RYMAN LEAGUE IN THE FA CUP - UPDATE

REPRESENTING THE RYMAN LEAGUE IN THE FA CUP

Just two Ryman League clubs remain in the FA Cup this season in East Thurrock United and Maidstone United. Both have trips away from home to League Two sides in Hartlepool United and Stevenage.

Since promotion to the football league in 2010 The Boro have a good record in the competition reaching the Fourth Round in 2010/11 famously beating Premier League Newcastle United in the Third Round at Broadhall Way. In 2011/12 they got to the Fifth Round holding Tottenham Hotspur to a 0-0 draw at home followed by a 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in front of 35,757 people . In 2012/13 they were knocked out by Rotherham United in the First Round and last season got through to the Fourth Round where they were knocked out 4-0 by Everton at Goodison Park. So it's a fact they, as a football league side, have never lost to a non-league side. They are currently in fifteenth place in League Two and travel to 23rd placed Tranmere Rovers on Saturday. Ex Enfield FC manger Graham Westley is the boss. The Stones will no doubt bring a very large vocal support to Hertfordshire which will be one of the biggest away followings at Broadhall Way this season.

Hartlepool United have played several non-league clubs over the past few years. The most recent game was in 2010/11 when they played Conference North side Vauxhall Motors drawing 0-0 at home and winning 1-0 in the replay away from home. In 2009/10 Kettering Town visited Victoria Park and performed a giant killing winning 0-1. There have been other defeats against non-league side's in 'recent' times as well as in 1973 v Altricham, 1971 v Boston United and 1970 v Rhyl as well a few way back in time. The more recent games came in 2005/06 Tamworth H (2nd Round) L 1-2 and 1985/86 Frickley Athletic H (2nd Round) L 0-1.

Hartlepool United are currently bottom of League Two winning just three of their fifteen games played against Shrewsbury Town (H 2-0) along with away victories at Exeter City (1-2) and AFC Wimbledon (1-2). They are at home to Newport County this Saturday. They have recently changed manager with Colin Cooper leaving the club to be replaced by Paul Murray. This is 38 year old Murray's first job in management having had a playing career which started at Carlise United in 1994 and ended at Oldham Athletic in 2013. In 1996 Queens Park Rangers paid £300,000 for his services from Carlise United and he has represented the England U21 side four times and England B team once. 

THE COLD END WISHES BOTH MAIDSTONE UNITED AND EAST THURROCK UNITED THE BEST OF LUCK IN THEIR CUP ADVENTURES.  The games are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 8th November.

RYMAN LEAGUE IN THE FA TROPHY - 2014/15

FA Trophy Preliminary Round
Games played on Fri 17th, Sat 18th, Sun 19th, Tue 21st and Wed 22nd October

RESULT	TEAM OUT
THURROCK 4 TILBURY 3	TILBURY
BEACONSFIELD SYCOB 0 FAVERSHAM TOWN 4	-
BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 REDHILL 1	-
*REDHILL 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2	REDHILL
BEDFORD TOWN 4 CHIPSTEAD 3	CHIPSTEAD
BUENHAM RAMBLERS 1 BRIGHTLINGSEA 5	BURNHAM RAMBLERS
CHESHUNT 1 SOUTH PARK 5	CHESHUNT
DEREHAM TOWN 2 HANWELL TOWN 1	-
GUERNSEY 4 BARTON ROVERS 0	-
HARLOW TOWN 6 HERNE BAY 3	HERNE BAY
HYTHE TOWN 3 MALDON & TIPTREE 0	MALDON & TIPTREE
LEIGHTON TOWN 3 CORINTHIAN CAS 3	-
*CORINTHIAN CAS 1 LEIGHTON TOWN 3	CORINTHIAN CASUALS
NEEDHAM MARKET 1WALTON & HERSHAM 3	NEEDHAM MARKET
NORTH GREENFORD UTD 0 CHATHAM TOWN 1	-
NORTHWOOD 3 WALTHAM ABBEY 1	WALTHAM ABBEY
RAMSGATE 1 FOLKESTONE INVICTA 4	RAMSGATE
REDBRIDGE 1 WHYTELEAFE 2	REDBRIDGE
ROMFORD 1 UXBRIDGE 1	-
*UXBRIDGE 2 ROMFORD 2 (UXBRIDGE 4-3 PENS)	ROMFORD
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS 1 SPALDING UTD 6	SOHAM TOWN RANGERS
THREE BRIDGES 4 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 1	CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
TOOTING & MITCHAM 1 AYLESBURY 2	TOOTING & MITCHAM
WALTON CASUALS 0 EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 0	-
*EAST GRINSTEAD 1 WALTON CASUALS 6	EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN
WARE 4 GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 0	GREAT WAKERING
WHITSTABLE TOWN 1 AFC SUDBURY 3	WHITSTABLE TOWN
AYLESBURY UTD 2 THAMESMEAD TOWN 3	-
CRAY WANDERERS 2 HASTINGS UNITED 0	HASTINGS UNITED
HORSHAM 6 SITTINGBOURNE 2	SITTINGBOURNE

* denotes replay

The First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy takes place over the weekend with the Preliminary Round already completed over the weekend of Saturday 18th October which featured some of the Ryman Division One North and South sides. Ten Division One (North) sides were knocked out along with eleven Division One (South) sides. Here are the fixtures for the games this Saturday as the Ryman Premier Division sides enter on the road to Wembley -

AFC HORNCURCH (RPD) v HARROW BOROUGH (RPD)

ARLESEY TOWN (SLP) v WINGATE AND FINCHLEY (RPD)

AYLESBURY FC (SLD1C) v MERTSHAM (RD1S)

BARKINGSIDE (RD1N) v KINGSTONIAN (RPD)

BEDFORD TOWN (SLD1C) v BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT (RD1N)

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (RPD) v AFC SUDBURY (RD1N)

BRENTWOOD TOWN (RD1N) v BIGGLESWADE TOWN (SLP)

BURGESS HILL TOWN (RD1S) v CHESHAM UNITED (SLP)

BURY TOWN (RD1N) v HENDON (RPD)

CANVEY ISLAND (RPD) v LEATHERHEAD (RPD)

CRAY WANDERERS (RD1N) v FAVERSHAM TOWN (RD1S)

DEREHAM TOWN (RD1N) v ENFIELD TOWN (RPD)

DULWICH HAMLET (RPD) v CHALFONT ST PETER (SLD1C)

FOLKESTONE INVICTA (RD1S) v THURROCK (RD1N)

HAMPTON & RICHMOND (RPD) v GRAYS ATHLETIC (RPD)

HORSHAM (RD1S) v WARE (RD1N)

HUNGERFORD TOWN (SLP) v EAST THURROCK UNITED (RPD)

LEISTON (RPD) v LEIGHTON TOWN (SLD1C)

LEWES (RPD) v HARLOW TOWN (RD1N)

MAIDSTONE UNITED (RPD) v WALTON & HERSHAM (RD1S)

MARGATE (RPD) v SLOUGH TOWN (SLP)

MET POLICE (RPD) v BILLERICAY TOWN (RPD)

NORTHWOOD (SLD1C) v GUERNSEY (RD1S)

ROYSTON TOWN (SLD1C) v WITHAM TOWN (RPD)

SOUTH PARK (RD1S) v HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS (RD1N)

THAMESMEAD TOWN (RD1N) v THREE BRIDGES (RD1S)

UXBRIDGE (SLD1C) v HYTHE TOWN (RD1S)

VCD ATHLETIC (RPD) v TONBRIDGE ANGELS (RPD)

WALTON CASUALS (RD1S) v PEACEHAVEN & TELSCOMBE (RPD)

WHYTELEAFE (RD1S) v DUNSTABLE TOWN (SLP)

WORTHING (RD1S) v CHATHAM TOWN (RD1N)

THE COLD END - NIL POINTS LEAGUE

DIVISION	TEAM	P/L	GF	GA	NEXT LEAGUE GAME
UNITED COUNTIES DIV ONE	STEWARTS & LLOYDS (Corby)	14/14	10	47	WOODFORD UNITED (AWAY) 1/11
SUSSEX COUNTY DIVISION TWO	SEAFORD TOWN	11/11	4	36	RUSTINGTON (AWAY) 1/11

A massive cogratulations to Cheltenham Saracens who got their first win of the season last Wednesday in a 2-1 victory at home to Newbury. They did follow this up with a 2-0 loss at Reading Town and a 3-2 defeat at Highworth Town but as they now have a win are no longer in the NIL POINTS league.

Only two teams are left and both play at Step 6. Stewarts and Lloyds (Corby) of the United Counties Division One have lost all fourteen of their league games along with Seaford Town who have no points from their eleven Sussex County Division Two games.

