DROPWATCH - THE BOTTOM OF THE ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF-GA	GD	PTS	FORM	PP
17.	CLAPTON	29	6	5	18	38-57	-19	23	LLWLDD	56
18.	ST MARGARETSBURY	29	6	4	19	32-61	-29	22	WWLLLL	55
19.	SOUTHEND MANOR	29	5	2	22	28-79	-51	17	LWLWLL	50
20.	SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN	30	4	5	21	27-78	-51	17	LLLLDL	47
21.	SPORTING BENGAL UNITED	30	2	2	26	23-110	-87	8	LLLWDL	38

It looks very much likely that after spending nearly two decades at step five of the non-league ladder Sporting Bengal United will be playing step six football next season barring a remarkable turn around of form. The East London side finished in eighth position of the ESL in 18/19 but this season they are currently bottom of the table nine points from safety with just two wins from twenty-nine games played. Imrul Gazi stepped down as boss in August after five years in the hot-seat with the club now being managed by Steve Clark who was part of Anwar Uddin's coaching team during his time with the club prior to Gazi's appointment. Clark took over from Shipon Miah in December who had been manager since Gazi's departure. 

The new boss has also managed Wingate & Finchley from May to September 2019 and also been Assistant Manager at Ware and Glebe. 

He played for West Ham United, Southend United, Macclesfield Town, Hornchurch, Weymouth, Fisher Athletc, Bromley, Eastleigh and Chelmsford City during his playing career. 

All might not be lost as in they recorded a 1-0 win over Woodford Town and a 1-1 draw with Clapton before losing to title favourite's Walthamstow on Saturday. Only Darius Maxine was left in the starting XI in their recent game against Clapton compared to their opening day defeat at Southend Manor in July. 

Up until the Clapton game Sporting Bengal had used 116 players in their league games! 

Sawbridgeworth Town and Southend Manor are next up on 17 points each. They have both changed management this season.

Alex Salmon (former Basildon United & Burnham Ramblers boss) and Kieran Amos are joint managers at Crofters End. Amos made headlines back in September 2020 after losing an incredible amount of weight slimming down from 21 stone to make a return to playing for the club - He scored the winner in the last minute of the FA Cup game against Romford. 

Former Hullbridge Sports and Welling Town Assistant Manager James Wakeling took over as Southend Manor boss in between Christmas and New Year. 

They are followed by St Margaretsbury on 22 points and Clapton on 23 points before a big gap to Ilford on 32 points. 

Paul Holding was appointed manager of St Margaretsbury in September with The Ton's management team being Michael Walther who re-joined the club following the departure of Mustafa Bashkal to Leatherhead in October. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES FOR BOTTOM FIVE 

Saturday 26th February

Saffron Walden Town v Sporting Bengal United 

Southend Manor v Sawbridgeworth Town 

Takeley v St Margaretsbury 

White Ensign v Clapton

Tuesday 1st March

Clapton v White Ensign 

Sawbridgeworth Town v Walthamstow 

Southend Manor v Stanway Rovers 

Wednesday 2nd March

Ilford v Sporting Bengal United 

What a game there is this weekend as Sawbridgeworth Town travel to the seaside for a 'relegation six pointer' against Southend Manor which should attract a decent crowd to Southchurch Park. 

THE BATTLE TO BEAT THE DROP FROM THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE - CARLISLE UNITED

THE MANAGER 

Former Bristol City boss Keith Millen was appointed as boss on Tuesday 26th October 2021 after the sacking of Chris Beech who had been in charge since November 2019. Millen had a successful playing career as a defender with Brentford, Watford and Bristol City between 1983 to 2003. He has also coached at Crystal Palace and MK Dons. 

A COMPARISON OF FORM SINCE MILLEN TOOK OVER

P	W	D	L	GF-GA	GD	PTS	PPG
14	2	6	6	11-12	-10	12	0.86
17	4	4	9	12-24	-12	16	0.94

ROUND UP 
A run of four wins in five games from the end of November to the beginning of January saw things start to look up for The Cumbrians but a run of eight games without a win has seen them slip back into the drop zone. Their 0-3 defeat at home on Saturday was the fifth game in a row at Brunton Park they have played without a win.  They make the long trip to East London on Saturday where a win would put them two points below Leyton Orient who are currently in 18th position so all is not lost yet! They slipped out of the league for one season in 2004/05 when they were promoted back via the play-offs. They have since played in League One for eight seasons after winning League Two at the first attempt in 2005/06. 

