THE WADERS EDGE IT (JUST) AGAINST THE CROWS

BOXING DAY LOCAL DERBY ACTION DREW THE LARGEST CROWD OF THE SEASON (205) TO BIGGLESWADE TOWN'S CARLSBERG STADIUM

HANDSHAKES BEFORE THE GAME

Boxing Day saw a local derby between the Towns of Biggleswade and Royston take place in the Evo Stik Southern League Central Division. Both teams have been promoted to Step 4 of the non-league ladder in recent seasons after being crowned champions of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

The Waders moved up in 2009 and finished in a respectable 12th place in their debut season. They then improved into a play-off place for 2010/11 finishing 4th and last season finished 8th. The play off season saw Daventry Town (whom lost to Hitchin Town in the final) beat them 2-0 in the semi-final.

The Crows were champions of the SSML last season scoring an amazing 125 goals in 42 games of which 34 they won. They have adapted to life at a higher level with ease and are pushing for a play-off place along with Biggleswade Town.

With the clubs geographically in close proximity to each other there were players whom had played for both sides on show and lots of handshakes prior to the kick off although if you'd missed this you wouldn't have known as there were tackles flying in from both sides in the opening exchanges. The Crows ex Barton Rovers midfielder Scott Spencer (number 6) was involved in a few and was booked.

There wasn't much between the two sides with Biggleswade keeper Alex Taylor making a good save to keep the scores level. The Crows looked good when Biggleswade allowed them to pass it around with Kaan Fehmi (number 9) and Luke Robins (on the left...number 11) looking good up front.

ROYSTON'S LIAM McDEVITT GOT AN EARLY BATH FOR HANDBALL ON THE LINE

The game swung on Liam McDevitt's (another ex Barton Rovers player for Royston) red card midway through the first half. He tipped a goal bound shot over the bar his hand and was rightly sent off. The resulting penalty kick was well placed by Lee Allinson to make it 1-0. I never understand why players do this....Why not just let the goal in and play on with 11 men? Why chance getting sent off and a penalty which is nearly always scored and leave your team struggling with 10 men. Perhaps it's just instinct.

The Waders were on top then and scored another through a great strike from the middle of the penalty box by

The second half saw Royston come back into the game passing the ball around well and working hard with only ten men. They deserved their goal scored by Fehmi and were somewhat unlucky not to gain a point from the game.

Biggleswade Town were very happy with the win which extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight games. The last time they were defeated was on Tuesday 23rd October to another ex Spartan League side in Aylesbury FC (2-3).

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS




The crowd of 205 was also their best of the season beating the 142 who saw them play Baton Rover on Saturday 10th November.

They entertain second placed Rugby Town on Saturday in another important fixture for their play off and even title winning aspirations.


ROYSTON'S GOAL IN PICTURES

LUKE ROBBINS CROSSES FOR......

....KAAN FEHMI TO.......

.....HIT THE BACK OF THE NET!

Royston's league form has dropped in recent weeks (P5 W1 D1 L3 since the start of December) but with the quality of the squad assembled I'm sure they will be there or there abouts in the play-off mix up at the end of the season. They travel to Chalfont St Peter (another team recently promoted from the SSML) on Saturday. The Saints are currently in 15th place.

As you can see from the below table it's very tight at the top of the table and no team is running away with the league title.

Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central - Current Table - Top Five Only

POSN	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1.	GODALMING TOWN	19	14	3	2	44	16	+28	45
2.	RUGBY TOWN	20	14	2	4	44	28	+16	44
3.	BURNHAM	20	13	3	4	40	24	+16	42
4.	ROYSTON TOWN	21	12	5	4	43	27	+16	41
5.	BIGGLESWADE TOWN	19	12	4	3	48	23	+25	40

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

TheColdEnd would like to wish everyone that reads the blog a very Happy Christmas and thank you for your continued support throughout 2012 when Enfield Town famously gained promotion to the Ryman Premier Division.

JUST A 200 MILE ROUND TRIP ON BOXING DAY FOR "DERBY" GAME

The Town are due to visit Leiston's Victory Road on Boxing Day for a Ryman Premier Division game which kicks off at 1pm. At present @leistonfc on Twitter are reporting the pitch is saturated due to all of the rain that has been falling. If it's windy and it stops raining the game could go ahead. A pitch inspection is set for early on Boxing Day morning. Stay tuned to twitter for information.

