CLAUDIO VILCU GOAL SEALS FAMOUS VICTORY FOR THE TOWNERS

WINGATE FAN'S BEHIND THE GOAL IN THE FIRST HALF - "NO FLAGS BUT FANS" LAST NIGHT - I'M SURE THEY'LL BRING SOME OF THEIR MANY FLAGS TO NEXT WEEK'S GAME AT DONKEY LANE

ENFIELD TOWN'S TRAVELLING SUPPORT IN THE SECOND HALF

When local rival's Wingate and Finchley face Enfield Town the tackles always fly in from the start of the game and it was no different last night - after only five minutes there was some 'handbags' after a late challenge from Stanley Muguo. The Town Captain was booked along with Bobby Devyne and Wingate Captain Marc Weatherstone as a result of the incident. Both teams played some good stuff, on a surface (described by many on the night as a carpet) that the home side can be rightly proud of, passing the ball with fully committed performances in a somewhat feisty affair. Every player worked hard all over the pitch - A challenge Town defender Harold Joseph (playing against his former club) put in to win the ball was strong indication to the fact nobody wanted to lose. 

HANDBALL - SHOULD ENFIELD HAVE BEEN AWARED A PENALTY IN THE FIRST HALF? SEE from 3 mins 40 secs on the video. WAS IT BALL TO HAND OR HAND TO BALL?

It was the home side who had the best goal scoring chances in the first half and they took the lead through ex Towner Billy Heally who nodded the ball home past the dive of Nathan McDonald to the delight of the home supporters. The Town keeper was class throughout the game and made a number of important stops and saves to deny Wingate another goal.

With the half time score at 1-0 Town made a famous comeback in the second half. Corey Whitely (on as a substitute) played  Devyne in with what I think was his first touch of the game for the Town forward to place the ball expertly past Wingate keeper

Town played forward looking for the all important three points with much of their play going through front-man Harry Ottaway who put in another superb performance holding the ball up and bringing other players into the game. The physical battle between him and Wingate's centre back Tarik Moore-Azille was one of the highlights of the game for me.

It was right on 90 minutes that Ottaway put a cross into the box that was knocked down for Claudio Vilcu to smash the ball home to some ecstatic scenes from the large group of travelling Enfield fans behind the goal who made up a large percentage of the 405 people in attendance. 

 Does it get any better for a football fan than a last minute winner away from home in a local-derby?

The win puts Town up into tenth place of the Ryman Premier Division table on 40 points which is just five points below fifth place - the final play-off spot. Wingate are currently in seventh place on 42 points. It was Town's fifth victory in their last six league games and their fourth away win in the twelve games they have played on their travels - three of those victories have come in their last four away games.

Wingate's form has dropped off of late - they have won two and lost four of their last six league games. They have some very good players and will, in my opinion, be up their in the race for the play-offs towards the end of the season where I also think Enfield Town will be too!! They go to Hendon on Saturday before a quick chance of revenge when they visit Donkey Lane for a Ryman League Cup Quarter-Final tie next Tuesday.

The Town entertain struggling Brentwood Town at the weekend who will be under the new management of Mike Flanagan following George Borg's exit just prior to Christmas.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM THE COLD END

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. 

Whatever you are doing have a wonderful day. 


Thankyou for all your support and for reading The Cold End throughout 2015.

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - RACE FOR THE TITLE - TABLES AND STATISTICS

PTS	TEAM (GAMES PLAYED)
49	FC ROMANIA (22)
48
47
46
45	BASILDON UNITED (19)
44	BARKING (21)
43	WADHAM LODGE (24)
42	SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN (21)
41
40
39
38	BOWERS & PITSEA (16)
37
36
35
34	ILFORD (18)
33
32	LONDON BARI (19)
31
30	CLAPTON (21)
29
28	SPORTING BENGAL UNITED (21)
27	HULLBRIDGE SPORTS (18), BURNHAM RAMBLERS (21), STANSTED (20)
26
25	TOWER HAMLETS (21)
24
23	ETON MANOR (22)
22
21
20	TAKELEY (23)
19	SOUTHEND MANOR (23)
18
17
16	GREENHOUSE SPORTS (19)
15
14	NEWHAM (21), ENFIELD 1893 (23)
13	WALTHAM FOREST (22)

There isn't really a stand out teams that is leading the way in the race for the Essex Senior League title this season - A number of teams are in with a good chance of topping the table - I would say realistically it's down to Seventh placed Ilford who are in with a decent chance of finishing in pole position. FC Romania's 5-1 home victory tonight against Sporting Bengal United sent them four points clear for Christmas but other teams have games in hand. 

