LONDON SENIOR CUP 2013/14

The draw has been made for the 2013/14 London Senior Cup with the following first round games due to be played on or before Saturday 19th October. Essex Senior League side Barking have received a great draw in an away trip to face League Two side AFC Wimbledon with other stand out ties being an all Ryman Premier clash between Dulwich Hamlet and Hendon along with a real local derby between South Counties East Football League side Erith Town and (their near neighbours) Skrill Premier Division side Welling United. Last season's winners and runner's up in Bromley and Kingstonian enter the competition in the second round along with Wingate and Finchley and Cray Wanderers.

First Round
1) Haringey Borough v Tooting & Mitcham United
2) Croydon v Metropolitan Police
3) Erith & Belvedere v Corinthian Casuals
4) London Bari v Fisher
5) Cray Valley (PM) v Barkingside
6) Tower Hamlets v Beckenham Town
7) Erith Town v Welling United
8) Thamesmead Town v Greenhouse London
9) AFC Wimbledon v Barking
10) Hanwell Town v Harrow Borough
11) Cockfosters v Redbridge
12) Dulwich Hamlet v Hendon

SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2013 - NON LEAGUE DAY

Saturday 7th September 2013 sees NON-LEAGUE DAY 2013 take place and a new website has been launched to promote the occasion and you can view it by clicking the link here

With no games taking place in the Premier League or Championship it's a chance for families to enjoy a day out and support one of their local teams. The rise in ticket prices and the all round cost of taking in a game in the top divisions of the English game has been put out of reach for many people across the county. If you haven't got hundreds of pounds to spend which I know I haven't with two young children to keep entertained then I fully recommend a visit to your local club.

At non-league grounds you'll receive a warm welcome from people who run their clubs for the love of the game, ticket prices remain realistic and you'll be able to mix with and chat to opposing fans before, after and even during the game where you can stand anywhere around the ground without any problems.  

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CLUB - SUPPORT GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL

IT STARTED WITH A MISS!

News has reached TheColdEnd HQ of a blog written by one of our rival team's fans at Wingate and Finchley. It Started With a Miss is worth a read even if they do mock our Captain and Terrace Legend Mark Kirby. I think it's a clear case of jealously as it was Kirbs who scored the winning goals for Enfield Town in both Ryman League games against The Blues last season.

Town's next scheduled game against W&F is on Saturday 2nd November when they visit Donkey Lane. This will be nearly THREE years to the day (or 1093 days!!) since they lasted tasted victory versus Enfield Town in a 1-2 win at Goldsdown Road in a Ryman Division One (North) game.

COME ON YOU TOWNERS!!

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE 2013/14 SEASON FIXTURES

The 2013/14 season of the Essex Senior League kicks off in just two weeks time and the opening fixtures have been released over this weekend. Three new teams have joined the league for this campaign - Ilford return to the ESL after their stint in the Ryman League with a trip to Sawbridgeworth Town, FC Romania have moved up from the Middlesex County League and welcome Hullbridge Sports to Theobalds Lane on the opening day with Haringey Borough (moved across from the Spartan South Midlands League) welcoming Eton Manor to Coles Park. Bethnal Green United have changed their name to represent the London borough they represent and are now called 'Tower Hamlets FC'. Haringey and Waltham Development have had another name change to 'Greenhouse London FC'. It looks to be an exciting season in prospect with Great Wakering Rovers, Enfield 1893, Barking, Haringey Borough and Takeley all predicted to do well and possibly challenge for the title. 

If your into ground hopping you could possibly catch three games over the weekend of the 16th, 17th and 18th when the magic of The Cup begins. Enfield 1893 face London Tigers at Haringey Borough on Friday night and Stansted face Brantham Athletic on Sunday afternoon at Bishops Stortford. Add these games to one of the Saturday games and you've got a nice little treble in your book!
 

Saturday 10th August 

Basildon United v Greenhouse London
Bowers & Pitsea v Clapton
FC Romania v Hullbridge Sports
Great Wakering Rovers v Tower Hamlets
Haringey Borough v Eton Manor
London Bari v Enfield 1893
Sawbridgeworth Town v Ilford
Southend Manor v Sporting Bengal United
Takeley v London APSA

Tuesday 13th August 
Barking v London Bari
Clapton v Tower Hamlets
Greenhouse London v FC Romania
Southend Manor v Hullbridge Sports
Takeley v Haringey Borough

Wednesday 14th August
Bowers & Pitsea v Great Wakering Rovers
Eton Manor v Stansted
Ilford v Basildon United
Sporting Bengal United v Sawbridgeworth Town

Friday 16th August
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
ESL teams in bold
Enfield 1893 v London Tigers - @ Coles Park, Haringey Borough.

