ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE NOVEMBER GROUNDHOP WEEKEND

The Essex Senior League have announced a ground hop weekend coming up over Friday 10th November and Saturday 11th November as follows below. It's a great chances to get out and see some local football.  

Friday 10th November 
Barkingside v Clapton - 7.45pm 
@ Cricklefields, Ilford. 

Saturday 11th November 
Redbridge v Burnham Ramblers - 12pm 
@ Oakside, Barkingside. 
Waltham Forest v Woodford Town - 2.30pm 
@ Wadham Lodge, Walthamstow.
Hackney Wick v Wadham Lodge - 5.30pm 
@ The Old Spotted Dog, Forest Gate.

LONDON FA SENIOR CUP (SPONSORED BY COVENTRY SCAFFOLDING) - UPDATE

FIRST ROUND
Greenwich Borough 2-0 Barking
Beckenham Town 0-3 Croydon 
Woodford Town 1-1 Clapton (Clapton won on PKs)
Corinthian-Casuals 5-1 Welling United 
Balham 2-0 Cockfosters 
Hackney Wick 0-2 AFC Wimbledon 
Harrow Borough 1-1 Erith Town (Harrow Borough won on PKs)
Hanwell Town 2-2 Redbridge (Hanwell Town won on PKs)
AFC Croydon Athletic 1-3 Glebe 
Hendon 2-2 Wingate & Finchley FC (Hendon won on PKs)

SECOND ROUND 
Hendon v Hanwell Town 
Greenwich Borough v Cray Valley (PM) 
Tower Hamlets v Tooting & Mitcham United 
Corinthian Casuals v Dulwich Hamlet 
Balham v AFC Wimbledon 
Harrow Borough v Haringey Borough 
Metropolitan Police v Clapton 
Croydon v Glebe 

Balham FC, only formed in 2011, have a home tie in the London Senior Cup Second Round against AFC Wimbledon. They currently groundshare at Colliers Wood United's ground which is only a short distance from Plough Lane (the spiritual home of Wimbledon) and close to Wimbledon Common where the newly formed AFC club famously held trials in June 2002. It's certainly going to be an interesting game for both sides. 

The current holders are Cray Valley (PM) who beat the Met Police in the final last season. They have a very local away game against Greenwich Borough who now share the lease of their Badgers Sports Ground in 2016. 

The other stand out tie for me is Corinthian Casuals v Dulwich Hamlet which is set to be a great game between two clubs with lots of history. Hamlet last won the cup in 2004 when they beat local rival's Tooting and Mitcham United. Corinthian Casuals have never won the competition but did get to the final in 1957 when they lost to Brigg Sports. 

BOSTIK PREMIER DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR

PREMIER DIVISION 

TOP FIVE ONLY 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	PPG
1	DULWICH HAMLET	15	+18	33	2.20
2	HENDON	15	+17	30	2.00
3	BILLERICAY TOWN	10	+20	27	2.70
4	LEISTON	14	+7	26	1.86
5	MET POLICE	15	+3	24	1.60

It's no surprise that the bookmakers rate Billericay Town at 1/10 for the Bostik Premier Division title with current table topper's Dulwich Hamlet at 8/1 followed by everyone else at 33/1 or more! 

There has been some movement in the big spending Essex club's squad over the weekend with the signing of centre back Dean Inman from Vanarama National League side Maidenhead United. The fee paid was reported as £27,600 which is a club record ahead of current centre forward Jake Robinson. 

Leaving the club is fan's favourite Joe Ellul who departs having scored twice in their 3-1 home FA Trophy victory over Tooting and Mitcham United. The big central defender's next club is not known at present. 

Billericay have five games in hand over Dulwich Hamlet and Hendon due to their Emirates FA Cup run - they travel to fellow Bostik Premier side Leatherhead next Sunday in an eagerly anticipated First Round Proper tie. 

If they win just four of those five games in hand they'll be potentially six points ahead of Hamlet and nine points ahead of Hendon. 

Dulwich Hamlet are in great form at present having beem unbeaten in their last eight league games (they've won seven) - their last league defeat came on Tuesday 12th September when Hendon won 0-1 at Champion Hill. 

Former Crystal Palace striker Reise Allassani (who spent some time on loan with Vanarama National League side Bromley last season) has been amongst the goals lately as well as midfielder Nathan Ferguson.  

Hendon, currently in second place, have a 100% winning record at Silver Jubilee Park having won seven out of seven league games scoring twenty goals and letting in just one. 

