Played on Wednesday 22nd November 2017 ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE FC ROMANIA v WADHAM LODGE
It was all change for Wadham Lodge in September when new owner's took over the East London club in September. Their results have steadily improved under the new management of Marc Farrell with four wins in their last ten games prior to kick off against FC Romania at a windy and rainy Theobalds Lane last Wednesday. The result was 2-2 which was about right as both sides played some good football. The main talking point was Wadham being awarded a penalty kick late on in the game which if they had have scored would of probably won them all three points. The ball crashed against the post but was it a foul in the box in the first place? Have a look at the replay from 7m 55s. Finally a quick mention and respect must go out to the one Wadham Lodge fan (pictured above) who stood behind their goal for the entire match cheering his side on. A crowd of eighteen people was announced for this game. MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Langford started the 2017/18 season with Rob Bates in charge but he and his staff left the club towards the end of September to be replaced Rob Verdiar who has also brought in a new management and coaching team.
The playing squad has also changed drastically with just Lewis Sinclair remaining in the starting XI for this game at The Gosling Stadium compared to their opening game of the season in the FA Cup against Hadley. They included former Hatfield winger Sean Mboto in their team.
Going into the game Hatfield Town's league record was just two wins in fourteen games with Langford's four wins in twelve games - It was 16th v 15th in the table. The home side were without a win in nine league and cup games.
It started well for the away side when Luke Smith headed home on two minutes from a short corner and cross into the box. They then took a two goal lead just after the half hour mark when Ethan Draper was left with space to easily score after a long throw into the box. Hatfield played some good football at times but failed really to create any real goal scoring chances - On another day I think they would of scored at least one goal with a little more luck and composure in the penalty box.
OFFSIDE OR NOT?
There was a couple of interesting talking points in the first half - Jack Edwards was very harshly booked for what appeared to be a fantastic tackle (see the highlights video from 2m 40secs) and could it of been another goal for Luke Smith when an offside flag ruled one out (was it the correct decision - see the highlights from 3m 55secs).
In the second half it was another set-piece and another goal for Langford. A long throw into the box was skillfully back-heal volleyed into the net by Luke Smith who got his second goal of the game.
HANDBALL OR NOT?
Smith could of had a third but he was ruled to have handled the ball before lobbing the ball over the keeper - Another talking point? Was it the right decision? (Have a look from 6m 20secs).
HATFIELD BOSS KEVIN PEARMAN INSTRUCTS HIS TEAM FROM THE GOSLING SIDELINES
The Blue Boys came back into the game when Chris Gray headed home from a free kick into the box but it was Langford who could of extended their lead when they hit the cross-bar from a short from outside of the box.
Langford went on to gain a good draw (0-0) at home to Baldock Town on Tuesday evening. They welcome London Lions to Forde Park at the weekend.
Hatfield Town have a run of four games at The Gosling Stadium starting with Wodson Park visiting on Saturday.
The Blue Boys continue to play their football at The Gosling Stadium. Their average crowd in league and cup games this season is 26. It would be great to see a few more people support their local club.
