The Cold End

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (SOUTH) - THE RACE FOR THE TITLE & PLAY-OFFS

2012-02-12T22:03:00.000Z

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (SOUTH) - CURRENT TABLE (TOP NINE ONLY) 

                         P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  PTS 
1. BOGNOR REGIS TOWN     28 19 7  2  70  22 +48  64
---------------------------------------------------
2. WHITEHAWK             28 19 4  5  53  21 +32  58*    *3 pts deducted 
3. DULWICH HAMLET        26 17 5  4  50  17 +33  56
4. MAIDSTONE UNITED      29 17 4  8  50  30 +20  55
5. FOLKESTONE INVICTA    28 16 6  6  57  37 +20  54
---------------------------------------------------
6. WORTHING              28 15 8  5  55  28 +27  53 
7. CHIPSTEAD             27 13 7  7  45  30 +15  46
8. HYTHE TOWN            28 13 5  10 47  48 - 1  44
9. GODALMING TOWN        25 12 6  7  38  35 + 3  42

In the Ryman Division One (South) it's looking good for Bognor Regis Town to banish the memories of losing the league title by one goal on the last day of the season. They are six points ahead of Whitehawk who have had three points deducted. Bognor have recently sold their star player Jason Prior to League Two AFC Wimbledon so will have to do without the striker's goals in the title run in.

The Rocks nearest challengers look to be Dulwich Hamlet (who beat them in the play-off Semi-Final last season) who, if they win their two games in hand, will be within just two points off the South Coast club.

Bognor have already played Dulwich Hamlet and Whitehawk twice in the league with their final four league games scheduled to be away at Worthing, home versus Whyteleafe and Walton & Hersham and away at Maidstone United.

Realistically, in the race for the play-offs, it looks as if it's the team's placed from ninth place upwards who can finish in the top 5. Tenth placed Ramsgate are currently fifteen points adrift of fifth place which could go down to twelve points if they win their game in hand but it's alot to make up over the remaining 15 games. It could be done but I would say The Rams would need to lose a maximum of 2 of those 15 games which is a tough ask for a side who have lost 10 in their 27 games so far. The cold end also thinks Hythe Town have already lost too many games (10 in 28) to finish in the top five.

If Godalming Town win their three games in hand over fifth placed Folkestone Invicta they would go just three points below the play-off zone. They will need to start scoring a few more goals as they are the lowest scorers in the current top nine by 9 goals to Hythe Town. The below list shows there are some really good matches coming up over the next few weeks.

FORTHCOMING KEY FIXTURES

Saturday 18th February
DULWICH HAMLET v MAIDSTONE UNITED
3rd v 4th clash that's bound to attract a good crowd at Champion Hill. A must win game for Hamlet to keep in touch with Bognor Regis who play mid-table Walton Casuals at home.

Tuesday 21st February
GODALMING TOWN V DULWICH HAMLET
Another must win game for Hamlet which is equally important for the home side to win to push up towards the play-offs.

Saturday 25th February
GODALMING TOWN V BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
Neil Baker and Jon Underwood's side face a second title challenger at home within five days.

Saturday 3rd March
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN V FOLKESTONE INVICTA
DULWICH HAMLET V WORTHING
Two important matches - Title challengers v play-off contenders

HYTHE TOWN V WHITEHAWK
Another match featuring two of the potential final top five

WEATHER WIPES OUT TWO RYMAN NORTH WEEKENDS

2012-02-12T21:18:00.000Z

The big freeze has wiped out two successive Ryman North weekends with the last league game played back on Tuesday 31st January 2012 when Redbridge recorded a 3-0 win over Tilbury in front of 68 people at Oakside.

Hopefully with the weather showing some signs of improvement the games scheduled for next Saturday can go ahead with no problems. Enfield Town are due to face Heybridge Swifts at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium with table topper's Leiston travelling to Dan Trenkel's Great Wakering Rovers side. Hopefully Trenks can do the Town a favour and get something from the game in their fight to keep out of the bottom two.

FIXTURES DUE FOR SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2012

BRENTWOOD TOWN V WALTHAM FOREST
CHATHAM TOWN V AFC SUDBURY
ENFIELD TOWN V HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS V LEISTON
HARLOW TOWN V CHESHUNT
ILFORD V WALTHAM ABBEY
MALDON AND TIPTREE V REDBRIDGE
ROMFORD V POTTERS BAR TOWN
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS V WARE
THAMESMEAD TOWN V GRAYS ATHLETIC
TILBURY V NEEDHAM MARKET

The forecast for next Thursday is for temperatures of 9 degrees so fingers crossed all the snow should disappear before the weekend.

BALDOCK TOWN BEAT THE BIG FREEZE!

2012-02-12T13:09:00.002Z

The snow covered terrace yesterday afteroon

Away from the many organised ground hopping games that areplayed each year yesterday’s Hertfordshire Senior County game at Norton Roadbetween table topping Baldock Town and Standon & Puckeridge may well layclaim to being the most hopped game ever.

With no games on in the local area due to the snow andsevere weather there was a large crowd of neutrals at the ground that has a 3G artificial pitch.

Baldock Town are having their best season since the clubwere ‘re-formed’ out of the ashes of the old Baldock Town in 2003. The new clubwere simply called Baldock from 2003 to 2006 and then Baldock Town. Going in to the game they were top of thetable by six points above their nearest challengers Metropolitan Police (Bushey)with third placed Codicote (who have played 3 more games) way back by a marginof 13 points.

Town had a record of 18 wins from their 21 games with onlyone defeat coming at home against Sandridge Rovers on Saturday 29^thOctober.

S&P were in eighth position on 8 wins from 23 games withtheir last game being a 3-5 home defeat to Chipperfield Corinthians. They have been involved in some amazing gamesthis season with a 4-8 defeat to Bedmond Sports & Social in the Aubery Cupand a 5-5 league draw at Met Police Bushey standing out.

Some of the snow that had been previously removed off of the 3G pitch

The two teams had met twice before in the league (Baldockwon 2-3) and in the Anagram Records Trophy (Baldock won 5-0) and it was anotherdefeat for Standon yesterday.
Most of the people present made the excellent decision of sitting in thefar stand at the ground which has an unobstructed view from the cage around thepitch and also an added bonus of the sun warming them up in the sub zerotempretures. It was reported that it was -3 at midday in Baldock Town centre.

Baldock’s front pairing of Kane Dougherty and Louis Taylorwere impressive all afternoon against a Standon backline which worked hard anddidn’t really deserve to be on the back of a 5-1 defeat. Both have played at ahigher level in the Spartan South Midlands League with Stotfold with Taylorleading the league’s scoring charts on 29 goals prior to yesterday afternoon’sgame.

Standon’s goal wasarguably the best of the game coming inthe second half when a mazy run was finished off from the edge of the box witha outside of the boot strike into the top corner. Baldock may argue their fifth was the bestwhich was a chip from outside of the box also into the corner of the net. Bothgoals were fantastic high quality finishes.

Hopefully some of the money generated from the bumper crowdyesterday will help Baldock raise some of the £2,160 needed to get their pitchinspected and passed for possible promotion (if they finish in the correctposition in the league) to the Spartan South Midlands League for the 2012/13season. If the club do get promotion it’ll be brilliant to see the Hertfordshire town’s name represented further up thenon-league pyramid towards where the old club left in 2001.

Yesterday’s goal haul was the seventh time in twenty sixleague and cup matches Baldock have scored five+ goals this season

Baldock travel to Metropolitan Police Bushey on Saturday 7^thApril which is looking like the title decider in the Premier Division.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW
(minus Baldock's 2nd goal which wasn't captured on camera. They are worth a watch for Standon's goal from 4mins 17secs and Baldock's fifth goal from 5mins 55secs)

Finally a note for my lovely sister-in-law (she's married to a Manchester United fan but it doesn't make her all bad!) who works with Baldock's Kane Dougherty - I tried and failed to get the word Smorgasboard into the match report.

COLD CONDITIONS CONTINUE

2012-02-09T11:57:00.000Z

The cold snap continues at present with the midweek local games all wiped out. The temperatures are due to increase with Saturday's forecast for Soham (where Town are due to travel) showing a maximum of 2 and a minimum of -4 degrees with the Sun apparently making a welcome appearance for some of the day.

Snow is still lying on the ground in the local area so it's looking like another weekend with lots of postponements due. The adverse conditions do make for some picturesque images of the grounds to be taken. Below are pictures taken today of Herns Way the home of Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Welwyn Garden City with a few of Gosling Park where Premier Division One Hatfield Town and Hertfordshire Senior County League side Codicote play.

HERNS WAY

GOSLING PARK

FREEZING CONDITIONS IN COLD END COUNTRY

2012-02-03T10:03:00.002Z

Will it take a stud??? Frozen Pitches across the local area

The sharp frost overnight and freezing conditions continuing into the weekend are bound to put a dent in the football fixture list across the country let alone Essex, Hertfordshire and London where it's probably quite warm compared to those further North.

The temperature in Enfield tomorrow is predicted to go as high as 2c and as low as -2c. The Sun will be out though so hopefully this may burn away the frost and Enfield Town's game versus Chatham Town will go ahead.

Wherever you're going to see football or whatever your doing the cold end recommends you wrap up warm...it's all about layers in this weather. Three pairs of socks at football always works for me.

There was a game at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium last night where Enfield Town U18s beat visiting Ashford Town (Middx) U18s 4-0 with all the goals coming in the second half. The match was the semi-final of The Jeff Ritson Cup so the U18s now qualify for the final where they face Harefield United U18s. This is superb news for the club so well done and congratulations to all those involved.

If the game against Chatham Town does get the green light they come to the Donkey Dome with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats in their last six league games scoring 9 and letting in 11. On the road they have lost at Romford (2-1), Brentwood Town (3-0), Harlow Town (3-0) and Thamesmead Town (2-0) in their last four away trips. Their last away victory came in the 0-1 at Needham Marker on 10th December so they are capable of playing well and springing a surprise on the Town.

Chatham Town - Due to visit the QE STAD tomorrow afternoon

CLASSIC PROGRAMMES/FORGOTTEN FOOTBALL - HILLINGDON BOROUGH V GLOUCESTER CITY - 1969

2012-02-02T12:40:00.004Z

On Saturday 29th November 1969 Hillingdon Borough welcomed Gloucester City to their Leas Stadium in Falling Lane, Yiewsley for a Southern League Premier Division game. Borough were in the process of a great season and were at the time in second place with six games in hand and only one point behind Hereford United in first place. The reason for the games in hand was due to Hillingdon's amazing FA Cup run to the second round which, as the programme advertises, they would face Football League side Luton Town on Saturday 6th December.

HILLINGDON BOROUGH'S ELEVEN GAME CUP RUN 1969/70 

1st QR TOOTING AND MITCHAM D 0-0  1553 
Replay Tooting and Mitcham W 2-1  1254 
2nd QR BROMLEY             W 4-1  1552 
3rd QR Tilbury             W 2-1 1800 
4th QR DARTFORD            D 1-1 3292 
Replay Dartford            D 0-0 4193 
Replay Dartford            W 4-1 4431 
1st Rd WIMBLEDON           W 2-0 3845 
2nd Rd LUTON TOWN          W 2-1 -
3rd Rd SUTTON UNITED       D 0-0 - 
Replay Sutton United       L 1-4 -

At that time The Southern League along was considered the strongest of the non-league's in the South of England and this can be illustrated by the fact that three teams in the division in 1969 were elected to joine the football league during the 1970's. At the end of the season featured here 1969/70 Cambridge United replaced Bradford Park Avenue who had finished rock-bottom of Division Four. In 1972 Hereford United replaced Barrow who had finished 3rd from bottom of the Fourth Division with Stockport County and Crewe Alexandra below them and perhaps, most famously, Wimbledon replaced Workington in 1977.

The programme welcomes the visitors who were in the Premier Division for the 1969/70 season after finishing in 3rd place in the Southern League First Division.

The notes continue with a small report on Borough's victory over fellow Southern League Wimbledon in the FA Cup - 'doesn't that result look great fans, I don't know whether you felt the same as I did looking at this match, but if Dicky and the lads were able to hold the Dons against the wind in the first half, then it was our match and through to the second round'. Bill Carter and Seth Vafiadis scored the all important goals in the game.

Borough's fixtures show that they played in the Premier Midweek Floodlight League alongside the Southern League Premier Division. Interestingly the notes detail the recent away game at Chesham United - 'The Chairman and Board of Directors of Hillingdon Boro' FC would like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr Tommy Barnard, Chairman of Uxbridge FC for helping us by using his side to play the above match for us and in particular doing so well'. It looks as if due to the fixture pile-up Borough were getting their neighbours, then of the Athenian League Division Two, helped out by playing the game.

Borough's crowds at the time were brilliant. In their seven Southern League home games they were averaging 1601 people and this figure increased for the cup games.

Cambridge United went on to win the league title by one point to Yeovil Town and as stated gain entry to the football league. Hillingdon Borough finished in sixth position.

In the FA Cup they recorded a famous victory over The Hatters (whom at the time were members of the Third Division) and went on to face another non-league side in the Third Round. Sutton United came to The Leas Stadium and drew 0-0 and won the replay at Gander Green Lane 4-1. Isthmian League Sutton went on to lose 0-6 at home to Division One giant's Leeds United.

This was Hillingdon Borough's most successful period (they had finished 2nd in the league in 1968/69) and under the player/managership of ex QPR and Fulham player Jimmy Langley they reached the final of the FA Trophy in 1971. They were 0-2 in front at half-time but Telford United scored three times in the second half to lift the Trophy. Langley had started his career in non-league football playing for Yiewsley (the original name of Hillingdon Borough) , Hounslow Town, Uxbridge, Hayes and Guildford City before joining football league side Leeds United in 1952 going to joing Brighton and HA, Fulham (where he made 356 appearances and scored 33 goals) and QPR. He also gained thee England caps against Scotland, Portugal and Yugoslavia in the late 50's.

Sadly Jimmy, who also managed Dulwich Hamlet in 1977, passed away in 2007 when aged 78.

After the glory of the late 60's and early 70's the club were relegated at the end of the 1973/74 season and spent one year in Division One. They then finished 12th, 15th, 15th, 14th in 1979/80 whereby they were relegated to Division One (South) finishing 7th, 13th. 19th. 5th and 7th and 4th place in 1984/85 when for one season the 'Borough' was dropped from the name and they were simply known at Hillingdon. They were managed in 1976 and 1977 by Barry Fry who had moved from Dunstable Town. There was still some glory whilst Fry was boss with a victory over Torquay United in the FA Cup first round before defeat to Watford at home in the Second Round. They also reached the first round of the cup in 1978 when a trip to the Vetch Field to face Swansea City resulted in a 4-1 defeat.

The team line ups including the player/manager for Hillingdon Borough football legend Ernest James 'Jimmy' Langley

Following financial problems and reduced crowds the club merged with 1984/85 London Spartan League Champions Burnham FC to form 'Burnham and Hillingdon FC' and continued to play in the Southern League Division One South. The "new" club continued for two seasons but it was not enough to save the Hillingdon name from disappearing when in 1987 the name reverted back to Burnham.

After a gap almost four years in the wilderness Hillingdon Borough FC were effectively re-formed in 1990 when officials of the local Chiltonean League side, Bromley Park Rangers, took over the Ruislip FC ground at Breakspear Road and together with four of the former Hillingdon Borough directors, formed the new club - Hillingdon Borough (1990) FC.

The club has since purchased and redeveloped the site now named the The Middlesex Stadium.

The 2006 FA Vase final was reached after an 11 game run they were beaten by Nantwich Town at St Andrews

HILLINGDON BOROUGH'S FA VASE RUN 2005/06
2Q     Littlehampton Town        1-1
REPLAY LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN        3-1
1r     Erith & Belvedere         5-1
2r     Rye & Iden United         2-2
REPLAY RYE & IDEN UNITED         1-0
3r     BIDEFORD                  2-1
4r     BROOK HOUSE               2-0
5r     MILDENHALL TOWN           4-0 
Q/F    SQUIRES GATE              2-0
SF(1)  Bury Town                 1-1
SF(2)  BURY TOWN                 2-1    

F     NANTWICH TOWN              1-3

More glory was to come in 2007/08 when members of the Southern League Divison One (South and West) they lifted the Errea Southern League Cup beating Clevedon in the final by a score of 3-1.

These days Hillingdon Borough play at Step 5 of the non-league pyramid in the Spartan South Midlands League following relegation from The Ryman League Division One (North) at the end of the 2008/09 season. Since then they have finished in 18th place (of 22) and 16th place (of 23). This season they have improved and are currently in 8th position.

Their average crowd for league games this season is 43 which is down somewhat on the four figure averages the original club used to get in the glory days of the 1960's and 1970's.

MIDDLESEX CHARITY CUP - UPDATE

2012-02-02T09:59:00.000Z

Those who braved the ice cold freezing conditions on Tuesday night at North Greenford United were rewarded with a good 2-4 win by Enfield Town courtesy of a hat-trick by Daniel Ailey and a late goal from Walid Matata.

The victory moves Town in the Quarter Finals of the Help for Heroes Senior Charity Cup and a trip to EvoStik Southern League Division One (Central) side Ashford Town. They beat Wealdstone in the Second Round way back in September with the winner's facing Hellenic Division One (East) side Rayners Lane in the semi-final. Lane have already booked their place in the last four as they beat Hanworth Villa on penalty kicks on Tuesday night following a 0-0 draw.

The full line up for the quarter and semi-finals are as follows -

QUARTER FINALS 

ASHFORD TOWN V ENFIELD TOWN 
UXBRIDGE     V BEDFONT TOWN 
NORTHWOOD    V HAREFIELD UNITED 
HANWORTH VILLA 0 RAYNERS LANE 0 - Lane won on PK's 

SEMI FINALS 

NORTHWOOD OR HAREFIELD UNITED V UXBRIDGE OR BEDFONT TOWN 
ENFIELD TOWN OR ASHFORD TOWN  V RAYNERS LANE

ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY - UPDATE

2012-02-01T12:55:00.002Z

The Anagram Records Trophy aka The Capital Counties Feeder Leagues Trophy is now at the Quarter Final stage.

QUARTER FINALS
BALDOCK TOWN v FRENFORD SENIOR
SARRATT V MK WANDERERS
LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY V METROPOLITAN POLICE BUSHEY
RISBOROUGH RANGERS V MANFORD WAY

Last season's winners Letchworth GC are still in with a chance of retaining the Trophy along with fellow Hertfordshire Senior County League side's Sarratt, Baldock Town and Met Police Bushey.

The Spartan South Midlands League is represented by MK Wanderers and Risborough Rangers whilst the Essex Olympian League makes up the other two teams with Frenford Senior and Manford Way.

The tie of the Quarter Finals (all scheduled to be played on Saturday 3rd March) comes at Norton Way where Baldock Town welcome Frenford Senior.

Town are top of the Hertfordshire Senior County League and have only lost one out of their nineteen league games so far with Frenford Senior currently second in the EOFL Premier Division table losing only one of their twelve league games so far. Frenford have two games in hand over current table toppers Kelvedon Hatch and are only one point behind. A great game is expected between two title chasing sides. Frenford beat last season's finalist's Aston Clinton (4-2) in the previous round.

If Letchworth do want to keep their hands on the Trophy they will have to beat Met Police Bushey which is something they haven't done in the team's three meetings so far this season. In the league games Bushey have won 4-2 and the other was a 2-2 draw. They have also met in the Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy which the police won 4-1 AET.

The Trophy, for local teams at Step 6 and below who aren't able to entre the FA Vase, has some fantastic games year after year. None more so than Tring Athletic's 5-6 victory at Middlesex County Leauge side FC Deportivo Galicia in the first round this season.

A BIT OF HISTORY FROM 1954

2012-02-01T12:33:00.001Z

The Friends of Clapton FC have dug up a nice bit of history from the archives which is a marvellous piece of artwork by famous cartoonist Harold Gittins which featured in the 'The Evening News' following Clapton's famous 1-0 victory over Enfield FC in the 1954/55 FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. Clatpton went on to lose against Barnet in the 3rd Qualifying Round.

The Cartoon celebrates The E's losing their ten match unbeaten record and being chased out of the FA Cup at Ye Olde Spotted Dog by Clapton's Left Back Harry Beckett.

The Cold End thinks more match reports should feature cartoons as this is an absolutely brilliant piece of nostalgia and history.

THE FRIENDS OF CLAPTON FC

2012-01-30T20:23:00.000Z

The Cold End enjoyed visiting Clapton FC at The Old Spotted Dog Ground back in October and has now been made aware of a new website and group named 'The Friends of Clapton FC' who aim to help keep the historic club alive and help secure it's future.

Many non-league clubs and grounds in the East London area have been lost over the past few decades with Woodford Town, Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow Avenue sadly gone. As such, as The Friends of Clapton FC website states, The Old Spotted Dog is one of the last traditional bastions of football in the East London.

The Friends of Clapton FC also have a facebook page which you can see here

The Old Spotted Dog ground has been the home of Clapton FC since 1888 and is only a short distance away from the Olympic Park and Stadium. Hopefully, The Friends of Clapton FC can help the club move forward in the Essex Senior League.

Clapton FC forthcoming fixtures at The Old Spotted Dog -

Saturday 11th February - Basildon United
Saturday 25th February - Barkingside
Saturday 10th March - Barking
Saturday 24th March - Burnham Ramblers
Saturday 7th April - Eton Manor

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) UPDATE

2012-01-30T11:28:00.000Z

TWO/THREE HORSE RACE OR TOO EARLY TO SAY??

Enfield Town recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday with table toppers Leiston gaining a highly impressive 0-3 win at Harlow Town. Third placed Needham Market won in some style by crushing Cheshunt 7-0 at Bloomfields. There is now a gap of twelve points between Leiston and Harlow Town in fourth position. The Hawks could narrow this to nine points if they win their game in hand. Most of the play-off chasing teams all had weekends to forget with Grays Athletic losing to Maldon and Tiptree, Tilbury drawing 2-2 at Waltham Abbey, AFC Sudbury losing at home to Waltham Forest and Brentwood Town going down 4-0 at Heybridge Swifts.

Many people are now saying the race for the title is now only a three or possibly a two horse race. The Cold End, being an Enfield Town fan, is firmly in the 'too early to say' camp as there are still fourteen games (42 points on offer) to be played by the the top three teams.

RYMAN DIVISON ONE (NORTH) CURRENT TABLE - TOP EIGHT ONLY 
                   P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  PTS   
1. LEISTON         28 18 6  4  63  28 +35  60 
---------------------------------------------
2. ENFIELD TOWN    28 17 7  4  62  33 +29  58 
3. NEEDHAM MARKET  28 15 6  7  76  34 +42  51 
4. HARLOW TOWN     27 14 6  7  44  27 +17  48 
5. GRAYS ATHLETIC  28 15 5  8  50  29 +21  47*  
---------------------------------------------
6. TILBURY         27 13 8  6  49  44 + 5  47 
7. BRENTWOOD TOWN  28 13 6  9  39  24 +15  45 
8. AFC SUDBURY     28 13 6  9  40  40   0  45 
* denotes three points deducted

There is one midweek fixture on Wednesday when Ilford entertain Romford in important game for The Foxes who are botSaturday 10th March 2012 tom of the table.

KEY FIXTURES COMING UP

Saturday 11th February 2012
GRAYS ATHLETIC V NEEDHAM MARKET
With two wins in their last six games it looks at though the best Hakan Hayrettin's side can hope for now is a play-off spot? The Cold End thinks the Essex side are more than capable of putting a run together to move up the table and this is a must win game for both sides.

Saturday 3rd March 2012
BRENTWOOD TOWN V LEISTON
The blues are strong at home and this is a tough trip for Leiston. Although many people said this about their visit to Harlow Town on Saturday.

Saturday 10th March 2012
NEEDHAM MARKET V HARLOW TOWN
A fixture which both sides will need to win to keep their play off and possibly title challenge on track.

Saturday 31st March 2012
ENFIELD TOWN V HARLOW TOWN
Could be a huge fixture with a large crowd watching at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

In April Enfield Town have to travel to Needham Market and welcome Leiston to The QE on the penultimate weekend of the season. Needham Market also travel to Leiston in what is shaping up to be the pivotal month in the race for the title.

WATERLOGGINGS GALORE

2012-01-24T21:57:00.001Z

Many of local games were called off tonight due to the rain that had been falling for most of last night and throughout the morning causing most pitches to become waterlogged.

Some Spartan South Midlands League games survived but both Ryman Division One (North) at Ware and Waltham Abbey games were postponed.

