GOOD FRIDAY FOR WHITEHAWK

Above - Two views of The Enclosed Ground today
Brilliant photos courtesy of @DannyLast

It was a very Good Friday for current Ryman Premier Division table topper's Whitehawk who won the South Coast derby 3-0 against Bognor Regis Town and also have had confirmation their ground has passed a grading inspection. This means should they finish top or win the play-offs they will be definitely playing Conference South football for next season. There are still many games to be played with Wealdstone (following their eventful 2-1 win over Concord Rangers on Thursday), Lowestoft Town and Concord Rangers still in with a shout of the title. The Stones were losing to 10 men Concord with only minutes remaining but turned it round to record a highly important win 2-1.

Should they achieve promotion it will complete an amazing journey for The Hawks who left the Sussex County League (Step 5) in 2009 and could possibly be playing Conference South (Step 2) in 2013.

BIG LOCAL DERBY MATCH TONIGHT

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION - UPDATE

TABLE SHOWING THE FINAL RECORDS OF 2nd BOTTOM TEAM SINCE 2000/01

SEASON	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
00/01	CARSHALTON ATHLETIC	42	10	6	26	40	85	-45	36
01/02	HARROW BOROUGH	42	8	10	24	50	89	-39	34
02/03	ENFIELD FC	46	9	11	26	47	101	-54	38
03/04	BRAINTREE TOWN	46	11	6	29	41	88	-47	39
04/05	DOVER ATHLETIC	42	10	9	23	50	66	-16	39
05/06	WINDSOR & ETON	42	8	8	26	37	75	-38	32
06/07	WALTON & HERSHAM	42	9	6	27	38	83	-46	33
07/08	FOLKESTONE INVICTA	42	13	10	19	49	70	-21	49
08/09	HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS	42	10	11	21	41	63	-22	41
09/10	WALTHAM ABBEY	42	12	8	22	49	74	-25	44
10/11	CROYDON ATHLETIC	42	10	4	28	44	95	-51	31*
11/12	TOOTING & MITCHAM	42	7	6	29	47	116	-69	27
AVERAGE	-		9.75	-	-	-	-	-	36.92

Enfield Town's fantastic 1-2 victory at Kingstonian last night see's Steve Newing's side move twelve points clear of the drop zone and edge closer to safety. It's certainly not all over as yet but maybe another two wins in Town's last eight games would see Ryman Premier Division football played for 2013/14 which was the aim at the start of the season. 214 people saw a Liam Hope double in the second half collect the three points for Town.

Town have won 11 of their 34 games (points total 38) so far with the above table showing the average points for finishing second bottom since 2000/01 is 36.92. We can no longer win he league title (really!!) as our points total if we won all remaining games would be 60 which would only be good enough for fourth place at the moment.

It's a really busy schedule over Easter playing at Bury Town on Saturday, Leiston at home on Monday, Hampton and Richmond away on Thursday and then Harrow Borough away on Saturday 6th April.

RYMAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - CURRENT TOP FOUR

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	PP	FORM	CURRENT ODDS	PRE-SEASON ODDS
1	WHITEHAWK	36	20	12	4	75	38	+37	72	90	DDWDWD	4/9	8/1
2	CONCORD RANGERS	33	18	9	6	68	45	+23	63	90	WDWDWD	8/1	33/1
3	WEALDSTONE	32	17	10	5	56	30	+26	61	91	DWWDDW	5/1	10/1
4	LOWESTOFT TOWN	30	17	8	5	54	28	+26	59	95	DWDWWW	6/1	10/3 Fav

At the top of the table it's still a four horse race between Whitehawk, Wealdstone, Concord Rangers and Lowestoft Town. If they all keep winning it could be the most exciting title race for a long time. Concord Rangers have defied the bookmaker's pre-season odds of 33/1 and currently sit in second place. They are involved in a massive game tonight at Grosvenor Vale where 3rd placed Wealdstone welcome The Beachboys. The Stones recorded a really decent 2-4 away win at Margate on Tuesday night with ex Towner Scott McGleish scoring on his debut.

