GOALS GALORE IN DONKEY LANE DERBY

What a game it was at The Queen Elizabeth II stadium last night. Enfield Town Reserves welcomed local rivals Enfield 1893 FC Reserves for a Capital League Eastern Division game that will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to witness it.

Town fielded a strong side with the starting XI featuring Craig McKay, Dan Forward, Rudi Hall, Aaron Cato, Walid Matata, Dean Pennant and Tyler Campbell.

1893 reserve side had recently suffered the loss of their entire playing staff and management prior to the game against Enfield Town on Wednesday 14th March. The side put out that evening won the game 2-1 and six of those players started last night. Much of the team have played together for Ryan FC Reserves in the Ilford and District League Division One this season.

Town started with 16 year old Jake Smith in goal whom acquitted himself very well throughout the evening. As the game went on he grew in confidence and can rightly be proud of his first appearance in a Senior Enfield Town shirt.

1893 raced into a 0-3 lead after around twenty minutes and the game looked more or less over....Or was it??

Dean Pennant set the ball rolling with an absolutely spectacular overhead kick which made it 1-3 and the rest I'll let you watch and enjoy on the highlights below.

TEAM LINE UPS

ENFIELD TOWN RES	ENFIELD 1893 RES
1. Jake Smith	1. Carl Stansbury
2. Rhys Hunt	2. Carl Blake
3. Conor O'Msachair	3. Reece Hall
4. Dan Forward	4. David Gilby
5. Ciaran Dolan	5. Paul White (c)
6. Craig McKay	6. Bett Carter
7. Aaron Cato	15. Bradley O'Donovan
8. Rudi Hall(c)	8. Jovann Wighton
9. Walid Matata	9. Lee Brown
10. Dean Pennant	10. Ricky Brown
11. Tyler Campbell	11. Ricky White
12. Matt Hurley	12. Mark Barry
14. James Winchester	16. Chris Jackson
15. Connor Bolton

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The Cold End thought Aaron Cato had a great game showing his usual skillful touches throughout and was also impressed with youngster's Rhys Hunt and Conor O'Msachair (sorry if I've spelt it wrong) at right and left back. Both put in great performances bringing the ball forward on numerous occasions. Also substitute James Winchester put in some good crosses from the left wing and played a part in one of the goals scored when his shot rebounded off the post.



An amazing game with the 1893 reserves never giving up during the ninety minutes played. Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreline they can be proud of their performance. Apparently their goalkeeper Carl Stansbury (who also manages Ryan FC Reserves) doesn't usually play in goal and wasn't really at fault for any of the goals conceded.

TAKELEY JUST EDGE IT AGAINST HARINGEY & WALTHAM DEVELOPMENT

On Tuesday night The Cold End ventured over to Takeley’s picturesque Station Road ground to watch them take on Haringey and Waltham Development in the Essex Senior League.

Takeley are presently managed by ex football league player Steve Castle whom has also managed higher up the non-league ladder at St Albans City. Since the Leyton Orient legend took over the hot seat in November 2001 his new club have been in good form which has seen them climb up the table into third place. They are only a point away from 2nd placed Southend Manor and four points off of table topper's Witham Town. Witham look champions elect though with three games in hand.  

Some views of Station Road, Takeley.
A great place to watch football.

“Haringey and Waltham Development FC” (HAWD) were previously called “Mauritius Sports FC” having been re-named last summer. Mauritius Sports had been playing in the Middlesex Senior County League prior to merging with “Walthamstow Pennant” in 2007, whom had merged and played for two seasons with the re-formed “Walthamstow Avenue” club who also played in the Middlesex Senior County League.

The new club “Mauritius Sports & Pennant FC” played at Wadham Lodge and were accepted into the Essex Senior League for the 2007/08 season playing their first home game against Beaumont Athletic  on the 18^th August in front of a paying crowd of just three people. For the 2008/09 season the club became known as “Mauritius Sports FC” before moving from WL to Coles Park (ground share at Haringey Borough) last summer where they were subsequently renamed HAWD.

On a lovely spring evening it was a great setting for the beautiful game with both sides playing some good football. Ex Waltham Forest boss Tony Ievoli is now manager at HAWD and it was a real delight to see him encouraging his players to pass and move thus playing the game the right way. There was no swearing from the away side’s bench with just positive words throughout the game. I can count on one hand when they went long ball.