Both are away from home this weekend with S&L Corby travelling to Woodford United and Seaford Town going to Rustington.

AN ALTERNATE A-Z OF THE FA TROPHY - TOWN TRAVEL TO NORFOLK ON SATURDAY

With Enfield Town travelling to Norfolk to face Ryman Division One (North) side Dereham Town at the weekend in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round The Cold End looks at the history of the competition with an alternate A-Z minus a few letters as I couldn't think of an X, Y or Z!

A is for ALTRINCHAM who first won the competition in 1978 beating Leatherhead 3-1. Prior to their victory they reached the semi-final in 1977 losing to Scarborough in a second replay at Rotherham United's ground. They reached the final again in 1982 losing to Enfield FC before lifting the trophy again in 1986 when they beat Runcorn. They have also reached the semi-final in 1985 and 1991 along with being knocked out at the quarter final stage in 1988, 1989 and 1995.

B is for BARNET who have never won the competition. The closet they got was back in 1972 when they reached the final but were beaten 3-0 by Stafford Rangers at Wembley Stadium. In the first season of the competition (1969/70) they reached the semi-final losing to the eventual winner's Macclesfield Town. Since 1972 the best they have done is to reached the quarter-final stage in 1986/87 where they lost 0-1 at home to then Southern League Premier Division side Fareham Town who lost in the semi-finals to Kidderminster Harriers. Fareham's home leg of the semi-final was played at The Dell. 

C is for CHAPPELL (Geoff) who can be known as "Mr FA Trophy" as he won the competion managing Woking in 1994, 1995 and 1997. He returned with Kingstonian winning again in 1999 and 2000.

D is for DARLINGTON who won the Trophy in 2011 thanks to a Chris Senior 120th minute goal against Mansfield Town. Just a year later following financial difficulties DARLINGTON 1883 were formed and entered the Northern League Division One (Step 6 on the non-league ladder). What a difference a year makes?

E is for ENFIELD FC. Winners of the competition in 1982 (1-0 v Altrincham) and 1988 (3-2 in a replay at The Hawthorns against Telford United) as well as semi-finalists in 1976, 1985, 1986, 1994 as well as the quarter-finals in  1979, 1983 and 1995. A fact is that in 1974/75 The E's played 11 games in the competition to reach Round Three and in 1982 they played only 7 games to win the competition. The last game the now defunct club played in the competition was in their last season in 2006/07 when they lost away to Salisbury City in the third qualifying round. ENFIELD TOWN's best season in the competition came in 2012/13 when they were knocked out by Billericay Town at the third qualifying round stage. It's been too long that the name of Enfield has featured at the business end of the competition - Maybe it could be our year this season?

F is for 50%. Some fans, players and pundits think the Trophy has been devalued due to many clubs concentrating on promotion from the Conference since the advent of two up two down in 2002/03. However 50% of the finalists since 2009. F is also for FOREST GREEN ROVERS who are the only side to compete in both a Vase and Trophy final. They won the Vase in 1982 as a Hellenic League side followed by Trophy final appearances in 1999 and 2001 as a Conference Club.

G is for GOALS - Only two finals have ended without any goals. In 1987 Kidderminster Harriers drew with Burton Albion and a year later in 1988 Enfield FC draw with Telford United.

H is for HOLKER STREET where 6,002 people watched the 1988 Semi-Final first leg between Barrow and Enfield FC.

I is for ISTHMIAN LEAGUE who have had eight finalists. Dagenham (1977) and Leatherhead (1978) were runner's before The Daggers returned in 1980 and won versus Northern Premier League side Mossley. 1981* saw Bishops Stortford (Division One Champions) beat Sutton United (5th in the Premier Division) in an all Isthmian final.  The league wasn't represented in the final until 1997 when Dagenham and Redbridge lost to Conference side Woking after extra time. Canvey Island are the only other side to represent the league in 2001 when they won the trophy with 1-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers and in 2004 when they lost to Hednesford Town.
* The semi-finalists in 1981 came from the Isthmian League (Bishops Stortford), Southern League Southern Division (Dartford) and the bottom club in the then Alliance Premier League - Bangor City.  

K is for KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK. Only in 2005 (Grays 6-5 Hucknall Town) and 2014 (Wrexham 4-1 Grimbsy Town) has the competition been decided on penalty kicks.

M is for MARTIN O'NEILL. The current Republic of Ireland manager was Wycombe Wanderer's boss when they lifted the Trophy in 1991 and 1993.

N is for the NEW WEMBLEY where the final has been played since 2007. The record crowd came in 2007 when 53,262 saw Stevenage Borough beat Kidderminster Harriers 3-2. N is also for NORTHWICH VICTORIA who were the first ex football league side to win the Trophy in 1984. Since then Barrow (1990 and 2010), Colchester United (1992), Darlington (2011), York City (2012), Wrexham (2013) and Cambridge United (2014) are all ex football league sides to win the Trophy.

O is for OLD WEMBLEY where the final was played from 1970 to 2000. The record crowd was 34,842 who witnessed Wycombe Wanderers beat Kidderminster Harriers 2-1. The lowest crowd was in 1996 when only 8.672 saw Macclesfield Town beat Northwich Victoria 3-1.

P is for PAUL FURLONG who scored twice for ENFIELD FC in the 1988 final replay v Telford United. Furlong went on to play for a host of football league sides including Coventry City, Watford, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers. 

R is for RUNCORN who can be considered the most unluckiest club. They got to the final in 1986, 1993 and 1994 losing on each occasion. The Linnets also got to the semi-final stage in 1976, 1978 and 1979 along with quarter-final appearances in 1985 and 2000. Runcorn folded in 2006 and a new club Runcorn Linnets were founded. They play alongside Runcorn Town in the North West Counties League Premier Division (Step 5 of the non-league ladder). Both clubs are yet to compete in the Trophy with The Linnet's best performance in the FA Vase in 2008/09 when they reached the third round losing to AFC Fylde. Town's best run came in 2012/13 when they reached the fifth round losing to Walsall Wood. The Linnetts play Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the First Round of the Vase this weekend with Town playing away at West Allotment Celtic after beating Glasshoughton Welfare (11-0) and Athersley Recreation (4-1) in the Qualifying Rounds.

S is for STIMSON (Mark) who managed a hat-trick of victories for Grays Athletic in 2005 and 2006 followed by Stevenage Borough in 2007.

T is for TELFORD UNITED who are the most succesful club in the competition winning it three times (1971, 1983 and 1989) and been runner's up in 1970 and 1988.Since the demise of Telford United due to financial problems in 2004 the new AFC TELFORD UNITED have reached the semi-final in 2008/09 where they were beaten by York City. T is also for Bishops Stortford goalkeeper TERRY MOORE who the FA Amatuer Cup in 1974 and the FA Trophy in 1981

U is for UPTON PARK where the final was played in 2006 between Grays Athletic and Woking in front of 13,997.

V is for VILLA PARK where the final was played from 2001 to 2005 whilst Wembley Stadium was being redeveloped. The top attendance being 18,809 for Yeovil Town's 2-0 victory v Stevenage Borough in 2002 - The lowest attendance 6,635 for Hednesford Town's 3-2 victory over Canvey Island in 2004

W is for WIGAN ATHLETIC who as a Northern Premier League side reached the final in 1973. They are the only team to play in the FA Trophy and FA Cup finals having famously won versus Manchester City in
The best WIMBLEDON done in the Trophy prior to their promotion to the football league was in 1974/75 when they lost in the Quarter Final v Scarborough. W is also for WREXHAM whose victory in 2013 was the first time a WELSH club had won the competition. Bangor City are the only other Welsh side to reach the final losing in a replay to Northwich Victoria at Stoke City in 1984.

TOWN OFF TO NORFOLK ON SATURDAY

Dereham Town are playing their second season in the FA Trophy having been promoted from the Eastern Counties League in 2013. Last season they lost in the 1st Qualifying Round to Ryman Premier Division side Bury Town. This season they beat Hanwell Town 2-1 at home in the Preliminary Round to set up Saturday's tie with Enfield Town. They were formed in 1884 as Dereham FC and first played in the Dereham and District League and the Norwich and District League. In 1920 they adopted their current name after a spell as East Dereham and joined the Norfolk and Suffolk League which later merged into the Anglian Combination. In 1986 they were renamed Dereham Hobbies United after a merger with a local Sunday league side reverting back to Dereham Town in 1991. In 1997/98 they won the Anglian Combination Premier Division and with it promotion to the Eastern Counties League.

