Latest news with #EssexSeniorLeague
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
White Ensign beaten in eventful season opener
IT was an entertaining start to the Essex Senior League campaign, with seven goals and three red cards at Burroughs Park, as White Ensign lost 5-2 to SOUL Tower Hamlets. The 2025/26 season got off to the worst possible start for Ensign who found themselves 4-0 down inside 33 minutes. Although Riley Weir did pull one back for the hosts just before half time, Tower Hamlets restored their four-goal cushion six minutes after the restart through Samir Bihmoutine. On 73 minutes, following a clumsy challenge from Joseph Atoki, both he and two Tower Hamlets players were sent off – including goalkeeper Sidi Haidara. Ensign failed to make the man advantage count, only managing a single consolation goal deep into injury time thanks to Mechack Asuka. It took the visitors just 63 seconds to break the deadlock and it came courtesy of an Ensign mistake. Tolu Ajayi's fluffed clearance gifted the ball straight to Sherman Artmeladze, who lobbed the ball over Ensign 'keeper Jordan Williams to give the visitors an early lead. Tower Hamlets were only promoted to the Essex Senior League last season, but made light work of Ensign and soon added to their lead with two goals in quick succession. Rian Patel did well up against Ajayi on the right-hand side before finding Steve Carvell in space in the box. His shot was parried by Williams, but only as far as Kieran James who side footed home the rebound from close range. The away side kept up the pressure, with Artmeladze seeing a shot from distance turned behind by Williams, and they soon added a third to their tally. Carvell got his name on the scoresheet, thumping an unstoppable strike past Williams and into the top corner from 20 yards. Things then got even better for Terry Spillane and John Field's team, making it 4-0 just past the half hour mark. James slipped a clever pass into Artmeladze who was able to break into the box and, despite losing his balance, wriggled away from both Ajayi and Albie Keith, before chipping the ball over Williams and into the top corner. Any hopes of a major Ensign comeback were increased somewhat just before the interval, with the hosts reducing the deficit to three goals. Rio Campbell dug out a cross and it was met by Weir who beat Haidara with a stooped diving header to make it 4-1 going into half time. However, six minutes into the second period, Tower Hamlets restored their four-goal cushion. Louie Maxwell thumped the ball forward and over the Ensign backline, Bihmoutine raced onto it, beat Williams to the ball and poked it past the Ensign 'keeper and into the back of the net. The game fizzled out somewhat after this, however with 20 minutes left to play it sparked back into life. Haidara claimed an Ensign corner and looked to start a Tower Hamlets counterattack. However, when he went to kick the ball he was caught by Atoki, resulting in Haidara wrestling Atoki to the ground and sparking a huge fight between both sets of players. When tempers did finally cool down somewhat, referee, Adeolu Adeyemi, brandished three red cards – dismissing both Atoki and Haidara as well as Tower Hamlets defender Keanu Hill who was also involved in the melee. This resulted in, not only a man advantage for Ensign, but also outfielder Taylor Gibson having to go in goal for Tower Hamlets. Aaron Bloxham's side couldn't make this count though. A glancing header from Asuka, seven minutes into injury time proved nothing more than a consolation as Ensign fell to a heavy defeat on opening night. Ensign are next in action on Wednesday night, when they entertain a Barking side who take on Basildon United this weekend.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'In good hands' - Pearce on the mend after health scare
Former England full-back Stuart Pearce says he is now feeling "very good" following a major health scare during a flight from Las Vegas to London earlier this plane had to be diverted to Canada after 62-year-old Pearce was treated by staff and medically-trained was special guest at four Essex Senior League matches over the weekend to help mark Non-League Day."I'm very good at the moment. The flight attendants were fantastic to me. I spent 10 days in Canada, the hospital staff there were fantastic, I was in good hands," he told BBC was plucked from non-league football with Wealdstone by Coventry City and went on to play more than 400 games for Nottingham Forest before spells with Newcastle United, West Ham and Manchester also won 78 international caps and later managed Forest, Manchester City and the Great Britain team at the London 2012 Olympics. Pearce believes non-league still has an important role in developing talent, again illustrated by Dan Burn's rise to the current England squad, having begun his career at Darlington. "The non-league is where I started, so I have a vested interest, if you like," Pearce said, as he watched Buckhurst Hill's 1-1 draw with Hullbridge Sports."So many youngsters get associated with Premier League clubs or professional clubs and get released, and are disappointed by that. "What they must understand is that the game is about playing it for the love of it. There's always (the possibility of) a second chance. "As a 13-year-old I was released by the club I supported, QPR, and Wealdstone gave me another chance and eventually I got to where I did in the game."But that wasn't the important thing, the important thing for me was playing a game you absolutely love, the camaraderie of the dressing room and camaraderie of team sport."A former electrician, Pearce said playing at non-league level provided a release from having to go work most mornings."Then, all of a sudden you get a little bit of recognition and at the age of 21 my life changed and I turned into a professional footballer," he added."(But) I always look back with really fond memories of my time as a non-league player, I keep in contact with my old club Wealdstone and some of the players I used to play alongside. They're good friends of mine."