Takeley look a good side and played some really decent football too. They were closely matched by HAWD who can be thankful to their goalkeeper Danny Fowler who made two brilliant saves in the first half to keep the score down to 1-0 at half time. The first one was a combination of save and miss in my book (have a look at the video from 2mins 51secs  to see if i’m right or not??).  The home side including in their starting XI Darryl Doolan and pacey winger Reece Dobson whom both have represented Harlow Town in the 2010/11 Ryman Division One (North) season.
 
In the end the final score of 2-1 was just about right.  

If Steve Castle makes a few additions to his squad over the summer I can see them making a real challenge for the title next season. They have only dropped points to Southend Manor (0-0 draw), Witham Town (lost 1-2) and Burnham Ramblers (0-0 draw) since the start of November.  Tuesday night's victory puts them on a ten game league winning run.

TEAM LINE UPS

TAKELEY	H&D DEVELOPMENT
1. Ronnie Yates	1. Danny Fowler
2. Nick Azzopardi	2. Brad Falco
3. Darryl Doolan	12. Billy Reynolds
4. Alex Martin	4. Sam Owusu
5. Scott Traveller	5. Gaz Maddin
6. James Amott	6. Arthur Goncalves
7. Anton Collins	7. Nick LoBlack
8. Ross Tobolewski	8. Joe Stanton
9. Chris Groves	9. Charlie Georgiou
10. Scott Forbes	10. Reece Hall
11. Reece Dobson	11. Francis Luke
12. James Thomas	14. Reiss Campbell
14. Jonathan Addai	15. Harry Larner
15. Lewin Ward	16. Pestris Mansaray
16. Joe Eubel
17. James Whitbread

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* note - each team did make some substitutions but the cold end wasn't able to note them down.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

 

IT'S NOT ALL OVER BUT LEISTON IN THE DRIVING SEAT??

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) CURRENT TOP NINE

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TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	CF	WIN%	PTS	PP
LEISTON	36	26	6	4	87	33	54	WWWWWW	72.22	84	102
ENFIELD TOWN	36	23	8	5	85	42	43	WDWWWL	63.89	77	95
NEEDHAM MARKET	36	21	7	8	97	47	50	WWLWWW	58.33	70	88
GRAYS ATHLETIC	36	21	6	9	72	40	32	LWWWWW	58.33	66*	84
TILBURY	36	18	10	8	69	56	13	DWWWWL	50.00	64	82
AFC SUDBURY	36	18	9	9	57	47	10	WDWWDW	50.00	63	81
HARLOW TOWN	36	18	8	10	60	41	19	DWLLWW	50.00	62	80
REDBRIDGE	36	17	9	10	66	50	16	DWDDLW	47.22	60	78
BRENTWOOD TOWN	36	16	7	13	52	33	19	WLWLLL	44.44	55	73

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Leiston's 2-3 win at Ilford and Enfield Town's 2-0 defeat at Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday has firmly put the Suffolk club in the driving seat for the Ryman Division One (North) title. Having said that it's certainly not all over and with Leiston playing Needham Market, Redbridge as well as trips to Tilbury and Maldon and Tiptree over the next four games it could all come down to Saturday 21st April 2012 when Enfield Town welcome Leiston to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.

Town have an equally tough run of four games prior to the 21st April with Harlow Town and Waltham Abbey coming to the QE and away days at Needham Market and Cheshunt.

In the race for the play-offs Brentwood Town's defeat at Harlow Town looks to have put an end to their hopes of finishing in the top five with a nine point gap now between The Blue and Tilbury.

AFC Sudbury's narrow but equally very impressive 0-1 victory at Tilbury has kept them in touch along with Harlow Town whom after two defeats have collected two wins in the last week. Tilbury's home record against the current top seven is good as they have beaten Grays Athletic, Enfield Town and Harlow Town with a draw against Needham Market. Leiston are yet to visit Chadfields??

A defeat for Redbridge at Leiston on Saturday will probably end The Motormen's hopes of a top five finish.

For Enfield Town two more wins will be enough to guarantee a play-off spot as that would give a points total of 83 with sixth placed AFC Sudbury only currently able to gain a total of 81 pts.

As the cold end states it's certainly not all over with both Town and Leiston facing teams which both have something to play for (arguably all must win games for their opponents) in their next two games. Therefore the league table could make different reading come 5pm on Saturday 7th April.

HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR CENTENARY TROPHY FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

The final of the Hertfordshire Senior Centenary Trophy was played on Wednesday night at The County Ground in Letchworth between London Colney and Kings Langley of The Spartan South Midlands Division One.