The pitch at Wodson Park earlier today.

FA VASE UPDATE

2012-01-23T20:46:00.001Z

The games in the fourth round of the FA Vase were played on Saturday with three games going to replays scheduled for next Saturday. Wisbech Town make the long trip north to Dunston UTS, Gresley go South to Three Bridges and Billingham Synthonia go to Runcorn Town after their matches ended all square over the weekend.

Both Royston Town (lost 2-1 at Bournemouth) and Ampthill Town (lost 2-1 at Oadby Town) went out ending the Spartan South Midlands League interest in the competition.

The Essex Senior League is represented by just one club in Bethnal Green United after Enfield 1893 FC went down 1-0 at Shortwood United. United will face an away tie to the winners of the Dunston UTS v Wisbech Town replay.

Full Fifth Round Draw (due to be played on the 11th February) 

Tividale                             v Peterbrough Northern Star 
Shortwood United                     v Ashington 
Staveley MW                          v Oadby Town 
Billingham Synthonia or Runcorn Town v Bournemouth 
Wisbech Town or Dunston UTS          v Bethnal Green United 
Whitley Bay                          v West Auckland Town 
St Ives Town                         v Gresley or Three Bridges 
Herne Bay                            v Larkhall Athletic

There are some really good games due to take place with the STL Northern League well represented (possibly five teams subject to replay results) where the tie between top of the table and Vase giant's Whitley Bay and third placed West Auckland Town will attract a good crowd to Hillheads Park. Some superb highlights of Bay's 5-0 victory over Combined Countie's League South Park can be found here courtesy of the excellent WBFCTV. Highlights of the Newcastle Benfield v Herne Bay game can also be found here courtesy of the also excellent "Northern League Football Premiership Passion". West Auckland have played Bay twice so far this season and won both games. Town won 4-2 in the League Cup at their Darlington Road ground on the 20th September and 1-2 on the 25th October in the league at Hillheads Park. The crowd in the league game was 488 on a midweek game which will be easily more than doubled for the cup tie. There is a dress rehearsal the week before the 11th February (when the Fifth Round ties take place) on the 4th February when Darlington Road hosts Whitley Bay in an important league match.

Only one Step Six side are left in the competition with every other team coming from Step Five in the pyramid. Oadby Town play in the East Midland Counties League

TEAMS LEFT IN THE COMPETITION BY LEAGUE 

Chromasports United Counties League Premier Division
ST IVES TOWN               - 4th place
PETERBOROUGH NORTHERN STAR - 6th place 

Baker Joiner Midland Alliance
#GRESLEY - 3rd place 
TIVIDALE - 11th Place 

UHLSport Hellenic League Premier Division 
SHORTWOOD UNITED - 3rd place 

STL Northern League Division One 
WHITLEY BAY           - 1st place 
WEST AUCKLAND TOWN    - 3rd place 
#DUNSTON UTS          - 6th place
ASHINGTON             - 8th place 
#BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA - 10th place 

BARIS Northern Counties East League Premier Division 
STAVELEY MW - 4th place 

East Midland Counties League 
OADBY TOWN - 4th place*

North West Counties League Premier Division 
#RUNCORN TOWN - 4th place

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division
BOURNEMOUTH - 9th place 

Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Premier Division
#WISBECH TOWN - 8th place 

Essex Senior League 
BETHNAL GREEN UNITED - 5th place 

Sussex County League Division One 
#THREE BRIDGES - 5th place 

Kent Hurlimann League Premier Division 
HERNE BAY - 1st place 

Toolstation Western League Premier Division 
LARKHALL ATHLETIC - 3rd place 

# denotes subject to replay.
* denotes lowest ranked team left in the competition.

RACE FOR THE TITLE AND PLAY OFFS UPDATE

2012-01-22T20:40:00.000Z

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - CURRENT TABLE (TOP NINE ONLY)
  

                   P  W  D L  GF GA  GD PTS  P W D L GF GA GD PTS 
1. LEISTON         27 17 6 4  60 28 +32 57   6 4 2 0 13  6 + 7 14
------------------------------------------
2. ENFIELD TOWN    27 16 7 4  60 32 +28 55   6 3 2 1 12  4 + 8 11   
3. NEEDHAM MARKET  27 14 6 7  69 34 +35 48   6 1 1 4 11 16 - 5  4 
4. HARLOW TOWN     26 14 6 6  44 24 +20 48   6 5 0 1 14  3 +11 15 
5. GRAYS ATHLETIC  26 15 4 7  50 28 +22 47*  6 2 1 3  6  8 - 2  7
------------------------------------------
6. TILBURY         26 13 7 6  47 42 + 5 46   6 4 0 2 11 10 + 1 12 
7. BRENTWOOD TOWN  27 13 6 8  39 20 +19 45   6 4 1 1  7  2 + 5 13
8. AFC SUDBURY     27 13 6 8  39 38 + 1 45   6 2 1 3  9 12 - 3  7     
9. POTTERS BAR     27 12 5 10 46 49 - 3 41   6 3 1 2 12  8 + 4 10
* denotes deducted three points

NEXT THREE GAMES 

LEISTON         Harlow Town            WALTHAM FOREST   Thamesmead Town 
ENFIELD TOWN    GREAT WAKERING ROVERS  CHATHAM TOWN     Soham Town Rangers   
NEEDHAM MARKET  CHESHUNT               WALTHAM ABBEY    Grays Athletic  
HARLOW TOWN     LEISTON                Heybridge Swifts REDBRIDGE  
GRAYS ATHLETIC  WALTHAM FOREST         MALDON & TIPTREE Potters Bar Town   
TILBURY         Waltham Abbey          Redbridge        Soham Town Rangers  
BRENTWOOD TOWN  Heybridge Swifts       Great Wakering   ROMFORD  
AFC SUDBURY     WALTHAM FOREST         WARE             Waltham Abbey     
POTTERS BAR     Chatham Town           GRAYS ATHLETIC   Waltham Forest

There's no doubt the game of the day next Saturday takes place at Barrows Farm where in-form Harlow Town welcome table-topper's Leiston. If the Hawks (currently in fourth place) can win this game and their game in hand they could play themselves back into the title race. Of the other sides there is only bottom of the table Ware and third from bottom Great Wakering Rovers that have a last six games playing record that is worse than currently third placed Needham Market. Grays Athletic have only scored six times in their last six games and they will clearly be gutted that after going 1-0 up in their local derby it ended up in a 2-1 defeat against Tilbury yesterday (highlights here courtesy of YOUR THURROCK). The Dockers along with Brentwood Town look the best placed sides to push into the play-off zone. AFC Sudbury, if they can improve their form, will also look to move up the table.

The cold end thinks that Potters Bar Town have lost too many games (10) so far to qualify for the play-offs. As this website has stated in the past since the formation of the new Ryman Division One (North) no side has qualified for the play-offs losing more than 11 games. This would mean The Scholars can only afford to lose one more game in their remaining 15 games. Every season is different so I'm here to be proved incorrect.

Twelth placed Redbridge (lost 8 of their 24 games) could make a push towards the play-offs but they need to win their three games in hand (as well as their other games) which would put them on similar records as AFC Sudbury and Brentwood Town

There are some games this midweek when Waltham Abbey welcome Soham Town Rangers to Capershotts and Ware face Great Wakering Rovers in a relegation six pointer at Wodson Park on Tuesday night. Grays Athletic will look to put Saturday's disappointment behind them when they welcome Waltham Forest on Wednesday night.

NINE MEN TOWN EARN A WELL DESERVED POINT

2012-01-22T19:12:00.001Z

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE. TOWN FANS GATHER ON THE POTTERS BAR KOP ON THE 5th DECEMBER 2009 (ABOVE) & YESTERDAY (21st JANUARY 2012)

The game at Potters Bar Town yesterday will be remembered for all the wrong reasons but also the heroic performance from the nine men of Enfield Town in the second half.

Both Walid Matata and Mark Kirby were given straight red cards just prior to half time as what had been a largely uneventful game boiled over between the two local rivals.

The cold end had my four year old boy with me yesterday so juggling the camera and keeping an eye on him was difficult to say the least. Therefore, their is only a ultra-small highlights package for you to view.

Walid's red card came after a foul was given against him when The Scholar's right back Ashley Harrison Barker grabbed his shirt. Potters Bar's midfielder Josh Urquhart then went to clear the ball and caught Walid with the kick. Walid's reaction was to raise his hand and cuff him in the face. (see the video for the replay as this was the only real piece of action I got all afternoon). Urquhart fell to the floor and it then appeared Rob Magwood and Walid went face-to-face/head-to-head with other players pushing and shoving. Walid was red-carded and Magwood received a yellow card for his part in the incident. What is interesting is that looking at the replay it appears the referee didn't see the initial incident and it was only after consultation with his assistant who presumably saw Walid raise his hand that the red card was given. In all his games for Enfield Town I've never seen Walid react like this and he is clearly not this sort of player or person. It looks as though it was a rush of blood/moment of madness from Walid.

In the cold end's opinion it was after this controversial incident that some of the Enfield Town fans present (only a small percentage) really let themselves down and tarnished the good name of the club by shouting and swearing abuse at the referee, who had relied on his assistant seeing the incident to give the red card, was now being called all sorts. As I have stated before I accept (whether it's right or wrong?) that swearing is part of the game from Premier League down to our grassroots level but some people crossed the line yesterday and in my humble opinion this behaviour was wrong.

I didn't agree with some of the decisions the officials made throughout the 90 minutes (what football fan does??) but I also don't agree with the verbal abuse of the officials either. Banter is good...over the top effing and blinding is not!! It does our football club no favours whatsoever. Thankfully, this doesn't happen all the time.

To make matter's worse for the 10 men of town Mark Kirby was red carded just prior to the break when apparently after receiving some verbal abuse from a member of the crowd he reacted and gave some back.

The second half was a fantastic performance from Enfield Town with Michael Bardle and Craig McKay coming on for Liam Hope and Jey Siva - In spells Town really did look like the better side even with only nine men. Adam Wallace was the lone man up front and absolutely ran his socks off in a man of the match performance of heroic proportions.

The cold end was impressed by Potters Bar's big centre back Bradley Fraser who had a very decent game. Fraser came through the youth system at Boreham Wood and has also played for Ryman Premier Hendon. He looks a very good player who is strong in the air and also confident on the ball.

Here is the footage from the game featuring Liam Hope's chance in the first half and Walid's sending off. Unfortunately I pressed stop before I could capture the aftermath of the incident.

A NARROW WIN FOR BALDOCK TOWN AT GOLDSDOWN ROAD

2012-01-20T21:06:00.001Z

The Cold End paid a visit to Goldsdown Road on Wednesday night to see the Hertfordshire Senior County Premier Division game between Goffs Oak (in seventh place prior to this game) and Baldock Town for whom a win would of put them top of the table in this game.

Goffs Oak are spending their first season in the Premier Division (Step 7) of the Hertfordshire Senior County League and are having a good season with Baldock losing only one game up until their seventeen league games. They and Met Policy Bushey are involved in a straight fight for the title with Baldock still having two games in hand over their rivals after this game.

The squad list as per programme

You’ll see from the pictures and footage that Goldsdown Road has changed since The Town moved out over the summer. Enfield 1893 FC have built a new main stand and extended the terracing on the far side.

The ground is also now home to Akincilar FC who are top of the Turkish Community Football Federation Ezel Division One. They play on Sunday’s alongside such teams as Iskele, Koture and Pekunspor amongst others.

Goffs Oak were unlucky not to get anything from the game but it was Baldock who narrowly collected the three points with a 0-1 win courtesy of an own goal.

Goffs had two good shouts for penalty kicks at the end of the first half (from 2mins on the video) and in particular right at the end of the game (from 4mins 25secs)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

THE MOTORMEN OUT-FOXED IN LOCAL DERBY

2012-01-20T20:02:00.000Z

GLOWACKI RETURNS TO OAKSIDE TO HAUNT HIS FORMER SIDE

MATCH PLAYED ON TUESDAY 17th JANUARY 2012

Many football games across the Capital and surrounding counties were called off on Tuesday due to the ice cold conditions that had kept pitches frozen throughout the day but the supporters of Redbridge and Ilford and those who attended the game at Oakside were lucky as the referee, Mr C O’Donnell, passed the surface as safe and playable.

As I entered the ground, at around 7.20pm, the prospects of the game kicking off didn’t look good as a white sprinkling of frost lay on top of the pitch with the surface looking rock solid in parts. As it stands it was the correct decision to play the game as this must be one of the only winter evening games I have ever seen where the temperature actually rose during the game. It was still cold though!!

Both Ilford and Redbridge’s grounds fall within The London Borough of Redbridge with only a few miles separating Cricklefield Stadium in Seven Kings and Oakside in Barkingside so this really was a true local derby. Some fans on Twitter nicknamed it the ‘169 derby’ after the London Bus which runs from Ilford to Barkingside.

The game was a decent one with Redbridge in control for the majority of the first half but unable to convert a number of good chances up until the 43^rd minute when they took the lead from the penalty spot via Ben Bradbury. Robb Budd, in the Ilford goal, made two highly impressive saves to keep his side in the game.

The second half was totally different as Ilford were much the better side belying their status at the bottom of the Ryman Division One (North) table. Both goals the foxes scored were very good. Rob Carter glanced home a cross from the left hand side following a defence splitting pass from midfielder Jan Skonieski. Former Redbridge player Jonathan Glowacki then came back to haunt his old club as he scored the second goal to crown a fantastic come back from Ilford. Glowacki, who had been with The Motormen prior to Christmas, struck with a looping chip from outside of the penalty area.

The win puts Ilford on 11 points just 3 away from twentieth placed Great Wakering Rovers who they travel to tomorrow in a massive relegation six pointer game.

LINE UPS 

REDBRIDGE          ILFORD 

JOE WRIGHT      1  ROBB BUDD
JAMIE HAYWOOD   2  RICHARD SIMPSON
VINCENT DURRANT 3  RAFFAEL KAPHDORIS
MATTHEW TURPIN  4  OBENGA SONOGA
GLEN GOLBY      5  FARAI HALLAM
DANIEL HOPKINS  6  JAN SKONIESKI 
BEN BRADBURY    7  DANIEL ABIOYE
MICHAEL TONER   8  JONATHAN GLOWACKI  
JOE GARDNER     9  ROB CARTER
RYAN WADE       10 DANNY GABRIEL 
NATHAN GORDON   11 STEPHEN OPOKA 

SUBS 
RYAN MURRAY (ON FOR 12)  12 JOSH JARVIS (ON FOR 10)
                         14 GARRETT QUINN (ON FOR 4)
STUART HEPBURN           15
LEWIS DARK (ON FOR 6)    16 LOUI HAZLEWOOD (ON FOR 7)
MITCHELL DAS (ON FOR 10) 17

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

APOLOGIES FOR THE LACK OF ACTION ON THE COLD END

2012-01-20T00:11:00.000Z

The Cold End is sorry for the lack of match action this week on the website but can confirm that highlights of Redbridge v Ilford from the Ryman Division One (North) on Tuesday and Goffs Oak v Baldock Town in the Hertfordshire Senior County League on Wednesday are in the process of being edited and should hopefully be on line tomorrow night.

There unfortunately hasn't been enough hours in the day for me of late.

NOEL IMBER SAVES THE DAY

2012-01-15T23:51:00.000Z

Goalkeeper Noel Imber was the hero for Enfield Town yesterday as he pulled off a number of excellent saves including one from the penalty spot against a very well organised Brentwood Town side who were unlucky not to get anything from the game.

Not that Enfield Town weren’t impressive as every player worked their socks off to get the all important three points. As well as Imber it was the back four of Lee Allen (making his first start since Tuesday 6^th December), Mark Kirby, Dave Kendall and Jey Siva who all worked tremendously hard and put in sterling performances.

Imber’s penalty save came after Kendall was red-carded in the second half for tugging back Brentwood’s powerful and pacey centre forward Jose Espinoza when he was through on goal. I only just got the incident on camera but it looked like the right decision was made if you look at it from a neutral prospective.

Town’s 1-0 victory keeps them top of the league and although it wasn’t the champagne football the Town fans had witnessed at Romford last week the result will probably please Steve Newing more due to the determined nature of every player on the pitch. The substitutes Leon Osei, Craig McKay and Michael Ewang also played their part with Osei carrying out some much required skill and trickery to keep the ball in the corner away from the Brentwood goal towards the end of the game.

The Cold End has to say Brentwood Town were one of the best sides I’ve seen in the league this season and I expect to see them going for a play-off spot at the business end of the season. What was good is that both sides played the game the right way passing the ball around and only going long-ball on rare occasions.

Tyler Campbell, who multi-switched from left to right midfield with Robbie Rees, impressed with the experience of Darren Blewitt at the back along with Elliott Justham in goal (who has recently had a trial at Championship side Reading) showing why Brentwood have the best defensive record in the league so far.

Ask the average man or woman on the street what do they think of when Brentwood is mentioned and a good percentage of people will probably mention some of the stars “The Only Way Is Essex” and the “The Sugar Hut” nightclub. Steve Witherspoon will be hoping The Blues will also put the Town on the map for footballing reasons over the next few months going towards the end of the season and the race for the play-offs.

One other talking point from the game came just before half time when Rudi Hall went in for a tackle on Ryan Doyle. With the much publicised tackles and subsequent issuing/non issuing of red cards in Manchester City’s televised FA Cup and League Cup of late it was interesting to see what the referee would do. Rudi’s studs were up but if you look at the replay it was only ever the ball he was going to win and although some of the Brentwood player’s thought it was two footed you can clearly see Rudi only goes in with one foot. A few years ago it would have been a perfectly timed and well executed tackle but these days you never know what will happen?? The referee issued Rudi with a booking. Have a look at the footage from 4mins and make your decision as to whether it was correct or not?

TEAM LINE UPS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FOUR RYMAN LEAGUE TEAMS GOING FOR GLORY IN THE FA TROPHY

2012-01-13T20:15:00.000Z

Four teams fly the flag for the Ryman League in the FA Trophy tomorrow afternoon. All are from the Premier Division with two teams at home and two teams on the road. East Thurrock United welcome Blue Square South Hampton and Richmond to Rookery Hill with AFC Hornchurch and Carshalton Athletic travelling to Blue Square Premier sides Grimsby Town and Lincoln City. The tie which captures the imagination for many people is at The St George's Stadium where 1985 winner's Wealdstone facing 1990 and 2010 winner's Barrow AFC.

Could there be a shock in store?? The Stones have only lost one out of seventeen games in league and cup competition since the beginning of November with Barrow (currently 11th place in the Blue Square Premier) only winning three out of their 14 league games away from home to date. These wins were at Darlington, Ebbsfleet United and Bath City who are all teams struggling in the wrong half of the table.

Watford player Britt Assombalonga, who impressed against Enfield Town in the Middlesex Senior Cup in early December, has scored eight times for The Stones during his loan spell and should start tomorrow.

SKY BET make the BSP team favourites at 5/6 but Wealdstone at 12/5 looks good value odds for The Stones. The draw is rated as 5/2.

Top of the table AFC Hornchurch make the trip to in-form Grimsby Town with Carshalton Athletic travelling to a Lincoln City side hovering above the BSP relegation zone. Unsurprisingly both sides are rated as outsiders with The Urchins at 11/2 and The Robins at 5/1. Both sides supporters are bound to have days they won't forget for a long while and with nothing to lose a upset could be on the cards??? A draw for either would be a brilliant result.

East Thurrock United are 13/8 to beat Hampton and Richmond (6/5) at Rookery Hill.

THE COLD END WISHES ALL FOUR TEAMS THE BEST OF LUCK AND HOPES THE RYMAN FLAG IS STILL FLYING IN THE COMPETITION AT 5PM!

THE COLD END LOCAL GAMES OF THE WEEKEND

2012-01-12T21:52:00.001Z

Eagle eye cold end readers will have noticed the mistake I made in last weekend's Hertfordshire Senior County League "game of the weekend" actually takes place on Saturday so we'll stick with the Metropolitan Police Bushey v Cuffley match again as below.

Hertfordshire Senior County League
Premier Division
Metropolitan Police (Bushey) v Cuffley

Thirteenth placed Cuffley make the trip to top of the table Met Police on the back of three league defeats against Wormley Rovers, Hinton and Codicote. The two sides met in the Anagram Records Trophy on Saturday 19th November which ended 1-1 and went to penalty kicks which the Met won 3-2. The league game between the two on the 3rd September was a close one too which Cuffley lost 1-2 at the King George V Playing Fields. Can Cuffley inflict the first defeat on the table toppers?? The Police need to keep winning with Baldock Town in 2nd place with games in hand.

Spartan South Midlands League
Division Two
Bletchley Town v MK Wanderers

As usual, their are plenty of good games in the SSML this weekend but the cold end is going for a local derby clash in Division Two between 9th placed (of 14) Bletchley Town and MK Wanderers (14th). The Wanderers are without a win in seven league games but only narrowly lost to THE 61 FC (Luton) in their last game on the 17th December. Last season's derby games drew crowds of 39 at MK Wanderers when Bletchley won 2-3 and 35 in the return game which The Gladiators won 7-0. On form Bletchley should win this game but in local derby games anything could happen??

Essex Senior League
Sporting Bengal United v Bethnal Green United

More local derby action in the ESL as the two team's who currently share The Mile End Stadium face each other for the third time this season. Bethnal Green have won both games so far - in the league 2-1 and in the last round of the FA Vase by 5-2. SBU had a great result last weekend by drawing 0-0 at Enfield 1893 and Bethnal Green won narrowly 2-1 against another local team, Clapton, on Wednesday night.

Middlesex Senior County League
Premier Divsion
Interwood v Southall

Runaway leader's Interwood welcome 4th placed Southall. Since the two clubs met on Saturday 1st October, when Interwood won 2-3, Southall have won five games and drawn one. Interwood have won seven and lost one. Their defeat, against FC Romania (0-1) on Saturday 17th December, was their first loss of the season. Definitely an excellent game in prospect where East plays West London at Wadham Lodge.

FIVE STAR PERFORMANCE FROM TOWN AT ROMFORD

2012-01-07T21:23:00.000Z

No highlights tonight as unfortunately the cold end couldn't make it to the Romford game but can report it was an excellent performance from the Town who won 0-5. Jon Moore, Rudi Hall (pen), Neil Johnston, Walid Matata all scored for the Town along with an Own Goal.
This was the first time Romford have conceded five goals in a home league game since Saturday 29th March 2008 when Barkingside won 2-5 in an Essex Senior League game.

Today's Ryman Division One (North) Results 
BRENTWOOD TOWN        3 CHATHAM TOWN 0
CHESHUNT              0 GRAYS ATHLETIC 1
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 0 WALTHAM ABBEY 2 
LEISTON               1 WARE 1 
MALDON AND TIPTREE    1 THAMESMEAD TOWN 0
POTTERS BAR TOWN      5 AFC SUDBURY 1 
REDBRIDGE             3 NEEDHAM MARKET 2 
ROMFORD               0 ENFIELD TOWN 5 
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS    1 HARLOW TOWN 3 
TILBURY               4 ILFORD 1 
WALTHAM FOREST        0 HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS 2

Ware's surprise 1-1 draw at Leiston means Town are back on top of the league. Ryan Mattos's late strike for Ware gained only their third point away from Wodson Park this season. Potters Bar Town got their second good result of the week when they put five past AFC Sudbury and they seem to be hitting a bit of form which Steve Newing and the team will be well aware of and prepared for when Town travel to The South Mimms Travel Stadium on Saturday 21st January. Tilbury replace AFC Sudbury in the play-off zone who are followed closely by Brentwood Town (who visit the QE STAD next Saturday) and Harlow Town.