The Magpies earned promotion the Premier Division in 2002 and won the Norfolk Senior Cup in 2006 and 2007. The 2012/13 season was the best yet for the Aldiss Park side as they won the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League and were promoted to the Ryman Division One (North). In their debut season at Step 4 they finished a creditable 7th place and are currently placed in ninth position in the table winning nine, drawing one and losing six of their sixteen league games played. After winning four games in a row which included the Hanwell Town Trophy victory they suffered an unexpected 1-4 home defeat versus Great Wakering Rovers who have been struggling towards the bottom end of the division. It was only their second home defeat of the season having also lost to Cheshunt 0-3. Aside from these results they have a good home record in the league winning 4 drawing 1 and losing 2 of their seven games played.

Luke Tuttle is their current top scorer on 9 league goals (four from the penalty mark). He has previously played for Norwich St Johns in the Anglian Combination.

The FA Trophy always brings back memories from 2012 when Enfield Town travelled to Concord Rangers in the Second Qualifying Round and came away with a brilliant 0-2 victory. Highlights are below -


Prior to this game in the First Qualifying Round The Town recorded a really impressive 4-1 win against Cambridge City. Highlights are below -

A MAGICAL NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS AT DONKEY LANE

ENFIELD TOWN BEAT LEAGUE LEADER'S MARGATE

Margate travelled to Donkey Lane top of the table with only two defeats in the seventeen league games they had played and left disconsolate and dejected after being completely outplayed by a Town side who displayed some fantastic football putting in a hard working determined performance which rates as one of the best games (if not the best!) played since the club were formed in 2001. For the neutral present it would of looked like the home side was the team at the top of the division with Margate down in fourteenth place. I may be biased being an Enfield Town fan but aside from a short ten minute spell at the beginning of the second half when striker Ryan Moss equalised for The Gate, it was Bradley Quinton's side who were much the better team over the full 90 minutes played.

It was an amazing atmosphere at Donkey Lane especially in the second half when club legend Liam Hope came off the bench to secure the victory with a expertly taken finish from outside of the box. Hope's goal was his 107th for the club making him Enfield Town's all time record top scorer.  

From Nathan McDonald who brilliantly saved Charlie Allen's penalty in the first 10 minutes of the game to Corey Whiteley who run his socks off up front for the Town and was deservedly given man of the match it was an amazing evening for Bradley Quinton's side who are now in ninth place in the Ryman Premier Division. Every Town player grafted and worked tirelessly for the result.

The Gate fans may say the game turned on the second penalty decision of the evening which was given for a foul on Town forward Jon Constant. Ryan Doyle's first effort was well saved by Nikki Bull but for the referee to order a retake following Lewis Taylor encroaching into the box before the kick was taken - you'll see from the replay that Taylor was nearly in front of Doyle taking the first kick. It was here the away side really lost their discipline and took their frustrations out on the referee, who had made the correct decision, resulting in a flurry of bookings given out. Doyle's second spot kick hit the back of the net to the delight of the Town fans behind the goal who had been noisy all night long with some great support for their side.

A Margate fan summed up the game well in saying he thought Enfield Town were the best side they had played all season. The victory puts Town up into ninth position in the Ryman Premier Division which is only two points below our local rival's Wingate and Finchley. Who would of thought that after 16 and 17 games played both The Blues and Town would be well clear of the relegation zone and looking up rather than down.

The smile on every Town player and supporters face on ninety minutes summed up a memorable evening for the club. I really can't remember an Enfield Town team playing any better than that against a side who will be at the top end of the division at the business end of the season. If you are local to Enfield or haven't been to support the team lately please come down and see the Town in action.

Bradley Quinton's side are now on a good run of form but he will be keeping the player's feet firmly on the ground in preparation for Saturday's trip to Dereham Town in the FA Trophy.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS are below courtesy of the excellent @ETFCTV
A full match DVD will be available soon - Please contact the Enfield Town club shop for more details



RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION CURRENT TABLE
TOP NINE ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	WIN%	PPG	FORM
1	MARGATE	18	14	1	3	41	18	+23	43	77.78%	2.39	WWLWWL
2	MAIDSTONE UNITED	16	14	0	2	41	12	+29	42	87.50%	2.63	WWLWWW
3	HENDON	18	10	6	2	31	22	+9	36	55.56%	2.00	WWWWDD
4	DULWICH HAMLET	18	9	5	4	29	17	+12	32	50.00%	1.78	DWWLDD
5	LEISTON	18	9	4	5	38	28	+10	31	50.00%	1.72	LWDLWW
6	MET POLICE	17	8	5	4	29	21	+8	29	47.06%	1.71	LWDLWW
7	WINGATE & FINCHLEY	16	8	2	6	28	24	+4	26	50.00%	1.63	WDLLLW
8	GRAYS ATHLETIC	16	7	3	6	22	19	+3	24	43.75%	1.50	LWLDWL
9	ENFIELD TOWN	17	7	3	7	25	25	0	24	41.18%	1.41	LDDWWW

Town's next league game could be as long away as Monday 17th November 2014 as next Tuesday's scheduled home game against Peacehaven and Telscombe is off as The Magpies have a County Cup match. Then Saturday 8th November's Ryman League game against East Thurrock United is off due to The Rocks continued involvement in the FA Cup. They have the small matter of a trip to League Two Hartlepool United to look forward to. Town are due to play Witham Town away on Saturday 15th November but this fixture could be cancelled as this date is when the next round of the FA Trophy is due to be played. So should either Enfield Town (v Dereham Town) or Witham Town (v Royston Town) get through this game will also be off.

Town do have a Middlesex Senior Cup Second Round home tie versus Hanwell Town scheduled for Tuesday 11th November.

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES THIS WEEKEND

Saturday 24th October 2014 
AFC HORNCHURCH v ENFIELD TOWN 
20th v 19th. The Urchins are unbeaten in three games with centre-forward loan signing Reece Beckles-Richards scoring four goals in those three games. Their last game was an impressive 0-3 win at Canvey Island. There is no doubt with the quality The Urchins have in their squad they will move up the table in the coming months. In league fixtures Town have only one defeat in their last five games.  
BILLERICAY TOWN v PEACEHAVEN & TELSCOMBE
16th v 15th. After five defeats in a row Billericay have had two good away draws at Kingstonian (2-2) and at Hendon on Monday (1-1). Since the beginning of September P&T have only two defeats in nine league games and four wins. Midfielder's Josh Jones and James Fraser along with ex Brighton and Whitehawk striker Joe Gatting have been amongst the goals of late.  
BURY TOWN v TONBRIDGE ANGELS 
23rd v 14th. Bury Town have just two wins in eighteen league games and are without a victory in seven league games. The Suffolk side will need to start picking up wins sooner rather than later so will look at home games as must wins. The Angels are having a topsy turvy season after relegation from the Conference South last season. Their recent form reads WDLLWLD. They have only one win on the road in the seven league games they have played which came at Leatherhead (1-2) 
DULWICH HAMLET v HENDON 
The game of the day at third placed Hendon go to fourth placed Dulwich Hamlet. Hendon had a memorable 3-2 home v Margate last Saturday thanks to a Leon Smith hat-trick followed up by a 1-1 draw v Billericay Town. Hamlet are the only other side in the division to beat Margate so this will be a very interesting game.
LEISTON v BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
After last weekend's 4-1 defeat versus Maidstone United sixth placed Leiston will be looking to get back to winning ways but will find The Rocks in good form. Leiston have recently signed striker Josh Mayhew from Witham Town. The ex Hadleigh United and Woodbridge Town man made the jump from the Thurlow Nunn league in the Summer - He played eight times for the Essex club scoring only once. Bognor have four wins in seven league games and fans at Nyewood Lane have been celebrating recently at the return of their hero striker Jason Prior (on loan from Margate) who scored a hat-trick in his second game back on the south-coast against Hampton & Richmond Borough. Prior scored 95 goals in 126 games in a spell with The Rocks from 2009-2012 earning him a move to League Two side AFC Wimbledon. His time at The Dons was blighted by a horrific leg break and he eventually to Dartford and then onto Margate in the summer as well as a spell with Gosport Borough last season. 
LEWES v METROPOLITAN POLICE 
A massive game for Lewes who are bottom of the table. Like Bury Town they need to pick up points sooner rather than later. The Met are in fifth place and have a 50% win ratio in league fixtures. They have recently signed Nigel Neita from Billericay Town and Jordan Bird from Cray Wanderers. Both join the Imber Court club for a second spell. Neita came through the ranks at Millwall and Arsenal.
MARGATE v LEATHERHEAD
The Tanners have the last unbeaten league away record winning two drawing and drawing four of their six games played away from Fetcham Grove. This will be their toughest assignment yet against the odds on 8/13 league title favourites who have won eight and drawn one of their nine league games played at Hartsdown Park. The bookies make Leatherhead 5/1 outsiders to win here.
WINGATE & FINCHLEY v VCD ATHLETIC
After a blistering start to the season The Blues have lost their last three league games and will face a VCD side in a confident mood following their 3-2 victory over Harrow Borough last weekend. Wingate have signed Iffy Allen on loan from Vanarama Conference leader's Barnet this week. The 20 year old pacey winger spent time on loan with Kingstonian and Redhill last season and has yet to feature for The Bees following a leg break in early pre-season. A win for the Kent side could see them move out of the relegation zone depending on AFC Hornchurch's result v Enfield Town.