The rest of the Ryman Premier Division games scheduled are detailed below. Obviously with the rain still pouring down their will pitch inspections and postponements all over the place -

Ryman Premier Division - Boxing Day Fixtures 

BURY TOWN            V LOWESTOFT TOWN      - 1PM
CONCORD RANGERS      V CANVEY ISLAND       - 3PM 
EAST THURROCK UNITED V THURROCK            - 1PM 
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND V CARSHALTON ATHLETIC - 3PM 
HARROW BOROUGH       V WEALDSTONE          - 3PM 
LEISTON              V ENFIELD TOWN        - 1PM 
LEWES                V BOGNOR REGIS TOWN   - 3PM
MARGATE              V CRAY WANDERERS      - 3PM
MET POLICE           V KINGSTONIAN         - 3PM
WHITEHAWK            V HASTINGS UNITED     - 12noon 
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY V HENDON              - 3PM

SAWBO AND THE TON'S SHARE THE SPOILS



TOWN FANS THAT VISITED CROFTERS END IN THE EARLY 2000s WILL SEE THAT A NEW SEATED STAND HAS BEEN PUT INTO PLACE ON THE CLUB HOUSE SIDE OF THE GROUND

HOWEVER THE VIEW FROM IT ISN'T THE BEST WITH THIS FLOODLIGHT PYLON IN THE WAY. IT WILL KEEP YOU DRY ON A WET NIGHT AT THIS NICE WELCOMING GROUND

The Tons of East London made the trip to Crofters End, Sawbridgeworth on Tuesday night for a re-arranged Essex Senior League game. The original game had been abandoned at half time on Saturday 24th November with Sawbo 3-0 up.

This was a entertaining game and it had the right result as both sides worked hard and gave it a good effort on the night. It was great to see Clapton record only their third point on the road in the league this season. They have also drawn at Barkingside and against London Bari who currently ground share at The Old Spotted Dog.

There were some good players on show with Sawbridgeworth's George Wappett (number 11 playing on the left wing but all right foot) causing the away defence lots of problems and scoring a great goal in the second half. Wappett, who has also been on the books of Bishops Stortford, nearly won the game right on 90 minutes but was denied by Ton's keeper Paul Daley. He seems to have been around for ever having played in the ESL against Enfield Town in the early 2000's. He was on good form last night........ "ref, I'm not moaning but have a look at that...I'm not moaning I'm just saying that's all" along with asking the Assistant Referee "How long mate"?" every five minutes in the second half. He is a real character and what non-league football is all about. 

Clapton's centre back Hussain Jaffa (number 6) also stood out for me. He was impressive and dominating in the air against the Sawbo attack with his height and athleticism a clear advantage. Apparently he usually plays left back and showed he can also go forward having a hand in The Ton's second goal. He is only in his early 20's and I think with the right attitude could also play at a higher level of the game. He is listed on The Ton's website as Hussainou Jaffa.

Danny Aggio (number 8), in centre of midfield, was also busy and showed a good touch. Watching the game I thought he reminded me somewhat of Scott Parker. I must of been right as on the claptonfc.com website it says he bases his game on the Tottenham player. He has also played at Brentwood Town, Ilford and Basildon United.

THE TEAM LINE-UPS. THERE WAS A LATE CHANGE FOR CLAPTON WITH REIS DESOUZA (2) BEING REPLACED BY NUMBER 12. THE NUMBER 12 SHIRT WAS GIVEN TO HARRY PRINCE.

 

An extended fifteen minutes+ of match highlights are below including all four goals scored.



I recommend a visit to the Friends of Clapton FC website which is an organisation set up to help the club who have been struggling to survive over the last few years. With so many East London based teams and grounds going bust and disappearing in the recent past the club needs more local support so if you live in the area why not go and watch a game?

To quote the Friends of Clapton -

"The primary objectives of the Friends of Clapton FC is to help those who run, administer and play for the Tons. These objectives include it's continuance and well-being, the security of tenure at the Old Spotted Dog Ground and to promote Clapton FC's activities in an open and forthright manner so as to re-establish the club in the world of football as well as the local community. This will inlcude the careful consideration of where the club is going and to offer advice, help and support where necessary.

We believe that Clapton FC is a club deserving of support and who's survival is important, not only to the local area, but also to the sport of association football, the development of which, owes much to the Clapton players, officials and supporters of yesteryear."

TheColdEnd also saw filmed the Clapton v Sawbo game at The Old Spotted Dog on Tuesday 18th October 2011. Highlights of this nine-goal game are below. George Wappett was number 17 in green in this game and also stood out as a decent player then -

FA VASE - UPDATE

The FA Vase Third Round has two more fixtures to complete with Rye United scheduled to take on South Park tomorrow night and Walsall Wood entertaining Wigan Robin Park on Saturday.

The Fourth Round fixtures are due to take place in the New Year on Saturday 19th January 2013.