THE SQUAD 

Mark Howard is a highly experienced goalkeeper. The 35 year old joined the club in October after spending the 20/21 campaign with relegation rival's Scunthorpe United. He started his career with Arsenal where his only first team action came as an unused substitute in the 2005 FA Community Squad against Chelsea at The Millennium Stadium. Whilst with The Gunners he spent time on loan with Falkirk before moving to Cardiff City permanently in 2006. He has also since represented Swansea City (loan), St Mirren, Aberdeen, Blackpool, Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers and Salford City (loan). 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP APPEARANCES - 45 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 214 

Defender Joe Riley, 25, joined the club in August 2020 after a two year spell with Bradford City. He started his career with Manchester United where he made three first team appearances in home and away games versus Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League and in the FA Cup Fifth Round game against Shrewsbury Town. The home game against the Danish club was famous for Marcus Rashford making his debut for The Red Devils. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 67 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 4 

Morgan Feeney, 23, started his career with Everton where aged 18 he played in a UEFA Europa League game against Atalanta. He spent a short spell on loan with Tranmere Rovers before joining Sunderland on a short term basis in August 2020 from where he joined Carlisle United in January 2021. As a youth he was capped at u17, u18 and u19 for England. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 21 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0

Dynel Simeu, 19, joined on loan from Premier League Southampton in January. The defender played academy football with both Chelsea and Southampton. Simeu was born in Cameroon. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 5 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

Mitchell Roberts, 21, is another recent loan signing at the end of January. He joined from Championship side Birmingham City - he spent time on loan with Harrogate Town in the second half of last season. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 3 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0

Jon Mellish joined the club from Gateshead in 2019 where he started his career. The 24 year old can play in defence of midfield. Netted 11 goals in 44 league games last season. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 87 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 14 

Callum Guy joined from Blackpool in January 2020 for an undisclosed fee. He began his career with Derby County and has also played for Port Vale and Bradford City. The 25 year old midfielder is Club Captain at Blundell Park. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 132 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0

Corey Whelan is a 24 year old defender/midfielder. He joined Liverpool from Crewe Alexandra as a 9 year old and went through the ranks at Anfield. Whilst with the club he Captained their u23 side and spent time on loan with Yeovil Town and Crewe Alexandra. He spent two seasons in the USA with Phoenix Rising who play in the USL Championship but returned to England in January 2021 to join Wigan Athletic on a short-term basis. He then joined Carlisle in the summer. He has been capped by the Republic of Ireland at u17 and u21 level. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPERANCES - 59 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 1 

Owen Windsor is a recent loan signing from Championship side West Bromwich Albion. The 20 year old played youth football with both Southampton and Swindon Town but made his name playing for Cirencester Town in the 2018/19 who at the time were playing at Step 4 in the Southern League Division One form where he moved to The Hawthorns. He has since spent time on loan back at Circencester Town as well as Grimsby Town, Taunton Town and Newport County. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 16 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 5 

Tobi Sho-Silver is a recent signing from Sutton United for an undisclosed fee. The 26 year old winger started out with Charlton Athletic playing on loan at Welling United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle before a permanent move to Bromley for the 16/17 season. He then played for Dover Athletic, Chelmsford City, Margate and FC Halifax Town before his move to Gander Green Lane in the summer of 2020.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 10 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 1 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP APPEARANCES - 5 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIPS GOALS - 0  

Omari Patrick recently joined the club for a second spell after he spent the 20/21 season with Carlisle United. The 25 year old forward joined from Burton Albion. Born in Slough he started his career in non-league with Beaconsfield SYCOB and Kidderminster Harriers before joining Barnsley and Bradford City from whom he joined Carlisle for his first spell. His Dad Adrian Patrick was a 400m runner for England and won Gold in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in the 4x400m. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 93 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 13 

Gabriel Breeze is an 18 year old goalkeeper who came through the club's youth system. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 0

