Friday, 27 February 2015

NUMBERS - SOME FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT THE RYMAN LEAGUE

Coincidence & Consistency - Back on Saturday 18th October the top five in the Premier Division were Maidstone United, Margate, Dulwich Hamlet, Hendon and the Metropolitan Police. The same teams currently occupy the current top five. Since then The Stones have lost 3 of 18 games played, The Gate 4/17, Hamlet 4/19, Hendon 3/14 and Met Police 4/18.

37 - AFC Hornchurch have the fifth best defensive record in the Premier Division conceding just 1.19 goals per game but they are still fighting against relegation as they have only scored 26 amounting to 0.84 per game. The only other side with a lower total than them in bottom of the table Bury Town on 25 goals (0.69 gpg) who they face tomorrow at Ram Meadow. 0-0 draw anyone?? 

8 - There is now an eight point gap opened up between Witham Town in 19th and AFC Hornchurch in the first relegation spot (21st). Is it going to be four of the current bottom five who end up going down? 

3 - Enfield Town have the lowest amount of draws with just three of their 34 games ending all square. Witham Town have drawn 12 of their 31 games played. 

8 and 7 - Amazingly Ware (10th in Division One (North)) have only lost eight of their thirty-three games played compared to title challenger's and current second placed Needham Market who have lost seven in thirty-four. The points difference between the two is 26! 

112 - Burnham Ramblers, bottom of the table in Division One (North), have conceded one-hundred and twelve goals in their thirty five games played. They were celebrating last weekend as their 1-2 win at Thamesmead Town was their fist away win of the season. 

Burnham's result last weekend now means every team across the three divisions has at least one win home and away from home. 

Zero - Burgess Hill Town are top of Division One (South) and have the incredible record of being unbeaten in the league in thirty-two games played. Tomorrow they take that run to Walton and Hersham. The Stompond Lane club are currently in 16th place. The only games they have lost this season were in the FA Cup and FA Trophy both times against Vanarama Conference side Dartford & also in The Robert Dyas Ryman League Cup against Margate. The game against The Gate saw a much changed side with only three players remaining in the starting XI from the previous Saturday's league game. 

925 - The top crowd of Division One (South) came on Wednesday 13th August at Guernsey v Whyteleafe. 

473 - The New Year's Day Suffolk Derby between Needham Market and AFC Sudbury is the current top crowd in Division One (North) 

2,856 - Champion Hill was packed out on Non-League Day (Saturday 6th September) when an amazing crowd saw Dulwich Hamlet play Hampton and Richmond. 

28 - The lowest crowd across the three divisions came on Saturday 8th November when just twenty-eight people saw the 3-3 draw between Buurnham Ramblers and Barkingside.

Thursday, 26 February 2015

SUPPORTERS VOTING ON HEREFORD FC BADGE

It was great to see the newly formed Hereford FC win the lease to use the Edgar Street ground Hereford United left behind when the former football league club was wound up in late 2014. 

The new club is currently asking supporters to vote on the new club's badge with three options above the choices. 

It's not yet confirmed which league Hereford FC will be playing in. I'm sure the fans won't care as long as they get to see their club in action at Edgar Street. 

If i was a fan and allowed to vote I think i'd opt for Badge 3. 

Good Luck to the fans of Hereford FC for the 2015/16 season

 

 

CLASSIC COLD END 2012 - HODDESDON BEAT AMPTHILL

With Hoddesdon Town parting company with their third manager this season in the past week and on a really bad run of form here is a treat for their fans from three years ago when they beat Ampthill Town at home on Tuesday 28th February 2012.

The Spartan South Midlands League produced yet another highly entertaining game last night when in Division One it was third v second at Lowfield. Hoddesdon Town welcomed Ampthill Town in a game that had been highly anticipated by supporters of both sides. Ampthill's league form going into the game read DWWWWWDW with Hoddy's equally impressive reading DWWWWWWWL.

Ampthill started well and had the ball in the net after some early pressure but the goal was ruled out for offside. Their number 9 Tyrone Taylor showed some good touches and headed the ball on numerous occasions during the game, He also possess a huge throw-in which the visitors used several times but the Hoddy back line performed well all night. Tom Massey in the centre of defence had a great game along with midfielder Barrington Brotherton who sat in front of the back four and worked hard throughout the 90 minutes.

Hoddy scored all their three goals in the first half via a brace from Dean Barker and a fantastic goal from Jamie Brandon just prior to half time. His outside of the boot strike from outside of the box would be replayed all over the TV if a Rooney or Robin Van Persie had of scored it!!

Ampthill showed some decent play in the second half trying to get back into the game but found Hoddy at their very best in all departments. Goalkeeper Kieron Extence made two really good saves towards the end of the game.

