
The Hertfordshire Senior Cup clash between Cheshunt and Bishop's Stortford is a repeat of last season's final with Hendon (who beat Town in the last round) travelling to Wingate and Finchley in the Middlesex Senior Cup.
Elsewhere in East London Leyton Orient welcome non-league Droylesden to the Matchroom Stadium aka Brisbane Road. Since the epic 1988 games versus Enfield where the old E's won 0-1 in a 2nd replay The O's have had a up and down history in the FA Cup. Since the games against Eddie McCluskey's side they have lost to Non-League sides in 1996 (Stevenage Borough), 1997 (Hendon) and 2002 (Margate).
They have also tasted some glory reaching the third round in 00/01 when Tottenham Hotspur visited East London winning 0-1 and reached the fourth round on four occasions -
1991/92 - Portsmouth A L0-2
1998/99 - Bristol Rovers A L0-3
2001/02 - Everton A L1-4
2005/06 - Charlton Athletic L1-2
The last time the O's reached the third round was in 2008/09 when Sheffield United won 4-1 at Brisbane Road in front of 4,527.
The Bloods, currently in 7th position of the Blue Square North, have only one league win on the road so far. Their record is P 7 W 1 D 4 L 2 GF 10 GA 12. With only two defeats it indicates they are hard to beat on their travels and they have won at Ashington and Havant & Waterlooville in the cup run to get them to this stage.
skybet.com make Orient the 1/3 odds on favourites with a draw after 90 mins at 4/1 and a surprise giant killing at 8/1. Who knows with the magic of the cup it maybe the non-league side visiting Norwich City in the next round. ??
Lets hope some game beat the big freeze!!!!
Championship Manager Cup – Fourth Round
Dulwich Hamlet v Romford
Thamesmead Town v Cray Wanderers
Division One North
AFC Sudbury v Tilbury
Needham Market v Heybridge Swifts
Redbridge v Grays Athletic
Essex Senior Cup – Fourth Round
Billericay Town v East Thurrock United
Brentwood Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Hertfordshire Senior Cup – Fourth Round
Broxbourne Borough v Potters Bar Town
Cheshunt v Bishop’s Stortford
Ware v Colney Heath
Middlesex Senior Cup – Second Round
Wingate & Finchley v Hendon
The Hertfordshire Senior Cup clash between Cheshunt and Bishop's Stortford is a repeat of last season's final with Hendon (who beat Town in the last round) travelling to Wingate and Finchley in the Middlesex Senior Cup.
Elsewhere in East London Leyton Orient welcome non-league Droylesden to the Matchroom Stadium aka Brisbane Road. Since the epic 1988 games versus Enfield where the old E's won 0-1 in a 2nd replay The O's have had a up and down history in the FA Cup. Since the games against Eddie McCluskey's side they have lost to Non-League sides in 1996 (Stevenage Borough), 1997 (Hendon) and 2002 (Margate).
They have also tasted some glory reaching the third round in 00/01 when Tottenham Hotspur visited East London winning 0-1 and reached the fourth round on four occasions -
1991/92 - Portsmouth A L0-2
1998/99 - Bristol Rovers A L0-3
2001/02 - Everton A L1-4
2005/06 - Charlton Athletic L1-2
The last time the O's reached the third round was in 2008/09 when Sheffield United won 4-1 at Brisbane Road in front of 4,527.
The Bloods, currently in 7th position of the Blue Square North, have only one league win on the road so far. Their record is P 7 W 1 D 4 L 2 GF 10 GA 12. With only two defeats it indicates they are hard to beat on their travels and they have won at Ashington and Havant & Waterlooville in the cup run to get them to this stage.
skybet.com make Orient the 1/3 odds on favourites with a draw after 90 mins at 4/1 and a surprise giant killing at 8/1. Who knows with the magic of the cup it maybe the non-league side visiting Norwich City in the next round. ??
Lets hope some game beat the big freeze!!!!
Sunday, 5 December 2010
WORST AWAY RECORDS - WOLVES TOP OR BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE???
Regular readers of the cold end will know we are always looking at ways to beat the bookies by researching various random statistics looking at an angle to hopefully win some money. Here is a table, from the Premier League down to Step 2 of the non-league pyramid, of teams without a win on the road so far this season. Looking at it may help us in finding a home banker or two in the next few weeks or maybe an unexpected away win??.
PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United's revival was brought down to earth this afternoon with their defeat at Sunderland and the Hammers are still bottom of the table. Their record away from home is slightly better than fellow relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers but still makes grim reading for boss Avram Grant and supporters alike. Only four goals in eight outings (scored versus Wolves, Stoke City and two against Birmingham City) the East Londoners have a chance of improving their record in the next three games on the road. Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Newcastle United are up next for the them.