On Saturday 21st October 2017 they won 1-2 at Worthing which was their tenth victory in fifteen league games. Ironically a year ago on Saturday 22nd October 2016 they won 1-2 at Worthing which was only their third victory in twelve league games played. This shows how much Gary McCann's squad has improved. 

Leiston were expected by many to do well this season and they have only lost two times in fourteen league games. The Suffolk side missed out on the play offs by just two points in 2016/17. 

The Met Police have conceded 25 goals but find themselves in fifth position which is a great achievement for all at the club. They are unbeaten in seven league games and their defensive record has improved drastically since their opening 7 games of the season where they let in 16 goals (2.29 goals per game) to just 9 goals in their last 8 games (1.13 goals per game). 

There are just twelve points separating Met Police and Tooting & Mitcham United in 23rd place which shows any team with a run of good form and wins could climb up into contention with a chance of finishing in the top five. 

Margate, currently fourteenth, could be one of those teams as they have the best defensive record in the league conceding just nine goals in twelve league games played. If they could start scoring more (they only have hit the net 14 times - only Leatherhead and Needham Market have less at 13 goals) they could start to move up the table. Their next game is at home to Metropolitan Police tomorrow which looks like a really interesting game in prospect. 

Worthing are well adrift at the bottom of the table on just three points and no wins at present in fifteen league games played.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 

TUESDAY 

Margate v Met Police 
Needham Market v Billericay Town 
Staines Town v Enfield Town 

SATURDAY 
Brightlingsea Regent v Harlow Town 
Burgess Hill Town v Leiston 
Enfield Town v Tonbridge Angels 
Folkestone Invicta v Dorking Wanderers 
Hendon v Kingstonian 
Lowestoft Town v Metropolitan Police 
Margate v Staines Town 
Needham Market v Worthing 
Thurrock v Dulwich Hamlet 
Tooting & Mitcham United v Harrow Borough

RUSSELL HARLEY KEEPS HIS PROMISE

Russell Harley is well known and loved by many fans around the local football scene - He's a goalkeeper with a real character and personality when he plays. He is currently on the books of Essex Senior League Southend Manor and is also a West Ham United supporter. Last Wednesday when The Hammers were 2-0 down to Tottenham he decided to send the below tweet as he (and about 99.9% of their fan base) didn't think they had a chance of coming back. We all know what happened next!  

Russell wasn't available for Southend Manor's game against Hackney Wick yesterday but showed he was man of his word and followed through with his promise this morning for his Sunday side Ockendon Manor in their game versus Barkingside Reserves. WELL PLAYED MATE! 

Check out his twitter feed on @RussellHarley1 

THE CITIZENS ARE TOO GOOD FOR STOTFOLD

Going into Wednesday night's game at Herns Lane the form book indicated it would be a comfortable victory for Welwyn Garden City against visiting Stotfold. The Citizens had won nine and drawn one of their opening ten league games and were also on an impressive unbeaten run of seventeen league and cup games. Stotfold had won three of their twelve league games and had lost 0-2 at home to Adam Fisher's side earlier in the month - they were on a run of nine games without a win. 

It was no surprise when the home side took the lead on thirteen minutes via a well taken goal from Charlie Joy - they had already created a number of goal scoring chances. Jon Clements scored a second via the penalty spot on 33 minutes - Stotfold keeper Matt Fallon, who was impressive throughout the game, was adjudged to have tripped a player in the box. Clements then made it 3-0 just before the break to top off a dominant first half by The Citizens. 

Credit to the away side who came back into things after the break and played some good football at times - Adam Draculik made it 3-1 with a low drive past Charlie May just after the break. 

The Citizens still looking dangerous at times and could of added to their three goals but that was how it ended up. 

Stotfold were reduced to nine men in the final five minutes when Paul Donald who had already been booked for dissent got in the way of Jon Clements who was trying to take a quick free kick on the edge of the box. 

Moments later it was substitute Dominic Fraser who was red carded for an over the top challenge on Citizen's defender Yasin Boodhoo. This incident triggered a little bit of pushing and shoving in a game which had been played in good spirits up until then. 

The Citizens had ex Cockfosters Captain Ben Spaul and former Enfield Town fan's favourite Paul Marks in their midfield. They are a great pairing in the centre of the park. 

I was impressed by Toby Syme playing at left back for Stotfold. He looked a really good technically gifted and skillful footballer. The 19 year old played in the Norwich City youth and academy set up from 2015 through to June 2017 playing in the under 18 Premier League, Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup.