FA CUP 4th QUALIFYING ROUND 
The cold end send good luck to the five Ryman Premier sides left in the FA Cup. All have tough games against sides from the Conference South and in Maidstone United's case from the Conference Premier. Let's hope a shock result occurs somewhere and the league is represented well in the First Round Proper. 

Basingstoke Town v HARROW BOROUGH 
CANVEY ISLAND v Havant and Waterlooville 
EAST THURROCK UNITED v Bath City 
MAIDSTONE UNITED v Welling United 
WITHAM TOWN v Weston-Super-Mare 

TOWN THROUGH TO CHARITY CUP SECOND ROUND

Enfield Town entertained North Greenford United in the Middelsex Charity Cup First Round on Tuesday night in a game which saw repeat of the 2010 final which the Berkley's Field side famously won.

Town manager Bradley Quinton used the game to play some of his recent signings and fringe players along with James Winchester and Richard Bryan from the under 21 side who started on the bench. It was good to see midfielder Winchester getting on for the final 10 minutes of the game and he showed some good touches.

The game ended 1-0 with goal scored by debutant Shawn Beveney in the third minute after some good work by Ade Cole whose chipped shot rebounded off the post. Another player making his first start for the Town was Yannis Drais (a fomer youth team player at Cardiff City and French side RC Lens) played some impressive though balls that set up some nice attacking play. In particular he played through left-back Phil Kane whose two dangerous forward attacking runs ended with his final touch letting him down.

The away side who are struggling in 20th place of the Southern League Division One (Central) with just three wins in their eleven games, played some nice passing football with David Manu (number 8) standing out but they lacked a cutting edge up front and never really threatened the home back line. When they did their centre-forward Bradley Morris's shot was well saved by another Town debutant in goalkeeper Anthony Page. Town could of made it two before the break when Leon Antoine was very unlucky with a powerful shot which smashed against the post.

Leon Antoine's shot was unlucky in the first half to hit the post

The second half fizzled out a little with the Town side's performance a little disjointed but with so many player's making their first starts it wasn't too much to worry about.

It's a very important couple of weeks for North Greenford United coming up as they face three away games against teams around them at the bottom of the table. On Saturday they face a local derby against AFC Hayes (21st position) and then next Tuesday they go to Leighton Town (19th) before travelling to Beaconsfield SYCOB (22nd) next Saturday.

Enfield Town travel to Ashford Town in the next round who are currently in second place in the Combined Counties Premier Division.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

MIDDlLESEX FA CUPS - 2014/15

Enfield Town entertain Southern League Division One (Central) North Greenford United tomorrow evening in the Middlesex Football Association Help for Heroes Senior Charity Cup Round One with the winner's facing a trip to Ashford Town in the Second Round.

The 2014/15 Round One shapes up as follows -

ROUND ONE
Tuesday 16th September
ASHFORD TOWN 3 SOUTHALL 0
Tuesday 23rd September
CB HOUNSLOW UNITED 0 STAINES LAMMAS 1
Tuesday 21st October
ENFIELD TOWN v NORTH GREENFORD UNITED 
Monday 27th October 
HARROW BOROUGH V HAYES AND YEADING
EDGWARE TOWN V RAYNERS LANE
BEDFONT AND FELTHAM V COCKFOSTERS
WEMBLEY V WINGATE AND FINCHLEY

Round Two games are due to be played in December 2014 with Uxbridge joining the competition.

The Senior Challenge Cup also gets underway tomorrow evening as follows -

ROUND ONE
Tuesday 21st October
ASHFORD TOWN V HAREFIELD UNITED
HANWORTH VILLA V SPELTHORNE SPORTS
WEMBLEY V ENFIELD 1893
BEDFONT SPORTS V HILLINGDON BOROUGH

ROUND TWO
Saturday 25th October
WEALDSTONE V HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH
Tuesday 11th November
ENFIELD TOWN V HANWELL TOWN
WEMBLEY OR ENFIELD 1893 V NORTH GREENFORD UNITED
ASHFORD TOWN OR HAREFIELD UNITED V BEDFONT SPORTS OR HILLINGDON BOROUGH
STAINES TOWN V HENDON
HANWORTH VILLA OR SPELTHORNE SPORTS V AFC HAYES
NORTHWOOD V HARROW BOROUGH
UXBRIDGE V HAYES AND YEADING UNITED

Many clubs tend to not make the Middlesex Senior and Charity Cups as priority but I'm sure the fans of Hampton and Richmond Borough (winners of the 2014 Senior Cup) and Uxbridge (winners of the 2014 Charity Cup) will tell you they had an excellent day in lifting last years trophies. As an Enfield Town I would love to see us in one of the finals at the business end of the season.

NIL POINTS - ONLY THREE TEAMS LEFT

DIVISION	TEAM	P/L	GF	GA	NEXT LEAGUE GAME
HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION (Step 5)	CHELTENHAM SARACENS	13/13	9	45	NEWBURY (HOME) 22/10
UNITED COUNTIES DIV ONE (Step 6)	STEWARTS & LLOYDS (Corby)	13/13	10	46	BLACKSTONES (AWAY) 25/10
SUSSEX COUNTY DIVISION TWO (Step 6)	SEAFORD TOWN	10/10	3	34	STORRINGTON (HOME) 25/10

It was a brilliant weekend for Ely City and Hallam who grabbed their first league wins of the season. Ely City won 2-4 away at FC Clacton with Hallam comfortably winning 1-4 at Selby. Totton and Eling also celebrated with a 2-2 home draw against Bemerton Heath Harlequins so they move out of The Cold End NIL POINTS league table too.

Cheltenham Saracens, Stewards and Llloyds (Corby) and Seaford Town now remain and are the only three teams left in the top 10 tiers of English football without a league point to their name this season.

Sewarts and Lloyds went down 1-4 at home to Buckingham Town and Seaford Town lost 8-1 at Oakwood this weekend. Cheltenham Saracens took a break from playing and next face a Wednesday night home game with Newbury.

The fans of Seaford Town have only seen their team score three times this season in league football which works out at a goal every 3.3 games. Saracen's fans have a slightly better ratio at 1.44 with S&L on 1.30.

FONTENELLE AND PEDRYCZ STAR AS ST JOSEPHS START ANOTHER SUNDAY CUP RUN

The FA Sunday Cup started today with numerous Sunday league teams up and down the country dreaming of a nice run to the final of the competition. Arlesey Town Football Club played host to the St Joseph's (Luton) v Lewsey FC clash which saw two local rival's from the North Home Counties Sunday Football League Premier Division meet.

St Josephs are a well known name in Luton Sunday football being formed way back in 1970. They have won the FA Sunday Cup in 1995 and 1996 as well as reaching the final on three other occasions in 1998, 1999 and 2006.

Goalkeeper Bartlomiej Pedrycz had a fantastic game for St Josephs.

Sportsmanship at the end of the game - Good To See. 

It was St Joseph's who won this won 3-0 with their third goal the pick of the bunch which was a really well taken strike from outside of the box. All three of their goals were scored by Tony Fontenelle. It was their goalkeeper Bart Pedrycz who stood out for me who made a number of fantastic saves and claimed the ball well from numerous crosses into his box. He also kept his back four in shape at all times. The Polish stopper has represented Hitchin Town, Stotfold and Crawley Green in local non-league football and from this performance, I think, could play at a higher level if he was given the chance. He is definitely a name to look out for.

There were many players on show who also play in Saturday non-league football as Lewsey had Berkhamsted forward BJ Christie (number 9) in their side and the hat-trick hero for St Joseph's is currently first-team coach at Southern Premier League Premier Division side Dunstable Town. The 37 year old has played for a host of clubs in his career including Hitchin Town, Barton Rovers, Brackley Town and Chesham United to name a few.

Match highlights of the game are below including all the goals scored. The best save Pedrycz made came in the second half when Lewsey also hit the post and bar in an amazing goal mouth scramble - Watch it from 4m 5sec on the video. I am confident you won't see a better stop all season!