Wolves have just one draw from eight games gained in a 1-1 result in their first away game of the season at Everton. Since then the results have been 1-2, 1-3, 0-2, 0-2, 1-2, 1-2, 0-3. Their next three away games are a derby game at WBA, a Christmas week trip to Liverpool and what looks like a massive relegation six pointer against West Ham United on New Years Day.
Two more sides are without a win on the road in the Premier League. Fulham and Birmingham both have 5 draws from 8 games indicating they are tough to beat so to bet against them maybe not be the best of value gambles.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Only one side is without a win on the road in the Championship. Burnley are the Jekyll and Hyde team on the division. They are only three points away from the play-offs with their home record only bettered by table toppers QPR. The Clarets are another team tough to beat on the road with six draws in nine games with their only defeats coming narrowly at Swansea (0-1), Middlesbrough (1-2) and recently at Coventry City (0-1). They travel to Cardiff City, Barnsley and Reading in their next away games. Given the fact they have only narrowly lost those three games and their brilliant home record they should be due a win away soon, the best bet maybe to back Burnley for a draw and an away win (X2) covering two out of three outcomes to hedge your bets ??
LEAGUE ONE
No team is without a win on the road in League One
LEAGUE TWO
Accrington Stanley seem to be the away draw specialists in League Two with seven of their ten games finishing all square so far. Their three defeats have come against the current top three in Port Vale, Bury and Chesterfield. Stanley travel to Barnet, Rotherham United and Morecambe in their next away games.
It's a big game for the Bee's when Accrington visit Underhill on the 11th December 2010 as the home side are 2nd from bottom fighting for the league survival. They are the other team in the division without a win away from home with only two draws from nine games. Their goal difference is dented due to the 0-7 defeat at Crewe Alexandra earlier in the season. Mark Stimson's side travel to table toppers Port Vale (only one loss at home), Southend United and then Stevenage (one defeat at home in the league) in their next three games which all look difficult matches for Enfield FC's old rivals.
BLUE SQUARE DIVISIONS
Barrow are the only side the BSP with a win away from home but have five draws from ten games so should be due a win soon. Southport, Darlington and Gateshead are next up for them on their travels.
In the BSN Stafford Rangers have only scored two goals in seven games. They did record a win against Ilkeston Town which has now been expunged from the records due to the unfortunate demise of the Derbyshire side. The two goals have come in the last two away games agianst Vauxhall Motors and Solihull Moors so maybe a win may come soon?? They visit Guiseley (2nd place), Worcester City (15th place - probably best chance of a win) and AFC Telford (3rd place) in their next away games.
In the BSS both Boreham Wood and Thurrock have not been able to win on the road. It doesn't get easier for Ian Allinson's side with visits to Chelmsford City, St Albans City and Woking lined up in the next few weeks with Thurrock visiting Bishop's Stortford along with Chelmsford City and Woking. Hakan Hayrettin recently departed Ship Lane and has been replaced with 30 year old Greg Lincoln who has been given the job to steer the Essex side away from the relegation zone.
TEAM DIVISION P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Accrington Stanley League Two 10 0 7 3 7 15 - 8 7
Burnley Championship 9 0 6 3 9 12 - 3 6
Fulham Premier 8 0 5 3 6 9 - 3 5
Birmingham Premier 8 0 5 3 9 13 - 4 5
Barrow Blue Sq Prem 10 0 5 5 7 20 -13 5
West Ham Premier 8 0 3 5 4 15 -11 3
Thurrock Blue Sq South 7 0 2 5 7 14 - 7 2
Barnet League Two 9 0 2 7 9 23 -14 2
Boreham Wood Blue Sq South 6 0 1 5 4 14 -10 1
Stafford Rangers Blue Sq North 7 0 1 6 2 13 -11 1
Wolverhampton Premier 8 0 1 7 5 17 -12 1
PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United's revival was brought down to earth this afternoon with their defeat at Sunderland and the Hammers are still bottom of the table. Their record away from home is slightly better than fellow relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers but still makes grim reading for boss Avram Grant and supporters alike. Only four goals in eight outings (scored versus Wolves, Stoke City and two against Birmingham City) the East Londoners have a chance of improving their record in the next three games on the road. Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Newcastle United are up next for the them.
Wolves have just one draw from eight games gained in a 1-1 result in their first away game of the season at Everton. Since then the results have been 1-2, 1-3, 0-2, 0-2, 1-2, 1-2, 0-3. Their next three away games are a derby game at WBA, a Christmas week trip to Liverpool and what looks like a massive relegation six pointer against West Ham United on New Years Day.
