FA CUP DREAM STILL ALIVE FOR THE TOWNERS

The FA Cup dream is still alive for Enfield Town as they won 1-0 against Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Ipswich Wanderers. Town had much of the possession and could of scored a few more but for a great performance from the away side back four and goalkeeper who made a number of heroic blocks and saves keeping their team in with a chance of getting something from the game. They can return to Suffolk proud of their performance and will hopefully climb from their current sixteenth position (of 20 clubs) in their league. They play eighth placed Long Melford this midweek before their Humber Doucy Lane ground is invaded by The Clapton Ultras on Saturday - they host Essex Senior League side Clapton in the FA Vase. YOU THOUGHT THE ENFIELD TOWN ULTRAS WERE LOUD!!!!

Bobby Devyne scored the all important goal from a close range header in the first half following an inviting cross from Tayshan Hayden-Smith.

Elsewhere in The Cup Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Hoddesdon Town gained a memorable victory at Ryman Division One (South) side Sittingbourne and go into the hat for the 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time since 1969/70. Well done to Gavin Kelsey and his history making side.

Uxbridge (currently 11th in the Evo-Stik League Division One Central) got one of the results of the round in winning 0-1 at National League South Dartford. JJ Bates was the hero for the Middlesex side scoring the all important goal.

The Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round draw takes place this lunchtime with the following the lowest ranked sides still left in the competition -

Blackfield & Langley - 7th Wessex Premier
Brockenhurst - 16th Wessex Premier
Coleshill Town - 16th Midland Premier
Eastbourne Town - 4th Southern Combination
Hartley Wintney - 3rd Combined Counties Premier
Hoddesdon Town - 6th Spartan South Midland Premier
Holbeach Utd - 4th United Counties Premier *Replay v Worcester City
Horsham YMCA - 5th Southern Combination *Replay v Aveley
Newton Aycliffe - 11th Northern League *Replay v North Ferriby United
Sporting Khalsa - 8th Midland Premier
Washington - 3rd Northern League  *Replay v Marine
Whitley Bay - 14th Northern League

TAYSHAN HAYDEN-SMITH WAS NAMED MAN OF THE MATCH FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE GAME - HIS CLOSE CONTROL, SKILL ON THE BALL, QUICK FEET AND WORK RATE HAVE MADE HIM A REAL FANS FAVOURITE ALREADY WITH THE TOWN FAITHFUL.

THE WANDERERS CAN BE PROUD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE EMIRATES FA CUP THIS SEASON. GOOD LUCK TO THEM FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL - A CUP CLASSIC AT HERTINGFORDBURY PARK

It was Premier Division Hertford Town entertaining Division Two Hale Leys United on Tuesday evening at Hertingfordbury Park in the Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Cup First Round and what a game it turned out to be!!  With noisy bunch of home fans singing support for their team it was the away side with some impressive and very pacey counter attacks who took a 0-2 deserved lead into the break at half time. Hertford came back to make it 1-2, Hale Leys then missed a penalty before the home side equalised to make it 2-2. Hale Leys didn't give up and right on 90 minutes looked like they were going to win it, when after another impressive counter attack, the ball was heading towards the back of the net only for a miraculous headed clearance off the line from a Hertford Town defender to leave the game all square at 2-2 (the away side had had another effort cleared off the line in the second half).

In extra time Hertford scored twice - the first featuring a brilliant bit of skill from 'for the love of cars' (a nod to him in the headline) star and local football legend Anthony Anstead (who had come on as substitute in the second half of normal time after arriving late to the ground due to a hold up on his train journey) to set it up and the second being a fantastic volley from outside of the box by Leigh Rose.

The game has caused quite a stir in local football circles as extra-time shouldn't of actually been played. During the summer the Spartan South Midlands League had agreed for Challenge Cup games to go straight to kicks from the penalty mark - At this time of writing I don't know what decision the league has made as to if the result will stand or not?

Both teams can take an immense amount of credit from this game and neither really deserved to lose. For Hale Leys it was so close but yet so far to a cup upset and for Hertford Town the work-rate and sheer determination they showed to come back to 2-2 and subsequently win the game will have pleased their boss Paul Halsey immensely.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - THE BATTLE OF THE TEAMS WITHOUT A POINT

It's the battle of the teams without a win or a point to their record so far in the Essex Senior League tomorrow. Greenhouse Sports welcome Enfield 1893 to Coles Park with a 3pm kick off. Will it be the home side celebrating a well deserved three points or the away side travelling back up the A10 with a victory to their name or will it end up all square?