The busy Easter Schedule is a crucial time and all four clubs are all unbeaten in their last six games. Here are the scheduled matches for the top four over the forthcoming week -

Thursday 28th Match 
Wealdstone v Concord Rangers 

Friday 29th March 
Whitehawk v Bognor Regis Town 

Saturday 30th March 
Leiston v Lowestoft Town 

Monday 1st April 
Canvey Island v Concord Rangers 
Hastings United v Whitehawk 
Lowestoft Town v Bury Town 
Wealdstone v Harrow Borough 

Thursday 4th April 
Concord Rangers v Hendon 
Lowestoft Town v Thurrock 

Saturday 6th April 
Bury Town v Wealdstone 
Canvey Island v Lowestoft Town 
East Thurrock United v Concord Rangers 
Kingstonian v Whitehawk 

For a full Ryman Premier table please visit  the excellent footballwebpages.co.uk

AYLESBURY UNITED FIGHTBACK TO GO THROUGH TO THE FINAL

Some of the travelling Aylesbury supporters behind the goal in the first half



Two views of one of the seated stands at Oxhey which is located in one corner of the ground



Two views of the main stand



A view of Moaner's Mount. Donkey Lane could do with one of these at times

Tuesday night's Dudley Lathom Premier Division Cup Semi-Final will live long in the memory of those fans who ignored the England game on television and braced the ultra Arctic icy conditions at The Boundary Stadium. The temperature was definitely below zero at the end of the game and felt lower with the wind chill factor thrown in.

With the score at 1-3 on half-time and The Jets dominating the game playing some really nice football it looked as if they were going to cruise through to the final only for The Ducks to put on an amazing fightback and eventually win the game in extra time. If you don't know the result the below highlights are well worth a watch.

This was the first time this season TheColdEnd has seen The Jet's scoring sensation Lewis Putman (number 10 in the blue kit in the video) and I can say he looks a very decent player who holds the ball up impressively, has a good touch, brings other players into the play and obviously has an for goal despite not scoring last night. He could most certainly hold his own at a higher level of the non-league pyramid in my opinion. Putman has hit the back of the net an amazing 63 times this season in 45 games and 3 substitute appearances to date.

For Aylesbury their left midfielder/winger (listed as a defender on their website) Zac Reynolds (number 11) and the experience of midfielder Paul Edgeworth (number 14 who came on a sub just before half time) stood out for me. Check out Liam Smyth scoring their 5th goal which was very special if your a fan of The Ducks. Centre forward Louis Austin (who got two goals) also had a great game. Nineteen year old Reynolds is in his first season with the club having been released from Crawley Town's academy side. Austin scored a shed load of goals for Leverstock Green in the 2010/11 season and has been with Aylesbury since the summer of 2011 where he was injured for most of last season.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
inc every goal scored aside from The Duck's second goal. It was cold and my fingers nearly froze off filming.



The Premier Division Cup is the second final The Ducks have qualified for this season having earlier got through to the final of the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Senior Trophy Final. In the B&B Cup final they were due to face Flackwell Heath but today were amazingly handed the Trophy without kicking a ball. Flackwell Heath, who beat Windsor FC, in the semi-final have been adjudged to have played an ineligible player in that game and removed from the competition. Windsor were also found to have played an ineligible player in that game to and were also removed from the competition leaving The Ducks with no team to play in the final. The story is described in full here.

In the final of Premier Division Cup competition The Ducks play either local rival's Tring Athletic or Hadley who play their semi-final next Tuesday 2nd April.

Aylesbury United still find themselves without a ground and are set to continue to play at Leighton Town's Bell Close ground next season. However, manager Tony Joyce appears to be building a very good side that may see The Ducks move up the pyramid once more and ultimately back to their home town to a ground they can call home.

COME AND CELEBRATE MR ENFIELD TOWN

MASSIVE GAME AT CHAMPION HILL TOMORROW NIGHT

The Ryman League game of the night tomorrow takes place at Champion Hill whereby Division One (South) table topper's Maidstone United take on second placed Dulwich Hamlet in a game where the result of which could really prove important to where the title will end at the end of the season.

Dulwich are on a points total of 69 from 33 games with The Stones on 72 from 34. The game will attract a really decent crowd and should be a really entertaining one.

COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS CONTINUE

It's still cold out there with some snow and ice covering some of the pitches in the local area. There were a few games taking place this evening including those at Chelmsford City and Kingstonian went ahead tonight which all looks good for Town's trip to Kingsmeadow on Wednesday evening.

A couple of views of The Recreation Ground earlier today in Watton-At-Stone where the village side play their home games in the Hertford and District League Division One.

