SSML Challenge Trophy - 2023/24

[Rhodes]

Six interesting Second Round ties this week to look forward to:

Tuesday 23 January

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Ampthill Town v Stansted

Langford v Irchester United

Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town

Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish

Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania

Potton United v Harpenden Town

[Rhodes]

On 21/01/2024 at 13:37, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 23 January
SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town

The match programme:

https://issuu.com/tonysmart/docs/dunstable_town_programme_035d2ccec8b14c?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

[Rhodes]

On 21/01/2024 at 13:37, Rhodes said:

Six interesting Second Round ties this week to look forward to

Apologies, four interesting Second Round ties this week to look forward to this evening:

Tuesday 23 January

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Ampthill Town v Stansted

Langford P Irchester United

Leverstock Green P Dunstable Town

Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish

Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania

Potton United v Harpenden Town

[Rhodes]

Just now, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 23 January
SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish

I understand there are no problems at Brunting Road:

[Rhodes]

Just now, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 23 January
SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Ampthill Town v Stansted

I understand that this one goes ahead at Ampthill Park:

[Rhodes]

36 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 23 January

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Potton United v Harpenden Town

Again, I have it on good authority that there are no probloems at the Hutchinson Hollow:

[Rhodes]

39 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 23 January
SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania

This one goes ahead at Billing Road:

[Rhodes]

Last night's results, Ampthill Town, Milton Keynes Irish, Northampton ON Chenecks and Potton United make it through to the Third Round of the competition:

Tuesday 23 January

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Ampthill Town 1 Stansted 1 (Ampthill Town won 4-3 on pens)

Langford P Irchester United

Leverstock Green P Dunstable Town

Moulton FC 1 Milton Keynes Irish 4

Northampton ON Chenecks 1 FC Romania 0

Potton United 1 Harpenden Town 1 (Potton United won 5-4 on pens)

Edited January 24 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 24/01/2024 at 12:21, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 23 January
SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Moulton FC 1 Milton Keynes Irish 4

A match report and photographs from Brunting Road last night, courtesy of photographer Richard Eason:

https://www.moultonfc.co.uk/teams/139524/match-centre/0-5813447/report  

https://richardeasonphotography.smugmug.com/Moulton-v-MK-Irish-Gladwish-23-Jan-24

Edited January 26 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 18/01/2024 at 12:29, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Saturday 27 January)

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Berkhamsted Raiders meet tomorrow afternoon, see two revised dates (highlighted) following recent postponements at Forde Park and Pancake Lane:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town 1 Stansted 1 (Ampthill Town won 4-3 on pens)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Saturday 27 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 30 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Moulton FC 1 Milton Keynes Irish 4  
https://www.moultonfc.co.uk/teams/139524/match-centre/0-5813447/report  
https://richardeasonphotography.smugmug.com/Moulton-v-MK-Irish-Gladwish-23-Jan-24
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks 1 FC Romania 0
Potton United 1 Harpenden Town 1 (Potton United won 5-4 on pens)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1 
Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin
Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

[Rhodes]

On 26/01/2024 at 15:55, Rhodes said:

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Berkhamsted Raiders meet tomorrow afternoon, see two revised dates (highlighted) following recent postponements at Forde Park and Pancake Lane:
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Saturday 27 January)

Surprise surprise, the Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders Second Round tie was postposed on Saturday, they try again on Tuesday 6 February:

Saturday 27 January

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos P Berkhamsted Raiders

[Rhodes]

On 26/01/2024 at 15:55, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 30 January)

Three interesting looking Second Round ties take place this evening, particularly Division Two AFC Welwyn against Premier Division London Lions:

[Rhodes]

40 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)

Eynesbury United will be on a high after reaching the Huntingdonshire FA Intermediate Cup Final recently as well as reaching the Division Two Cup Quarter Finals:

[Rhodes]