The competition which is open to clubs whose first team play at Steps 6 and 7 of the the non-league pyramid saw 23 teams enter for the 2011/12 season and was started in 1984 as part of the Hertfordshire FA'S 100 year celebrations. The first winners were Welwyn Garden City who beat Pirton 2-1.

London Colney, who are top of their league table, were making their fifth appearance in the final (having lifted the Trophy three times) with Kings Langley making their debut.

London Colney had beat Chipperfield Corinthians 7-0 in the 2nd Round, London Lions 3-02 in the Quarter Final and Metropolitan Police Bushey 0-7 in the Semi-Final.

Kings Langley had beat Cuffley 2-3, Welwyn Garden City 0-5 and Sun Postal Sports 7-1 to get to their fist final and were, going into the match, in seventh place in the SSMFL Division One.

This was the fourth time the two clubs have met this season with the league meetings being won by London Colney 4-1 way back on Tuesday 16th August in front of 75 people at Cotlandswick, 4-0 by Kings Langley at Gaywood Park (crowd - 130) on Tuesday 27th August and a Division One Cup Quarter Final match 1-2 by Kings Langley at Cotlandswick on Tuesday 21st February in front of 80 people.

What an entertaining and fantastic game it was and a great advert for the Spartan South Midlands League! I won't spoil it for you as some of you may not know the result but the highlights are below including six goals and some brilliant saves and action.

TEAM LINE UPS

LONDON COLNEY	KINGS LANGLEY
1. Mark Whittamore	1. Ross Hampton
2. Dean Thompson	2. Jack Johnson
3. Dan McCafferty	3. Gary Wallace
4. Sean Murphy	4. Gary Connolly
5. Mark Paradise	5. Liam Jones
6. Trevor Stevens	6. Steve Noonan
7. Craig Knightly	7. Evan Connolly
8. Greg Shaw	8. Sam Warrell
9. Matt Newman	9. James Thompson
10. James Warner	10. Craig Lynskey
11. John Butler	11. Nathan Pooley
12. Kenny Hull	12. Dan Campbell
14. Dean Adams (for 8)	14. Chis Mason (for 11)
15. Bruce Hutchison (for 3)	15. Artus Simakovas
16 Andy Murphy (for 5)	16. Luke Ladyman (for 10)
17. Seb Thomas	17. Dan Rice

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SIXTEEN MINUTES OF MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

CLASSIC PROGRAMMES - BRIMSDOWN ROVERS V ELECTROLUX - 1990

In 1990 Goldsdown Road was as Enfield Town found it when they first started ground sharing in 2001. A simple ground having just a metal rail surrounding the pitch and the stand on the far side which was set back slightly further than it is positioned now without the concrete terracing.

For this classic programme the visitors were Electrolux. They were a team based in Luton and travelled down to North London on the 8th September 1990 for a FA Vase extra-preliminary round game.

Rovers were then members of the Greene King London Spartan League (LSL) and were sitting in mid-table having won two and lost two of their opening four league games. The Magpies were managed by Derek Townshend who was assisted by the current Cheshunt manager Tony Faulkner who later took over the hot-seat in his own right.

The LSL had a few well known names as members at the time including Corinthian Casuals as well as current Ryman North teams Thamesmead Town (then known as Thamesmead), Waltham Abbey and Cheshunt.

Sadly, Electolux then members of the South Midlands League Premier Division folded at the end of the 1990/91 season and this was the last time their name was featured in the FA Vase. They entered a for a total of four seasons and never won a game.Their ground in Ely Way, Luton is now much changed and used by Luton Town for youth games.

The Editor's notes section states that the Vase competition for 1990/91 'has seen a reduction in the number of entries, due in the main to the new rule re permanent fences. We have just about made it, although we will have to take down certain sections of fencing again until the end of the month, when the cricket season finishes'. The reward for the winners of this tie was an away tie at either Pirton or The 61 FC.

The programme also has a nice history section on Electolux Football Club. They were founded in 1928 and joined the South Midlands League in 1949. The club had some long serving committee members with secretary Charlie Dearden also previously playing as a centre-forward for the club and who as the programme states 'holds the South Midlands individual scoring record of nine goals in match'. The Cold End is pretty certain that this feat has not been repeated since.

Electrolux's manager on the day was John Alder who was in his third spell as boss which started way back in the 1976/76 season.

Brimsdown Rovers had started the season with two wins and two draws in the league with Ken Wade amongst the goals in the pre-season games as well as the season proper.