What was refreshing to see was Ampthill's manager Craig Bicknell telling his player's to 'get off the ref's back, stop whinging and play the game' when his team started to question the official after a few borderline decisions. Good to see!!
STARTING XI's


Hoddesdon Town Ampthill Town
1. Kieron Extence 1. Tom Kennard
2. Colin Metivier 2. Paul Ericsson
3. Kevin Metivier 3. Danny Hart (Capt)
4. Tom Massey 4. Robbie Goodman
5. Tom Boxer 5. Alvin Rajaram
6. Dave Ayres  6. Christian Lester
7. Barrington Brotherton 7. Rocky Williams
8. Tony Neilson 8. Steve Flux
9. Dean Barker 9. Tyrone Taylor
10. Jamie Brandon 10. Lea Coulter
11. Billy Wingrove (Capt) 11. Danny Nicholls

TEAM FORMATIONS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS


As you can see from the below league table it was really was a must win match for Hoddesdon Town to still be in with a shout for promotion. Only the top two teams go up to the Premier Division so it's still looking good for Ampthill Town (as they have four games in hand over Hoddy) and table topper's London Colney.

Spartan South Midlands League Division One 
Current Table
Top three only


PWDLGFGAGDPTS
London Colney3024337124+4775
Ampthill Town2919736126+3564
Hoddesdon Town33203109251+4163

RYMAN PREMIER WEEKEND PREVIEW


Ryman Premier Division Fixtures for Saturday 28th February 2015 

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

ENFIELD TOWN v LEISTON 
POS TEAM P W D L GF GA PTS
7 LEISTON 35 15 9 11 62 45 54
11 ENFIELD TOWN 34 16 3 15 49 45 51

The game at Donkey Lane on Saturday is a one Enfield Town and Leiston must win to keep any chance of a play-off place in their sights. At present the 4th and 5th placed sides are Met Police and Hendon on 58 points off of 33 and 31 games respectively. If the game ends in a draw I think the visitors from Suffolk would be the happier. 

Elsewhere the table topper's Maidstone United entertain Billericay Town at The Gallagher Stadium looking to get back to winning ways following their midweek away defeat at Hampton and Richmond Borough. Their central defender and key player Steve Watt will miss the forthcoming fixtures against Harrow Borough, Grays Athletic and Lewes.

In form Margate go to Kingstonian who lost at home to Bognor Regis Town on Monday. The Met won 0-1 at Grays Athletic on Wednesday evening thanks to a Matt Pattison goal. A victory which saw them move back up into the play-off zone. Grays get to exact revenge just a few days later as they travel to Imber Court at the weekend where the Met are still unbeaten in league fixtures for the 2014/15 campaign. 

Hendon (5th) entertain Witham Town (20th) who are now four points above AFC Hornchurch (21st) in the relegation zone. Witham drew 2-2 at home to Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday evening. The Urchins travel to bottom of the table Bury Town who following their 4-0 away defeat to Leatherhead on Wednesday evening look doomed to relegation. They are eleven points off of safety and the teams above them all have games in hand. AFC have had two clean sheets in a row in 2-0 victory over VCD Athletic and a 0-0 draw with Bognor Regis Town. 

East Thurrock United (6th) won't relish the trip to Fetcham Grove as Leatherhead will be in a confident mood following the 4-0 midweek victory.  Kiernan Hughes-Mason scored twice for The Tanners in that win. 

Other games are Lewes going to Canvey Island, the loyal 'more flags than fans' supporter's of Wingate and Finchley travelling to the Sussex seaside to play Peacehaven along with Harrow Borough (needed to pick up points) going to Tonbridge Angels. 

What odds can you get for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed accumulator I here you ask? For Maidstone United, Margate, Dulwich Hamlet and Met Police all to win you can get odds of just over 9/1 with various bookmakers. The chances of all four teams getting three points is low in my book - I think at least one will drop points. 

In the Enfield Town (which hopefully i'll be watching) the bookmakers make the home side slight favourites at 5/4 with an away win at 6/4 and the draw at 11/4. 

The highest priced sides for the bookmakers are Witham Town 4/1 to win at Hendon and Billericay Town 7/2 to win at Maidstone United. 

BRIMSDOWN TRAVEL TO TRING ON SATURDAY

courtesy of Brimsdown FC website

Our games versus Corinthians have, so far, been tight affairs. We drew home and away last season and narrowly defeated them this season at The Goldsdown, so although they find themselves at the wrong end of the table again this year, we are more than aware of the need to perform well.
 
November was disastrous for them conceding 27 goals in 3 games but apart from that they have competed in most of their games this season.

We look to extend our unbeaten run to fifteen, which would be a remarkable achievement. We have continued to win games despite three players moving to Enfield Town; Leon Wilson being the most recent.

The rest of the League program this week is somewhat muted with only ten of the sixteen teams playing.

Mursley United v Wolverton Town
New Bradwell St Peter v Ealing Town
Pitstone & Ivinghoe v Aston Clinton
Tring Corinthians v Brimsdown
Willen v The 61 FC (Luton)


Division Two Cup Semi-Finals
Kent Athletic v Old Bradwell
Hale Leys v Grendon Rangers


An excellent opportunity for us to make more ground on Kent Athletic after their draw at home to Totternhoe last week as they have a cup semi-final this week. March will be interesting for them as they face us and New Bradwell away. Things could be decided in the March/April round robin between the three teams.

