Witham Town manager Tony Last has given himself four more games to turn the club's fortunes around.

And Last declared yesterday (Wednesday): "I'm confident I can do it.

"You have to set yourself a target and that's what I have done and I know I'm quite capable of doing it.

"We need one of two new players who will fit in with the team and are not trouble makers and I know the players I want.

"The team spirit is good and we just want to get a win under our belts to give everyone a bit of confidence."

Town, currently bottom of the Ryman League Division One North having suffered four successive defeats and conceded 11 goals in their last two games were rocked again at the weekend by the sudden departure of club captain and defender Nathan Fletcher.

"He's left the club by mutual consent and that's all I am prepared to say," said Last. "Had he not left I think six or seven other players would also have departed."

Town, who were due last night to meet Ilford in a battle of the basement clubs in a game Last admitted was imperative to pick up all three points, will also be missing Ricky Leftly with a knee injury.

"We know we want points and that's our priority," said Last. "We have four seven days' notice of approach in for players and I'm hoping to have at least one in for this Saturday.

"A central defender and midfielder are the main aims but we should also have a new 24-year-old striker, who was at Colchester United but has been out of the country for a while, on board by next week," he explained.

"Everyone knows that Witham Town does not have the kind of money other clubs have and we will continue to work within our budget and get in the players that also want to play for the club."

On the 6-1 home league defeat by Chatham Town on Saturday he said: "They have installed the former successful Lewes manager who clearly has money to spend on bringing in many new players and it showed.

"But I always say that clubs who go down that route always come to regret it in due course and we see it all the time when the money runs out," he added. "We will continue to work within our means and I'm confident we can stay in this league."

On Saturday, Town go to Soham Town Rangers in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round.

Aveley Football Club enjoyed success both on the pitch and off it, in their promotion of Breast Cancer Awareness on Saturday. 

The well publicised Ryman League Division One North game v Ilford Football Club at Mill Field, where Aveley opened their doors with Free Admission to the general public, has so far raised over £4000, with money still coming in from the home players who individually joined the occasion and obtained personal sponsorship. 

All monies raised are going to support the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Aveley won the match with a second half brace from Wayne Vaughan in a game that saw a 15 year high league attendance at Mill Field of 534.

Club Secretary Craig Johnson said “The response from the Aveley community was fantastic.  People have turned out in their droves, and their generosity towards the Charity was second to none, the atmosphere they created was superb, and to cap it all they witnessed an entertaining match, played in the right spirit in which Ilford Football Club played their part in. 

We would particularly like to thank all those that contributed on the day to make it a memorable occasion for all those in attendance.

East Thurrock United manager John Coventry declared himself proud of his team's response after conceding two early goals in their 3-1 FA Cup Third Qualifying Round defeat at Tamworth on Saturday.

"We played against a side two divisions above us," said Coventry. "We allowed them a bit too much room and had a dodgy couple of minutes which they took advantage of. But you have to be realistic. We've come here today and given them a game and they'd be the first to admit that."

Tom Shaw's neat finish on his debut after 17 minutes and Bradley Pritchard's strike two minutes later allowed the Blue Square North side to control the game against opposition two divisions below them.

Alex Rodman missed chances to make the game safe soon after the break but the impressive Gary Sheldon added a third with an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick.

Martin Llewellyn, a 16-year-old substitute, scored a late consolation for East Thurrock when he smashed home Kris Newby's centre.

Coventry was pleased for the youngster and hopes he and others will learn from their FA Cup experience.

"I've sent on two 16-year-olds and one's scored, which is great for him," said Coventry.

"I've not just come here for a nice day out so I am disappointed, especially as we conceded through some bad play.

"But there's a bigger picture here. It's a learning curve and everyone will hopefully go away with something different.

"The first thing I said to them is that the Cup run is great but we're here to win the league and I'm looking for a good response now."

That response starts on Tuesday when Rocks travel to Great Wakering Rovers.

Aveley will be in the pink for their Ryman One North clash with Ilford on Saturday.

The Millers have decided to make the match their annual free admission game and in addition will be supporting breast cancer charities by playing in a new pink strip, provided by Red Oak Roller Productions Ltd.

The club has produced a special programme which will be on sale for £2, with all proceeds going to the charities.

Pre match and half time entertainment will be provided by “Dusty Miller” and the Carlton School of Dancing.

