Thursday, 28 December 2023

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS FOR THE COD ARMY AS THE SWANS DEVELOPMENT TEAM COLLECT ALL THREE POINTS

MATCH PLAYED ON SATURDAY 23rd DECEMBER 

It was a second v third in the table clash last weekend in Hertfordshire as Codicote hosted Newport Pagnell Town Development for a Spartan South Midlands League Division Two game. 

Town took an early lead but it was the home side who were the better side for the remainder of the first half going 2-1 up and having good chances to make it more. The visitors made it 2-2 right on half time with a header from a free kick by the corner flag. 



Hearing that title rival's AFC Welwyn had suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Caddington in their 2pm kick off would of given both sides impetuous for going for the win in this game. 

For the second half it was Newport Pagnell who scored twice to make it 2-4 with former AFC Dunstable Development player Austin Collins netting a hat-trick. 

The home side hit the cross bar from close range in an effort to get back into the game and scored a late free kick to make it 3-4 but it was the visitors who deserved the win on the day in front of 45 people. Cod Manager Craig Meyrick stated 'We weren’t at the races! Very well done to Newport Pagnell Devs as they played well, outworked us and full deserved the win!" 

Focus for Codicote now moves on to the biggest game of the season so far as they visit AFC Welwyn on Saturday - the game has been moved to Hertford Town with a 3pm kick off.  There should a be a decent crowd for this game as it's a huge game for both clubs. 

Newport Pagnell Town Development travel to Eynesbury United who are in fourteenth place in the table. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO 
CURRENT TABLE - TOP THREE ONLY 
POS TEAM P W D L GF GA GD PTS FORM
1.  AFC WELWYN  19 14 1 4 58 22 +36 43 LWWWWL
2. CODICOTE  17 12 2 3 47 21 +26 38 WWWDWL
3.  NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN DEV 20 11 3 6 45 41 +4 36 WWWLWW

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - SHORT 
Link - X/Twitter.com 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - LONG


Friday, 22 December 2023

ISTHMIAN PREMIER BIG BOXING DAY PREVIEW




HORNCHURCH v CANVEY ISLAND - Saturday 23rd December 
The Christmas and New Year period is always a fantastic time for non-league football with lots of local derby games and big crowds attending games. There is a full fixture list across all Pitching-In Isthmian League Divisions and the big news recently has been Hornchurch finally losing a game when they went down 2-0 at Chatham Town in front of 1,568 fans on Saturday 16th December. They play Canvey Island this Saturday and don't have a game on Boxing Day. 

The Islanders are on a run of bad form losing three league games in a row which included a 1-4 home defeat against Potters Bar Town last weekend. This is the first time they have conceded 4 goals at home in a league game since April 2022 when Maldon & Tiptree won 1-4 - They did follow this up with a 13-0 home win against Romford so The Urchins beware!! 

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN v HORSHAM
Both teams are in West Sussex but with a 30 mile trip through the wonderful South Downs National Park some may argue this isn't a proper local derby?  The Rocks are down in 14th position but have only lost five games which is the same as current second placed Chatham Town. They have drawn 8 games - Manager..... they can start winning games instead of them ending all square they will start moving up towards the play-off zone. 

Emirates FA Cup heroes Horsham are placed just outside the top five and have a very good squad of players. The fact striker Jack Mazzone has been used mostly as a substitute 

The Hornets will be favourites for this game but it could end all square? 

CHESHUNT v ENFIELD TOWN 
There are just four miles between Enfield Town and Cheshunt making what some fans call the 'A10 EL CLASSICO' a real local derby. The Ambers spent last season in the Vanarama South Division but are back in the Isthmian Premier after relegation. The game at Theobalds Lane in the 21/22  season ended 2-1 to Cheshunt with a crowd of 966 watching. Mo Camara (now with Herne Bay) and Rowan Liburd (now with Sevenoaks Town) scored for Craig Edwards side with Sam Youngs scoring for The Town. 