New Bradwell will fancy their chances at home to Ealing Town as they meet each other for the first time. Their 1-0 victory over The 61 FC (Luton) on Saturday will have lifted their spirits as they remain unbeaten in 2015. Ealing Town have lost their last five since beating Kent Athletic in November. Their lack of games this year has cost them dearly after showing some early promise.

Pitstone entertain Aston Clinton; one would favour the home side there, although Aston have had their moments this year, while I would expect The 61 to bounce back from recent defeats to take the points from Willen, especially as they thumped them 4-0 in November.

For us to win the League, we would have to win all of our remaining ten games and Hale Leys would have to lose four games out of their last nine. Good luck waiting for that, although you never know!!

To finish second we would have to be at least two points better than Kent Athletic and New Bradwell over the remaining ten fixtures. It is possible given our current form and the fact that we have them both at home. They also have to play eachother TWICE!! It is a possibility that they could kill each other; provided we keep winning, of course.


We are Home Bunnies in March, with five home games to play, so let us hope that the Easter bunny finds us in good spirits and second in the League (Easter Sunday is April 5th, by the way).

BRIMSDOWN FC'S FORTHCOMING FIXTURE LIST

Saturday 28th February - Tring Corinthians 
Saturday 7th March - WOLVERTON TOWN 
Tuesday 10th March - ASTON CLINTON 
Saturday 14th March - OLD BRADWELL UNITED 
Saturday 28th March - KENT ATHLETIC 
Tuesday 31st March - TOTTERNHOE 
Saturday 4th April - Ealing Town 

At present Enfield Town don't have games scheduled for the Tuesday night fixtures against Aston Clinton and Totternhoe. It would be great to see a few Towner's pop over and support The Limers after they have forged a great partnership with us over the past few months. 

Follow The Limers on twitter - @brimsdownfc  

FREE FOOTBALL AT KINGS LANGLEY FC

Kings Langley are having a great season - They are top of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division and with games in hand over AFC Dunstable (2nd), Harefield United (3rd) and Sun Sports (4th) they are real title favourites at present. 

Despite their fantastic form the public of the Hertfordshire town haven't been coming out in droves to Gaywood Park to get their football fix. Their last two games v Ampthill Town and Hadley have attracted just 35 fans each time with their top crowd coming against Sun Sports on Saturday 6th September when 81 people came through the turnstiles.

To generate more interest in the club they are offering free entry to their game this weekend versus Hoddesdon Town and again on Tuesday evening when London Tigers visit. 

If you're local to Kings Langley why not pop over to Gaywood Park and catch the game versus The Lillywhites on Saturday. You'll be made most welcome and you may be surprised at the standard of football on offer.

SCOTT WATERS IS A GOALKEEPING GENIUS!

GRITTY LANGFORD PERFORMANCE GRABS THEM A HARD EARNED POINT AT TABLE TOPPERS WELWYN GARDEN CITY

Where do we start? It was an incident packed game at Herns Lane yesterday evening as table topper's Welwyn Garden City missed the chance to go eleven points clear of their title rival's Bedford who drew 0-0 at Harpdenden Town on Tuesday evening. 

Wewlyn Garden City dominated most of the game but came up against Scott Waters who was in inspired form in goal for Langford. He made some fantastic saves during the game and was the hero for the away side. 

The Citizens took the lead early on through Jason Caswell but the real talking point came on 25 minutes when Jay Lovell put in a tough tackle on a Langford player which saw some pushing, shoving and punches thrown. Langford's Ryan Nicholl was shown a red card with Citizen's number 10 Joel Norris shown a yellow - not Liam Kenna as I have incorrectly stated in the video! 

Looking at the replay there is a case a few more cards should of been given out. 

The Second Half saw more of the same as Waters made a few move saves to keep his team in the game. The table topper's weren't at their very best but should of been two or three goals up. Langford substitute Borikole Koroma looked sharp on the left hand side for the away side putting in a few good runs into potentially scoring positions if he had a little bit more luck. Liam Kenna made a great last ditch and expertly timed tackle when Koroma was through on goal.

It looked as though Welwyn were going tO earn a 1-0 victory only for a determined Langford to score in the 95th minute via substitute Sean Murray with a great finish past Joe Croft. It was (I think?) their first meaningful shot on target all night!

For The Citizens it was most definitely two points dropped and for Langford it was one pint won. Home manager Adam Fisher tweeted after the game "No way near our best tonight & we got punished.These two nights of results show that nothing is a gimee and it's going to be a fight!" - They are still nine points clear of Bedford in second place with a game in hand so it's still their title to lose in most people's opinion. 

For Langford it appears manager's Phil Childs and Mark Gearing are building a decent young side after three seasons in Division One following relegation from the Premier Division in 2011. They are now in eighth position on 41 points from 29 games played. 