If we look at the points possible table and current points per game (indicated as PPG) for the top seven it may give a different outlook on the title race with rival's Bowers and Basildon on 110 and 108 closely followed by FC Romania on 103. Wadham Lodge will be thrilled with their position in their debut season at Step Five of the non-league pyramid but have probably played too many games to be involved in the title race for this campaign. Sawbridgeworth Town have just lost their goal machine Charlie Cole (24 goals in 20 league games for Sawbo) who has moved to Ryman Divsion One (North) side Thurrock so they may well miss him in the second half of the season -

TEAM	POSSIBLE POINTS	PPG*
BOWERS & PITSEA	110	2.38
BASILDON UNITED	108	2.37
FC ROMANIA	103	2.28
BARKING	101	2.10
ILFORD	100	1.89
SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN	99	2.00
WADHAM LODGE	91	1.79

The most important games for the title chasers will be against those with them towards the top of table - The following is a table showing the current top seven's record so far against each other. Here you will see Basildon United are up for the big games winning 80% of the points on offer in the games they have played compared to just 20% for Sawbo -

POS in table	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	FC ROMANIA	6	4	1	1	+5	13
2	BASILDON UNITED	5	4	0	1	+5	12
3	BARKING	6	2	1	3	-2	7
4	WADHAM LODGE	6	1	2	3	+1	5
5	SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN	5	1	0	4	-10	3
6	BOWERS & PITSEA	4	1	2	1	+1	5
7	ILFORD	4	1	2	1	+2	5

FORTHCOMING KEY FIXTURES 

Saturday 26th December 
BARKING v FC ROMANIA

Sunday 27th December
WADHAM LODGE v ILFORD

Saturday 2nd January
BARKING v BOWERS & PITSEA

Tuesday 5th January
BASILDON UNITED v ILFORD

Saturday 9th January
BOWERS & PITSEA v WADHAM LODGE

Saturday 16th January
ILFORD v BOWERS & PITSEA

Saturday 23rd January
WADHAM LODGE v BASILDON UNITED

Tuesday 26th January
BOWERS & PITSEA v ILFORD

WEATHER WINS AT HERTINGFORDBURY PARK

SOGGY CONDITIONS AT HERTFORD TOWN ON TUESDAY EVENING

 Premier Divsion Hertford Town welcomed Division One Woodford Town to Hertingfordbury Park for a Spartan South Midlands League Cup Round Two clash. The forecast rain had begun to fall at around 6.30pm in the local area and with the Welwyn Garden City v Edgware Town game postponed many of the fans and spectators arriving were surprised to see the game was on with the pitch slightly wet but in a playable condition at kick off. Despite the difficult conditions both sides played some good football with lots of goal-mouth action - Hertford raced in to a 2-0 lead only for Woodford to make an amazing come back to make the score 2-3 at half time. Their second goal from Kamal Miah stood out which was a looping strike from outside of the box. Hertford Town could of scored at least two more goals had they been a little more composed in front of goal  and a great save made by Woodford keeper Robert Fanella. Even Hertford keeper Harry Ricketts nearly scored with a wind assisted kick which was cleared just in time by Fanella.

The rain began to fall heavier during the last 10 minutes of the half and throughout the break putting lots of standing water on the pitch and making it unplayable giving the referee no choice but to abandon the game. The date for the rearranged game has yet to be decided. The nearby game at The Gosling Stadium in Welwyn also ended at half time with Hoddesdon Town 0-2 up against Codicote.

The fact the game went ahead in the first place is tremendous credit to the Hertford town groundsmen Brian Jennings and Col Mason who have, along with a few helping hands, have made the pitch playable and decent- Only a few seasons ago a light sprinkling of rain would of seen many games called off at Hertingfordbury Park. If the league gave awards out for most improved pitch and playing surface it would go to Hertford Town in my opinion.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
including all five goals scored








 

FA VASE - THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY - UPDATE

Two clubs from each of the Spartan South Midlands League and Essex Senior League have qualified for the Fourth Round of the FA Vase which will rise to one league having three with the long awaited FC Broxbourne Borough v Bowers & Pitsea game scheduled for this Wednesday evening. If both North and South Shields win their Third Round clashes there could be a massive local derby with the clubs playing on opposite sides of the River Tyne. South Shields currently top Division Two of the Northern League (step 6 of the non-league ladder) with North Shields in tenth place of Division One. I'm sure both their Third Round opponent's Runcorn Town and Morpeth Town will have something to say about the game taking place.  North Shields are the current holders of the Vase of course. 

In the Fourth Round Hullbridge Sports, who have reached the last 32 for the third season in a row, visit Berkhamsted and FC Romania host Combined Counties League side Camberley Town. AFC Dunstable have a tough tie at home to Salisbury FC who are currently rated at 4/1 second favourites to win the competition. The winners of the FC Broxbourne v Bowers game will face a home tie against Combined Counties League side Sutton Common Rovers. 

The one remaining Eastern Counties League side are Ipswich Wanderers and they face a mammoth away trip to the winner of the Welton Rovers (430 mile round trip) v Bodmin Town (660 miles) tie. 

Fans of Sunderland FC may like to visit local club Sunderland Ryhope Community Associaition to take their minds off the fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League - RCA face United Counites League side Sleaford Town at home in the Fourth Round.

The favourites for the Vase are still Hereford FC (rated as low as 2/1 for the competition) who play Leicester Nirvana at Edgar Steet.  