Saturday 17th August
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
ESL teams in bold 

FC Clacton v Sporting Bengal United

Great Wakering Rovers v Halstead Town
Whitton United v London APSA
Clapton v Stanway Rovers
Sawbridgeworth Town v Mildenhall Town
Haverhill Rovers v Eton Manor
Newmarket Town v Ilford
Barking v Bowers & Pitsea
Woodbridge Town v Hullbridge Sports
Basildon United v Southend Manor
Walsham Le Willows v Tower Hamlets
Takeley v Hadleigh United
Wellingborough Town v Greenhouse London
Haringey Borough v Rushden & Higham United

Sunday 18th August
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
ESL teams in bold
Stansted v Brantham Athletic - @ ProKit UK Stadium, Bishops Stortford FC
 

Saturday 24th August
Barking v Eton Manor
Basildon United v Stansted
Clapton v Takeley
Enfield 1893 v Bowers & Pitsea
FC Romania v London Bari
Great Wakering Rovers v Sawbridgeworth Town
Greenhouse London. V Sporting Bengal United
Hullbridge Sports v Ilford
London APSA v Southend Manor
Tower Hamlets v Haringey Borough

Tuesday 27th August
Barking v Bowers & Pitsea
Great Wakering Rovers v Hullbridge Sports
Haringey Borough v Greenhouse London
London Bari v Clapton
Southend Manor v Basildon United
Takeley v FC Romania

Wednesday 28th August
Eton Manor v London APSA
Ilford v Stansted
Sawbridgeworth Town v Enfield 1893
Sporting Bengal United v Tower Hamlets

Saturday 31st August
Possible FA Cup Preliminary Round games

Tuesday 3rd September
Barking v Great Wakering Rovers
Clapton v Haringey Borough
Enfield 1893 v Takeley
Greenhouse London v Ilford
Hullbridge Sports v Sawbridgeworth Town

Wednesday 4th September
Basildon United v London Bari
Bowers & Pitsea v Southend Manor
Eton Manor v FC Romania
Tower Hamlets v Stansted

Thursday 5th September
London APSA v Sporting Bengal United

Saturday 7th September
Enfield 1893 v Barking
Hullbridge Sports v Clapton
Ilford v Takeley
Sawbridgeworth Tn v Southend Manor
London Bari v Great Wakering Rovers

FA VASE 1st QUALIFYING ROUND
ESL teams in bold  
Basildon United v Stansted
Bowers & Pitsea v FC Clacton
FC Broxbourne Borough v Sporting Bengal United
Greenhouse London v Long Buckby
Crawley Green v London APSA
London Lions v FC Romania
Southall v Haringey Borough
Tring Athletic v Eton Manor

Saturday 14th September 2013
Bowers & Pitsea v London Bari
Clapton v London APSA
Eton Manor v Ilford
FC Romania v Basildon United
Great Wakering Rovers V Greenhouse London.
Sawbridgeworth Tn v Tower Hamlets
Southend Manor v Enfield 1893
Sporting Bengal United v Barking
Stansted v Haringey Borough
Takeley v Hullbridge Sports

Saturday 21st September
Ilford v Great Wakering Rovers
+ FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round games 

A DAY TO REMEMBER AT DONKEY LANE + RYMAN PREMIER ROUND-UP

England and Belgium unite

One life-long Enfield Town fan told me this was the game you had to be at which is why I'm gutted I couldn't be at Donkey Lane today for the Supporter's Direct Cup against Belgium side YBSK Beveren. With lots of never ending bills to pay it was work for TheColdEnd instead of joining in the fun that both sets of fans had throughout the afternoon as friends were made and songs sang for both teams. It's what football is all about in my book and not the millions and trillions of pounds spent in the top divisions. The Belgium side brought with them a good number of thirsty beer drinking supporters who were be all accounts the best set of fans to visit Donkey Lane ever. Plans are already being drawn up for a Town visit to Belgium sometime year which would really be fantastic.

The result on the day didn't really matter as it was all about the fans celebrating the strength of supporter owned clubs and the friendships made. Enfield Town did run out comfortable winners with a 8-2 victory. Liam Hope, Joe O'Brien, Tyler Campbell, Adam Wallace and Jermaine Osei all netted for the Town. 

 

 

The 'Tradition never dies' flag the travelling fans gave to a member of the Enfield Town Ultras really sums it up in my opinion.

Elsewhere in Ryman Premier pre-season land -

AFC HORNCHURCH drew 1-1 at Ryman North Romford with new signing George Purcell netting for them.

BILLERICAY TOWN had a tough afternoon as they went down 4-0 at Conference South side Dover Athletic.

CANVEY ISLAND welcomed Ryman South side Three Bridges and recorded a 2-0 victory with goals from Simon Thomas and Spencer Bellotti.
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC ran out 1-4 winners at Whyteleafe.

CRAY WANDERERS made the short trip to play new Ryman North side Erith & Belverdere and won 1-2.
DULWICH HAMLET made the journey North of the River Thames to another Ryman North side in Aveley whom are expected to do well this season. Hamlet showed they will be a strong team this season and ended up 0-2 winners with both goals coming from the highly rated Erhum Oztumer.

EAST THURROCK UNITED went down to a late goal at Ryman North Redbridge.