Greenhouse do have one victory this season which came in their home FA Vase replay against Cockfosters (3-2) on Wednesday 9th September - they entertian Hadleigh United in the next round on Saturday 3rd October. For 1893 it's been a miserable start to the season with defeats in the FA Cup (at home to London Colney 0-4), in the Vase (away at Debenham LC FC 2-1 AET) and 0-5 at home to Takeley in the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy.

GREENHOUSE AND ENFIELD 1893's CURRENT LEAGUE RECORD

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
GREENHOUSE	7	0	0	7	7	18	-11	0
ENFIELD 1893	5	0	0	5	5	17	-12	0

BUNTINGFORD RESERVES CONTINUE THEIR UNBEATEN START TO THE SEASON

"The My News Herts Senior County League Reserve/Development North/East Division" is possibly the longest name for a league ever! On a lovely afternoon last Saturday Knebworth Reserves welcomed Buntingford Reserves to The Recreation Ground - going into the game both teams had played two and won two so it was always going to be close. It was the away side that won thanks to two headed goals from in form striker Luke Smith. In between Smith's goal The K's Marcus McKechnie hit the back of the net after some neat build up play but was he offside?? - Have a look at the replay from 1min on the video to see what you think. The K's deserved more from the game having created a number of chances especially in the second half and did they deserve a penalty after a possible handball in the box towards the end of the game? - the replay for this incident is from 3m 48s,    

This weekend Buntingford Town Reserves welcome Cuffley Reserves to The Bury and Knebworth Reserves make the short trip to play Nirankari Hitchin who currently top the league on goal difference from Buntingford having played one more game.

 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

TEAMS STILL WAITING FOR A WIN IN THE RYMAN LEAGUE

Going into the weekend's fixtures there are two teams in the Premier Division, one in Division One (North) along with three in Division One (South) all waiting for a win.

CHIPSTEAD, WHITSTABLE TOWN and HYTHE TOWN 

Chipstead have had a terrible start to their campaign with just one draw from eight league games they have played so far. Their solitary point gained came in a 1-1 draw at home to Three Bridges back on Tuesday 11th September. Simon Colbran (ex Worthing, Horsham and Reading boss) departed after their 1-4 home defeat to Molesey - He had only been in charge since the turn of the year taking over from Steve Baker who left to join Harrow Borough. Former Epson and Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell is the new manager looking to take The Chips up the league. They travel away to the seaside to play eighth placed Ramsgate on Saturday.

Whitstable Town, like Chipstead, only have one point to show from their eight league games played so far. Their draw came in the local derby with Herne Bay on Monday 31st August. They to have parted company with their manager Will Graham leaving the club after only being appointed during the summer - Simon Halsey has recently been announced as new boss on Tuesday 8th September.  He has much experience having been boss of Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Lordswood and Fisher. The Oystermen welcome Tooting and Mitcham United on Saturday.

Hythe Town have faired a little better with four draws from their nine games played so far. All the draws have come in their last four home games ending 1-1, 1-1, 0-0 and 0-0. They go to Walton Casuals on Saturday.

HARINGEY BOROUGH

Both Barkingside and Haringey Borough were without a win going into their clash at Coles Park on Tuesday evening. Gursel Gulfer's side came out on top with a 2-3 win leaving just Tom Loizou's side without a win the division. Many people expected Borough to do better having performed really well in winning the Essex Senior League title last season but it's been a frustrating start for them so far. It doesn't get any better with the visit of Bury Town tomorrow who are the only side left unbeaten in the division. Borough's two draws so far have come at home to Dereham Town (0-0) and away to Waltham Abbey (1-1). Ex Enfield Town forward Danny Ailey has scored four goals in league and cup games so far.

VCD ATHLETIC and NEEDHAM MARKET 

VCD Athletic and Needham Market are the two Premier Division sides without a victory so far. The Marketmen have four draws from nine games played with Athletic getting three draws from their eight games. Needham welcome Harrow Borough to Bloomfields tomorrow with VCD Athletic going to the Metropolitan Police. VCD have scored just 2 goals in their 8 games. Both suffered shock defeats in midweek FA Cup replays - Needham crashed out at Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Stanway Rovers 3-0 having two men sent off in the process with VCD going down 4-3 at Evo Stik Division One (South and West) side Didcot Town whose winning goal came in the 90th minute.