FA VASE THIRD ROUND - REMAINING FIXTURES

TUESDAY 22nd DECEMBER 2015
Dunston UTS v Seaham Red Star
Marske United v Team Northumbria
Newton Aycliffe v Atherton Collieries
South Shields v Morpeth Town
Brimscombe & Thrupp v Moneyfields (replay)
Welton Rovers v Bodmin Town

WEDNESDAY 23rd DECEMBER 2015 
FC Broxbourne Borough v Bowers & Pitsea

Runcorn Town v North Shields (replay) - to be arranged 

FA VASE FOURTH ROUND FIXTURES

SATURDAY 9th JANUARY 2016
Cleethorpes Town v Alvechurch
Hereford v Leicester Nirvana
South Shields or Morpeth v North Shields or Runcorn Town
Coleshill Town v Dunston UTS or Seaham
AFC Wulfrunians v Nuneaton Griff
Sunderland RCA v Sleaford Town
Newton Aycliffe or Atherton v Marske United or Team Northumbria
FC Broxbourne Borough or Bowers & Pitsea v Sutton Common Rovers
Kidlington v Knaphill
Newport (IOW) v Ashford United
Moneyfields or Brimscombe & Thrupp v Bristol Manor Farm
FC Romania v Camberley Town
Berkhamsted v Hullbridge Sports
Hartley Witney v Bradford Town
Welton Rovers or Bodmin Town v Ispwich Wanderers

SUNDAY 10th JANUARY 2016
AFC Dunstable v Salisbury 

WHERE TO WATCH LOCAL FOOTBALL THIS CHRISTMAS?

The festive period is upon so there is plenty of opportunity to catch a game in the local area with many local derby games taking place over Christmas. Here's a quick look at what games are on over the next week prior to the New Year Period. It's definately worth getting out to watch a game -

MONDAY 21st DECEMBER

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
THAMESMEAD TOWN v AFC HORNCHURCH

TUESDAY 22nd DECEMBER

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION
BILLERICAY TOWN v GRAYS ATHLETIC
BRENTWOOD TOWN v LEISTON
LEWES v ENFIELD TOWN 

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
REDBRIDGE v BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT

EVO-STIK SOUTHERN PREMIER*
CHESHAM UNITED v CAMBRIDGE CITY 

EVO-STIK DIVISION ONE (CENTRAL)
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS v EGHAM TOWN
AYLESBURY v CHALFONT ST PETER
FLEET TOWN v KINGS LANGLEY
GODALMING TOWN v HANWELL TOWN

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE
NEWHAM v ETON MANOR

PREMIER DIVISION v DIVISION ONE ON TUESDAY NIGHT - SHOULD BE A DECENT GAME?

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY
CODICOTE v HODDESDON TOWN
HERTFORD TOWN v WOODFORD TOWN
LONDON TIGERS v ST ALBANS CITY RES
WELWYN GARDEN CITY v EDGWARE TOWN

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CUP
HILLINGDON BOROUGH v BROADFIELDS UNITED 

HITCHINGBROOKE TROPHY
STOTFOLD v EYNESBURY ROVERS 

WEDNESDAY 23rd DECEMBER

MIDWEEK FA VASE ACTION AT GOFFS LANE SHOULD ATTRACT A GOOD CROWD IN HERTFORDSHIRE

FA VASE THIRD ROUND
FC BROXBOURNE BOROUGH v BOWERS & PITSEA

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY
HADLEY v AFC DUNSTABLE

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
CRAWLEY GREEN v AMPTHILL TOWN

SATURDAY 26th DECEMBER

VANARAMA NATIONAL DIVISION*
BOREHAM WOOD v BRAINTREE TOWN
BROMLEY v EASTLEIGH
WELLING UNITED v DOVER ATHLETIC

VANARAMA SOUTH DIVISION*
BISHOPS STORTFORD v ST ALBANS CITY
CHELMSFORD CITY v DARTFORD
EBBSFLEET UNITED v CONCORD RANGERS
HAYES & YEADING UNITED v WESTON-SUPER-MARE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN v WEALDSTONE
MARGATE v MAIDSTONE UNITED
SUTTON UNITED v BASINGSTOKE TOWN

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN v LEWES
BRENTWOOD TOWN v GRAYS ATHLETIC - 1pm
CANVEY ISLAND v BILLERICAY TOWN  - 1pm
DULWICH HAMLET v KINGSTONIAN
EAST THURROCK UNITED v ENFIELD TOWN - 1pm
FARNBOROUGH v BURGESS HILL TOWN
HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH v STAINES TOWN
HARROW BOROUGH v HENDON
LEISTON v NEEDHAM MARKET - 1pm
MERSTHAM v LEATHERHEAD
VCD ATHLETIC v TONBRIDGE ANGELS
WINGATE & FINCHLEY v MET POLICE - 12pm

EVO STIK SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION*
BIGGLESWADE UNITED v ST NEOTS TOWN
CAMBRIDGE CITY v HISTON
DUNSTABLE TOWN v HITCHIN TOWN
SLOUGH TOWN v CHESHAM UNITED 

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
BURY TOWN v DEREHAM TOWN - 1pm
MALDON & TIPTREE v TILBURY - 1pm
PHOENIX SPORTS v CRAY WANDERERS  - 1pm
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS v WROXHAM
WALTHAM ABBEY v CHESHUNT - 1pm
WITHAM TOWN v AFC SUDBURY 

ALSO KNOWN AS THE 'EX QUACKICO' - LOCAL PRIDE AT STAKE IN AYLESBURY

EVO STIK DIVISION ONE (CENTRAL)
ARLESEY TOWN v POTTERS BAR TOWN
AYLESBURY v AYLESBURY UNITED
BEDFORD TOWN v AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS
CHALFONT ST PETER v WARE
GODALMING TOWN v FLEET TOWN
LEIGHTON TOWN v BARTON ROVERS
NORTH GREENFORD UNITED v HANWELL TOWN
NORTHWOOD v KINGS LANGLEY
ROYSTON TOWN v ST IVES TOWN
UXBRIDGE v PETERSFIELD TOWN