Two more sides are without a win on the road in the Premier League. Fulham and Birmingham both have 5 draws from 8 games indicating they are tough to beat so to bet against them maybe not be the best of value gambles.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Only one side is without a win on the road in the Championship. Burnley are the Jekyll and Hyde team on the division. They are only three points away from the play-offs with their home record only bettered by table toppers QPR. The Clarets are another team tough to beat on the road with six draws in nine games with their only defeats coming narrowly at Swansea (0-1), Middlesbrough (1-2) and recently at Coventry City (0-1). They travel to Cardiff City, Barnsley and Reading in their next away games. Given the fact they have only narrowly lost those three games and their brilliant home record they should be due a win away soon, the best bet maybe to back Burnley for a draw and an away win (X2) covering two out of three outcomes to hedge your bets ??
LEAGUE ONE
No team is without a win on the road in League One
LEAGUE TWO
Accrington Stanley seem to be the away draw specialists in League Two with seven of their ten games finishing all square so far. Their three defeats have come against the current top three in Port Vale, Bury and Chesterfield. Stanley travel to Barnet, Rotherham United and Morecambe in their next away games.
It's a big game for the Bee's when Accrington visit Underhill on the 11th December 2010 as the home side are 2nd from bottom fighting for the league survival. They are the other team in the division without a win away from home with only two draws from nine games. Their goal difference is dented due to the 0-7 defeat at Crewe Alexandra earlier in the season. Mark Stimson's side travel to table toppers Port Vale (only one loss at home), Southend United and then Stevenage (one defeat at home in the league) in their next three games which all look difficult matches for Enfield FC's old rivals.
BLUE SQUARE DIVISIONS
Barrow are the only side the BSP with a win away from home but have five draws from ten games so should be due a win soon. Southport, Darlington and Gateshead are next up for them on their travels.
In the BSN Stafford Rangers have only scored two goals in seven games. They did record a win against Ilkeston Town which has now been expunged from the records due to the unfortunate demise of the Derbyshire side. The two goals have come in the last two away games agianst Vauxhall Motors and Solihull Moors so maybe a win may come soon?? They visit Guiseley (2nd place), Worcester City (15th place - probably best chance of a win) and AFC Telford (3rd place) in their next away games.
In the BSS both Boreham Wood and Thurrock have not been able to win on the road. It doesn't get easier for Ian Allinson's side with visits to Chelmsford City, St Albans City and Woking lined up in the next few weeks with Thurrock visiting Bishop's Stortford along with Chelmsford City and Woking. Hakan Hayrettin recently departed Ship Lane and has been replaced with 30 year old Greg Lincoln who has been given the job to steer the Essex side away from the relegation zone.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
CLASSIC PROGRAMMES - COCKFOSTERS V KINGSBURY TOWN - 1991
This game was the third time the two sides had met in the space of only a few weeks as they had fought out a 0-0 draw in the Middlesex Senior Cup followed by a surprise 2-0 victory for Fosters at Silver Jubilee Park on the Tuesday night prior to this Vase game. The difference between the two sides on that night was the home side's goal machine Gary Aggio who had already hit the net 21 times in the season up until this game.
Fosters, then managed by Jeff Voyce, as you can see from the league table had not had the best start to their league campaign winning only once in nine games. The win coming courtesy of a 1-0 win at home to Hanwell Town with the goal coming from that man again Gary Aggio.
In the Vase they had a better record winning against THE 61 FC (Luton) 4-1 away with Aggio getting a brace and away at Kempston Rovers 3-1 with one soon to be Enfield FC player Justin Gentle on the score-sheet. Justin's brother Dominic was also in the Cockfosters squad for this game.
 |
| The team line ups for the game |

 |
| Cockfoster's first team record up until the game from season 1991/92 |
The London Spartan League at the time had a host of familiar names as members with a local(ish) feel to it as Cheshunt, Brimsdown Rovers, Haringey Borough, Cockfosters, Southgate Athletic, Barkingside and Waltham Abbey were all competing in the Premier Division. At the time Fosters also had a reserve team in the Middlesex County League Division One and an 'A' team in the Mid-Herts League.
The programme cost a £1 which also included admission. Great value for money for 19 pages of original material.
 |
| The London Spartan League table as of 2nd November 1991. |
Town's near neighbours have only qualified for this stage of the Vase on one further occasion since in 2007/08 season when Southend Manor, Sporting Bengal and Bedfont Green were defeated only for Romford to win 3-1 in the 2nd round. They have entered the competition since 1986/87.
Kingsbury Town became Kingsbury London Tigers after a merger in 2006. Their last game in the Vase as Kingsbury Town came at Crown Meadow in Lowestoft when the home side recorded a 2-0 victory in a third round tie. Town had a lean spell in the competition from 1993/94 through to 2000/01 when only one win was recorded against Rayners Lane. They had three good runs to the third round after this in 2001/02, 04/05 and the above 05/06 season.
Cockfosters currently play in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One (step 6) and Kingsbury London Tigers play in the SSML Premier Division (step 5) which although different leagues are the same level they were playing at in 1991.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)