AFTER THE GAME - THE STOTFOLD SQUAD AND MANAGEMENT UNDER THE LIGHTS AT HERNS LANE

The Stotfold management team of Michael Parkin, Gary Burkett and Darren Mitchell spoke to their squad on the pitch after the game - the gist of the talk was why hadn't they started the match as they started the second half. I think if they keep up the hard work on the pitch as they did after half time and also train well off it they'll start to get some results sooner rather than later. 

A good crowd of 123 was present to see the game.  

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Welwyn Garden City 

Charlie May, Jay Rolfe, Yasin Boodhood, John McGrandles, Dave Corran, Paul Marks, Charlie Rome (Ben Long), Ben Spaul, George Ironton (Josh Bronti), Jon Clements, Charlie Joy (Ash Kersey) 

Stotfold

Matt Fallon, Dean Auburn, Charlie Briggs, Tommy Carroll, James Chisholm, Russell Clark, Paul Donald (SENT OFF), Adam Drakulic, Jordan Leech-Levy, Josh Murray, Toby Syme. 
Subs - Dominic Fraser (SENT OFF), Tre Grant, Kieran Barnes. 

***UPDATE*** 

Stotfold drew 1-1 at home to Cockfosters yesterday with their goal coming from Dean Auburn. The Citizens were 1-2 down to Leverstock Green and were in danger of losing their unbeaten run - A very late Jay Rolfe goal saved them and it ended 2-2. They are now an incredible nineteen games unbeaten which equals a club record. They are at home again to Leverstock Green on Wednesday in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup where the current squad can break the record. I'm sure Levvy will be well up for the game as they clearly were yesterday. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE 
PREMIER DIVISION 
TABLE - TOP FOUR ONLY 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS
1	BERKHAMSTED	13	+21	35
2	WELWYN GC	12	+21	32
3	BIGGLESWADE FC	14	+12	29
4	HARPENDEN TOWN	12	+10	26

Next Saturday's league fixtures will see The Citizen's unbeaten league record put to the test as they visit third placed Biggleswade FC. It's bottom v top as Berkhamsted (the only other team without a defeat) visit Crawley Green (only one win in eleven league games) with fourth placed Harpenden Town welcoming Stotfold to Rothamstead Park. 

Why not catch a match if you're free? 

ALL SQUARE AT THE GOSLING STADIUM

The Blue Boys went into Tuesday night's game against Buckingham Athletic with two wins, one draw and six defeats in their nine league games played. The wins had come at Broadfields United (0-1 on Tuesday 29th August) and at home to Enfield Borough (3-2 on Saturday 30th August). On the cup front it's been a pretty forgetful season as they have been knocked out of the FA Vase, League Challenge Trophy, Herts Senior Centenary Trophy and Division One Cup already. 

Athletic had a better record of five wins, two draws and only two defeats in their nine league games played. They are also still in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy and have yet to play in the Division One Cup being knocked out of the League Challenge Trophy by Premier Division London Colney. They went into this game on the back of a 6-2 FA Vase defeat to Hellenic League Premier Division title challenger's Bracknell Town. 

It's in the FA Youth Cup where their under 18 side have made the headlines winning 7-0 against Oxhey Jets, 3-1 v Flackwell Heath, 4-7 at Windsor  7-1 v Hampton & Richmond Borough to earn an eagerly awaited First Round tie against Northampton Town scheduled to be played on Thursday 2nd November at Stratford Fields. 

Buckingham Athletic's Ben Acquaye - A star of the future? 

Some of the under 18 team have been playing the first team receiving some great reveiws from many for their performances. Last night Benjamin Acquaye and Tom McElroy started with Rory Busby on the bench. Acquaye in particular has been spoken about very highly by many - He started on the left wing last night and showed some good touches switching to the right wing in the second half. Prior to last night's game he had scored seven goals in eight league games - He looks a tremendous prospect with this sort of record. The game versus The Cobblers takes on added meaning when you read that Acquaye spent a short period on trial (around six weeks) with them - Could he return to haunt them? 

Buckingham had lots of possession throughout the game but the home side defended well doing the basics right and working really hard at the back and in midfield. It was all square at half time with no goals scored. 

Hatfield grew into the game  with Darren O'Brien having some good chances to score - It was Jordan White who did from the penalty spot after a trip in the box to make it 1-0. A few minutes later the away side had the chance to level things when they were given a penalty - looking at the replay (the players are hidden a little but if you look at the path of the ball) I think it was a decent challenge. It wasn't to be as the kick rebounded off the post and it was looking like Hatfield's night and only their third clean sheet in league and cup games all season. 