The best shout of the night came when Langford scored their goal as Waters shouted 'someone call the police' as his side nicked a well deserved point. The crowd was announced as 72 people. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW 

Check out the fisticuffs from around 2m 15secs


The Citizens host Arlesey Town Reserves on Saturday who won what sounds an amazing game on Wednesday evening when they beat Crawley Green 3-4 away from home. This was after seven games in a row! 

Langford's next game comes on Tuesday 3rd March when they visit Harpenden Town. 

The following Tuesday (10th March) there is an eagerly anticipated game for Adam Fisher's side as they visit second placed Bedford in the Division One Cup Semi-Final. Neither side will want to lose this game and I expect it to be a highly competitive occasion.

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

HODDESDON TOWN PART COMPANY WITH JOHN FIELD

Hoddesdon Town have announced today that manager John Field has tendered his resignation with immediate effect. 

Reserve Team boss Aaron Tourlamain has been handed the role of temporary manager until the end of the current season with the club inviting applications for the vacant post for the 2015/16 season. 

Field's last game in charge was Tuesday night's 3-0 defeat at Holmer Green. A win which moved Holmer from second bottom to third bottom of the table. 

It's in at the deep end for Tourlamain as Hoddesdon travel to title favourite's Kings Langley on Saturday. 

IT'S ALL ABOUT NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL

The above poster advertising Enfield Town's home with Leiston on Saturday has been really popular on social media over the past few days with numerous shares and re-tweets. The Cold End couldn't of put it better. 

IT'S ABOUT PROPER FOOTBALL

HERTFORD TOWN CHARITY SHIELD GLORY

 
HERTFORD TOWN'S TRAVELLING ARMY OF FANS WENT HOME VERY HAPPY!


Tuesday evening was one to remember for Hertford Town as they lifted the Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield with a 1-0 victory over London Colney at The County Ground, Letchworth. 

It was what many people watching would call a controversial sending off in the first half for Colney's ex Hertford Town midfielder Harry Sedgely that was the talking point of the game. After a strong tackle he came together with Hertford's midfielder Kardan Campbell and in the ensuing tangle his arm/elbow connected with Campbell's face. Was it intentional? Have a look at the video from 3mins 25secs and you can make a decision? There is a slow motion replay as well.

The man in the middle Lee Grimsey, after consulting his assistant, showed Sedgely a straight read card which angered many fans who had made the journey from Cotlandswick. The official had already handed out a number of yellow cards on what became a busy night for him. A short while later after another decision made against Colney he dismissed their manager Ryan Thompson from the touchline after an exchange of words. 

In the second half it still looked an evenly matched game with Colney working hard and looking like a team who have only conceded just 20 goals in 25 league games played this season and are currently on an unbeaten run of eight games (six wins and two draws) in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. It was they who had the best of the chances in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half. Their forward James Ewington (recently signed from Potters Bar Town) had some good goal scoring opportunities.

Hertford got their break on 67 minutes when a Leigh Rose shot was blocked but at a second attempt it was deflected into the corner of the net for him to score the all important goal. 

Tommy Wade so nearly made it 2-0 with only minutes to go when his shot rattled the post after some neat work from the impressive right-back Da'Jour Buffonge. 

At the end of the game the Hertford players ran towards their loyal travelling fans and celebrated their win with manager Paul Halsey jumping in and joining the bundle too. These were fantastic scenes and shows what non-league football is all about in that there is a special bond between the players and fans at this level the Premier League just can't replicate. 


Halsey, who is in his first full season in charge at Hertford Town, picks up his first piece of silverware along with his assistant (ex Enfield Town player) Ricci Crace. 

HERTFORD TOWN'S MANAGER PAUL HALSEY WITH A VERY HAPPY SUPPORTER
HERTFORD TOWN CAPTAIN & FAN'S FAVOURITE TOMMY WADE (WADE WADE!!) WITH THE SHIELD

MORE CELEBRATIONS IN THE HERTFORD TOWN CHANGING ROOM
The game was played in front of a good crowd of 250 people. The Cold End man of the match award went to Hertford's Kardan Campbell who worked his socks off in the midfield areas. He has is Hertford's longest serving player having been at the club since 2011. 

FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW which are a must watch if you're a Hertford Town fan and for that red card incident from 3mins 25secs. What would you do if you were the referee?   

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

LONDON FA CUPS - UPDATE

LONDON SENIOR CUP (sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding)
SEMI-FINALS 
TOOTING AND MITCHAM UNITED v CRAY VALLEY PM - 3/3/15
HARROW BOROUGH v HENDON or CORINTHIAN CASUALS* - 11/3/15
* Game date for the quarter-final to be confirmed

The Senior Cup semi-finals sees Ryman Division One (South) side Tooting and Mitcham United face Southern Counties East League side Cray Valley PM. Cray beat Premier Division side Wingate and Finchley in the quarter-finals. The other match could see a Landlord v Tenants game if Hendon get through their quarter-final versus Corinthian Casuals. 