There is  also a 'player-profile' section for Danny Sullivans in which the then 31 year old details his previous clubs as Bishop's Stortford, Leyton-Wingate and Tipples FC (who played at The Mile End Stadium). He listed the highlight of his career as 'playing with former Arsenal player John Radford at Bishop's Stortford' and the low point as 'missing the First Round of the FA Cup against Swansea City'.

As is commonly known Brimsdown Rovers disappeared from senior football in the summer of 2010 when they withdrew from the Spartan South Midlands League with Enfield FC 1893 moving into Goldsdown Road.

The name of Brimsdown Rovers does still exist with a number of teams in junior leagues around the area and a Saturday adult team in the GA Roberts Enfield Football Alliance. This season the league has only six teams following the withdrawal of Renegades with Brimsdown Rovers facing Broadwater United, Origin, Persian, FF London and Crescent Rangers.

Their next game is away to Broadwater United on the 31st March which is due to the played at Low Hall Sports ground in Walthamstow.

Brimsdown Rovers last game in the Spartan South Midlands League came on Saturday 1st May 2010 when Hertford Town were defeated 3-2. The scorers for The Magpies on this historic day were Crosbie, Teppett and Waldron.

This match was won by a scoreline of 2-0 and I can confirm it was witnessed by the cold end (I was 13 years old at the time), I can't remember much about my first visit to Goldsdown Road apart from buying a copy of the Non-League magazine in the bar area. Rovers went on to beat Pirton (1-2) and Hounslow (3-0) in the Vase that season before bowing out 0-1 to East Thurrock United in Second Round.

ENFIELD FC V BRIMSDOWN ROVERS - 1994

As a bonus here is the programme for the Middlesex Senior Cup First Round game played on Tuesday 11th January 1994 at Southbury Road. Tony Faulkner had taken over as manager in the summer of 1993 after Rovers had won the London Spartan League but been denied promotion due to Goldsdown Road not meeting the criteria met by the Isthmian League. The LSL shows Brimsdown Rovers in fifteenth position sandwiched between Walthamstow Pennant and Beckton United.

Enfield played a strong side including Gary McCann, Graham Roberts, Mark Pye, Paul Hobson, Martin St Hilaire, Garry Britnell and Leroy Whale. The game in front of a 233 crowd ended 1-0 to Enfield with Leroy Whale scoring the only goal of the game.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (SOUTH) - RACE FOR THE TITLE UPDATE

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

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	PP	CURRENT FORM
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN	33	22	8	3	86	28	58	74	95	WWDWLW
DULWICH HAMLET	34	22	8	4	63	21	42	74	92	WWWWDW
WHITEHAWK	33	23	5	5	66	24	42	71*	92	WWWWWD

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In the race for the title for the Ryman Division One (South) there is a thirteen point gap between third place Whitehawk and Worthing in fourth place meaning the fight for the top spot is now between the South Coast and South London.

Last season's runners-up Bognor Regis Town are currently top but only by goal difference and The Rocks know all about goal difference having been denied the championship on the final day of last season by one goal!! The team that beat them in the play-off semi-final, Dulwich Hamlet, are in second place but Bognor could move three points ahead if they win their game in hand.

Whitehawk would be equal on points with both teams had they not had a crucial three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the campaign.

Next Saturday sees Bognor Regis Town host Hythe Town (10th), Whitehawk travelling to Faversham Town (14th) and Hamlet welcoming 19th placed Sittingbourne to Champion Hill.

On Saturday 31st March Bognor go to Crawley Down (16th), Dulwich to Whitstable Town (17th) and Whitehawk welcome play-off chasing Godalming Town (7th) to Brighton.

LAST FOUR GAMES

Saturday 14th April sees a massive game at Champion Hill when Whitehawk make the journey up to South London.

Bognor's last four games sees two tough trips to to teams in with a shout of the play-offs in Worthing (4th place) and Maidstone United (6th place) along with home games against bottom of the table Whyteleafe and Walton and Hersham (15th) whom have improved their form of late.

As well as the game versus Whitehawk, Hamlet host Chipstead (9th) and Faversham Town (14th) and travel to Burgess Hill Town (20th) on the final day of the season.

Whitehawk face the aforementioned trip to Dulwich as well as home games versus Eastbourne Town (12th) and Chipstead (9th) along with an away day Corinthian Casuals whom are currently in 13th place.

Each team will play only forty games in the league due to the demise of Croydon Athletic earlier in the season.