This Dudley Lathom Premier Division Cup Quarter Final saw title challenger's and second placed Welwyn Garden City entertain bottom of the table Crawley Green who had only won once in league fixtures away at Leverstock Green prior to this game. They had had some good results in Cup Fixtures and also recently got a highly creditable 1-1 draw at table topper's Berkhamsted on Saturday 4th November. Dean Bull had stepped down as manager of the visitors after their 2-0 FA Vase defeat to Biggleswade FC on Saturday 11th November to be replaced by Chris Devane (new boss) and Craig Meyrick (assistant manager) so this was their first game in the dugout for their new team. Goalkeeper Bull was still involved and it was a highly memorable night for him. Three new players came into the squad - Alex Bennett (who has played for the club before) and Rhys Calvano (formerly of Langford) along with Ricky Clark (another ex player) on the bench. Welwyn boss Adam Fisher stated he had given some of this players a rest for this game as they had played a large number of games with his squad involved in league, FA Vase, Herts Senior Cup, Premier Division Cup and League Challenge Cup games over the past few months. Having said that only four changes were made to The Citizen's starting XI compared to their FA Vase game against Newport Pagnell Town one of which was ex Stotfold player Dan Bond (who has recently signed from Hertford Town). The home side started extremely well and took a very early lead through George Ironton - they could of been at least three up by the time Crawley Green equalised with a close range header from a corner on twenty minutes. Bull had already made a number of impressive saves to keep his side in the game. The goals then rained in on 28 , 31 and 41 minutes to make the score 2-3 at half time which nobody would of expected beforehand. The pace, movement and work rate of the Crawley front line was very impressive. Aaron Browne would of been very impressed with his two finishes for Crawley Green - the first one was particularly good. Green's task of keeping their lead became even harder in the second half when Crawley were reduced to 10 men after a second booking and a red card on 56 minutes. As expected Welwyn had much of the possession after the sending off but Crawley Green were well organised defending and when that didn't work it was Bull who continued to make some brilliant saves. As the game ticked over 90 minutes it was looking like it wasn't going to be The Citizen's night but they impressively they kept going and it was former Enfield Town, Cockfosters and Edgware Town man Paul Marks who scored on 95 minutes to make it all square at 3-3 - this was only after Bull had made two brilliant saves in quick succession. All the talk around me then was "At least it'll go to penalties now" but the game wasn't over yet.
Ben Spaul passed the ball through to Jon Clements whose shot was fumbled into the net but the exceptionally unlucky Bull. The fine line between success and defeat was highlighted by looking at Bull sitting disconsolate on his goal line as the Welwyn players celebrated a remarkable victory in a big bundle by the corner flag. The full time whistle blew very shortly afterwards. Despite the defeat the new management at Crawley Green can take so many positives from this game and it's clear they did as on Saturday they won 5-0 at home against Holmer Green. The Citizens had another very very late show at local rival's Colney Heath. They were 1-0 down but goals from Ash Kersey on 88 minutes and Yasin Boodhoo on 93 minutes got them the all important three points. What was nice to see on the night was a number of Welwyn fans shaking Bull's hand after the game and telling him he didn't deserve to be on the losing side. They also gave both sides a good round of applause commenting on what a brilliant game they had seen. Below are match highlights including all seven of the goals scored. Well worth a watch!
The game won't live long in the memory but for Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division (Step 7 of the non-league ladder) side Ware Sports the result of this Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy will.
It's been a difficult season so far for Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Codicote (Step 6) - Going into the game they had played eighteen games in league and cup with just one victory against fellow struggler's Hillingdon Borough back on Saturday 26th August. Former Premier League player Gifton Noel-Williams had started the season in charge only to leave the club after their recent 0-6 defeat to Baldock Town. Jimmy Martin and Tony Armitage had steadied the ship over the past few weeks with their young side gaining a creditable 0-0 draw at Ampthill Town at the weekend which was the team's first clean sheet of the season.
Ware Sports are having a great season so far - they are in third place in their league and went into this game on the back of three good wins over Hinton, Chipperfield Corinthians and Knebworth.
There were a fair few tough challenges in this game with Ware Sports taking the lead in the first half which was the only goal of the game. Codicote had one or two chances to equalise with one standing out towards the end of the first half which ended in a great save by Ware's goalkeeper.
Cod's new manager Fin Johnson, who has previously coached at Cockfosters, Cheshunt, was in attendance. He officially took over the running of the team after the game. Their next two fixtures are away at Harefield United tomorrow and at home to St Neots Town Reserves next weekend.