There was no game played in the 20/21 season so you have to go back to the 19/20 season when The Ambers lost 2-3 on Saturday 18th January 2020 in front of 556. Youngs was on the scoresheet for The Town along with Billy Bricknell who netted twice.  

Town are having a brilliant season under the management of Gavin MacPherson with The Ambers currently fourth from bottom with Craig Edwards not having a real settled starting XI with 41 players being used in league and cup games compared to Town's 30 players. 

They will most probably have recent signing Antonis Vasiliou in their team. The former Barnet attacking midfielder has scored 4 goals since signing from Margate in October. He scored 2 goals for Wingate & Finchley in their 4-1 win over Enfield Town in February 2022. 

With lots of local interest in this game , a 1pm KO and both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur not in action could there be a four figure crowd in attendance?  

CONCORD RANGERS v BILLERICAY TOWN 
Just a few seasons ago this all Essex game was a Step Two game. In the 21/22 Vanarama South season The Beachboys won 1-3 at New Lodge on Boxing Day with 744 watching followed by a 0-0 draw on Canvey Island on Sunday 2nd January in front of 763 people. 

The Blues, in the play off places, will be heavy favourites for this game. Gary McCann's side lost 1-4 to Vanarama National League side Wealdstone in the Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round in midweek. 

Ranger's boss Sammy Collins will be encouraged that they are unbeaten in their last two home league games which ended 1-1 versus Horsham and 4-1 against Lewes. Harrison Day scored a hat-trick against The Rooks with former Braintree Town and Sittingbourne midfielder Simo Mbonkwi and Duane Acheampong who has played for Woking and Hungerford Town previously. Both are recent signings for The Beachboys. 

CRAY WANDERERS v MARGATE
After their play-off place last season many fans expected The Wands to be much higher up the league placings that their current lowly 18th place. What could be promising is that despite their position they are only 7 below their points total after 18 games last season so if they put together a few wins in a row you just never know? 

What has been good news for Cray Wanderers in the developments at their new Flamingo Park ground are well underway with a pitch and floodlights in place. This is great news for London football as The Wands have been without a home ground since they moved out of Oxford Road in 1998. 

The Gate, under the new management of Mark Stimson, are in 16th place - A win for Cray will move them above their Kent rivals. 
 
There has been some player movement since the former Grays Athletic, Hornchurch and Stevenage boss arrived at Hartsdown Park. Ellis Ashworth has signed from North Division side Basildon United. He can play in defence or midfield and counts Royston Town, Harlow Town, East Thurrock United and Royston Town as former clubs. 

Defender Harrison Hatfull who recently played his 100th game for The Gate has departed to join league rival's Dulwich Hamlet. 

CRAY FORM COMPARISION - THIS SEASON TO LAST SEASON 
SEASON P W D L GF GA GD PTS POS
22/23 18 6 8 4 28 21 +7 26 9/22
23/24 18 5 4 9 24 30 -6 19 18/22

DULWICH HAMLET v CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 
Defeat at Enfield Town last weekend ended an unbeaten run of ten league games for Dulwich Hamlet. They had been 0-2 up with 25 minutes to go but ended up losing 3-2. Defender Josh Okpolokpo was sent off on 54 minutes for a second bookable offence with Manager Hakan Hayrettin getting a straight red card at the end of the game after crossing the pitch and talking to the officials. 

The Robins have won their last two games which ended a run of five defeats in a row. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA v HASTINGS UNITED 
Two South Coast sides who have had a change in management clash at Cheriton Road. Hastings United parted company with Paul Barnes who had only joined in the summer and Chris Agutter rejoined the club in October. Since his arrival they have been in good form winning five, drawing one and losing two of their eight games played as well as advancing in the Velocity Cup beating Chichester City and Folkestone Invicta. The 0-2 victory at Folkestone was seen by 292 people - there is certain to be a much bigger crowd on Boxing Day. 