 

TOWNERS ON TOP IN ENFIELD DERBY

The snow postponed most of the local football games scheduled on Saturday afternoon with only a handful of games going ahead. Every game in the Spartan South Midlands League and Hertfordshire Senior County League was cancelled with a handful of games on in The Middlesex County League mostly on the various 3G pitches used in the league. Premier Division North Kensington will be wishing their game didn't go ahead at Vale Farm as their visitor's Sporting Hackney recorded a 0-12 victory.




North Kensington lost 0-12 to Sporting Hackney

Enfield Town's game at Concord Rangers did go ahead and those brave supporters that travelled in some treacherous driving conditions weren't rewarded as Town were well beaten by the title contenders 3-0. Another three games survived in the Ryman Premier Division further South at Lewes, Whitehawk and Margate where the weather was slightly kinder. A crowd of 158 gathered in the top v bottom clash at The Enclosed Ground where Whitehawk beat Carshalton Athletic 2-0 with goals in the 65th and 90th minutes. An update on the league situation in the Premier Division will follow soon.

In the Ryman League Division One (North) there was only one game as Grays Athletic recorded a 1-2 victory at Soham Town Rangers. Hakan Hayrettin's team now look favourites for the title and promotion to the Premier Division as they are level on points with Maldon and Tiptree and have what could be a vital two games in hand. Since losing at home to Cheshunt (1-4) on Saturday 5th January The Blues have won 12 out of 13 games which had shot them up into contention for the championship.

There were a number of games in Division One (South) with both Maidstone United (currently top) and Dulwich Hamlet (second place) winning to set up a massive match on Tuesday night at Champion Hill. The Stones visit with a huge crowd expected to attend. TheColdEnd thinks there will be 1000+ in South London.

Only one match in the Essex Olympian League survived which came at Kelevedon Hatch who entertained Frenford Senior. The visitors won 0-1 and are now in third place with four games in hand over Southminster (in 2nd) and Hatch who are currently top. Just eight points cover the top three and Frenford are unbeaten in their fourteen league games so far.

The scene at School Road yesterday afternoon where Kelvedon Hatch took on Frenford Senior in the EOFL.
Picture courtesy of @essexfootie/Dan Wilson

TheColdEnd was at a game and it was in a familiar place at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium where a crowd of around 20 to 30 people were present to witness the big Enfield derby game in the Essex Senior League Reserve Division (West) between Town reserves and Enfield 1893 FC reserves. The game kicked off at 2pm with snow falling from the sky in freezing cold conditions but only a light dusting on the pitch which was playable. As the game wore on and more snow fell the conditions became harsher, even more winter like and the surface became covered in snow. Both teams deserve full credit for playing on and finished what was a very enjoyable entertaining game. The ground staff who managed to get the game on also must be thanked as well as the officials.

There must be something about Enfield Derby games played at Donkey Lane as last season's encounter in The Capital League involved twelve goals being scored (see highlights - here of a game played on Wednesday 28th March 2012) and yesterday saw the ball hit the back of the net ten times.

Connor Bolton (who was on the bench for last season's game) was Man of the Match yesterday and looks a real prospect on the right hand side of midfield coming forward with the ball. He scored a well deserved hat-trick and also had a hand in some of the other goals as well as tracking back and forward causing the 1893 defence no end of problems. Look out for him on the video highlights. He is number 7 in the white shirt. Other goal-scorers for Town were Troy Archer (2), Scott Hayes, Connor Okus and Shenzes Maksud. Archer is now the leading scorer in the two ESL reserve divisions on 21 goals so far.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS


The Town reserve side are now well in with a chance of winning their division which will be a tremendous achievement. The league table is below and shows Town with two games in hand over current leader's Romford Reserves. 1893 are in third place on 21 points from their 12 games. They go to Romford next Saturday.

Town have four games remaining all away from home at Bethnal Green (next Saturday), London APSA (Saturday 13th April), Enfield 1893 (Tuesday 16th April) and Waltham Abbey (Thursday 18th April). Romford have the afformentioned game against 1893 next Saturday and a trip to Barking which is yet to be re-arranged as it was postponed yesterday.

ESSEX SENIOR RESERVE DIVISION (WEST) - CURRENT TABLE (TOP TWO ONLY)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
ROMFORD RES	14	8	4	2	37	20	+17	28
ENFIELD TOWN	12	8	2	2	55	17	+38	26

MATCH PICTURES

Before the big kick showing the small crowd gathered in the main stand numbering six. This grew to around 20 people dotted around the ground during the game

Match action during the second half showing the snow settling on the Donkey Lane surface

The pitch after the game

THROUGH TO THE FINAL - CODICOTE CUP GLORY

Codicote player-boss Liam Errington wrote 'We need to put in a good performance in today to make up for it!' in describing the two mistakes made in defence which cost The Cod Army the three points in their last league home game versus Welwyn Garden City. They certainly did that and defended well against a strong Cockfosters side who including many familiar faces for Enfield Town fans in their line up.