Ryman Division One (North) Current Table - Top Nine Only 
                  P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  PTS                NEXT GAME      
1. ENFIELD TOWN   25 15 6  4  59  32 +27  51                 BRENTWOOD TOWN (H) - SAT  
--------------------------------------------
2. LEISTON        24 15 5  4  52  23 +29  50                 AFC Sudbury (a)    - SAT 
3. GRAYS ATHLETIC 24 15 4  5  49  24 +25  46* 3pts deducted  REDBRIDGE (H)      - WED
4. NEEDHAM MARKET 25 13 5  7  63  31 +32  44                 MALDON & TIP (H)   - SAT                
5. TILBURY        24 12 7  5  45  38 + 7  43                 Harlow Town (a)    - SAT 
--------------------------------------------
6. BRENTWOOD TOWN 25 12 6  7  38  19 +19  42                 Enfield Town (a)   - SAT  
7. HARLOW TOWN    25 12 6  6  40  24 +16  42                 TILBURY (H)        - SAT
8. AFC SUDBURY    25 12 6  7  33  34 - 1  42                 LEISTON (H)        - SAT 
9. HEYBRIDGE SWI  25 11 5  9  43  37 + 6  38                 POTTERS BAR (H)    - SAT

Some great games coming up next Saturday with Enfield Town v Brentwood Town, AFC Sudbury v Leiston and a real play-off six pointer at Barrows Farm when Tilbury go to Harlow Town.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) SATURDAY PREVIEW

2012-01-06T22:38:00.000Z

Ryman Division One (North) Fixtures for Saturday 7th January 2012 

BRENTWOOD TOWN        V CHATHAM TOWN 
CHESHUNT              V GRAYS ATHLETIC 
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS V WALTHAM ABBEY 
LEISTON               V WARE 
MALDON AND TIPTREE    V THAMESMEAD TOWN 
POTTERS BAR TOWN      V AFC SUDBURY 
REDBRIDGE             V NEEDHAM MARKET 
ROMFORD               V ENFIELD TOWN 
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS    V HARLOW TOWN 
TILBURY               V ILFORD 
WALTHAM FOREST        V HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS

Enfield Town travel to play Romford tomorrow afternoon in a fixture that the home side won 2-0 last season. The Boro had a great 1-2 win at Grays Athletic on Boxing Day but since have lost at Redbridge (0-3) and then at home to Thamesmead Town (0-1). They have a good record at home having played 12 league games at Mill Field so far only losing twice to Thamesmead Town (as above) and Leiston (1-2 on 23/10/11) so it's another tough game for the Town.

At the top of the table Leiston host 2nd bottom Ware who will be in good spirits following their second victory of the season at home to Cheshunt on Bank Holiday Monday. Needham Market have a tough looking trip to Redbridge who if they play as well as they did against Town in the first half on Monday could give the Marketmen a good game. Grays Athletic go to Cheshunt with AFC Sudbury visiting Potters Bar Town.

THE COLD END LOCAL GAMES OF THE WEEKEND

2012-01-06T19:14:00.000Z

Welcome to a new feature on the cold end called 'local games of the weekend'. Here, the cold end will take you away from the Ryman League and list you the games of the day in the four leagues at Step 5 and below in the local area close to Enfield. They are The Spartan South Midlands League, Essex Senior League, Hertfordshire Senior County League and the Middlesex County League

Here are this Saturday's cold end games of the day -

Metropolitan Police (Bushey) v Cuffley
Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division

Thirteenth placed Cuffley make the trip to top of the table Met Police on the back of three league defeats against Wormley Rovers, Hinton and Codicote. The two sides met in the Anagram Records Trophy on Saturday 19th November which ended 1-1 and went to penalty kicks which the Met won 3-2. The league game between the two on the 3rd September was a close one too which Cuffley lost 1-2 at the King George V Playing Fields. Can Cuffley inflict the first defeat on the table toppers?? The Police need to keep winning with Baldock Town in 2nd place with games in hand.

Royston Town v Leverstock Green
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

Top of the table versus fifth place at Garden Walk. The Crows, after a blip of two defeats to AFC Dunstable and Stotfold, have got back to winning ways in their last three games. Biggleswade United were thrashed 7-0 on Bank Holiday Monday. Levvy made a great start to the season but the wheels have fallen off somewhat over the last few months with seven defeats in their last thirteen games. The table toppers should win this game but Levvy are a dangerous side so could spring a surprise.

St Johns DFC v Kilburn
Middlesex County League Division One

St Johns Deaf FC, who have only played eight league games so far, welcome current leader's Kilburn FC to The Walker Ground in Southgate. The home side are currently on 16 points from 8 games with Kilburn on 28 points from 11 games so this is a very important game for both clubs. The two sides met on Saturday 17th September where Kilburn won what sounds like a classic encounter 5-4. That game was played in the shadow of the National Stadium at The Ark Academy in Wembley where Kilburn currently play their home games.

Sawbridgeworth Town v Southend Manor
Essex Senior League

Prior to the ESL's Christmas break Sawbo loss 3-2 at Southend's Southchurch Park which was their first defeat in eight games where their form read WWWWWWDL during which time they scored 25 goals. In their first 10 league games Sawbo only won once in the 3-6 victory at Clapton. Manor need to keep winning to maintain their title challenge alongside Witham Town and Enfield 1893 FC. Manor go to Goldsdown Road on Tuesday night to play 1893 who face mid-table Sporting Bengal United tomorrow afternoon. The midweek game is certainly one of the most anticipated games of the ESL season so far.

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - CURRENT TABLE - TOP THREE ONLY 
                    P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  PTS  
1. WITHAM TOWN      18 13 4  1  54  15 +39  43 
2. SOUTHEND MANOR   17 13 3  1  44  19 +25  42 
3. ENFIELD 1893 FC  16 12 3  1  34  12 +22  39

The above table shows how close the battle for the title in the ESL is and how important Tuesday's 1893 v Southend Manor game will be.

THE NEXT LEISTON, NEEDHAM MARKET OR LOWESTOFT TOWN??

2012-01-06T00:02:00.000Z

Ridgeons Eastern Counties Football League Premier Division Current Table - Top Four Only                                        

                      HOME              AWAY             TOTAL 
                      P  W  D L GF GA   P  W D L GF GA   P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS  
1. WROXHAM            13 10 2 1 38  9   11 8 1 2 25  8   24 18 3 3 63 17 +46 57     
2. BRANTHAM ATHLETIC  12 7  1 4 23 20   11 8 1 2 33 11   23 15 2 6 56 31 +25 47  
3. ELY CITY           12 10 2 0 29 15   10 4 3 3 20 20   22 14 5 3 49 35 +14 47 
4. WISBECH TOWN       19 6  0 4 20 12   12 8 1 3 32 22   22 14 1 7 52 34 +18 45

Wroxham appear to be running away with the Eastern Counties League being ten points above their nearest challengers Brantham Athletic and Ely City. However, Should Ely win their two games in hand they would only be four points off the top with The Yachtsmen due to visit Ely's Unwin Ground on Saturday 4th February.

Brantham Athletic have within their ranks the current top scorer in the league in Ollie Mann on 19 goals in 22 games. Mann was scouted by several league clubs and the club rejected offers in excess of £10,000 from clubs higher up the non-league pyramid at the end of last season. Brantham moved back up to the ECL in 2008 after being relegated to the Suffolk and Ipswich League in 1995. Their best finish in the ECL came in the 1982/83 season when they finished 4th.

Wroxham dominated the league in the 1990's winning the title on no less than six occasions and once again in 2007. Their three league defeats so far came against Brantham Athletic, Gorleston and most recently on the 2nd January at Walsham-Le-Willows.

Ely City won their first game of the season but followed this up with two defeats at Dereham Town and Haverhill Rovers. Norwich United inflicted their third defeat by a score of 2-0 on Saturday 3rd December. They face Walsham-Le-Willows this Saturday who caused one of the surprise results of the season when beating Wroxham detailed above.

So, as it stands, it looks to be a straight race between Ely City and Wroxham but a slip up could allow Brantham Athletic or even fourth placed Wisbech Town in. Wisbech were beaten by Ely on Boxing Day and then went down to Wroxham on Saturday 31st December. Although the seven games that Wisbech have lost so far may discount them from the title race as only Lowestoft Town in 2005/06 lost more than 7 games and won the league. They lost eight out of their 42 games.

It remains to be announced what teams will apply for promotion to step 4 subject to ground grading etc.

HELP SAVE THE BLOATERS!

2012-01-05T11:02:00.000Z

Back in October The Cold End visited the Norfolk coastal town of Great Yarmouth and the wonderful Wellesley Recreation Ground where the Town's football side have played since being formed in the 1890's.

The Bloaters have been struggling both on and off the field this season and subsequently find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division.

A club Extraordinary General Meeting takes place next Tuesday where various proposals are to be discussed. You can read about these here in the pinkun.

A fund raising campaign has been set up by loyal supporter Rich Davison entitled 'HELP SAVE THE BLOATERS' which you can read about here on the 'save the bloaters' website. You can also follow him on twitter @SaveTheBloaters

If you are reading this and you can help the historic club in anyway please contact Rich via his Twitter account.

With only one win in their twenty-five league games so far The Bloaters had a good 2-2 draw in the local derby game on Boxing Day with Gorleston where a good crowd of 342 turned out at The Wellesley. Things took another dip on the 31st December when visiting Woodbridge Town recorded a 1-8 victory before another defeat at nearby Kirkley and Pakefield (0-2).

The Bloaters are next in action on Saturday when they welcome Wivenhoe Town to the Seaside before Stanway Rovers come to town on Saturday 14th January. They then make the trip to CRC on Saturday 21st January.

NEW YEAR LEAGUE TABLE-FEST - THE RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND PLAY OFFS!!

2012-01-04T19:44:00.000Z

With the New Year of 2012 now into it's fourth day the cold end though it would be good to look at Enfield Town's Ryman Division One (North) table in detail to see who's in with a shout of the title or play-offs and what teams are looking at the security of mid-table mediocrity. Firstly, we need to look at the records of the previous season's champions and fifth placed sides which is the last place for sides to qualify for the play-offs for those not in the know. The records go back to 2006/07 when the Ryman Division One (North) was created.

CHAMPIONS 
                            P  W  D L    GF  GA  GD PTS    WIN%  LOSS% PPG  
2006/07 AFC HORNCHURCH      42 32 7 3    96  27 +69 103    76.19  7.14 2.45
2007/08 DARTFORD            42 27 8 7    107 42 +65 89     64.29 16.67 2.12
2008/09 AVELEY              42 29 9 4    81  40 +41 96     69.04  9.53 2.29
2009/10 LOWESTOFT TOWN      42 32 5 5    115 37 +78 101    76.19 11.90 2.40
2010/11 EAST THURROCK UTD   40 30 5 5    92  38 +54 85     75.00 12.50 2.38
AVERAGE -                           4.75*           97.25* 72.14 11.55 2.33 
* denotes based on 42 game seasons from 2006 to 2010.  

FIFTH PLACE                
                            P  W  D  L    GF  GA  GD PTS    WIN%  LOSS% PPG 
2006/07 AFC SUDBURY         42 19 13 10   67  41 +26 70     45.24 23.81 1.67 
2007/08 CANVEY ISLAND       42 23 10 9    82  39 +43 79     54.76 21.43 1.88 
2008/09 CONCORD RANGERS     42 23 10 9    83  34 +49 79     54.76 21.43 1.88 
2009/10 EAST THURROCK UTD   42 23 8  11   102 59 +43 72     54.76 26.19 1.71 
2010/11 BRENTWOOD TOWN      40 20 9  11   75  55 +20 69     50.00 27.50 1.73
AVERAGE -                            9.75*           75*    51.90 24.07 1.77 
* denotes based on 42 games seasons from 2006 to 2010

I have based the average losses and points totals on the 42 game seasons so not to confuse things. Only forty league games were played last season due to the demise of Leyton. Looking at the statistics it looks as if to be champions teams must aim for losing no more than 5 games and for a total of around 98 points. The average total points is somewhat inflated with the impressive hauls of AFC Hornchurch and Lowestoft Town. It comes down to 90 points based on East Thurrock United, Dartford and Aveley's totals.

NO TEAM WITH TWELVE OR MORE DEFEATS HAS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAY-OFFS SINCE THE RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) WAS FORMED IN 2006/07

To qualify for the play offs teams should aim for no more than 10 defeats with a points total of 75. It's a fact that teams with twelve or more defeats haven't qualified for the play-offs since 2006/07. Five teams (25%) have qualified with 11 defeats (Maldon Town and Enfield Town 2006/07, East Thurrock United 2009/10 and Harlow Town & Brentwood Town 2010/11). Each season is different but on those figures teams such as current thirteenth placed Chatham Town (on 11 defeats so far) can't afford to lose another game all season should they wish to make a late run to qualify for the play-offs.

RYMAN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (NORTH) CURRENT TABLE
Featuring win%, loss% and points per game
                     P  W  WIN%  L  LOSS%  PTS  P.P.G  VERDICT
1. LEISTON           23 15 65.22 4  17.39  49   2.13   TITLE CHALLENGERS   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. ENFIELD TOWN      24 14 58.33 4  16.67  48   2.00   TITLE CHALLENGERS
3. NEEDHAM MARKET    24 13 54.16 6  25.00  44   1.83   TITLE CHALLENGERS
4. GRAYS ATHLETIC*   23 14 60.87 5  21.74  43   1.87   TITLE CHALLENGERS  
5. AFC SUDBURY       24 12 50.00 6  25.00  42   1.75   COULD CRASH THE TITLE RACE?? 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. TILBURY           23 11 47.83 5  21.74  40   1.74   PLAY OFF CONTENDERS
7. BRENTWOOD TOWN    24 11 45.83 7  29.17  39   1.63   CAN ONLY AFFORD A FEW MORE DEFEATS
8. HARLOW TOWN       23 11 47.83 6  26.09  39   1.70   NEED A RUN OF WINS - PLAY OFF CONTENDERS 
9. HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS  24 10 41.67 9  37.50  35   1.46   LOST 9 GAMES ALREADY - DIFFICULT TO REACH PLAY OFFS
10.THAMESMEAD TOWN   22 10 45.45 7  31.82  35   1.59   NEED TO WIN THEIR 2 GAMES IN HAND
11.POTTERS BAR TOWN  24 10 41.67 10 41.67  34   1.42   10 DEFEATS - MID TABLE FINISH
12.WALTHAM ABBEY     23 10 43.48 10 43.48  33   1.43   10 DEFEATS - MID TABLE FINISH
13.CHATHAM TOWN      24 10 41.67 11 45.83  33   1.38   11 DEFEATS - MID TABLE FINISH    
14.ROMFORD           23  8 34.78 7  30.43  32   1.39   DRAWN TOO MANY GAMES 
15.REDBRIDGE         20  8 40.00 7  35.00  29   1.45   LOST 7 OF 20 (35%) - NEED TO GO ON A WINNING RUN   
16.WALTHAM FOREST    22  7 31.82 10 45.45  26   1.18   FALLEN AWAY AFTER A GOOD START 
17.MALDON & TIPTREE  22  6 27.27 11 50.00  23   1.04   LOST TOO MANY GAMES 
18.SOHAM TOWN RANG   24  5 22.73 11 45.83  23   0.96   LOST TOO MANY GAMES 
19.CHESHUNT          24  5 20.82 11 45.83  23   0.96   LOST TOO MANY GAMES  
20.GREAT WAKERING    21  3 12.50 16 76.19  14   0.67   WORST LOST % IN THE TABLE - WILL IMPROVE WITH NEW MANAGER  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.WARE              24  2  8.33 17 58.33  11   0.46   MONDAY'S WIN PUTS THEM IN TOUCH WITH GWR
22.ILFORD            22  1  4.55 16 72.72   8   0.36   TRADITIONALLY IMPROVE IN NEW YEAR - NEED BIG PUSH TO FINISH 20th OR ABOVE  

RED denotes best figures 
* denotes Grays Athletic deducted 3 points - they would be on 2.00 p.p.g

Looking at the above table it looks as if the eventual title winners will come from the top four or maybe AFC Sudbury. Grays Athletic's three point deduction could be highly important in a bad way for Hakan Hayrettin's side at the end of the season. Needham's drop in form since the injury to their talismanic striker Sam Newson could mean they end up in the play offs and not first place - the cold end says discount them at your peril!

Of the teams looking at gate crashing the top five Tilbury, Brentwood Town and Harlow Town look in the best position. Heybridge Swifts have lost 9 games (37.50%) which will mean they can only really afford to lose a maximum of 2 or at a push 3 matches in their remaining eighteen games. Not impossible but a tough ask. Behind the Swifts are Thamesmead Town who, if they win their game(s) in hand over the teams above them, could make a run for the play-offs.

THE TOP FIVE TABLE 
games between the current top five 
                    HOME           AWAY           TOTAL 
                    P W D L GF GA  P W D L GF GA  P W D L GF GA GD PTS MAX  WIN%  P.P.G 
1. LEISTON          3 1 2 0  5  4  2 1 0 1  5  1  5 2 2 1 10  5 +5   8 (15) 40.00 1.60
2. ENFIELD TOWN     2 1 1 0  4  3  2 1 0 1  3  3  4 2 1 1  7  6 +4   7 (12) 50.00 1.75 
3. NEEDHAM MARKET   3 2 0 1  4  7  2 0 1 1  2  3  5 2 1 2  6 10 -4   7 (15) 40.00 1.40
4. GRAYS ATHELTIC   2 2 0 0  5  0  3 0 1 2  4  6  5 2 1 2  9  6 +3   4*(15) 40.00 0.80 1.40*
5. AFC SUDBURY      2 1 0 1  2  2  3 0 1 2  2  7  5 1 1 3  4  9 -5   4 (15) 20.00 0.80

RED denotes best figures

To win the title you have to have good results against the other teams up the top of the league and although Leiston top this table with eight points it's Town who currently have the best record with 7 points from 12 on offer with a 50% win ratio and a p.p.g of 1.75. Town have four games left against the current top five with the other sides all on three left. The remaining games between the title challengers could be pivotal as to who finishes top.

GAMES LEFT BETWEEN THE CURRENT TOP FIVE 

                LEISTON        ENFIELD TOWN    NEEDHAM MARKET  GRAYS ATHLETIC  AFC SUDBURY 
Sat 14th Jan    AFC Sudbury    -               -               -               LEISTON 
Sat 11th Feb    -              -               Grays Athletic  NEEDHAM MARKET  -
Sat 3rd  Mar    -              AFC SUDBURY     -               -               Enfield Town
Sat 31st Mar    -              -               -               AFC Sudbury     Grays Athletic 
Sat 7th  Apr    -              NEEDHAM MARKET  Enfield Town    -               -
Mon 9th  Apr    NEEDHAM MARKET -               Leiston         -               - 
Sat 21st Apr    ENFIELD TOWN   LEISTON         -               -               -
Sat 28th Apr    -              Grays Athletic  -               ENFIELD TOWN    -

Enfield Town's final six games are as tough as they come as we face Harlow Town, Waltham Abbey and Leiston at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium along with trips to Needham Market, Cheshunt and on the final day of the season to Grays Athletic.

TOP FIVE SCORING TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE 
                    gls   pos
1. NEEDHAM MARKET   61    3rd
2. ENFIELD TOWN     54    2nd
3. WALTHAM ABBEY    52    12th 
4. LEISTON          51    1st 
5. GRAYS ATHLETIC   48    4th

TOP FIVE DEFENCES IN THE LEAGUE
                  let in pos 
1. BRENTWOOD TOWN 19     7th 
2. LEISTON        22     1st 
3. HARLOW TOWN    23     8th
4. GRAYS ATHLETIC 24     4th
5. NEEDHAM MARKET 28     3rd 

TOP FIVE WORST SCORING TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE 
                         gls  pos
1. WARE                  18  21st 
2. ILFORD                19  22nd 
3. CHESHUNT              22  19th 
4. GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 26  20th 
5= AFC SUDBURY           32  5th
5= CHATHAM TOWN          32  13th 
5= MALDON AND TIPTREE    32  17th
5= SOHAM TOWN            32  18th

TOP FIVE WORST DEFENCES IN THE LEAGUE
                         let in   pos  
1. GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 62       20th 
2. WALTHAM ABBEY         49       12th
3= POTTERS BAR TOWN      48       11th
3= SOHAM TOWN RANGERS    48       18th
3= WARE                  48       21st

Its no surprise to see bottom side's Ilford and Ware as the worst scoring teams in the table currently on 18 and 19 goals respectively. Waltham Abbey makes an appearance in the worst defence and best attackers table scoring 52 goals but letting in 49.

One thing that is certain is that the title run in over the next few months is going to be a very exciting one with up to five teams involved. There is some impressive football being played not just in the Ryman League but in all the non league divisions across the country. I highly recommend a visit to your local club. Great value for money.

MODUS HOPPER RANDOM VISITS THE DONKEY-DOME

2012-01-04T11:56:00.000Z

One of the best ground hopping blogs on the Internet made a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Stadium for Monday's game with Redbridge. To read the excellent Graham Yapp's verdict on "MODUS HOPPER RANDOM" click on the link here. The website is always a very interesting read to see where he ends up each week. Highly recommended by The Cold End.
The footage taken by MHR shows that Leon Osei scored the third goal.

TOWN BACK TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST THE MOTORMEN

2012-01-03T21:37:00.001Z

Enfield Town kicked off 2012 with a good 3-0 victory over a Redbridge side that were unlucky not to score in the first half at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium yesterday. Town took an early lead through Jon Moore (which I missed on camera) but from then on it was the visiting Motormen who were the better side in first period.

They created a number of good chances with the ball drifting across Town’s goal-line with no players quick enough to get on the end of the crosses. Their number 9 Joe Gardner (formerly of Great Wakering Rovers and Brentwood Town) worked really hard and was full of running up front. Redbridge played 4-4-2 but noticeably changed to 4-2-4 when their keeper Joe Wright had the ball kicking it up-field quickly with Nathan Gordon and Ben Bradbury pushing further up on the wings.

How close The Motormen got to a goal in the first half??

They also have within their ranks the Ryman League’s answer to Rory Delap in Billy Sendall who was playing at centre-back yesterday. Sendall’s dangerous long throws were well dealt with by a combination of Mark Kirby, Dave Kendall and Noel Imber. I’m not sure if Sendall was injured as in the second half he stopped taking the throws.

To use a well worn football cliché this was a game of two halves as Town were much the better side in the second 45 minutes. Midfielder Neil Johnston put in another stand-out performance and scored Town’s second goal after being set-up by a piece of unselfish play by Liam Hope. Jey Siva at left-back also played well defending against a pacey Nathan Gordon and then bringing the ball forward.

Town rounded off the game with a third goal scored via Leon Osei or Liam Hope???? Did Osei ‘s free kick from the right hand side corner go straight in or was it just faintly touched by Liam?? (See the video from 6mins 10secs)Liam has told the cold end he is happy to give it to Leon so he doesn’t end up with more red cards than goals this season.

LINE UPS 

ENFIELD TOWN          REDBRIDGE 
WHITE SHIRTS          RED SHIRTS
4-3-3                 4-4-2/4-2-4

NOEL IMBER       1    JOE WRIGHT
JORDAN LOCKIE    2    WILLIAM SENDALL
JEY SIVA         3    VINCENT DURRANT
DAVE KENDALL     4    MATTHEW TURPIN
MARK KIRBY       5    JAMIE HAYWOOD 
RUDI HALL        6    DANIEL HOPKINS
ADAM WALLACE     7    BEN BRADBURY
NEIL JOHNSTON    8    MICHAEL TONER
LIAM HOPE        9    JOE GARDNER
JON MOORE        10   RYAN WADE
WALID MATATA     11   NATHAN GORDON

SUBS
CRAIG McKAY           CRAIG WOOD 
MICHAEL BARDLE        STUART HEPBURN
DEAN PENNANT (for 8)  MITCHELL DAS (for 10)
DANIEL AILEY          SHANE WYLLIE (for 11)
LEON OSEI (for 11)    GLEN GOLBY (for 9)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW (minus Jon Moore's opening goal)

THE DOCKERS DEFEND TO PUT A DENT IN TOWN'S NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T17:08:00.000Z

It’s confession time on New Year’s Day for the cold end - as after the referee blew the final whistle at Chadfields yesterday my immediate reaction was to say Enfield Town didn’t deserve to win the game that Tilbury edged by a score of 2-1. I think I was just annoyed that Town had had so much of the possession and created so many chances but still not got anything for the game.

Taking nothing away from The Dockers who are a hard working and impressive side, they played really well at the back and defended heroically at times clearing shots of the line on a number of occasions. When the home side’s defence was breached it was down to their experienced goalkeeper James Marrable to keep the ball out of the net, He made a good number of saves.

On a very heavy pitch that was sanded in places it was a highly entertaining game and a great advert for the Ryman League.

But for two defensive lapses including a “controversial “second goal from Tilbury (which all the Town player’s called for offside for....most of the Town travelling fans were down the other end so we can’t say 100% if the player was off or on) I am sure the Town would of at least got a draw if not won the game.

Another talking point came in the opening moments when Neil Johnston (who put in an impressive performance) received the ball on the right hand side of Tilbury’s penalty box only to be shoved off the ball by Tilbury Defender. Was it a foul?? Have a look on the video from 00:05secs.