Jack Armer is 20 years old and has been by Scotland at u17, u18 and u19 levels. He came through the ranks at Preston North End spending two loan spells with Lancaster City whilst at Deepdale.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 53 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 1 

Winger Jordan Gibson joined the club in the summer of 2021 after playing in Ireland for St Patricks Athletic and Sligo Rovers. He played in the youth system with Rangers between 2015 to 2017 but was released and joined Bradford City. In 2019 the 23 year old spent a brief spell on loan with Stevenage. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 52 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 6 

Danny Devine, 24, is a midfielder who has been with the club since August 2020. He joined from Bradford City where he was a product of The Bantam's academy system. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 48 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 1 

Dublin born Jamie Devitt is a 31 year old attacking midfielder who started his career with Hull City in 2008 where he went out on loan to a number of clubs. He spent time with Darlington, Grimsby Town (2 spells), Shrewsbury Town, Bradford City, Accrington Stanley and Rotherham United. He moved to Chesterfield for the 13/14 season before signing for Morecambe in 2014 after a loan spell with the club. This is his second spell with the club having re-signed in January. He spent 2016 to 2019 at Blundell Park. He has also played for Blackpool, Bradford City (loan), Newport County (loan) and Barrow. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 330 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 47 

Tyrese Omotoye, 19, is currently on loan from Norwich City. He played youth football with Cray Wanderers before moving to Carrow Road. Spent the last part of 20/21 on loan at Swindon Town and much of season on loan with Leyton Orient before moving to Carlisle. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 20 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

31 year old Kristian Dennis recently joined from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren. Born in Manchester he started his career at Macclesfield Town who were a football league side at the time. He then dropped down into non-league to play for Woodley Sports, Mossley, Curzon Ashton, Stockport County and back at Macclesfield Town for the 15/16 campaign in the Vanarama National League. He has also played for Chesterfield, Notts County and Grimsby Town. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 119 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 31 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP APPEARANCES - 30 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIPS GOALS - 3 

Lukas Jensen, 22, is currently on loan from Burnley. The Danish goalkeeper has only made one start for Carlisle this season. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 1 

Rod McDonald is a defender and started his career in the academy systems of Manchester City and Stoke City. After a spell with Oldham Athletic he dropped down into non-league with Colwyn Bay, Nantwich Town, Hereford United and AFC Telford United before a move back into league football with Northampton Town in 2015. He then played for Coventry City and AFC Wimbledon before joining Carlisle in 2020. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 138 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 3 

THE BATTLE TO BEAT THE DROP FROM THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE - SCUNTHORPE UNITED

THE MANAGER

Keith Hill joined as manager in November after the departure of Neil Cox who had been in charge since August 2020. He is most known for his time as a player and manager of Rochdale. He was boss as Spotland between 2006 to 2011 and 2013 to 2019. He took The Dale from League Two to League One where they achieved their best league finish since the 69/70 season. He moved to Championship side Barnsley in the summer of 2011 and kept them in his first season in charge before leaving in December 2012. He was manager of his home town club Bolton Wanderers for the 19/20 season before he joined Tranmere Rovers in November 2020 where he was sacked in May 2021 despite finished seventh in League Two and making the play-offs. He left the club prior to the play-off semi-final against Morecambe. 

A COMPARISON OF FORM SINCE HILL TOOK OVER

P	W	D	L	GF-GA	GD	PTS	PPG
15	2	5	8	11-29	-18	11	0.73
17	2	5	10	12-26	-14	11	0.65

ROUND-UP

There was an up-turn in form following Hill's appointment with five draws, a win and only one defeat in his first seven games in charge. Since then it's been only one win and nine defeats in ten games. Saturday's defeat to his former club Rochdale when being 1-0 up at half time could be really pivotal as Oldham Athletic won at home to Bradford City. In ten league games in 2022 they have failed to score in seven of them. 

The Iron are currently 7 points off of safety with both Carlisle United (1) and Oldham Athletic (2) both having games in hand. 