FA VASE 2012/13
TEAMS LEFT IN THE COMPETITION
# odds via http://www.oddschecker.com and http://www.betvictor.com

TEAM	LEAGUE/POSITION	STEP	ODDS#
AFC EMLEY	7th/Northern Counties Division One	6	50/1
AMPTHILL TOWN	7th/Spartan South Midlands Premier	5	50/1
ASCOT UNITED	14th/Hellenic Premier	5	66/1
ASHINGTON	10th/Northern League Division One	5	12/1
BEMERTON HH	2nd/Wessex League Premier	5	33/1
BITTON AFC	5th/Western League Premier	5	50/1
BLACKFIELD AND LANGLEY	9th/Wessex League Premier	5	33/1
BODMIN TOWN	1st/South West Peninsula Premier	6	50/1
BORROWASH VICTORIA	3rd/East Midlands Counties League	6	66/1
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC	6th/Eastern Counties Premier	5	50/1
BRIGHOUSE TOWN	3rd/Northern Counties East Premier	5	66/1
DUNSTON UTS	7th/Northern League Division One	5	16/1
ELY CITY	13th/Eastern Counties Premier	5	40/1
ENFIELD 1893 FC	3rd/Essex Senior League	5	66/1
GORNAL ATHLETIC	8th/Midland Alliance	5	33/1
GUERNSEY	3rd/Combined Counties Premier	5	6/1
HADLEIGH UNITED	10th/Eastern Counties Premier	5	66/1
HANWORTH VILLA	13th/Combined Counties Premier	5	50/1
LARKHALL ATHLETIC	12th/Western League Premier	5	40/1
LORDSWOOD	6th/Kent League Premier	5	66/1
NEWPORT (IOW)	6th/Wessex Premier	5	40/1
PEACEHAVEN & TELSCOMBE	1st/Sussex County Division One	5	40/1
ROCESTER	14th/Midland Alliance	5	40/1
RUNCORN TOWN	5th/North West Counties Premier	5	50/1
RYE UNITED*	3rd/Sussex County Division One	5	66/1
SHILDON	9th/Northern League Division One	5	14/1
SOUTH PARK*	9th/Combined Counties Premier	5	66/1
SPALDING UNITED	4th/United Counties Premier	5	25/1
SPENNYMOOR TOWN	2nd/Northern League Division One	5	7/4 FAV
TUNBRIDGE WELLS	7th/Kent League Premier	5	66/1
WALSALL WOOD*	1st/Midland Combination Premier	6	66/1
WHITLEY BAY	5th/Northern League Division One	5	8/1
WIGAN ROBIN PARK*	13th/North West Counties Premier	5	66/1
WISBECH TOWN	4th/Eastern Counties Premier	5	33/1

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Current 7/4 favourites are Spennymoor Town who are currently second in the Northern League Division One which is arguably the strongest of Step 5 leagues. They have games in hand over table topping Darlington 1883. They have a home tie against Kent League Lordswood in the Fourth Round.

Town were formed in 2005 following the demise of Spennymoor United (then of the Unibond League Premier Division) and Evenwood Town (then of the Northern League Division One). They have been champions of the Northern League for the past three seasons.

Next up are Guernsey (at 6/1) and Vase specialists Whitley Bay. The Bay look value at 8/1 as should they get past their trip to Brantham Athletic their odds will reduce substantially.

Locally there is some interest with Enfield 1893 making the trip to Ampthill Town and another Middlesex club in Hanworth Villa travelling to the winners of the Walsall Wood and Wigan Robin Park tie. The possible 260 or 400+ mile round trip The Villians will make is dwarfed by the nearly 1000 mile round trip Ashington have to make from Northumberland to Cornwall to play Bodmin Town.

There are three (possibly 4 if Walsall Wood win their replay) step 6 teams left. AFC Emley welcome Hadleigh United, Bodmin Town play the above mentioned game and Borrowash Victoria entertain Ascot United.

With Newport (Isle of White) and Guernsey still in the draw the final could still end up 'the battle of the Islands'?

FA VASE with Carlsberg forthcoming scheduled fixtures

Third Round
Tuesday 18th December 2012
Rye United v South Park

Saturday 22nd December
Walsall Wood v Wigan Robin Park

Fourth Round
Saturday 19th January 2013
Gornal Athletic v Wisbech Town
Bodmin Town v Ashington
AFC Emley v Hadleigh United
Tunbridge Wells v Dunston UTS
Rye United or South Park v Guernsey
Bitton AFC v Shildon
Larkhall Athletic v Peacehaven and Telscombe
Brantham Athletic v Whitley Bay
Newport (IOW) v Brighouse Town
Bemerton HH v Blackfield and Langley
Ampthill Town v Enfield 1893
Ely City v Spalding United
Spennymoor Town v Lordswood
Rocester v Runcorn Town
Borrowash Victoria v Ascot United
Walsall Wood or Wigan RP v Hanworth Villa

TOWN WELL BEATEN BY LEAGUE TITLE FAVOURITES

Wealdstone fans had an afternoon to remember at Grosvenor Vale as they cruised to victory dominating proceedings for most of the big Middlesex derby game.

Town, aside from a spell between 10 to 20 minutes, had an afternoon to forget with probably the most disappointing performance of the season so far.

It was a very tough ask for Town to turn up and win the game against a side who are now 3/1 joint favourites* to win the league title and who have been unbeaten at their home ground in Ryman League fixtures since Saturday 19th November 2011.

* http://www.ladbrokes.com currently can't seperate Whitehawk, The Stones or Lowestoft Town. They currently rate them all at 3/1.