It's shaping up to be an exciting and nail biting end to the season if your a fan of the three clubs involved.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - TABLE UPDATE

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

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	PP
LEISTON	35	25	6	4	84	31	+53	81	102
ENFIELD TOWN	35	23	8	4	85	40	+45	77	98
NEEDHAM MARKET	35	20	7	8	96	47	+49	67	88
TILBURY	35	18	10	7	69	55	+14	64	85
GRAYS ATHLETIC	35	20	6	9	70	40	+30	63*	84
AFC SUDBURY	35	17	9	9	56	47	+9	60	81
REDBRIDGE	34	16	9	9	63	47	+16	57	81
HARLOW TOWN	35	16	8	10	57	40	+17	56	77
BRENTWOOD TOWN	35	16	7	12	52	32	+20	55	76
POTTERS BAR TOWN	34	14	8	12	60	59	+1	50	74

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Potters Bar Town's 2-3 home defeat to Needham Market has put a massive dent in their outside play-off chances. There is now a thirteen point gap (possibly ten if they win their game in hand) to make up in order to catch Grays Athletic who currently occupy fifth place. It wasn't a good weekend for the teams on the edge of the play off zone as Harlow Town lost 2-1 at Romford, Brentwood Town lost 1-2 at home to Tilbury and the 1-1 draw between AFC Sudbury and Redbridge does neither side any favours.

Harlow Town host Redbridge tomorrow evening at Barrows Farm in a crucial match for both sides. A defeat for The Hawks would put them four points away from The Motormen whom have a game in hand so it really is a must win game for Danny Chapman's side. A win for Terry Spillane's side will put up to sixth place on goal difference.

At the top of the table it's the same story as Leiston can't stop winning with another 2-1 home victory over Waltham Abbey who by all accounts gave them a good game. They travel to Ilford next Saturday with Enfield Town also on the road at Maldon and Tiptree. Needham Market host Waltham Abbey with the game of the day coming at Chadfields where a win for Tilbury over AFC Sudbury will firmly cement The Docker's place in the play-offs. The Suffolk side will know they really need to win this game to keep in touch with the top five.

Redbridge host Ware and Harlow Town welcome Brentwood Town. Two wins for The Hawks this week against Redbridge and then Brentwood Town would put them right back into contention for a play-off place. A defeat for The Blues at Barrows Farm next Saturday would all but put an end to any chance of reaching fifth place or above.

RYMAN DIIVISON ONE (NORTH) - CURRENT BOTTOM THREE

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	PP
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS	35	4	10	21	34	78	-44	22	43
ILFORD	34	5	6	23	36	71	-35	21	45
WARE	35	4	6	25	30	69	-39	18	39

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At the opposite of the table Great Wakering Rovers gained a useful point at home to Cheshunt on Saturday with Ware still firmly routed to the bottom after three home defeats in a week. It would look better for Rovers had they not conceded a last minute equaliser from the penalty spot against The Ambers.

Ilford play their game in hand on Tuesday night when they make the journey to Maldon and Tiptree. Great Wakering Rovers look to have the easier game on paper on Saturday as they go to mid-table Thamesmead Town whereas Ware travel to play-off chasing Redbridge and Ilford are at home to top of the table Leiston.

 

TOWN RUN FIVE PAST ILFORD

Rob Budd can't save Liam's spot kick

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Leon Osei strikes to make it 1-0

ENFIELD TOWN	ILFORD
1. Noel Imber	1. Rob Budd
2. Jordan Lockie	2. Richard Simpson
3. Danny Barber	3. Raffael Kaphouris
4. Dave Kendall	4. Gbenga Sonuga
5. Mark Kirby	5. Leon Smith
6. Lee Allen	6. Dennis Tomkins
7. Adam Wallace	7. Daniel Abioye
8. Michael Ewang	8. Jonathan Glowacki
9. Liam Hope	9. Daniel Gabriel
10. Neil Johnston	10. Rob Carter
11. Leon Osei	11. Shane Stamp
12. Jey Siva	12. Iwaiden Bork-Fraser (on for 6)
14. Tyler Campbell (on for 11)	14. Sunday Olanipekun (on for 9)
15. Walid Matata (on for 7)	15. Josh Jarvis (on for 12)
16. Bryan Hammatt (on for 10)	16.
17. Rudi Hall	17.

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Enfield Town comprehensively outplayed an Ilford side struggling at the wrong end of the table with the final score of 5-0 being kept down by a number of good saves from The Foxes goalkeeper Rob Budd.