They host Northampton Town (3rd) tomorrow evening before a trip to Sutton United (5th) and Crawley Town (14th). Two crucial home games follow against Colchester United (21st) and Barrow (20th) follow on Saturday 12th March and Tuesday 15th March. I would say to have any chance of staying up they need to win at pick up at least 4 points from their next 3 games which is a tough ask indeed especially with the games against teams looking to finish in the top three. 

DO THEY HAVE A CHANCE VERSUS NORTHAMPTON TOWN?

The Cobblers are in good form winning 4 of their last 6 league games letting in just one goal. They have only scored 6 goals in those games with 3 coming in Saturday's victory over Colchester United. Away from home they have only scored once in three games but haven't let a goal in either. This has been the case all season as in 15 games away from Sixfields they have scored 16 and let in just 15. Looking at the form it looks likely to be low scoring game - I'm sure the loyal Scunthorpe United fans will take a narrow 1-0 home win. 

THE SQUAD

Goalkeeper Rory Watson has been with The Iron since 2016 after starting his professional career with Hull City - He also spent time in the Leeds United academy. He has been first choice this season 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 75 

Defender Ross Millen played 20 times for Kilmarnock last season who were relegated from the Scottish Premiership. The Iron are his first club South of the Border having also played for Dunfermline Athletic, Livingston, Clyde and Queens Park. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 18

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP APPEARANCES - 27 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP GOALS - 1 

SCOTTISH LEAGUE APPERANCES - 136 

SCOTTISH LEAGUE GOALS - 11 

Central-Defender Manny Onariase, 25, came through the West Ham United academy but never made a first team appearance for The Hammers. He moved to Brentford where he spent time on loan at Cheltenham Town in the 16/17 season before moving to Rotherham United. He never made a first team appearance for The Millers spending more time on loan at Cheltenham Town and Dagenham & Redbridge before a permeant move to The Daggers in 2019. He moved to Scunthorpe United in August 2020 and last season his appearances were limited due to Hernia problems. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 80

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOAALS - 5 

Ryan Delaney, 25, recently joined the club on loan from League One Morecambe. The defender has played for Manager Keith Hill at Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPERANCES - 103 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 6 

Left-Back Mason O'Malley, 20, was with the Huddersfield Town academy until 2019 when he joined The Iron. Has one cap for the Republic of Ireland at u21 level.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 48 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0

Defender Jai Rowe, 20, joined from Southern League Premier Division side Barwell in 2019. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 51 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 2 

Midfielder Anthony Grant, 34, joined the club in January. The defensive midfielder made his International debut for Jamaica in August 2021 making 5 starts and 1 sub appearance for The Reggae Boyz. Grant is hugely experienced having come through the Chelsea academy and as a professional at Stamford Bridge between 2004 to 2008 spending time on loan Oldham Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers, Luton Town and Southend United. In 2008 he moved on a permanent basis to Southend United and has since played for Stevenage, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Peterborough United, Shrewsbury Town and Swindon Town. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 496 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 18 

Hayden Hackney, 19, is currently on loan from Championship side Middlesbrough where he impressed many fans playing for their under 23 side. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 19

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

Liam Feeney, 35, joined in January and like Anthony Grant who joined at the same time the midfielder brings with him a huge amount of experience. Born in West London he began his career with Hayes in 2005 who at the time were in the Conference South. He moved on to Salisbury City in non-league's top division in 2007 making one appearance on loan to then football league side Southend United in 2008. He joined AFC Bournemouth in 2009 who were then managed by Eddie Howe. He went on to play for Millwall, Bolton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 468 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 32  

Striker Sam Burns, 19, recently joined on loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers. He spent a short spell on loan with FC United of Manchester earlier this season where he scored twice in six games. He has scored twice for The Iron in their 2-3 home defeat by Bristol Rovers. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 8

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 2 

Rekeil Pyke, 24, is currently on loan from Shrewsbury Town having previously worked with Keith Hill whilst on loan from Huddersfield Town to Rochdale. The centre-forward has also played on loan for Wrexham, Colchester United and Port Vale. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 74 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 2 

Tom Collins is a 19 year old goalkeeper yet to make  a football league appearance. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 0 