GRAYS ATHLETIC didn't play today but they did win 2-3 at Brentwood Town on Thursday night. They have announced the signing of forward Usama Hamdan who was with Ryman North struggler's Ilford last season.

HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH lost 2-1 at Bashley.

HARROW BOROUGH entertained a Crystal Palace XI at Earlsmead  and it ended 3-3. Ex Margate man Kwesi Appiah scored a hat-trick for The Eagles with two of Harrow's goals coming from new signing striker Leroy Griffiths.
HENDON won 1-2 at Marlow with goals from David Diehiou and Jefferson Louis.
KINGSTONIAN travel to Bedfont and Feltham tomorrow afternoon.

LEISTON carried on their excellent pre-season form with a decent 2-0 victory against Conference side Braintree Town. Joe Francis and Liam Barrett scored the goals.

LEWES entertained Burgess Hill Town last night and a late late goal in injury time won the game 0-1 for the Ryman South visitors.

LOWESTOFT TOWN won impressively against Kings Lynn Town with two goals form Jack Ainsley.

Enfield Town were not the only Ryman Premier side in European action as MAIDSTONE UNITED travelled across the English channel to face Calais Racing Union and it sounds like a really eventful and entertaining game took place. The scored ended up 4-4. 

MARGATE faced local Thanet rival's Ramsgate yesterday evening and won 2-0 with goals from Zac Attwood and Jack Sammoutis.

MET POLICE showed what a strong side they will be this season with a 0-7 thrashing of Wessex League side Moneyfields.
THAMESMEAD TOWN won 4-2 at home to Walton and Hersham. Stuart Zanone (who scored bags of goals last season), Tyrus Gordon Young, Theo Fairweather Johnson, (and a penalty from) Baff Addae were the scorer's for The Mead.

WEALDSTONE went down 1-3 at home to Hayes and Yeading. New signing Lewis Putman bagged the goal for The Stones but was unfortunately carried off with an injured knee during the game. Reports at present are that Putman will be out for a few months so best wishes to him on his recovery.

WINGATE AND FINCHLEY drew 1-1 with Maidenhead United. Their goal came via a Leon Smith penalty kick.

BURY TOWN and BOGNOR REGIS TOWN did not play today.

EARLY KICK OFF FOR ENFIELD TOWN TOMORROW

Don't forget if you are coming along to The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium tomorrow, for the Supporter's Direct Cup match between Enfield Town and YB SK Beveren, the match kicks off an hour earlier than usual at 2pm!

 

 

FOOTBALL COMES HOME FOR WALTHAM FOREST FC

Above - Cricklefield Stadium, Ilford. Which has been home for The Stags for five seasons.
Below - Wadham Lodge shown here in 2009 for a Mauritius Sports fixture.
 

Waltham Forest Football Club have announced today they are returning to their home borough and will play at Wadham Lodge from the start of the 2013/14 season. It's fantastic news for The Stags who have struggled since they left the ground they called home for twelve years in March 2008. Thankfully, thanks to the hard work of the their loyal band of committee members and supporters the club have survived five hard seasons playing in Ilford (and some games at Witham Town) to return for their first official competitive home game on Saturday 10th August when VCD Athletic visit for a Ryman Division One (North) game.

Two friendly games are also scheduled to take place in the main stadium on Wednesday 31st July when they welcome Essex Senior League side Eton Manor and Wednesday 6th August when Potters Bar Town visit.

A commemorative programme will be produced to mark the special occasion of the VCD Athletic game. It will be a bumper edition priced at £2.50.

TheColdEnd is very pleased for The Stags who are a good club doing good things for football in the London Borough of Waltham Forest which is an area rich in non-league tradition with the famous old name of Walthamstow Avenue well known around the world.

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION PRE-SEASON FIXTURE RESULTS AND FIXTURES - UPDATE

AFC HORNCHURCH
Tue 16 July - Witham Town W 0-2
Sat 20 July - Dover Athletic L 1-0
Tue 23 July - Cambridge City  W 1-3

Sat 27 July - Romford
Thu 1 Aug - HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN
Sat 3 Aug - WEST HAM UNITED XI
Mon 5 Aug - Aveley

BILLERICAY TOWN
Sat 6 July - Witham Town L 2-1
Mon 8 July - Waltham Forest W 2-3 
Wed 10 July - Great Wakering Rovers W 1-2
Sat 13 July - ROMFORD W 2-1
Thu 18 July - Tilbury W 1-3
Wed 24 July - DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE L 0-1

Sat 27 July - Dover Athletic  
Tue 30 July - BISHOPS STORTFORD
Sat 3 Aug - Concord Rangers

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
Wed 10 July - Selsey   W 2-3
Sat 13 July - PORTSMOUTH XI L 2-4 
Mon 22 July - Pagham W 1-4

Tue 30 July - Havant and Waterlooville
Thu 1 Aug - Worthing
Tue 5 Aug - Gosport Borough  

BURY TOWN
Fri 12 July - Thetford Town W 0-2
Mon 15 July - Walsham-Le-Willows W 2-4 
Tue 23 July - COLCHESTER UNITED XI L 1-2

Tue 30 July - Mildenhall Town
Sat 3 Aug - KINGS LYNN TOWN
Mon 5 Aug - CAMBRIDGE UNITED

CANVEY ISLAND
Sat 13 July - BURNHAM RAMBLERS
Mon 15 July - MILLWALL XI D 2-2
Fri 19 July - CONCORD RANGERS L 0-4
Tue 23 July - Witham Town - Match abandoned at HT with score at 0-0 due to dangerous playing surface at Spa Road. Three players picked up injuries during the first half.