On a damp and overcast day Town's attacking play shone against an Ilford side who will probably want to forget about their first trip to the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

The Foxes relied on their wingers Shane Stamp (on the left) and Daniel Abioye (on the right) on the rare occasions they did break forward. Both showed some good touches with Stamp (whom started the season with Redbridge) showing some good skill and trickery.

Once Leon Osei (who had a great game having a hand in a number of the goals) struck on 16 minutes it looked as though their would be only one winner with a Liam Hope penalty (slightly harsh on the Ilford defender??? - Have a check on the video from 3mins 40secs) and a fantastic strike by Michael Ewang making it 3-0 by half-time. Ewang's goal came after an impressive 'total football' passing move by the Town players.

Michael Ewang celebrates his goal

Liam Hope - currently top of the Ryman golden boot charts

Adam Wallace taking on the Ilford defence

Liam Hope watches the ball trickle across the line with Rob Budd not being able to reach

Liam added to his tally in the second half along with substitute Tyler Campbell notching his first goal for the Town. Liam's brace puts him top of the Ryman Division One (North) golden boot chart on 22 league goals so far this season. He is closely followed by Sam Newson (Needham Market) and Tilbury's Alex Read (who also got two goals yesterday) who are both on 21 league goals.

Lee Allen, playing just in front of the back four, had a fantastic game and his performance probably just about shaded the cold end's man of the match award.

Town are still four points behind table-toppers Leiston who were run close by a strong performance from Waltham Abbey with the final score being 2-1 at Victory Road. Leiston's next game is away to Ilford at Cricklefields next Saturday with Enfield Town making the trip to Maldon and Tiptree. More on the league table later in the week.


Ilford goalkeeper Rob Budd acknowledges the Town faithful at the end of the game.
He pulled off some good saves - We all hope he has a better game and nice clean sheet against Leiston!!! 

STARTING FORMATIONS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS inc all five goals


Photos courtesy of Tom Scott. For more brilliant images of the match and other Enfield Town matches please click on his flickr stream here

HELP FOR HERTFORD TOWN REQUIRED

SOME VIEWS OF THE WONDERFUL HERTINGFORDBURY PARK WHERE HERTFORD TOWN PLAY

The Hertfordhire Mercury has reported this week that the future of Hertford Town could be bleak if they cannot get new people in to help run the football club.

The club have been running without a chairman since September 2011 and are currently reliant on the help of a small dedicated committee but are asking local people for more help to keep the club alive.

The following is from their recent programme versus Colney Heath -

Hertford Town Football Club are appealing to fans residents of the local area to help with the running of our 104 year old club. Without volunteers we are in danger of being unable to run, which in turn will have a knock on effect with youth, ladies and local football.

PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!

A FEW HOURS IS ALL IT TAKES
You might think that getting involved is time consuming but it really isn’t, all it takes is 2-5 hours of your time each week to help in varying roles around the club. We are a friendly family orientated club and always warmly welcome anyone that would like to get involved. Volunteers can be of all ages, male or female. There are a variety of jobs at the club and there might be one in particular that you fancy doing.

Team Secretary
This is a busy role, definitely suited to a person with a lot of time on their hands. Good administration skills, communication and time to travel to away games required!


Groundsmen
Look after the hallowed Hertingfordbury Park pitch, mowing, line painting & regeneration in the close season. The Media Team Help with all sorts of match reports, photography and programmes, great for people interested in journalism, websites and creativity.


Matchday Assistance
Lend a hand on a matchday, free admittance to the ground and you can soak up the atmosphere whilst working with our friendly committee all around the ground.


Maintenance
We welcome everyone from plumbers, carpenters, electricians, plasterers, builders, you name it! If you’ve got the skills and the time please get in touch!


If you are interested in any of the above positions please email Dan & Natalina at hertfordtownfc@gmail.com

Town, currently managed by Marvin Samuel, are in seventeenth place of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Divison.

If your are a local resident please get down to the stadium to support you local side - you'll be made most welcome.

HERTFORD TOWN'S REMAINING FIXTURES FOR 2011/12 
Home fixtures in BOLD

Saturday 17th March	Lodon Tigers
Tuesday 20th March	Haringey Borough
Saturday 24th March	ROYSTON TOWN
Tuesday 27th March	Oxhey Jets
Saturday 31st March	Hanwell Town
Tuesday 3rd April	BROXBOURNE BOROUGH
Saturday 7th April	HATFIELD TOWN
Saturday 14th April	Hadley
Saturday 21st April	STOTFOLD
Saturday 28th April	Hillingdon Borough

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RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - WEEKEND PREVIEW

Ilford make their first visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium tomorrow as Enfield Town look to continue the chase of table topper's Leiston in the Ryman Division One (North).