Johnson has made a number of signings as he looks to work some magic and for the team to climb up the table over the coming weeks. Wide player's Ade Adeyemo and Youseff Magdy have joined from University of Herts FC along with defender Desmond Jemwa. Former Welwyn Garden City forward Isaac Oppong has signed up with Courtney Lawrence (from Cockfosters) and midfielder Jason Rice from Cheshunt FC. I can see Harefield United's defence being rather busy on Saturday dealing with the pacey players that Johnson has signed up.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Ware Sport's next game is at home to Bushey Sports tomorrow. They travel to fellow HSCL Premier Division side Letchworth Garden City Eagles in the Quarter Final of the HSCT. HERTS FA SENIOR CENTENARY TROPHY QUARTER FINALS scheduled to be played on Saturday 2nd December 2017 London Lions v Knebworth Letchworth Garden City Eagles v Ware Sports Baldock Town v Wormley Rovers FC Lemsford v Belstone
Enfield 1893 FC welcomed Tower Hamlets for an Essex Senior League tie on Monday night a little over 48 hours after an eventful FA Vase Second Round tie between the two sides at Mile End Stadium. That game ended with the home side on seven men and 1893 with ten men - Matthew Hanning's side had won 1-2 to earn a Third Round game at Hullbridge Sports.
LUKE WITH HAD AN EVENTFUL NIGHT FOR TOWER HAMLETS SCORING TWO GOALS. HE WAS SENT OFF IN SATURDAY'S VASE GAME.
Just after kick off the cry of 'Who's marking Andy Carroll?' came from the home side in relation to Tower Hamlet's centre forward Luke With who has a passing resemblance to the West Ham United player especially in height.
Hamlet took an early lead via Lamar Earle on six minutes with O'Neal Rowe standing out for me showing some really good play with lots of pace going forward.
1893 equalised just prior to half time when James O'Brien rose to head home a looping free kick into the box.
The second half had many talking points - Tower Hamlets re-took the lead when With scored from the penalty spot after Matt Duberry had handled in the box for Enfield. He was given a yellow card but did he stop a goal scoring opportunity? Could it have been a straight red?
JOIN THE DEBATE - WAS IT A FOUL ON JOSH SYKES AND A PENALTY KICK?
Josh Sykes then had his own penalty claim which has been well debated on twitter. The comments have gone from "He's kicked his left ankle and he's gone over, if it had been the other way round a free kick would have been given. It's a pen all day" to "The striker is comical, watching too many live TV games, should learn to play football properly. Must be embarrassed" and "If for my team then a pen all day but if against then it has to be a 5 game ban". It's been viewed well over 4,000 times! Have a look on the match highlights video and see what you think? From 9m 40s on the video higlights below Sykes was involved again when he, the Enfield team and bench claimed he was fouled on the edge of the box only for the referee to wave play on for With to score his second goal and win the game for his side in injury time and gain some revenge for the Vase defeat on Saturday.
HIGHLIGHTS
ENFIELD 1893 FC Michael Cordery, Matt Duberry, Joe Clark (Ryan Cosson 68), Matthew Thoma, James O'Brien, Andrew Tirivanhu, Jacon Dixon (Joe Johnson 70), Joe Staunton, Josh Sykes, Daniel Jones (James Bricknall 46), Jayden Hocking-Rising. Unused substitutes: Matthew Claxton, Tony Da-Silva,
TOWER HAMLETS James Pellin, Lamar Earle (James Ross 90), Antonio Monteiro (Wale Odedoyin 74), Jerome Anthony, Alhousman Ndure, Tola Odedoyin, O'Neal Rowe, Mata Julio (Nathan Ackie 90), Luke With, Frankie Sinclair, Reece Capleton. Unused substitutes: Kayode Tobun, Charlie Casey.