The Stones put Town under intense pressure during the opening few minutes of the game with Noel Imber making a great save to keep the score at 0-0. Town grew into the game playing some good football creating two chances for the hard-working Adam Wallace. Both were well saved by The Stone's keeper Rikki Banks.

The home side then scored two goals in as many minutes with Richard Jolly presented with a chance he does not miss after a mistake in the Town midfield. The Stone's captain Wes Parker then rose highest to head a cross in past Noel Imber to make it 2-0.

After the break Chris Moore (making his home debut) added a third goal effectively killing the game off on 47 minutes. The Stones had a number of other chances to add to the scoreline with Moore making it 4-0 on 89 minutes.

MATCH RESULT NOT VALID DUE TO WEALDSTONE'S GOAL POSTS BEING SLIGHTY WONKY

Wealdstone travel to Donkey Lane on Saturday 9th February where we will get a chance to gain some revenge.

COME ON YOU TOWNERS!

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS are below
inc all four goals scored

WEALDSTONE AWAY OR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THIS SATURDAY

 

 

 

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

Many things have changed since Saturday 14th November 1987 which was the last time before the 2001 formation of Enfield Town FC that Enfield FC played Wealdstone in a league fixture.

In that GM Vauxhall Conference game a E's side featuring Andy Pape, Dave Howell, Steve Tapley, Nick Francis, Nicky Ironton, Martin Duffield, Paul Furlong, Paul Harding, Steve King with substitutes Dave Jacques and Andy Edmonds won 5-2 at Southbury Road. Steve King scored a hat-trick with Francis and Furlong adding one each in front of 685 people. The game at Lower Mead had taken place on Tuesday 15th September which Wealdstone had won 1-0 in front of 916.

The Stones were relegated at the end of that season to the Southern League Premier Division with the E's following them out of the Conference two seasons later at the end of the 1989/90 season.

They lost their Lower Mead Stadium at the end of the 1990/91 season when it was sold to a supermarket and with the company handling the sale going into liquidation the club eventually only got received a small fraction of the money that had been paid for the land. The Stones, the first club to do the non-league double by winning the Conference and The FA Trophy in 1985, then began a seventeen year period ground sharing at Watford, Yeading, Edgware Town and Northwood.

There are many parallels to be drawn between the clubs who were big rivals in the 1980's - they both won non-league's top division along with the FA Trophy and were both subsequently relegated, both lost their historic and much loved grounds forcing them to ground-share many miles away from their spiritual home.

The one thing The Stones will remind the E's fans who took the heartbreaking decision to break away from the club they loved in 2001 is that they stuck by their club in a time which even saw them take voluntary relegation when moving from the Southern League back to the Isthmian League in 1995. The financially struggling club requested a move to the more local Isthmian League with the FA insisting they join at the lowest level meaning a drop of two divisions from the Southen League Southern Division where they had travelled to Weston-Super-Mare, Salisbury City, Bashley, Weymouth and Newport IOW amongst others.

In 2001 the Enfield Supporter's Trust saw there was no other way or choice to bring football back to the borough with the then chairman, who had overseen the sale of Southbury Road and moved the club a 30 mile away round trip to Boreham Wood, unwilling to sell the club back to the fans after all that had occurred. The bulk of the supporters moved over to Enfield Town and we all know that the club formed in 1893 continued playing until 2007.

Wealdstone gradually moved back up the pyramid eventually winning promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2004 when they won the play-off game versus Dulwich Hamlet on penalty kicks. This 2003/04 Division One (North) season had seen The Stones play against Enfield FC (post 2001) who finished bottom and were relegated to Division Two.

The club have made Ruislip Manor's former Grosvenor Vale ground their home since 2008 after the club acquired the lease and made ground improvements necessary for Ryman Premier football. Although not perfect with the club playing outside of it's London Borough of Harrow spiritual home (around 6 miles away) it's a place that The Stones fans now call home.

So as you can see it's now Enfield Town of Donkey Lane and Wealdstone of Grosvenor Vale instead of those memorable (and not so memorable) Conference games of the 1980's which were a bit before my time starting to support the E's at the end of 1987.

The two clubs have of course played a few times in cup competitions and friendlies. Probably most famously in the Middlesex Charity Cup Final in Town's first season in 2001 when we won on penalty kicks. Last season they visited Donkey Lane in the Middlesex Senior Cup and thanks to the on-loan Watford duo of Connor Smith and Britt Assombalonga they won 0-6 against a much changed Town side who only included Dave Kendall in the starting XI from the previous league game against Grays Athletic. Smith has made 7 first team appearance for Gianfranco Zola's Hornets this season with Assombalonga banging in goals regularly for League Two Southend United where he is currently on loan.

THE WEALDSTONE TEAM

So what of the Wealdstone team. This is the starting XI and substitutes for their last league game at Lowestoft Town -

Rikki Banks (Goalkeeper)
Started his careeer with Crystal Palace. Has played for Hendon, Lewes, Worthing and Eastbourne Borough.