As I’ve stated above take nothing away from the Tilbury side....I don’t want this to sound like a fan of football club complaining that the best side lost etc. The Dockers worked hard and took their chances so fair play to them. This win puts them back up into the play off places so they too are in contention for promotion this season. The cold end was impressed by Emiel Aiken on the left hand side of midfield and as mentioned James Marrable. Gary Henty (who scored that wonder goal at Theobalds Lane in August), playing in midfield, also had a good game for the home side.

For the Town I lost count how many headers Rudi Hall won in midfield and Liam Hope was very unlucky not to carry on his scoring run.

The last mention must go to Walid Matata’s spectacular overhead kick which is surely in the top three contenders for Enfield Town goal of the season.

LINE UPS 

TILBURY (4-4-2)            ENFIELD TOWN  (4-3-3)
Black and White Shirts     Red and Yellow shirts 
James Marrable          1  Noel Imber
Conor Mead              2  Dave Kendall 
Eljay Worrell           3  Phil Kane 
Paul King               4  Craig McKay
Joe Nightingill         5  Mark Kirby
Gary Henty              6  Rudi Hall   
Emiel Aitken            7  Adam Wallace
Stephen Good            8  Neil Johnston 
Alex Read               9  Liam Hope
Tom Webb                10 Dean Pennant 
Bradley Barnes          11 Walid Matata 

Subs 
Sam West                   Jordon Lockie
Bostroy Bansende (for 8)   Jey Siva
Tom Wraight                Michael Bardle (for 10)
David Bryan (for 10)       Daniel Ailey
Chris Taylor               Leon Osei (for 11)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

BOROUGH TOO GOOD FOR THE BLUE BOYS

2011-12-29T23:18:00.000Z

It was fifth place v twentieth place (out of twenty-two teams) in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division on Tuesday afternoon as Hatfield Town travelled south into North London to Coles Park. Haringey Borough, managed by ex Enfield and Cheshunt boss Tom Loizou, are having one of their best campaigns in recent seasons. Prior to this game Borough had only lost four games in their twenty league games played so far which unfortunately for them came against the teams all above them in the league (Dunstable Town LOST 2-3 A, AFC Dunstable L 1-2 H, Royston Town L 1-4 H and Leverstock Green L 1-4 H).

The Coles Park pitch, although not exactly a bowling green, is in a better condition than it has been over the past few years which clearly has benefited Borough who including a good number of players who brought with them experience from a higher level of non-league football. They included the Darrell Cox (ex Cheshunt and Chesham United), Steve Obeng (ex of Cheshunt), Dewayne Clarke (spent time with Harrow Borough), Dean Fenton (Harrow Borough, Maidenhead United, Leyton, Farnborough Town and Leyton amongst others) and Rickelle Christian (Arlesey Town and Boreham Wood) in their starting XI amongst others.

Only Hanwell Town and Holmer Green are below Hatfield Town in the league at present with The Blue Boys record on the road reading only two wins from eleven games at Stotfold and St Margaretsbury.

For the first half of the game anyone who didn’t know the respective league positions of both sides probably couldn’t have told you which team was down the bottom of the table and which team was towards the top of the league. Borough had much of the possession but neither side created any chances of note with goalkeeper’s Ryohei Tamai and Sam Lacey having a relatively quiet time as both sides struggled to pass the ball around to any effect.

The second half was much better for the home side as they took the lead and then with the introduction of pacey substitutes Richard Worrell and Roland Namquita going forward they ran in another three goals. Namquita, playing on the left hand side of midfield, looked decent going forward and scored the third goal with Worrell scoring the second.

Borough deserved the win in the end with The Blue Boys (as Hatfield are known), aside from a set of three corners in the second half which applied some pressure, never really troubling the home goal. Their centre back Richard Cooke (number 5) stood out for the cold end, he was very good and confident in the air having an impressive game despite being on the losing side.

For Borough the aforementioned Namquita (16), Steve Obeng (4) (playing in midfield just in front of the back four) and centre back Rickelle Christian (6) stood out. Christian has good pace and a composed touch looking very confident on the ball when coming forward.

LINE UPS 
HARINGEY BOROUGH
1. RYOHEI TAMAI 
2. BOSUN ADEBAKI 
3. ANDREAS LOIZOU 
4. STEVE OBENG 
5. CHARLES DOUSE 
6. RICKELLE CHRISTIAN 
7. DEAN FENTON 
8. DEWAYNE CLARKE 
9. CHRIS BENJAMIN
10.DARRELL COX
11.CHRIS MORGAN 

SUBS - 
12.RICHARD WORRELL (for 2)
14.GUY KOFFI (for 9)
15.NICK NICOU
16. ROLAND NAMQUITA (for 11) 
GK. DAMOS HORVATH 

HATFIELD TOWN 
1. SAM LACEY 
2. SEAN SAWYER
3. JAY WELSH 
4. DARRYL STEWART
5. RICHARD COOKE
6. TOM KIRHAM
7. RYAN NORTH
8. BRUCE TAHON
9. ASHLEY DRAY
10.CHARLIE JAY
11.CARL WEBB 

SUBS 
12.SPENCER HUNT 
14.OLLIE ARNOLD (on for 7)
15.JACK SHELDRAKE (on for 8)
16.JAMES MILLARD

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS INC ALL FOUR GOALS

ALL SQUARE BUT TOP OF THE LEAGUE ON BOXING DAY

2011-12-26T23:06:00.000Z

Enfield Town and Waltham Abbey drew 2-2 this afternoon in an entertaining but scrappy sort of game that probably either side could of won but in the end a draw was a fair result. The point Town earned has sent Town top of the league as Needham Market, Grays Athletic and AFC Sudbury all lost. Leiston's incredible 0-5 win away at Needham has put them just two points off top spot with a game in hand.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW including all four goals!!

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - THE BIG BOXING DAY PREVIEW

2011-12-24T13:07:00.000Z

CHRISTMAS AT CAPERSHOTTS - A LOCAL DERBY FOR ENFIELD TOWN

Fixtures for Boxing Day Monday 26th December 2011
All 3pm unless stated - Please check with club's website first 

Cheshunt        v Potters Bar Town 
Grays Athletic  v Romford                 - kick off 12midday
Harlow Town     v Ware                    - kick off 1pm
Ilford          v Brentwood Town 
Maldon and Tip  v Heybridge Swifts 
Needham Market  v Leiston                 - kick off 12midday 
Redbridge       v Waltham Forest 
Soham Town Ran  v AFC Sudbury 
Tilbury         v Great Wakering Rovers   - kick off 1pm
Waltham Abbey   v Enfield Town 
Thamesmead Town v Chatham Town            - to be played on Tuesday 27th December kick off 3pm

Boxing Day sees a host of local derby games in the Ryman Division One (North) with the game of the day being the big Suffolk derby kicking off at Noon between top of the table Needham Market and fourth placed Leiston.

The last time the two County rivals played each other was in the 2009/10 Ridgeon's Eastern Counties League when Needham Market were crowned Champions with Leiston finishing in third place. Lesiton were the only side to do the double over the Marketmen that season with a 2-1 at Victory Road on Saturday 22nd August 2009 (Att - 196) and by the same scoreline Bloomfields on Tuesday 23rd March 2010 (Att - 284). Two of the goalscorers for Leiston in those matches were Stuart Boardley (currently in his second spell for the club after a spell at AFC Sudbury. Dead Ball specialist who has also represented Ipswich Town and Torquay United) and Lee McGlone (still at the club after a brief stay at Lowestoft Town) who are still at the club.

Just under 30 miles of Suffolk back roads separate the two rivals. A win for Leiston would put them back to just one point below Needham Market.

The two club's reserve sides are also fighting it out at the top of their respective league. As you can see from the below table Leiston Reserves are top and Needham Market Res in second place in the Ridgeon's Reserve Division (North).

Ridgeons Reserve Division (North) - Current Table - Top Three Only 
                       HOME            AWAY             TOTAL 
                       P W D L GF GA   P W D L GF GA    P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS
1. Leiston Res         7 6 1 0 29 10   6 6 0 0 26 10    13 12 1 0 55 20 +35 37
2. Needham Market Res  9 7 0 2 31 17   7 4 1 2 16 10    16 11 1 4 47 27 +20 34 
3. Gorleston Res       5 5 0 0 20  4   8 5 2 1 27 16    13 10 2 1 47 20 +27 32 

Leiston Res v Needham Market Res - Saturday 11th February 
Needham Market Res v Leiston Res - To be arranged 

Highest Crowd of the season so far was for the Great Yarmouth Derby between Gorleston and Great Yarmouth Town. Seventy-six people saw Gorleston win 2-0 on Tuesday 22nd November.

Another hotly anticipated derby comes at The Wallace Binder Stadium where Maldon and Tiptree welcome local rivals Heybridge Swifts, who make the ultra short two mile journey from Scraley Road.

Not many fans of the two Essex rivals would of thought this game would be 19th v 9th in the table when looking at the fixture list at the start of the season as both were expected to do much better this season.

Maldon have the hardest task of reaching the play-offs now with a total of 18 points from their 19 games so far. There are 69 points to play with in their remaining 23 games so there is still a chance but with an average points total of 75 to reach fifth place over the last three years they will need to aim for a total 57 points out of those 69 points. That's a percentage of 83% which is put in perspective when you read last season's champions East Thurrock United had a points percentage total of 79%. Maldon's current percentage is 32%.

Most games have a local feel to them such as Cheshunt v Potters Bar Town, Harlow Town v Ware and Redbridge v Waltham Forest.

The Hawks who face struggling Ware have made two recent signings in ex Towner Jeff Hammond and promising 19 year old goalkeeper Charlie Mann. Hammond, who had a short spell at Barrows Farm last season, joins from Waltham Forest whilst Mann makes the move from Division One (South) crisis club Croydon Athletic. He was born in Harlow and has played for Crystal Palace and Arsenal as a youth team player.

There is one game on Bank Holiday Tuesday afternoon when Thamesmead Town entertain Chatham Town in the 'South of the River North' derby game.

All that's left is for The Cold End to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

THE NORTH V THE SOUTH?? WHICH LEAGUE IS THE STRONGEST?

2011-12-20T14:05:00.000Z

Yesterday, the cold end wrote about the promoted sides from the Ryman North and also produced a table for the Ryman North Division promoted sides since the league re-organisation for the 2006/07 season.
Here is the table for the Division One South so we can compare which league is the strongest??

HOW HAVE THE PROMOTED SIDES DONE SINCE 2006/07 - RYMAN SOUTH  
                     07/08    08/09    09/10    10/11    11/12  
06/07  
MAIDSTONE UTD        17th RP  15th RP  18th RP  20th RP# 6th  D1S  
HASTINGS UTD         14th RP  17th RP  7th  RP  18th RP  15th RP  
07/08  
DOVER ATH            -        1st  RP  2nd BSS@ 7th  BSS 6th  BSS  
TOOTING & MITCHAM    -        9th  RP  12th RP  14th RP  19th RP  
08/09 
KINGSTONIAN          -        -        5th  RP* 7th  RP  11th RP 
CRAY WAND            -        -        15th RP  9th  RP  6th  RP 
09/10  
CROYDON ATH          -        -        -        21st RP# WITHDRAWN  
FOLKESTONE INV       -        -        -        22nd RP# 4th  D1S 
10/11  
MET POLICE           -        -        -        -        5th  RP  
LEATHERHEAD          -        -        -        -        20th RP

KEY 
* denotes lost Ryman Premier Play-Off final verus Boreham Wood 
# denotes relegated 
@ denotes lost Blue Square South Play-Off semi-final versus Woking
Average finishing position for promoted sides in Ryman Premier       - 13th 
Average finishing position for D1S title winners in Ryman Premier    - 13th 
Average finishing position for DS1 Play-Off winners in Ryman Premier - 14th
Best finishing position for title winners     - Dover Athletic...champions 08/09 
Best finishing position for Play-Off winners  - Hastings United..7th 09/10

THE NORTH V THE SOUTH (NOT INCLUDING 2011/12) 

                                       NORTH                 SOUTH                  VERDICT    
TITLE WINNERS BEST POSITION        -   1st (DARTFORD 09/10)  1st (DOVER ATH 08/09)  TIE
PLAY OFF WINNERS BEST POSITION     -   6th (CANVEY   10/11)  7th (HASTINGS  09/10)  NORTH
TITLE WINNERS AVERAGE POSITION     -   7th                   13th                   NORTH
PLAY OFF WINNERS AVERAGE POSITION  -   13th                  14th                   NORTH                    
OVERALL FINISIHING POSITION        -   10th                  13th                   NORTH
NUMBER OF SIDES PROMOTED           -   1                     1                      TIE
NUMBER OF SIDES RELEGATED          -   3*                    3                      TIE
HIGHEST POSITION GAINED            -   10th BSS (DARTS 10/11)2nd BSS (DOVER 09/10)  SOUTH
NUMBER OF PREM PLAY-OFFS QUALIFIED -   3                     1                      NORTH 
NUMBER OF PREM PLAY-OFF FINALS     -   1                     1                      TIE 
* denotes includes Aveley in 08/09 who were reprived from relegation

The overall verdict on these figures is that the Ryman North is the stronger of the two leagues although there is much more to argued about such as crowd figures and FA Cup performance perhaps. What is does show is that, aside from Dartford and Dover Athletic who rose rapidly through the Ryman Divisions, promoted sides can expect to finish in an average of 12th place which I'm sure most teams would take on their debut season at a higher level of football.

Lowestoft Town seem best placed for a title win for the promoted sides this season although there are many more games to be played with the Metropolitan Police best representing the Ryman South this season.

THE PROMOTED SIDES - HOW ARE THEY DOING??

2011-12-19T15:48:00.002Z

With it nearing Christmas thought it would be good to look at how the two sides promoted from the Ryman Division One (North) last season are getting on in the Ryman Premier Division.

EAST THURROCK UNITED

                           HOME              AWAY               TOTAL  
                           P W D L GF GA GD  P W D L GF GA  GD  P  W D L  GF GA  GD PTS 
21. EAST THUURROCK UNITED  9 2 2 5  7 12 -5  7 1 1 5  5 17 -12  16 3 3 10 12 29 -17 12 
-   FA CUP & TROPHY RECORD 5 2 3 1 11 11  0  6 6 0 0 16  6 +10  12 8 3 1  27 17 +10 -

Least season's Ryman North champions are somewhat surprisingly struggling near the foot of the table being 21st of 22 teams at present. They are the lowest scoring team in the division with only 12 goals in their 16 league games so far which is in stark contrast to their 92 goals in 40 games last season.

Their two home victories have come against bottom of the table Horsham (1-0 on the 10th September) and more impressively against current fourth placed Lewes (1-0 on the 22nd November). On their travels they have only gained 4 points out of a possible total of 21 on offer. These came in a 0-1 win at Tooting and Mitcham on the opening day of the season (20th August) and a 1-1 draw at Hendon on 13th September.

The Rocks have reserved their best form for the FA Cup and Trophy games where they have knocked out teams from a higher level on no less than five occasions with Bedford Town (2), St Albans City, Eastbourne Borough and Welling United all being knocked out by John Coventry's team. The Rock's boss, along with the players and supporters, must be scratching their head as to why a team can win six on the trot away from home in the cup competitions but then have such indifferent form in the bread and butter of league games.

Even in the Alan Boon Ryman League Cup when they lost to Redbridge (2-3) they were re-instated as The Motormen played an ineligible player.

The Rocks are currently four points off Concord Rangers in eighteenth place so all is not lost. If they can convert some of their magic cup and trophy form into the league they should move up the league and be safe come the end of the season.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 
Tuesday 20th December  - Carshalton Athletic 
Tuesday 27th December  - Aveley 
Saturday 31st December - Hastings United 
Monday 2nd January     - CANVEY ISLAND 
Saturday 7th January   - LEATHERHEAD

WINGATE AND FINCHLEY

                         HOME               AWAY              TOTAL 
                         P W D L GF GA GD   P W D L GF GA GD  P  W D L GF GA GD PTS 
14. WINGATE AND FINCHLEY 9 4 2 3 15 17 -2   9 2 3 4 10 17 -7  18 6 5 7 25 34 -9 23

The Blues (are sort of) comfortably sitting in fourteenth place being seven point off the drop zone and fifteen points away from the play-off zone. They made a great start to the season beating Hastings United, Lowestoft Town, Wealdstone and Metropolitan Police as well as drawing with Tooting and Mitcham United in their first five games but since then have only won two of their last thirteen league games against Horsham (currently bottom of the table) and Concord Rangers (eighteenth place).

More worryingly, for Dave Norman and Tony Faulkner, is that in the last four league games they have failed to score (L 0-5, D 0-0, L 0-3 and L 0-2). The Blues have a strong squad which I think will see them have a better second half to the season and (hopefully for their loyal supporters) see them finish in mid-table as something to build upon for the 2012/13 season.

It doesn't get any easier for the blues as there next fixtures come against 8th, 7th, 2nd, 13th and 3rd placed teams. The 13th placed side being Wealdstone whom Enfield Town fan's know are a very good side.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 
Tuesday 20th December  - BURY TOWN 
Monday 26th December   - Hendon 
Saturday 31st December - Lowestoft Town 
Monday 2nd January     - WEALDSTONE 
Saturday 7th January   - AFC HORNCHURCH

Many Enfield Town supporter's may of thought our friends from Wingate & Finchley and East Thurrock United would have fared a little bit better in the Premier Division this season as they both were formidable opponents over the last few seasons. Perhaps it's a measure of the strength of the Ryman Premier Division as a number of top quality sides battle it out for promotion to the Blue Square South Division.

HOW HAVE PROMOTED SIDES DONE SINCE 2006/07?

                07/08      08/09      09/10      10/11      11/12(CURENT POSTIONS)
06/07 
AFC HORNCHURCH  4th  RP*   6th  RP    9th  RP    10th RP    3rd  RP     
HARLOW TOWN     15th RP    20th RP#   22nd D1N%  4th  D1N   7th  D1N
07/08 
DARTFORD        -          8th  RP    1st  RP    10th BSS   3rd  BSS 
CANVEY ISLAND   -          12th RP    16th RP    6th  RP    9th  RP  
08/09 
AVELEY          -          -          3rd  RP@   19th RP+   17th RP 
WALTHAM ABBEY   -          -          21st RP#   11th D1N   14th D1N
09/10 
LOWESTOFT TOWN  -          -          -          4th  RP&   2nd  RP 
CONCORD RANGERS -          -          -          8th  RP    18th RP 
10/11 
EAST THURROCK   -          -          -          -          21st RP
WINGATE & F     -          -          -          -          14th RP

KEY - 

* denotes lost play-off semi-final to AFC WIMBLEDON 
@ denotes lost play-off semi-final to BOREHAM WOOD 
& denotes lost play-off final to TONBRIDGE ANGELS
# denotes relegated
+ denotes AVELEY reprived from relegation due to the demise of RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS
% denotes HARLOW TOWN reprived from relgation due to VCD ATHLETIC'S demotion on ground-grading issues.  

AVERAGE FINISHING POSITION FOR PROMOTED SIDES   - 10th
AVERAGE FINISHING POSITION FOR TITLE WINNERS    - 7th
AVERAGE FINISHING POSITION FOR PLAY OFF WINNERS - 13th
BEST FINISHING POSITION FOR TITLE WINNERS       - DARTFORD..Champions 09/10
BEST FINISHING POSTITION FOR PLAY OFF WINNERS   - CANVEY ISLAND...6th 10/11

THE TOWN GIVE SUPPORTERS A FIVE GOAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT

2011-12-18T10:10:00.004Z

If John Motson was commentating for Enfield Town’s third goal (from 4mins 49secs on the video) yesterday it would of gone something like this – KIRBY, HOPE, MATATA, JOHNSTON, HOPE, MATATA, PENNANT, SIVA, HALL, PENNANT, JOHNSTON, HALL, SIVA, KIRBY, JOHNSTON, HOPE....BRILLIANT! Although Liam’s skillful finish wasn’t a crisp strike past the goalkeeper (more Torres than Van Persie) the cold end is putting this up as one of the goal’s of the season so far. Particularly as I only caught the last 16 passes of the approximate 30 man passing move on camera!

It wasn’t just the third goal that was well worked as every one of Town’s five goals (aside from Liam’s first goal which was from a set-piece) involved lots of impressive passing from various members of the team who all put in a fantastic performance against Thamesmead Town.

Steve Newing had to re-shuffle his stating XI as Dave Kendall, Michael Ewang, Jon Moore and Leon Osei were unavailable. Craig McKay, Neil Johnston, Rudi Hall and Walid Matata all started and it was the youngster Johnston’s performance in midfield that stood out as he had a hand in lots of Town’s good play. The Barnet Loanee was deservedly awarded man of the match. Matata (with two well taken goals) and Wallace were full of running up front and Liam Hope was again impressive adding two more goals in his pursuit of Needham Market’s Sam Newson to win the Ryman North Golden Boot.

The back four also put in a good performance with Noel Imber not really having to make a save of any note during the 90 minutes. In their previous eighteen league games they had only failed to score recently against Tilbury, Needham Market and Heybridge Swifts on the opening day of the season.

Thamesmead Town set out with a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation with centre forward Danny Penny holding the ball up supported by pacey wingers Chuck Duru and Theo Fairweather-Johnson who tracked back well when without the ball. Their midfield trio of Danny Moore, Scott Mullholland and Lea Dawson played close together with Moore being the more attacking of the three. They were tough in the tackle with Moore and centre-back’s Lewis Tozer and James Donovan all booked in the first half as only Liam Hope’s goal separated the sides.

With the score delicately poised at 1-0 just after half-time the game changed when Moore was sent off for a second bookable offence after a challenge on Johnston. This allowed the Town attackers more space to exploit and with four well taken and worked goals it was 5-0 with fifteen minutes left. It wasn’t just because the visitors were reduced to ten men that it was such an emphatic score-line as take nothing away from Enfield Town as it was a highly impressive performance that even against eleven men would have been a comfortable victory.

Thamesmead are a good solid side (as Town know from out previous two defeats this season) so, for Town supporters, it was very pleasing to win with such style yesterday.

Mead’s young substitute Corey Walters-Wright (number 12) is due to travel up for a week’s trial with Premier League Stoke City soon. The Cold End wishes him all the best at The Britannia Stadium – It's great to see another non-league player getting a chance with the big boys and proof their is life outside the top echelons of the English game.

TEAM LINE UPS 

ENFIELD TOWN         THAMESMEAD TOWN 

NOEL IMBER        1  SAM MOTT
JORDAN LOCKIE     2  JACK HOPKINS
JEY SIVA          3  ASHLEY PROBETS 
CRAIG McKAY       4  DANNY MOORE
MARK KIRBY        5  LEIWS TOZER
RUDI HALL         6  JAMES DONOVAN
ADAM WALLACE      7  SCOTT MULHOLLAND
NEIL JOHNSTON     8  LEA DAWSON
LIAM HOPE         9  DANNY PENNY
DEAN PENNANT      10 CHUCK DURU 
WALID MATATA      11 THEO FAIRWEATHER JOHNSON

SUBS (all made in second half)
PHIL KANE (on for Liam Hope)            David Noel (on for Jack Hopkins)
BRYAN HAMMATT (on for Neil Johnston)    Cory Walters-Wright(on for Chuck Duru)
DANIEL AILEY (on for Adam Wallace)      Joseph Afusi (on for Danny Penny)
MATT DAVIS (not used)                   Bradley Killick (not used)    
DANIEL LAURENT (not used)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - RACE FOR THE TITLE & TO AVOID THE BOTTOM SPOT

2011-12-16T18:53:00.000Z

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE CURRENT TABLE - TOP THREE BOTTOM TWO ONLY 
                    HOME            AWAY            TOTAL                    CURRENT FORM 
                    P  W D L GF GA  P  W D L GF GA  P  W  D L  GF GA  GD PTS P W D L GF GA GD PTS 
1. WITHAM TOWN      9  6 2 1 31 10  8  6 2 0 20  5  17 12 4 1  51 15 +36 40  6 6 0 0 19  3 16 18  
2. SOUTHEND MANOR   8  7 1 0 24  6  7  5 2 0 17  9  15 12 3 0  41 15 +26 39  6 5 1 0 16  2 14 16 
3. ENFIELD 1893 FC  6  4 1 1 15  4  10 8 2 0 19  8  16 12 3 1  34 12 +22 39  6 5 0 1 16  5 11 15  

17. H&W DEVELOPMENT 10 1 3 6 14 22  6  1 2 3 10 17  16 2  5 9  24 39 -15 11  6 2 1 4  9 13 -4  7  
18. BASILDON UNITED 7  0 1 6  9 24  11 1 2 8 14 31  18 1  3 14 23 55 -32  6  6 0 1 5  6 18 -12 1

The race for the title in the Essex Senior League is looking like a straight race between Witham Town, Southend Manor and Enfield 1893. It'll be a tough ask for current fourth placed Takeley to get involved - they are only four points back from Enfield 1893 but have played 21 games with the teams below them Bethnal Green United (31 pts from 17 games) and Burnham Ramblers (28 pts from 18 games) both also having played more games than the top three.