Credit to Buckingham who never gave up and scored late via Josh Hooper who knocked the ball home from just inside the box following a long throw from the right hand side. It was what they deserved from their good play throughout the evening. 

Hatfield Town have a home game against fourth placed Ampthill Town on Saturday with Buckingham Athletic on the road to struggling Hillingdon Borough who only have one league win in their nine games played so far. 

Below are match highlights - Apologies for the camera going slightly out of focus on Hatfield Town's penalty decision - I don't think my camera likes the lighting at The Gosling Stadium for midweek games. 

IMPRESSIVE HITCHIN TOWN u18s THROUGH TO FIRST ROUND OF FA YOUTH CUP

It was a night to remember last Thursday for the Hitchin Town under 18s squad as they put in an amazing performance to win 6-1 against Hoddesdon Town under 18s in the FA Youth Cup Third Qualifying Round. The visitors arguably played the best football in the opening ten minutes of the game and had a few chances to open the scoring but from then on in it was The Canaries who were impressive with some brilliant play and performances all over the pitch in front of a decent crowd of 184 people. 

Hitchin Town forward Desejado Da-Silva (number 9 in the video) scored a hat-trick with other goals coming from the very impressive Keiran Hamilton (number 11) who got two and Charlie Moss (number 10) who had assisted Hamilton's second goal with a lung busting run from box to box in the first half. Adam Perry got Hoddesdon's goal (which was another good finish) with the half time score being 1-3 - The game even had the added bonus of fireworks with the local Hindu community celebrating Diwali with a large noisy display all around Top Field during the first half. 

I'm sure Hitchin first team manager Mark Burke is keeping tabs on the squad and maybe one or two of the players could make appearances in his team soon with more hard work and dedication on the pitch and in training. 

The young Canaries now face an intriguing tie against Dagenham and Redbridge in the First Round Proper which is scheduled to be played on Thursday 2nd November 2017. If you are local to Hertfordshire I'd highly recommend a visit to Top Field for the game. 

For Hoddesdon Town's young squad they can be extremely proud of what they have achieved in this season's competition looking back on victories over Barking (0-2 in 2nd QR), Braintree Town (1-5 in the 1st QR) and Barkingside (5-2 in the Preliminary Round). 

The match highlights are below - If you are a Hitchin Town fan they are well worth a watch. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 



FA YOUTH CUP FIRST ROUND FIXTURES/DRAW 
to be played week before Saturday 4th November 2017 
Doncaster Rovers v Walsall
Morecambe v Wigan Athletic
Tranmere Rovers v Blackburn Rovers
Bishop's Stortford v Boreham Wood
Long Eaton United v Scunthorpe United
Lewes v Camberley Town
Hitchin Town v Dagenham & Redbridge
Clanfield 85 v Cambridge City
Sholing v Clevedon Town
Carlisle United v Nelson/Precot Cables
Bradford City v Blackpool
Oldham Athletic v Bury
Accrington Stanley v Rochdale AFC
Hartlepool United v Chester
Guiseley AFC v Fleetwood Town
Wrexham v Salford City
Evesham United v Shrewsbury Town
Rotherham United v Bottesford Town 
Dunkirk/AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Tamworth
Stourbridge v Port Vale
Grimsby Town v Mansfield Town
Chesterfield v Notts County
Lincoln City v Coventry City
Handsworth Parramore v Crewe Alexandra
Barnet v Wingate & Finchley
Colchester United v Cheshunt
Milton Keynes Dons v Southend United
Leyton Orient/AFC Hornnchurch v Biggleswade Town
Peterborough United v Cambridge United
Buckingham Athletic v Northampton Town
Luton Town v Stevenage
Charlton Athletic v Whitehawk
Bromley v Chipstead
Marlow v AFC Wimbledon
Welling United v Margate
Gillingham v Portsmouth 
Bristol Rovers v Forest Green Rovers
Swindon Town v Newport County AFC 
AFC Totton/Ash United v Cheltenham Town
Plymouth Argyle v Eastleigh 
Gloucester City v Oxford United
Yeovil Town v Exeter City

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE WEEKEND FIXTURES

FRIDAY 20th SEPTEMBER
BUILDBASE FA VASE FIRST ROUND PROPER 
Crawley Green v Harpenden Town 

SATURDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
BUILDBASE FA VASE FIRST ROUND PROPER 
Basildon United v Biggleswade FC 
A huge game for both sides and a very interesting one which sees 2nd in the Essex Senior League v 4th in the SSMFL Premier. 
Biggleswade United v Yaxley 
Bracknell Town v Buckingham Athletic 
Burnham Ramblers v Leighton Town 
Edgware Town v Walton & Hersham 
A difficult game for the home side who face The Swans who are going well in second place of the Combined Counties League Premier Division. They lost at home to title rival's Westfield in midweek so will want to get back to winning ways at Silver Jubilee Park. Edgware had a good 4-0 win at home to Henley Town in the last round. 
Enfield Borough v Newmarket Town 
Arguably the biggest game in their short history for Enfield Borough. The visit of Newmarket Town (currently third in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division) will be a huge test for them. 
Framlingham Town v Cockfosters 
Hullbridge Sports v Colney Heath 
London Colney v Cogenhoe United 
London Lions v Clapton 
A record crowd is expected at Rowley Lane for this one as the Clapton Ultras visit. 
Norwich CBS v Oxhey Jets 
Peterborough Northern Star v Baldock Town 
Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Ampthill Town 
Welwyn Garden City v Takeley 
Like the Basildon United v Biggleswade FC game this is a really intriguing game as the Essex Senior League table topper's visit The Citizens who are in second place of the SSMFL Premier Divsion. One of the ties of the whole FA Vase First Round. 
Wembley v Broadfields United 

PREMIER DIVISION 
Hadley v Berkhamsted 
Hoddesdon Town v London Tigers 
St Margaretsbury v Stotfold 

DIVISION ONE 
Bedford v Brimsdown 
Hatfield Town v Risborough Rangers 
Langford v Southall 
Winslow United v Codicote 
Wodson Park v Harefield United 

DIVISION TWO 
Amersham Town v Pitstone & Ivinghoe 
Berkhamsted Raiders v Grendon Rangers 
Clean Slate v Unite MK 
MK Gallacticos v Tring Corinthians 
Mursley United v Park View 

HUNTINGDONSHIRE INTERMEDIATE CUP SECOND ROUND 
St Neots Town Reserves v Somersham Town 

ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY FIRST ROUND
Galleywood v Totternhoe 
The 61FC (Luton) v St Panteleimon 
Tring Town AFC v Letchworth Garden City Eagles 

BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR TROPHY SECOND ROUND
Loughton Manor v Old Bradwell United 
Westwood United v Aston Clinton 

U25 DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 
AFC Dunstable Development v Harpenden Town Development 
Ampthill Town Development v Winslow United Development 
Berkhamsted Development v Biggleswade United Development 
Colney Heath Development v Hertford Town Development 
Hillingdon Borough Development v Buckingham Athletic Development 
Holmer Green Development v Leighton Town Development 
Risborough Rangers Development v Hoddesdon Town Development

EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND - UPDATE

I was present at Donkey Lane last night to see Bostik Premier Enfield Town play Vanarama National side Maidstone United in the Fourth Qualifying Round replay. The Towners had gone so close to knocking out The Stones on Saturday winning 1-2 with the game in injury time only for the home side to equalise to make it 2-2. 

Last night's game saw Andy Leese's side work so hard against the visitor's who are in ninth place in non-league's top division. Town goalkeeper Joe Wright made a magnificent penalty save in the second half which allowed Aaron Greene to equalise for the home side. The Stones had taken the lead early in the second half via ex West Ham United striker Zavon Hines. Alex Finney (on loan from Championship side QPR) and Jai Reason got the all important goals in extra time to send their side through to a first round proper game at League Two side Chelthenham Town. 

With the game at 1-1 Town's Simon Thomas had had a chance well saved by Lee Worgan - If that had of gone in it could of been a different story?

Everyone of Enfield Town's players can be very proud of the performance they put in over the two games - I am certain Maidstone United will face easier games in the Vanarama National this season. The work rate Town put in was second to none with their defence expertly marshalled by 40 year old Darren Purse. 

Town visit league title favourites and big rival's Billericay Town on Saturday with Maidstone United making the long trip to face AFC Fylde. 

FA CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW 
* games to be played on the weekend of Saturday 4th November
Vanarama National Division sides in bold 
other non-league sides in red 

Hyde United (currently 7th in the Evo-Stik Northern League First Division (North)) and Heybrdige Swifts (currently 7th in the Bostik North Division) are the sides from the lowest down the pyramid left in the competition. 

Hyde have beaten Congelton Town, Kendal Town, Warrington Town (after a replay), Boston Town and Scarbrough Athletic to get this far. 

The Swifts have beaten Haverhill Rovers (after a replay), Arlesey Town, Metropolitan Police (after a replay), Frome Town and Haringey Borough. 