HOW MANY TEAMS WILL BE LEFT WITHOUT A WIN ON SATURDAY EVENING?

ENFIELD TOWN V BILLERICAY TOWN REPLAY HIGHLIGHTS

Courtesy of the excellent @ETFCTV here are highlights of Enfield Town's fantastic FA Cup victory over Billericay Town under the lights at Donkey Lane.

NON LEAGUE DAY 2015

Following the record-breaking event in 2015 the ever popular Non-League Day will return for a sixth consecutive season on Saturday 10th October 2015.

With England playing at Wembley on Friday 9th October and it being an International weekend (so no Premier League or Championship games) it's the perfect opportunity for you and your family to visit your local non-league club. 

You'll receive a great welcome and discover that a day out at the football won't break the bank.  

The fixtures in the Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round are due to take place over this weekend so it'll be a great chance for families to seek out some cup glory. 

Once again, we will be partnering with Prostate Cancer UK in an effort to raise funds for, and awareness of, an illness that affects thousands of men in Britain every year. 

So if it's a National League game at Forest Green Rovers, A Ryman League game at Herne Bay or a Hertford and District League game at Broxbourne Badgers please make an effort to see a non-league side in action. 

BACK TO DONKEY LANE ON TUESDAY EVENING

It wasn't an FA Cup classic between the two Ryman Premier division rivals at New Lodge on Saturday but more a fractious affair which was incident packed all the same. After taking the lead via an Onome Sodje goal in the thirteenth minute the home side were reduced to ten men when their Captain George Beavan was dismissed after the referee showed him a second yellow for a studs up/high boot challenge on Bobby Devyne - He had earlier been booked for what the referee deemed to be a deliberate hand ball.

Devyne equalised in the second half for The Towners and the game ended 1-1 with the replay being due to be played on Tuesday 15th September at The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. I'll let the pictures do the talking in the highlights below. See from 1m 21s and 3m 31s for the yellow and red card decision.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

 

TOWN u18s BATTLE WELL TO RECORD VICTORY AT HERNS LANE

Enfield Town u18s started their FA Youth Cup 2015/16 campaign on Tuesday evening by visiting Welwyn Garden City and came away with a well deserved 0-1 win in a battling performance against a good home side in front of a crowd of over 80 people at Herns Lane which included a number of scouts working for football league sides and The Citizen's first team manager Adam Fisher.

The only goal of the game was scored in the first half by Kerem Ismail which was an impressive lob over the home keeper from the edge of the penalty box.

The young Towners have been drawn away from home in the next round where they travel to Spelthorne Sports with the game scheduled to be played the week commencing Monday 21st September. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS below

THE RED ARMY CELEBRATE A FAMOUS PREMIER DIVISION SCALP

The newly formed "RED ARMY" sang songs throughout the game such as "WE HATE LETCHWORTH" and "PREMIER LEAGUE YOU'RE AVIN' A LAUGH" during Baldock Town's FA Vase victory over St Margaretsbury last Friday evening. It was an all Spartan South Midlands League tie with Division One Baldock hosting Premier Division St Margaretsbury at Roker Park where they currently ground share with Stotfold. It was a fantastic game where five goals scored with St Margaretsbury's second a fantastic volley from just inside the penalty box. There was also a red card with the away side reduced to 10 men after around half an hour - The ball was heading towards the net and it looks like the St Mags mad handled the ball from the reaction of all the players around him in the footage I captured. The referee was very close by and there were no arguments when the red card was shown.

Going into the game St Mags had lost four of their five league games played with Baldock winning four of their six league games so the result went the way of the form book even though the two teams play at different levels on the pyramid.

The Red Army welcome Essex Senior League side FC Romania in the next round on Saturday 3rd October.

Match highlights are below and well worth a watch....

COLCHESTER AND EAST ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2015/16

Another league to start this weekend is the Colchester and East Essex Football League which for the 2015/16 season will run with three divisions and a total of thirty-two clubs.