The Foxes have struggled at the bottom end of the table all season with only five wins from their thirty-three league games so far. However, they come to Enfield in good form having won four, drawn one and lost six of their eleven games in 2012. The thirteen points gathered from the thirty three on offer makes up 61.90% of their total all season and has lifted them out of the bottom two albeit currently on goal difference to Great Wakering Rovers.

Town will have to be at their best to get the three points as add to the above the fact The Foxes have scored in their last seven league games and were very unlucky not to get a point in last weekend's 2-3 away defeat at Grays Athletic. The Foxes showed lots of spirit to fight back from being 2-0 down and missed a penalty along the way only to concede a own goal in the 96th minute!

In their previous away game to Grays they scored twice at Needham Market in a 2-4 defeat. Something only Soham Town Rangers, Leiston and Heybridge Swifts have been able to do all season.

Steve Newing has strengthened his squad ahead of the game with the signing left-back Danny Barber from Heybridge Swifts. Barber captained the Swifts in the 1-3 defeat at the QE in January.

WALTHAM ABBEY VISIT LEISTON

Leiston play their third home game in a week when Waltham Abbey visit Victory Road. It goes without saying the Suffolk table toppers are in great form have won their last eight league games with six clean sheets along the way. The Abbotts are without a win in five games but have had two decent draws away against Harlow Town and at home to Maldon and Tiptree (who have posted some good results recently) of late. They will also be boosted by the arrivals of midfielder Tom Bruno and striker Emmanuel Osei whom both made the move from Harlow Town this week. Leiston drew 3-3 on the opening day of the season at Capershotts.

PLAY-OFF SIX POINTERS!!

There are two highly important games in the race for the play-offs as AFC Sudbury (6th place) welcome Redbridge (8th) and Tilbury (4th) make the short trip to Bretnwood Town (9th). Grays Athletic (5th) go to Ware and anything but a win for tenth placed Potters Bar Town at home to Needham Market (3rd) will probably put an end to their hopes of an outside chance of reaching the play-offs. Harlow Town (7th) travel to Romford who are currently sitting comfortably in 13th place.  

At the bottom of the table along with Ilford and Ware a win for Great Wakering Rovers at home to Cheshunt could pull The Ambers towards the relegation zone. 



ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - IT'S WITHAM TOWN'S TO LOSE NOW

Essex Senior League - Top Three as of 16th December 2011

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
WITHAM TOWN	17	12	4	1	51	15	36	40
SOUTHEND MANOR	15	12	3	0	41	15	26	39
ENFIELD FC 1893	16	12	3	1	34	22	22	39

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Essex Senior League - Top Three as of 13th March 2012

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	CURRENT FORM	PTS	PP
WITHAM TOWN	26	19	6	1	80	20	60	WWWDWWW	63	87
SOUTHEND MANOR	28	17	6	5	59	31	28	WWLDLL	57	75
TAKELEY	27	16	5	6	57	33	24	WWWWWW	53	74

HTML Tables

In the race for the Essex Senior League title it now looks as it's Witham Town's to lose as both Southend Manor and Enfield FC 1893 FC have dropped out of the race. As it stands Witham Town only need to win four more games to get to 75 points which is the maximum second placed Southend Manor can reach in their remaining six games. Realisticaly, with Manor's poor form of three defeats in their last four, the cold end would say just three more wins should do it for Witham Town whom have only lost one league game way back on Saturday 27th August 0-1 at home to Bethnal Green United.

Takeley have had a great run of form of late. After losing four of their opening ten games they have since lost only two of seventeen to safely sit in third place at present.

Last season's champions Enfield 1893 FC have dropped down the table as their website reports since the beginning of January they have unfortunately lost twelve of the their first team squad to season ending injuries. They have since been playing members of the Capital League reserve side with a view to building for a challenge next season. They have lost four of their last six league games which have included a rare win (only their third of the season) for bottom side Basildon United (2-3 on Tuesday 6th March).

This Saturday Witham Town welcome Clapton to Spa Road and Southend Manor go to Eton Manor.