Sat 27 July - THREE BRIDGES
Tue 30 July - Great Wakering Rovers
Sat 3 Aug - MERTSHAM

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
Sat 20 July - Dulwich Hamlet L 1-3 @ Corinthian Casuals
Sat 21 July - Kingstonian W 2-1 @ Corinthian Casuals
Tue 23 July - Walton Casuals W 8-0

Sat 27 July - Whyteleafe
Tue 30 July - DOVER ATHLETIC
Wed 31 July - Redhill
Sat 3 Aug - CHESHAM UNITED

CRAY WANDERERS
Sat 20 July -  Phoenix Sports D 1-1
Tue 23 July - Sevenacres and Sidcup W 0-4

Sat 27 July - Erith and Belvedere
Tue 30 July - Cray Valley PM
Wed 31 July - CRYSTAL PALACE XI
Sat 3 Aug - Lydd Town
Tue 6 Aug - Bromley - (Bert Durling Trophy) @ Hayes Lane

DULWICH HAMLET
Tue 9 July - DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE W 2-1
Tue 16 July - Beckenham Town W 3-6
Wed 17 July - Holmesdale W 0-4
Sat 20 July - Carshalton Athletic W 3-1 @ Corinthian Casuals
Sun 21 July - Kingstonian L 0-4 @ Corinthian Casuals
Tue 23 July - HUDDERSFIELD TOWN U21 W 2-1
Wed 24 July - GUILDFORD CITY D 1-1 @ Rutland Walk, Catford.

Sat 27 July - Aveley
Tue 30 July - MILLWALL XI
Sat 3 Aug - Bromley
Tue 6 Aug - CRYSTAL PALACE

EAST THURROCK UNITED
Tue 16 July - Cheshunt ???
Sat 20 July - Witham Town W 1-3
Wed 24 July - DARTFORD XI W 3-1

Sat 27 July - Redbridge 
Tue 30 July - VCD ATHLETIC
Sat 3 Aug - Needham Market 
Tue 6 Aug - Tilbury  

ENFIELD TOWN
Sat 13 July - ASTON VILLA XI L 0-2
Tue 16 July - Haringey Borough L 2-1
Sat 20 July - Biggleswade Town W 1-2
Tue 23 July - Potters Bar L 2-0

Sat 27 July - YB SK BEVEREN
Tue 30 July - Cheshunt
Sun 4 Aug - WITHAM TOWN
Tue 6 Aug - BISHOPS STORTFORD

GRAYS ATHLETIC
Sat 13 July - BRIGG TOWN W 1-0
Wed 17 July - Harold Hill W 0-10
Sat 20 July - 3rd PARA XI Help The Heroes charity match W 0-10
Thu 25 July - Brentwood Town ???

Sat 27 July - Concord Rangers
Thu 1 Aug - WITHAM TOWN  
Sat 3 Aug - Tilbury - Stan Veness Memorial Trophy
Tue 6 Aug - Waltham Abbey

HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH
Tue 2 July - Spelthorne Sports L 1-0
Sat 6 July - Chertsey Town W 2-4
Fri 12 July - QPR XI L 0-4
Tue 16 July -  Camberley Town W 0-2
Sat 20 July - Whitehawk L 0-2  
Tue 23 July - Windsor W 0-3
Thu 25 July -  Harefield United W 0-3
Sat 27 July - Bashley

Tue 30 July - Hanworth Villa
Sat 3 Aug - Ascot United
Tue 6 Aug - CRYSTAL PALACE XI 

HARROW BOROUGH
Thu 18 July - North Greenford United W 1-3
Sat 20 July - Thatcham Town W 1-3

Sat 27 July - CRYSTAL PALACE XI
Tue 30 July - Hemel Hempstead Town
Sat 3 Aug - SLOUGH TOWN

HENDON
Sat 13 July - Tring Athletic W 0-2
Tue 16 July - MAIDENHEAD UNITED W 3-1 @ The Hive 3G pitch 
Sat 20 July - Cheshunt W 1-2
Tue 23 July - Barnet L 1-4

Sat 27 July - Marlow
Tue 30 July - Burnham
Sat 3 Aug - Northwood
Tue 6 Aug - CHELSEA U21

KINGSTONIAN
Sat 13 July - Dover Athletic W 0-1  
Thu 18 July - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI L 0-4
Sat 20 July - Corinthian Casuals W 3-1 @ Corinthian Casuals
Sun 21 July - Dulwich Hamlet W 4-0 @ Corinthian Casuals

