By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Phoenix Sport
John Chubb
An extended show this week, with the programme starting an hour earlier than usual at 2pm and I still didn’t run out of talking points!
In Football, Leyton Orient were left frustrated as their EFL League Two match at Stevenage ended goalless – the fourth league draw in succession for Kenny Jackett’s side, although other results meant they went up a place to 9th.
In the National League, interest in the match at the Chigwell Construction Stadium between Dagenham & Redbridge and Southend United drew the largest crowd Victoria Road has seen for a long time.
3,673 fans – including more than 1,300 Shrimpers supporters – saw a goalless first half in which both sides had chances.
But after the break, the Daggers scored three goals in the space of three minutes as Southend capitulated to a 3-0 defeat.
It ended a run of three straight league losses for the home side, who moved up to fifth in the table.
Meanwhile Southend are back in the relagation zone, and new head coach Kevin Maher – watching his new charges for the first time since his midweek appointment – will be under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of him.
It was a largely disappointing afternoon for our local teams in the National League South, apart from Chelmsford City who had Adam Morgan to thank for securing a 1-1 draw away to high-flying Oxford City, with his late equaliser.
And of the local contingent in the Isthmian Premier League, only Bowers & Pitsea had anything to celebrate at all as they picked up a point in a 0-0 draw with Bognor Regis Town.
East Thurrock United will want to quickly put this weekend behind them, as they crashed to an 8-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Enfield Town at Rookery Hill, seven of the goals being scored in the first half.
Isthmian North leaders Canvey Island suffered a big blow last Wednesday, when manager Mark Bentley left Park Lane to join the new management team at Southend United.
But there were no signs of disappointment from the Gulls on the pitch on Saturday, interim boss Brad Wellman overseeing a 5-1 victory at Bury Town which saw Canvey stay at the summit.
And Brentwood Town‘s revival since the appointment of Rod Stringer as manager continued, with their first home win of the season – a 3-2 triumph over Basildon United – taking them up to fifth place in the North section – two places behind Grays Athletic, who now sit in third spot after their 3-1 win away to Heybridge Swifts.
A handful of local teams were also involved in the First Round Proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, including Buckhurst Hill whose tie away to Great Yarmouth Town was our featured match on the show.
Our reporter Scott Lanza described the action for us, as a superb 5-1 win saw the Thurlow Nunn Division One South outfit progress to the next stage.
But it was the end of the line for another side from that league – namely Benfleet, who have enjoyed an excellent and record-breaking run in the Vase this season.
They also travelled to Norfolk, but found hosts Wroxham too strong a test as the home side ran out 6-0 winners.
Stansted and Athletic Newham of the Essex Senior League were among the other sides to reach the second round.
In Women’s Football, there was a World Cup qualifier at Wembley which saw England comfortably beat Northern Ireland 4-0.
One of the best local Rugby performances of the day came from Southend Saxons, who scored 76 points without reply against Leighton Buzzard for their fourth victory of the season, and currently sit fifith in London 1 North.
This week’s playlist:
Galaxy feat Phil Fearon – Dancing Tight
Coldplay and BTS – My Universe
Ed Sheeran – Shivers
Jonathan Butler – Lies
Johnny Marr – Spirit Power and Soul
Placebo – Beautiful James
Boomtown Rats – Banana Republic
Beatles – Penny Lane
Oasis – Live Forever
Tears for Fears – The Tipping Point
Johnny Guitar Watson – Ain’t That A Bitch
Abba – Dancing Queen
Sam Fender – Get You Down
Strokes – Last Night
Weeknd – Blinding Lights
Clash – Rock The Casbah
Daytime TV – Communication
Slow Readers Club – Tell No Lies
Style Council – My Ever Changing Moods
McFly – Dragonball
Five Star – System Addict
Supremes – Stoned Love
Pretenders – Back On The Chain Gang
Royal Blood – Hold On
Stevie Wonder – You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
George Michael – Cowboys & Angels
Jon and Vangelis – I’ll Find My Way Home
Tom Grennan – Don’t Break The Heart
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Take Me Home
