On This Day

My original choice for this Day was 1991 but as every single game on that date and the week before was cancelled owing to the weather, 2002 was the alternative.

Leyton were the leaders but had a weekend off and Enfield Town in second spot the same. Even the third placed Concord Rangers along with 10 other clubs were on Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy 1st Round duties and their away tie at Brentwood ended 0-0 after extra time, Brentwood prevailing 4-2 on penalties. Southend Manor saw off bottom placed Eton Manor 6-1 with four for Jon Doyle and one apiece from Smith and Landers. Saffron Walden won 2 1 against Bowers United thanks to an 86th minute goal by Tom Ryan, Sawbridgeworth Town 6-4 aet saw success over Hullbridge Sports with a brace from Robbie Campbell and Peter Zielinski and one apiece from Lawrence and Aken. A memorable ESL figure was on the scoresheet for Stansted in their 4 1 success against Basildon United, Tony Mercer with a 70th minute goal. Finally, Barkingside won at Woodford Town 2 1 thanks to Lay and West with Felici netting for the home side.

The leading scorer at this stage was Danny Clarke of Enfield Town with 27 followed closely by Lee Brant of Concord Rangers with 26, 16 of which had been with Bowers United. Danny Greaves of Burnham Ramblers, Ben Barnett at Southend Manor and Joel Neto of Stansted were all on 18. Just three days earlier, Ilford had departed in the London Senior Cup 5th Round at Croydon to a heavy 0-3 defeat, the same happening to Leyton in the Essex County equivalent 5th Round at Chelmsford City. There was no Reserve Division.

I was out of action that Saturday on the domestic front with my grand-daughter Mia having been born on the Thursday though even that didn’t impede on my trip to Ilkeston Town FC for an F A meeting on the Friday…..gosh, 23 years ago, how time flies!

Nevertheless it was still good to have a wee chat on this day in 2002 with Reg Curtis through the fence at Southchurch Park !
On the Football League front, there was no Premier Division games but in Division One, Wolves beat Bradford 3 1 and AFC Wimbledon drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace. In Division 2, Brighton beat Huddersfield 1-0 and Peterborough drew 1-1 with Brentford.

The lowest division 4 saw Rushden draw 1-1 with Rochdale, Luton lose 2-3 to Scunthorpe and Macclesfield win 2-1 against Bristol Rovers. In the F A Cup, Arsenal beat Gillingham 5-2 and Fulham won 2-1 at Walsall and in Spain, Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao and Tiptree United won 2-1 at Taunton Town in the F A Vase.