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE
BARKING v FC ROMANIA

SUNDAY 27th DECEMBER

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT v HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE
WADHAM LODGE v ILFORD

MONDAY 28th DECEMBER

VANARAMA NATIONAL DIVISION*
BRAINTREE TOWN v WELLING UNITED
WOKING v BOREHAM WOOD

VANARAMA SOUTH DIVISION*
BASINGSTOKE TOWN v HAYES AND YEADING UNITED
CONCORD RANGERS v BISHOPS STORTFORD
DARTFORD v MARGATE
MAIDENHEAD UNITED v HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN
MAIDSTONE UNITED v EASTBOURNE BOROUGH
ST ALBANS CITY v CHELMSFORD CITY
WEALDSTONE v SUTTON UNITED
WHITEHAWK v EBBSFLEET UNITED 

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
AVELEY v THAMESMEAD TOWN - 2pm
BARKINGSIDE v HARINGEY BOROUGH - 7.45pm
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS v AFC HORNCHURCH
REDBRIDGE v HARLOW TOWN 

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE
HULLBRIDGE SPORTS v ETON MANOR
STANSTED v BASILDON UNITED
TAKELEY v BOWERS AND PITSEA

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
BEDFORD v AFC DUNSTABLE
COCKFOSTERS v LONDON TIGERS
HADLEY v WELWYN GARDEN CITY
HAREFIELD UNITED v WEMBLEY
HODDESDON TOWN v HERTFORD TOWN
LEVERSTOCK GREEN v HOLMER GREEN
LONDON COLNEY v COLNEY HEATH
STOTFOLD v BIGGLESWADE UNITED
TRING ATHLETIC v BERKHAMSTED

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
ARLESEY TOWN RES v BALDOCK TOWN
CHESHAM UNITED RES v AMPTHILL TOWN
CODICOTE v HATFIELD TOWN
CRAWLEY GREEN v LANGFORD
HARPENDEN TOWN v WODSON PARK
RISBOROUGH RANGERS v NEW BRADWELL ST PETER
SOUTHALL v BROADFIELDS UNITED
WINSLOW UNITED v BUCKINGHAM ATHLETIC
WOODFORD TOWN v BRIMSDOWN

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
ASTON CLINTON v PITSTONE & IVINGHOE
THE 61 FC v AFC HILLGATE

TUESDAY 29th DECEMBER

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION
STAINES TOWN v FARNBOROUGH 
WINGATE & FINCHLEY v ENFIELD TOWN

EVO STIK SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION*
BIGGLESWADE TOWN v CAMBRIDGE CITY 
 
RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH)
THURROCK v ROMFORD 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION 
ST MARGARESTSBURY v FC BROXBOURNE BOROUGH

* denotes selected fixtures only

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION ALTERNATE TABLE

POINTS	TEAM (GAMES PLAYED)
43	DULWICH HAMLET (24), HAMPTON & RICHMOND (23)
42	TONBRIDGE ANGELS (22), KINSTONIAN (23)
41	BILLERICAY TOWN(26)
40
39	WINGATE & FINCHLEY (23), LEISTON (23)
38	BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (22)
37	GRAYS ATHLETIC (22) CANVEY ISLAND (24)
36
35	BURGESS HILL TOWN (24)
34	EAST THURROCK UNTED (21), HARROW BOROUGH (24), MET POLICE (23)
33
32	MERTSHAM (26)
31	ENFIELD TOWN (22)
30
29	STAINES TOWN (21)
28	LEATHERHEAD (23), NEEDHAM MARKET (25)
27	HENDON (27)
26
25
24
23
22
21
20	BRENTWOOD TOWN (21), FARNBOROUGH (23)
19	VCD ATHLETIC (24)
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8	LEWES (24)

The above is an alternate Ryman Premier Division table and is a good indication as to how tight the race for the title with the top ten teams currently seperated by just six points. The Cold End as an Enfield Town is encouraged to see The Towner's just ten points off of the play-off places with seventy-two points still to play for.

Town are scheduled to play two important games prior to Christmas Day with a home game against Canvey Island tomorrow and then a trip to Lewes on Tuesday evening. The Rooks are anchored to the bottom of the table on just eight points with just one win in their twenty-four games played but their most recent game was a 1-1 home draw against Leiston. Their game against Farnborough at The Dripping Pan tomorrow is a definate MUST WIN game for them.

Current table topper's Dulwich Hamlet have played twenty-four games with many clubs below them having games in hand so there really is a chance for a number of teams to get involved in the title race.

The average percentage for games lost for the Champions over the last ten season's is 13.56% - If Dulwich Hamlet remain unbeaten until the end of the season from now they will end with a loss percentage of 15.22% - Their current figure is 29.17%. The best two teams currently are Hampton at 17.39% and Tonbridge Angels at 18.18%.

bet365.com make Tonbridge Angels favourites at 5/2 followed by Dulwich Hamlet at 7/2, Kingstonian and Hampton at 7/1 and Leiston at 12/1. Enfield Town are 66/1! 