The current top three have only faced each other once so far when Witham Town recorded what could be a valuable 0-1 win at Goldsdown Road on Saturday 5th November.

Both Southend Manor (2) and Enfield 1893 (1) both have games in hand over Witham Town so the lead looks set to be changed on a number of occasions over the next few months. Should the top three win their games tomorrow and Southend Manor win their home game with Sawbo on Tuesday night it will be Southchurch Park side who will be top over the Christmas and New Year period when the league takes a two week break until the 7th January.

The next big game comes just a few days after when on Tuesday 10th January Southend Manor travel to Goldsdown Road.

SCHEDULED NEXT LEAGUE GAMES FOR TOP THREE  
            WITHAM TOWN       SOUTHEND MANOR      ENFIELD 1893 
17/12/2011  Basildon United   BETHNAL GREEN       TAKELEY 
20/12/2011  -                 SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN -          
7/1/2012    HULLBRIDGE SPORTS Sawbridgeworth Town SPORTING BENGAL
10/1/2012   -                 Enfield 1893        SOUTHEND MANOR           
14/1/2012   Bowers & Pitsea   STANSTED            London APSA

At the bottom of the table Basildon United are adrift by 5 points from Haringey and Waltham Development whom have two games in hand over the current basement dwellers.

Basildon's only victory came way back on Wednesday 10th August when they won the Basildon derby at Bowers and Pitsea 2-5. H&W's form has improved of late with their two wins coming in their last six games at Barking (2-3) and at home against Basildon United (2-0 in front of a crowd of 9 (nine) people).

The league season ends on Saturday 14th April 2012 when 1893 go to Witham Town in what could be a possible title decider but Southend Manor could have it all wrapped up by this stage when they welcome Takeley to the Coast.

TOWN LADIES STILL INVOLVED IN FA WOMEN'S CUP

2011-12-15T20:28:00.000Z

Enfield Town Ladies had a great result on Sunday when they won 0-5 at Bracknell Town Ladies in First Round the FA Women's Cup. The result looks all the more impressive when you find out that Bracknell Town LFC are currently top of the Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division (step 5 of the Women's pyramid...Town currently play in the South East Combination which is one step above) having played and won all eight of their league games so far.

In the next round Town face Queens Park Rangers LFC at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Sunday 8th January. QPR play in the FA Women's Premier League South Division which is one step higher than Town's SE Combination League.

THIRD TIME LUCKY AGAINST THAMESMEAD TOWN ON SATURDAY??

2011-12-15T20:01:00.001Z

Since Thamesmead Town were promoted to Step 4 in 2008/09 Enfield Town have played them on eight occasions winning four, drawing one and losing three. This season Enfield Town have travelled South of the River to Bayliss Avenue twice, in the League and the FA Trophy and each time came back on the wrong end of 2-0 defeats. Hopefully, for the Town supporters, it'll be third time lucky this Saturday.

TOWN'S RECORD VERSUS THAMESMEAD TOWN
                       P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD PTS  
LEAGUE FIXTURES ONLY   7  4  1  2  13   6  +8  13 (21)  
LEAGUE AND CUP         8  4  1  3  13   8  +5   -

The Mead were involved in a seven goal thriller on Tuesday in South London when with the score at 3-3 going into injury time against Waltham Forest, Joseph Afusi capitalised on a defensive mix-up by The Stags to score to make it 4-3. Bad luck on Waltham Forest who for the second time in less than a month scored three goals away from home and lost the game!! The other scorers on the night for The Mead were Chuck Duru and Theo Fairweather-Johnson (2). The Mead played most of the second half with only 10 men after Jack Hopkins was sent off for handling the ball on the line.

Their form is topsy turvy to say the least as their results in their last eight league game reads WDWWLLWDDLW. Away from home in the league they have had some good results (W 1-2 at Grays Athletic, W 0-2 at AFC Sudbury) so will be certainly no push overs. With the two matches the Town have already played against them Steve Newing and the team will already be aware of this and will be well prepared for the game on Saturday.

On a where are they now question the Mead's up front duo of Andy Constable and Rikki Cable who scored 30+ goals in the 2009/10 season are now representing Kent Hurlimann Football League side Erith and Belvedere. The Deres are currently third in the table behind front runner's Canterbury City and Herne Bay.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) WEEKEND FIXTURES 

AFC SUDBURY      V MALDON AND TIPTREE 
BRENTWOOD TOWN   V CHESHUNT 
CHATHAM TOWN     V SOHAM TOWN RANGERS 
ENFIELD TOWN     V THAMESMEAD TOWN 
GREAT WAKERING   V HARLOW TOWN 
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS V ILFORD 
LEISTON          V GRAYS ATHLETIC 
POTTERS BAR TOWN V REDBRIDGE 
ROMFORD          V TILBURY 
WALTHAM FOREST   V WALTHAM ABBEY 
WARE             V NEEDHAM MARKET

No doubt where the game of the day is - Grays Athletic's trip to Leiston in a 4th v 3rd clash. Top of the table Needham travel to struggling Ware who now look set to be cut adrift at the bottom of the table with Ilford.

Some of the games could be affected by the weather conditions forecast for the next few days with a warning for snow in London and The South East.

The Cold End at Goldsdown Road - December 2010 - Could snow be on the way this weekend??

MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR

2011-12-15T10:53:00.001Z

Premier Division - Current Table 
                          HOME           AWAY            TOTAL 
                          P W D L GF GA  P  W D L GF GA  P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS 
1. INTERWOOD              6 6 0 0 24  4  9  9 0 0 36 13  15 15 0 0 60 17 +43 45     
2. WILLESDEN CONSTANTINE  8 6 0 2 21  8  8  4 2 2 23 15  16 10 2 4 44 23 +21 32 
3. FC ROMANIA             8 6 1 1 27 11  7  3 0 4 18 14  15 9  1 5 45 25 +20 28 
4. SOUTHALL               6 4 1 1 14 10  7  3 2 2 18 16  13 7  3 3 32 36 + 6 24
5. SLOANE                 6 1 4 1 13 12  9  5 1 3 15 13  15 6  5 4 28 25 + 3 23                
6. SINGH SABHA SLOUGH     7 2 5 0  8  6  5  3 0 2 15 11  12 5  5 2 23 27 + 6 20 
7. BROADFIELDS UNITED     4 2 1 1  5  3  8  4 0 4 26 23  12 6  1 5 31 26 + 5 19 
8. WEST ESSEX             8 4 1 3 10 10  7  1 3 3  6 10  15 5  4 6 16 12 - 4 19 
9. INDIAN GYMKHANA        8 4 1 3 22 24  5  1 1 3  7 14  13 5  2 6 29 38 - 9 17 
10. HILLINGDON            6 0 1 5  6 18  10 4 3 3 23 25  16 4  4 8 29 43 -14 16 
11. HOUNSLOW WANDERERS    8 3 1 4 21 18  6  1 1 4 12 18  14 4  2 8 33 36 - 3 14 
12. NORTH KENSINGTON      6 1 0 5 12 19  6  3 1 2 12 10  12 4  1 7 24 29 - 5 13 
13. SPORTING HACKNEY      5 2 1 2 14 17  6  1 0 5  6 12  11 3  1 7 20 29 - 9 10  
14. FC DEPORTIVO GALICIA  8 2 0 6 14 30  6  1 1 3 11 17  13 3  1 9 25 47 -22 10 
15. KODAK (HARROW)        8 1 1 6 12 24  5  1 1 3  4  8  13 2  2 9 16 32 -16  8 
16. SPRINGFIELD           6 2 0 4 12 13  5  0 2 3  5 16  11 2  2 7 17 39 -22  8

* Saturday 20th August   - Willesden Constantine v Sloane - away win awarded
* Saturday  5th November - Springfield v Kodak (Harrow)   - home win awarded

The race for the Championship in the Middlesex County League Premier Division is currently looking like a one horse race with 2009/10 title winner's Interwood thirteen points clear of second placed Willesden Constantine (title winners in 2010/11) with a game in hand.

Up until last Saturday 10th December Interwood had a highly impressive 100% winning record in their 19 league and cup games previous. Their 20th game of the season saw them lose on penalty kicks at FC Deportivo Galicia in the Alex Smith Premier Division Cup Second Round after a 2-2 draw AET.

Interwood amassed 112 goals in their 28 league games (an average of 4 goals per game) when title winners in 2010. They are well on their way to maybe beating this average as they are presently on exactly the same average of 4 goals per game in their 15 games so far. Only a big slip up would prevent them from becoming champions in 2012.

A weird statistic for the league is that currently the team with the best defensive away record is second from bottom Kodak (Harrow) who have only conceded 8 goals in their 5 away games. All the top teams have let in more but they have played at least two or three extra games. It's all the more stranger as at home Kodak have let in 24 goals in 8 games.

Tenth placed Hillingdon (not to be confused with Spartan South Midlands League Hillingdon Borough) are the only side without a home win whilst bottom of the table Springfield are the only side without a win on their travels.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER
Hillingdon v Singh Sabha Slough
Indian Gymkhana v Southall
Interwood v FC Romania
Kodak (Harrow) v North Kensington
Sloane v West Essex
Springfield v Sporting Hackney
Willesden Constantine v Broadfields United

SATURDAY 7th JANUARY
Broadfields United v Hounslow Wanderers
FC Deportivo Galicia v West Essex
Indian Gymkhana v Interwood
Kodak (Harrow) v Sporting Hackney
Willesden Constantine v Hillingdon

SATURDAY 14th JANUARY
FC Deportivo Galicia v Springfield
Hounslow Wanderers v Sporting Hackney
Interwood v Southall
Kodak (Harrow) v West Essex
Singh Sabha Slough v FC Romania
Sloane v Broadfields United

Link to Middlesex County League on football mitoo here

RYMAN NORTH NEWS ROUND UP - TOP TWO LOSE AND TWO NEW MANAGERS

2011-12-12T21:30:00.000Z

The Cold End missed the long trip to Leiston on Saturday where the home side put an end to the Town's winning run with a 2-1 win. Reports back are that Leiston were one of the best sides that the Town had faced all season. Needham Market couldn't capitalise on Town's loss as they were surprisingly defeated 0-1 at home to Chatham Town in a match The Marketmen will want to forget as their top scorer Sam Newson suffered an injury which will delay his trial at League Two Gillingham which was due to start today. I'm sure all Enfield Town and Ryman League fans send their best wishes out to Sam and hope he recovers soon.
Grays Athletic took advantage with a 2-0 win against Waltham Abbey on Sunday to keep the pressure up at the top of the table.

AFC Sudbury have shot up the table as after Town's 1-2 win against them on Saturday 12th November they have won six and drawn one - they now sit in fifth place!!

Ware and Ilford still prop up the table with only one win each. The Foxes gained only their 7th point of the season in the 2-2 draw with Soham Town Rangers at Cricklefields.

The bottom two are now five points adrift from twentieth placed Great Wakering Rovers whom have a new player-manager in the shape of Dan Trenkel. Trenks left Redbridge to take the helm at his old side and started life off in the Burroughs Park hot seat with a 2-2 draw against Waltham Forest.

Another person leaving The Motormen is Dave Bricknell who has left his Assistant Manager's position at Oakside to become number one at Cheshunt.

Ryman Division One (North) Current Table - Top Five Only 
                   P  W  D L GF GA GD PTS 
1. Needham Market  20 12 5 3 56 18 38 41 
-----------------------------------------
2. Enfield Town    20 12 5 3 43 28 15 41 
3. Grays Athletic  20 13 3 4 44 20 24 39* 
4. Leiston         19 12 3 4 40 20 20 39 
5. AFC Sudbury     20 10 5 5 27 24  3 35

As you can see from the above current league table top five it's very tight as the league fixtures move into the important Christmas and New Year programme.

An indication of how close the race for the top spot is that if Grays hadn't of had their three points deducted they would be top by a point and if fourth placed Leiston win their game in hand over the top three they would go top by a point. Leiston host Grays Athletic at Victory Road this Saturday - What a game that could be??

WODSON PARK V COCKFOSTERS - NO GOALS!

2011-12-09T10:32:00.000Z

Sometimes with the beautiful game you’ll watch a goalless draw that will live long in the memory with chances a plenty, the woodwork hit several times and spectacular goal-line clearances. Unfortunately, for the crowd of 45 people who ventured out on a very chilly Hertfordshire Wednesday evening, the 0-0 draw between Wodson Park and Cockfosters wasn’t one of these occasions.

The pitch at Wodson Park on Wednesday

The condition of the pitch didn’t help matters as you can see by the pictures it’s not exactly conducive to free flowing passing football. Ryman League Division One (North) sides take note as forthcoming matches against Ware (who Wodson currently ground share with) will be effected by the playing surface. Ware host Potters Bar Town this Saturday followed by Needham Market on the following Saturday. The Cold End wonders what the pitch will be like when Enfield Town visit Ware on Saturday 10^th March!!

There were some highlights in the game. Cockfosters were marginally the better side in the first half with Lorenzo Ferrari on the left hand side (number 7) showing some pace and good skill. Ferrari would benefit from a better playing surface. They had one shot from outside of the penalty box go just wide of the post and a far post header from a corner which if kept down and on target would of troubled the Wodson keeper.

Both teams defended well by blocking shots and getting men behind the ball. Wodson had the best chance of the game in the second half when on the a shot from a cross on the edge of the 6 yard box was (I think...I still can’t tell after watching it back on video) very well saved by the ‘Foster’s keeper.

In the end the match finished all sqaure at 0-0 which for Wodson will be most welcome as in the return game at Chalk Lane played only a few months back on Tuesday 25^th October the score ended 7-3 to Cockfosters!!

Wodson Park play at Amersham Town this Saturday before welcoming Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday 14^th December for a big local derby. Cockfosters play at Chesham United Reserves on Saturday before hosting St Albans City Reserves (17^th December) and Welwyn Garden City on Bank Holiday Tuesday 27^th December.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

WEALDSTONE THROUGH TO FACE AFC HAYES

2011-12-07T13:40:00.001Z

An impressive Wealdstone side ran in six goals against a much changed Enfield Town (only Dave Kendall remaining from the Grays Athletic starting XI) in the Middlesex Senior Cup second round game at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium last night. Steve Newing used the evening to give some much needed game time to players who have warmed the bench of late with Michael Bardle, Craig McKay and Lee Allen making come backs from recent injuries. It was also good to see several youth team players as substitutes with Charlie Crowley and Connor Bolton making their first team competitive debuts.

Wealdstone fielding a strong team were much the better side with Connor Smith in an attacking midfield roll and forward Britt Assombalonga standing out. I was not surprised to hear that both have recently joined The Stones on loan from Championship side Watford as they both look decent players in particular Smith. In the video Smith in number 7 and Assombalonga in number 11 for Wealdstone who played in red. Both scored two goals each with a penalty from Scott Fitzgerald (more Watford connections as he made 55 appearances for the Hornets between 2003 to 2005) and Monseratt International Alex Dyer hitting the back of the net as well.

Assombalonga was on the bench for the Hornets in the final two matches of last season. Smith was also an unused sub twice in March last season and is probably best known for being runner-up in Sky One’s television programme Football’s next star.

Town did create some chances with Bolton looking lively and drawing a good save from the Stone’s keeper. He then worked hard to make a good cross into Walid Mattata whose shot was also saved well. Matata was also unlucky when he hit the post in the second half.

All in all a good night for The Stones and despite the rivalry between the old Enfield FC and Wealdstone it was good to see their away following giving Charlie Crowley a well deserved ripple of applause at the end of the game.

The Stones now face AFC HAYES in the next round who won 1-3 at Enfield 1893 FC.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW
Apologies for missing Alex Dyer's goal.

BIG COAT WEATHER TONIGHT!!

2011-12-06T10:25:00.000Z

Enfield Town welcome Ryman Premier Division Wealdstone to the Donkey-Dome tonight in a Middlesex Senior Cup Round Two game. Both sides are expected to field teams containing some squad and fringe players with Town at Leiston in the league and The Stone's looking at an important FA Trophy local derby game versus Uxbridge on Saturday.

Wealdstone won 4-3 at Ashford Town in the First Round to get to this stage. They had a strong side out that night as regular first team player's Richard Jolly, Peter Dean, Alex Dyer and Wes Parker were on the score-sheet.

There are five other Middlesex Senior Cup Second Round games scheduled tonight with the winners joining Hampton and Richmond Borough in the Third Round. The Beavers beat Hayes and Yeading United 2-1 on Saturday.

MIDDLESEX SENIOR CUP FIXTURES TONIGHT 

ENFIELD 1893 FC        V AFC HAYES 
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY   V HANWELL TOWN 
HENDON                 V UXBRIDGE 
BEDFONT TOWN           V STAINES TOWN 
ENFIELD TOWN           V WEALDSTONE 
NORTH GREENFORD UNITED V HARROW BOROUGH 
HANWORTH VILLA         V HILLINGDON BOROUGH - Postponed due to Hanworth's Vase replay. 
* please check with clubs before travelling to see if respective game still on

There is also a very important Ryman Division One (North) game tonight at Barrows Farm when Harlow Town welcome Needham Market. This is The Marketmen's game in hand over Enfield Town meaning if they win they will regain top spot by two points. The Hawks will be looking for a victory as well as they are gradually climbing towards the top 5 play-off section with only two defeats in their last eight games. They have recently signed centre-forward Murat Karagul on loan from Wingate and Finchley and ex Barnet stiker Scott Smith who was last playing for LA Galaxy! He stay in the States saw him play for the Galaxy under 20 side but unfortunately he tore a thigh so was out for six months from January. He has been on the Hawk's bench for the Lowestoft Trophy game and Saturday's 2-0 win versus Ilford.

Other games tonight see Redbridge travelling to Chatham Town, Maldon and Tiptree welcoming in-form AFC Sudbury and 'the Waltham Derby' as Abbey host Forest at Capershotts.

Grays Athletic go to basement boy's Ilford tomorrow night looking to bounce back from two defeats in a row to fellow title challenger's Needham Market and Enfield Town

One thing is certain tonight - wherever you are going to football wear a big coat as it's freezing!!

FA VASE - DRAW UPDATE

2011-12-05T13:07:00.000Z

The draw for the Fourth Round of the FA Vase has been made today and with the competition going national there are some long trips to be made for some clubs on the road to Wembley.

Ampthill Town have been given an away tie at either Oadby Town or Tipton Town who replay on Wednesday evening.

Royston Town travel down to the Dorset coast to play Bournemouth FC of the Sydenham's Wessex League.

The remaining Essex Senior League sides Bethnal Green United, Enfield 1893 FC and possibly Southend Manor (subject to a replay win) have all been given away games. United travel to Hellenic Division One (West) side Old Woodstock Town whilst 1893 go to Shortwood United of the Hellenic Premier. If Southend Manor win their replay they have a tough looking trip to Gresley of the Midland Alliance League.

Some mammoth journeys are in the draw too.. none more so than West Auckland Town's trip to Bitton AFC of the Western League. The Northern League side will face a round trip of approximately 540 miles from Darlington Road to Bath Road and back again!

Holder's Whitley Bay welcome Combined Counties side South Park to Hillheads Park. The Reigate based side will be on the road for a longer trip of around 600+ miles combined.

The winners of the Hanworth Villa v Herne Bay replay also face a long trip up North as they have been drawn against Newcastle Benfield.

The games are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 21st January 2012.

FULL DRAW 

WHITLEY BAY                     V SOUTH PARK 
VCD ATHLETIC OR TUNBRIDGE WELLS V ST IVES TOWN 
WILLAND ROVERS                  V STAVELEY MW
SHORTWOOD UNITED                V ENFIELD 1893 FC 
NEWCASTLE BENFIELD              V HANWORTH VILLA OR HERNE BAY 
BOURNENOUTH                     V ROYSTON TOWN 
OLD WOODSTOCK TOWN              V BETHNAL GREEN UNITED 
NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN            V ASHINGTON 
HOLBROOK SPORTS OR NORTH UNITED V PETERBOROUGH NS 
WISBECH TOWN                    V DUNSTON UTS 
BITTON AFC                      V WEST AUCKLAND TOWN 
TIVIDALE OR BROCTON             V BINFIELD 
GRESLEY                         V SOUTHEND MANOR OR THREE BRIDGES 
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA            V RUNCORN TOWN 
READING TOWN                    V ILFRACOMBE TOWN OR LARKHALL ATHLETIC 
OADBY TOWN OR TIPTON TOWN       V AMPTHILL TOWN

FA VASE 2011/12 - UPDATE

2011-12-04T20:46:00.000Z

TEAMS LEFT IN THE COMPETITION 
STEP FIVE 
ASHINGTON              - 9th in STL NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 
BETHNAL GREEN UNITED   - 8th in ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE 
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA   - 13th in STL NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 
BINFIELD               - 5th in UHLSPORT HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION
BITTON                 - 3rd in TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
BOURNEMOUTH FC         - 10th in SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION 
DUNSTON UTS            - 3rd in STL NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 
ENFIELD 1893           - 1st in ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE 
GRESLEY                - 4th in BAKER JOINER MIDLANDS ALLIANCE 
HANWORTH VILLA*        - 6th in CHERRY RED COMBINED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION
HERNE BAY*             - 1st in KENT HURLIMANN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
ILFRACOMBE TOWN*       - 13th in TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
LARKHALL ATHLETIC*     - 2nd in TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN   - 6th in CHROMASPORTS UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION
NEWCASTLE BENFIELD     - 10th in STL NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 
PETERBOROUGH NS        - 3rd in CHROMASPORTS UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION
ROYSTON TOWN           - 1st in SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE 
READING TOWN           - 8th in UHLSPORT HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION
RUNCORN TOWN           - 4th in NORTH WEST COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION
SHORTWOOD UNITED       - 4th in UHLSPORT HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION
SOUTHEND MANOR*        - 4th in ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE 
SOUTH PARK             - 7th in CHERRY RED COMBINED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION
STAVELEY MW            - 7th in BARIS NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER DIVISION
ST IVES TOWN           - 7th in CHROMASPORTS UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION 
THREE BRIDGES*         - 6th in SUSSEX COUNTY LEAGUE 
TIPTON TOWN*           - 15th in BAKER JOINER MIDLAND ALLIANCE
TIVIDALE*              - 8th in BAKER JOINER MIDLAND ALLIANCE 
TUNBRIDGE WELLS*       - 5th in KENT HURLIMANN PREMIER DIVISION
VCD ATHLETIC*          - 4th in KENT HURLIMANN PREMIER DIVISION 
WEST AUCKLAND TOWN     - 2nd in STL NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 
WHITLEY BAY            - 5th in STL NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
WILLAND ROVERS         - 1st in TOOLSTATION WESTERN PREMIER DIVISION  
WISBECH TOWN           - 5th in RIDGEONS EASTERN COUNTIES LEAGUE 
 

STEP SIX 
AMPTHILL TOWN          - 2nd in SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS DIVISION ONE 
BROCTON*               - 10th in ATHIUM MIDLAND COMBINATION PREMIER DIVISION
HOLBROOK SPORTS*       - 10th in EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES LEAGUE 
NORTON UNITED*         - 4th in NORTH WEST COUNTIES DIVISION ONE
OADBY TOWN*            - 5th in EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES LEAGUE 
OLD WOODSTOCK TOWN    - 2nd in UHLSPORT HELLENIC DIVISION ONE (WEST)

* denotes clubs facing third round replays

The Third Round of the FA Vase with Carlsberg took place yesterday with Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Ampthill Town taking the plaudits as one of only two guaranteed step six sides through to the next round. The Bedfordshire side went to the Sussex coast to face Lancing of the Sussex County League Division One (Step 5) and came away with an impressive 1-3 win.It certainly has been a great season so far for manager Craig Bicknell who joined the club in the summer from 2010/11 SSML Division Two champion's Padbury United. All four sides the club have defeated so far in the Vase have been from Step five.