Club secretary Craig Johnson said: “Our thanks go to all the many generous local businesses that have already donated to this worthy charity, and are acknowledged in the ‘one-off’ Pink Matchday programme.

Maldon Town have sacked manager Russell Tanner via a 5,160-mile telephone call on the first day he started a long booked family holiday in Florida.

The shock move by the club came only hours after last week's humiliating 8-2 Ryman League Division One North defeat at Brentwood Town.

Speaking from his holiday resort yesterday (Wednesday) Tanner said: "I received a text message from the chairman (Mike Kirkham) on the first day of my holiday and he informed me he was relieving me of my duties with immediate effect and that was it.

"I've had a number of players ringing and texting me regarding what is going on but I honestly don't know. All I know is that I have been sacked and I'm obviously disappointed that this has happened whilst I am away."

His assistant, Stuart Nethercott, confirmed yesterday that he had been asked by the club to step in as caretaker manager "to run things" over the next few weeks.

"All I know is that the club have official told me to take up the managerial reins on a week by week basis and we'll take it from there," said the former Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall defender. "I would like the job permanently as everyone knows I am keen to move into club management at some stage but we'll see how it goes."

Nethercott joined Tanner as the club's assistant manager at the start of this season while continuing to play and he will continue to do so until his position becomes clearer.

"Obviously if a new manager does come in then as a player that would then put me in a difficult position," explained the 35-year-old Nethercott.

"If I do get the job permanently then I would stop playing because I don't think you can do both longer term.

"If I am made permanent manager I would look to bring in an experienced player to replace me," he added. "At the moment I'm trying to bring in some new players because clearly after the Brentwood result and losing in the FA Cup replay to Witham Town the current squad is not good enough at this level.

"I have made formal approaches to one or two players and we may have someone in before Saturday's home league game against Redbridge," Nethercott continued. "I have signed goalkeeper Dave McCartney, 24, from Burnham Ramblers and he will go straight into the side."

Despite the managerial upheaval the club Nethercott remains upbeat and is confident his players will respond to the past two bad results when they run out on Saturday and again at Potters Bar on Tuesday for another league game.

"I took my first training session last Thursday and because we had no game on Saturday we had everyone in for training and the players' response was great," said Nethercott. "The only player to leave is midfielder Matt Cutchley.

"He says he wants to take a break from the game but he knows he's welcomed back at any time," continued Nethercott. "He travels from Bishop's Stortford every time so it's a bit of a haul and I quite understand his decision."

He added: "We hope the experienced defender Aidan Collins will be back from injury in two weeks' time and at the end of the month, striker James Robinson returns from Australia so we have a great deal to look forward to.

"I'm really looking forward to my first game in charge as a manager," Nethercott said, "This is a good, well run club and everyone works for one another and we need now just to strengthen the first team and start putting some results together."
Neither club chairman, MIke Kirkham or the club's director of football, Brian Honeywood, were available for comment at the time of the Essex Chronicle going to press.

East Thurrock United’s hat-trick hero Martin Touhy is in the running to be named as E.ON’s player of the FA Cup first qualifying round.

Striker Touhy bagged three goals in the Rocks’ 6-0 thrashing of Ryman League Division One North counterparts Hillingdon Borough on Saturday.

The lively forward, who arrived from Essex rivals Great Wakering Rovers in the summer, scored inside the opening 15 minutes at Middlesex Stadium before completing his treble midway through the second half.

Touhy, who also netted once in the preliminary round win over Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division One outfit Hatfield Town, has already scored 12 goals in all competitions this season.

Four other players are in the running to be win the coveted player of the round award.

Dartford’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Derren Ibrahim, Thatcham Town stopper Paul Strudley, Boston United striker Ollie Ryan and Chasetown’s Dean Parrow have also been nominated by a five-man panel including former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend.

The winner will be decided by a supporters’ vote, with the player of the round receiving VIP treatment at the 2009 FA Cup final at Wembley in May.

East Thurrock United are rapidly becoming the Ryman One North’s eye-catchers, not just for the unbeaten run that has taken them to the top of the league – but the roller-coaster way they have got there.

Already this season they have established themselves as a dramatic comeback team and while tonight’s run of goals was not spectacular for the 129 supporters as those that have gone before, Rocks again had to show their resilience.

In a match between sides relegated from the premier Division last season they found themselves behind after 16 minutes when Leyton’s Greg Ngobi netted.

Marauding striker Kurt Smith helped get them back in it when he was upended in the box on 22 minutes, Martin Touhy converting the subsequent penalty.