SCHEDULED GAMES TOMORROW 
involving current top five
GRAYS ATHELTIC (9th) v DULWICH HAMLET (1st) 
MET POLICE (14th) v HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH (2nd) 
TONBRIDGE ANGELS (3rd) v HARROW BOROUGH (13th)
KINGSTONIAN (4th) v EAST THURROCK UNITED (12th)
BILLERICAY TOWN (5th) v BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (8th) 

FC ROMANIA THROUGH TO FA VASE FOURTH ROUND

HERTFORD TOWN'S FA VASE ADVENTURE ENDED TODAY

Essex Senior League side FC Romania continued their amazing FA Vase run on Saturday afternoon when they dominated their opponents from the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Hertford Town and left Hertingfordbury Park with a memorable 0-2 victory. Backed by a large and noisy group of supporters who contributed to a great atmosphere in the crowd of 231 in attendance with singing, drumming and letting off a number of red, blue and yellow flares to match their three large Romanian flags they brought with them.

TWO VIEWS OF THE FC ROMANIA FANS PROUDLY SUPPORTING THEIR TEAM

FC Romania's goals came in the first half and towards the end of the game when they had dropped back to defend deeper and a long ball forward allowed their player to break, knock the ball in the net and then join the supporters in celebration.

THE RED CARD INCIDENT IN PICTURES - WAS IT OR WASN'T IT A FOUL?

They had been reduced to 10 men just prior to half time in what can be looked at as quite a controversial decision that divided opinion on the terraces - Was it a well timed tackle or a two footed lunge? -  Have a look at the replay on 5m 35s on the video and see what you think?  

The Blue's manager Paul Halsey will be very disappointed and frustrated at this result - and his side's current form after their excellent start to the season. After losing just two of their first nineteen league and cup games they have lost four in their last six.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 



FC Romania are joined by fellow Essex Senior League side Hullbridge Sports (2-0 winners v Stanway Rovers) but not Basildon United who lost 4-0 at AFC Dunstable who are one of the two Spartan South Midlands League side's through - the other one being Berkhamsted who impressively won 2-3 at Saffron Walden Town. SSMFL Division One side Edgware Town were knocked out at Silver Jubilee Park by Ipswich Wanderers who won 0-3. The game between FC Broxbourne Borough and Bowers & Pitsea has been re scheduled for Tuesday evening as the pitch at Goffs Lane was waterlogged today.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS
courtesy of @Luke_MFC
give him a follow on twitter please

 

FA SUNDAY CUP THIRD ROUND THIS WEEKEND

Sunday 13th December 2015
Kick off at 1pm
Custys v Seymour AFC at The North Field, Jericho Lane, Liverpool 
Queens Park v The Molly at West Kirby 
Black Bull v Oyster Martyrs at Widnes Vikings
Mayfair v Witton Park Rose & Crown at Marine
Home & Bargain v Campfield at Alder Sports & Social Club 
Newton Aycliffe WMC VS Burradon & New Fordley at Newton Aycliffe  
Hardwick Social v West Bowling AFC at Stockton Town
Attenborough Cavaliers v OJM at Dunkirk 
Sporting Dynamo v Black Horse (Redditch) at Ibstock United 
Frolesworth United v Quorn Royals 2008 at Lutterworth Soccer Centre
Victoria Millers v New Salamis at Whitworths Sports Ground, Wellingborough 
Broadfields United (Sunday) v NLO at Harefield United 
St Josephs (Sunday) v Green Man (Luton) at Arlesey Town 
FC Houghton v British Airways HEW at Dunstable Town 
Victoria Cross v Barnes AFC at Christchurch
AFC Links v Lebeqs Tavern Courage at Colliers Wood United  

The FA Sunday Cup Third Round games are due to be played this weekend with a number of locally based clubs in action.

New Salamis (with a record of 6 wins and one draw in the Kopa League and one of last season's semi-finalists) make the journey from North London to Northamptonshire to play Victoria Millers who have won nine and lost one in their Rushden and District Division One season so far - This should be an excellent game between two very good sides.

There is an all Middlesex clash at Harefield United as Broadfields United (Sunday) (of the Harrow Sunday League) take on North London Olympians (aka NLO) (of the West Middlesex Sunday League)

An all Luton derby game takes place at Arlesey Town as St Joseph's take on Green Man who both compete in the North Home Counties League. Green Man narrowly won 2-1 in their league game on Sunday 11th October.

Why not make your way down to a game this Sunday? 
  

MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - RACE FOR THE TITLE

CURRENT TABLE 
TOP SEVEN ONLY 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	WIN%	PPG	FORM
1	LPOSSA	15	+29	32	60.00%	2.13	WWWDDW
2	NEW HANFORD	14	+21	32	71.43%	2.29	WWDWLL
3	HILLINGDON	14	+12	30	64.29%	2.14	LWWWDL
4	WEST ESSEX	11	+24	29	81.81%	2.64	WWWWWW
5	BRITISH AIRWAYS	15	+6	28	60.00%	1.87	LWWLWL
6	INDIAN GYMKHANA	14	+9	27	57.14%	1.95	LWDLWW
7	PITSHANGHER DYNAMO	14	+16	24	57.14%	1.71	LWLLWW

2014/15 Champion's Hillingdon and runner's up LPOSSA currently occupy two of the top three spaces in the Middlesex County League Premier Division. Division One (West) Champion's New Hanford are the other side with fourth placed West Essex maybe best placed with games in hand, currently unbeaten and only three points off of top spot.

