Saturday 5th April, 2025 | Ilford 1-1 Buckhurst Hill | Essex Senior League Premier | Attendance : 47
By Harry Biggs
The Stags dropped points once again on the road, this time on a very difficult surface against Ilford FC. Mark made five changes to his side for the second match in a row following our 1–0 victory over White Ensign last time out.
The first change came in goal, with Anthony Page unavailable, allowing Jamie Colvill to step in between the sticks. Last match’s Man of the Match, Marquez Cadette, was also unavailable and was replaced by Jude Carolan. Fenton Kehinde earned his first start since signing for The Stags last month, coming in for captain Ollie Williams. The final two changes were up top, as Khris Oti returned to the side after missing the midweek game, and Tyreece Robertson was also handed a start.
First Half
As usual, The Stags started brightly and pushed 15th-placed Ilford to their limits despite the poor pitch conditions. Inside the first five minutes, Buckhurst Hill won a set piece which was swung in towards goal by Archie Hammond. The effort was agonisingly close to opening the scoring, but Ilford survived the early scare.
Ilford had a few chances of their own during the first half, but none that truly troubled Colvill in goal. One moment of danger came after Preston Knight gave the ball away in midfield, allowing Ilford to break, but Levi Burgin tracked all the way back from the left wing to intercept near the corner flag and win a throw-in for The Stags.
It was a physical game, with some tough tackles flying in. Archie Hammond was left on the ground after a late challenge, prompting physio Steve Smith to come on, but the referee didn’t award a foul—much to the confusion of the Buckhurst Hill bench.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Tyreece Robertson coolly walked the ball into the back of the net to give The Stags the lead. A well-worked move saw a beautiful cross reach Khris Oti, who laid it off to Robertson. The winger sold the Ilford keeper with a clever dummy before walking it into an empty net.
Just two minutes after the restart, Buckhurst Hill nearly doubled their lead. Burgin whipped in a brilliant cross that was caught and then spilled by the Ilford keeper, but no one was ready to pounce, and the hosts escaped again.
Six minutes later came perhaps the unluckiest moment of the match. Oti chipped keeper Boateng, only to see his effort hit the post and roll agonisingly along the goal line. Burgin had turned away just before the rebound fell into his path, missing the chance to finish it off, and the opportunity went begging. The Stags and their fans were left wondering how the ball hadn’t ended up in the net, and Oti remained without a goal for the club.
Second Half
The Stags should have extended their lead in the first half and would come to regret not doing so. Ilford came out strongly after the break and nearly levelled things within 10 minutes. A deflected shot off Ethan Daniels flew just wide and out for a corner.
Mark made a double change on the hour mark, bringing off Kehinde and Burgin for Esteban Oya and Alex Georgiou. However, there wasn’t much to shout about from a Buckhurst Hill perspective during the second half.
With just under 20 minutes remaining, Jude Carolan was replaced by Chama Torsiello, seemingly prompting a tactical reshuffle as Foster dropped into the back line.
Unfortunately, just two minutes after the change, Ilford found the equaliser. A defensive lapse allowed Maksym Trush to gain possession inside the area, and he fired past Colvill, who had no chance.
Mark responded with his final substitution of the afternoon, bringing on Sonny Shilling—back from injury—in place of Tyreece Robertson.
Ilford threatened again shortly after when Colvill was clattered by an onrushing attacker. The ball fell to Akpele, who somehow headed wide with the goal gaping. Another chance followed in the dying minutes, but the shot was blazed over from inside the box.
With four minutes remaining, the referee issued the only card of the game to Ethan Daniels after an Ilford player went down holding his face following an aerial challenge. Ilford’s bench appealed for a red card, but after consulting with his assistant, the referee rightly showed only a yellow.
The final opportunity of the match fell to Alex Georgiou, who broke forward on the counter and fired from a tight angle. His shot rolled just wide of the post, and with that, The Stags were forced to settle for a draw at Cricklefields.
TEAM :
Colvill 🧤, Harris ©️, Carolan, Kehinde, Knight, Daniels 🟨, Hammond, Foster, Oti, Burgin, Robertson ⚽
SUBS :
Shilling (76’ – Robertson), Edmans, Torsiello (73’ – Carolan), Georgiou (60’ – Burgin), Oya (60’ – Kehinde)
REMAINING LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON:
Saturday 12th April – Woodford Town (H) – KO 3 PM
Saturday 19th April – Frenford (H) – KO 3 PM
Saturday 26th April – Romford (A) – KO 3 PM