Sun 28 July - Bedfont and Feltham
Sat 3 Aug - Walton Casuals
Mon 5 Aug - ALDERSHOT TOWN

LEISTON 
Sat 13 July - Gorleston W 1-4
Wed 17 July - Kirkley and Pakefield W 1-2
Sat 20 July - Haverhill Rovers W 1-4

Sat 27 July - BRAINTREE TOWN
Wed 31 July - Woodbridge Town
Sat 3 Aug - Bishops Stortford

LEWES
Wed 17 July - EASTBOURNE TOWN D 2-2
Sat 20 July - Hassocks D 1-1
Wed 24 July - BRIGHTON & HA XI W 2-1

Fri 26 July - BURGESS HILL TOWN
Tue 30 July - Leatherhead
Sat 3 Aug - Whitehawk

LOWESTOFT TOWN
Tue 9 July - AFC Sudbury W 0-2  
Tue 16 July - DEREHAM TOWN W 3-1
Thu 18 July - Gorleston W 2-3
Sat 20 July - KIRKLEY AND PAKEFIELD W 4-1
Tue 23 July - Brantham Athletic D 3-3

Sat 27 July - KINGS LYNN TOWN
Tue 30 July - Thetford Town
Sat 3 Aug- BRAINTREE TOWN

MAIDSTONE UNITED
Tue 9 July - TUNBRIDGE WELLS W 2-1
Sat 13 July - CHARLTON ATHLETIC XI L 1-2 
Tue 16 July - Faversham Town W 0-2
Sat 20 July - EBBSFLEET UNITED W 3-0
Tue 23 July - WELLING UNITED L 1-2
Thu 25 July - Tonbridge Angels W 0-1

Sat 27 July - Calais Racing Union
Tue 30 July - LUTON TOWN
Thu 1 Aug - Folkestone Invicta
Sat 3 Aug - Sittingbourne

MARGATE
Tue 9 July - Ashford United W 1-5
Sat 13 July - Hythe Town W 2-5
Tue 16 July - Whitstable Town D 1-1
Sat 20 July - WELLING UNITED D 0-0
Tue 23 July - Chatham Town W 0-1

Fri 26 July - RAMSGATE
Fri 2 Aug - Ramsgate
Tue 6 Aug - EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

MET POLICE
Sat 20 July - Hillingdon Borough W 1-6
Tue 23 July - SOUTH PARK ???

Sat 27 July - Moneyfields
Tue 30 July - Merstham
Thu 1 Aug - Corinthian Casuals
Sat 3 Aug - BASINGSTOKE TOWN

THAMESMEAD TOWN
Sat 13 July - EBBSFLEET UNITED L 1-5 
Tue 16 July - Sittingbourne L 2-1
Thu 18 July - WELLING UNITED W 3-0
Sat 20 July - Hastings United L 1-2
Tue 23 July - Merstham D 3-3
Thu 25 July - WHITSTABLE TOWN D 2-2

Sat 27 July -  WALTON & HERSHAM
Tue 30 July - Tilbury
Thu 1 Aug - LEATHERHEAD
Sat 3 Aug - WALTHAM FOREST

WEALDSTONE
Sat 20 July - Hitchin Town W 0-1
Wed 24 July - Slough Town W 6-0

Sat 27 July - HAYES & YEADING
Tue 30 July - Uxbridge
Sat 3 Aug - CHELSEA XI
Mon 5 Aug - Hemel Hempstead Town
Wed 7 Aug - AFC Hayes

WINGATE AND FINCHLEY
Sat 13 July - Potters Bar Town W 4-2 @ Rowley Lane 3G.
Tue 16 July - Codicote W 3-1
Sat 20 July - Romford W 2-0 and W 3-1 (2 games played) 
Sat 20 July - Bushey Sports Club L 2-1
Tue 23 July - Berkhamstead Town W 1-2

Sat 27 July - MAIDENHEAD UNITED
Sat 27 July - Haringey Borough
Tue 30 July - Hayes and Yeading
Tue 30 July - Hertford Town
Sat 3 Aug - Maldon and Tiptree

CODICOTE AND LEMSFORD SHARE SIX GOALS

Spartan South Midlands League Division One Codicote welcomed Hertfordshire Senior County League Division One side Lemsford to The John Clements Memorial Ground tonight for friendly game. It ended up as one of the most entertaining pre-season games TheColdEnd has seen for a number of years. Codicote played a mixture of first team players, reserves and under 18's that will make up the 'Codicote Sports' team whom will play alongside Lemsford in Division One of the Hertfordshire League this season. Included in their team was striker Paul Garrett who has moved from Premier Division Stotfold over the summer and should continue scoring goals for The Cod Army this season. The home side hit the woodwork a number of times during the second half.

Codicote's full first team travel up to Tyne and Wear this weekend to face Northern League Division Two side Whickham FC.