Stevenage v Nantwich Town
Bradford City v Chesterfield
Port Vale v Oxford United 
Newport County AFC v Walsall
Morecambe v Hartlepool United
Yeovil Town v Southend United
Peterborough United v Tranmere Rovers
Cambridge United v Sutton United
Forest Green Rovers v Macclesfield Town
AFC Fylde v Kidderminster Harriers
Luton Town v Portsmouth
Shrewsbury Town v Aldershot Town
Hereford v AFC Telford United
Guiseley AFC v Accrington Stanley
Blackburn Rovers v Barnet
Ebbsfleet United v Doncaster Rovers
Leatherhead v Billericay Town
Boreham Wood v Blackpool
Shaw Lane Association v Mansfield Town
Colchester United v Oxford City 
Plymouth Argyle v Grimsby Town 
AFC Wimbledon v Lincoln City
Rochdale AFC v Bromley 
Coventry City v Maidenhead United
Chorley v Fleetwood Town
Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic
Notts County v Bristol Rovers
Dartford v Swindon Town
Cheltenham Town v Maidstone United
Woking v Bury
Crewe Alexandra v Rotherham United
Gillingham v Leyton Orient 
Hyde United v Milton Keynes Dons
Gainsborough Trinity v Slough Town 
Solihull Moors v Wycombe Wanderers
Northampton Town v Scunthorpe United
Charlton Athletic v Truro City
Wigan Athletic v Crawley Town
Gateshead v Chelmsford City
Exeter City v Heybridge Swifts

FA SUNDAY CUP - FIRST ROUND RESULTS AND SECOND ROUND DRAW

FA SUNDAY CUP 
FIRST ROUND RESULTS 
* played on Saturday 15th October 2017 
Olympia 0-3 Gym United 
The Georgies 3-1 Mottram (AET) 
Lobster 4-2 Kirkdale 
Burradon & New Fordley 3-1 Wrekenton Blue Star 
Newton Aycliffe Huntsman 0-0 Southwick (Sunderland) - Newton Aycliffe won 4-3 on PKs
Dawdon Colliery Welfare 2-1 Amble Tavern 
Garston 1-3 FC Dovecot 
FC Walkers Hounds 4-2 Ferrybridge Progressive (AET) 
West Kirby (Sunday) 1-5 Rock Ferry Social 
Chapeltown Fforde Grene 1-3 Oyster Martyrs 
Thornton United 0-2 Hope Inn Whites 
Mayfair 7-0 AFC Blackburn Leisure 
St John Fisher OB v Oakenshaw AFC (w/o for Oakenshaw)  
Kent 2-2 Melling Victoria - Melling Victoria won 5-4 on PKs 
Campfield 3-2 Dock AFC 
Leeds City Rovers 1-6 Pineapple 
Kensington Fields 6-0 HT Sports 
Home & Bargain 3-2 Linthwaite 
Attenborough Cavaliers 0-1 Austin Ex Apprentices 
Sporting Dynamo 0-2 Penn Tandoori Sundats 
BGIS Fairfield 4-1 Carlton Top Spot 
RHP Sports & Social 2-4 Oadby Athletic 
FC Brimington 0-6 OJM 
Quorn Royals 2008 1-2 Highgate Dynamos 
Rempstone 0-1 Hampton Sunday 
Black Horse (Redditch) 0-6 AFC Jacks 
Halfway 3-1 Nuthall 
Asianos 1-0 Hertford Stags 
Old Southall 5-3 AC Sportsman 
North Wembley v  St Josephs (Luton) (w/o for St Josephs (Luton)) 
Broadfields United (Sunday) 2-4 Real Milan 
Harpole 1-2 FC Bengals
Reed Rangers 0-4 Club Lewsey
AFC Links 3-1 Shire United 
Barnes AFC 7-1 Real Rosehill
London St Georges 3-2 Broadwater 
AFC Kumazi Strikers 2-3 Portland 
Dolphin 1-2 Lebeqs Tavern Courage 
AFC Bevendean 1-4 White Hart 
Market Hotel 2-6 Eden Park Rangers

The FA Sunday Cup is well underway with the below second round games due to be played on Sunday 12th November. Last year's winners Hardwick Social join the competition and face a home tie against Oakenshaw AFC with 2017 runner's up/2016 winner's New Salamis also at home to Portland. One of the stand out ties of the round is the Barnes derby which pits 2013 runner's up Barnes Albion visit Barnes AFC - Both play in the Chiswick and District Sunday League and played each other in a league fixtures on Saturday 24th September which Barnes AFC won 1-4. 2015 winner's Campfield travel to Rock Ferry Social. 