Step six will also be represented by either Holdbrook Sports or Norton United who replay this midweek after a 1-1 draw and Old Woodstock Town who beat local rival's Wantage Town this Sunday afternoon by a scoreline of 1-0 . Brocton and Oadby Town could also make it but they have replays against Step five sides.

AMPTHILL TOWN'S FA VASE RUN 2011/12 

2nd Qualifying Round   - Barkingside                       D 1-1  75
2nd Qualifying Round R - BARKINGSIDE                       W 1-0  62
First Round            - Basildon United                   W 4-0  43
Second Round           - HARINGEY AND WALTHAM DEVELOPMENT  W 3-2 120
Third Round            - Lancing                           W 3-1 140
Fourth Round           - ???

The STL Northern League is well represented once again with five teams through including Whitley Bay who are bidding to lift the Vase for the fourth consecutive year. They are joined by Billingham Synthonia, Dunston UTS, Newcastle Benfield and West Auckland Town who are all definetaly through to the Fourth Round.

Despite the local rivalry and history of the two Enfield clubs which has been well written about elsewhere, the cold end is big enough to say congratulations to Enfield 1893 FC on their win at Long Buckby. The Buck's have won all fifteen of their league games so far this season and have been unbeaten at home in their last 19 league and cup games. Prior to yesterday their last defeat at their home Station Road ground came way back on Saturday 15th January 2011 when Boston Town won a league game 1-2. They are joined by fellow Essex Senior League side Bethnal Green United and possibly Southend Manor who face a tough trip to Sussex County League side Three Bridges after their 0-0 draw yesterday.

Royston Town are the only other side left representing the Spartan South Midlands League after their 1-2 win at Haringey Borough.

Only Wisbech Town are left flying the flag for the Eastern Counties League which is different from previous years for a league that has been traditionally strong in the Vase.

The draw for the Fourth Round takes place tomorrow. Check out the FA website here for more details.

WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

2011-12-04T02:22:00.000Z

Enfield Town are top of the Ryman Division One (North) after yesterday's eventful 90+ minutes against Grays Athletic at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The Cold End will leave it to the NOT THE ETFC MESSAGE BOARD and the GRAYS ATHLETIC FORUM to comment on the game.

Match highlights are below -

GAME OF THE SEASON (SO FAR) TOMORROW AT THE DONKEY-DOME

2011-12-02T14:24:00.000Z

Second placed Enfield Town (38 pts from 18 games) play Grays Athletic (now 33 pts from 17 games following their 3 points deduction) in the Ryman Division One (North) tomorrow afternoon at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. For both sides it's a highly important game in their quest to keep up with current league leader's Needham Market who travel to Brentwood Town.

LAST SIX LEAGUE GAMES 
ENFIELD TOWN   6 6 0 0 15 7 +8 18 
GRAYS ATHLETIC 6 3 1 2 13 8 +5 10 

GRAYS ATHLETIC LAST THREE AWAY GAMES 

01/11/2011 - Maldon and Tiptree W 3-1 
22/11/2011 - Harlow Town        D 1-1 
26/11/2011 - Needham Market     L 1-2

The game kicks off at 3pm at the QE STAD, DONKEY LANE, ENFIELD.

THE TOWN ARE COME BACK KINGS - THE STAGS RUN ENFIELD CLOSE

2011-12-01T22:42:00.001Z

Waltham Forest certainly didn’t look like a side that hadn’t scored in four games in the game played at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Tuesday night. To use a popular cliché it certainly was a game of two halves. The Stags looked sharp going forward with the pairing of ex Towner Jeff Hammond (number 10) and Courtenay White (number 9) along with Manu Dagher (number 7) and Josh Bonnett (number 11) impressing for the away side. Dagher was born in Liberia and has previously played for Dutch League side’s Dordrecht and Kozakken Boys.

The half time score was 0-2 following a penalty kick given to The Stags after what looked like extremely minimal contact between Town’s Dean Pennant and Hammond. Was it a penalty kick?? - Have a look on the video at 2mins 40secs.

A marvellous second half display by the Town showed how much team spirit there is throughout the club the club at present. Captain Mark Kirby started a tremendous fight-back with the Town playing some excellent football to go 4-2 up. A late Hammond strike made the final few minutes slightly tenser than they should have been but some resolute defending by the Town back four earned another valuable three points. Jon Moore, Liam Hope and Adam Wallace scored Town’s other goals.

Town’s next opponents are Grays Athletic who visit the QE STAD on Saturday in the game of the season so far. The Essex side were deducted three points this week as the Ryman League have ruled they played an ineligible player in their 0-1 win at Leiston on October 26^th. The Ryman League website explains more here

Looking at the league table it shows that even with or without the three points deducted it really is an important game for both sides.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) CURRENT TABLE – TOP FIVE ONLY 
               P  W  D L GF GA GD PTS
NEEDHAM MARKET 17 12 3 2 55 16 39 39
ENFIELD TOWN   18 11 5 2 40 25 15 38
GRAYS ATHLETIC 17 11 3 3 36 18 18 33*
LEISTON        17 10 3 4 35 18 17 33 
TILBURY        17  9 4 4 35 31  4 31

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

THE STAGS COME TO TOWN

2011-11-28T22:17:00.000Z

Enfield Town welcome Waltham Forest to the Queen Elizabeth Stadium II tomorrow night in another all important Ryman League game. A victory could put the Town into 2nd place albeit with Saturday's opponents Grays Athletic having a game in hand over us after the game.

CURRENT FORM 
                 P W D L GF GA  GD PTS 
ENFIELD TOWN     6 5 1 0 12  5 +17 16 
WALTHAM FOREST   6 0 3 3  7 14 - 7  3

After a great start to their season The Stags are without a win in seven league games and haven't scored in their last four. Manager Olawale Ojelabi has recently signed centre forward/attacker Courtney White on loan from Ryman Premier Division Billericay Town who made his debut in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Potters Bar Town. He is a dangerous player as he scored 50+ goals for Castle United in the Essex Olympian League last season but his opportunities at Billiericay have been limited so far. The Stags have a number of ex Towners within their ranks such as Gaz Dauti, Steve Velandia and Jeff Hammond amongst others who may make an appearance tomorrow night.

There is one other league game tomorrow night when Potters Bar Town visit AFC Sudbury.

GOOD PERFORMANCE & GOOD CROWD - IT ALL LOOKS GOOD AT THE DONKEY-DOME!

2011-11-26T22:22:00.001Z

Ryman League football kicks off at The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium

Enfield Town fans behind the goal in the first half

Some of the travelling Soham Town Ranger's fans behind their goal in the first half

It was another fantastic occasion at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium this afternoon as Town won their first Ryman League game in their new home against Soham Town Rangers.

A decent crowd of 420 people were present which was 65 more than the next best attendance at step 4 of the non-league ladder today - The top of the table clash between Needham Market and Grays Athletic attracted 355 people.

Steve Newing’s side looked in control from the off and took a deserved lead through Liam Hope. They could have been at least two or three up by half time with the visitors coming back into the game for the last 15 minutes of the first half. The pacey and skillful Dubi Ogboma caused a few problems but the centre back pairing of Kirby and Kendall put in another impressive performance throughout the match meaning Noel Imber was rarely troubled in the Town goal.

Town made the game comfortable in the second half when Liam Hope scored a second via the penalty spot and Leon Osei scored the third after a Lee Allen looping cross had rattled off the angle of crossbar and post.

There are two important games coming up for the Town at Donkey Lane. Waltham Forest visit on Tuesday and next Saturday second placed Grays Athletic visit which will hopefully see a bigger crowd in attendance as the Essex side have a good away following.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW

CHELMSFORD CITY RESERVES SCORE FIVE AT THE DONKEY-DOME

2011-11-24T22:11:00.000Z

Enfield Town Reserves made their debut at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium last night against a very strong reserve side from Blue Square South Chelmsford City. Town scored first via Aaron Cato and played some good football but then conceded five goals before Cem Aytac scored a late goal to make the final score 2-5.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW

CLAPTON START WITH NINE, BOTH SIDES END WITH TEN & MANOR WIN THE EAST LONDON DERBY IN WALTHAM ABBEY

2011-11-24T21:17:00.002Z

“WE’VE GOT NO TIME TO GO CONTINENTAL”

Count the crowd competition??

And the players....Clapton start with just nine men

An official attendance of just twelve people was recorded on Tuesday night for the Essex Senior League game between Eton Manor and Clapton at Capershotts.

At kick off a quick headcount (it didn’t take long!!) by the cold end saw 18 people at Waltham Abbey for the big East London Derby between the two historic clubs.

For those not in the know, Eton Manor were formed in 1901 by the rich and influential families of the likes of Barings, Villiers and Lord Chelsea for the benefit of bringing sport to the poor and underprivileged youth of the East End of London. Manor played at various locations but eventually in the 1930’s settled on the sports-ground known as ‘The Wilderness’ on the Hackney Marshes . ‘The Wilderness’ stadium is now long gone but was located just off of Quarter Mile Lane which is just a stone’s throw from the new London 2012 Olympic Stadium. Maybe Eton Manor can lay claim to the being tenants?? Eton Manor have been members of the Essex Senior League since the mid 1970’s hopping between various grounds around East London and the Home Counties. Enfield Town fans reading this will have some good memories of playing Manor at Wadham Lodge and Chadfields during our time in the Essex Senior League. They have also played at Burnham Rambler’s Leslie Fields and Barking FC’s Mayesbrook Park of late but this season have been sharing at the home of Waltham Abbey.

This was the second Clapton FC game the cold end has seen this year – I was at the Old Spotted Dog in October to see an eventful game against Sawbridgeworth Town which ended 3-6.

This game had lots of talking points but didn’t contain as many goals as the Sawbo game.

Due to the amount of people in attendance it was a case of as the game started there were more players on the pitch than in the stands and on the sidelines. This was only just as The Tons started with only nine men and no substitutes. Some of their players were delayed for an unknown reason to the cold end.

So the first half an hour or so was the eight outfield players and goalkeeper of Clapton defending and when they didn’t Manor’s poor finishing and the woodwork helped them out on one occasion. Manor deservedly made it 1-0 via a scrappy own-goal put into the net at the near post from a corner kick. Clapton, when with nine men, broke up field and troubled the Manor (who made a good save) keeper only once. As the half went on the Clapton bench became more and more animated as you’ll see from the video highlights. Eton Manor manager Kevin Durrant seemed a little frustrated that his 11 men were only 1-0 up against the 9 men and he had the shout of the night (possibly the season) which was 'we've got no time to go continental' when his side were passing the ball along their back line.

With about 5 minutes of the half left Clapton’s extra players turned up and came on to make up the numbers and they made it 1-1 just prior to the break much to the pleasure of their management and the small group of player’s friends who were now gathered in the stand by the tunnel.

The second half started with Manor scored a hotly disputed winning goal with a great strike from outside of the box. The ball squeezed between a few players in the box including a Manor one who Clapton appealed was offside and interfering with play. After a swift consultation with his assistant the referee gave the goal.

The game finished with a somewhat bad tempered feel to it as both sides saw a man dismissed after firstly some pushing and shoving followed by a coming together of two players which the referee had to break-up. Thankfully when the referee blew up for the end of the match it was handshakes all round.

The question is will Eton Manor get a lower crowd this season?? They have already recorded 10 for their game with Haringey and Waltham Development in October which is the equal lowest crowd in the ESL this season. The same figure saw the Southend Manor v Clapton game on the 6^th August.


MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - RACE FOR THE TITLE

2011-11-22T13:03:00.000Z

Current Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division - Top Eight Only 

                    HOME              AWAY               TOTAL                   LAST6   
                    P W D L GF GA GD  P  W D L GF GA GD  P  W  D L GF GA GD PTS 
1. ROYSTON TOWN     8 7 0 1 26 10 16  9  8 0 1 28  6 22  17 15 0 2 54 16 38 45   WWWWWW  
2. BERKHAMSTED      9 7 1 1 22 11 11  8  4 1 3 18 15  3  17 11 2 4 30 26 14 35   WDWWWW
3. DUNSTABLE TOWN   8 7 1 0 28  6 22  7  3 3 1 18 14  4  15 10 4 1 46 20 26 34   LWWWDW 
4. LEVERSTOCK GREEN 8 6 0 2 15  9  6  10 5 1 4 14 10  4  18 11 1 6 29 19 10 34   LLLWLL
5. HARINGEY BOROUGH 8 6 0 2 22 11 11  8  4 3 1 18 13  5  16 10 3 3 40 24 16 33   WLLWWW
6. AFC DUNSTABLE    6 3 1 2 18 10  8  11 7 1 3 26 14 12  17 10 2 5 44 24 20 32   WLWWWL
7. AYLESBURY UNITED 8 3 2 3 19 13  6  9  7 0 2 25 11 14  17 10 2 5 44 24 20 32   LWWLWD 
8. TRING ATHLETIC   9 4 3 2 14 14  0  7  5 1 1 15  9  6  16 9  4 3 29 23  6 31   LDWDWD

Royston Town have opened up a ten point lead in the race for the title after losing only two of their opening 17 league games. They are followed by Berkhamsted and third placed Dunstable Town, whom with their two games in hand over the top two, look to be The Crows closest challengers over the next few months. Dunstable Town have only lost one league game out of fifteen so far and go into the big Dunstable derby on Saturday in good form. AFC Dunstable, who they face at Creasey Park, are having a great first season at this level and are currently in sixth place. Prior to the big local derby Town entertain struggling Hatfield Town at Creasey Park on Tuesday night.

Assuming Royston keeping winning and if Dunstable Town win their two games in hand they would be only five points behind the table toppers.

The next month is a very important one for The Crows as face three of the current top six (AFC Dunstable, Haringey Borough and Berkhamsted) in their next five league games. The results of these games may or (as the chasing pack will be wishing) may not point towards where the championship trophy will end up.

Berkhamsted FC, formed in 2009 after the demise of Berkhamsted Town FC, have made they way back up to the Premier Division level the old club left. Their supporters will be well pleased at sitting in second place at this stage of the season.

Leverstock Green have dropped down several places in the league as after winning their first 10 games they have only won one in their last eight games.

It's good to see Town's near neighbour's Haringey Borough doing well in the league losing only three games to date. Their three defeats have come against three teams in the top six being Leverstock Green and the two Dunstable clubs.

Making up the top eight are Aylesbury United and Tring Athletic. The Ducks are still playing outside of their home time currently ground sharing at Leighton Town. Sadly, Buckingham Road has now stood empty since 2006.

FA VASE HOPES IN THE SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE

In the FA Vase there are only three (possibly four) SSMFL teams left for the Third Round Proper which is due to be played on Saturday 3^rd December .

Haringey Borough have a tough home tie against fellow SSMFL league team Royston Town. This is the best run Borough have had in the Vase since 1987/88 when they got through to the Fourth Round. On that occasion they lost away at Tamworth (1-3).

Leverstock Green, who had a great run last season, have to win their replay at Enfield 1893 tomorrow night in order to travel to Long Buckby of the United Counties League. If Levvy do get through to the Fourth Round it’ll be an amazing achievement seeing at Long Buckby have won 23 of their 24 league and cup games so far this season and knocked Dunstable Town out in the last round. 1893’s form at Goldsdown Road is also good with only one loss in their last five league and cup games. The defeat was a narrow 0-1 against Essex Senior League title rivals Witham Town.

Ampthill Town are flying the flag for Division One and face a trip to Lancing who are currently in third place of the Sussex County League Division One. Lancing beat Combined Counties League leader's Guildford City in the last round so will be very tough opponents for the Bedfordshire side.

MORE ON THE SPURS GAME

2011-11-21T23:09:00.001Z

Several other bloggers and websites visited the Opening of the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. LOCAL BUS DRIVER came along as well as PIE AND MUSHY PEAS - both websites have good reports and pictures. Great stuff!

ANOTHER THREE POINTS AT CHATHAM TOWN

2011-11-21T22:56:00.003Z

Most people reading this will know that Enfield Town carried on their good run of results with a 2-3 win at Chatham Town on Saturday

Ryman League Division One North - Current Table (Top 5 only)                                       
                   HOME                   AWAY                  TOTAL 
                   P W D L GF GA GD  PTS  P W D L GF GA GD PTS  P  W  D L GF GA GD PTS  GPG  WIN%  LAST6    
1. NEEDHAM MARKET  8 7 0 1 32  5 27  21   8 4 3 1 21 10 11 15   16 11 3 2 53 15 38 36   3.31 68.75 WWWWWW  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. GRAYS ATHLETIC  9 6 1 2 21  9 12  19   6 5 1 0 13  6  7 16   15 11 2 2 34 15 19 35   2.27 73.33 LWLWWW    
3. LEISTON         8 6 1 1 18  7 11  19   9 4 2 3 17 11  6 14   17 10 3 4 35 18 17 33   2.06 58.82 LWWDWW   
4. ENFIELD TOWN    7 4 2 1 17 10  7  14   9 5 3 1 16 12  4 18   16  9 5 2 33 22 11 32   2.06 56.25 WDWWWW  
5. BRENTWOOD TOWN  9 4 1 4 14  8  6  13   8 5 1 2 14  5  9 16   17  9 2 6 28 13 15 29   1.65 52.94 WWLWLW   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The battle for the play offs and title race in the Ryman Division One (North) is really hotting up with just seven points separating the top five. Tilbury, Potters Bar Town, Harlow Town, Thamesmead Town and Romford make up the current top ten and will be pushing hard looking for the top five to slip up. There is still much football to be played!!

The match of the season so far takes place next Saturday when the top two face off with Grays Athletic travelling to fortress Bloomfields to play Needham Market. Prior to this most important game, Grays travel to Harlow Town for an Essex derby on Tuesday night - depending on the result of this game Hakan Hayrettin's side may go to Suffolk as league leaders.

Needham Market's form of late has been nothing short of spectacular. Since Soham Town Ranger's unexpected away victory (2-3) on Tuesday 4th October they have won seven league games in a row with their last three games being won 4-0.

Needham's current tally of 53 goals scored is a massive 17 clear of second top scorers (fourteenth placed Waltham Abbey). In their sixteen league games played The Marketmen have already eclisped the total amount of goals scored in forty league games by Waltham Forest (42), Ilford (42) , Tilbury (41), Cheshunt (49), Thamesmead Town (42) and Redbridge (51) last season.

STAND OUT GAMES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Saturday 26th November 
Needham Market v Grays Athletic 

Saturday 3rd December 
Brentwood Town v Needham Market
Enfield Town v Grays Athletic 

Saturday 10th December 
Leiston v Enfield Town 

Saturday 17th December 
Leiston v Grays Athletic 

Monday 26th December 
Needham Market v Leiston

FOOTBALL IN ENFIELD RETURNS HOME

2011-11-21T22:47:00.000Z

MATCH PLAYED ON WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER
ENFIELD TOWN 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI 1

Just a short walk from Southbury Road where so many fans had so many memorable days and nights watching the old Enfield FC the beautiful game finally returned "home" on Wednesday night. It was fitting that some of the old club's heroes made up some of the 969 in attendance at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium against a skillful and very impressive young Tottenham Hotspur XI managed by Les Ferdinand and Tim Sherwood. The cold end saw Enfield FC club legend's Eddie McCluskey and Steve King mingling amongst the crowd of people young and old celebrating the opening of Enfield Town's new stadium.

The Spurs starting XI featured John Bostock (England u19 International signed from Crystal Palace for a fee which may rise to £1.25m), Massimo Luongo (Australian u20 International who made debut versus Stoke City in the Carling Cup where he missed a penalty kick in the shootout), Christian Ceballos (signed from Barcelona in the Summer), Jonathan Obika (spent time on loan with Yeovil Town and Millwall – born in Enfield) and Iago Falque Silva (Spanish u21 international currently on loan from Juventus. It was also good to see it having a local feel to it as Obika was born in Enfield along with Kevin Stewart (who attended Enfield Grammar School) and James Yeboah (born in Edmonton)

Many people have worked tirelessly to bring football to what was, a few years ago, a semi-derelict stadium used as a dumping ground for fly-tippers to convert it into an arena that the club and the borough of Enfield can rightly be very proud of.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS SOON

2011-11-18T10:10:00.000Z

The Cold End apologies for not getting the match highlights I captured of Wednesday's celebratory game uploaded sooner. Hopefully they will be on here by sometime tonight. Sky Sports News had some brilliant footage shown on Thursday morning which was great to see and some fantastic exposure for Enfield Town FC.

THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE TO BE TONIGHT!!!

2011-11-16T01:00:00.000Z

Enfield Town Football Club officially open the Queen Elizabeth Stadium tonight by welcoming a Tottenham Hotspur XI in a celebratory match which kicks off at 7.30pm. The Spurs side managed by Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand will apparently be a mixture of reserves and youth/development team players, some of whom have been involved in the Europa League this season so it's an event not to be missed.

You will be able to pay on the gate with the entrance fee being £10 for adults and concessions £5. The Cold Ends advice is to arrive early to miss any potential queues etc.....Please note the earlier kick off time of 7.30pm.

AFC SUDBURY HIGHLIGHTS HERE

2011-11-16T00:30:00.001Z

The highlights of the Alan Boon Ryman League Cup Third Round game played on Monday at the Donkey Dome are below -

There were many ground hoppers among the crowd taking the opportunity to tick off the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. One such hopper (Colliers_Wood_Iron) writes an informative and original blog called 'non-league by public transport', his take on the night can be found here. The blog is well worth a read as Colliers_Wood_Iron travels to a variety of non-league grounds from Canvey to Chalfont and Holmesdale (NLBPT has already informed me that the Kent League side have Cinema style seats in their stand!) to Southend Manor amongst others this season already.

SUDBURY PROGRESS IN THE ALAN BOON CUP

2011-11-15T10:29:00.000Z

AFC Sudbury were still in the Alan Boon Cup as they left for the long journey home from Donkey Lane last night. A much changed Town side with only Dave Kendall starting from the XI that began the league game on Saturday went down 0-2 with a goal scored in each half by the Suffolk visitors. John Docker and the impressive Rhys Darg were on target for AFC who had eight players starting from the game at the weekend.

The first half was a largely forgettable affair with Town having a better second period with Daniel Ailey unlucky not to get a goal. He had one shot well saved by Danny Gay and did get the ball into the net following a cross from Joe Stevens which was ruled offside. A small amount of match highlights will follow this evening on the cold end.

A good crowd of 152 people were at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

THE COLD END RECOMMENDS...

2011-11-14T14:31:00.000Z

A fantastic new website called '500 REASONS TO LOVE FOOTBALL' which after only a few weeks is currently up to number 152!!!

Link - 500reasonstolovefootball.blogspot.com

You can also follow the people who make the site on twitter @500RTLF

"HE LOVES IT IN SUFFOLK!!!" - THE TOWN WIN AGAIN

2011-11-13T01:07:00.001Z

Enfield Town continued their good form with a fantastic 1-2 win over AFC Sudbury at the MEL Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Leon Osei seems to love playing in Suffolk (he had a great game in last season’s 1-5 win) as he put the Town 0-1 up with a good finish followed by a Liam Hope penalty kick to make it 0-2 at half time. Town could have been 4 up at the break as they all but dominated the first 45 minutes. The home side did show some brief glimpses of decent play but when going forward they found they couldn’t penetrate the hard working Town back four and goalkeeper Noel Imber.

The above two pictures have been taken from the video footage... Inside or outside the box?? Foul or not a foul??

Looking from a neutral perspective the decision to award Town a penalty was slightly debatable as from the replay it looks a soft foul and outside of the box??

As expected the home side came back at Town in the second half and were unlucky to hit the cross bar from close range. They did make the last 10 minutes of the match a little tense when making the score 1-2 from the penalty spot after Jordan Lockie was adjudged to have fouled a player in the box.

It didn’t look as if contact was made with the AFC player going down when Jordan dived in... Could there be a case that on another day both penalties would not be given?? (check out the video from 2mins 27secs and 7mins 53 secs to make your own mind up)

It really was a hard working team performance today with every player putting a shift in for Steve Newing and the result being fully deserved. Rudi Hall and Michael Ewang impressed in central midfield, Jey Siva defended and attacked well from his left back position and the centre back partnership of the returning Kirby alongside Dave Kendall looking strong.

From their second half performance the cold end thinks that AFC Sudbury should finish much higher than their current sixteenth placed position making the victory even better for Town.

The crowd of 330 was AFC’s biggest so far this season beating their previous best of 267 in the game versus Tilbury on the 27^th August.