Invicta now have former Margate and Whitstable Town boss Andy Drury in charge after the departure of Michael Everitt and Roland Edge in November. He has been busy signing players with striker Tom Derry (from Bishop's Stortford), attacking midfielder Joe Boachie (from Royston Town), midfelder Seidou Sanogo (from Chatham Town), left-back Chris Sessegnon (started the season with Horsham and just had a short spell with Chipstead) and forward Ruben Soares-Junior (started the season with Tonbridge Angels before moving to Grays Athletic) all joining the club. 

HARINGEY BOROUGH v HASHTAG UNITED
Many fans think The North London side have a good quality squad which shouldn't be in the relegation zone where they currently find themselves. They have proved this when they recently came back from 3-0 down at Cray Wanderers to rescue a point and did even better at Billericay Town winning 1-2. Could this be a chance of their first home win of the season? 

The Tags have had an impressive debut season at Step Three and go into this game in good form having knocked out Braintree Town in the Essex Senior Cup and won 0-1 at Cray Wanderers followed by a 7-2 home win over Brightlingsea Regent in the Velocity Trophy on Monday night. Luke Parrott, a recent signing from Essex Senior League side Woodford Town, scored a hat-trick in the win over Regent. 

KINGSTONIAN v CHATHAM TOWN 
There is currently a seven point gap for The K's to overcome if they want to get out of the relegation zone. The K's have three wins at home so far which came against Canvey Island, Cray Wanderers and Folkestone Invicta. The Chats, in second place, will be in a confident mood having been the first team to beat Hornchurch last weekend.

POTTERS BAR TOWN v WINGATE & FINCHLEY 
A local derby as Wingate & Finchley make the short 8 mile trip from North London to Hertfordshire. The visitors have surprised many fans with their results this season and are currently in the lofty heights of fourth position in the table.  The Scholars,    ,  are unbeaten in four league games of which they have won three against Whitehawk, Kingstonian and Canvey Island. Former Concord Rangers striker Temi Babalola would of enjoyed the 1-4 victory at Canvey Island as he scored twice - He has been in good form scoring four goals in as many games. 

These are two of the teams in the Division who don't attract large attendances - Last season's game between the two were seen by 238 and 224. Let's hope a few more fans attend on Boxing Day! 

WHITEHAWK v LEWES 
Another local derby as just nine miles sperate The Dripping Pan in Lewes and The Enclosed Ground in Brighton. This will be the first league meeting between The Rooks and The Hawks since the 18/19 Isthmian Premier Division season. 

Lewes won 0-1 at Whitehawk in front of 612 people with Jonte Smith (last playing for Ballymena United in Northern Ireland) scoring the winning goal via the penalty spot. 881 saw Whitehawk win 1-3 at The Dripping Pan with Duane Acheampong (now Concord Rangers), Ky Marsh Brown and Henry Muggeridge scoring for the visitors and Ben Pope scoring for Lewes. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
FRIDAY 29th DECEMBER
Cheshunt v Margate 
Cray Wanderers v Enfield Town 
Hornchurch v Lewes 

SATURDAY 30th DECEMBER 
Bognor Regis Town v Canvey Island 
Concord Rangers v Hastings United 
Dulwich Hamlet v Horsham 
Folkestone Invicta v Hashtag United 
Haringey Borough v Carshalton Athletic 
Kingstonian v Wingate & Finchley
Whitehawk v Billericay Town

Monday, 18 December 2023

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR FIXTURES

TUESDAY 19th DECEMBER
GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY SECOND ROUND 
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town 

PREMIER DIVISION CUP SECOND ROUND
Crawley Green v Shefford Town & Campton
Milton Keynes Irish v London Lions 

DIVISION ONE CUP FIRST ROUND 
Burton Park Wanderers v Letchworth Garden City Eagles
Leighton Town Development v Buckingham