Lewis Thompson signed from Blackburn Rovers last summer. The 22 year old defender didn't make a first team appearance for Rovers and spent time on loan with FC United of Manchester and AFC Fylde. He started his career in the academy system of Manchester United and has represented Northern Ireland at u21 level. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 13 

Left sided central defender George Taft, 28, joined initially on loan from Bolton Wanderers at the beginning of January but made the move permanent only a moth later. Started his career with Leicester City and went on play on loan with Kettering Town, Karlstad BK (Sweden) and York City before joining Burton Albion in 2014. Whilst with The Brewers he spent time on loan with Cambridge United before moving to Mansfield Town from where he spent two more spells on loan with The U's before joining them officially in 2018 from where he he joined Bolton Wanderers in 2020. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 195 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 7

Alfie Beestin is an attacking midfield player who joined the club in January 2020. The 24 year old moved from non-league side Tadcaster Albion to Doncaster Rovers in 2016 where he made 49 league and cup appearances until re-joining the Northern Premier League Division One North-West side in 2019 from where he moved to The Iron. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 104 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 8

Centre-Forward Joe Nuttall is another recent signing having joined from from Championship side Blackpool. The 25 year old striker was born in Bury but started his professional career North of the Border with Aberdeen after coming through the Manchester City academy. Whilst with The Dons he spent time on loan with Stranraer and Dumbarton before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 2017 from where he moved to Bloomfield Road in 2019. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 60 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 6 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP APPEARANCES - 2 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP GOALS - O

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 11 

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 2 

Harry Bunn is another striker who joined the club in the summer of 2021. The 29 year old came through the ranks at Manchester City being a professional with the Premier League giants between 2011 to 2014. He was unable to break into the first team and spent time out on loan with Rochdale, Preston North End, Oldham Athletic, Crewe Alexandra, Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town whom he joined on a permanent basis in 2014. He joined Bury in 2017 and spent time on loan with Southend United before short spell with Kilmarnock at the end of the 19/20 season. He spent the 20/21 season with York City in the Vanarama Naitonal League North. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 191   

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 23 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP APPEARANCES - 3 

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP GOALS - 0 

Tyrese Sinclair, 21, is an attacking midfielder currently on loan from Mansfield Town. Whilst with The Stags he spent time on loan with Basford and Radcliffe. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 39 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 3 

Jordan Hallam joined the club in 2019 from Sheffield United. The 23 year old midfielder has only made 6 appearances this season all off the substitute's bench. Has also played for Southport and Chesterfield on loan from Brammall Lane as well as Norwegian club Viking. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 26  

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 3 

Aaron Jarvis is a 24 year old striker. He started his career in non-league with his home town club Basingstoke Town. He moved to Luton Town in 2017 but only made 14 appearances for The Hatters netting 2 goals against West Ham United u21 and Brigton u21 in the English Football League Trophy. He played for Boreham Wood and Falkirk on loan before in 2019 he joined then Vanarama National League side Sutton United when he spent time on loan with Vanarama South side Hemel Hempstead Town. Has made 11 starts and 8 sub appearances for The Iron this season scoring 2 goals. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 37 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 4 

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 12 

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

Welsh midfielder Tom Pugh, 21, has been with Scunthorpe United as a professional since 2018 and came through the academy ranks at the club. He has been capped twice at u21 level by Wales. Has broken into the first team this season making 24 league appearances so far - He only made 2 between 2018 to 2021. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 26 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 2 

Alex Perry, 23, is a midfielder who joined in summer of 2021 after his release from Wigan Athletic. Came through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers where he only played in English Football League Cup games and one FA Cup game against Grimsby Town. He spent a short spell on loan with Sutton Coldfield Town before joining The Latics. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 35 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0

German midfielder Kenan Dunnwald-Turan, 26, joined the club in September 2020 from Regionalliga West (level 4 of the German game) club Bonner SC. He spent the 17/18 season with Bristol Rovers making 1 football league appearance where he also played on loan for Weston-Super-Mare. Has only made 6 league appearances for The Iron since joining with only one start in the 1-0 defeat at Crawley Town in September 2020. His last appearance was in January's defeat at Exeter City. Spent a short spell on loan with Vanarama National League side Stockport County earlier in the season where he made one appearance in their 0-3 home defeat to Yeovil Town. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 7 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