It was a tight game of few chances battled out on a very heavy pitch which would of sapped energy levels on a very cold night. Cod's centre forward Kane Dougherty had a decent effort well saved by 'Foster's keeper Tautis Poniskaitis just before half time with the away side's Emond Protain drawing a great save from Billy Barnes in the second half on the rare occasion there was an error made in the home defence and there was a real opening on goal.

It was Barnes who was the hero for the home side on the night as he scored the winning penalty kick to put Division One Codicote through to the Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Trophy Final which is some achievement in their fist season in the league.

Ex Towner and 'Foster's assistant manager Fabio Valenti missed the away side's first penalty which proved crucial. John Chitondo, Dougherty, Paul Donnelly, James Taylor and Barnes were all on target for Cod to send them through to the final.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
including the all important penalty kicks


Special mention goes out to the Non-League Veteran Fergus Moore who played all 120 minutes at the age of 40+ which on a cold night on an unforgiving surface shows that he is firmly a footballing legend. This word gets thrown around at lots of players but Fergus is firmly in this bracket having played for Yeading, Staines Town, Uxbridge, Wealdstone (in three seperate spells), Chertsey Town, Hemel Hempstead Town (two spells, Boreham Wood, Northwood, AFC Hayes, Edgware Town, Bedfont Green/Town, Windsor, Hanwell Town and now currently at Cockfosters. His comment after the game was 'even after all these years in the game that was hard to take! gutted' sums his 100% commitment up.

TEAM LINE UPS

CODICOTE	COCKFOSTERS
1. Billy Barnes	1. Tautis Poniskaitis
2. Ricky Bridge	2. Luke Skeete
3. Michael Ettienne	3. Vince Rispoli
4. Liam Errington	4. Fergus Moore
5. Ajet Shehu	5. Richard Morton
6. James Taylor	6. Denis Maharjan
7. Alex Thomas	7. Paul Marks
8. Tom Randall	8. Bilal Butt
9. Kane Dougherty	9. Emond Protain
10. Dave Iwediwo	10. Anton Lewis
11. Scott Orphanuo	11. Carlvin George
12. John Chitondo	12. Adem Ali
14. Paul Donnelly	14. Alan Bolger
15. Tawhid Juneja	15. Tom Massey
16. Chit Citondo	16. Fabio Valenti
	17. Michael Roche

The Cod Army play the winners of the other semi-final which will be contested between Colney Heath and Dunstable Town on Thursday 4th April. The final is scheduled for Monday 6th May to be played at Harefield United's ground.

CODICOTE'S RUN TO THE FINAL
showing they are the kings of the penalty kicks

ROUND 1	CODICOTE 5 HOLMER GREEN 0
ROUND 2	CODICOTE 2 HODDESDON TOWN 2 - Won on PKs -   highlights here
ROUND 3	HAREFIELD UNITED 1 CODICOTE 2
QF	CRAWLEY GREEN 1 CODICOTE 1 - Won on PKs
SF	CODICOTE 0 COCKFOSTERS 0 - Won on PKs
FINAL	CODICOTE v COLNEY HEATH or DUNSTABLE TOWN

A talking point from the game was ex Towner and 'Foster's captain Paul Marks being booked for what looked like one his trade mark decent hard but fair challenges in the first half.  See from 2mins 20secs on the video. Then in the second half a challenge by Codicote's Scott Orphanuo on Emond Protain went unpunished. Arguably this could of been a red card had the referee seen it differently maybe? See from 4mins 20secs on the video with some running (albeit industrial language...don't watch if you are easily offended) commentary from a Cockfoster's fan.

McGLEISH SWOPS TOWN FOR THE STONES

Scott McGleish has today left Enfield Town and joined arch Middlesex rival's Wealdstone. The Stones have all but qualified for the end of season play-offs and still have a chance of winning the title along with current table topper's Whitehawk and Lowestoft Town (if they win their games in hand).