PICTURES FROM THE GAME ARE BELOW

The referee looked very cool in his sunglasses. He took the banter from both sides well.
"Ref...did you see that? Can you see through those glasses?"

A Lemsford player strikes to make it 1-2 in the first half.  

RYMAN DIVISION ONE'S NORTH & SOUTH CURRENT BETTING

DIVISION ONE (NORTH)

Betvictor are offering odds for the Ryman Division One (North) and Division One (South) titles. Heading the betting in the North division are AFC Sudbury (6/1), Maldon and Tiptree (7/1), Heybridge Swifts (9/1) and Thurrock (9/1). The full list is as follows 

AFC SUDBURY 6/1
MALDON AND TIPTREE 7/1
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS 9/1
THURROCK 9/1
AVELEY 10/1
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS 14/1
WITHAM TOWN 16/1
NEEDHAM MARKET 16/1
CHESHUNT 16/1
BRENTWOOD TOWN 16/1
REDBRIDGE 16/1
TILBURY 16/1
VCD ATHLETIC 25/1
HARLOW TOWN 25/1
WROXHAM 25/1
ROMFORD 33/1
BARKINGSIDE 33/1
BURNHAM RAMBLERS 33/1
CHATHAM TOWN 33/1
DEREHAM TOWN 33/1
ERITH AND BELVEDERE 33/1
WALTHAM FOREST 33/1
WALTHAM ABBEY 33/1
WARE 40/1

AFC Sudbury are rated as favourites this time out with a new manager in the hot-seat. Dave Batch has moved after a successful stint in charge of Wroxham and he has the task of taking AFC up to Step 3 on the non-league ladder for the first time.

Maldon and Tiptree fell away after a superb start to their campaign last season and were overtaken by the amazing form of Grays Athletic in the second half of the season. There is no doubt manager Terry Spillane will have put this behind him and will no doubt go again for the title this season.

Heybridge Swifts at 9/1 look a really good value bet. They just missed out on the play-offs in sixth place last season and look to improve this season. Wayne Bond (Director of Football) and Manager Mark Hawkes have built a decent squad at Scraley Road.

It's looking to be really good exciting season in Division One (North) with no real team standing out as potentially running away with the title. Aveley should do well along with Needham Market and Witham Town. It's difficult to pick a winner.

DIVISION ONE (SOUTH)

In Division One (South) relegated Hastings United top the market on 6/1 followed by Ramsgate and promoted Guernsey at 8/1 followed by Burgess Hill Town, Leatherhead and Folkestone Invicta at 10/1. Lowest rated are the two Walton clubs on 40/1 and 50/1. The full list is -

HASTINGS UNITED 6/1
RAMSGATE 8/1
GUERNSEY 8/1
FOLKESTONE INVICTA 10/1
LEATHERHEAD 10/1
BURGESS HILL TOWN 10/1
FAVERSHAM TOWN 14/1
HYTHE TOWN 14/1
HORSHAM 14/1
MERSTHAM 14/1
CRAWLEY DOWN 20/1
EASTBOURNE TOWN 20/1
CORINTHIAN CASUALS 25/1
SITTINGBOURNE 25/1
CHIPSTEAD 33/1
HERNE BAY 33/1
WHITSTABLE TOWN 33/1
WORTHING 33/1
PEACEHAVEN AND TELSCOMBE 40/1
REDHILL 40/1
THREE BRIDGES 40/1
TOOTING AND MITCHAM UNITED 40/1
WALTON AND HERSHAM 40/1
WALTON CASUALS 50/1

In Division One (South) TheColdEnd is surprised to see Hastings United are favourites as I think they will do well but after suffering relegation last season and losing a number of players they will be more happy with a push for a play-off place. The Rams finished in 7th place last season and missed out on a play-off place by just one point. Prior to this they finished 11th, 8th and 14th following relegation from the Premier Division in 2009 so they have been knocking on the door for a play-off place and/or Championship push since then. Could this be their year? The Rams qualified for the Premier Division play-offs in 2008 and lost in the semi-final to Staines Town.

The Green Lions are 8/1 to win the title and continue their climb up the non-league pyramid. I think they'll do well and their home form will be amongst the best across all three of the Ryman Divisions.

Burgess Hill Town (8th last season), Leatherhead (6th) and Folkestone Invicta (5th) follow at 10/1 and are likely to be involved at the top of the division again.  Faversham Town (3rd and play-off final losers) are 14/1 and look like a club on the up. They could be a value punt for the title!

HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE FIXTURES

Ther Hertfordshire Senior County League 2013/14 campaign kicks off on Saturday 17th August with a full fixture list across the Premier Division and Division One. Champions Bushey Sports Clubn (formerly Metropolitan Police Bushey) welcome Whitwell, who finished in fourth place last season, so this should be a decent game to open the season. LOCAL PRIDE AT STAKE DURING FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE SEASON There are a number of midweek games over the first two weeks of the season so it's a good chance to see an early kick-off. Tuesday 27th August sees a 'WELWYN DERBY' as Welwyn Garden City Reserves entertain Panshanger with a 7.45pm kick off. This should be a hotly contested game as local bragging rights will be on offer. Wednesday 28th August sees an 'ENFIELD DERBY' take place at Goldsdown Road when Bush Hill Rangers (5th last season) face Hinton (9th).
SATURDAY 17th AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION
Bovingdon	v	Bedmond Sports and Social Club
Bushey SC	v	Whitwell
Chipperfield Corinthians	v	Cuffley
Hinton	v	Sarratt
Knebworth	v	Bush Hill Rangers
Letchworth Garden City Eagles	v	Wormley Rovers
Mill End Sports	v	Belstone
Standon and Puckeridge	v	Sandridge Rovers
DIVISION ONE
AFC Hatfield	v	Lemsford
Buntingford Town	v	Panshanger
Harvesters 2012	v	Bushey Rangers
Hatfield Social	v	Cheshunt Ambers
Hertford Heath	v	Codicote Sports
Kimpton Rovers	v	Welwyn Garden City Reserves
Old Parmiterians	v	Evergreen
Tansley	v	Hatfield Town 1886
TUESDAY 20th AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION (6.30pm)
Hinton	v	Belstone
Knebworth	v	Whitwell
Mill End Sports	v	Bovingdon
Sandridge Rovers	v	Bedmond Sports and Social Club
DIVISION ONE (6.30pm)
Codicote Sports	v	AFC Hatfield
Evergreen	v	Bushey Rangers
Panshanger	v	Kimpton Rovers
WEDNESDAY 21st AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION (6.30pm unless stated)
Bush Hill Rangers	v	Bushey SC	*7.45pm
Sarratt	v	Chipperfield Corinthians
Standon and Puckeridge	v	Letchworth Garden City Eagles
Wormley Rovers	v	Cuffley
DIVISION ONE (6.30pm unless stated)
Cheshunt Ambers	v	Hertford Heath
Harvesters 2012	v	Old Parmiterians
Hatfield Town 1886	v	Tansley
Lemsford	v	Hatfield Social
Welwyn Garden City Reserves	v	Buntingford Town	*7.45pm
SATURDAY 24th AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION
Belstone	v	Sandridge Rovers
Bush Hill Rangers	v	Letchworth Garden City Eagles
Bushey SC	v	Hinton
Chipperfield Corinthians	v	Bedmond Sports and Social Club
Cuffley	v	Knebworth
Mill End Sports	v	Standon and Puckeridge
Sarratt	v	Wormley Rovers
Whitwell	v	Bovingdon
DIVISION ONE
AFC Hatfield	v	Welwyn Garden City Reserves
Buntingford Town	v	Evergreen
Bushey Rangers	v	Kimpton Rovers
Cheshunt Ambers	v	Hatfield Town 1886
Codicote Sports	v	Lemsford
Hatfield Social	v	Harvesters 2012
Old Parmiterians	v	Hertford Heath
Panshanger	v	Tansley
TUESDAY 27th AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION (6.15pm)
Bedmond Sports and Social Club	v	Bushey SC
Bovingdon	v	Sarratt
Chipperfield Corinthians	v	Mill End Sports
Sandridge Rovers	v	Whitwell
DIVISION ONE (6.15pm unless stated)
Codicote Sports	v	Buntingford Town
Hatfield Town 1886	v	AFC Hatfield
Lemsford	v	Harvesters 2012
Welwyn Garden City Reserves	v	Panshanger	*7.45pm
WEDNESDAY 28th AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION (6.15pm unless stated)
Bush Hill Rangers	v	Hinton	*7.45pm
Cuffley	v	Belstone
Letchworth Garden City Eagles	v	Knebworth
Wormley Rovers	v	Standon and Puckeridge
DIVISION ONE (6.15pm)
Bushey Rangers	v	Old Parmiterians
Evergreen	v	Cheshunt Ambers
Kimpton Rovers	v	Hertford Heath
Tansley	v	Hatfield Social
SATURDAY 31st AUGUST
PREMIER DIVISION
Belstone	v	Bush Hill Rangers
Cuffley	v	Bushey SC
Hinton	v	Sandridge Rovers
Knebworth	v	Wormley Rovers
Letchworth Garden City Eagles	v	Bovingdon
Sarratt	v	Bedmond Sports and Social Club
Standon and Puckeridge	v	Chipperfield Corinthians
Whitwell	v	Mill End Sports
DIVISION ONE
Bushey Rangers	v	AFC Hatfield
Cheshunt Ambers	v	Panshanger
Codicote Sports	v	Tansley
Evergreen	v	Hatfield Social
Hertford Heath	v	Hatfield Town 1886
Lemsford	v	Kimpton Rovers
RESERVE AND DEVELOPMENT - NORTH & EAST DIVISION
Baldock Town 'A'	v	Cuffley Reserves
Buntingford Town Reserves	v	Hertford Heath Reserves
Bush Hill Rangers Reserves	v	Wormley Rovers Reserves
St Ippolyts	v	Standon and Puckeridge Reserves
Wormley YFC	v	Letchworth Garden City Eagles Reserves
RESERVE AND DEVELOPMENT - SOUTH & WEST DIVISION
Bedmond Sports and Social Club Reserves	v	Evergreen Reserves
Bovingdon Reserves	v	Chipperfield Corinthians Reserves
Bushey SC Reserves	v	Knebworth Reserves
Sandridge Rovers Reserves	v	Lemsford Reserves
Sarratt Reserves	v	Mill End Sports Reserves

