Bury go top- but it’s a mixed North day in the Trophy

Isuzu FA Trophy

Tilbury, with a couple of new signings in tow, travelled to take on Berkhampstead. Their Pitching In Southern Division One hosts had won seven in a row prior to defeat against St Ives Town in the Cup last weekend, and they broke the deadlock in this one on twenty three minutes, before doubling it ten minutes before half time. It was three-nil just after the restart, four just before the hour, and that was that. 

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Brentwood Town in an all-north affair. Regent werefour without a win whilst the Blues hadn’t won in three- but if we expected a cagey start we were wrong, as the hosts broke the deadlock within two minutes, Louie Kudiabor with the first goal of the afternoon in any of our competitions. The next goal arrived a full seventy minutes later, Matt Cripps with an equaliser, and the visitors then took the lead, Daniel Ogunleye’s seventh of the season putting them ahead with only eight minutes left. They held that lead, and defeat Regent for the first time in three attempts. 

Felixstowe and Walton United have been rather free scoring this season, indeed with thirty two goals in ten matches in all competitions were averaging more than three a match. The Seasiders had played six matches on their own patch so far this season and had won all of them, so it was something of a surprise when visitors Enfield took the lead on fifteen minutes. The hosts had an own goal to thank for their equaliser on the hour, but then scored one themselves, a Callum Harrison spot kick four minutes from time, and held on to progress- to the delight of the fans pictured, courtesy of Stefan Peck. 

Pitching In Southern Division One Central leaders Hadley were the hosts for Ipswich Wanderers. Hadley had lost only once all season, a Cup defeat against Basildon United on August 3rd, and had won every game but one since, including victory over Grays Athletic in the last round- and they come in to this match looking for a sixth consecutive win. The hosts went ahead on six minutes, but Wanderers drew level just before the break, Rasheed Salau scoring from the spot. They couldn’t rest, however, as there was still time for the hosts to restore their advantage, four minutes into added time- and it was three-one Hadley seven minutes into the second half. There was still time for a fourth for the hosts, and that’s how it ended. 

Maldon and Tiptree welcomed Pitching In Northern Division One Midlands leaders Corby Town. The visitors were on a nine match unbeaten run- but it was the Jammers who made the breakthrough on eight minutes through Lewis Watson, and they doubled their lead on twenty seven minutes, Matt Price making it two- but Corby hit back to halve their lead just before half time. That seemed to be that, but four minutes into added time at the end the visitors equalised. Their unbeaten run came to an end, however, the Jammers winning a shootout four-two. 

Newmarket Town were the hosts for North Division rivals Cambridge City. The Jockeys don’t yet have a single league point but had been much better in the Cups, having won five times in knockout competitions, but they fell behind after just seven minutes, George Smith on target, and Smith quickly added another just three minutes later- but the hosts hit back eleven minutes before half time, Ryan Cole the scorer. City reestablished their two goal advantage twelve minutes into the second half, Alex Warman the scorer, and that was where the scoring ended. 

An all-North tie saw Wroxham bring Haringey Borough to the Broads. Borough, as we said the other day, had resembled Doctor Jekyll this season- put a knockout match in front of them and watch them go, make them play in the League and the outcome was rather more scary. The Yachtsmen had also seen their only wins come in cup competitions, and had two of those, but in all competitions had only one win in seven- but they went ahead in this one ten minutes before the break, Jordan Forbes with the opening goal. Borough levelled in the early stages of the second half, Manny Yeboah with his fifth of the season, and they went ahead ten minutes from time, Joe Waight making it two. Soon it was three-one to the visitors, Matthew Young with that one, and that’s how it ended- yet another cup win for the North Londoners. 

North Division

Second place Bury Town were behind Basildon United only on goal difference, so anything but defeat would see them take top spot- but it was visitors Gorleston who opened the scoring in the opening stages, Abby Matthews opening the scoring on twelve minutes. Town levelled just after the half hour, Ollie Canfer with the equaliser, and by half time they were ahead, Cemal Ramadan scoring his seventh of the season. That turned out to be that, Bury taking over at the summit. 

Grays Athletic welcomed Heybridge Swifts to Tilbury. Athletic got back to winning ways last week with victory over Concord Rangers, whilst Swifts had been difficult to defeat but are rather short of victories- and they remained difficult to defeat and short of victories as neither side managed a goal. Athletic are ninth, Swifts thirteenth. 

Mildenhall Town knew that they could could climb into the top five if they could defeat Concord Rangers. Two wins in a row- and two clean sheets- had greatly improved the mood at Hall after a previously winless start to the season, but the Beachboys made them miserable on twenty eight minutes, Lewis Jaggs opening the scoring. That turned out to be the only goal, and it takes Rangers sixth.