McGleish joined Town from Evo Stik Southern League Premier Division side Chesham United and scored on his debut on Tuesday 1st January 2013 in the home game versus Bury Town. He made a total of thirteen appearances for Steve Newing's side emphasising his class by scoring an amazing twelve times in those games. He now has a total of fifteen Ryman Premier goals this season having scored three in his spell with Whitehawk at the beginning of the campaign.

The Stones have also announced the signing of six foot four inch Romanian centre-back Claudiu Vilcu who has recently been playing for "FC Speranta Ciehana Veche" in the Moldovan Divizia Nationala which is the top division in the country. The last game he played for the club was in the 1-1 draw away at "Nistru Otaci" on 4/11/12.

TheColdEnd would like to thank Scott for the time he spent with Enfield Town and wish him the best of luck with his new club. The goals he scored and lift his experience gave the team has been evident in the results since he joined. In the games he played Town won five, drew two and lost six. He could become a hero at Grosvenor Vale if his goals fire The Stones into the Conference South Division.  

RELEGATION FROM RYMAN NORTH - FOXES OR MOTORMEN??

Only one relegation place is to be occupied at the end of the season in the Ryman Division One (North) and the race to stay out of it is now all but down to the two East London rival's Ilford and Redbridge. There is now a five point gap between Ilford in 21st place and Ware in 20th with the Hertfordshire side having one all important game in hand.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE CURRENT TABLE - BOTTOM THREE ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
20th	WARE	32	6	3	23	39	87	-48	21	WWLWLL
21st	ILFORD	33	3	7	23	23	85	-62	16	LLLWLL
22nd	REDBRIDGE	31	4	3	24	25	88	-63	14*	DLLLLL

* denotes one point deducted

Not much is known about this season's Ilford side managed by ex Enfield 1893 FC boss Kevin Lucas as their website has not been updated for along time.

They have only three victories out of thirty-three league games which have come on the road at Soham Town Rangers (1-2 on the first day of the season) and at AFC Sudbury (0-1 on Saturday 9th March) with what could be a crucial home victory over rival's Redbridge at Cricklefields on Wednesday 30th January.

The Ilford side in the 0-1 win at AFC Sudbury was as follows (with information on some of the players) -

1. Robert Hatton
2. Justin Hounkapatin
3. Shawn Gardiner
4. Paul Oshin - Previously played for Potters Bar Town, Enfield FC and Enfield 1893
5. Daniel Jolley 
6. Nirydeen Kallon
7. Daniel Crowie
8. Kabir Jeetoo - since joined Needham Market and made his debut in the 4-1 win against Aveley on Saturday.
9. Chinedu McKenzie - Previously played for Burgess Hill Town, Maidstone Utd and Welling Utd.
10. Dan Willmott -
11. Shamrez Darr - Waltham Forest, Barking and Great Wakering Rovers.

12. Ehis Izokhun
14. Aaron Churchouse - Hertford Town, Brimsdown Rovers and Enfield 1893.
15. Steve O'Hara
17. Jamie Adim - goalkeeper who has played for Harrow Borough.

Also playing for The Foxes recently has been the veteran midfielder/striker Jody Banim who has played for numerous Northern non-league clubs (Shrewsbury Town in the Conference) after being released from Manchester United's academy in 1996.

Redbridge's squad has included the following (with some information)  -

* Michael Bowditch - Goalkeeper - Has played for Bethnal Green United in the Essex Senior League and Kelvedon Hatch in the Essex Olympian League.
* Danny Hayes - Ex Waltham Abbey player
* Charlie Rolls - 17 year old young defender.
* Antony McDonald
* Shane Lemard
* Sam Holloway-
*Stephen Ikumelo - ex Grays Athletic player.
* George Monger - has played been on the books at Dartford.
* Jacob Cleaver - A decent player who was snapped up by Concord Rangers from Witham Town at the start of the 2012/13. Made 15 appearances for The Beachboys earlier in the season but has since moved to Redbridge. The youngster attracted scouts from football league clubs during his time with Witham. Scored ten times in twenty seven games for The Motormen this season. The Cold End believes Cleaver is definitely a player with a bright future in the game. I'm sure boss Steve Portway has passed some of his goalscoring tips onto him
* Lee Martin -
* Jay Porter - Another player who has been on the books at Blue Square Premier side Dartford.
* Charlie Portway - young son of joint boss Steve Portway.
* Ryan Reed
* Robbie Rees
* Jon Green
* Dean Neil - goalkeeper. Vastly experienced player who has played for a number of local non-league clubs including Thurrock, Harlow Town, AFC Sudbury and Billericay Town.