SECOND ROUND DRAW 
* scheduled for Sunday 12th November 2017 
FC Walkers Hounds v Mayfair
Queens Park v FC Soho
FC Dovecot v Hope Inn Whites
Canada v Allerton 
Pineapple v Home Bargains
Burradon & New Fordley v Melling Victoria
Oyster Martyrs v Lobster
Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter v Newton Aycliffe Huntsman
Rock Ferry Social v Campfield
Dawdon Welfare Park v Custys
The Georgies v Dengo United
Toller v Kensington Fields
Hardwick Social v Oakenshaw AFC
Halfway v Austin Ex Apprentices
Oadby Athletic v St Josephs (Luton)
Hampton Sunday v FC Topps
Penn Tandoori Sundats v Club Lewsey
Highgate Dynamos v Enderby Social 
Leighton Madrid v AFC Jacks 
Falcons v Birstall Stamford 
OJM v BGIS Fairfield
Aylesbury Flooring v Gym United
Larkspur Rovers v Real Milan
Manor House v Eden Park Rangers
London St Georges v Asianos
NLO v Old Southall
New Salamis v Portland
Priory Sports v FC Bengals
White Hart v AFC Links
Barnes AFC v Barnes Albion
Navy Inn v Chessington United
Talbot Rangers v Lebeqs Tavern Courage

THURLOW NUNN PREMIER DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR

PREMIER DIVISION TABLE 

TOP FOUR ONLY 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM
1	FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UTD	16	+34	45	WWLWWW
2	COGGESHALL TOWN	13	+32	31	LWWWDW
3	NEWMARKET TOWN	15	+26	31	LDWWWD
4	BRANTHAM ATHLETIC	14	+16	30	WWWWWW

Felixstowe and Walton United lead the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division by a comfortable fourteen points from Coggeshall Town who could close the gap down to five points if they win the three games in hand they have over the current tale toppers. 

The Seasiders have won fifteen of their sixteen league games played with their only defeat being a 4-0 loss at Saffron Walden Town on Saturday 30th September. That game had twelve cautions, one red card for the home side, three penalty kicks and an own goal - reports state is wasn't even a dirty game!! 

Coggeshall Town, known as The Seedgrowers, were promoted from Division One last season after joining the league from the Essex and Suffolk Border League where they were Premier Division Champions and League Cup winners - It's great to see them making a come back up the pyramid after they dropped out of the Essex Senior League in 1989. Over four seasons from 1984 to 1988 (they didn't play in the 86/87 campaign) they bottom of the table on every occasion conceding 466 in 126 games played. 

Felixstowe won the game between the two title challengers on Saturday 26th August at Coggeshall by a score of 1-2. 

Third placed Brantham Athletic lost 5-1 at Felixstowe on Friday 15th September but have since won six league games in a row. 

In the race for the golden boot Josh Mayhew of Stowmarket Town (currently in 8th place - they were champions of Division One last season) has 14 goals in 13 league games played along with Miles Powell of Fleixstowe who has 14 in 16 league games played. Mayhew played in the Isthmian Division One (North) last season for Bury Town where he scored seventeen times in forty appearances. Powell spent the second half of the 2016/17 campaign out of the game with a serious injury so United's fan's will be pleased to see him amongst the goals. 

At the bottom of the table it's been a disappointing season for Fakenham Town so far who have just one win and one draw from their eleven league games played. They lost at home to Hadley and Ottaway Anglian Combination Division One side Yelverton in the Norfolk Senior Cup on Saturday. 

Felixstowe's next three league games come away at Gorleston, away at Godmanchester Rovers and at home to Hadleigh United. They also have an interesting FA Vase game at Wisbech Town (currently 10th in the United Counties League Premier) this coming Saturday. 

WOODFORD TOWN COME BACK TO PICK UP THE THREE POINTS

PRIOR TO KICK OFF EVERYONE PRESENT FELL SILENT TO PAY RESPECTS TO WALTHAM FOREST CHAIRMAN TURGUT ESENDAGLI WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY DURING THE WEEK. 

Woodford Town welcomed Basildon United to Goffs Lane yesterday for an Essex Senior League game. Under new manager Marc Harrison the visitors have made a great start to their 2017/18 campaign winning eight, drawing one and losing only one of their ten league games played prior to kick off. The only defeat came at home to Enfield 1893 FC on Saturday 16th September who picked up a 1-2 victory at The Stuart Bingham Stadium. They had also not conceded a goal in their previous five games prior to kick off. 