Esmond James (Defender)
A very recent signing from Blue Square South side Hayes and Yeading for whom he played in the Conference. Also played for Hampton and Richmond Borough and Farnborough FC. Described as a pacey winger/front man when playing for Hayes but down as a defender on The Stones website.

Aaron Tumwa (Defender)
Currently on loan from Championship side Watford and looking to follow in the foot steps of Connor Smith and Britt Assombalonga (as above). Spent some of last season on loan at Wealdstone's local rival's Harrow Borough.

Wes Parker (Club Captain and Defender)
Played in the Football League for Grimsby Town before joining Gainsborough Trinity and Boston United. Been with The Stones since August 2010.

Sean Cronin (Defender)
A Welsh under 18 and 19 international as well as playing for his countries under 23 semi-pro team. Played for Neath FC in the Welsh Premier League as well as Cardiff City.

Alex Dyer (Midfielder)
A full professional with Northampton Town where he made over 30+ appearences. Joined The Stones in September 2010 and has been capped by Montserrat.

Nathan Webb (Defender)
Ex Farnborough and Hayes and Yeading player. Signed for the Stones in August of this year. Was a regular first teamer with Farnborough last season.

Chris O’Leary (Midfielder)
Over 250+ appearances for the club since joining in 2006 from Uxbridge. Left for a short-spell with St Albans City in 2011 but made only two apperaces before returning to The Stones.

Peter Dean (Midfielder)
Was with Wealdstone before moving to Bishops Stortford and Hendon before returning to the club. Also played for Maidenhead United, Hayes and Northwood. Was a youth player at Watford.

Chris Moore (Striker)
Very recent signing from Uxbridge. Also played for Dagenham and Redbridge. Made his debut against Lowestoft Town.

Lee Chappell (Defender)
Also played for Cheshunt and Ware. Made over 300+ apps for The Stones.

SUBS

Tom Pett (Midfielder)
Joined from Potters Bar Town where he always impressed in games against Enfield Town

Kurtney Brooks (Midfielder)
Another ex Watford youth team player continuing the strong links between the two clubs. Was capped by Wales at Under 19 level.

Richard Jolly (Striker)
Scores goals and lots of them. A total of 52 in all of last season's league and cup games. Had a spell with the club between 2003 to 2006 after joining from Hayes. Rejoined initially on loan from Sutton United in 2011. Also played for AFC Wimbledon, Carshalton Athletic and Uxbridge.

Scott McCubbin (Midfielder)
A youth team player with Chelsea. Spent sometime in the USA playing for Baton Rouge Capitals. Joined The Stones in 2011.

Aldi Haxhia (Goalkeeper)
Born in Kosovo. Was a youth team player at Chelsea where he called up to the Albanian Under 21 side in 2010 but never played. Has also played for Hayes and Yeading.

When writing about Wealdstone you can hardly miss out their manager Gordon Bartlett who has been with the club since June 1995. He had had successful spells with Yeading (won the FA Vase in 1990), Hounslow and Southall (FA Vase finalists). Since 1995 he has guided The Stones to four promotions and is clearly an fine example of a club sticking by their man letting him gradually build the club up. Since promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division the club have finished 18th, 18th, 19th (one season in the Southern Premier), 13th, 7th, 6th, 12th and 4th. There is no doubt in my mind they will probably finish higher than 4th this season. He is assisted by Leo Morris who followed him from Southall and Yeading.

If you fancy a bet on the game it's no surprise to see the home side as strong favourites. They are currently unbeaten in the league at home for over a year! Their last defeat coming on Saturday 19th November 2011 when Canvey Island won 1-2. If it hadn't of been for their record of only three wins in their opening twelve games last season they would of run Billericay Town, AFC Hornchurch and Lowestoft Town much closer in the title race.

BET365.COM rate The Stone's at 4/6 favourites with Town 3/1 outsiders. The draw being 14/5.

STATISTICS

WEALDSTONE		ENFIELD TOWN
14	PLAYED	15
8	WON	5
4	DRAWN	3
2	LOST	7
26	GF	27
15	GA	30
+11	GD	-3
28 (42)	PTS (TOTAL)	18 (45)
DWWWWL	OVERALL FORM	WLWWLD
DWDWWW	HOME FORM	LLWWLD
LDWWL	AWAY FORM	WDLDWL
703 Home v Thurrock (13/10/12)	BEST CROWD	511 Away v Lewes (18/8/12)
222 Away v Cray Wand (3/11/12)	LOWEST CROWD	155 Away v Met Police (27/8/12)

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The Grosvenor Vale ground address is HA46JQ. The nearest tube stations are Ruislip Manor and Ruislip both on Metropolitan Tube Line (short walk away) and Ruislip Gardens (around 1/2 mile walk) on the Central Line.

Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under 16s. If your a season ticket holder at a football league club or another non-league club you can get in for half price on production of said ticket. This offer doesn't apply to fans of the opponents on the selected match day!

COME ON YOU TOWNERS!!!! 

COLD SNAP SETS IN

What's becoming almost an annual tradition of 'the cold snap' seems to have set in this December. Only one Ryman Premier Division game survived last night which was the top v bottom clash which went to form with Margate beating Carshalton Atlhetic 3-1 in front of 228 people. Locally only games at St Margaretsbury and Codicote survived the frosty and freezing conditions. The Gate are now six points clear of 2nd placed Whitehawk (who have two games in hand) making Saturday's top of the table clash at The Enclosed Ground an all important one.

Luckily the weather forecast shows it's going to warm up slighltly for the weekend. Don't go reaching for your sun glasses and Bermuda shorts just yet as it's only predicted to be a maximum of 9 degrees with some rain in the air too. Hopefully it'll be good enough for Town's game at Wealdstone to go ahead.

To keep you entertained for the time being here are highlights of two great games from last season. The 4-3 victory versus Waltham Forest and the 5-0 win against Thamesmead Town.



As a bonus here's a really entertaining game from August 2010 between Kingsbury London Tigers and Kentish Town. This game was played at Silver Jubilee Park which sadly (i think) is currently not being used for football.
 

SILVER JUBILEE PARK - AUGUST 2010

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION WEEKEND FIXTURES & PREVIEW

Canvey Island v Cray Wanderers
10th v 9th. Canvey tough to beat at home. Cray unbeaten on the road. Score draw maybe?

Enfield Town v Thurrock
Only Wealdstone and Concord Rangers (18) have scored more goals than Town in the last six league games. Thurrock have improved of late wining two, drawing two and losing two of their last six games. The two defeats being narrow 1-0's against Bognor Regis Town and high scoring Concord. A tough game to call. Will Thurrock attack or will they defend and look to hit Town on the break?

Hampton and Richmond Borough v Bury Town
6th v 7th. Both teams have near identical league records. Hampton only have one win in their last six and Bury Town were well beaten 5-1 at Bognor Regis Town last time out.

Harrow Borough v East Thurrock United
After losing 2-0 at Enfield Town the home side have gone on to record two good draws against Lewes and Whitehawk. The Rocks have two draws as well against Lewes and at home to Margate in midweek. Another close game which TheColdEnd thinks East Thurrock United may just nick.

Hastings United v Concord Rangers
The home side have the big FA Cup game against Harrogate Town in midweek and Concord Rangers are bang in form with five wins and one draw in six games. Maybe an away win?

RELEGATION SIX POINTER AT VALE FARM

Hendon v Carshalton Athletic
Arguably the biggest game of the day. The big relegation six pointer and a must win game for both sides.

A FEW IN AND FEW OUT FOR THE K'S

Kingstonian v Bognor Regis Town
Bognor are unbeaten in four games and have recorded two good wins against Lowestoft and Bury Town in their last two games. The K's have lost their last three and have let in four versus Thurrock and Canvey Island in their latest games.

Home boss Alan Dowson has been busy this week releasing Sam Clayton (midfielder), Tom Hutchinson (defender), Dominic Sterling (defender) along with Byron Napper (defender) leaving for Divison One (South) Crawley Down Gatwick. Defender/Midfielder Nathan Green has joined on a dual registration from Billericay Town, Harry Harding (midfielder) on dual registration from Bromley along with two loan signings Callum McNaughton (defender - on loan form AFC Wimbledon) and Jack Barton (defender - on loan from Aldershot Town). McNaughton started his career at West Ham United where he was the reserve team captain.

Bognor should win this one but with all the new signings from a higher level for the K's they could improve.

WHITEHAWK SIGN TWO YOUNG PROMISING PLAYERS ON LOAN AS WELL AS EXPERIENCED STRIKER

Lewes v Whitehawk
Another big game for the division. The 'Brighton/Sussex/Coastal Derby'. Whitehawk need the points to continue their chase for the league title but the home side will be well up for putting one over on their local rivals at The Dripping Pan. The Rooks have recently released three players in Max Howell, Lee Cooper and Anthony Thomas.

The Hawks have signed up midfielder Junior Konadu and striker Arthur Gnahoua on loan from Blue Square Premier side Macclesfield Town. Konadu had spent two seasons with St Neots Town prior to moving to The Silkmen in pre-season. He started his career at Leyton and Ilford. Gnahoua played for Stalybridge Celtic last season.