Redbridge are currently managed by joint bosses Del Robinson and the aforementioned non-league legend Steve Portway. Portway, who the Redbridge website lists as age 50, has amazingly played eight times for The Motormen this season. Robinson is also a full time coach at West Ham United.

So who is going to end up in the relegation spot? Here are the remaining fixtures for both clubs. Ilford's away game at Waltham Abbey scheduled for tonight is off due to a waterlogged pitch at Capershotts. Redbridge are due to host Brentwood Town - I'm not sure if this game is on or off at the time of writing. Both sides have to play Ware at home so it's certainly not all over yet with Ilford next travelling to Potters Bar Town (whom only have two wins in their last ten games) and Redbridge going to play off hopeful's Aveley on Saturday.

DATE	ILFORD	REDBRIDGE
19/3	-	BRENTWOOD TOWN
23/3	Potters Bar Town	Aveley
26/3	-	THAMESMEAD TOWN
27/3	WARE	-
30/3	Waltham Forest	Brentwood Town
1/4	BRENTWOOD TOWN	WITHAM TOWN
6/4	GRAYS ATHLETIC	Cheshunt
9/4	-	WROXHAM
13/4	Wroxham	CHATHAM TOWN
20/4	HARLOW TOWN	Waltham Abbey
27/4	Tilbury	AFC SUDBURY
TBA	Waltham Abbey	WARE

For an excellent report on the recent 1-1 draw between the two sides played on Saturday 16th February please click on the following link to the Pitch Side Stories blog - PITCH SIDE STORIES

THE BEACHBOYS SIGN EX INTER MILAN PLAYER

Concord Rangers, Enfield Town's opponents on Saturday, have today signed a player whom has spent time at Inter Milan.

Twenty year old winger Ben Greenhalgh earned a six month contract with the Italian giants after winning the Sky One show 'Football's Next Star'. He went on to spend another year with Inter and spent time on loan at Seria C side Calcio Como. He has since spent time with Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet Unired, Blue Square South Welling United and in the Ryman Division One (South) with Maidstone United. It was with Welling United where he started his career breaking into the first team as a 16 year old in the 2007/08 season.

The Beachboys are strengthening their squad in preparation of a gruelling schedule of four home games (weather permitting) in seven games. They play Bury Town (Tuesday), Thurrock (Thursday), Enfield Town (Saturday) and East Thurrock United (next Tuesday) before the big Bank Holiday Monday derby aka 'The Island El Classico' at Canvey Island on the 1st April.

RAIN, RAIN AND MORE RAIN!!

Enfield Town's scheduled trip to Kingstonian tonight was called off due a waterlogged pitch due to the rain that has been falling on and off all weekend. The game will now probably be played on a Thursday evening sometime towards the end of the season if both clubs can squeeze it into their already busy schedule.

The below photo shows the Wodson Park pitch (the home of Ryman Division One North Ware and Spartan South Midlands League side Wodson Park) at around 5.30pm today. It's just about playable sort of!!!!   Picture courtesy of https://twitter.com/Kev3112

FOOTBALLEXCLUSIVES.CO.UK

Good news for fans of Ryman League clubs comes from the excellent footballexclusives.co.uk who will soon be produced a Ryman Premier Show/podcast.

Keep logging onto Football Exclusives for more news in the coming weeks.

MARGATE RECORD DECENT VICTORY AT DONKEY LANE

The above photo of the Margate fans in Smurf fancy dress at the game on Saturday just about sums up Non-League football, two are drinking beers, one is about to eat a burger and they are all enjoying themselves supporting their team.

The Gate's 0-3 victory puts them on an unbeaten run of five games with clean sheets now in four consecutive games so they really are hitting form at the right time of the season to possibly clinch a play-off place.

Ex Tonbridge Angels striker Carl Rook got two goals and also had a penalty saved by Noel Imber with recent signing Kezie Ibe (started his career at Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth, he has since played for a host of non-league clubs) getting the other.

Town's best chance came from Liam Hope (in for the injured Scott McGleish) whose effort was well saved by Margate's player-boss Craig Holloway just prior to half time.

 Enfield Town go to ninth placed Kingstonian tonight who have dropped down the league placings after five defeats in a row following the 1-1 draw at Donkey Lane on Saturday 16th February.

Margate's good form will be well tested when they travel to table topper's and title favourites Whitehawk tomorrow evening who won 0-3 at Thurrock on Saturday. The Hawks who now have a nine point gap from Wealdstone (The Stone's have two games in hand) had some new signings in their side on Saturday.