Casual's last appearance in the final came in 1957 when they lost to Brigg Sports. Hendon won the competition in 2012 and 2009 also reaching the final in 2008 and 2011. The Terrors won it in 2007 and 2008. Cray Valley have never won the competition. 

LONDON SENIOR TROPHY
SEMI-FINALS
to be played on Saturday 28th February 
NEWHAM UNITED v INTERWOOD 
BARKING RES v AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC 

In the Senior Trophy Essex Olympian League side Newham United welcome Middlesex County League side Interwood to Cave Road and Barking Reserves welcome AFC Croydon Athletic of the Combined Counties League Division One. 

LONDON JUNIOR CUP
SEMI-FINALS
to be played on Saturday 7th March 
SLOANE FC v FC HAMLETS POAPC 
PEARSCROFT UNITED v PURETOWN 

Sloane FC of the Middlesex County League play Essex Olympian League FC Hamlets. Another MCL team in Pearscroft United face Puretown of the Surrey South Eastern Combination Intermediate League Division One. 

LONDON SUNDAY CHALLENGE CUP
SEMI-FINALS 
to be played on Sunday 1st March 
GOLDEN EAGLES v FC TRIPIMENI 
DUMLUPINAR v NEW SALAMIS 

Two teams from the Kopa Cypriot League have made the Sunday Challenge Cup semi-finals. New Salamis (also doing well in the National FA Sunday Cup) face Turkish Community Football Federation Divison One leader's Dumlupinar at The Peter May Sports Centre in Walthamstow in what should be a very well attended game. FC Tripimeni travel to Golden Eagles of the Metropolitan Sunday Football League - The game takes places at the Goals Centre in Eltham.  

LONDON SUNDAY TROPHY
FINAL
to be played on Sunday 29th March 
OMONIA v YENI BOGAZICI DOGAN SPOR 

The Sunday Trophy final should be a really good game. Kopa Cypriot League Premier Division leader's Omonia play TCFF Division One side Yeni Bogazici Dogan Spor. This will be another well attended fixture.  

LONDON SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP
SEMI-FINAL 
to be played on Sunday 15th March 
TURK OCAGI LONDON v FC LEYTONSTONE 
NORTHUMBERLAND PARK RANGERS v KENNINGWELL UNITED RES

The junior cup see's another TCFF side in Turk Ocagi face FC Leytonstone of the London City Airport League. 

Barnet Sunday League Premier Division side Northumberland Park Rangers face Kenningwell United Reserves of the Orpington and Bromley District Sunday League Division Two.  

LONDON VETERANS CUP
FINAL 
to be played on Sunday 29th April 
MANFORD WAY VETS v BROMLEY FC VETS 

Monday, 23 February 2015

ENFIELD TOWN LADIES BOW OUT AGAINST CHARLTON ATHLETIC





Photos courtesy of @MikeyTheTowner
Enfield Town Ladies bowed out of the Capital Cup on Sunday in a 0-1 home defeat to FA Women's Premier League side Charlton Athletic. The game was played at Cheshunt's Theobalds Lane ground. Charlton play West Ham Ladies in the final on Wednesday 6th May scheduled to be played at Harrow Borough. The Hammers play in the same division at Charlton.

The Towners compete one level below in the FA Women's Premier League South-East Division One and are currently in sixth place. 

Their next scheduled fixtures are a home game versus bottom of the table Norwich City LFC on Sunday 1st March followed by another home game versus second placed C&K Basildon on Sunday 22nd March and then the return game to Norwich City LFC the following week. 

HELP REQUIRED FOR BOOK BEING WRITTEN




A message from Waltham Forest FC fan Charlie Ward

I wanted to ask, through the pages of this site for assistance on the book I am writing about my fifty years of following my side who were originally Leyton FC and are now Waltham Forest FC. 

I was hoping to ask to hear from anyone who is either associated with my club or has contact with former players/committee members/managers or supporters from the mid 1960's to present day.

my email address is charlieward15753@yahoo.co.uk





ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - UPDATE

Essex Senior League Current Table 
Top Two Only
POS TEAM P W D L GF GA GD PTS WIN% PPG FORM
1 HARINGEY BOROUGH 24 21 1 2 83 19 +64 64 87.50% 2.67 WWWDLW
2 BARKING 26 20 4 2 57 20 +37 64 76.92% 2.46 WWDWWW

Haringey Borough are still in the best position to win the Essex Senior League winning an incredible twenty-one games out of their twenty-four played so far and having two games in hand over Barking. 

Borough have recently suffered a rare defeat which came against Stansted on Tuesday 10th February and also had a 0-0 draw against title rival's Barking on Tuesday 3rd February. 

Borough's next four league games come against Stansted (5th place) at Coles Park tomorrow evening, away at Bowers and Pitsea (6th) on Saturday, at home to Sporting Bengal United (bottom of the table) next Tuesday and then at home to Enfield 1893 FC on Saturday 7th March. 

Barking's go to Southend Manor (19th) this coming Saturday before an East London derby at London Bari (13th) next Wednesday. They then travel to Bowers and Pitsea before hosting Hullbridge Sports (11th) on Tuesday 10th March. 