DIVISION ONE CUP SECOND ROUND 
Cranfield United v Northampton Sileby Rangers 
Huntingdon Town v Irchester United
Northampton ON Chenecks v Moulton 
Rushden & Higham United v Royston Town u23 

BEDFORDSHIRE SENIOR TROPHY SECOND ROUND 
Langford v AFC Oakley 

WEDNESDAY 20th DECEMBER
GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY FIRST ROUND 
Berkhamsted Raiders v The 61 FC (Luton) 

PREMIER DIVISION CUP FIRST ROUND
St Panteleimon v Stansted 

THURSDAY 21st DECEMBER 
HERTS SENIOR CUP SECOND ROUND 
Tring Athletic v Watford 

FRIDAY 22nd DECEMBER 
PREMIER DIVISION 
Biggleswade United v Baldock Town 

DIVISION TWO 
Milton Keynes College v MK Irish Reserves

SATURDAY 23rd DECEMBER 
PREMIER DIVISION 
Arlesey Town v Harpenden Town 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Cockfosters
FC Romania v Dunstable Town 
Leverstock Green v Colney Heath 
Real Bedford v Crawley Green
Shefford Town & Campton v Milton Keynes Irish
Stansted v Potton United

DIVISION ONE 
Ampthill Town v Langford 
Buckingham v Winslow United 
Cranfield United v Leighton Town Development
Huntingdon Town v Eaton Socon
Irchester United v Rothwell Corinthians 
Letchworth Garden City Eagles v Royston Town u23 
Long Buckby AFC v Northampton Sileby Rangers
Northampton ON Chenecks v Moulton
Rushden & Higham United v Raunds Town
Wellingborough Whitworth v Burton Park Wanderers

DIVISION TWO 
Aston Clinton v Old Bradwell United
Berkhamsted Raiders v Sarratt
Caddington v AFC Welwyn
New Bradwell St Peter v The 61 FC (Luton) 
Totternhoe v Bovingdon 
Tring Corinthians AFC v Pitstone & Ivinghoe United
Codicote v Newport Pagnell Town Development

DIVISION TWO CUP SECOND ROUND
Stony Stratford Town v Eynesbury United 

WEDNESDAY 27th DECEMBER
PREMIER DIVISION 
Arlesey Town v Baldock Town 
Cockfosters v St Panteleimon 
Harpenden Town v Colney Heath 
Leverstock Green v Crawley Green
Milton Keynes Irish v Dunstable Town 
Potton United v Biggleswade United 
Sawbridgeworth Town v Stansted
Shefford Town & Campton v Real Bedford 
Tring Athletic v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 

DIVISION ONE
Huntingdon Town v Northampton ON Chenecks
Long Buckby AFC v Leighton Town Development
Northampton Sileby Rangers v Eaton Socon

SATURDAY 30th DECEMBER 
PREMIER DIVISION 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town 
Colney Heath v St Panteleimon 
Dunstable Town v Crawley Green
Harpenden Town v Milton Keynes Irish
Leverstock Green v Tring Athletic
Real Bedford v Cockfosters 
Stansted v FC Romania
Shefford Town & Campton v Baldock Town

DIVISION ONE 
Burton Park Wanderers v Wellingborough Whitworth 
Eaton Socon v Ampthill Town 
Langford v Buckingham 
Leighton Town Development v Cranfield United
Moulton v Irchester United 
Northampton Sileby Rangers v Long Buckby 
Raunds Town v Northampton ON Chenecks 
Royston Town u23 v Huntingdon Town 
Winslow United v Letchworth Garden City Eagles 

DIVISION TWO
Bovingdon v Berkhamsted Raiders 
Eynesbury United v Newport Pagnell Town Development 
Old Bradwell United v Milton Keynes College 
Pitstone & Ivinghoe United v Aston Clinton 
Sarratt v Totternhoe 
The 61 FC (Luton) v Caddington 
Tring Corinthians AFC v Stony Stratford Town 
AFC Welwyn v Codicote 
Milton Keynes Irish Reserves v New Bradwell St Peter