Midfielder's Charlie Henry (from Blue Sqaure Premier Macclesfield Town ex of Cambridge City, Dorchester Town and Luton Town who paid a five figure fee for his services) and Charlie Lossano (from Barclay's Premier League side Reading) have joined along with defender Paul Hinshelwood (from Blue Square South Havant and Waterlooville) to bolster Darren Freeman's sides title chances.

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION MIDWEEK FIXTURES 

MONDAY 18th MARCH 
KINGSTONIAN V ENFIELD TOWN 

TUESDAY 19TH MARCH 
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN    V HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH 
CONCORD RANGERS      V BURY TOWN 
CRAY WANDERERS       V CANVEY ISLAND 
EAST THURROCK UNITED V MET POLICE 
HASTINGS UNITED      V HARROW BOROUGH 
LEISTON              V HENDON 
LEWES                V CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 
THURROCK             V LOWESTOFT TOWN 
WHITEHAWK            V MARGATE 

THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 
CONCORD RANGERS V THURROCK 

FRIDAY EVENING AT BARROWS FARM ENDS ALL SQUARE

The Hawks welcomed The Stags at Barrows Farm on Friday evening as Harlow Town faced Waltham Forest in a Ryman Division One (North) game that was played in pretty horrilbe conditions with rain pouring down throughout.

The game was played on Friday night as part of a Ryman League experiment to see if attendances increase if games are played at this time. The crowd was announced as 122 which is roughly the figures Harlow have been getting in their home league games this season but the inclement weather and the fact Forest don't take many fans away from home should be taken into account.

I think many fans would welcome the occasional Friday night game and some clubs would as well. Any idea which attracts more fans and visitors to the grounds should be looked into?

HARLOW TOWN FANS ON FRIDAY NIGHT

This was 19th v 18th in the table with nothing much riding on the game as both sides are now all but safe from the threat of relegation.

It was a game of few chances but did have a few talking points

* Waltham Forest took the lead through a great finish from Jack Leachman on forty minutes. However the free kick awarded to The Stags that lead to the goal was rather harsh with many of the Harlow fans scratching their heads as to why Ben Hart was booked for his part in the incident. See from 1m 10secs on the video.

* The Stag's keeper Chico Ramos (ex of Leatherhead) made a fantastic save in the opening minutes of the second half. See from 2mins 2secs on the video.

* The Stag's Manny Sackey was very lucky to stay on the pitch after what appeared to be a two footed challenge on Harlow winger Mitchell Das in the second half. Sackey was booked after Das was stretchered off the field of play but it could (and maybe should) of been red. I think it was more clumsy than malicious. See from 3m 45s on the video. TheColdEnd (as all at Waltham Forest FC have done) sends best wishes to Mitchell who suffered a broken tibia and required surgery as a result.

With the game in injury time it was looking as though Forest would be travelling South on the M11 with all three points safely in the bag only for some late drama after for a great cross from Ben Hart to be met by Danny Brown on the far post to head to ball into the net (and set off the famous Harlow air raid siren!) to make the final score 1-1.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

THE FIXTURE BACKLOG OF ALL FIXTURE BACKLOGS

Combined Counties Premier Division side Guernsey have a slight fixture backlog to contend with over the coming months. A combination of postponements due to the bad weather over the winter period, their successful FA Vase run and the fact their home games are not scheduled for midweek evenings due to team's being unable to travel back to the mainland on the night will see The Green Lions play up to 26 games over the next two months.

They are currently in ninth placed in their division having played only nineteen games which is in stark contrast to numerous teams who have played up to thirty four games league games.

They play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday over three weekends in April. Some of the games on Saturday kick off at 7.45pm as the club share their Footes Lane stadium with the Isalnd's Rugby club who play in the National League Three - London and South East division. It's sure to be a very busy period for the club which could culminate in an appearance at Wembley if they beat Spennymoor Town in the Semi-Final of the FA Vase.