IN FORM - BOWERS AND PITSEA
The games against Bowers and Pitsea should be difficult for both Borough and Barking as they are on a very good run of eleven wins in a row in league and cup games scoring fifty goals and letting in just six. The run includes two 0-8 victories away from home at Enfield 1893 and FC Romania. 

The league's Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and League Cups are down to the Quarter-Final stage as follows - 

GORDON BRASTED MEMORIAL TROPHY
BARKING v ETON MANOR 
TAKELEY v FC ROMANIA 
HARINGEY BOROUGH v SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN  
CLAPTON v ENFIELD 1893 FC 

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE CUP
CLAPTON v WALTHAM FOREST 
HARINGEY BROUGH or ILFORD v TAKELEY 
LONDON BARI v BARKING 
BASILDON UNITED v BOWERS & PITSEA 

Sporting Bengal United are cut adrift at the bottom of the table on just four points with two wins and three draws from their twenty-four league games played. 

The league's top average crowd comes at Clapton on 135 with London Bari the lowest on 21.

Sunday, 22 February 2015

TERRACES NOT ARMCHAIRS

Photo courtesy of @rossh89
Reading about the FA Trophy semi-finals yesterday I saw that Bath City have a real contender for Flag of the season with their 'Terraces Not Armchairs' banner. The above picture is from a game from earlier in the season. 

City drew 2-2 in the 1st leg versus North Ferriby United at Twerton Park. I'm sure all Bath fans will be hoping to get through the 2nd leg so that the flag is displayed at Wembley Stadium later in the year. 

Please support your local club. Don't sit in front of the television!!!

#TerracesNotArmchairs 

BRIMSDOWN CONTINUE TO IMPRESS

courtesy of Brimsdown FC website

CLEAN SLATE 0 BRIMSDOWN 6
 
Brimsdown lined up with a noticeable absentee for this league match against Clean Slate FC. Leon Wilson, who has been a key player for The Limers this season, signed for Enfield Town FC earlier in the week.  
Alfie Hatch started the game in centre midfield, along side Leon Constantine and Ralston Gabriel. The trio immediately imposed themselves on the game. Constantine and Hatch where pulling the strings in midfield while Ralston Gabriel was getting into good goal scoring positions. Gabriel nearly opened the scoring twice in the first 10 minutes. Both times his efforts narrowly missed the target. 

On the 17th minute, Brimsdown got a much deserved goal. Dervon Hurde received the ball, after a succession of slick passes throughout the Brimsdown Team. Hurde easily beat his man before putting in an excellent cross, which was headed in by Ola Akinwande. Only 10 minutes later, The Limers got their second goal. Henderson Browne, picked up the ball deep into his own half on the right hand side. The lightening fast player, then ran the full length of the pitch, outpacing at least three Clean Slate players. At the end of that unbelievable run he still had the composure the pick out Ralston Gabriel, who placed the ball the the bottom corner. 


Clean Slate tried to get back into the game, but their best effort was a shot from distance, which was comfortably saved by Harry Barfoot.
 

The Limers were looking comfortable and playing some really good football. A clever pass from Leon Constantine split the Clean Slate defence. Ralston Gabriel got onto the ball, but before he could get a shot off, he was fouled in the area and Brimsdown was awarded a Penalty. Alfie Hatch stepped up to sent the keeper the wrong way, making the score 3-0. 

In the last minute of the half The Limers were on the attack again. Orlando Abrahams beat two players, before playing the ball to Ralston Gabriel, Gabriel then squared the ball to Akinwande, who finished from 6 yards.
 
Full back Dervon Hurde continued to cause problems for Clean Slate. Just 3 minutes into the second half. Hurde went on a mazy run before playing a through ball to Ralston Gabriel. With only the keeper to beat, Gabriel made no mistake, confidently slotting the ball home.

The second half saw an early substitution for The Limers. Orlando Abrahams came off injured, allowing Marvin Walker to hand Eli - Amir Ibrahim his Brimsdown debut. Not long after, there was another Brimsdown debut when Courtney Harris came on for Alfie Hatch. 

Brimsdown continued to dominate the game. When there was the rare attack from Clean Slate, it was easily dealt with by Riess Gabriel and Lenny Labiche.
 

On the 75th minute, There was a 6th goal for Brimsdown. The ball broke to skipper Ralston Gabriel 12 yards from goal. He fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, to complete a hat trick. There was other chances for Brimsdown late on, but the game finished Clean Slate 0 Brimsdown 6.

Brimsdown Team: Harry Barfoot, Dervon Hurde, Erkan Ozerek, Alfie Hatch (Courtney Harris), Riess Gabriel, Lenny Labiche, Orlando Abrahams (Eli-Amir ibrahim), Ralston Gabriel, Ola Akinwande, Henderson Browne (Aaron Archer) Leon Constantine

Brimsdown are scheduled to play Aston Clinton on Tuesday 24th February 2015 with a 7.45pm kick off at Goldsdown Road. 