TUESDAY 2nd JANUARY
PREMIER DIVISION CUP 
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town 

WEDNESDAY 3rd JANUARY
PREMIER DIVISION 
St Panteleimon v Tring Athletic 

ISUZU FA VASE FOURTH ROUND - THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY CONTINUES

ISUZU FA VASE FOURTH ROUND 
Scheduled for Saturday 13th January 
Denotes Step Six Teams

Blyth Town v Irlam
Deal Town v Cobham 
Emley AFC v Charnock Richard 
Falmouth Town AFC v Hartpury University
Farnham Town v Bridgwater United
Hallam v Silsden AFC
Hilltop v Erith Town
Holmesdale v Highworth Town
Jersey Bulls v Hamworthy Recreation
North Greenford United v Brixham AFC
Romford v Stanway Pegasus
South Liverpool v Lincoln United
Stourport Swifts v Ashby Ivanhoe 
Walsham Le Willows v Tilbury
Whitchurch Alport v Great Wakering Rovers
Worcester City v Lichfield City 

LEAGUES REPRESENTED 
STEP FIVE (27)  
COMBINED COUNTIES PREMIER SOUTH (3)  
COBHAM - 16th 
FARNHAM TOWN - 1st 
JERSEY BULLS - 3rd 

COMBINED COUNTIES PREMIER NORTH (2)
HILLTOP - 16th
NORTH GREENFORD UNITED - 5th  

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE (3) 
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS - 8th 
ROMFORD  - 4th 
TILBURY - 2nd 

MIDLAND LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (3) 
LICHFIELD CITY - 2nd 
STOURPORT SWIFTS  - 8th 
WHITCHURCH ALPORT - 15th 

NORTH WEST COUNTIES PREMIER (2) 
CHARNOCK RICHARD - 15th  
IRLAM - 18th 

SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER (3) 
DEAL TOWN - 5th 
ERITH TOWN - 4th 
HOLMESDALE - 12th 

THURLOW NUNN PREMIER DIVISION (1) 
WALSHAM LE WILLOWS - 14th 

TOOLSTATION NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER (3) 
EMLEY AFC - 2nd 
HALLAM - 7th 
SILSDEN AFC - 11th 

TOOLSTATION WESTERN PREMIER DIVISION (3)
BRIDGWATER UNITED - 3rd 
BRIXHAM AFC - 6TH 
FALMOUTH TOWN AFC - 5th  

UHLSPORT HELLENIC PREMIER DIVISION (2) 
HIGHWORTH TOWN - 7th 
WORCESTER CITY - 1st 

UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION NORTH (2)
ASHBY IVANHOE  - 11thn 
LINCOLN UNITED - 2nd 

STEP SIX (5)
EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (1) 
BLYTH TOWN - 2nd 

THURLOW NUNN FIRST DIVISION NORTH (1)
STANWAY PEGASUS - 2nd 

UHLSPORT HELLENIC FIRST DIVISION (1)
HARTPURY UNIVERSITY - 3rd 

NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION NORTH (1)
SOUTH LIVERPOOL - 7th 

VELOCITY WESSEX DIVISION ONE  (1)
HAMWORTHY RECREATION  - 2nd 

There are five step six sides left in the competition which includes Blyth Town who are the sole representative left representing the EBAC Northern League. The Braves knocked out Northern League Division One high flyer's Bishop Auckland in Round Three which was a real surprise result - 318 people saw the game end 1-1 with the visitors to Heritage Park winning 1-3 on penalty kicks. 

Stanway Pegasus also went through on spot kicks after a draw at London Lions and in their debut season in the competition.  

Hartpury University are continuing on from their debut season in the Vase in 22/23 when they reached the Fourth Round losing at Atherstone Town. 