However, defender Scott Holding gifted the visitors the lead on 39 minutes with a lazy lob over his own keeper, Richard Wray.

Once more manager John Coventry had to work the half time oracle and his words again paid dividends with goals in the early stages of the half.

Touhy made it six goals so far when he thumped in a fine shot for the equaliser on 50 minutes and Holding atoned for his error with another strike two minutes later to put Rocks in front for the first time.

Smith then gave Rocks breathing space with his third goal of the season on 65 minutes.

Leyton ended the match with ten men after Des Thomas picked up his second yellow in the closing stages.

Manager John Coventry went into the match warning his players that their attitude was still not right and he talked about them getting ‘switched on’ for 90 minutes.

For the moment it’s still an on-off switch, but one that appears to get results and he will be hoping for a strong, more consistent performance on Saturday when Rocks travel to struggling Hillingdon Borough in the FA Cup.

Uxbridge overcame Redbridge 3-1 in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Reds have failed to win in the league this season but they eased some of the pressure on them by advancing to the next round of the competition.

Mark Nicholls' cross was headed home by David Warner after 22 minutes for the opening goal. Frazer Toms' long ball, just before half-time, set up Kevin Warner and he doubled their lead.

David Warner was sent off for a second bookable offence after the break and Nathan Scarborough reduced the scoreline with 23 minutes remaining.

But Mark Dennison rifled in the third goal to clinch the win for the Reds after 83 minutes.

www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/

Northwood's match programme advised the supporters that the last time the two sides met at their ground was in a league match in December 1999, with the home side winning 2-1, writes Cliff Travis.

Interestingly, the Police starting line-up for this FA Challenge Cup clash included current Blues manager Jim Cooper and his assistant Gavin MacPherson, also an ex-Northwood striker.

Arriving this time for an FA Cup preliminary round tie, the Police gained revengeobviously, coming away with a 2-0 comfortable win with goals from Rob George on 44 minutes and Jo Arrabeli on 88 minutes.

On 44 minutes striker Saheed Sankoh had a shot deflected by Mitch Swain the Northwood goal keeper back beyond the goal area.

George seized on the loose ball, rounded a defender and with the goal keeper charging him down, deftly side footed the ball just inside the far post.

Both sides had created scoring chances earlier in the half.

Sean Sommer for the home side saw his 18 yards drive well saved by Police goal keeper Mo Maan after only nine minutes.

A minutes later Terry Davies had a right footed drive from 15 yards also saved by Maan. The Police then began to take control.

A long cross from Steve Sargent resulted in a header from Sankoh hitting the cross bar. Another good cross this time from George was struck on the volley by Sargent and bounced once before being saved by the keeper.

Within minutes of the start of the second half Central Police defender Tommy Moorhouse limped off following a sliding tackle.

Striker Dwain Williams for the home side then hit the cross bar with a spectacular 30 yard shot. The Police regained their composure with some good attacking moves.

Michael Cobden with a 25-yard drive tested Swain who only managed to grab the ball on the goal line at the second attempt.

With just two minutes remaining Police substitute Arrabeli picked up a Sargent cross just outside the Northwood goal area.

He swivelled and turned flat footing two defenders and drove home the ball into the back of the net to put the result beyond question.

www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/

Thamesmead Town gained their first victory of the season to book their place in the next round of the F.A. Cup, away to Waltham Forest.

The Mead performed poorly in the first half, creating few chances and performing nervously giving the ball away easily. Being put under the cosh from Waltham Forest, Mead were lucky to go in at the break with the score goal-less.

Whatever was said in the dressing room by Mead Manager Keith McMahon seemed to work, as Thamesmead dominated the second half with, what became the trademark of last season, some slick passing football.

On seventy minutes, Rikki Cable picked up the ball on the left wing, left a defender for dead with some deft skill and manager to cross the ball to Peter Smith. With his back to goal and a defender backing on to him, Smith managed to turn and fire home a shot in to the back of thenet for the only goal of the game.

Thamesmead continued to press in the last twenty minutes and at the full time whistle, they could be happy that they booked their place in to the 1st Qualifying Round, where they will face opposition from their own League again against Great Wakering Rovers on 13th September.

Wingate & Finchley are joint top of Ryman League Division One North.

The Blues saw off Chatham Town 1-0 on Tuesday, having already beaten Great Wakering Rovers 4-1 in their opener at the weekend.

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