Matchday Programme - Leigh Ramblers v Basildon Town

Season 2021/22

Issue 2

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME LEIGH RAMBLERS v BASILDON TOWN

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Contents

4 - Player Profile - Pat Cannon

12 - Last week...

Growing up as a Rambler

Match Report from last week's Essex Premier Cup match against Brentwood Town Reserves & results summary

6 - Today's Opposition

15 - Race for the Golden Boot

Learn about Basildon Town FC

Who is currently topping the list?

8 - League Tables The current standings for all our adult men's teams

16 - Team Sheet Squad lists for each team

10 - Form Guide Latest results for each side

If you would like to advertise your local business within the pages of future editions, please contact a member of the Committee.

CLUB DETAILS GROUND

CLUB

KITS

OFFICIALS Belfairs Sports Ground Eastwood Road North Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 4LR

President: Paul Cannon Chairman: Matthew Southgate Secretary: Richard Ackery Treasurer: Gareth Ackery

HOME

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AWAY

3RD

Player Profile - Pat Cannon

This week's profile focuses on last week's Man of the Match, Patrick Cannon.

Pat has grown up as a Rambler, watching his dad from the sidelines before joining the youth ranks and ultimately, a pivotal cog in the first team. Should he be selected today, he'll be making his 171st appearance in the Essex Olympian League.

Pat, you've been at the Club since you were just a boy.

How old were you when you first pulled on the blue and black shirt?

From the age of 8. Wow, that makes me feel old! But yes, essentially our whole team from Leigh Rockets moved over to Leigh Ramblers as the youth section re-launched and haven't looked back since. It's been a great journey, seeing how the club has evolved with the amount of youth teams we now have, playing with the some of the same teammates , now having a beer with former players I used to watch every week. It's all surreal but exactly what makes this club

When did you first play in the adult teams?

special. Although we won't go into too much detail about being zipped up inside kitbags!

Do you have any key memories from your time in the youth set up?

I believe I was 15 (back when there were no rules stopping that!). I remember being asked if I wanted to step up to the senior squads when our A team needed players. It was away at Eastwoodbury Lane and honestly don’t think I could have had a better debut. I scored a hattrick and quickly

A personal highlight was captaining the U16 team on a European Tour in Valkenburg, Holland. What a trip that was!

Our first lads tour away, facilities of the highest level and all

found my feet moving up through the ranks but nowadays finding myself further back on the pitch. From striker to full back. It happens to us all though right!

the teams playing the right way. We won our first tournament comfortably and as a result, they asked us if we'd be up for playing the likes of Vitesse Arnhem, PSV and

Do you have a favourite game or memory from your time at the Rams?

some other professional youth setups from Germany, Holland and Belgium. All the odds firmly stacked against us but we actually beat them - who would have thought, the mighty Leigh Ramblers!

There’s a few in Old Southendians, Catholic derby fixtures but I would say Buckhurst Hill game at home. They were comfortably beating everyone in the league and we knew ourselves that it would be our toughest game. Although

Aside to this, playing two cup finals at Roots Hall. With Southend being our local professional team, all aspirations as a youngster were to have the opportunity to play at stadiums. So captaining the squad twice there was memorable.

whenever any teams face us at Belfairs, we know we can match up and beat anyone on our day. We won 2-0 with me scoring the second, capped off with a knee slide in front of the Rams faithful on the balcony and a local photographer on site. It was one for the cameras and our roaring home fans (shoutout to Bob!)

@LeighRams | www.leighramblers.com

You're one of the more tenured players at the Club.

Who's the best player you've played with during your time?

Tricky question, I’ve played with a lot of good players from the youth ranks upwards, in the most recent past Harry Haysom who joined the first team at a similar age to me and after a few successful seasons, has now pushed on to what I believe will be the start of a very bright future, but Jack Gardner for me was stand out.

He had immense talent as a youngster which was backed up with playing at a higher level but we’re lucky enough to have him back now (also to the joy of the

Pat is congratulated by teammates after hitting the back of the net to make it 2-0 against Buckhurst Hill in February 2020. Image courtesy of Andy Wilkins Photography.

local pizza man!). Once a Ram, always a Ram. I can’t go without mentioning some other consistent squad members I’ve had the pleasure of playing with in Lowey and Hazell. You know you’ll get consistency, maximum effort week in, week out and the odd match winner, top 1st Team Apps

lads.