An amazing crowd of 2597 saw their Quarter-Final replay victory over Walsall Wood on Saturday 9th March

THE GREEN LIONS REMAINING FIXTURES 

MARCH
Sun  17 SOUTH PARK
Tues 19 Epsom & Ewell 
Sat  23 SPENNYMOOR TOWN (FA Vase Semi Final 1st leg)
Tues 26 Rayners Park Vale 
Sat  30 Spennymoor Town (FA Vase Semi Final 2nd leg)

APRIL
Mon   1 Windsor 
Fri   5 South Park 
Sat   6 COVE
Sun   7 CAMBERLEY TOWN
Tues  9 Farnham Town
Fri  12 HORLEY TOWN
Sat  13 FARNHAM TOWN
Sun  14 RAYNES PARK VALE 
Tues 16 Hanworth Villa 
Thur 18 Badshot Lea 
Sat  20 HANWORTH VILLA 
Sun  21 CHESSINGTON & HOOK UNITED 
Wed  24 Colliers Wood United 
Fri  26 ASH UNITED 
Sat  27 MOLESEY
Sun  28 SANDHURST TOWN
Tues 30 Bedfont Sports 

MAY
Fri 3 DORKING 
Sat 4 HARTLEY WITNEY or FA Vase Final @ Wembley)
Sun 5 EPSOM AND EWELL 
Mon 6 HARTLEY WITNEY (If in FA Vase Final)

HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE - TITLE RACES

CURRENT PREMIER DIVISION TABLE - TOP FOUR ONLY

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM	PP
MET POLICE (BUSHEY)	21	17	2	2	79	29	+50	53	WWWLWWW	80
BALDOCK TOWN	20	16	0	4	54	20	+34	48	WWWWWW	78
BUSH HILL RANGERS	22	15	1	6	63	37	+26	46	WLWWLW	70
STANDON & PUCKERIDGE	19	12	3	4	55	38	+17	39	WDWWWW	72

CURRENT TABLE - TOP FOUR V TOP FOUR

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
MET POLICE (BUSHEY)	4	4	0	0	+13	12
BALDOCK TOWN	3	2	0	1	+2	6
STANDON & PUCKERIDGE	2	1	0	1	-1	3
BUSH HILL RANGERS	4	1	0	3	-4	3

The race for the Hertfordshire Senior County League title now appears to be two horse race between Metropolitan Police (Bushey) and Baldock Town who have games in hand over third placed Bush Hill Rangers and a good points advantage over fourth placed Standon and Puckeridge. All roads will lead to the Bushey Sports Club on Aldenham Road on Sautrday 30th March when Baldock Town visit fro what could be real title decider. Before then the police go to Knebworth (known at The Mighty K's) this weekend who are second bottom but have beaten Bush Hill Rangers and Sandridge Rovers as well as gaining a respectable draw at Whitwell since the turn of the year. They then go to Standon and Puckeridge who have only been defeated once in their last thirteen games.

 

Baldock Town have a busy week ahead of them with a massive local derby Anagram Records Fourth Round game at Letchworth Garden City Eagles on Saturday which should attract a decent crowd followed by The Hertfordshire Senior Centenary Trophy Final on Tuesday night against Spartan South Midlands League Division Two side Broxbourne Borough. They then welcome Sandridge Rovers in a league fixture on Saturday 23rd March.
In form Standon & Puckeridge may hold the key to where the title ends up as they have to play the Met Police (Bushey) twice and Baldock Town once in league fixtures.

Bush Hill Rangers have lost three of the their last seven league games against Bovingdon (14th), Standon (4th) and Knebworth (15th). TheColdEnd thinks this form indicates they will not be involved in the title race.

The league's famous Aubery Cup competition now has three of the four semi-finalists known who are Met Police (Bushey), Bedmond Sports & Social and Whitwell. The final space will be the winners of the Aslan v Bushey Rangers tie to be played this Saturday at Pymmes Park in Edmonton. Bedmond are third in Division One at present with Aslan in second place with both teams favourites for the title with games in hand over current leader's Hatfield RBL. Aslan should win the game versus Bushey Rangers tomorrow as they are third from bottom in the league table at present.

CURRENT DIVISION ONE TABLE - TOP THREE ONLY

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM	PP
HATFIELD RBL	23	17	1	5	85	36	+49	52	DLWWWW	79
ASLAN	19	15	2	2	75	25	+50	47	LDDWWW	86
BEDMOND SPORTS & SOCIAL	18	14	2	2	61	21	+40	44	WWLLDW	86

The problem for many clubs is fitting in the many rearranged fixtures from the snow and bad weather before the scheduled end of the season. Bedmond have 14 games to play so this is obviously going to be a problem. They'll be lots of 6pm kick offs when the evenings get lighter.

Aslan's home game with Hatfield RBL on Saturday 30th March looks a good game in prospect with Bedmond still due to visit Edmonton by the end of the season.