PRIOR TO KICK OFF BOTH SETS OF PLAYERS FELL SILENT ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY If there was such a thing this match would definitely be last on 'Sunday League Match of The Day' as the swirling freezing cold wind didn't make it the best of conditions to play football. I think if there was a programme dedicated to the glamour and delights of Sunday League Football - How popular would it be? I am old enough to remember Danny Baker's 'The Game' which was a wonderful look into the East London Sunday League and Hackney Marshes broadcast is 1991. (In fact it's currently available on DVD for bargain price of £2.29 - A great Christmas stocking filler?... some episodes are on youtube as well). Who also remembers 'Fash FC' which was shown on Bravo between 2003 and 2004 which focused on the Hendon Sunday League and was based at the iconic Claremont Road. I think there is definitely a gap in the market for a late night show called THE SUNDAY MATCH. If any clubs or teams are out there who are interested in filming behind the scenes with manager teams talks etc please contact me via twitter and we'll see what we can do. This game was in the Third Round of the Hertfordshire Fa Sunday Intermediate Cup and pitted third place in the Herts Advertiser Sunday League Division Two against fourth place in the Terry Reed North West Essex Sunday League. Swifts had won an incredible game in the second round against Windmill Athletic. It ended 4-4 after normal time and 7-4 after extra time. Colney Heth had narrowly won 0-1 at Southbury. It was 0-0 after 90 minutes with little goal-mouth action to talk about. In extra time the game sprang to life with Colney Heath taking the lead in the first fifteen minutes followed a spell of real pressure by the away side who hit the woodwork and made the home keeper pull off some good saves. Heath made the game safe in the second period with another goal to make the full time score 2-0. They face Cheshunt Town (of the East Herts Corinthian League) at home in the next round.
HIGHLIGHTS inc both goals scored
PICTURES
SUNDAY LEAGUE CRAMP! AFTER THIRTY MINUTES EXTRA-TIME IT'S TO BE EXPECTED
PRIOR TO KICK OFF BOTH TEAMS AND OFFICIALS OBSERVED A MINUTE'S SILENCE ON REMEMBRANCE DAY.
Hinton maintained their recent run of good form in the Hertfordshire Senior County League making it four victories out of five games played since the beginning of October recording a very narrow 0-1 victory over Hatfield Social on Saturday. The home side went into the game on the back of some good results themselves with wins over Cheshunt 'A' and Oxhey Jets Reserves in their last two games.
It was a pretty scrappy game which was decided by a penalty in the first half which was scored by Paul Clarke. Hinton's goalkeeper made a good save in the second half from a free kick to keep a well deserved clean sheet - Hinton's second of the season. The win put's Enfield based Hinton just four points off the top of the Division One table which is shaping up to be an exciting title race by the looks of things at present - currently just six points separate first and seventh place.
HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CURRENT TABLE - TOP SEVEN ONLY
POS
TEAM
P
GD
PTS
FORM
1
BOVINGDON RESERVES
12
+16
28
LWWWWW
2
CHESHUNT 'A'
14
+9
28
LDWWWL
3
SUN SPORTS RESERVES
13
+28
27
WLWWWW
4
WESTON
11
+27
26
WWDWWW
5
HADLEY RESERVES
11
+13
26
WLWWWW
6
HINTON
12
+8
24
WWWLWW
7
SARRATT
11
+23
22
WWWWLD
They play third placed Weston away next weekend in an all important league fixture whilst Hatfield Social face a tough Aubuery Cup game against Premier Division table topper's Bovingdon who have only lost one league game in their ten played so far - they beat SSMFL D2 side Aston Clinton in the Anagram Records Trophy on Saturday (the score was 4-2 AET).
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
A HINTON PLAYER BRAVELY PLAYED ON FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES WITH A CUT TO HIS HEAD.
It was great to have a look around CB Hounslow United's new ground at Green Lane last night as their reserve team took on FC Assyria in all Middlesex County League Middlesex Intermediate Round Two game. The ground built for the club at a reported cost of £1.5m was opened this summer after many years hard work by the club to find a home they can call their own which is fantastic to see for the local community. It's already impressive but there is still alot of work to be done with trees planned to be planted along one end of the perimeter and more covered terracing planned. The club were formed in 1989 - The CB stands for 'Cater Bank' a company owned by the father of the club's chairman. They have made progress through the Hounslow and District League before joining the Middlesex County League in 1997 and then in 2006 the Combined Counties League. They had been ground sharing at nearby Bedfont and Feltham.
FC Assyria are having a great season so far sitting top of their division by eleven points after thirteen games played - they play their home games at The Osterley Sports Ground which is a former home of The Dragons as CB Hounslow are nicknamed. The home side are third from bottom in the division winning three of their nine league games played so far which included a 4-0 defeat to FC Assyria in August which made the away side strong favourites for this game.