South Liverpool are another club to only recently enter the Vase after climbing up through the leagues since they dropped out of the Northern Premier League in 1991 and re-joined the football pyramid in the Liverpool County Combination in 1992. 

Hamworthy Recreation, like Stanway Pegasus, are in their debut season in the Vase. 
Deal Town are now the only former winner's left in the competition having famously won The Vase is 2000 which was the last final played at the old Wembley stadium. They beat Chippenham Town 1-0 in front of 20,083 fans. 
Combined Counties League Premier Division North side Hilltop are still in with a chance of making it to final which will be quite a story. The club were formed in 2005 with it's roots in the Somalian community around the Stonebridge area of North West London which is in the shadow of Wembley Stadium. Many of their players, fans and everyone associated with the club will see the famous arch everyday. They currently groundshare at Hillingdon Borough's Middlesex Stadium. 
North Greenford United are another club only a stone's throw from Wembley Stadium and after reaching the Third Round in 20/21 and 22/23 have gone one better this season. 

Friday, 15 December 2023

ISUZU FA TROPHY UPDATE


PREVIOUS WINNERS LEFT IN THE DRAW* - Bishops Stortford (1981), Wealdstone (1985), Altrincham (1978 & 1986), Kidderminster Harriers (1987), AFC Fylde (2019) & Bromley (2022). 

* Macclesfield FC are a new club - they were formed after the demise of Macclesfield Town who were the first winners of the Trophy in 69/70 and also won in 95/96.

There are some really exciting games in prospect in the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy in the New Year. There are still two Third Round games to play which are scheduled for this coming Tuesday. 

If Walsall Wood win against Coaville Town they will join Hythe Town and Nantwich Town as Step Four clubs left in the competition. 

This is easily Hythe Town's best ever performance in the competition where they got to the First Round in 16/17 losing 1-8 to Welling United. They host Chorley who make the long trip down to the South Coast from Lancashire. The Magpies are currently fourth in the Vanarama North Division - their best performance in the competition came in the 95/96 season when they got to the Semi-Final losing out to Macclesfield Town. 

Town famously reached the semi-final stage in the 15/16 season when they were a Step 3 side losing out to FC Halifax Town 6-4 on aggregate.

The Kidderminster Harriers v Altrincham tie is a game between two clubs steeped in FA Trophy history. 

Kidderminster Harriers have have won The FA Trophy once in 1987 as well being runner's up three times (91, 95 and 07). They have also been knocked out in the SF stage in 09/10 and the QF stage in 81/82, 85/86 and 89/90. 

Altrincham are twice winners (1978 & 1986) along with being runner's up in 1978 and 1982. They were knocked out at the SF stage in 76/77, 84/85, 90/91 and 22/23 as well as the QF stage in 87/88, 88/89 and 94/95. 

Hendon can equal their best ever performance if they get through to the Fifth Round - they lost at Cheltenham Town in the 98/99 season. Their task is a tough one but will be a tremendous day out for everyone involved with the Middlesex club as they travel to Boundary Park to play Oldham Athletic. After relegation from the football league in 2022 The Latics made their debut in the Trophy last season losing to Gateshead at The Fourth Round stage.   

HYTHE TOWN'S HISTORIC ISUZU FA TROPHY RUN
FIRST QR - Burgess Hill Town W 3-1 
SECOND QR - Chertsey Town W 4-2
THIRD QR - Concord Rangers W 3-2 
1st Rd - RAMSGATE W 3-1 
2nd Rd - TONBRIDGE ANGELS D 0-0 (3-1 on PKS)
3rd Rd - WHITEHAWK W 3-2  

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Tuesday 19th December 2023
Third Round
Walsall Wood v Coalville Town 
Wealdstone v Billericay Town