ENFIELD DOMINATE AGAINST LEWES WHO GO BOTTOM OF THE TABLE

Enfield Town won 3-0 against Lewes yesterday with Corey Whitely, Mark Kirby (SUPER CAPTAIN KIRBY!!) and Jon Constant, on his home debut, scoring the goals in a comfortable 3-0 victory. A number of the away fans present thought they were hard done by following the referee's decision to send off their midfielder Jack Dixon in the first half. The footage captured by @muzzyboii shows it was a studs up dangerous foul right in front of the official who made the right decision.

The Cold End read a tweet by @mooro72 yesterday evening about the Cockfosters FC game he played in and it rang true about the Enfield Town v Lewes game - saying that it applies to every game that is played!! Coming from a player who has over 1000 non-league appearances under his belt I think it's safe to say to he knows what he's talking about -

Players win games referees don't lose it!!! #justgetonwithit

Lewes now find themselves bottom of the table with just two wins from their fifteen games played so will need to start to pick up points sooner rather than later. They face Metropolitan Police at home next Saturday who are currently in fifth place following their 0-0 draw at home to Dulwich Hamlet yesterday.

One of the most important results of the day came in VCD Athletic's 3-2 home victory over Harrow Borough which lifted them off the bottom of the table. Their winner came in the 90th minute of the game!

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS of Enfield Town v Lewes are below

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) - THE SEASON SO FAR

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	WIN%	PPG	FORM
1	HARLOW TOWN	15	11	4	0	37	18	+19	37	73.33%	2.47	WWDWDW
2	NEEDHAM MARKET	14	12	0	2	35	16	+19	36	85.71%	2.57	WWWLWW
3	THURROCK	16	11	1	4	42	14	+28	34	68.75%	2.13	WLWWWW
4	BRENTWOOD TOWN	16	9	3	4	33	26	+7	30	56.25%	1.88	WWWDWL
5	SOHAM TOWN RANGERS	17	9	2	6	31	30	+1	29	52.94%	1.71	LWWLDW

Harlow Town, Needham Market and Thurrock lead the way in the Ryman Division One (North) and with a gap of seven points down to Brentwood Town down in fourth position along with games in hand for both the top two the trio can now be considered as strong favourites for the title. Betway.com make Harlow Town 5/4 favourites with Needham Market at 2/1 followed by Thurrock at 13/2 with the next best being AFC Sudbury (currently eighth position) at 14/1.

The Hawks are unbeaten and have who can be considered as one of the best strikers at Step 4 on the non-league ladder. Alex Read has played in everyone of their 15 league games scoring 17 times with his current full total being 21 goals in 19 league and cup games. Their next three league games come against Heybridge Swifts (15th), Cheshunt (12th) and Maldon and Tiptree (23rd - under the next management of Alan Kimble).

For all their good form and unbeaten record Danny Chapman's side could still be overtaken at the top by Needham Market who have 36 points from 14 games played. If they win their game in hand over The Hawks they will go two points clear. Their leading league scorers are Sam Newson on 11 goals and Luke Ingram on 7 goals. Newson did attract football league scouts to Bloomfields a few seasons back after he scored a huge number of goals and was set for a trial with Gillingham in 2011. He badly injured his knee denied him this chance so it's good to see him back amongst the goals. Ingram came through the ranks at Ipswich Town and has previously played at AFC Sudbury and Bury Town.

The Marketmen can also count on the valuable experience of Ian Westlake, Chris Hogg and Kem Izzet. Between them they have over 700 appearances in the English and Scottish football league. Could this wealth of know-how be the difference at the end of the season?

Thurrock are currently third and the highest scorers in the division at present on 42 goals although when you work out goals scored per game they are on 2.62 per game to Harlow's 2.47 and Needham's 2.50 so there is not much in terms of difference here.

Ross Wall has been amongst the goals for The Fleet on a current total of 11 with Charlie Stimson on 9 goals. Wall has played for Concord, AFC Hornchurch and Aveley previously. Charlie is the son of Manager Mark and counts Gillingham, Barnet and Tooting & Mitcham amongst his former clubs. Another player hitting the back of the net recently is Mark Onyemah who has recently rejoined Thurrock on loan from football league side Luton Town. He moved to Kenilworth Road in the summer from Ship Lane and has moved back on a temporary basis. Abs Thompson has also bolstered Stimston's attacking force by recently joining for league rival's Redbridge.

Needham Market v Thurrock on Saturday 13th December should be a really good game.

NIL POINTS LEAGUE - UPDATE

DIVISION	TEAM	P/L	GF	GA	NEXT LEAGUE GAME
WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER (Step 5)	TOTTON & ELING	12/12	11	48	BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS (HOME) 18/10
THURLOW NUNN PREMIER (Step 5)	ELY CITY	12/12	10	38	FC CLACTON (AWAY) 18/10
HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION (Step 5)	CHELTENHAM SARACENS	13/13	9	45	NEWBURY (HOME) 22/10
UNITED COUNTIES DIV ONE (Step 6)	STEWARTS & LLOYDS (Corby)	12/12	9	42	BUCKINGHAM TOWN (AWAY) 18/10
SUSSEX COUNTY DIVISION TWO (Step 6)	SEAFORD TOWN	9/9	2	26	OAKWOOD (AWAY) 18/10
NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST DIV ONE (Step 6)	HALLAM	11/11	9	37	SELBY TOWN (AWAY) 18/10

There is now six teams left with 100% losing records in the non-league from step's 1 to 6 with Hallam FC counting themselves as probably the most unluckiest team in the country.

In an extraordinary match they welcomed Clitpstone to Sandygate Road yesterday evening. The visitors came with a 100% winning league record of winning ten games in ten but Hallam played very well and were 3-0 up looking at a famous victory only for the game to be called off after 69 minutes due to fog. Hallam's website reports 'A MIST OPPORTUNITY'.

LEWES IN TOWN THIS SATURDAY

Enfield Town welcome Lewes to Donkey Lane on Saturday for another all important Ryman Premier Divsion game which pits 19th v 21st in the table. This is the sort of game teams down towards the bottom end of the table need to win to keep out of that dreaded relegation zone where the Sussex side are currently placed. Putting a positive spin on things you can see even though Town are just three points off the bottom four they are in turn only ten points from the play off zone and fifth position so one or two wins in a row can really propel teams up the table.

Lewes come to Donkey Lane with just two wins in their fourteen league games so far. Both have come at home to Grays Athletic (3-2) and Wingate & Finchley (3-0). On the road they have two draws (at East Thurrock United and Witham Town) along with four defeats in their six games played.

FORM COMPARISION

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	PPG	WIN%	FORM
ENFIELD TOWN	14	4	3	7	18	24	-6	15	1.07	28.57%	LLWLDD
LEWES	14	2	5	7	16	26	-10	11	0.79	14.29%	WDLDDL

THE TEAM

Lewes currently have Rikki Banks in goal. He is 26 years old and must be one of the tallest players in the division coming in at 6' 4". He began his footballing careeer with Crystal Palace before spending a few seasons with Worthing. He has also played for Eastbourne Borough and Wealdstone. Backing up Banks is Dean Lightwood who has recently been on the bench . He is 42 years old and counts Eastbourne Borough as one of his former clubs.

In defence is Steve Brinkhurst who was a professional for one season with Brighton & HA before playing for Garry Wilson (Lewes current boss) at Eastbourne Borough. At left-back is Sam Cole who began his career in the Sussex County League with Hailsham Town and Rye United before stepping up to the Conference Premier with Eastbourne Borough. He is one of the raft of players to follow Wilson to The Dripping Pan joining in the summer. Ollie Rowe is another ex Borough player who has also played for Chelmsford City, Hastings United and Eastbourne Town. Rowe started his career with Brighton & HA. James Stinson is an Australian and started his career with Sunshine Coast FC before moving to England where he played for Eastbourne Borough before joining Lewes. He can play in either defence or midfield.

Fraser Logan is a highly experienced midfielder. He came though the youth ranks at Scottish side Kilmarnock before heading South to join The Rooks in 2005. He has also represented Bromley, Tonbridge Angels, Hastings United and Whitehawk. He rejoined the club from Crawley Down in 2013 where he was club captain. Another player to bring lots of experience to the centre of the pitch is Phil Appiah who began his career with Preston North End. The 24 year old was born in Cananda and has also played for Hayes and Yeading, Farnborough, Eastleigh and Tonbridge Angels.