FC Assyria was formed in the late 1960's to represent the Assyrian Society of United Kingdom based in Ealing. They have been members of the Middlesex County League Premier Division since 2012 where they have finished 11th, 3rd, 13th, 9th and 3rd. They won Division One (West) in the 2011/12 season.
*The Assyrians of today are the indigenous Aramaic-speaking descendants of the ancient Assyrian people, one of the earliest civilizations emerging in the Middle East, and have a history spanning over 6750 years. Assyrians are not Arabian, we are not Kurdish, our religion is not Islam. The Assyrians are Christian, with our own unique language, culture and heritage. Although the Assyrian empire ended in 612 B.C., history is replete with recorded details of the continuous presence of the Assyrian people till the present time. (taken from the FC Assyria website)
The pitch at Green Lane is fantastic - definitely one of the best I've seen for along time. Even the away side commented when they came out to warm up - "What a pitch" one of them said.
The first half saw the away side play some really good football passing the ball around, keeping possession with impressive movement up front and in the midfield causing problems for the home side's back line. CB sat off them and gave them far too much time on the ball which allowed FCA to create many chances to score. The made it 0-1 when a fantastic pass allowed their player to control the ball and score from the most acute of angles on the right hand side of the field. They added a second when a home player lost the ball midway in his own half followed by some crisp and neat interchanging of passing allowed the FCA player to score.
It should of been a few more but the half time score was 0-2. The second period saw a much improved performance by the home side who pushed and pressed higher up the field which was completely different compared to the first half.
It was 1-2 when a long looping free kick into the box was touched home and they could of equalised with one or two more chances only for the away side to break quickly up field and more neat passing allowed them to make it 1-3 which effectively ended the game.
Two more goals scored late on put an added gloss on the scoreline for the away side who look a very very good team for Step Seven on the non-league ladder.
'THE MIDDLESEX PIRLO'
Special mention must go to their midfielder James McCluskey (formerly of Hanwell Town and Northwood) who was brilliant sitting in midfield. He showed some great skill at times and can definitely ping a pass when he wants to. He always seemed to have time on the ball - I think you could call him 'The Middlesex Pirlo' from his style of play and appearance.
FC ASSYRIA FULL LINE UP
1. Hani Baki
2. Martin Benjamin (c) 4. Saman Kanani
3. Edward Baki
7. Dani Samoo
8. Hussein Warsame
10. Andrew Isaac
11. Alan Samoo
14. George Isaac
16. Bilal Butt
17. James McCluskey Subs
6. Taylor Rowlands
12. Danny Gelyanah
Green Lane is around a 20 minute walk away from Hatton Cross Underground Station which is the place to be for the Combined Counties league. Bedfont and Feltham (ground shared by Kensington Borough) and Bedfont Sports (ground shared by FC Deportivo Galicia) are closer distance with 2016 Premier Division runner's up Ashford Town (now in the Evo Stik South East Division) not too far away either. MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
MIDDLESEX INTERMEDIATE CUP 2017/18 ROUND ONE
INDIAN GYMKHANA 3 BROADFIELDS 0
ROUND TWO
INDIAN GYMKHANA 3 HAREFIELD UNITED RESERVES 0 CB HOUNSLOW UNITED RESERVES 1 FC ASSYRIA 5
LAMPTON PARK 1 AFC SPELTHORNE SPORTS CLUB 1 - Away win on PKs LONDON RANGERS 1 RUISLIP FC 5 PARK VIEW v HILLINGDON - Sat 11th November KENSINGTON DRAGONS 1 CRICKLEWOOD WANDERERS 0 NPL SATURDAY 1 LALEHAM 4 BRENTHAM 5 BRITISH AIRWAYS 3 ROUND THREE * scheduled for Saturday 6th January 2018 INDIAN GYMKHANA v FC ASSYRIA AFC SPELTHORNE SPORTS CLUB v LONDON RANGERS PARK VIEW or HILLINGDON v KENSINGTON DRAGONS LALEHAM v BRENTHAM