Saturday 13th January 2024
Fourth Round
STEP ONE - THIRTEEN CLUBS 
STEP TWO -  TWELVE CLUBS 
STEP THREE - SIX CLUBS
STEP FOUR - THREE 

  
Bishop's Stortford v Aldershot Town 
Hythe Town v Chorley
Gateshead v Weston Super Mare 
Welling United v Chesterfield 
Hereford v Torquay United 
Hartlepool United v Hampton & Richmond Borough 
Bath City v Walsall Wood or Coalville Town
Solihull Moors v Nantwich Town
Kidderminster Harriers v Altrincham 
Macclesfield v Dorking Wanderers 
Aveley v AFC Fylde 
Oldham Athletic v Hendon 
Chelmsford City v Wealdstone or Billericay Town   
Radcliffe v Barnet 
Horsham v Peterborough Sports
Bromley v Chippenham Town

BIG WEEKEND IN THE PITCHING IN NORTH DIVISION - WEEKEND PREVIEW


Brentwood Town v Bury Town
Brightlingsea Regent v Bowers & Pitsea
Felixstowe & Walton United v Maldon & Tiptree
Grays Athletic v Enfield 
Heybridge Swifts v Stowmarket Town 
Lowestoft Town v Basildon United 
New Salamis v Gorleston
Redbridge v Witham Town 
Walthamstow v Ipswich Wanderers

Basildon United who are currently in fourth place of The Pitching In Isthmian North Division announced their new manager as Ajay Ashankie. The former Tower Hamlet's boss replaces Darren Manning who recently joined Grays Athletic to replace Mark Stimson. 

Ashankie joins from Southern Counties League Premier Division Fisher FC where he had been Manager since October 2019 - He is well respected throughout the local non-league game and was very much a fan's favourite for The Fish. 

His first game for The Bees couldn't get any tougher as they make the long journey to face league leader's Lowestoft Town who have won nine of their last ten league games scoring 34 goals. 

The Essex side are in good form also with just two defeats in their last ten league games. 

Bowers & Pitsea (3rd) go to Brightlingsea Regent (5th) in another important game towards the top of the table. Regent have three defeats in their last six league games and have conceded 10 goals. Bowers have won their last four league games in a row which has included a 2-1 victory over local rival's Basildon United.   

Stowmarket Town are still very much rooted to the bottom of the table with no wins yet. They have announced this week that the management team of Richard Wilkins and Alex Rossis have left the club. 

David "Bart" Lorimer is the new man in charge who has been playing for The Old Gold and Blacks this season. He has experience in management having been player/manager at Suffolk and Ipswich League side Bildeston Rangers previously. 

His first starting XI in this weekend's away game at Heybridge Swifts will have somewhat of a new look to it as players Scott Sloots (17 appearances), Jack Wilkinson (17), Taylor Hastings (2), George Bugg (no appearances yet - a recent signing Hadleigh United) and Jamie Bennett (7). 

Making the opposite journey to Basildon United are Gorleston (13th) who travel down from Norfolk to North London to face New Salamis (17th). If the traffic behaves the journey takes around 3 hours each way! 

Thursday, 14 December 2023

BIG GAME AT HERNS WAY THIS WEEKEND AT AFC WELWYN TAKE ON TOTTERNHOE

There is a huge game on Saturday in The Spartan South Midlands Division Two as AFC Welwyn host Totternhoe. The hosts are top of the table and are currently eight points clear of Codicote who have three games in hand. 

The Totts drew 3-3 with AFC Welwyn back in October in front of a bumper crowd of 132 people. Since then there has been some changes with the Bedfordshire side as a new management team in now in place. 

Ryan Hagger and Tom Jones, who had lots of success with Baldock Town Reserves taking them to three promotions in successive seasons, are now part of the new coaching team alongside Chris Golding who has been involved in playing and coaching at the The Totts for a number of years. 

With the new management team in place they have won two and lost one of their three league games played so far. The defeat was 2-0 at title challenger's Codicote. 