The game also saw the debut of the #cakewalk goal celebration. For more information why not get involved with the banter on twitter where you can chat to a good number of the Enfield Town FC players such as @jey_siva @Dkendall117 @markkirby10 @liam_hope1987 @MaccaGio @mikeyewang @pt_awallace @caesar_santana and @joeystevens86.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW

GOOD LUCK TO RYMAN LEAGUE TEAMS IN THE FA CUP

2011-11-11T20:28:00.000Z

Three teams from the Ryman League are in action and going for glory in the FA Cup First Round tomorrow. The Cold End sends the best of luck to Redbridge, East Thurrock United and Sutton United in their matches against Oxford City, Macclesfield Town and Kettering Town.

The question is where will the shocks come with League One and Two sides entering the competition?

East Thurrock United, the only Ryman side facing football league opposition, are 11/2 against Macclesfield Town who are odds on favourites at 4/9 with the draw being 3/1. Is it worth a punt on The Rocks springing a shock??

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) WEEKEND FIXTURES - A QUICK PREVIEW

2011-11-11T20:18:00.001Z

AFC SUDBURY V ENFIELD TOWN
Unbeaten in five league games (three wins and two draws) v Unbeaten in seven league games (five wins and two draws)

CHESHUNT V ILFORD
Three clean sheets in six league games but conceded 14 goals v bottom of the table but scored in last six league games

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS V GREAT WAKERING ROVERS
Lost last five league games v Danny Greave's second game in charge of Rovers

LEISTON V BRENTWOOD TOWN
LWLWWD v DWWWLD - 3rd v 4th in the table. Match of the Day

NEEDHAM MARKET V THAMESMEAD TOWN
Fortress Bloomfields. Won six out of seven league home games scoring 28 goals v away league form of LWWDWW. Could The Mead spring a surprise?

POTTERS BAR TOWN V MALDON AND TIPTREE
Five league wins on the spin at home v two good wins in their last two away league games against Harlow Town and Thamesmead Town

WALTHAM ABBEY V HARLOW TOWN
Scored 16 and let in 10 in their last six league games v nine goals scored and let in 10. Close game?

WALTHAM FOREST V ROMFORD
Let in eight goals in their last three league games v Lost at Potters Bar Town and Tilbury in their last two away games

WARE V CHATHAM TOWN
Bottom of the form table (no wins in six) v second bottom in the form table (one win in six).. Ware need to start winning and could start tomorrow afternoon??

GRAYS ATHLETIC V SOHAM TOWN RANGERS (PLAYING ON SUNDAY)
Form at home has been DLWL v draw specialists (seven in 15 games have finished all square)

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) WEEKEND PREVIEW & SEASON SO FAR

2011-11-10T13:07:00.000Z

Ryman Division One (North) Current Table 
                                           CURRENT FORM (LAST 6)
                   P  W D L  GF GA GD PTS  P W D L GF GA GD PTS  
1. NEEDHAM MARKET  14 9 3 2  45 15 30  30  6 5 0 1 22  6 16 15     
-----------------------------------------
2. GRAYS ATHLETIC  13 9 2 2  27 13 14  29  6 3 1 2  9  8  1 10
3. LEISTON         15 8 3 4  28 17 11  27  6 3 1 2  8  7  1 10
4. BRENTWOOD TOWN  15 8 2 5  22 11 11  26  6 4 1 1 11  2  9 13
5. ENFIELD TOWN    14 7 5 2  28 19  9  26  6 5 1 0 11  5  6 16*
-----------------------------------------
6. TILBURY         15 7 4 4  32 30  2  25  6 4 1 1 16 12  4 13
7. WALTHAM FOREST  11 7 1 3  24 18  6  22  6 3 1 2 13 11  2 10
8. ROMFORD         15 6 4 5  26 23  3  22  6 3 0 3 10  9  1  9 
9. THAMESMEAD TOWN 12 6 3 3  22 15  7  21  6 4 1 1 11  5  6 13
10.POTTERS BAR     14 6 3 5  22 30 -8  21  6 4 0 2  9  7  2 12
11.HARLOW TOWN     13 6 2 5  19 16  3  20  6 2 0 4  9 10 -1  6
12.CHATHAM TOWN    15 6 1 8  16 20 -4  19  6 1 0 5  4 11 -7  3
13.WALTHAM ABBEY   12 5 1 6  30 25  5  16  6 3 0 3 16 10  6  9
14.AFC SUDBURY     12 4 4 4  14 17 -3  16  6 3 2 1  7  5  2 11
15.SOHAM TOWN      15 3 7 5  23 30 -7  16  6 2 2 2  8 10 -2  8 
16.CHESHUNT        14 3 7 4  12 25 -13 16  6 1 3 2  4 14 -10 6
17.HEYBRIDGE       14 4 3 7  19 22 -3  15  6 1 0 5  5 11 -6  3
18.REDBRIDGE       11 4 2 5  19 20 -1  14  6 2 1 3 10 10  0  7
19.GREAT WAKERING  14 3 3 8  17 37 -20 12  6 2 1 3  8 16 -8  7
20.MALDON & TIP    11 3 1 7  13 22 -9  10  6 3 0 3  9 11 -2  9
----------------------------------------
21. WARE           15 1 3 11 11 30 -19  6  6 0 2 4  5 12 -7  2#
22. ILFORD         14 1 2 11 13 27 -14  5  6 1 1 4 10 13 -3  4
                                           * DENOTES TOP OF THE FORM TABLE
                                           # DENOTES BOTTOM OF THE FORM TABLE

Needham Market's 4-0 home win against Ware on Tuesday night has put the Suffolk side top of the table by one point. Second placed Grays Athletic are only one point behind with one game in hand. The top five is completed with Leiston, Brentwood Town and Enfield Town. Town could leap-frog both Brentwood and Leiston should we win our game in hand.

Tilbury, Waltham Forest, Romford, Thamesmead Town, Potters Bar Town and Harlow Town then follow with only five points separating The Dockers in sixth place and The Hawks in eleventh place.

Twelth placed Chatham Town have dropped down the league placings following their promising start to the campaign. Five wins in their opening nine games has moved onto just one win in six games.

AFC Sudbury, Town's opponents on Saturday, are currently moving up the table in fourteenth position with just one defeat in their last six league games. They played out a Suffolk derby game against Leiston on Tuesday night and showed the spirit they have in their camp at the moment with a 95th minute equaliser from Michael Shinn to draw the game 1-1. Leiston were reduced to 10 men in the second period at Victory Road.

A good crowd of 327 saw the Suffolk derby between Leiston and AFC Sudbury on Tuesday night

Looking at the table you could ask is it ominous that Needham Market have scored an incredible 45 goals in just 14 games?? Just two other sides, Tilbury (32 - 6th place) and Waltham Abbey (30 -13th), have also hit the back of the net 30 times or over. The Marketmen's impressive total does include two 7-0 home victories and another 8-1 home win against Cheshunt.

THE TOP FIVE RECORD 
                   VERSUS TOP FIVE          VERSUS BOTTOM FIVE 
                   P W D L GF GA GD  PTS    P W D L GF GA GD PTS 
1.NEEDHAM MARKET   1 0 1 0  2  2  0  1      5 5 0 0 18  3 15 15          
2.GRAYS ATHLETIC   2 2 0 0  3  1  2  6      5 4 1 0 13  5  8 13 
3.LEISTON          1 0 0 1  0  1 -1  0      5 4 1 0 12  3  9 13
4.BRENTWOOD TOWN   2 0 0 2  2  4 -2  0      2 1 1 0  2  1  1  4
5.ENFIELD TOWN     2 1 1 0  4  3  1  4      5 3 2 0 13  6  7  4

As you can see from the above figures the top five haven't really played against each other as yet but they have played against the bottom five with only Brentwood Town on two games played against the current bottom five. The bottom five currently includes Maldon and Tiptree and FA Cup heroes Redbridge at present - the cold end beleives both of these clubs will improve on their league positions over the next few months. M&T have a much better squad than their position shows and with a manager of the quality of Terry Spillane it should only be a matter of time before The Motormen's squad of good hard working players convert some of their Cup and Trophy form into League points. None of the current bottom five have won against the top five...

TOP FIVE NEXT TWO GAMES 

1. NEEDHAM MARKET  - THAMESMEAD TOWN     Waltham Abbey         GRAYS ATHLETIC  
2. GRAYS ATHLETIC  - SOHAM TOWN RANGERS  POTTERS BAR TOWN      Harlow Town
3. LEISTON         - BRENTWOOD TOWN      Waltham Forest        THAMESMEAD TOWN  
4. BRENTWOOD TOWN  - Leiston             GREAT WAKERING ROVERS Romford 
5. ENFIELD TOWN    - AFC Sudbury         Chatham Town          SOHAM TOWN RANGERS

Saturday 26th November sees Grays Athletic travel to Needham Market in what will be one of the games of the season so far. Hakan Hayrettin's team has a busy schedule prior to their trip to Bloomfields with home games against Soham Town Rangers, Potters Bar Town and an Essex midweek derby trip to Harlow Town. The Hawks are currently in 11th place with only two wins in six games. Their 3-2 win against Ryman Premier Lewes in the FA Trophy last Saturday shows that they are a dangerous team that shouldn't be underestimated.

Maldon and Tiptree's victory over Thamesmead Town on Tuesday night now puts only three teams on two defeats. Needham Market, Grays Athletic and Enfield Town make up the trio. Unsurprisingly Ware (11) and Ilford (13) are the clubs with the most defeats.

WEEKEND FIXTURES 

AFC SUDBURY      V ENFIELD TOWN 
CHESHUNT         V ILFORD 
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS V GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 
LEISTON          V BRENTWOOD TOWN 
NEEDHAM MARKET   V THAMESMEAD TOWN 
POTTERS BAR TOWN V MALDON AND TIPTREE 
WALTHAM ABBEY    V HARLOW TOWN 
WALTHAM FOREST   V ROMFORD 
WARE             V CHATHAM TOWN

WELCOME TO THE DONKEY-DOME

2011-11-10T00:45:00.000Z

For reasons beyond the cold end's control I couldn't be at the first game at Donkey Lane/Queen Elizabeth Stadium/The Donkey Dome/Burrobeau Stadium* yesterday evening. Call myself a fan...more of a glory hunter now!!

A good crowd of 251 people saw the Town record a 2-1 against Harefield United with Walid Matata and Daniel Ailey getting on the score-sheet. The Hare's Jack Reader had opened the scoring on 41 minutes.

Town face another home tie in Round Two against the winners of the Wealdstone v Ashford Town (Middlesex) game which is being played next Tuesday night

*delete as applicable.. I love them all....the Burrobeau Stadium is brilliant - which an unknown director came up with last week I believe.

BIG NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY

2011-11-08T00:58:00.000Z

Only one more day to go now until Enfield Town's first game at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Wednesday night. The Middlesex Senior Cup game against Harefield United kicks off at 7.45pm. Why not come down to the DonkeyDome???

QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM PICTURES

2011-11-06T20:02:00.000Z

Enfield Town return 'home' to the Queen Elizabeth Stadium this week. The Cold End visited this morning and can bring you the following pictures of our club's magnificent new ground. I can't say it enough but the work that has been put in behind the scenes by many people has been immense. You all deserve awards for playing your part in bringing football back to borough!

THE HOME DRESSING ROOM.

TWO VIEWS OF WHAT WILL BE THE RATHER PLUSH BAR

LIAM HOPE SAVES THE DAY

2011-11-06T19:36:00.000Z

It appeared Ware came to Theobalds Lane yesterday with a game plan of working hard, putting as many men behind the ball as possible and hitting Town on the break through pacey winger Aime Blessing. Ware included a few ex Enfield Town players including John Stevenson in the centre of midfield and David Bastian playing at centre back as opposed to his usual left-back position.

Bastian was paired with Vince Rispoli at the back and put in a good performance against his old side as Ware nearly came away with a point in a match which, aside from the away side’s goal, saw Town dominant possession throughout the ninety minutes.

On 10 minutes Ware took the lead when, following a cross from the left hand side, Danny Johnson caught the Town back line out and slotted the ball home past Noel Imber.

The rest of the first period saw Town pass the ball around well with the Ware players closing down and pressing whenever the ball got near their penalty box.

It was 1-1 right on the 45 minute mark when Jordon Lockie put over a great cross from the right hand side for Adam Wallace to volley the ball home past Rhys Madden in the Ware goal.

Town piled on the pressure in the second half but following a good save by Madden from a Liam Hope free-kick the match looked as if it was going to disappointingly end all square for Steve Newing’s team.

Step forward Liam Hope who saved the day on 87 minutes, when following some good build up play from Adam Wallace, substitute Daniel Ailey and Jordan Lockie, he directed a great shot across goal that hit the stanchion to make it 2-1. It was a great finish worthy of winning the game.

You can see the cold end’s headline reads ‘LIAM HOPE SAVES THE DAY’ with back in training Craig ‘Gio’ McKay preferring ‘OSCAR NOTCHES TO WIN THREE POINTS!!!’

The win puts Enfield Town up into third place in the Ryman Division One (North) table behind Needham Market and Grays Athletic. Eighth placed Thamesmead Town and the top three now make up the only four teams in the league to lose only two matches.

Being managed by ex Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall defender Stuart Nethercott it was expected that Ware were going to highly organised and hard working in defence so it was a good win even with our local rivals struggling near the foot of the table.

Alongside Maldon and Tiptree they are currently the joint lowest scorers in the league on only 11 goals, which is, one of the reasons they are struggling. Another worrying statistic for Ware fans is that their only win has come via a home victory against Ilford, another side battling at the bottom of the the table.

Talking of Ware fans the cold end asks where were they in the crowd of 178 yesterday?? They used to have a small band of noisy followers with a flag that stood behind the goal but they weren't present yesterday..

Ware’s defence will be solidly put to the test in their next game as they make a long midweek trip to second placed Needham Market who are currently the league’s top scorers on 41 goals.

Town’s next league game is another tough trip into Suffolk against improving AFC Sudbury who recorded a good 1-2 at Brentwood Town yesterday. Sudbury will also be out for revenge following Town’s fantastic 1-5 midweek victory in January last season.

Before then there is the small matter of returning ‘home’ and Enfield Town’s first game ever at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Wednesday night!! Spartan South Midlands League side Harefield United visit in the Middlesex Senior Cup.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW -

1994 - STEVE NEWING - HAT-TRICK HERO!!

2011-11-05T11:28:00.000Z

On Tuesday 8th February 1994 Enfield FC travelled to the White Lion Ground to face Edgware Town in Middlesex Senior Cup Second Round tie. It was a busy time for the E's with the game sandwiched between a home 1-0 league victory over Grays Athletic and an FA Trophy away day at Worthing. The Grays game was goalkeeper John Burridge's debut for the club then managed by Graham Robers who was ably assisted by George Borg. Burridge was replaced by reserve Steve White for this game but Lee Francis, Martin St Hilaire, John Ridout, John Bailey, Richard 'the football genius' Cherry, Gary Britnell and Leroy Whale all started the game so it was a strong E's side.

The game will be remembered by some E's fans as the one where George Borg played some of the game. However, for Enfield Town's manager Steve Newing, it will be remembered for his hat-trick playing alongside Scott McGleish in the home side's incredible 5-4 victory AET.

The Cold End thanks Laurence Hughes of hughesvideoservices.co.uk for the below footage of our great manager's hat-trick. The footage is not the best quality as it's off my VHS compilation tape that has been gathering just a little bit of dust packed away in a cupboard for the last decade but it shows that Steve certainly knew where the goal was!!

hughesvideoservices.co.uk filmed many games for the E's during the early and mid 90's and hopefully by early next year will be selling DVD copies from the website, which of course, will be of a much better quality. If you were an E's fan at the compilation tapes are absolutely magic and bring back some fantastic memories of some quality days and nights following the old club.

Laurence also runs Sunday League side Edmonton Rovers whose website is well worth a look at. Nearly every game the club have played since the early 1990's has been captured on camera!!

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - A QUICK WEEKEND PREVIEW

2011-11-04T10:12:00.000Z

Here are this weekend's Ryman Division One (North) fixtures summed up in a quick preview -

Brentwood Town v AFC Sudbury
5 clean sheets in a row v form improving - three unbeaten & one goal conceded - tight game??

Chatham Town v Leiston
Lost last two games 0-1 v topsy turvy form LWLW.

Enfield Town v Ware
Unbeaten in 5 home games v 1 point from 18 on the road

Ilford v Needham Market
12 goals in 13 games v 39 goals in 12 games - anything but an away win would be a shock?

Romford v Heybridge Swifts
LWLWLL v LWLLL – Too close to call

Soham Town Rangers v Cheshunt
Six draws from fourteen games v six draws from thirteen games. Maybe another draw?

Tilbury v Waltham Forest
Third place/good form at home, 5 wins in 7 games v Eighth place – only 4th away league game so far.

Several Ryman North clubs are in FA Trophy action with last weekend's FA Cup heroes, Redbridge, facing a tough trip to Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division current table topper's Cambridge City.

There is an Essex derby over at Rookery Hill as Grays Athletic welcome Ryman Premier Division Canvey Island. Harlow Town also welcome Premier Division opponents as Lewes visit Barrows Field. Maldon and Tiptree host Bedfont Town, who are struggling near the foot of the Evo-Stik Division One (Central) whilst Thamesmead Town host another of last weekend's FA Cup heroes as Arlesey Town go south of the River to Bayliss Avenue.

The Scholars of Potters Bar Town are the last team in action when they visit more Evo-Stik Central opponents at Uxbridge.

FOOTBALL IN ENFIELD - IT'S COMING HOME

2011-11-04T09:55:00.000Z

The hallowed turf at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Donkey Lane is now officially ready to be graced by Enfield Town Football Club. Tomorrow afternoon's game against Ware at Theobalds Lane will be the last played in the ground share agreement with Cheshunt. The Cold End would like to thank our friends over the border in Hertfordshire for their help in letting the Town play their games there since the start of the season.

The first game at the DonkeyDome will be next Wednesday 9th November evening in the Middlesex Senior Cup against Harefield United followed by the League Cup game against AFC Sudbury on Monday 14th November. The first Ryman League game to be played at Town's new stadium will be on Saturday 26th November against Soham Town Rangers.

The ground will officially be opened against a Tottenham Hotspur XI managed by Les Ferdinand and Tim Sherwood on Wednesday 16th November with a slightly earlier kick off time of 7.30pm. Tickets for this game are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. All details can be found on the official Enfield Town FC website here.

It's been a very long time since the old Enfield FC's Southbury Road was so sadly demolished in 1999 so the game against Tottenham Hotspur should be a great night of celebration as to what the new club have achieved since formation in 2001.

The Cold End thanks all the people involved who have worked so hard to get Donkey Lane and the QE STAD up and running!!

LANGFORD VERY UNLUCKY IN CUP DEFEAT TO COLNEY

2011-11-03T21:44:00.000Z

Langford welcomed London Colney to Forde Park on Tuesday night for a Spartan South Midlands League Division One Cup game. The hosts, having lost three league games in a row in late August/early September (one against Colney away 1-3), had improved their form with four wins in their last six games faced Colney who are currently topping the table by eight points having won fifteen of their eighteen league games.

It turned out to be another great game of football served up by the Spartan South Midlands League. Colney took an early lead with a fantastic strike from outside of the box and increased their lead in the second half to 0-2. However, it was Langford who can really count themselves very unlucky not to win the game or at least take it to extra time as during the 90 minutes they hit the post twice, bar once as well as the Colney keeper making a few impressive saves.

Colney managed to hold on and could of scored a third themselves late on but for a goal-line clearance from the home side.

Match highlights are below –

CLASSIC PROGRAMMES - BRIGGS SPORTS V WEMBLEY - 1956

2011-11-01T11:31:00.000Z

Redbridge FC have hit the FA Cup headlines this weekend and it's a club who are a part of The Motormen's history that feature in today's classic programme.

Briggs Sports were formed in 1932 as Briggs Motor Bodies FC and it 1959 merged with Ford Sports (Dagenham) to form Ford United who in turn in 2004 were renamed as Redbridge FC.

In 1954 Briggs reached the Semi-Final of the FA Amateur Cup only to lose 1-5 to the mighty Bishop Auckland at Newcastle United's St James Park in front of a crowd of 55,000.

This programme is from 55 years ago as on Saturday 14th April 1956 Briggs took on Wembley in the final of the London Senior Cup played at Ilford FC's old ground in Lynn Road, Newbury Park.

The programme notes start with stating that this game was the 70th final played and was the first time a work's team (being Briggs Sports) had appeared in the final since 1912/13 when Metrogas lost to Tufnell Park. It was also the first final for many a years that neither an Isthmian nor an Athenian League team had reached the final.

The history of Briggs Sports is covered in that the team entered the Spartan League in 1946 and 'forced their way into senior soccer circles when they won promotion to the Premier Division in 1948'.
Up to 1956 Briggs won the Championship twice and were runners-up on three occasions.

The game was the first time Briggs had appeared in the final of the London Senior Cup and that they had seldom progressed past the first round in previous competitions.

The programme states that their team 'includes only three Essex players. We say only because there was time, a season or so ago, when almost the entire eleven was being honoured by the County. The trio referred to are Bob Bumpstead, Harold "Jumbo" Jarvis and Alf Noble, former England International, who won every honour the game was to offer while with Leytonstone'.

PATHS TO THE FINAL 
                       BRIGGS SPORTS          WEMBLEY 
1st Qualifying Round   -                      Beckenham 
2nd Qualifying Round   -                      WOODFORD TOWN 
ROUND 1                Eton Manor      1-5    ERITH AND BELVEDERE 
ROUND 2                CLAPTON         2-1    DULWICH HAMLET 
ROUND 3                WALTHAMSTOW AVE 1-0    Hendon
SEMI-FINAL             Kingstonian *   5-0    Corinthian Casuals
* played at Plough Lane

The programme doesn't contain the scores for the Wembley games but does state that the Wembley played through the competition without exemption and that they were also in the final of the Middlesex Senior Cup with home victories over Edgware and Enfield along with an away win at Wealdstone. 1955/56 was Wembley's most successful season since their inception in 1946. They had only lost four Delphian League games for the season to date.

The programme continues 'Their team normally includes Dennis Haskow at outside-right, but have played through the competition without his services due to one appearance with Winchmore Hill at the beginning of the season, and Roy Wilson, a 19 year old reserve, has proved an able deputy'. Wembley's team also included 'Tony Carroll, a local lad who played in Wembley's first ever game in 1946'. Jim Price was the manager who 'over the part four seasons has built a formidable team' and coached by Charlie Baker 'who played 14 seasons at Wealdstone'.

Briggs Sports won the game 3-1 to lift the trophy for the first time and in 1957 lifted the trophy again beating Corinthian Casuals 3-0. Ford United had to wait until 1998 when they reached the final and beat Southall 2-0 and then won the trophy again in 2001 when Croydon Athletic were beaten 3-2. They lost the 2003 final to Bromley who recorded a 1-0 win.

The London Senior Cup for 2011/12 is now well underway at the third and fourth round stages.

LONDON SENIOR CUP 2011/12 

FIRST ROUND 

FISHER 7 LONDON TIGERS 0 

SECOND ROUND 

ERITH AND BELVEDERE  3 CROYDON ATHLETIC           1 
SEVEN ACRE & SIDCUP  1 CRAY VALLEY PAPER MILLS    2 
FISHER               1 BETHNAL GREEN UNITED       3 
HARINGEY AND WALTHAM 7 ERITH AND DARTFORD TOWN    1 
BRIDON ROPES         0 LEWISHAM BOROUGH COMMUNITY 2 
COCKFOSTERS          0 HOLMESDALE                 3 

THIRD ROUND 

HARINGEY AND WALTHAM       v ERITH AND BELVEDERE 
LEWISHAM BOROUGH COMMUNITY v ERITH TOWN (@ERITH TOWN) 
CLAPTON          0 BARKINGSIDE 3 
BECKENHAM TOWN             v BETHNAL GREEN UNITED 
ERITH & BELVEDERE          v CRAY VALLEY PAPER MILLS 
HARINGEY BOROUGH 3 HOLMESDALE 1 

FOURTH ROUND 

REDBRIDGE                              v CROYDON ATHLETIC 
BARKING     1 HARINGEY BOROUGH 0 
BARKINGSIDE 1 DULWICH HAMLET 3 
ERITH AND BELVEDERE or CRAY VALLEY     v HARINGEY AND WALTHAM or HANWELL TOWN 
BECKENHAM TOWN or BETHNAL GREEN UNITED v THAMESMEAD TOWN 
LEWISHAM BOROUGH or ERITH TOWN         v CORINTHIAN CASUALS 

FIFTH ROUND 

BROMLEY              v CRAY WANDERERS 
WELLING UNITED       v KINGSTONIAN 
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY v AFC WIMBLEDON 
BARKING              v HENDON 
DULWICH HAMLET       v ERITH AND BELVEDERE or CRAY VALLEY or HARINGEY AND WALTHAM or HANWELL TOWN 
HARROW BOROUGH       v LEWISHAM BOROUGH or ERITH TOWN or CORINTHIAN CASUALS 
TOOTING AND MITCHAM  v REDBRIDGE or CROYDON ATHLETIC
METROPOLITAN POLICE  v BECKENHAM TOWN or BETHNAL GREEN UNITED or THAMESMEAD TOWN

After the fifth round is completed there is a sixth round/quarter-final and then a semi-final and final

Link to London FA website - londonfa.com

RANDOM LEAGUES - ILFORD AND DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

2011-10-31T11:27:00.000Z

The Ilford and District League has expanded this season adding a Division Three made up of eleven teams.