Nick Wheeler is described as a tricky wing player/wing man who played in Charlton Athletic's youth set-up before representing Burgess Hill Town. The 23 year old is a fans favourite at The Dripping Pan and likes a spectacular strike now and again. Jack Dixon has been amongst the goals for The Rooks this season as well scoring 19 goals in his debut season in 2013/14. Dixon was a member of the Hastings United team which famously reached the Third Round of the FA Cup playing at Middlesborough in....   18 year old Josh Marshall has been on the bench recently and the attracting midfielder has apparently attracted the attention of football league scouts

23 year old Luke Blewden is centre forward/striker. Originally joined in December 2013 from Tonbridge Angels. Enjoyed two seasons with Crawley Down Gatwick hitting the back of the net over 50 times and then rejoined Lewes. Nathan Crabb can be desribed as 'Mr Eastbourne' as he has played for United, Borough and Town during his careeer. Joined The Rooks in February 2012 and was named player of the season in 2012/13. Terry Dodd scored 35 times for Bognor Regis Town last season prompting The Rooks to sign him over the summer. He has also represented East Preston, Horsham YMCA and Worthing where he played under Assistant Manager Danny Bloor. 18 year old James Fergany is likened to Marouane Fellani due to his distinctive hair style and joined from Brighton & HA.

The other Ryman Premier Division fixtures on Saturday are -

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN v HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH 
BURY TOWN v EAST THURROCK UNITED 
CANVEY ISLAND v AFC HORNCHURCH 
ENFIELD TOWN v LEWES 
HENDON v MARGATE 
KINGSTONIAN v BILLERICAY TOWN 
LEATHERHEAD v WINGATE AND FINCHLEY 
MAIDSTONE UNITED v LEISTON 
MET POLICE v DULWICH HAMLET 
PEACEHAVEN AND TELSCOMBE v WITHAM TOWN 
TONBRIDGE ANGELS v GRAYS ATHLETIC 
VCD ATHLETIC v HARROW BOROUGH 

There are two games which stand out being second placed Margate's trip to third placed Hendon and table topper's Maidstone United's home game versus fifth placed Leiston. Wins for the two title contenders would move them further away and increase the gap at the top of the division. Hendon are in good form with their last defeat coming eight games ago against Enfield Town with Margate winning their last six games.

Margate (at best priced 2/5) are still odds on favourites for the title with the bookmakers with Maidstone United following at 5/2. The gap between the top two is emphasised by the next best priced teams being fourth placed Dulwich Hamlet at 33/1 and Hendon at 40/1.

THE COLD END NOMINATED IN THE FOOTBALL BLOGGING AWARDS

Great news today in that The Cold End has been nominated in the 'Best Established Blog' section of the 2014 Football Blogging Awards. Thank you to each and every one of you for voting in the first round. Thank you to everyone who keeps reading the articles, watching the videos and commenting on them. Today's announcement continues on from last year when The Cold End was nominated in the 'Best Non League Section'.

The Cold End is up against some fantastic professional blogs which makes me even more prouder as I am proud to be independent and advertisement free - It's all done for the love of the game.

They other nominees are-

Football Fan Cast
Football League World
Futbol Pulse
Garry Hayes
Gunner Blog
My Old Man Said
Sam Tighe
Sempreinter
The Width Of A Post

The next round of voting is live now and you can vote as follows -

If you are a twitter user please click on the link here and simply just tweet what it says in one message.

You can also vote on the Football Blogging Awards website here

RYMAN LEAGUE IN THE FA CUP - UPDATE

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (SOUTH)
Burgess Hill Town now proudly fly the flag for the Division One (South) sides. They recorded a fantastic victory and giant killing at Conference South side Sutton United on Saturday. Scott Kirkwood, Greg Luer and Dan Perry were the goal scoring heroes for The Hillians who make the trip to Conference Premier side Dartford in the next round.

Redhill were knocked out by Southern Counties East League side Greenwich Borough on Sunday. Greenwich currently play at Dartford's Princess Park stadium and qualify for this stage of the tournament for the first time in their history. They play the winners of the Leamington v Worcester City midweek replay.

Dartford (19th in Conference Premier) v BURGESS HILL TOWN

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
Needham Market (lost at home to Witham Town), Waltham Abbey (lost away to Harrow Borough) and Aveley, who were defeated by Willand Rovers, all left the competition at the weekend.  Aveley made the long trip to Devon to face one of the lowest ranked side left in the competition. Rovers, who play in the Step 5 Toolstation Western League Premier Division, won 3-2 on the day. To get through to the Fourth Qualifying Round they have defeated Radstock Town, Odd Down, Saltash United, Blackfield and Langley (after a replay) and now Aveley. Willand Rovers play Maidenhead United or Gosport Borough in the next round.

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION
WITHAM TOWN v Weston-Super-Mare (20th in Conference South)
Evesham United (11th in the Southern League S&W) v GRAYS ATHLETIC or Bromley
CANVEY ISLAND v Havant and Waterlooville (3rd in Conference South)
MAIDSTONE UNITED v Welling United (17th in Conference Premier)
EAST THURROCK UNITED v Bath City (15th in Conference South) or Shortwood United (9th in Southern League S&W)
Basingstoke Town (1st in the Conference South) v HARROW BOROUGH

Witham Town's victory at Needham Market made a little bit of history for the club as it's the Fourth Qualifying Round is the furthest they have ever been in the competition now. They entertain Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare in the next round.

Canvey Island reached this stage of the competition last season and are now just one game away from the First Round Proper they last reached as a Conference National side in 2004/05 when they lost at Aldershot Town 0-4. The Islanders fans will have fond memories of their famous cup runs in 1995 (lost 1-4 at Brighton and HA in the First Round), 2000 (lost to Southend United in a Second Round replay after beating football league side Port Vale), 2001 (lost to Burnley in the Third Round after beating Northampton Town and Wigan Athletic) and 2003 when they lost to Southend United in a First Round replay 2-3. The Islanders have also been drawn at home to a Conference South side in Havant and Waterlooville who beat Wingate and Finchley in the last round.

Maidstone United have equalled the round the new club have ever reached. They got to the Fourth Qualifying Round back in 2008 when AFC Wimbledon beat them 0-1. The old club used the reach the rounds proper on regular occasions in the 1970s and 1980s. In season 1980/81 The Stones played an amazing evleven games in the cup to reach the Third Round proper including three games versus Kettering Town in the first round and another three against Kent rival's Gillingham in the second round. Their game versus Conference Premier side Welling United will no doubt be one of the best attended games in the Fourth Qualifying Round - The Wings will certainly not relish their trip to The Gallagher Stadium.

The Rocks of East Thurrock United are now only one stage from the First Round Proper they made in 2011 when they lost to then football league side Macclesfield Town at Rookery Hill. The face the winners of the Bath City v Shortwood United replay at home.

Harrow Borough are now bidding to reach the First Round Proper for the third time in their history. In 2000 they lost at Wycombe Wanderers and more recently in 2010 they lost at home to Chesterfield. They have a tough trip Basingstoke Town who are currently top in the Conference South at the moment.

Grays Athletic last reached the First Round as a Conference National side in 2008 with a long trip to Carlisle United. The Cumbrian side won the replay at The Recreation Ground 0-2. They replay at Conference South side Bromley on Tuesday evening. If Jody Brown's side get through they go to Southern League South and West side Evesham United in the next round.

The games take place on the weekend of Saturday 25th October.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER - THE SEASON SO FAR

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	WIN%	FORM	AVG CROWD
BERKHAMSTED	12	9	1	2	33	14	+19	28	75.00%	DWLWWW	85
SUN SPORTS	13	8	1	4	33	20	+13	25	61.54%	WLLWWW	38
HAREFIELD UNITED	12	7	2	3	30	17	+13	23	58.33%	WLWWLW	48
COCKFOSTERS	12	7	1	4	22	20	+2	22	58.33%	WLLLWW	58
AFC DUNSTABLE	12	7	1	4	27	26	+1	22	58.33%	LWWDLW	72
TRING ATHLETIC	13	6	3	4	22	16	+6	21	46.15%	WDDLLW	83
KINGS LANGLEY	10	6	2	2	20	10	+10	20	60.00%	LDWLWW	58

It's all very close in the race for the title in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division title as you can see from the above table. Berkhamsted lead the way with nine wins from their twelve league games played so far and a win percentage of 75%.Their defeats have come at home to Hoddesdon Town and away to Biggleswade United along with a draw at home to local rival's Kings Langley in front of a decent crowd of 119.

It's Kings Langley who look to be their closet rivals even though they are currently down in seventh place. If they win the two games in hand they have over Berkhamsted they will go to just two below the top of the table depending on other results in games played. If you look at the points gained per game ratio it's close between Berkhamsted (2.33 ppg) and Kings Langley (2) compared to Sun Sports on 1.92.