AFC Welwyn have announced another new signing this week with former Harpenden Town, Welwyn GC, Langford and Stotfold midfielder joining from Premier Division Colney Heath. 

There should be a decent crowd at Herns Way for this game - Kick Off is at 3pm. 

Elsewhere Codicote are at home to Pitstone & Ivinghoe (5th) in what should be another interesting game. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO WEEKEND FIXTURES
2pm
Aston Clinton v Milton Keynes College 
Bovingdon v New Bradwell St Peter 
Caddington v Berkhamsted Raiders 
Old Bradwell United v Eynesbury United 
Stony Stratford Town v Newport Pagnell Town Development 
3pm
AFC Welwyn v  Totternhoe
Codicote v Pitstone & Ivinghoe United 
Milton Keynes Irish Reserves v Sarratt

THE PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN PREMIER DIVISION - WEEKEND PREVIEW

THE PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES 
Billericay Town v Haringey Borough
Canvey Island v Potters Bar Town 
Carshalton Athletic v Whitehawk 
Chatham Town v Hornchurch
Enfield Town v Dulwich Hamlet 
Hashtag United v Cray Wanderers
Hastings United v Bognor Regis Town
Horsham v Folkestone Invicta
Lewes v Cheshunt
Margate v Kingstonian 
Wingate & Finchley v Concord Rangers

It's a huge game  at the weekend as the top two of The Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division clash as Chatham Town host Hornchurch. The Urchins are still unbeaten and clear favourites for the title as they are eight points clear of The Chats at the top of the table. I think that makes it a must win game for the Kent side.  


Steve Morison's side dropped points for only third time this season last weekend when they drew 0-0 at home to Whitehawk. 2022/23 South-East Division champion's Chatham Town lost at home to Hastings United (1-2) last Saturday and then were involved in a eventful 2-2 at Horsham in midweek. The Chats went 1-2 up in stoppage time only for The Hornets to score a 97th minute penalty kick to make it all square. 

CURRENT FORM OVER LAST SIX GAMES  
TEAM P W D L GF GA GD PTS
HORNCHURCH 6 5 1 0 18 2 +16 15
CHATHAM TOWN  6 3 1 2 13 9 +4 10

Third placed Enfield Town host Dulwich Hamlet who after a slow start to the season have shown some good form which has pushed them up to ninth place. Hamlet recorded an good 0-2 win at Lewes last weekend with Luke Wanadio and Ryley Scott on the scoresheet. 

Town v Hamlet games tend to always be action packed - It was over ten years ago that they met in the Premier Division at Donkey Lane when Erhan Otzumer scored a hat-trick in a 3-4 win which is one of the best games of football I've seen. Highlights are below of the game played in November 2013 - Something which will change at the weekend is the crowd - 382 saw the game a decade ago. Town's average for league crowds back in 2013/14 was 385 and for the 2023/24 season is currently 540. 

This is a great improvement but nothing on Hamlet's which is 13/14 was 667 and is now currently 2,314!  

DULWICH HAMLET FORM COMPARISION 
GAMESPWDLGFGAGDPTS
FIRST NINE 92161520-57
LAST TEN104601913+618

Towards the bottom of the table there is an important game at Hartsdown Park as under new managment Margate host Kingstonian. Former Stevenage, Grays Athletic and Hornchurch boss Mark Stimson's first game in charge ended in a 0-1 defeat to Carshalton Athletic last weekend. 

The Gate are one of four teams currently on 19 points just above the drop zone with The K's in 20th place on 11 points and are yet to win in the league on their travels. They have scored 10 goals in their last 4 away games which were 2-3 defeats at Dulwich Hamlet and Hastings United along with a 2-2 draw at Haringey Borough. It was a goal bonanza in their last away game at Cheshunt which ended in an amazing 5-4 defeat. 

ENFIELD TOWN v DULWICH HAMLET 2013 HIGHLIGHTS