What would be your assessment of the season so far?

Pat Cannon

160

Total Apps

178

Goals

12

None of us can deny it’s been a tough campaign so far.

Mark has come in as gaffer and earnt the respect from

we’ve struggled at times with player availability. Recent

all the boys, he’s a great coach and we know by

weeks, we’ve shown what we can do, spirits are

sticking together, we can go as far as we want. Results

growing and with this squad of players, I know we can

haven’t gone our way and without sounding cliché,

bounce back – COYR!

decisions haven’t always been on our side, and

UPCOMING FIXTURES @ BELFAIRS PARK

04 December 2021 - Reserves v Snaresbrook Reserves (EOFL Division 5) 05 December 2021 - U16 vs Southend Manor U16s (EJA)

11 December 2021 - Reserves v Bishop's Stortford Swifts Reserves (EOFL Div 5)

18 December 2021 - 1st v Kelvedon Hatch (EOFL Premier Division) 19 December 2021 - Ladies 1st v Barking Women (ERWFL Division 1 South)

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Today's Opposition

Basildon Town F.C.

Home

Basildon Town were formed in 1946 and have played in various leagues over the years starting in the Thurrock Combination League then moving onto the Parthenon League, and the Basildon League.

In 1959, they joined forces with local rivals Pitsea United and in 1966 became founder members of the newly formed Essex Olympian

Away

Chairman: Bob Moorcraft Secretary: Dave Lovell Manager: Marcus Bowers Assistants: Jaime Selby-Knight & Lee Bunn

Football League and were hugely successful for a few years. In 1969

Home Ground: The Core Refurbishments Stadium,

the clubs split into two once more with Basildon Town carrying on in

Gardiners Close, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3AW

the Essex Olympian League.

The Club suffered an almost mortal blow in the summer of 1971 when, out of the blue, they were evicted from their home ground Gun Meadow and were forced to pull out of the Essex Olympian Football League at the end of the 1970-71 season.

The Club then joined the Southend and District League Premier Division and gradually rebuilt over the next 10 years. In season 1980-81 the first team won the Premier League and the reserves won their divisional cup for the third year running.

At the start of the 1981-82 season they returned to the Essex Olympian Football League. The reserves also joined the Olympian League a few years later following the setting up of a reserve section within the Olympian League. The 1980s and early 1990s were largely unproductive on the field. In the late 1990s the first team had a period of success winning their divisional league in 1998-99 and winning the Basildon Sports Council Trophy on two occasions and also the Stanford Charity Cup.

During the years following 2000 the first team had some success in cup competitions but league honours evaded the club.

By 2010/11 they were playing in Senior Division 3 with the reserve side in the Reserve Division Three. Since then they have moved through the Leagues and in 2014/15 were champions of Division Two. In 2016/17 they enjoyed probably their most successful season with the first team becoming champions of Division 1 and winning the Senior Cup and the reserves winning Senior Division 4 and the Reserve Cup.

Back in the Premier Division for the first time in over 40 years the first team started 2017/18 well by winning the Senior Challenge Cup but fortunes then declined and a poor season saw them relegated. The Reserves had a good season and were promoted to Senior Division 4. In 2018/19 season the first team won promotion back to the Premier Division and made the semi final of the Senior Cup. The Reserves had a good season and won their second Reserve Cup Final in 3 years. The next two seasons, as we all know, were ruined by the global pandemic. This season they are looking for promotion to the Thurlow Nunn League and hope for good years for their 2nd team and newly-formed A team.

Basildon Town enter this weekend's fixture as league leaders and we extend a very warm welcome to Jaime Selby-Knight who made 93 appearances for the Rams, scoring 32 goals.

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League Tables

ProKit Essex Olympian League - Premier Division

ProKit Essex Olympian League - Division 5

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Southend Borough & District Football Combination - Division Two

Southend & Basildon Sunday League - Premier Division

Sceptre Sunday League - Division Three

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Form Guide

RAMS - WWLLL

BASILDON TOWN

Form (Last 5)

Form (Last 5) - LWWWW

20/11/2021 - EPC

20/11/2021 - EPC

4-3 Brentwood Town Reserves (H)

1-0 Waltham Abbey Reserves (A)

13/11/2021 - EOFL

13/11/2021 - EOFL

1-3 Bishop's Stortford Swifts (A)

1-3 Galleywood (A)

06/11/2021 - EOFL

06/11/2021 -EOFL

2-0 Catholic United (A)

2-0 Shenfield AFC (H)

30/10/2021 - EOFL

30/10/2021 - EOFL

0-5 Hutton (H)

1-3 Canning Town (A)

23/10/2021 - EOFL

23/10/2021 - EOFL

4-2 Sungate (A)

2-1 Harold Wood Athletic (H)

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Last week...