London Lions, Eynesbury United and Irchester United progress to the Third Round following their wins on Tuesday evening with Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Berkhamsted Raiders trying again on Tuesday 6 February. Also see three confirmed ties in the Third Round of the competition following the draw with the other five ties still to be determined:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn 1 London Lions 1 (London Lions won 4-2 on pens)
Ampthill Town 1 Stansted 1 (Ampthill Town won 4-3 on pens)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders  (Tuesday 6 February)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United 3 Pitstone & Ivinghoe 0
Langford 1 Irchester United 2
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Moulton FC 1 Milton Keynes Irish 4  
https://www.moultonfc.co.uk/teams/139524/match-centre/0-5813447/report  
https://richardeasonphotography.smugmug.com/Moulton-v-MK-Irish-Gladwish-23-Jan-24
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks 1 FC Romania 0
Potton United 1 Harpenden Town 1 (Potton United won 5-4 on pens)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1 
Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin
Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

SSML Challenge Trophy Third Round draw
Milton Keynes Irish v Winslow United (Tuesday 20 February)
Codicote v Real Bedford (Tuesday 20 February)
Eynesbury United v London Lions (tbc)
Ampthill Town
Northampton ON Chenecks
Potton United

[Rhodes]

On 01/02/2024 at 12:16, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn 1 London Lions 1 (London Lions won 4-2 on pens)

Some highlights from this exciting tie:

[Rhodes]

Four more Second Round ties this week (highlighted), New Bradwell St Peter came through narrowly on Saturday against Caddington AFC on penalties following a 1-1 draw:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn 1 London Lions 1 (London Lions won 4-2 on pens)
Ampthill Town 1 Stansted 1 (Ampthill Town won 4-3 on pens)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders  (Tuesday 6 February)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United 3 Pitstone & Ivinghoe 0
Langford 1 Irchester United 2
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Moulton FC 1 Milton Keynes Irish 4  
https://www.moultonfc.co.uk/teams/139524/match-centre/0-5813447/report  
https://richardeasonphotography.smugmug.com/Moulton-v-MK-Irish-Gladwish-23-Jan-24
New Bradwell St Peter 1 Caddington AFC 1 (New Bradwell St Peter win 4-2 on pens)
Northampton ON Chenecks 1 FC Romania 0
Potton United 1 Harpenden Town 1 (Potton United won 5-4 on pens)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1 
Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin
Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

SSML Challenge Trophy Third Round
Milton Keynes Irish v Winslow United (Tuesday 20 February)
Codicote v Real Bedford (Tuesday 20 February)
Eynesbury United v London Lions (Tuesday 5 March)
Irchester United v New Bradwell St Peter (Tuesday 5 March)
Northampton ON Chenecks (opponents tbc)
Potton United (opponents tbc)
Ampthill Town (opponents tbc)

[Rhodes]

On 05/02/2024 at 15:44, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 6 February)

The match programme from Pancake Lane this evening:

https://issuu.com/tonysmart/docs/dunstable_town_2_programme?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

[Rhodes]

Leverstock Green and Tring Athletic progress to the Third Round, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Berkhamsted Raiders and Baldock Town and Huntingdon Town try again following their postponement and abandonment respectively last Tuesday:

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Colney Heath 1 Codicote 1 (Codicote won 4-2 on pens)
Crawley Green 4 Rothwell Corinthians 2
Baldock Town 4 Totternhoe 0
New Bradwell St Peter 3 Aston Clinton 2
Cranfield United 0 Winslow United 2
Tring Athletic P Long Buckby AFC (Tring Athletic walkover)
Pitstone & Ivinghoe United 2 Rushden & Higham United 1
Stony Stratford Town 1 London Lions 4 
https://www.stonystratfordtownfc.com/Matchreport.aspx?id=691240
Leverstock Green 3 Northampton Sileby Rangers 0 
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231111f/
Sarratt 1 Biggleswade United 0
Tring Corinthians AFC 2 FC Romania 4
Real Bedford 5 Wellingborough Whitworth 1 (at Wellingborough Whitworth) 
https://www.realbedford.com/news/the-pirates-progres-in-the-gladwish-challenge-trophy
Buckingham FC 3 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 0
Harpenden Town 2 St Panteleimon 2 (Harpenden Town win 5-4 on pens)
Arlesey Town 2 Burton Park Wanderers 1
Shefford Town & Campton 2 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 3 
https://www.aylesburyvaledynamos.co.uk/teams/77541/match-centre/0-5782922/photos
Dunstable Town 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 (Dunstable Town win 4-3 on pens)
Berkhamsted Raiders 1 The 61 FC (Luton) 1 (Berkhamsted Raiders win 4-3 on pens)
Moulton 4 Old Bradwell United 2 
https://www.moultonfc.co.uk/teams/139524/match-centre/0-5787792/report
Raunds Town 2 Stansted 3
Eaton Socon 0 Ampthill Town 3
Milton Keynes Irish 3 Milton Keynes College Football Academy 0

