B TO C - NEWS FROM THE ISTHMIAN PREMIER

BISHOPS STORTFORD

The Blues played their first pre-season friendly last night facing Essex Senior League side Woodford Town in a game played at Ware's Wodson Park ground. Frankie Merrifield, Jonny Giles (2) and Jake Cass (2) netted goals in a 5-0 win. Steve Smith's side face Braintree Town on Saturday. Midfielder Charley Barker (former Braintree Town, Potters Bar Town, Wingate & Finchley and Leyton Orient) has signed for the 21/22 campaign along with 19 year old Archie Jones who is also a midfielder. Jones joins from football league side Peterborough United after he spent time on loan with The Blues last season. 

Jonny Giles who scored in the Woodford game is also a new recruit who counted Biggleswade Town, Chelmsford City and Oxford United as former clubs. 

Striker Jake Cass is an impressive signing - He had a short spell with The Blues in 2018 scoring 7 goals in 9 games. He has played for Chelmsford City, Chesham United and Braintree Town amongst other clubs. 

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN 

The Rocks have announced Gavin McCallum as one of their new signings. The 33 year old experienced left-back joins from Vanarama South side Dartford and has also represented a host of clubs including Sutton United, Lincoln City, Woking and Eastbourne Borough during his career. He has one International cap for Canada in 2010 when he scored in the 1-1 draw versus Venezuela. 

McCallum is joined by defender/midfielder Craig Robson who returns to Nyewood Lane after spending the last two seasons with Havant & Waterlooville. He moved from The Rocks to Dagenham & Redbridge in 2016. 

The Rocks first pre-season friendly comes tomorrow evening at Littlehampton Town followed by a home game on Saturday against football league side Burton Albion. 

BOWERS & PITSEA 

Bowers have played two pre-season games so far losing 1-2 to Hashtag United and 0-1 to Walthamstow. Their next two games are away at Safrron Walden Town on Saturday and at home to Hullbridge Sports next Tuesday evening. Ade Osifuwa scored their goal in the Hashtag game. 

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT 

Regent will be without their Captain of the last few seasons - Pip Boyland who has been with the Essex club for the last four seasons has moved on to an as yet unnamed club. 

They won their first pre-season friendly last weekend in a 2-3 victory at Essex Senior League new boy's Little Oakley. 

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 

The Robins kicked off their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Walton Casuals - Julian Kapica, Paul Ansah and Danny Bassett were the scorers. 

CHESHUNT 

The Ambers, formed in 1946, are celebrating their 75th Anniversary during the 21/22 season and have released the above kit to celebrate. Craig Edwards side have played two pre-season games so far losing 2-1 to Barking last night and a 2-2 draw against Fisher FC. 

CORINTHIAN CASUALS 

The Casuals won their first pre-season game 2-1 against Guilford City on Saturday. 

CRAY WANDERERS 

It's the beginning of a new era for London's oldest football club following the departure of Manager Tony Russell and his assistant Joe Vines in March. Tony had been with the club for six seasons and played a huge part in bringing The Wands back to the Isthmian Premier in 2019. 

The new man in charge is Danny Kedwell who takes on his first managerial role. The 37 year old has also registered as a player for the forthcoming season and has had a extensive playing career where he represented Welling United, Grays Athletic, AFC Wimbledon, Gillingham, Ebbsfleet United and Havant & Waterlooville along with a recent spell with Hollands and Blair. Prior to joining Welling United he started his career with Chatham Town in 2001 and also played for Fisher Athletic, Tonbridge Angels, Lordswood, Maidstone United and Herne Bay. 

His assistant will be Andy Drury who joins from Sittingbourne. He started his career with The Brickies in 2001 before playing for Lewes, Ebbsfleet United and Stevenage Borough where he helped the Hertfordshire club to the 2010 Conference title. He then played in the football league for Luton Town, Ipswich Town and Crawley Town before playing for Eastleigh, Ebbsfleet United and Havant & Waterlooville prior to his move back to Sittingbourne. The 37 year old has also signed on as a player.  

Kedwell has signed a number of new players for the 21/22 campaign. Attacking midfielder Ani Nuur has signed from Southern League Premier Division South side Hartley Wintney. The 24 year old has also played for Tooting & Mitcham United, Hanwell Town and Westfield FC. He came through the academy ranks of Colliers Wood United. 

Goalkeeper Jack Tuner joins from Vanarama South side Slough Town where he has been first choice between the sticks for the last four seasons. Turner started his career at AFC Wimbledon (when Kedwell was a player for The Dons) and has also played for Staines Town. 

Centre-Forward Sadik Balarabe, 28, has also signed. He was born in London and came through the academy ranks at Reading before moving to America to study where he played for Chicago Inferno in the USL Premier Development League. He is a well travelled man having played in Greek, Cyprus, Portugal and Spain. He played a handful of games in the Vanarama South in 2020 for Dulwich Hamlet and Hemel Hempstead Town. 

Experienced midfielder Anthony Cook, 31, has also signed for the season. He was last with Welling United in the Vanarama South Division. He featured in Sky One's 'Football Icon' show which saw him gain trails with Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City. He signed for The Bluebirds and played in their academy and reserve teams. He has played for a number of clubs since in Dagenham & Redbridge, Concord Rangers (loan), Carshalton Athletic (loan), Braintree Town, Chelmsford City, Canvey Island (loan), Ebbsfleet United, Bromley, Woking (loan) and Dulwich Hamlet prior to his recent spell with The Wings. 

Jamie Yila who is a winger with bags of pace and skill has been signed from Southern Counties East Premier side Fisher FC. The youngster who has also played for Tower Hamlets makes the move up from Step Five to Step Three and was a real fan's favourite with the Fish faithful. 

Another player to make the step up from Step Five is Fjord Rogers who moves from Hollands and Blair. The striker has also played for Lordswood and Tunbridge Wells. 

Centre-Back Ejiro Okosieme was last playing for Romford in the Isthmian League Division One (North) - the 26 year old was born in Lewisham but came through the academy ranks at Middlesbrough spending time on loan at Billingham Synthonia and Workington AFC. He has since played for Billericay Town, Bishops Stortford, Chatham Town, Macclesfield Town, Dover Athletic, Braintree Town and Welling United. 

Dean Beckwith has signed and will be club captain for the 21/22 campaign. He joins from Isthmian South-East side Hythe Town. The highly experienced 37 year old central defender has played for Gillingham, Hereford United, Northampton Town, Luton Town, Eastleigh, Sutton United and Havant & Waterlooville. 

THE WANDS - PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Sat 10th July - HASHTAG UNITED 

Tues 13th July - Hollands & Blair: 

Sun 18th July - AFC WIMBLEDON 

Tues 20th July - Glebe

Sat 24th July - Beckenham Town

Weds 28th July - Sittingbourne

Sat 31st July - Herne Bay

Tues 3rd Aug - WELLING UNITED 

Sat 7th Aug - Ashford United

COMING SOON - NEWS FROM CLUBS E AND ONWARDS