LEIGH RAMBLERS vs BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES Saturday 20 November 2021 BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup - Round 3

At this point it was probably marginally against the run of play but the home side gratefully accepted the chance.

At this point the visitors realised that they had a game on their hands and with the Rams confidence

Report by Paul Cannon

now free flowing the game opened up further.

Brentwood started to make inroads down the Rams Rith the home pitch in perfect condition the Ramblers were eager to try and continue where they left off after an excellent performance away to Bishop Stortford Swifts in the league last week.

left hand side and Kingdom Dawson the visitors right back was central to the Brentwood threat, whilst on the other flank Maurice Abana looked as if he could cause some problems if he was given space, but he was well shackled by Pat Cannon who got in a great

This week gave them the opportunity of not only a home game but also a break from the League battle

block to a well struck shot which would definitely have tested Keys in the Rams goal.

to maintain their status in the Premier Division, with a third round tie in the prestigious BBC Essex Premier Cup. However it would be a tough ask against Brentwood Town Reserves who play in the Essex Senior League Reserve Division 1.

The game was end to end. Rams midfield started to spread the ball across the pitch opting to make their attacks mostly down the flanks but when they needed to go more direct they had Paul Hayes to hit as a target man who comfortably held up the ball to bring Jack Gardner into

Rams had to make some enforced changes from the previous week with Matt Brinklow cup tied, Scott Keys unavailable and Sam Carter getting a call up to the first team squad with Concord. With players missing however, it gives others opportunity and the Rams went into the game as follows:

play. Some lovely football was being played by the Rams and they were now the team in ascendancy with Hazell, Hunter and Gardner now dictating play in the middle of the park. However similarly to when Rams scored against the run of play earlier, Brentwood got their equaliser in similar fashion, and what a great goal it was. When the Brentwood striker received the ball 30 yards out he had

N.Keys, Cannon, Latimer, Lowe, Franks, Unwin, Hazell, Hunter, Gardner, P.Hayes, Waiwaiku.

Subs Jarvis, W,Hayes, Scates, Baker.

nowhere to go with Rams skipper Ryan Lowe in close attention so he decided to hit a hopeful ball high over his head with a cross field ball to the Rams left. With the ball high in the air there looked to be no danger to the home

From the very start you could tell that this was going to be an entertaining game, with both teams looking to play a passing game out from the back. The early indications were that Brentwood possessed some lively forwards with good movement and Rams would have to be extremely alert to that threat. The Rams have shown that they have a good passing game of their own and in front of some great home support played the ball around with confidence.

Whilst keeper Keys had to be alert to a couple of through balls that threatened to open up the Rams defence, it was the Rams that actually took the lead in the 10th minute of the game. When Jack Unwin raced onto a ball that was slipped through to him, he still had plenty to do, however he made no mistake and smashed the ball high into the

side, however Kingdom Dawson had other ideas killing the ball superbly with his first touch as it dropped out the sky with his right foot, he then cut inside, beating a Rams defender and before central defender Tom Franks could close down the space he then unleashed a fierce left foot shot from 25 yards that flew past Keeper Nick Keys low into the bottom corner, giving the home stopper no chance.

Even the largely dominated home support balcony had to applaud the effort. A blow to the Rams but could they respond. Almost immediately they went on the offensive again and some great play out from the back through the midfield and then out wide to the right which saw goalscorer Unwin then release Pat Cannon on the overlap who raced through on goal but saw his effort from just

corner of the net to give Rams the lead.

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inside of the box go over the bar. This could go

What a great half of entertaining football and so

either way with both sides trying to wrestle the

evenly poised, it would be down to the managers as

advantage from each other. Another great cross into

to who could squeeze that extra bit of desire,

the Rams box from the Brentwood goalscorer saw

composure and quality from his side.