West Essex known as The Stags were formed in 1989 and are based in Highams Park but for this season have been groundsharing at Essex Senior League Barking. Their only dropped points have come in two draws against AFC Wembley (2-2) and Tooting and Mitcham Wanderers (1-1). They are currently on a seven match winning run in league fixtures.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Saturday 12th December
British Airways v Kensington Dragons
C.B. Hounslow United Reserves v AFC Wembley
Cricklewood Wanderers v Pitshanger Dynamo
Hillingdon v FC Assyria
Indian Gymkhana Club v New Hanford
South Kilburn v LPOSSA
Southall Res v FC Deportivo Galicia
Sporting Hackney v Tooting & Mitcham Wanderers
West Essex v Kilburn

Saturday 19th December
AFC Wembley v Hillingdon
British Airways v Cricklewood Wanderers
FC Assyria v C.B. Hounslow United Reserves
FC Deportivo Galicia v Kensington Dragons
Indian Gymkhana Club v Southall Res
Kilburn v LPOSSA
New Hanford v Tooting & Mitcham Wanderers
Pitshanger Dynamo v South Kilburn
Sporting Hackney v West Essex

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - UPDATE

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CURRENT TABLE - TOP FIVE ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	LAST SIX
1	LONDON COLNEY	19	+31	44	WWWDWW
2	AFC DUNSTABLE	18	+32	42	DLLWWW
3	BERKHAMSTED	17	+28	36	WLWLWD
4	WELWYN GARDEN CITY	18	+25	35	LWWDWD
5	HODDESDON TOWN	16	+23	35	WWWLWW
6	HERTFORD TOWN	17	+21	31	LWWLLL
7	HADLEY	17	+14	31	DLWWWL
8	HOLMER GREEN	19	-5	31	WLLWLW

In the race for the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division title there is now a gap opening up between current table topper's London Colney along with second placed AFC Dunstable and the rest of the table. Third placed Berkhamsted and fifth placed Hoddesdon Town with games in hand are best placed at present to close the gap. The Lillywhites have won five in their last six leage games against AFC Dunstable, Hadley, Holmer Green, Berkhamsted and St Margaretsbury as well as a defeat to Wembley. At Lowfield they have a highly impressive record of seven wins and one draw in eight games played letting in just three goals along the way.

Hertford Town were unbeaten in their first eleven games but have since lost four in six so have dropped down to sixth place. London Colney have just one defeat in their nineteen games played which came very unexpectedly 0-2 at home to London Tigers on Tuesday 13th October.

Berkhamsted's squad has been recently bolstered by the arrival of Alex Campana from last season's champion's Kings Langley. The ex Watford player was one of the best performers in the league last season hitting the back of the net of a regular basis.

SOME FACTS AND FIGURES ON THE SEASON SO FAR

NO HOME DEFEATS - Berkhamsted and Hoddesdon Town
NO AWAY DEFEATS - London Colney
NO AWAY WINS - Leverstock Green
MOST GOALS SCORED - 51 Hertford Town
LEAST GOALS SCORED - 15 Colney Heath
LEAST GOALS CONCEDED - 10 Hoddesdon Town
MOST GOALS CONCEDED - 58 St Margaretsbury

FORTHCOMING KEY FIXTURES

Saturday 12th December
HADLEY v LONDON COLNEY 
Colney take their unbeaten away record to seventh placed Hadley

Saturday 19th December 
AFC DUNSTABLE v LONDON COLNEY
What a game at Creasey Park. A top of the table clash where the result could have a huge influence on where the title may end up at the business end of the season.

Monday 28th December 
HADLEY v WELWYN GARDEN CITY
Two of the teams who have a chance of being involved in the race for the title 

HODDESDON TOWN v HERTFORD TOWN 
A massive Christmas local derby which should attract a good crowd to Lowfield

TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH - ALL ROADS LEAD TO CREASEY PARK ON SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION - UPDATE

RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION CURRENT TABLE

TEAM	P	GD	PTS	LAST SIX
DULWICH HAMLET	23	+23	42	12
TONBRIDGE ANGELS	21	+26	41	11
KINGSTONIAN	22	+15	39	13
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY	22	+12	39	10
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN	21	+13	38	10
BILLERICAY TOWN	25	+10	38	12
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH	21	+11	37	11
LEISTON	21	+9	37	5
CANVEY ISLAND	23	+1	37	4
EAST THURROCK UNITED	21	+16	34	13
GRAYS ATHLETIC	20	+10	34	10
HARROW BOROUGH	23	+6	34	6
MET POLICE	22	-14	33	13
BURGESS HILL TOWN	23	-3	32	8
MERSTHAM	25	-12	31	7
STAINES TOWN	18	-2	29	10
ENFIELD TOWN	20	0	25	5
LEATHERHEAD	22	-8	25	4
NEEDHAM MARKET	23	-12	25	16
HENDON	25	-11	24	5
FARNBOROUGH	21	-17	20	8
BRENTWOOD TOWN	20	-11	19	8
VCD ATHLETIC	23	-29	16	11
LEWES	23	-33	7	1

Dulwich Hamlet currently lead the Ryman Premier Division but Tonbridge Angels, Bognor Regis Town, Hampton and Richmond, Leiston, Grays Athletic and even Staines Town (currently in 16th placed) can all go ahead of the South London side IF they win all their games in hand. Both Kingstonian and Wingate & Finchley can go level with Hamlet if they both win their game in hand over them. The form side of the division are Needham Market who have five wins and one draw in their last six games - this came after The Marketmen won just one game in their opening 17 games. Lewes are rock bottom on just seven points -They are now 17 points away from 20th place and out of the bottom four.