The Limers are well worth a follow on twitter - @brimsdownfc

Please also visit their website and support a local side doing great things. 

 

RYMAN PREMIER WINNERS - MAIDSTONE UNITED OR MARGATE??

Ryman Premier Division Table 
Top Two only
POS TEAM P W D L GF GA GD PTS WIN% PPG FORM
1 MAIDSTONE UNITED 33 22 7 4 64 29 +35 73 66.67% 2.21LWWWDD
2 MARGATE 32 21 5 668 33 +35 68 65.63% 2.13 DWLWWW

Four dropped points from their last two games by Maidstone United has given Margate fresh hope in the race for the Ryman Premier Division title. The Stones concded a 89th minute goal in the 1-1 home draw with Witham Town before another late goal (in injury time) at Leiston yesterday made it 2-2 when they were winning 0-2 at half time. The Stones will also be missing key central defender Steve Watt for three upcoming games following his straight red card in the game yesterday. The sending off for a challenge on Joe Francis was considered by reported by many to be a very unlucky decision.

Margate seem to have hit form at the right time scoring twelve goals and conceding five in their last six games. Maidstone United have scored eight and let in seven. The Stones will need to improve this record to keep Margate from going closer to the top of the table. 

Maidstone's next four games see them visit Hampton and Richmond Borough on Tuesday before entertaining Billericay Town on Saturday 28th February. They then travel to relegation threatened Harrow Borough on Saturday 7th March before a tricky midweek trip to Grays Athletic on Wednesday 11th March. 

Margate go to Kingstonian next Saturday before a midweek trip to Billericay Town before welcoming Enfield Town to Hartsdown Park on Saturday 7th March before travelling to Canvey Island on Saturday 14th March. 

So at present just five points seperate the two Kent rival teams. Ultimately one will finish top and one will finish in the runner's up position going into the play-offs - this of course is pending other results from 3rd placed Dulwich Hamlet and 4th placed Hendon - but it's looking that way at the moment. 

The bookmakers currently make Maidstone United 1/3 favourites with Margate at 11/4.  
 

SUPER TOMMY WADE NETS A HAT-TRICK IN HERTFORD SIX GOAL VICTORY

Some of the travelling Hertford Town supporters at Lowfield yesterday
It was a local derby to forget for Hoddesdon Town yesterday as their miserable run without a win continued to nine games. The Lillywhites have not won a game since Saturday 27th December when they beat Colney Heath 2-1 away from home. Their last win at home was on Saturday 29th November versus Leverstock Green 2-0*. 
 
The 2014/15 season has been one lacking any sort of stability for Hoddesdon Town. They have used over seventy players in first team fixtures with a number making debuts in yesterday's game following the recent departures of Kevin and Colin Metivier along with club-captain Robbie Carroll.  *Only Sean Stock (who was facing his former club) and Kambo Smith were in the starting XI yesterday from the team that started against Leverstock Green in November.

The Lillywhites have added a new stand to Lowfield recently
They started the season with Neil Conner in charge (who was reserve team manager for the 2013/14 season) who was assisted by former manager Frank Piazza stepped down from the main job in the summer. Conner stepped down at the end of September and Piazza took charge on a Caretaker basis until the beginning of November when current boss John Field took charge. He had been in charge of Grays Athletic u21 team and prior to this had been manager of Essex Olympian League side Harold Hill. 




A proper football pitch at Lowfield yesterday
Hertford Town dominated most of the game with Hoddesdon's young side working hard but ultimately undone at the back a number of times in the air from set-pieces. Debutant James Gilbert (recently with Cheshunt) was rarely troubled in the Hertford Town goal. Sam Ruff put in a great performance in the midfield for Hertford Town with fan favourite Tommy Wade chipping in with his second hat-trick of the season to the delight of the visiting supporters who sang his name in appreciation. Wade could of had a few more goals having hit the post early on in the game and having a number of other goal scoring chances.  It certainly was a good warm-up for their big cup final versus London Colney on Tuesday evening.

Hoddesdon Town's midfielder Daniel Udoh (making his debut following his recent release from Grays Athletic) put in a decent performance for the home side and was unlucky not to score when his effort went just wide of the post in the second half. 

The last time Hoddesdon conceded six goals at Lowfield came back in November 2011 when Kings Langley recorded a 4-6 Herts Charity Shield Quarter-Final. You have to go back to October 2009 for The Lillywhites letting in six goals in a league fixture when Sun Postal Sports won 4-6 in a Spartan South Midlands Division One game. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW 



The Lillywhites next game comes on Tuesday evening when they visit Holmer Green who are currently second from bottom in the table. They have won one and lost seven of their last eight games. Then they face a really tough game at Kings Langley who, currently in second place by 2 points with 5 games in hand, can be considered title favourites. 

Hertford Town travel to The County Ground in Letchworth to play London Colney in the final of the Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield. Colney recently won 0-3 at Hertford Town on Saturday 7th February with Hertford winning 1-2 at Coltslandwick on Tuesday 9th December in the league fixtures played this season. 