Rams keeper Keys have to bravely throw himself in amongst the bodies as defenders and attackers alike

Both teams emerged from the break and to the

slid into the 6 yard box to connect with ball, but the

delight of the watching spectators it began in the

keeper superbly blocked the effort before claiming

same fashion as the previous half. Only this time it

the ball. Moments later Maurice Abana cut inside

was the Rams that stole the ascendancy. Rams

down the right flank but under pressure from the

attacked in waves, predominantly down their right

Rams defence hit his effort high not only wide of the

hand side with Hazell, Cannon & Unwin featuring

goal but high over the clubhouse to the delight of

prominently. The pressure was really mounting and

the Rams balcony. That was short-lived though as

they didn’t have to wait too long to take the lead.

Brentwood again broke quickly down the Rams left

The goal when it came was on a par with that of

as they broke quickly after defending a corner.

Brentwood's opener. Cannon again got free down

Again it was that man Kingdom who led the charge

the right and whilst his cross narrowly eluded Barv

and with Brentwood now attacking with a numerical

Waiwaiku in the heart of the penalty area Waiwaiku

advantage, Rams had to cover the more immediate

quickly outpaced and outbattled the defender to

threat in the centre of the goal, this gave Dawson

retrieve the ball on the far side, having secured

the opportunity to pick out Abana at the far post

possession the Rams then tried to work the ball back

and although he shinned his effort from two yards

into a goal threat, before a ball back out to Latimer

out he was still relieved to see his effort hit the roof

who then slipped the ball inside to Ole Hunter,

of the net on the far side of the goal to give the

another player who had featured on the scoresheet

visitors the lead and he let the balcony know just

last week. This time however he was 20 yards out

how much he enjoyed that response in good natured

just outside the corner of the box, he shifted the ball

fashion.

a yard to his right before hitting a fantastic curling effort into the far top corner of the Brentwood net

Rams earlier in the season may have folded but they

leaving the visitors keeper vainly clutching at air in

are now starting to grow in confidence, With skipper

an effort to keep it out.

Lowe again urging the players to continue to play the passing game and look after possession, the

Rams were jubilant and they were now commanding

Rams continued to look for the ball. Hazell and

the game. Some great work from Hazell culminated

Gardner swapped roles, Hunter started to get on the

with a cross that picked out Paul Hayes just inside

ball more and the Rams once again raised the

the penalty spot, but the gloomy conditions and the

tempo. Rams' early goalscorer Unwin started to

faintest touch off the Brentwood defender's head

feature more as Rams played simple effective

made it difficult to pick up the flight of the ball and

football that at times cut the visitors apart. Rams

the chance was lost. The visitors were then given

were really piling on the pressure. Several corners

another lifeline after a Rams player was adjudged to

followed and from one of these Reece Latimer tried

have pushed one of their players in the box. Again it

an overhead kick at goal which was blocked by the

looked harsh but on balance was probably on a par

hand of a Brentwood defender, perhaps it was a

with that in the first half. Up stepped the Brentwood

little harsh but the referee awarded a penalty. Up

player who opted to go down the middle of the goal.

stepped Paul Hayes who had converted from the

Although Rams keeper Keys had elected to dive to

spot the previous week and once again he made no

his left he was still able to keep the ball out with a

mistake to bring the scores level 2-2, less than a

great save with his trailing leg. An important save

minute before the break.

that enabled the Rams to preserve their lead.

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Rams still continued to attack at will and it was still

own net and Rams were back in front.

down the Rams right that they had the most success, time and again they got round the back of the

With the minutes ticking down Gardner, who battled

defence and when Hazell received the ball and then

superbly despite being troubled with a niggling injury

beat his opponent inside the box an opportunity

from two weeks ago was replaced by Will Hayes and

suddenly opened up. The fact that the Rams didn’t

then Cannon was also replaced as the Rams played

extend their lead was only down to a brilliant save

out time for a well deserved victory.

from the visiting keeper who somehow turned Hazell’s goalbound effort over the bar when it looked

This was an excellent game, with both teams a credit

like a certain goal. Rams brought on the younger

to their clubs. It was played in the right spirit, was

legs and fresh energy of Cameron Jarvis for Paul

very evenly balanced & had quality goals as well as

Hayes and he was quickly into the game helping the

incident.

Rams to continue the high press.

Rams MOM : Pat Cannon With the clock running down and the light becoming

Highly commended : Nick Keys, Ryan Lowe & Ole

even more gloomy Brentwood made changes and

Hunter although once again every player stepped up

threw players forward. Barv Waiwaiku was then sent

in what was a superb win for the Rams.

to the sin bin after a comment to the referee and suddenly the Rams were down to 10 men for a ten minute period. They battled superbly and it was difficult to believe they had a numerical deficit.