The Ilford and District League Division Three (Current Table)
                          P W D L GF GA GD PTS 
1. DM UNITED RES          5 5 0 0 27  7 20 15 
2. HAINAULT WANDERERS     6 4 1 1 26  7 19 13 
3. LEYTON UNITED          5 4 0 1 16  6 10 12 
4. FOREST UNTED RES       6 4 0 2 24 15  9 12 
5. MELBOURNE SPORTS RES   4 2 1 1 14  9  5  7 
6. ASCOT UNITED           4 2 0 2  9 11 -2  6 
7. NEWHAM ROYALS          4 2 0 2  9 13 -4  6  
8. LUCKY STRIKES          6 2 0 4 11 16 -5  6 
9. LEYTON GREEN           7 1 1 5  6 30 -24 4
10. CUSTOM HOUSE          5 1 0 4 14 25 -11 3
11. DYNAMO ATHLETIC       6 0 1 5  9 26 -17 1

DM United Reserves currently top the division (their first team play in Division Two) with a 100% winning record in their five games followed by Hainault Wanderers, Leyton United and Forest United.

Dynamo Athletic are propping up the division and are the only side without a victory. Athletic, who play home games on the Wanstead flats, did gain a point in a 3-3 draw with Leyton Green on the 8th October. Green have suffered heavy defeats to the top two (0-9 v Hainault and 0-7 v DM United Res) so currently have the worst goal difference on -24.

Forthcoming Fixtures 

Saturday 5th November 
Newham Royals v Dynamo Athletic 
Forest United Res v Lucky Strikes 
Leyton Green v Melbourne Sports Res 
Leyton United v Ascot United 
DM United Res v Custom House 

Saturday 12th November 
Custom House v Hainault Wanderers 
DM United Res v Newham Royals

The Ilford and District League have a very good website which can be found here. Several of the Division Three clubs have websites with, customhousefc.com, standing out for the cold end.

THE COLD END SALUTES...THE MOTORMEN & THE ROCKS

2011-10-31T10:49:00.002Z

The Ryman League will be represented in the FA Cup with Budweiser First Round by at least three teams with Division One (North) Redbridge making the national headlines at the weekend by knocking out Blue Square Premier Division Ebbsfleet United.

East Thurrock United, last season's Division One (North) Champions, have also made it through to the First Round for the first time in their history after a fantastic away with at Blue Square South Eastbourne Borough.

The trio will be made up from the winners of the all Premier Division replay between Leatherhead and Sutton United tomorrow night.

The Motormen have been drawn against Evo-Stick Southern Premier Division Oxford City, The Rocks entertain League Two Macclesfield Town and the winners of the replay at Fetcham Grove welcome Blue Square Premier Kettering Town.

With Charlton Atletic and Sheffield's Wednesday and United in the hat for the draw the Ryman League representatives unfortunately didn't hit the jackpot but will be eagerly awaiting the games to be played on the weekend of 12th November.

Redbridge's run to the First Round Proper (with Oxford City's run shown alongside)

Preliminary Round - Cockfosters        1-2   
1st QR            - Wingate & Finchley 0-3   DIDCOT TOWN   1-1   
1st QR replay     -                          Didcot Town   0-3 
2nd QR            - BURY TOWN          1-0   Thame United  1-3  
3rd QR            - DUNSTABLE TOWN     3-0   Eastleigh     1-3 
4th QR            - EBBSFLEET UNITED   2-0   Weston-S-Mare 2-3   
1st Round         - OXFORD CITY              Redbridge

The Motormen have only conceded one goal in their run with Cockfoster's Dave Pigdon laying claim to this fame. His goal in the Preliminary Round game actually put the Spartan South Midlands Division One side ahead.

Terry Spillane will know Oxford City will be no pushovers as they have won away at two Blue Square South sides during their run and are also currently in fifth place of the Evo-Stick Southern Premier League.

East Thurrock United appear to have left their best form for the FA Cup this season as in the league they have only won two of eleven games. They face The Silkmen of League Two who last met non-league opposition in the FA Cup in 2008 when they played Harlow Town at Barrows Farm in front of 2,149 people. Shaun Brisley and Terry Dunfield scored the goals in a 0-2 win against The Hawks who were then members of the Ryman Premier Division. Brisley is still on the books at The Moss Rose whilst Dunfield (a full Canadian International) left in January 2009 to join Shrewsbury Town for a fee of £65,000. He has since played for Vancouver Whitecaps and currently plays for Toronto FC in the MLS.

East Thurrock's run to the First Round Proper 

1st QR        - BEDFORD TOWN 1-0 
2nd QR        - ST ALBANS CITY 3-3 
2nd QR replay - St Albans City 1-3 
3rd QR        - NORTH GREENFORD UNITED 3-3 
3rd QR replay - North Greenford United 0-3 
4th QR        - Eastbourne Borough 1-2 
1st Round     - MACCLESFIED TOWN

With the magic of the cup maybe more glory awaits for the The Motormen and The Rocks???

NEVER A CLASSIC BUT THREE POINTS IN THE BAG!

2011-10-29T23:12:00.000+01:00

It was a largely forgettable and scrappy game this afternoon at Scraley Road with a hard working Enfield Town gaining a well deserved and important three points against a Heybridge Swifts side who were unable to get in a single shot that troubled Noel Imber in the Town goal.

Town's goal came from a Leon Osei free kick in the second half with both Jon Moore and Liam Hope unlucky not to add to this lead when they both hit the post.

Swifts were very lucky to keep eleven men on the pitch when a player, who had been booked, appeared to commit what in other games would of been two bookable offences. The home side's management acted quickly by making a tactical substitution after the second foul.

Swifts run of two wins in their least ten league and cup games was summed up by one of their fans who was overheard at half time stating that if his side got a shot on target he was going to celebrate as if they'd have scored.

Top marks to the the Town supporter who quipped 'come on ref it's nearly Sunday' when the match was in injury time!!

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW -

A VISIT TO THE WELLESLEY

2011-10-28T18:55:00.002+01:00

Sea conditions - "Choppy"

The cold end has always been a big fan of the British seaside and Great Yarmouth is certainly a town which typifies this phrase. Two piers and the golden mile seafront filled with enough arcade machines you can possibly think of along with donkey rides on the beach and just a few fish and chip shops along the way!! Junior Cold End (aged 4) and Junior Cold End mark 2 (aged 2) certainly enjoyed their time on the Norfolk coast over the last week.

Fans of the beautiful game up and down the country may not be aware that the coastal town is also home to the oldest football grandstand still in existence and use today. It was opened in June 1892 and as well as being visually brilliant it’s also a very important piece of history for not only the Town but football across England in my opinion.

Being what some people may describe as a sad anorak type I got quite excited when I first saw the main stand which looked amazing in the Autumn sunshine last Saturday afternoon. Without doubt it’s instantly become one of the cold end’s favourite football stands.

Views of the main stand at The Wellesley

The Bloaters as they are nicknamed entertained Hadleigh United with both teams struggling for form in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League. Going into the game the home side had only won one game in their sixteen league and cup games losing their last two games 2-8 and 0-5. They were in bottom place by virtue of goal difference below Wivenhoe Town.

The visitors from Suffolk were five places above with six wins in seventeen league and cup games. One of the six was an opening day victory over Great Yarmouth Town at Millfield. They had also played Ryman Division One (North) Heybridge Swifts in the FA Cup losing 1-4 at their home ground.

The game, played in front of 59 spectators was a somewhat scrappy (the wind blowing across the pitch didn't help!!) but entertaining affair with all the highlights below –

Tomorrow afternoon Great Yarmouth Town visit Wivenhoe Town for a battle of the basement boys whilst Hadleigh United make another trip to the coast but this time play The Bloater's arch rivals from across the River Yare in Gorleston.

As well as the two league derby (Boxing day and Easter Bank Holiday) games between Gorleston and Great Yarmouth Town this season there is also an eagerly anticipated Norfolk Senior Cup tie to be played on Friday 25^th November 2011. The game should hopefully attract a healthy crowd at Gorleston's Emerald Park ground.

NO UPDATES FOR A WEEK

2011-10-21T01:25:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately The Cold End will not be updated for around a week as some essential maintenance takes place. Regular service should return from next Saturday 29th October 2011.

Enfield Town travel south of the river tomorrow to play Thamesmead Town in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round and a week later travel to Scraley Road to face Heybridge Swifts in the Ryman Division One (North). Depending on the result tomorrow there could be a potential replay in midweek!!

See you all soon, stay safe and enjoy your football!!

thecoldend

THE NIGHT IT RAINED GOALS AT THE SPOTTY!!

2011-10-20T12:35:00.000+01:00

Two teams struggling towards the bottom of the Essex Senior League faced each other at the historic Old Spotted Dog Ground on Tuesday night. Clapton welcomed Sawbridgeworth Town to E7 with only one league win between the two sides in their combined total of 17 league games prior to this one. The Tons had scored only scored eight in ten games with Sawbo on seven goals in seven games so it's safe to say the 20 people in attendance who witnessed this game weren't expected goals..goals..goals!! How wrong could we be??

Here are the match highlights of the game. Look out for Sawbo's number 17 who is George Wappett. I believe he has spent time at Bishops Stortford and looks a good player. For Enfield Town fans reading this he is in the mould of a Ben Hammond being a pacey winger/midfielder who can run with the ball, put a good cross in and has an eye for goal. The highlights are really worth watching for Clapton's second goal being a free-kick of some quality. From 5mins 45secs on the video, Lionel Messi would of been proud of this goal!!! -

Also at the game were two well known local ground hoppers in "Runwell" and "London Buck" who have kindly let the cold end copy their thoughts on the game and The Old Spotted Dog Ground from their posts on the tony's/nonleaguematters forum

LONDON BUCK'S VISIT TO THE SPOTTED DOG

Non league football is alive and well in Clapton. Entertainment and value for money are always guaranteed here. With the match kicking off three minutes early the home side were already three goals down as the last stragglers were coming through the gate!

Sawbo then went four ahead before the Ton's pulled one back. The match was played at a frenetic pace and all action stuff with Clapton back to 2-4 down was a comeback on the cards? Alas no, as two more from the away side made it 2-6 then a late third for my local team showed they hadn't given up.

One amusing moment during the match when Mr Leyton, Stephen Bellanoff went to retrieve the ball only to get tangled up in some netting left behind the goal and fell flat on his face, but he managed to wrangle free and get the ball, what a star.

With the main gate seemingly smashed to pieces I fear for the security of this ground and hope the locals do not vandalise the place as its still a location with bags of character, and always provides a real entertaining game of football.

RUNWELL VISITS THE SPOTTED DOG

It's been a couple of years since I went to this grand old Duke of footballing history, hidden away on a bend. The pub next to the ground, the old Tudor building, has sadly been boarded up for many years and looks a sad sight, as does most of this 123 year old ground, though it's not as bad as some people make it out to be.

Going through the gates, a small admission booth is in front of you. To the right is the clubhouse and changing rooms building, with old furniture outside to sit on. This is quite spacious, with a large area for a ping pong table, a games machine, Sky on the box on the wall, and a sofa amongst some tables and chairs, though it does feel a little 'empty'.

The Ton's bar has nothing on pump, just a few alcoholic and non-alcoholic bottles/cans in fridges. The loos are in a bad state - the men's anyway, with just one available, as strangely the urinal is half missing (the 'important' bit), leaving a hole in the wall and a clear view outside (or inside...).

Starting from the entrance clockwise, is a typical 'generic' metal stand consisting of 100 fold-up seats, with a small wooden sill in front of one small row near the front of the stand. This is where the old South stand used to be. As one goes round, the perimeter fence which is overlooked by houses is in a state, and there's quite a lot of junk lying around in the overgrown undergrowth. The remnants of the old West stand still remain behind the far goal in front of a number of tall trees shedding their leaves, with a couple of concrete steps and a metal rail. Some of the hard standing around this area appears totally overgrown by grass or non-existent. The next side has wooden and metal fabricated dugouts, and in between a small corrugated covered and back-lined terrace, with wooden planking on a couple of levels and metal rails. Pitch side fencing is a metal rail with mesh wiring underneath, some rails broken in one corner.

Enough about Spotty for now, and onto the game. This was a battle between two strugglers, as many expected. Clapton seem to be making a habit of playing to avoid the wooden spoon in recent seasons, something they ended up with last season. Prior to the game only Haringey & Waltham Development were below the Ton's in the table. Sawbridgeworth were - along with Haringey - still without a league win this season, one place further up the table. However they have played less than anyone else, and have drawn four of those seven, including a decent point at in-form Sporting Bengal last Saturday, so a win here would not have been a surprise.

Typically, upon my arrival in the ninth minute, SawbridgeworthMessi style, not realising a Sawbo forward was right beside him to nick the ball off, and he easily slipped it away. A quarter of an hour gone, and the visitors were 4-0 up!

Funnily enough though, the Clapton forwards did look lively and had a bit of pace about them, causing a few problems, though too often they shot off target or got themselves offside, although the young official did make a few wrong calls on that front. However Sawbo were always dangerous on the break against the abysmal back line, and looked like they could score every time they went forward. Indeed on 36 minutes only the legs of the Ton's keeper stopped a fifth when a player broke clear. Clapton did have their chances though, and moments later one of their guys was through, but
Sawbridgeworth's keeper stood up well and blocked the effort. On 40 minutes though they did give themselves a faintest of glimmers of hope, when a strike from the edge of the box ended up in the net. They then missed a glorious chance to halve the arrears, when a ball from the left was shot horribly wide from close range by an unmarked fella, and they also let another opportunity slip before the half time whistle, but not before a Sawbo player sprinted clear again after another defensive error, but he lifted the ball over the keeper, not keeping it down.

If the first half seemed so open, it was nothing quite like the second! The visitors started off the best with a shot just wide and a header from a corner badly over. They were then nearly gifted a fifth, when under pressure, a Clapton player slipped the ball past his own keeper from the edge of the box, but luckily for him it went wide. A great opportunity for the home side on 54 minutes when a forward turned inside the box but his close range shot was wildly off target. Shortly afterwards a Sawbo player got clear down the left, the Clapton keeper half saved the shot in the box, but it squirmed across the goaline, though a few onrushing Sawbo players were a bit slow to react at the far post to net an open goal, probably thinking it was going in, and the chance to kill the game went. They were nearly punished moments later when the ball fell to a Clapton player in the box, but he got the ball stuck under his feet and the chance went. However on 61 minutes, a Clapton free kick near the right corner of the box was fired into the top corner, and it was game on all of a sudden!

The Ton's kept pressing, and could have pulled it back to 3-4 when a player's shot on the edge of box in a good position was too weak to worry the goalie, who then did well to just beat a player to a ball forward. Another goal though for the Hertfordshire side would surely kill off any fightback, and it came on 71 minutes from about the only bit of quality all night, when a player saw the Clapton keeper off his line, and from 25 yards dinked it over him in the blink of an eye. A quality finish. Back came Clapton, and a good 25 yard shot from a player just went wide. That was a brief interruption though, as on 77 minutes a ball forward was just met by the striker before the advancing goalie, and tucked away to put the visitors a remarkable 6-2 up. The game continued to be open and full of chances, and with eight minutes left, the goalscoring wasn't over, as Clapton got another goal on the night, with a striker tucking away a ball from the right from close range. The Ton's pushed late on for at least another goal, coming close a few times, including a deflected shot just wide, but Sawbo nearly got them on the break again. In the end we just had to settle for nine goals.

An incredible game, so open, and though not great on quality, was full of entertainment. Even though his side won 6-3 I don't think the Sawbridgeworth manager seemed too happy with the quality of his side's football. At least for them they are up and running. Both sides seem to have the same problems - hopeless at the back, but going forwards they have players that will cause sides problems. Clapton could still amazingly have got something from this game, but they wasted so many chances of their own, while Sawbo often punished the many defensive mistakes of the home team. I wouldn't be surprised on this showing if Clapton finish bottom again, though they are a young side and will only get better. Some fans or friends of players were refreshingly upbeat despite the scoreline, offering encouragement to their side. Nice to see people not on their backs, though sadly there are so few spectators these days at the Old Spotted Dog.

Above - The now collectors edition of the programme which had apparently sold out by 7.30pm

Clapton's average crowd for all their home league and cup games this season is just 22. The cold end recommends that people pay a visit to The Spotty as it's well worth it. The Tons forthcoming home fixtures shows them playing Bowers and Pitsea on the 5th November and Enfield 1893 on the 26th November.

LOCAL SIDES FACE BLUE SQUARE PREMIER BIG BOYS

2011-10-17T22:30:00.000+01:00

The only Ryman Division One (North) side through to the Fourth Qualifying Round have been paired with Blue Square Premier Ebbsfleet United in the draw for the FA Cup with Budweiser today. Redbridge with welcome Liam Diash's side to Oakside in what will be a highly anticipated game.

There was a little bit of cup history made just a stones throw from Enfield Town's game at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday. Southend Manor's 5-0 demolition of Leighton Town made them only the second Essex Senior League side to get through to this stage of the competition. Canvey Island done it in 1993 and lost 1-3 at Conference side Kettering Town. In an ironic twist Manor have been drawn away to The Poppies! The game at Nene Park will be Manor's eighth game in this season's competition.

Southend Manor's Cup Run 

EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND     Takeley       3-3   82 
EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REP TAKELEY       3-2   25
PRELIMINARY ROUND           Cheshunt      0-0  139
PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY    CHESHUNT      4-2   71 
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND      ROMFORD       4-2  137
SECOND QUALYING ROUND       CHERTSEY TOWN 4-2  168
THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND      LEIGHTON TOWN 5-0  309 
FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUDN     Kettering Town

The Cold End salutes both Redbridge and Southend Manor and congratulates them on their cup exploits so far!!

It was also brilliant to see Ryman Premier Division Hendon hitting the jackpot by drawing Luton Town. Many Hendon fans will be making the short trip from North London to Kenilworth Road hoping to see a Cup upset???

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - THE SEASON SO FAR

2011-10-17T21:47:00.000+01:00

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) CURRENT TABLE 
                      HOME            AWAY              TOTAL 
                      P W D L GF GA   P W D L GF GA     P  W D L GF GA  GD PTS 
1. GRAYS ATHLETIC     5 3 1 1 12  5   5 4 1 0 10  5     10 7 2 1 22 10 +12 23  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. WALTHAM FOREST     6 5 0 1 16  9   3 2 0 1  5  4      9 7 0 2 21 13 + 8 21  
3. TILBURY            4 4 1 1 13  8   6 2 2 2 13  4     12 6 3 3 26 22 + 4 21         
4. ENFIELD TOWN       6 3 2 1 15  9   6 2 3 1 10  9     12 5 5 2 25 18 + 7 20 
5. HARLOW TOWN        6 3 2 1 10  6   6 3 0 3  9  8     12 6 2 4 19 14 + 5 20  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. ROMFORD            6 3 3 0 12  8   6 2 1 3 11 12     12 5 4 3 23 20 + 3 19 
7. NEEDHAM MARKET     4 3 0 1 18  4   6 2 3 1 15  9     10 5 3 2 33 13 +20 18
8. THAMESMEAD TOWN    5 2 2 1  9  6   6 3 2 1 10  6     10 5 3 2 19 12 + 7 18 
9. POTTERS BAR TOWN   6 4 1 1 15 11   6 1 2 3  6 18     12 5 3 4 21 29 - 8 18 
10. LEISTON           5 4 0 1 13  5   5 1 2 2  8  9     10 5 2 3 21 14 + 7 17 
11. BRENTWOOD TOWN    6 2 1 3  7  6   5 3 1 1  6  3     11 5 2 4 13  9 + 4 17  
12. CHATHAM TOWN      6 3 0 3  8  8   5 2 1 2  5  6     11 5 1 5 13 14 - 1 16  
13. HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS  5 1 3 1  6  8   6 3 0 3 11  8     11 4 3 4 17 16 + 1 15  
14. REDBRIDGE         5 0 2 3  9 14   5 4 0 1 10  4     10 4 2 4 19 18 + 1 14
15. WALTHAM ABBEY     5 1 1 3 16 13   6 3 0 3 12 11     11 4 1 6 28 24 + 4 13   
16. CHESHUNT          5 2 2 1  6 10   6 0 4 2  3  9     11 2 6 3  9 19 -10 12 
17. GREAT WAKERING    6 2 3 1 11  9   6 1 0 5  5 23     12 3 3 6 16 32 -16 12      
18. SOHAM TOWN RANG   6 1 1 4  7 14   6 1 4 1 13 14     12 2 5 5 20 28 - 8 11 
19. MALDON AND TIP    4 1 0 3  4  5   5 1 1 4  6 13      9 2 1 6 10 18 - 8  7 
20. AFC SUDBURY       5 1 2 2  4  6   3 0 1 2  3  8      8 1 3 4  7 14 - 7  6 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. ILFORD            6 1 2 3  6  8   6 0 0 6  5 16     12 1 2 9 11 23 -12  5 
22. WARE              6 1 1 4  4  8   5 0 1 4  4 13     11 1 2 8  8 21 -13  5

As October moves towards November who would of thought that last season's bottom club would be in second place. Incredibly if Waltham Forest win their game in hand over current table topper's Grays Athletic they could even go top in their own right. Looking at the bottom of the table you can see two of the teams that were fancied to do well hovering above the drop zone. There is a still long much football to be played but fans of AFC Sudbury and Maldon and Tiptree will certainly be looking for their respective clubs to climb the table now they have exited the FA Cup.

How close the league currently is illustrated by the fact only 12 points separate Grays Athletic and Soham Town Rangers in eighteenth place. It looks like any team putting together a good run of results can move up towards the top five.

ENFIELD TOWN'S RECORD - COMPARISON
          P  W D L GF GA  GD  PTS 
2009/10   12 7 4 1 24 14 +10  25
2010/11   12 6 0 6 21 15 + 6  18
2011/12   12 5 5 2 25 18 + 7  20

Enfield Town find themselves nicely placed in fourth position on twenty points which is an improvement on last season's first 12 games as shown below. Those figures don't include the two Leyton games which were expunged from the record books from 2010/11.

Grays Athletic face three difficult opponents in their next three league games with Leiston and Thamesmead Town visiting Rookery Hill followed by a trip to Maldon and Tiptree. The Stags also have a trio of tough games with Brentwood Town at home before trips to Tilbury and Heybridge Swifts.

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT THE SEASON SO FAR 

MOST GOALS SCORED       NEEDHAM MARKET   33 (in 10 games)    
LEAST GOALS SCORED      AFC SUDBURY    7  (in 8)
MOST GOALS CONCEDED     GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 32 (in 12)
LEAST GOALS CONCEDED    BRENTWOOD TOWN 9 (in 11) 
MOST WINS               WALTHAM FOREST 7 (in 9) AND GRAYS ATHLETIC 7 (in 10) 
LEAST WINS              AFC SUDBURY 1 (in 8), ILFORD 1 (in 12) AND WARE 1 (in 11) 

* Needham Market scored as many goals in their 1-8 victory at Cheshunt on Saturday than their Suffolk rivals AFC Sudbury have scored all season. 

* Only Ware (4 goals) and Cheshunt (3) have scored fewer goals away from home than 2nd placed Waltham Forest (5). ChathamNeedham Market top the goalscoring charts at present thanks to 7-0 victories against Great Wakering Rovers and Potters Bar Town along with their 8 goal victory at Theobalds Lane. The Marketmen also hit Ramsgate for seven in the FA Trophy and beat Woodbridge Town 6-0 in the Suffolk Premier Cup.