Manager Darren Freeman has also added to his striking options as Jefferson Louis has also joined on loan from Newport County. Louis can certainly lay claim to the title of 'well travelled' as his former clubs list is fairly lengthy as follows - Risborough Rangers, Thames United, Oxford United, Woking (loan), Gravesend and Northfleet (loan), Forest Green Rovers, Woking, Bristol Rovers, Hemel Hempstead Town, Lewes, Worthing, Stevenage Borough, Eastleigh, Yeading, Havant and Waterlooville, Weymouth, Maidenhead United, Mansfield Town, Wrexham, Crawley Town, Rushden and Diamonds (loan), Gainsborough Trinity, Darlington (loan), Weymouth, Hayes and Yeading, Maidenhead United, Brackley Town, Lincoln City, Newport County and now Whitehawk (loan).
Whitehawk also have young midfielder Jed Wallace on loan from Portsmouth for another month. He has scored seven times in nine games and has been receiving rave reviews for his performances.

The Hawks should win this but Lewes (with four draws in their last six) are very tough to beat.

NEWSON JOINS THE TRAWLER BOYS

Lowestoft Town v Wealdstone
Without doubt the game of the day as 5/2 title favourites and in-form Wealdstone travel to the Suffolk coast for a repeat of last season's play-off semi-final which The Trawlerboys won 2-1 with a dramatic winner in the last minute.

Both sides have strengthened their attacking options this week. The Trawlerboys have signed highly rated Sam Newson on-loan from Division One (North) side Needham Market. Town fans all know how good Newson is and I think he'll have no trouble slotting into football at a higher level. Expect to see him on the score sheet soon.

The Stones have signed up highly experienced Chris Moore from Uxbridge. Moore has played in the footbll league for Dagenham and Redbridge and also for Northwood and Chelmsford City.

Lowestoft need to win this game to move back up into the title race but The Stones will equally want to win to gain some revenge for the play-off defeat last season and keep the pressure on Margate and Whitehawk.

Margate v Wingate and Finchley
Margate have won their last four games and have only lost once in seven league home games. They have also only conceded 6 goals in those games. W&F have lost six out of eight on the road. Anything but a home win will be a surprise?

Metropolitan Police v Leiston
Leiston are without a win on the road in the league. The Met are unbeaten at home in the league. However, Leiston, did win 3-4 at Imber Court in the FA Trophy on 30th October. Just 66 people saw this game so expect another low crowd tomorrow. Both clubs have drawn three out of their last six games so this could well be all-square after 90 minutes?

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER - UPDATE

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER DIVISION-CURRENT TABLE (TOP 5 ONLY)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
DUNSTABLE TOWN	20	15	5	0	69	22	+47	50	WDWWDW
AYLESBURY UNITED	21	14	4	3	54	26	+28	46	DDWLWW
OXHEY JETS	18	13	3	2	58	36	+32	42	WWDDWW
LONDON COLNEY	22	12	3	7	45	41	+4	39	WWLLWW
ST MARGARETSBURY	16	12	2	2	40	21	+9	38	WWWWWW

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It's shaping up to be an exciting race for the title in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division. Dunstable Town lead the way but are only four points ahead of Aylesbury United. The Ducks have played one more game than the current leaders who are currently undefeated. Dunstable Town were runner's up to Royston Town last season and are clearly intent on going one better this campaign. Their last league defeat came at home to Hillingdon Borough (0-1) Saturday 14th April 2012.

Oxhey Jets, whom finished in seventeenth place last season, have improved remarkably for the 2012/13 season. They have already equalled the amount of wins (13) they managed in 42 games last season and victory in their next scheduled league game at Haringey Borough on Tuesday will see them go to 45 points which what they managed last season. Should the Jets win the two games in hand they have only Dunstable Town they will be only two points behind. The same goes for bang-in-form St Margaretsbury who are on 38 points having played 16 games. The Bury boys have only lost twice at Hillingdon Borough (2-0) on Tuesday 21st August and at Dunstable Town (5-3) on Saturday 20th October. Since the loss at Creasey Park they have won six games in a row against Stotfold, Hanwell Town, Harefield United, Berkhamsted, Aylesbury United and Leverstock Green. Anthony Anststead has been in great form scoring 14 times in 9 league games.

Last season's Division One champions London Colney are currently in fourth place but have played twenty-two games and have lost seven which is probably two many to be able to win the title at the end of the season. However, They will be pleased with their return to Step 5 football.

Down at the bottom it's Holmer Green who prop up the table having lost seventeen of their twenty-one games. They have also conceded 90 (ninety!!) in those games which have included recent 11-0 and 7-0 defeats at Dunstable Town and Aylesbury United. Their 4.29 goals conceded per game is unfortunately well above the 3.07 goals conceded per game by last season's bottom team Hatfield Town. If they carry on at the 4.29 rate they'll end up with GA column of around 180!

A key game coming up for second placed Aylesbury United is their local derby at Tring Athletic on Saturday 15th December. Tring have only lost two in their last ten games against Ampthill Town and St Mags. Last season's games attracted 161 to The Grass Roots Stadium and 124 to Bell Close where The Ducks currently share with Leighton Town. Sadly there has been no new news or update regarding bringing the team back to their home town.