Dan Gallimore, 18, is the son of former football league player Tony Gallimore. The midfielder has made 3 sub appearances and 1 start this season.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 4 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

Harry Lewis, 18, was born in Scunthorpe and has made 3 sub appearances and 2 starts this season. The midfielder has been with the club since u13 level and broke into the first team at the beginning of January. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 5 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

Luke Matheson is name many football fans will know as he made headlines where playing for Rochdale against Manchester United in 2019. Then aged just 16 he scored the equaliser with Dale eventually losing on penalty kicks. He joined Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2020 for a transfer fee believed to be £1,000,000. Since his move to Molineux he has spent time on loan back at Rochdale as well as Ipswich Town and Hamilton Academical. He joined Scunthorpe United on loan in January to be re-united with his former Rochdale boss Keith Hill. Now aged 19 he had been capped by England at u17 and u17 level. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 30 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 1 

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE APPEARANCES - 9 

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALS - 0 

The Cold End will be featuring Carlisle United and Oldham Athletic in the coming days. 

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - MIDWEEK ROUND UP

The results in The Pitching-In Isthmian Premier Division last night saw Worthing strengthen their already strong position at the top of the table with second placed Bishop's Stortford continuing their good run of form by winning 0-6 at Haringey Borough. 

Worthing had 17 year old goalkeeper Tommy Reid make his debut for the club last night with usual first choice Harrison Male out with a knock. Reid is currently on loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion and made an impressive start keeping a clean sheet as The Mackerel Men swept aside Kingstonian 4-0. Reid has previously been on loan at South-East Division side Burgess Hill Town earlier in the season where he played three games. Worthing's scorers were Callum Kealey (2), Jasper Pattenden and Reece Myles-Meekums. 

Bishop's Stortford followed up their impressive 0-2 win at Enfield Town at the weekend by thrashing Haringey Borough at Coles Park with Chris Harris (2), Ryan Henshaw, Jon Giles, Darren Foxley and Jack Thomas scoring. 

For Enfield Town it was an evening to forget as they lost The North London Derby 4-1 at Wingate and Finchley. The home side looked highly impressive going forward with Theo Ofori (who was played step 5 football with Edgware Town only a few months back) and Antonis Vassiliou (on loan from Vanarama National side Barnet) their stand out players. Vassiliou's second goal to make it 3-0 just prior to half time was a fantastic shot from outside of the box that rocketed into the corner of the net with Nathan McDonald in the Enfield goal having no chance. Town came out after the break and looked the better side getting one goal back via Rian Bray and when a penalty kick was awarded some thought what seemed an unlikely comeback at half time might just be on. 

The home goalkeeper Ben Goode save Mo Faal's spot kick and this was the pivotal moment of the game as Marc Weatherstone's impressive young side rubbed salt into their local rival's wounds with a fourth goal via Dylan Kearney. 

It was only their second time in the league this season they have scored four goals in a game - They beat Cray Wanderers 5-3 in September.

ENFIELD TOWN FAN'S OUTNUMBERED THE HOME SUPPORT IN THE CROWD OF 247 AND MADE PLENTY OF NOISE THROUGHOUT THE GAME.  

Two defeats in a row for Andy Leese's side have put a real dent in their outside title hopes but they still have a chance of a play-off place. Saturday's game at home to Leatherhead who are fighting to avoid relegation will be an interesting one - The Tanners have only lost one league game in their last six which was a very narrow 1-0 defeat at Cheshunt. Three of those games have ended 0-0. 

Wingate & Finchley are making their Maurice Rebak Stadium somewhat of a fortress as they have now won four and drawn one of their last five games at home. 

The game of the day on Saturday comes as Bishop's Stortford host Worthing in a top of the table clash that is likely to attract a four figure crowd to The R&D Advisors UK Stadium. This is weather permitting of course as apparently there is heavy rain forecast for all day Friday and some of Saturday. 

Since The Blues lost at Worthing (3-1) at the beginning of October their league form reads DWWDWDWWDDDWWWLWWWDDWWW with their only defeat coming at Hornchurch who have also been in impressive form since the start of December. Steve Smith's side have only lost one league game at home which came on the opening day of the season against Kingstonian meaning an away team hasn't taken 3 points from them in 14 league games. 