A poster from London Colney advertising the Final on Tuesday

Friday, 20 February 2015

FA TROPHY SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEGS TOMORROW

BATH CITY v NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 
TORQUAY UNITED v WREXHAM 

The FA Trophy semi-final first legs take place tomorrow afternoon as Vanarama North side North Ferriby United (currently in 11th position) travel to play Vanarama South side Bath City (also in 11th place).
 
The other tie sees Wrexham (17th in the Vanarama Premier) travel to Torquay United (14th). They faced each other in a league fixture on Saturday 31st January which ended 0-0. Earlier in the season Wrexham won 1-2 in Devon on Saturday 4th October. 

The best odds currently available are Torquay United (6/4), Wrexham (3/1), North Ferriby United (7/2) and Bath City (9/2). 

The return legs are due to be played on Saturday 28th February. 

North Ferriby United have reached the Quarter Final last season before losing to finalists Gosport Borough. They reached the final of the FA Vase in 1997 which they lost to Whitby Town 0-3. Bath City's previous best performance in the competition came in 1989/90 when they reached the Quarter Final and lost versus Stafford Rangers. 

Wrexham have competed in the FA Trophy since relegation from the football league in 2008. They won it in 2013 when they drew with Grimsby Town 1-1 and won a penalty shootout 4-1 at Wembley Stadium. 

The Gulls have competed in the 07/08 and 08/09 Trophy before being promoted back to the football league and after relegation in 2014 they return to the competion they reached the final of in 2008 losing to Ebbsfleet United 1-0 at Wembley. 

FA SUNDAY CUP DOWN TO THE LAST FOUR

The draw for the semi-final of the FA Sunday Cup has been made and is as follows 

CAMPFIELD v CHAPELTOWN FFORDE GRENE 
OJM v NEW SALAMIS 

The ties are due to be played on Sunday 15th March with a 2pm kick off. 

Campfield who play in the Liverpool Business Houses League face Chapeltown Fforde Grene who are currently top of the Leeds Sunday Football League with a 100% winning league record of ten wins in ten games. 

OJM play in the Warley and District Sunday League whose clubs are based around the Birmingham area. New Salamis are North London based and play in the Kopa Cypriot Football League. Their quarter final ended 4-4 with North London Olympians - they were 2-0 down at one point and then went 4-2 up. NLO scored two late goals to make it 4-4. New Salamis went through on penalty kicks 4-3.  

BRIMSDOWN ON THE ROAD TO CLEAN SLATE FC

from brimsdownfc website 



Saturday 21st February 2015 
Spartan South Midlands League Division Two 
Kick Off - 2pm 

On the road again. This time we are the guests of Christian football club and league newcomers, Cleanslate FC.

Cleanslate have struggled in their first season in the Spartan (sounds familiar), and when they visited The Goldsdown in October, they were unlucky to come to us when we needed a response to our painful away loss to Aston Clinton.

We beat them 8-2 that day and they had two players sent off late on for two yellows including a minor handbag session. They have conceded 78 goals this season in 20 games, winning three and losing 17, so, with respect, anything but a win, would be a disaster for us.

Give Cleanslate their due, they have scored 27 goals including the two that briefly brought them back into our game, but we score as well, so I think we will be too much for them on the day.

Elsewhere, there is much at stake and much to consider, especially after our game vs Aston Clinton was called off this weekend following a friday night rain storm. There were seagulls on our pitch - for real!

Hale Leys lost to New Bradwell 1-3 this week, a result that did not do a lot to help our cause, and also highlighted the fact that the runaway leaders have looked increasingly vulnerable over the last few weeks. They face Ealing Town away and will need to reassert themselves there. Ealing were very resilient and well organised when they came to us, and have done the double over Kent Athletic. However, they have had results nicked off of them too often to have been able to maintain their early promise.

Second placed Kent Athletic, with their winning run up to six after their 0-7 thumping of Wolverton, entertain fifth placed Totternhoe; who have not been the busiest of late with only four games played in 2015; winning three and losing at home to Grendon Rangers.

Kent will want to get us off their backs. If they fail to get something and we win at Cleanslate, we will be four points behind them with a game in hand and they have to come to us in March. Totternhoe, meanwhile, will be mindful that a loss could see them fall away from the top group.

The 61 FC (Luton) vs New Bradwell St Peter is a similar story, with the home side seemingly losing momentum from inactivity. For them it has not been a happy new year, apart from a 1-5 victory over third from bottom Tring Corinthians, they have failed to score and conceded eight in their other three fixtures, whereas, New Bradwell, absent from league action for most of January due to cup committments, have signalled their new year return with a stuttering draw at Mursley, followed by two wins, including the big win vs Hale Leys, putting them up our pipe as we go into the Spring.

Sitting comfortably?

Other fixtures:
Willen v Tring Corinthians
Old Bradwell v Pitstone & I
Mursley v Grendon R
Aston C v Wolverton