POINTS PER GAME LEAGUE TABLE 
TOP TEN ONLY

POSITION	TEAM	POINTS PER GAME
1	TONBRIDGE ANGELS	1.95
2	DULWICH HAMLET	1.82
3	BOGNOR REGIS TOWN	1.81
4=	KINGSTONIAN	1.77
4=	WINGATE & FINCHLEY	1.77
6=	HAMPTON & RICHMOND	1.76
6=	LEISTON	1.76
8	GRAYS ATHLETIC	1.70
9	EAST THURROCK UNITED	1.62
10	STAINES TOWN	1.61

SOME RANDOM FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT THE SEASON SO FAR

* Climbing up the table? - VCD have earned 68.75% of their points total in their last six games.
* Dropping down the table? - CANVEY ISLAND have earned only 10.81%  of their points total in their last six games with LEISTON at 13.51%
* LEWES are the only side without a home league win. They have played 10 games at The Dripping Pan with only two draws and eight defeats.
* ENFIELD TOWN have only hit the back of the net three times away from Donkey Lane in eight league games.  Their goal scoring tally for those matches reads 00010200. Amazingly only TONBRIDGE ANGELS (5), WINGATE & FINCHLEY (10), BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (8) and LEISTON (9) have a better defensive record on their travels - Town have only conceded 12 goals.
* FARNBOROUGH are still without a win away from home. They have just one point from a possible thirty on offer on the road which came in a 1-1 draw at BRENTWOOD TOWN last Saturday.
* DULWICH HAMLET and EAST THURROCK UNITED have scored the most goals with a total of 49. The Essex side have got their total in just 21 games compared to Hamlet which puts them at 2.33 goals scored per game marginally ahead of Hamlet on 2.13 goals per game (23 games).
* LEWES have let in the most goals conceding 53 in 23 games.
* TONBRIDGE ANGELS have the best defence at present letting in just 17 goals in their 21 games played. 

FORTHCOMING KEY GAMES

Saturday 12th December 
HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH v GRAYS ATHLETIC
Can Hampton build upon their excellent come back versus Enfield Town last weekend. A win could put them in a play-off position depending on other results. Since winning at Lesiton and Canvey Island in early September Athletic have only played three times away from home in the league due to their involvement in the FA Cup and Trophy. They have lost 3-0 at Leatherhead and 3-2 at Wingate & Finchley followed by a 2-2 draw at Hendon on Saturday. 

Tuesday 15th December
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH v BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
The Beavers will be very happy with six points from their two forthcoming home games. Bognor will be very tough opponents for the Middlesex side. 

Saturday 19th December
BILLERICAY TOWN v BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
Another tough away trip for Bognor. Both teams will not want to lose this game.

GRAYS ATHLETIC v DULWICH HAMLET
A tough trip for Dulwich and a game Grays will need to win to keep in touch with the play-off and possible title race. 

Tuesday 22nd December 
BILLERICAY TOWN v GRAYS ATHLETIC
A massive Essex derby game at New Lodge 

Saturday 26th December 
DULWICH HAMLET v KINGSTONIAN
A boxing day clash that both teams will want to win. This should attract a decent crowd to Champion Hill. 

Tuesday 29th December 
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY v ENFIELD TOWN
The real North London Derby - The Towner's will want to do the double over their rivals following the 2-0 win at Donkey Lane earlier in the season. 

2016 kicks off with a massive game at Longmeadow when Tonbridge Angels welcome Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday 2nd January. Could the result of this game influence where the title ends up at the end of the season?

 

FA TROPHY FIRST ROUND DRAW - UPDATE

Five Ryman League sides remain in the FA Trophy at the First Round stage where Vanarama National League sides enter the competition. Division One (North) sides Tilbury and Bury Town, Division One (South) Corinthian Casuals and Premier Division East Thurrock United and Dulwich Hamlet are all still on the road to Wembley. 

The Dockers continued their wondeful run by beating Vanarama South side Bishops Stortford 3-0 at Chadfields, Bury Town beat fellow D1N side Thurrock 4-2 at Ram Meadow with Dulwich Hamlet defeating Vanarama South side Maragate 2-1 at Champion Hill with two late goals from Ethan Pinnock and Ashley Carew. East Thurrock United went through with a midweek home replay 3-1 at home to Merthyr Town with Cointhian Casuals scoring a very late goal in their midweek replay against Grays Athletic to seal a famous 1-0 victory. Juevan Spencer scored the all important goal. 

 

There will be definitely one Ryman League side in the Second Round Proper as Bury Town play Dulwich Hamlet. Last season's winners North Ferriby United were knocked out at the Third Qualifying Round stage by Stocksbridge Park Steels who now travel to Gateshead. 

 

It's no surprise to the see Vanarama National big guns leading the betting with Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers and Grimsby Town at 8/1 followed by Eastleigh at 10/1 & Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham at 12/1. Rovers face Wrexham at Prenton Park so one of the bigger teams will be out by the second round stage.

The winners of the First Round games receive £5,000 from the Football Association's prize fund.