2013/14 Division One Champions Sun Sports have continued where they left off making a brilliant start to their first ever season at Step 5 on the non-league ladder.

Josh Chamberlain is the current leading scorer in the division hitting the back of the net ten times in eleven games. The midfielder came through the under 18s and reserve side at Broadwater and was just one goal off being top scorer last season. The 19 year old looks to have a big future in the game. He is followed by Joe Wright of Wembley (currently tenth place) on ten goals in ten games. Oxhey Jet's (ninth place) Lee Armitt is next on nine goals in just seven games. BJ Christie and AFC Dunstable's Jermaine Hall make up the current top four scorers in the division. Christie has scored eight times for Berkhamsted - He has also played for Barton Rovers, AFC Dunstable and Dunstable Town in the last few seasons.

KEY FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Saturday 25th October
Berkhamsted v AFC Dunstable
AFC will look to get a win in this game if they want to be considered as genuine title challengers 
Tring Athletic v Kings Langley
6th v 7th and a Hertfordshire local derby 
Tuesday 11th November
Kings Langley v Cockfosters
A must win game for both sides in order to keep up with Sun Sports and Berkhamsted
Saturday 15th November
Berkhamsted v Harefield United
Another top game involving the current table toppers
Saturday 29th November
AFC Dunstable v Cockfosters
Another game both sides will be looking to win to keep up with the league leaders 
Saturday 6th December
Berkhamsted v Sun Sports
A real top of the table clash at Broadwater
Tuesday 9th December
Sun Sports v Harefield United
Sports follow their away game at Berkhamsted with a home clash versus Harefield United 
Saturday 13th December
Cockfosters v Berkhamsted
Will Berko still be league leaders when they visit Chalk Lane just before Christmas?
Saturday 20th December
Kings Langley v Tring Athletic
The reverse of the game played on Saturday 25th October
Saturday 27th December 
Tring Atheltic v Sun Sports
A busy month continues as Sun take a tricky trip to Tring Athletic

GOOD PERFORMANCE AND VICTORY FOR THE TOWN u21s

Enfield Town u21s entertained their counterparts from AFC Hornchurch on Wednesday evening at Donkey Lane in a Ryman Leauge u21 North Division game and they put on a decent performance to record a 4-1 win. It was the first time The Cold End has seen the u21's in action this season and I can safely say there are some really promising players in the current crop of youngsters representing the club.

Napier Brown (7) put in a decent shift for the Town last night as did midfielder James Winchester (orange boots)

Midfielder Andrew Folan was hard working and can pick a pass, central defender Issac Nkosi also impressed along with another midfielder James Winchester who played for the team in the 2012/13 campaign. The man of the match for me was Napier Brown who showed a real turn of pace and skill on the right wing and was a constant threat to The Urchins back line. It was Brown's cross field pass which set up Anton Johnson to score Town's second goal and he got a deserved goal late on in the game as well. Winchester got Town's third with a confident low drilled shot from the edge of the box.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 
including all five goals scored 


Enfield Town u21s
Ollie Leslie, Max Harrowell, Richard Bryan, Andrew Folan, Tsvetan Chahov, Isaac Nkosi, Napier Brown, James Winchester, Dernell Wynter, Davey Evans, Anton Johnson. 
Subs - Kolye Chahov, Gabby Adelawo, Kenan Gokcimen.

AFC Hornchurch u21s 
Joe Bowles, Will King, Curtley Yates, Jake Piper, Sam Burton, Sam Dickens, Frankie Holland, Bobby Moorton, Billy Pearce, Joe Scott, Ross Damrell. 
Subs - Giani Ashley, Charley Reep, Ryan Mallett.

THE BLUE BOYS GO TOP OF THE LEAGUE

After two seasons of struggling in the Premier Division of the Spartan South Midlands League Hatfield Town were eventually relegated to Division One at the end of the 2013/14 campaign. The club brought in Ashley Purser as new manager who had been very successful in the Hertfordshire Senior County League with Bedmond Sports and Social FC and have had a brilliant start to the new season with the 3-1 victory at home to Crawley Green yesterday evening putting them top of the league. Match highlights are below which saw Hatfield go 1-0 from the penalty spot and then score two more goals in the second half. Crawley Green had equalised just prior to the half time mark with a shot from well outside the box - one which caught me out on camera work as unfortunately I didn't manage to capture it on film. The away side were reduced to 10 ten men in the second period when a Hatfield player was brought down when through on goal...from the replay it appears only very minimal contact was made....see what you think on from around 4m 30secs on the video.


The race for the top two places in Division One is looking to be another exciting one with the current top seven in the league as follows -

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	HATFIELD TOWN	10	9	1	0	31	10	+21	28
2	HARPENDEN TOWN	12	8	2	2	26	17	+9	26
3	BEDFORD	8	6	2	0	23	3	+20	20
4	BALDOCK TOWN	10	6	2	2	16	7	+9	20
5	RISBOROUGH RANGERS	9	6	1	2	25	15	+10	19
6	WELWYN GARDEN CITY	6	6	0	0	22	1	+21	18
7	CODICOTE	9	5	2	2	26	13	+13	17

Hatfield's local rival's Welwyn Garden City have a 100% winning record and they along with The Blue Boys and Bedford are the three teams left without defeat. The Citizens make the short trip to Wodson Park tonight with Codicote also on the road travelling to London Lions.

The big Christmas Derby between Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield Town at Herns Lane looks set to be a well attended game on Saturday 27th December. It could be a top of the table clash!

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL UNDER THE LIGHTS AT THE STAD DE GOSLING

Local football fans get the chance for some Friday evening cup action this week as the FA Youth Cup Second Qualifying Round takes place between Codicote and Enfield Town at The Gosling Stadium in Welwyn Garden City.

Enfield Town u18s got to this stage of the competition by winning 0-1 away at Brightlingsea Regent in the First Qualifying Round with Codicote u18s entering at the Preliminary Round stage winning 2-3 at Cockfosters and then beating Barking 3-1 at home in the First Qualifying Round.

The Stadium is very easy to find as it's just off of the A1(M)...If your a SatNav user the post code is AL86XE. Come along and watch a good game of football and you never know you might see a star of the future in action.

MAIDSTONE UNITED SNAP UP AKROFI

Ryman Premier Division Maidstone United have today announced the signing of 19 year old Alex Akrofi from Division One (North) side Brentwood Town. The striker has attracted interest from several football league sides after breaking into the first team at Brentwood where he came through the ranks. He scored six times in eight games for Town this season and impressed in their narrow FA Cup defeat at The Gallagher Stadium earlier in September.

He is not the only striker in the division to get a move to a club higher up the pyramid as 20 year old Ade Yussuf who scored seven times for Chatham Town moved to League Two side Dagenham and Redbridge in September and has since made three substitute appearances for The Daggers. It was reported that Yussuf took a pay cut to give up his day job at Wagamamas to join Wayne Burnett's side.

Another player to make his football league debut recently was Erhun Oztumer who came on as a substitute for Peterborough United in their home 2-2 draw with Oldham Atheltic on Saturday. Oztumer has been well written about on The Cold End and elsewhere having starred in the Dulwich Hamelt midfield for the last two seasons.

These players are just a few examples of the talent that can be found in non-league football. Many football league scouts are now regularly seen at non-league games looking to 'find' the next new up and coming player for their club.

FA SUNDAY CUP FIRST ROUND

The FA Sunday Cup First Round takes place on Sunday 19th October 2014 with numerous Sunday teams up and down the country dreaming of some cup glory. Here is a selection of the fixtures featuring teams from and near to Cold End country. The first tie which stands out is an all Orc Sports Waltham Football League Premier Division tie between Flamstead End and Upshire at Cheshunt FC.

St Joesph's (Luton) who won the competition in 1995 and 1996 and were runners up in 1998, 1999 and 2006 start their 2014/15 campaign off with a home tie against Club Lewsey who play in the same North Home Counties Sunday League Premier Division. This division is well represented in the national competition as Green Man, Celtic SC (Luton), Brache Nation, FC Houghton are all in action too as well as Division One side The 61 FC (Sunday).

Comet Sports Sunday League's Nirankari's tie with KOPA League side New Salamis should be good too - the venue is as yet unconfirmed but as Nirankari are based in the Hitchin/Stevenage area I would say it will probably take place at Top Field.