BIRTHDAY BOY NICK WILSON PLAYED IN GOAL FOR WOODFORD TOWN

"Woodford Town (2017) FC" to give them their full title are managed by Dee Safer who is assisted by former Clapton assistant manager Neil Day had lost 1-5 at home to Waltham Forest in their previous game which was in the Errington Challenge Cup. 

BASILDON UNITED BROUGHT A GOOD NUMBER OF FANS WITH THEM WHICH WAS GREAT TO SEE

This was a really entertianing game with five goals scored (I nearly missed Basildon's first goal as my camera was having trouble focusing). Woodford's Dion Lewis-Kirwan scored the first goal which was a brilliant finish from outside of the box equalled by the acrobatic celebration. Basildon equalised via Marcus Bowers after a mix up between Woodford keeper Nick Wilson (playing on his 35th birthday) and his defenders allowed Bowers to tap home. Wilson made a number of good saves during the game so it was a good birthday for him. 

I was really impressed with Woodford's left-back Ola Ogunwamide whose pacey forward runs caused Basildon problems throughout the game. He is player with real potential and I think will play at a higher level sooner rather than later. 

Both sides had chances to score before Ashley Blackburn scored from close range after Wilson had parried a shot into his path to make it 1-2. 

Full credit to Woodford who scored almost immediately after through Ogunwamide who dribbled the ball past a number of players on the edge of the box and smashed the ball home to the delight of his team-mates and supporters present.

With the game drifting towards ending all square Jack Grosvenor found himself unmarked and in acres of space at the back post which allowed him to head home from a corner to take home a very welcome three points for the home side. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS


Basildon United host Barkingside in a league game on Tuesday evening before welcoming SSMFL Premier Division side Biggleswade FC in the FA Vase next weekend. Woodford have a tough looking trip to table topper's Takeley on Tuesday evening in a league fixture before hosting Clapton in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday 24th October. Takeley won 5-4 at home to Enfield 1893 FC yesterday - it had been 3-3 on 80 minutes. 

JACK MORDECAI SCORES GOAL OF THE SEASON CONTENDER

Baldock Town continued their impressive unbeaten league record on Wednesday evening with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over local rival's Langford which will be remembered for Jack Mordecai's secord half strike from outside of the box which is a clear goal of the season contender. Aside from a few chances created by the away side it was Baldock who dominated the game from start to finish. Alex Coppin scored in the third minute (not captured on camera unfortunately as I was late arriving) and after Mordecai's goal it was the impressive Josh Coley who rounded things up with a close range finish. It could of been more if it weren't for the cross-bar (twice) and if Luke Gregson's side had been a little more clinical in front of goal it would of been a victory by a bigger margin. 

At the time of writing Mordecai's goal has been viewed over 5,800 times on twitter via @thecoldend and has also been shared on @101greatgoals,  @NonLeaguePaper and @NonLgeChallenge with the headlines 'WHAT A STRIKE' AND 'GO LOOK UP THE WORD "PING" IN THE DICTIONARY'. The Non-League Paper has also shared it on Facebook where it has been viewed over 600 times. 
Below are highlights of the game aside from the afformentioned first goal. 



Baldock host Broadfields United on Saturday with Langford on the road to Risborough Rangers looking to get back to winning ways after losing their last three league and cup games. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - UPDATE

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE 

PREMIER DIVISION 

CURRENT TABLE - TOP SIX ONLY 

TEAM	P	GD	PTS
BERKHAMSTED	9	+16	23
BIGGLESWADE FC	10	+9	20
WELWYN GARDEN CITY	7	+13	19
WEMBLEY	11	+7	18
HARPENDEN TOWN	9	+5	17
HODDESDON TOWN	10	+4	17

Berkhamsted won the top of the table clash against Biggleswade FC yesterday in front of 137 people. Berko came back from 2-0 down to record an important 2-3 victory to preserve their unbeaten start to the league season. 

The other side without a defeat are Welwyn Garden City who won 0-2 at Stotfold. 

Three of the top six are in league action this midweek. Hoddesdon Town welcome seventh placed Leighton Town on Tuesday evening with Hadley (9th) welcoming Wembley and Welwyn Garden City hosting St Margaretsbury on Wednesday evening. 

In league only fixtures Stacey Field of Berkhamsted is the top scorer hitting the net nine times in seven games closely followed by Edward Davis of Cockfosters with eight in five games, James Ewington of Harpenden Town with eight in nine games and Nicholas Kerly of Oxhey Jets with eight in eight games. 

Foster's Attacking Midfielder Davis could be a player to watch out for this season.