FA TROPHY FIRST ROUND DRAW 

scheduled to be played on Saturday 12th December

Ryman League sides in red 

 

FC Halifax Town v Tamworth
Grimsby Town v Solihull Moors
Sutton Coldfield Town v Barrow
Marine or  Burscough v Guiseley
Macclesfield Town v Ashton United
Nantwich Town v Matlock Town
Southport v Worcester City
Curzon Ashton v Nuneaton Town
Altrincham v Leamington
AFC Telford United v Chester
Stourbridge v Kidderminster Harriers
Gateshead v Stocksbridge Park Steels
AFC Fylde v Skelmersdale United
Buxton or Bradford (Park Avenue) v Lincoln City
Tranmere Rovers v Wrexham
Eastbourne Borough v Hemel Hempstead Town
Tilbury v Welling United
Truro City v Cirencester Town
Torquay United v Chesham United
Whitehawk v Dover Athletic 

Corinthian Casuals v Hungerford Town
Boreham Wood v Woking
Concord Rangers v Lowestoft Town
Maidstone United v Bognor Regis Town
Cheltenham Town v Chelmsford City
East Thurrock United v Maidenhead United
Oxford City v Ebbsfleet United
Aldershot Town v Eastleigh
Weston Super Mare v Wealdstone
Havant & Waterlooville v Forest Green Rovers
Bury Town v Dulwich Hamlet
Braintree Town v Bromley

AFC DUNSTABLE THROUGH IN THE VASE WITH VICTORY AT STOTFOLD

Stotfold welcomed fellow Spartan South Midlands Premier Division AFC Dunstable to Roker Park on Saturday 21st November 2015 for an FA Vase Second Round tie. The visitors have assembled an exciting squad and are one of the favourites for the league title with many players having represented teams higher than their current step five level on the non-league ladder.

Stotfold's midweek game had been abandoned due to high winds meaning one of their key players Ben L'Honore (ex Enfield Town) had to sit out this game to finish his suspension. There were further Enfield football connections as another ex Towner in defender Newman Carney started for AFC Dunstable and Drew Cardines (nephew of the ex Enfield FC striker Colin Cardines) in the starting XI for the home side.

The away side were the better side with three well taken goals from their impressive strike force of Jermaine Hall and BJ Christie (2). The scoreline could of been a little better for AFC as they did get the ball in the back of the net a further three times only for them to be disallowed for offside decisions.

On a heavy pitch Stotfold played some decent football too but lacked the cutting edge in the final third of the pitch where they really missed the aforementioned L'Honore - They appear to be building a good squad and on this showing I think they will finish a lot higher in the league than their current fifteenth position. The teams face each other again at Roker Park tomorrow in a league game.

AFC Dunstable have been given a home draw in the third round against Essex Senior League side Basildon United which should be a very good game to watch. The match was played in good spirits but there were two late (but clearly not malicious) challenges from Stotfold players during the game which resulted in yellow cards being dished out by the referee - could (or should) the referee have given a red card in either one? See from 3m 5secs and 4m 46s. 

86 people watched the action - highlights with all four goals scored can be viewed below.




FA VASE THIRD ROUND DRAW 2015/16
scheduled to be played on the weekend of Saturday 12th December
Essex Senior League clubs in blue 
Spartan South Midlands in red  
Marske United v Team Northumbria
Sunderland RCA v Tadcaster Albion 
Newton Aycliffe v Atherton Collieries
South Shields v Morpeth Town
North Shields v Runcorn Town
Dunston UTS v Seaham Red Star
Alsager Town v AFC Wulfunians
St Andrews v Leicester Nirvana
Handsworth Parramore v Cleethorpes Town
Pinxton v Nuneaton Griff
Walsall Wood v Alvechurch
Uttoxeter Town v Coleshill Town
Hereford v Brocton
Saffron Walden Town v Berkhamsted 
FC Broxbourne Borough v Bowers & Pitsea 
Hullbridge Sports v Stanway Rovers
AFC Dunstable v Basildon United 
Edgware Town v Ipswich Wanderers
Yaxley v Sleaford Town
Hertford Town v FC Romania
Colliers Wood United v Hartley Wintney
Thame United v Kidlington
Ascot United v Camberley Town
Lordswood v Ashford United
Eastbourne Town v Sutton Common Rovers
Tadley Calleva v Newport (IOW)
Canterbury City v Knaphill
Moneyfields v Brimscombe & Thrupp
Buckland Athletic v Bradford Town
Highworth Town v Salisbury
Welton Rovers v Bodmin Town
Bristol Manor Farm v Hengrove Athletic

CURRENT BETTING
odds via betvictor.com - top six + selected others
Hereford FC 5/2, Salisbury 9/2, Alvechurch 8/1, Marske United 10/1, Morpeth Town 10/1 and Handsworth Parramore 12/1.
AFC Dunstable 16/1, Bowers and Pitsea 33/1, Basildon United, FC Romania, Hertford Town, Hullbridge Sports - all 50/1 Berkhamsted, Edgware Town and FC Broxbourne Borough all 66/1.

The favourites are still Hereford FC who are currently top of the Midland Football League Premier Division. They will be strong favourites when Brocton FC (currently 20th in the MFL Premier) visit Edgar Street in the Third Round. The Badgers have only won three of their nineteen league games so far and entered the competition at the second round stage where they beat Coventry Sphinx 2-3. Hereford won the away league game 0-4 on Saturday 17th October.