In the League Cup both Burnham Ramblers and Takleley have qualified for the semi-final stage with Barking welcoming Sawbridgeworth Town tonight in a 2nd Leg quarter-final where Sawbo are 1-0 up from the 1st leg. Witham Town take 3-1 lead to a 2nd leg in Barkingside next week.

In The Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy London APSA and Southend Manor are through to the semi-finals with Witham Town playing Bethnal Green United tonight and Hullbridge Sports facing Burnham Ramblers in the other quarter final.

CLASSIC PROGRAMMES - LEYTONSTONE V TUFNELL PARK - 1950

Wednesday 19th April 1950 saw bottom of the table Tufnell Park travel to top of the table Leytonstone in an Isthmian League Senior Section match. Leytonstone were to go on to be crowned Champions with a points total of 39 from 26 games with Tufnell Park remaining on 8 points as they had when this game was played.

Leytonstone, at the time, were Non-League Giants winning the Isthmian League in 1946/47, 47/48, 49/50. 50/51 and 51/52 along with the FA Amateur Cup in 46/47 and 47/48. They went on to bring the Amateur Cup back to Granleigh Road in 1968 as well.

The 1947 final was won 2-1 versus fellow Isthmian League side Wimbledon at Highbury with the 1948 final staged at Stamford Bridge where Barnet (then champions of the Athenian League) were beaten 1-0. It was only from the 1948/49 season that the finals were staged at Wembley Stadium.

On to the programme which is indeed a 'classic' and a great piece of footballing history as it is now over 60 years old and is the oldest programme to be featured so far by the cold end.

The club notes start with 'As most of you have read in the local and national press, the club is contemplating further ground improvements, which have received the blessing of the authorities, and it is hoped that these will be commenced during the close season. We think all who remember the state of the ground when the club resumed it's activities after the war have noted that great improvements have already been carried out, but further improvements are necessary, both on the score of providing the best possible amenities for the players and accommodating the large crowds who now regularly assemble to see our home matches'

Under the heading 'This Evening's Game' (the game kicked off at 6.30pm in the days before Floodlights) B.D.E, who wrote the notes, states 'Tufnell Park have had a very lean time during the past three years, but in view of the arrangements make to take over the Edmonton Borough ground next season it is hoped this famous old club will have a revival in it's fortunes. As from next year Tufnell Park will be known as Tufnell Park Edmonton, but control will remain in the hands of the present officials of the club who have fought to gallantly for the past few years against adversity'

The new club were to remain member of the Isthmian League until 1952 when they left to join the Spartan League and then in 1954, the Delphian League and then in 1960 becoming simply Edmonton FC who have been featured in The Cold End's forgotten football section in 2009 here

THE SENIOR AND RESERVE SECTIONS OF THE ISTHMIAN LEAGUE DATED UP UNTIL 1st APRIL 1950
LEYTONSTONE TOP OF BOTH TABLES

Edmonton FC went on to become members of the Athenian League. In 1973 the club merged with Wood Green Town (who had been a breakaway club of Tufnell Park formed as Tufnell Spartans in 1920) and moved from the Barrass Stadium to Coles Park. The new club named Edmonton and Haringey in turn became, in 1976, what is now Haringey Borough.

Leytonstone's history is covered elsewhere on The Cold End here, here and here

THE ANCHOR BREWERY OF MILE END CEASED PRODUCTION  IN JANUARY 1975

The result of this game went with the form book as champion's elect Leytonstone won 6-0 against bottom of the table Tufnell Park with the person who visited this match kindly detailing the scorers as AW NOBLE (2), TE BAILEY (2), RR STATHER (1) and L JOSEPH (1).

TE BAILEY refers to Trevor Bailey CBE. The legendary Essex and England test-cricketer, broadcaster and writer whom sadly passed away last year following a fire at his home in Westcliffe-On-Sea. He was aged 87.

Not only was Trevor a highly accomplished Cricketer he also went onto to play for Walthamstow Avenue in the 1952 FA Amateur Cup final and then against Manchester United in the same year in the FA Cup. The Avenue famously drew 1-1 at Old Trafford before losing the replay played at Highbury 2-5.

An indication as to how East London has changed and developed over the past 60 years can be taken from the advert for the 'Stratford Express' which declares 'THE NEWSPAPER FOR SUBURBAN ESSEX'

TWO VIEWS OF THE LEYTONSTONE FC CLUB CREST.
ABOVE - AS FEATURED IN THIS PROGRAMME
BELOW - AS FEATURED IN A 1955 PROGRAMME