In their last three games Stortford's goal difference reads 10-0 with Worthing's on 12-0. It's all set up to be a fantastic game! 

Worthing's next three games could make or break their already amazing season as after the visit to Stortford they host Enfield Town on Saturday 26th February before a trip to Lewes on Saturday 5th March. 

LAST NIGHT'S RESULTS

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1-0 CRAY WANDERERS 

HARNINGEY BOROUGH 0-6 BISHOP'S STORTFORD 

HORSHAM 2-2 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 

MARGATE 2-0 MERSTHAM 

WINGATE & FINCHLEY 4-1 ENFIELD TOWN 

WORTHING 4-0 KINGSTONIAN

SATURDAY FIXTURES 

BISHOP'S STORTFORD v WORTHING 

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN v CHESHUNT 

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT v FOLKESTONE INVICTA 

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC v WINGATE & FINCHLEY 

CRAY WANDERERS v HARINGEY BOROUGH 

ENFIELD TOWN v LEATHERHEAD 

HORNCHURCH v EAST THURROCK UNITED 

KINGSTONIAN v BOWERS & PITSEA 

LEWES v MARGATE 

MERSTHAM v CORINTHIAN-CASUALS 

POTTERS BAR TOWN v HORSHAM 

TABLES COURTESY OF footballwebpages.co.uk

MAX RYAN DOUBLE ENOUGH FOR BARTON ROVERS TO TAKE THE THREE POINTS

BARTON ROVERS 2 ST NEOTS TOWN 0 

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL 

Match played on Tuesday 8th February 2022 

Attendance - 133 

Both teams are having indifferent seasons with both on 8 wins from 26 league games going into this game. It was the home side who were the better team in a scrappy and hard fought game in windy blustery conditions. 

Former Hitchin Town midfielder Max Ryan was the goal-scoring hero for Rovers netting twice in the first half to win the three points and end a run of four games without a win for his team. I also thought Temi Akinbusoye who made the move to Barton from Step Six side Stotfold earlier this season also had a great game with some very impressive driving runs from midfield into attack. Their left back Rico Grego who is currently on loan from Premier Division South side Hayes & Yeading United also looked very comfortable and composed at left back. 

For the loyal St Neots Town fans who made the journey to Sharpenhoe Road it was 90 minutes to forget as they struggled to create any goal scoring chances with one close range shot in the second half the only one I can remember. They had a good amount of possession but couldn't get the ball in the box when it really mattered. 

Both teams went on to record victories on Saturday with Rovers winning 2-3 at Hertford Town after being 2-0 down with just 20 minutes to go. 

St Neots Town won 1-2 at struggling Wantage Town which ended a run of 84 days without a victory - there last had been at FC Romania on Saturday 20th November. 

St Neots Town host Aylesbury United this Saturday with Rovers on their travels to play FC Romania at Theobalds Lane. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION 

CURRENT TABLE - TOP FOUR ONLY 

Winner's promoted to Step Four. Runner's up qualify for Step 4/5 play-offs 

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF-GA	GD	PTS	FORM	PP
1.	TAVISTOCK	27	18	6	3	72-28	+44	60	WWWDDW	87
2.	EXMOUTH TOWN	25	15	5	5	66-27	+39	50	WWWLW	83
3.	MOUSEHOLE	23	15	3	5	62-33	+29	48	WWLWWD	87
4.	BRIGWATER UTD	26	14	3	9	58-35	+23	45	WWWDDW	75

Tavistock currently top the table in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division with Exmouth Town ten points below them. Mousehole are in third place with games in hand which if they win they will be well involved in the title race. 

Both the current top two were promoted in 2019 after finished first and second in the South West Peninsular Premier Division. 

Tavistock have only lost three league games so far - There were at Saltash United on the opening day of the season (2-0), at home to Bridgwater United in August (1-2) and at home to Helston Athletic in September (2-3). They are unbeaten in 17 league games! 