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn 1 London Lions 1 (London Lions won 4-2 on pens)
Ampthill Town 1 Stansted 1 (Ampthill Town won 4-3 on pens)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Wednesday 28 February, at Berkhamsted FC)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 27 February)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United 3 Pitstone & Ivinghoe 0
Langford 1 Irchester United 2
Leverstock Green 1 Dunstable Town 0 
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/240206f/
Moulton FC 1 Milton Keynes Irish 4  
https://www.moultonfc.co.uk/teams/139524/match-centre/0-5813447/report  
https://richardeasonphotography.smugmug.com/Moulton-v-MK-Irish-Gladwish-23-Jan-24
New Bradwell St Peter 1 Caddington AFC 1 (New Bradwell St Peter win 4-2 on pens)
Northampton ON Chenecks 1 FC Romania 0
Potton United 1 Harpenden Town 1 (Potton United won 5-4 on pens)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1 
Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin
Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1
Tring Athletic 4 Buckingham FC 1 
https://www.tringathletic.co.uk/teams/252691/match-centre/0-5846230/report

SSML Challenge Trophy Third Round
Milton Keynes Irish v Winslow United (Tuesday 20 February)
Codicote v Real Bedford (Tuesday 20 February)
Eynesbury United v London Lions (Tuesday 5 March)
Irchester United v New Bradwell St Peter (Tuesday 5 March)
Northampton ON Chenecks (opponents tbc)
Potton United (opponents tbc)
Ampthill Town (opponents tbc)  
Tring Athletic (opponents tbc)
Leverstock Green (opponents tbc)
Baldock Town or Huntingdon Town
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos or Berkhamsted Raiders
Arlesey Town or Crawley Green

Edited February 17 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 10/02/2024 at 15:37, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 

Arlesey Town narrowly beat Crawley Green 1-0 at Hitchin Road last Tuesday evening to reach the Third Round of the competition and a trip to Potton United on Tuesday 5 March, see Arlesey Town's lengthy match report:

A wet day and a wet evening made this a difficult game to actually get played but with the pitch being worked on up until kick off the game got started to prevent even further fixture congestion. With lots of games coming up and bearing in mind suspensions and injuries Arlesey brought in a couple of new players and rested others for this match in the Gladwish League Trophy. Arlesey started strongly, player manager Tommy Cooney won the ball and quickly found Josh Helmore on the edge of the area, he hit a strong shot from the edge of the area that was tipped over the bar by Adi Connolly in goal for a corner that was headed clear. Arlesey kept up the pressure as new signing Steve Sylvester won the cleared ball and played it to Rory Busby who fed another new signing Tommy Blennerhassett into the box and he hit a shot that pulled a smart save from the keeper. A cross in from Helmore was put out for a corner which was put out for another before being cleared as Arlesey kept up the pressure. Crawley countered as a cross in found Jimmy Doherty whoes shot was deflected past the Arlesey post.The corner in was well taken by Ollie Skinner. Another Crawley corner was well punched clear by Skinner as he looked to dominate his box, and another cross in was again well taken by Skinner. A free kick well delivered in by Cooney found Helmore on the edge of the area, he put it back to Eddie Carrington who hit a tremendous shot that flew w0 plus yards and crashed off the crossbar and dropped behind the keeper and went in with Helmore making sure for 1-0 on 14 mins and a well deserved goal. Arlesey kept pressing; Blennerhasett fed Busby into space and he hit a good on target shot that required a good save from the keeper pushing it out for a corner. This found Helmore who turned in a tight spot and hit a shot that was deflected for a corner that found Blennerhassett who headed just past the post. A break by Jake Cowley was well stopped for Sherif Ibrahim also making his full debut, the ball came out to Joe Hankin who shot past the post. As the rain finally eased it was noticeable how quick this game had been but it couldn't last and the game settled down I to a midfield battle. A cross in from Matt Gilbert was half cleared to Noah Mosanya who was fouled. Cooney found Carrington from the FK and he gave it back to Cooney who hit a shot that was deflected out to Carrington who won a corner. This came out to Cooney who hit a good shot that again was well saved by the keeper going for another corner that came to Carrington but his cross went over the bar. Carrington picked up the ball deep in his own half and drove forward to the other end of the pitch before being fouled by Taylor Keely who was booked. Just before the break a Crawley cross in found Franklin Ojumobi but he headed wide of the target and Arlesey went in with a 1-0 lead at HT.

The 2nd period started with a Crawley corner that was miss hit but well kept on at the sideline by Hankins and he put a great ball into Ojumba who headed well onto the crossbar and out. Arlesey made a change and Alex Taylor came on for Sheriff Ibrahim. Hankins had a long range shot but this was well wide as Arlesey defended well and closed him down. Dan Wappett went down injured and he was replaced by Tom Millett which caused Arlesey a bit of a reshuffle. A great ball in by Gilbert only just missed Blennerhassett before going out. Another good ball in by Gilbert was cleared to Blennerhassett who found Taylor who put in another cross but this failed to find the forwards and was cleared. A great strike from 35 yards by Busby deserved better as it just skimmed the post. Arlesey kept up the pressure as Carrington hit a shot that was blocked. A Crawley FK by Hankins was headed wide by Ojumobi and another cross in was well taken by Skinner as Crawley tried to counter. Arlesey replaced Busby with Joe Abe as they rotated the players. Arlesey were looking good, a good move through the middle saw Carrington find Mosanya who found Helmore but a tight O/S was given and a repeat of this found Carrington who shot just past the post. Mosanya was booked for a foul. The FK was intercepted well by Gilbert who drove forward and hit a shot past the far post. Another FK by Cooney found Helmore who fed Taylor then onto Abe who looked to have won a corner but a goal kick was given. Another good move as Blennerhassett found Helmore who fed Abe who shot wide from the edge of the area. Blennerhassett played a good ball forward to Helmore who hit a really good shot that skimmed just over the bar. Another cross in by Carrington was well taken by the keeper. Another cross in by Gilbert was put out for a corner which Arlesey kept in the corner to manage the last few minutes of the game. Arlesey replaced the hard working Carrington with Montel Brown which ate up another few seconds. Crawley tried to push forward into added time but Arlesey were defending in depth and kept them at arms length to claim a 1-0 win into the next round and an away game at Potton United. This was a good game on a wet night in front of a disappointing small crowd but they were rewarded for braving the weather with an entertaining game.Next up another home game on Saturday against Dunstable Town which should be entertaining with Arlesey finally finding some good form.

Edited February 17 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 10/02/2024 at 15:37, Rhodes said:

Baldock Town and Huntingdon Town try again following their abandonment last Tuesday

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 27 February)

Groundhopper and Blogger the Cold End made an aborted trip to Hitchin Road for the abandoned Second Round tie on Tuesday 6 February which will be replayed on Tuesday 27 February, also see the match programme:

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2024/02/rain-stops-play-at-wet-and-windy.html

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.pitchero.com%2Fclubs%2F1770%2FlGxF0WWYQDuCYLasq5M3_Programme_Vol+16_Iss15_Huntingdon.pdf