However having survived that period with 8 minutes

Last week's other results

to go, disaster for the Rams, a hopeful effort from range looked like it would be dealt with by the Rams defence but a push on Ramblers defender Cannon was missed by the referee in the dim light and suddenly the ball was allowed to travel deep into the Rams penalty area eluding defenders and keeper

ProKit UK Essex Olympian League Division Five Herongate Athletic

2 - 1

Reserves

Leigh Ramblers Reserves

before sneaking into the far corner of the net. The scores were level 3-3, and with the prospect of extra time and the visitors with a younger side, suddenly the odds had shifted towards that of the visitors.

However the Rams had other ideas, Straight from the

Southend Borough & District Football Combination Division Two Southend Collegians Reserves

P -P

Leigh Ramblers A

kick off the ball was played back to skipper Lowe who stuck to Rams principals of playing out from the back and he found Cannon out wide. Cannon played the ball up to Unwin just inside the Brentwood half before racing forward to receive a return ball, he then raced down the line before beating a

Southend & Basildon Sunday Football League Premier Division

Leigh Ramblers Sunday

2 - 3

Leigh United

Brentwood defender down towards the far corner, he then cut inside towards goal and with few options open, decided instead to smash the ball across goal

Sceptre Sunday Football League Division Three Cup

between the goal and six yard line. With the Brentwood defenders desperate to clear the danger

Park Tavern

3 - 4

they could do no more than turn the ball into their

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Leigh Ramblers Sunday Reserves

This week's other matches

RESERVES

SUNDAY FIRST

No Game

No Game

A TEAM

SUNDAY RESERVES

Southend Rangers A (A)

View Angels (H)

SB&DFCL Div. 2

Sceptre Div. 3

14:00 @ Len Forge

10:30 @ Westcliff High School

SS2 6UH

N E LD T O G OO B

SS0 0BS

NAME

TEAM

GOALS

Charlie Batchelor

Reserves

9

Jack Gosling

Sunday Reserves

9

Brandon Holmes

Reserves / A

7

Joe Howson

Reserves

6

Kai Baker

A

6

Jacob Meads

Reserves

6

Zak Miller

Sunday Reserves

6

Alex Goodson

Reserves

5

Elliot Benopoulos-Jones

Sunday 1st

5

The race for the Club's Golden Boot

Alex Willmore

Reserves/Sunday Res

5

2021/22

Jack Gardner

1st

5

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TEAMS

LEIGH RAMBLERS

BASILDON TOWN

SHIRTS: BLUE/BLACK, SHORTS: BLACK, SOCKS: BLACK

SHIRTS: RED, SHORTS: RED, SOCKS: RED

EXACT MATCHDAY SQUAD & SHIRT NOS. TBC

EXACT MATCHDAY SQUAD & SHIRT NOS. TBC

KEYS CANNON 3. REECE LATIMER 4. SCOTT KEYS 5. RYAN LOWE (C) 6. SAM CARTER 7. JACK GARDNER 8. OLE HUNTER 9. PAUL HAYES 10. NATHAN DEWBERRY 11. JUSTIN HAZELL 12. BARV WAIWAIKU 13. TOM FRANKS 14. SAMMIE SCATES 15. WILL HAYES 16. JAMES BAKER 17. MATT BRINKLOW 18. GEORGE MOXON 19. MATT ALLUM 20. CONNOR POLYBLANK 21. JACK UNWIN

AYLETT BESSADI 3. MARCUS BOWERS 4. JAMIE BRADBOURN 5. JOE BURGESS 6. GRANT CUMMING 7. RHYS FATT 8. GRAHAM HARRISON 9. KEANU HILL 10. MITCHELL KEEN 11. KEITH KING 12. MATTHEW KNIGHT 13. JAMIE MILLER 14. JAMES O'BRIEN 15. MICHAEL ONAFUYE 16. GAVIN PAOLETTI 17. RYAN SCOUGALL 18. JAIME SELBY-KNIGHT 19. BEN SMITH

Manager: Mark Hunter

Manager: Marcus Bowers

1. NICK

1. ANTONY

2. PATRICK

2. ADAM

Referee: Joe Lannon Assistant Referees: TBC & Chris McGovern