SCHOLARS THE WINNERS AGAINST ENFIELD TOWN XI

An Enfield Town side made up of trialists, some first team and under 21 players faced a decent Potters Bar Town team last night. Town had Dave Kendall, Craig McKay and Joe Stevens in their line up and started up front with Kabir Jeetoo and Jermaine Osei. The game had a real pre-season feel to it as both sides worked hard but didn't really create any clear cut opportunities in the first half.

The Scholars scored midway through the second half and then ran in a second goal right at the end of the game to make the final score 2-0. Adam Lee's side featured ex Towner's Wesley Beckles (at Centre Back) and Troy Archer (striker who scored bags of goals for our reserve side last season) amongst their team. TheColdEnd predicts they will do quite well in their new Calor Gas Southern League Central Division for this season and will be in the pack pushing for a play-off place between 5th and 10th place.

It was fantastic to see a small number of Enfield Town Ultras who had made the short trip from Enfield. I'm sure there will be more at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Saturday when Town entertain Belgium side YBSK Beveren for the the Supporter's Direct Cup. Don't forget this game kicks off at 2pm! Here is a short video showing the Ultras at the game last night -

FOUR YEARS OF THE COLD END

On Saturday 24th July 2009 the first post on "The Cold End" was written and today we can celebrate four years of the website which has developed into one being dedicated to non-league football in North London, Hertfordshire and beyond with a slight bias towards the club I follow - Enfield Town Football Club.

So this is just a quick word to say thank-you for your support in reading the articles and watching the highlights I produce. Over 330,000 people have visited the website which I'm very chuffed with and this shows there is a healthy interest in English Non-League Football across the world.

The Cold End will continue to hopefully grow as an independent website with no adverts (I have not made any money from it...it's a labour of love for me!) and carry on being of interest to you for years to come.

Thanks to you all but most of all thanks to Mrs Cold End for putting up with me and my interest (she'd probably say obsession!) in non-league football.

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION BETTING UPDATE

TheColdEnd brought you news of the betting for the Ryman Premier Division title betting back on Sunday 14th July and can now confirm three Bookmakers are currently offering odds. Here are the odds that are currently available -

TEAM	BetVictor	Ladbrokes	Betway
LOWESTOFT TOWN	6/1	11/2	15/2
MAIDSTONE UNITED	6/1	6/1	11/1
AFC HORNCHURCH	14/1	11/1	11/1
WEALDSTONE	10/1	10/1	14/1
BILLERICAY TOWN	12/1	14/1	16/1
BURY TOWN	10/1	14/1	16/1
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND	16/1	16/1	12/1
GRAYS ATHLETIC	20/1	16/1	14/1
MARGATE	20/1	16/1	11/1
KINGSTONIAN	16/1	14/1	22/1
CANVEY ISLAND	25/1	14/1	20/1
DULWICH HAMLET	16/1	16/1	25/1
EAST THURROCK UNITED	25/1	20/1	22/1
LEISTON	12/1	14/1	25/1
LEWES	25/1	18/1	16/1
MET POLICE	25/1	20/1	16/1
THAMESMEAD TOWN	25/1	20/1	15/2
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN	33/1	25/l	25/1
HENDON	25/1	33/1	33/1
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC	40/1	40/1	22/1
CRAY WANDERERS	40/1	40/1	33/1
ENFIELD TOWN	40/1	50/1	40/1
HARROW BOROUGH	50/1	50/1	50/1
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY	66/1	66/1	80/1
EACH WAY ODDS? (1/4 ODDS FOR 2nd and 3rd)	YES	YES	NO

As you can see there are a few differences in the odds offered. Betway still make Thamesmead Town joint favourites for the title with Lowestoft Town at 15/2 but BetVictor rate The Mead at 25/1. BetVictor go 12/1 for Leiston but Betway offer 25/1 so there is some value on offer if you shop around.

Both Ladbrokes and BetVictor are offering 1/4 odds for teams finishing in 2nd and 3rd place so, for example, if you fancy Kingstonian to finish in the top three you can get 4/1 with BetVictor.

Enfield Town are top priced at 50/1 which shows what a tough draw in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy Town we have. We travel to St Albans City who are joint second favourites for the Calor Gas Southern League Premier Division (currently 8/1 with Ladbrokes) in the cup and host Ryman Premier Division favourite's Lowestoft Town in the trophy. Hopefully, for Steve Newing's side, both The Saints and The Trawlerboys will be concentrating on their league campaigns!

Please remember to gamble responsibly.