PREMIER DIVISION
(9 clubs) 
Belle Vue Social
Bures United
Connaught Red Star
Mistley
New Field
Oyster
Tollesbury Reserves
University of Essex 'A'
Whitehall

DIVISION ONE
(11 clubs) 
Abbey Fields
Beacon Hill Rovers 'A'
Cavendish
Harwich Rangers
Langham Lodgers
Nayland Rangers
Riverbank Athletic
Sporting Rebels
Stoke by Nayland
University of Essex 'B'
Wormingford Wanderers Res

DIVISION TWO
(12 clubs)
Brantham Athletic Colts
Cavendish Reserves
Cinque Port Reserves
Colne Engaine
Heath Barbarians
Kelvedon Social 'A'
Marks Tey
Monkwick Wanderers
New Field Reserves
Stratford
Tiptree Park Reserves
Weeley Athletic Reserves

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER

AMOS CUP ROUND ONE
Sporting Rebels v Cinque Port Reserves
Colne Engaine v Nayland Rangers
Brantham Athletic Colts v Oyster
Stratford v Riverbank Athletic
Wormingford Wanderers Reserves v Belle Vue Social
Stoke-by-Nayland v Marks Tey
Whitehall v Weeley Athletic Reserves
Monkwick Wanderers v Langham Lodgers
Abbey Fields v Tiptree Park Reserves
Kelvedon Social 'A' v Harwich Rangers 
Mistley v Cavendish
Beacon Hill Rovers 'A' v New Field 

PREMIER DIVISION
Connaught Red Star v Tollesbury Reserves

DIVISION TWO
New Field Res v Cavendish Res
 

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT ROKER PARK

This season's FA Vase starts this weekend and there are three games taking place on Friday evening with one locally as Baldock Town welcome fellow Spartan South Midlands League side St Margaretsbury to Roker Park for a Division One v Premier Division tie. Baldock are currently ground sharing at Stotfold's ground and the game kicks off at 7.45pm.

Last season Bladock got through to the 1st Round where they lost away to London Colney (1-2). They had beaten Sporting Bengal United (4-1) and Long Melford (4-3) at home to get to the 1st round stage.

The Bury Boys go through to the third round where they were defeated by Stanway Rovers (0-2) at home. They had beaten Eton Manor (1-0) and Ipswich Wanderers (3-0) prior to the defeat against the Eastern Counites League side.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FOR A FIVER AT MILL FIELD

There is a chance to watch a top of the table clash in the Ryman Division One (North) tomorrow as Friday night football comes to Mill Field for the Aveley v AFC Hornchurch game.  The Millers are enticing people with a value for money entrance price of just £5. 

The match sees current table toppers Aveley play The Urchins who are in fourth place. If the away side are victorious they will go top by one point with the home side going three points clear of second placed Thamesmead Town if they record a win.

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION WEEKEND FIXTURES & FACTS/FIGURES

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2015
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN v ENFIELD TOWN 
BRENTWOOD TOWN v STAINES TOWN 
CANVEY ISLAND v HENDON 
DULWICH HAMLET v BILLERICAY TOWN 
EAST THURROCK UNITED v LEATHERHEAD 
FARNBOROUGH v MET POLICE 
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH v BURGESS HILL TOWN 
HARROW BOROUGH v KINGSTONIAN 
LEISTON v GRAYS ATHLETIC 
MERSTHAM v NEEDHAM MARKET 
VCD ATHLETIC v LEWES 
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY v TONBRIDGE ANGELS 

* TONBRIDGE ANGELS are top scorers so far scoring an amazing 23 goals in just 7 league games played which is an average of 3.28 goals a game. It took them 14 league games to get to 23 goals last season. A 7-0 win in their last game at home to VCD Athletic has helped their goals scored total.

* Four clubs remain unbeaten who are GRAYS ATHLETIC (1st), LEISTON (2nd), WINGATE AND FINCHLEY (3rd) and HARROW BOROUGH (6th).

* Three clubs are without a win so far who are NEEDHAM MARKET (20th), LEWES (23rd) and VCD ATHLETIC (24th). 

* HARROW BOROUGH have the best defensive record letting in just three goals in their six games played.

* ENFIELD TOWN have the worst record going forward scoring just two goals in seven games played. VCD ATHLETIC are just behind them scoring two goals in six games played.

* LEWES have the worst defensive record letting in 17 goals in 7 games played. 

* NEEDHAM MARKET are draw specialists with four of their seven games played ending all square.

* The biggest victory so far is 7-0 which has occured twice in the KINGSTONIAN v MET POLICE and TONBRIDGE ANGELS v VCD ATHLETIC games.