Mousehole were promoted from the South West Peninsular Premier Division West on their calculated Points Per Game total over the 19/20 and 20/21 curtailed seasons. The Seagulls, as they are nicknamed, ascent through the non-league divisions has been assisted by their sponsorship with The Endorsed Group since 2017. Could the tiny fishing village with a population of just under 700 people see Southern League football being played at their Trungle Parc home within the next few seasons? Like many Cornish clubs if they are promoted the mileage they have to travel will be huge. For example if they were in this season's Southern League Division One South they would travel to AFC Totton (440 mile round trip), Sholing (460) and Evesham United (480). Saying that the trips they have this season haven't been short with aside from local rival's Helston Athletic their closet trips are Millbrook AFC (140) and Saltash United (150).

There were reports of a possible merger between Mousehole AFC and their local rival's Penzance AFC between 2018 but the idea was withdrawn in May 2019. They are currently struggling being second from bottom in the SWP Premier Division East. 

All of the current top three teams have never played in the Southern League - Bridgwater Town were members from 1982 to 1984 but folded due to financial problems. The club were reformed and played in the Southern League again from 2007 to 2017. They were renamed Brigwater United in 2021 after a merger with women's team Yeovil United. The Robins are probably considered as outsiders for the title as they are currently 15 points off the top of the table. 

The big game coming up on Saturday 12th March comes at Southern Road when the top two clash as Exmouth Town entertain Tavistock. When they met in October they drew 2-2.  

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES FOR TOP THREE TEAMS 

DATE	TAVISTOCK	EXMOUTH TOWN	MOUSEHOLE
19/2	-	WELLINGTON	KEYNSHAM TOWN
26/2			Brislington
5/3	Ashton & Blackwell	Wellington	ILFRACOMBE TOWN
12/3	Exmouth Town	TAVISTOCK	BRIDPORT

At the bottom of the table it's been a really difficult season for Bridport. The Dorset side who have been members of the Premier Division since 2011 have won just one league game in their 28 played with 27 defeats and 149 goals conceded. The Bees one victory came at home to fellow struggler's Ashton & Blackwell United on Saturday 28th August.

BUILDBASE FA TROPHY QUARTER FINAL DRAW MADE

BUILDBASE FA TROPHY 

FIFTH ROUND

York City 3-2 Morpeth Town (2,725) 

Tonbridge Angels 1-1 Bromley - 2-3 on pens (2,061) 

Needham Market 1-0 Dartford (1,011) 

Stourbridge 0-1 Solihull Moors (1,762) 

Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Spennymoor Town (1.350) 

FC Halifax Town 1-2 Notts County (1,406) 

Wrexham 3-0 Boreham Wood (3,444) 

Stockport County 1-0 Cheshunt (3,340) 

QUARTER FINAL DRAW 

Bromley v Solihull Moors 

Needham Market v Stockport County 

Dagenham & Redbridge v York City 

Notts County v Wrexham 

The FA Trophy Fifth Round games drew an average attendance of 2,137 on Saturday - It was a much lesser following for Boreham Wood in comparison to their FA Cup game at AFC Bournemouth last weekend with just 48 away fans at The Racecourse Ground to see their tie against Wrexham. Cheshunt took 224 supporters to their big game at Edgeley Park. 

Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market continued to make headlines with a 1-0 home win over Vanarama South side Dartford. The Marketmen are the only Step Three side left in the competition - they had already beaten St Ives Town, Margate, Welwyn Garden City, Wealdstone, Yeovil Town to get to the Fifth Round. 

The history making run has certainly inspired football fans in the Suffolk Town with 1,011 people present yesterday which compared to 176 who saw them beat Margate at home in the First Round is quite an increase. 

Needham Market's reward for their victory over The Darts is to welcome Vanarama National League leader's Stockport County to Bloomfields. 

TEAMS LEFT BY DIVISION

PREVIOUS WINNERS - Dagenham (who became D&R from merger won the FA Trophy in 1980)

PREVIOUS RUNNER'S UP

STEP ONE

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE 

(6 clubs)

Bromley

Dagenham & Redbridge

Notts County  

Solihull Moors 

Stockport County

Wrexham

STEP TWO

VANARAMA NORTH 

(1)

York City

STEP THREE

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN PREMIER CENTRAL

(1)

Needham Market