FIXTURE	VENUE
PHOENIX V PRIORY SPORTS	NORTHWOOD FC
BELSTONE (SUNDAY) V THE 61 FC (SUNDAY)	BELSTONE FC
FLAMSTEAD END V UPSHIRE	CHESHUNT FC
NIRANKARI V NEW SALAMIS	????
AYFCS V COMETS SPORTS CLUB	AYLESBURY FC
WILLESDEN WMC V NLO	WEMBLEY FC
GREEN MAN V HAMMER	AMPTHILL TOWN FC
ST JOSEPHS (LUTON) V CLUB LEWSEY	ARLESEY TOWN FC
CELTIC SC (LUTON) V BROADFIELDS (SUNDAY)	THE 61 FC
TWO TOUCH V BRACHE NATION	NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN FC
NORTH WEMBLEY V FC HOUGHTON CENTRE	RAYNERS LANE FC
AFC KUZAMI STRIKERS V BARNES ALBION	COLLIERS WOOD UNITED FC

EARLY DAYS YET - THE RACE TO AVOID RELEGATION

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION CURRENT TABLE - 17/10/13
BOTTOM NINE ONLY
cs - clean sheets, fts - games failed to score, GSPG & GCPG - average goals scored and conceded per game

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM	WIN%	CS	FTS	GSPG	GCPG
16	HARROW BOROUGH	13	3	4	6	17	24	-7	13	WLDWDL	23.08%	2	4	1.31	1.85
17	HAMPTON & RICHMOND	11	3	3	5	10	15	-5	12	WLWLWD	27.27%	4	3	0.91	1.36
18	WINGATE & FINCHLEY	12	3	3	6	15	21	-6	12	DWLLLW	25.00%	2	3	1.25	1.75
19	METROPOLITAN POLICE	12	3	3	6	11	19	-8	12	LDLLLW	25.00%	3	6	0.92	1.58
20	ENFIELD TOWN	13	3	3	7	18	30	-12	12	LDDLLL	23.08%	0	3	1.38	2.31
21	LEISTON	13	3	2	8	13	24	-11	11	DLLLDL	23.08%	3	5	1.00	1.85
22	CARSHALTON ATHLETIC	14	2	2	10	12	29	-17	8	LWLLDL	14.29%	2	5	0.86	2.07
23	THAMESMEAD TOWN	13	2	1	10	11	35	-24	7	LLLLWL	15.38%	2	6	0.85	2.69
24	CRAY WANDERERS	12	2	1	9	12	43	-31	7	DLLLLW	16.67%	1	6	1.00	3.58

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION CURRENT TABLE
BOTTOM NINE ONLY
cs - clean sheets, fts - games failed to score, GSPG & GCPG - average goals scored and conceded per game

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM	WIN%	CS	FTS	GSPG	GCPG
16	WITHAM TOWN	13	4	5	4	19	19	0	17	WLLWLW	30.77%	2	2	1.46	1.46
17	HAMPTON & RICHMOND	15	5	2	8	20	35	-15	17	DWWWLL	33.33%	2	4	1.33	2.33
18	BOGNOR REGIS TOWN	14	4	3	7	16	21	-5	15	LWWLWL	28.57%	1	2	1.14	1.50
19	ENFIELD TOWN	13	4	2	7	16	22	-6	14	WLLWLD	30.77%	3	4	1.23	1.69
20	HARROW BOROUGH	15	4	1	10	20	31	-11	13	LLWLLL	26.67%	3	2	1.33	2.07
21	LEWES	14	2	5	7	16	26	-10	11	WDLDDL	14.29%	2	5	1.14	1.86
22	BURY TOWN	16	2	5	9	9	27	-18	11	WLLLLL	12.50%	3	8	0.56	1.69
23	VCD ATHLETIC	14	2	4	8	13	25	-12	10	LLDDWD	14.29%	1	5	0.93	1.79
24	AFC HORNCHURCH	15	3	1	11	10	22	-12	10	WLWLLW	20.00%	2	10	0.67	1.47

It's early days in the race to stay out of the bottom four relegation places in the Ryman Premier Division but here is a comparison of the league tables on Thursday 17th October 2013 and now. It's a worrying statistic for the teams in the bottom four that after 12, 13 and 14 games last season three of the bottom four did eventually finish in the final bottom four and were relegated. Cray Wanderers are currently struggling in Division One (North) in 22nd place with Thamesmead Town in 10th within sight of the play-offs. The Robins of Carshalton Athletic are currently in 14th place in Division One (South).

AFC Hornchurch have had a nightmare start to their campaign after losing in the play-off final versus Lowestoft Town last season. The Urchins were expected to do well and be up the top end of the division but after failing to score in 66.67% of their games so far they find themselves bottom of the table. Things are looking up though as the three wins they have recorded have been in the last six games so I forecast they will start to move up the table in the forthcoming months. Striker Reece Beckles-Richards has been recently recruited on loan from Woking in order to boost the side's scoring record of just 0.67 goals per game. It was the RBR who scored their winner at Bognor Regis Town (W 1-2) on Saturday.

Bury Town have the lowest win percentage in the division at only 12.50% and also have the lowest scoring record per game of only 0.56 goals per game. Their victories have both come at Ram Meadow against Canvey Island (W 1-0) and Billericay Town (W 2-1). They have also recruited some new players of late in midfielder Luke Hammond (from Needham Market), forwards Joe Benjamin (from Grays Athletic - played for Lowestoft Town and Billericay Town last season) and Ayrton Bevis (on loan from Cambridge United) along with 18 year old midfielder Jack Willbye on loan from Championship side Ispwich Town.

Lewes have also recorded only two wins (out of 14 games the same record as VCD Athletic) so far. Both have come at The Dripping Pan against Wingate and Finchley and Grays Athletic.

As an Enfield Town fan it's good to read that the record after thirteen games played is better by two points and the defensive record is better by eight goals. There has also been three clean sheets as opposed to none at this stage last season.

Hampton & Richmond Borough have the worst goal's conceded record in the division on over 2 per game. The Beavers have had a change of management when joint bosses Paul Barry and Darren Powell left the club following their 3-2 FA Cup defeat at VCD Athletic. They have been replaced by new manager Alan Dowson and form has improved  from a win percentage of 22.22% in the games before to 50.00% since the ex Kingstonian and Walton & Hersham boss has been in the hot seat.

As you can see from the below table the average win percentage to aim for is roughly 30.00% and above which means the teams currently in the bottom four need to start putting a few wins on the board to have more than a fighting chance at the business end of the season.

Average win% achieved to stay out of the bottom four 
note from 09/10 to 12/13 it was 22 team division so based on 18th placed side
from 13/14 based on 20th placed side

SEASON	WIN %
09/10	30.95%
10/11	21.49%
11/12	30.95%
12/13	28.57%
13/14	28.26%
AVERAGE	28.04%

Saturday 10th October fixtures for the current bottom nine teams
AFC HORNCHURCH V BURY TOWN
24th v 22nd. A real must win game for both sides. A home win would see The Urchins move above the Suffolk side. This game also pitches a record of no goals at home versus one goal scored away from home. 
DULWICH HAMLET V BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
A really difficult trip for The Rocks to The Hamlet who are in fourth position.
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND V VCD ATHLETIC
17th v 23rd. VCD Athletic need to start picking up points and wins. A home victory would see the gap widen at between the two sides. 
LEISTON V ENFIELD TOWN
Leiston are in fifth place and in contention for the play-offs so it's a really difficult trip for the Town who seem to have no luck at Victory Road. The results for three trips in the past reads L 6-1, L 3-1 and L 2-1.

Tuesday 14th October fixtures for the current bottom nine teams
CANVEY ISLAND V HARROW BOROUGH
Two wins from seven on the road for Harrow Borough - The Islanders have three wins from their seven home games and are currently in ninth place.
MET POLICE V HAMPTON AND RICHMOND
Hampton could be well out of the bottom section of the division with a victory against VCD on Saturday followed by a win at Imber Court

STATS AND FACTS ON THE CURRENT SEASON 

UNBEATEN AT HOME - MARGATE, MAIDSTONE UNITED, DULWICH HAMLET, MET POLICE

NO WINS AT HOME - AFC HORNCHURCH

UNBEATEN AWAY FROM HOME - LEATHERHEAD

NO WINS AWAY FROM HOME - BURY TOWN, LEWES, MET POLICE

HIGHEST SCORERS - MAIDSTONE UNITED (37)

LOWEST SCORERS - BURY TOWN (9)

HIGHEST SCORERS AT HOME - MAIDSTONE UNITED, DULWICH HAMLET (20)

LOWEST SCORERS AT HOME - AFC HORNCHURCH (0)

HIGHEST SCORERS AWAY - MAIDSTONE UNITED (17)

LOWEST SCORERS AWAY - BURY TOWN (1)