FACTS ON FIGURES ON THE SEASON SO FAR

MOST WINS	15- DUNSTABLE TOWN*
MOST DEFEATS	17 - HOLMER GREEN
MOST DRAWS	6 - BIGGLESWADE UNITED & HILLINGDON BOROUGH
LEAST WINS	2 - HOLMER GREEN, LONDON TIGERS & HILLINGDON BOROUGH
LEAST DEFEATS	0 - DUNSTABLE TOWN
LEAST DRAWS	1 - HATFIELD TOWN
MOST GOALS SCORED	69 - DUNSTABLE TOWN
LEAST GOALS SCORED	22 - LONDON TIGERS
MOST GOALS CONCEDED	90 - HOLMER GREEN
LEAST GOALS CONCEDED	21 - ST MARGARETSBURY
BEST GD	+47 -DUNSTABLE TOWN
WORST GD	-61 - HOLMER GREEN
HIGHEST CROWD	159 - DUNSTABLE TOWN V AYLESURY UNITED (3/11/12)
LOWEST CROWD	10 - LONDON TIGERS V AFC DUNSTABLE (18/8/12) 10 - LONDON TIGERS V STOTFOLD (29/9/12)
HIGHEST AVG CROWD	121 - AYLESBURY UNITED
*	DENOTES ST MAGS HAVE A WIN PERCENTAGE OF 75% WHICH IS THE SAME AS DUNSTABLE TOWN.

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IF YOU LOVE FOOTBALL - FOLLOW @BungayTownFC

News has reached TheColdEnd of Anglian Combination Division Two side Bungay Town FC's campaign on Twitter to beat or overtake Manchester City's current 612,983 followers. This to prove a point that money is ruining football at the top end of the game and of course to show people that it's not all about the Premier League big guns.

@BungayTownFC currently only have 941 followers so The Black Dogs, as they are nicknamed, have a long way to go. It would be good to see them on 1000 followers by the end of the day. If you love non-league football please get following and we'll see what happens.

The club have been members of the Anglian Combination since 1964 and are currently in fifth place of Division Two which is on step nine of the non-league pyramid. This Saturday they are scheduled to play Hempnall Reserves at their home ground The Maltings Meadow.

ENFIELD TOWN - THE SEASON SO FAR

After fourteen games in the Ryman Premier Division The Town are placed in 14th position on seventeen points. The 2-3 defeat after being 2-0 up against Lowestoft Town has sparked a lively debate on the NOT THE ETFC message board with one supporter calling for the board to make some 'real decisions' and that 'if we want to stay in this league for next season then make the changes or we go back'.

TheColdEnd thinks that the management and the team are doing extremely well in adapting to playing at Step 3 of the non-league pyramid. As most (if not all) people expected this season was all about consolidation and building for the future of the club.

Steve Newing and the players will be gutted about losing on Saturday and conceded another three goals but if you look at the comparison of form from the last four campaigns The Town have only won two less and one less games than in those Division One (North) seasons.

The team are also scoring as many goals as before on 26 for this season compared to 24,24 and 28. Tighten up the goals against column which will happen in time and who knows what will happen.

If The Town continue with the win percentage of 35.72% they'll end up with a record of around 15 wins which with the odd draw thrown in will give the club a points total of around 50 points. This will leave them somewhere between 14th to 16th place which is well above the bottom two 20th and 21st places.

Another way of looking at it is that had Enfield Town won on Saturday it would of put the team on twenty points which is just five away from the play-offs. We would of been above Lowestoft Town who would of only been on nineteen points........... and The Trawlerboys are still third favourites to win the title at 4/1 with Ladbrokes with Town rated at 125/1. A nice run of three wins in the next six games (mirroring our current form) will lift us right up the league.

COME YOU TOWN!!
STEVE NEWING'S BLUE AND WHITE ARMY!!

ENFIELD TOWN'S LEAGUE FORM AFTER FOURTEEN GAMES COMPARISON
KEY -
GSPG - GOALS SCORED PER GAME
CCPG - GOALS CONCEEDED PER GAMES
3+ - NUMBER OF TIMES SCORED 3+
3* - NUMBER OF TIMES CONCEEDED 3+
CS - CLEAN SHEETS

SEASON	DIVISION	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	WIN%	GSPG	GCPG	3+	3*	CS	FINISHED
2009/10	1(N)	14	6	4	4	24	23	+1	22	42.86	1.71	1.64	4	4	4	4th
2010/11	1(N)	14	7	0	7	24	17	+7	21	50.00	1.71	1.21	4	2	4	6th
2011/12	1(N)	14	7	5	2	28	19	+9	26	50.00	2.00	1.36	4	2	3	2nd
2012/13	PREM	14	5	2	7	26	29	-3	17	35.72	1.86	2.07	2	7	2	???

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RYMAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISON SELECTED CURRENT TITLE ODDS 

available at LADBROKES

WEALDSTONE            5/2
WHITEHAWK            11/2
LOWESTOFT TOWN        4/1 
MARGATE               7/1 
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND  8/1

ENFIELD TOWN        125/1 
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 300/1