* LEATHERHEAD 4 CANVEY ISLAND 4 is the top scoring game.

* Top crowd so far was on Saturday 22nd August when 1,024 people watched DULWICH HAMLET play STAINES TOWN.

* Lowest crowd so far was the 69 loyal people who turned out to watch BRENTWOOD TOWN play VCD ATHLETIC.

COULD SUPER CAPTAIN KIRBY BE RETURNING TO ENFIELD TOWN???

Every Enfield Town supporter has been missing him since he left the club over the summer to join Ryman Premier Division rival's Hendon but news from the club's official website states the following -

"Finally, the Club is in talks with former skipper Mark Kirby, with a view to a return to the QEII Stadium, having submitted a 7-day approach to Hendon FC."

Maybe Kirbs has taken a peak at The Towners fixture list and seen we are due to host Wingate and Finchley on Monday 21st September where he can reacquaint himself with their "more flags than fans" supporters who, of course, love him lots!!

SOUTHERN COUNTIES FLOODLIT YOUTH LEAGUE 2015/16

The 2015/16 SCFYL season starts tonight with sixteen clubs competing across the Corinthain and Olympian divisions.

CORINTHIAN DIVISION 
(8 teams)
AFC DUNSTABLE
CHESHAM UNITED
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN
HILLINGDON
KENSINGTON DRAGONS
LEVERSTOCK GREEN
LUTON TOWN CEDARS
SUN SPORTS

OLYMPIAN DIVISION
(8 teams) 
BRIMSDOWN
COCKFOSTERS
HATFIELD TOWN
HODDESDON TOWN
SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN
ST MARGARETSBURY
WALTHAM ABBEY
WELWYN GARDEN CITY

THURSDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER FIXTURES

CORINTHIAN DIVISION 
AFC DUNSTABLE v LUTON TOWN CEDARS
CHESHAM UNITED v LEVERSTOCK GREEN
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN v SUN SPORTS

OLYMPIAN DIVISION 
COCKFOSTERS v WELWYN GARDEN CITY
HATFIELD TOWN v ST MARGARETSBURY
SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN v HODDESDON TOWN
WALTHAM ABBEY v BRIMSDOWN

Check out the link to the league's football mitoo page for more details on what fixtures are taking place and when. 

"THE WONDER OF YOU" - EDGWARE MARCH ON IN DIVISION ONE CUP

Edgware Town travelled to play Hatfield Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One Cup on Tuesday evening. Going into the game The Wares had been in great form winning five of their six league and cup games played including a 3-2 win over Woodford Town on Saturday in which ex Enfield Town captain Mark Kirby scored after playing two games to regain some fitness before he played for his new club Hendon against Harrow Borough on Monday afternoon. The Enfield Town connections don't stop their as Fabio Valenti is assistant manager at Silver Jubilee Park and last night they had the legend Paul Marks (playing at centre back) and Stuart Blackburne up front. Craig McKay has also played for them this season.

The blue boys, under the new management of Kevin Pearman for the 2015/16 campaign, had also made a decent start to their season winning 2, drawing 2 and losing just 1 of their league games played so far going in to the game.

A crowd of forty-three people saw this game including a healthy travelling contingent that had made the short trip up the A1 from North London. The loyal fans entertained everyone with shouts and songs of "GREEN ARMY" and a cracking rendition of Elvis Presley's The Wonder of You which I don't think I have ever heard sung at a football ground before - Keep up the support ladies and gentlemen - Amazing!!

The away side were much the better side over the 90 minutes and deserved the 1-4 win they recorded - Hatfield played well too but need a little bit more luck and to create a few more chances in the final third of the pitch. Both teams will win more games than they lose this season.

INCH & BLACKBURNE SCORE GOAL OF THE SEASON CONTENDERS

Three of the Edgware goals were fantastic finishes. Lee Inch scored the second which was a curling shot from outside of the box after a long run with the ball with Stuart Blackburne's volley from the edge of the box being the third. It's hard to chose between which one was the better goal. Abdul Mansaray added the fourth with a good finish from the right hand side of goal.

A final mention must go to non-league veteran Fergus Moore (on as a second half substitute for Edgware) whose run into the box and cross right at the end of the game is a clear indication his passion and commitment to football is seemingly neverending. He is a true legend of the local game. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 
including all the goals scored