Saturday 19th April, 2025 | Buckhurst Hill 2-0 Frenford | Essex Senior League Premier | Att: 84
By Harry Biggs
Our final home game of the 2024/25 season ended in victory for The Stags, following a dominant performance against Frenford at Myrak Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon. This penultimate match of the season saw just one change to the starting XI that defeated rivals Woodford Town last time out. Liam Foster dropped out of the side, with Ethan Daniels stepping in to replace the unavailable defender. This change also made room for Youcef Tacine on the bench, who returned from a lengthy injury to make his first appearance since last year. The rest of the line-up remained unchanged after a superb showing in the Roding Valley Derby, and The Stags were eager to maintain their strong form—with Mark Williams returning to the dugout after suspension.
Match Action
From the first whistle, The Stags were in control, though they only managed to find the net twice. The first chance came just four minutes in, after a fantastic run from Alfie Harris ended in a clever backheel to Carolan. He nudged the ball to Robertson, but Tyreece couldn’t quite get the shot away. Four minutes later, Ollie Williams surged forward and played in Robertson on the right. Our winger rounded the Frenford keeper, but with the angle too tight, he squared it to Khris Oti, whose shot was deflected wide.
The crowd were left stunned moments later, as Hammond’s corner found Knight, whose header was saved and spilled right in front of goal. Robertson pounced on the rebound, but his shot was somehow cleared off the line—a major let-off for Frenford.
The chances kept coming. Around the 20-minute mark, Jude Carolan found himself in acres of space and drove forward before unleashing a strike from outside the box, which was parried wide. Shortly after, a forced substitution saw Carolan replaced by Fenton Kehinde, hinting at a shift in formation due to injury.
Khris Oti came close soon after, driving forward and opting to shoot from the edge of the area despite calls from teammates. His shot curled just wide of the post.
The breakthrough finally came just before half-time—and it was well deserved. Jack Ferris beat his marker in the box and played the ball across goal. In a scramble to clear, a Frenford defender deflected the ball off their own keeper and into the net. 1–0 to The Stags at the break.
Second Half
Frenford started the second half brightly, forcing a save from Anthony Page after a neat through ball breached the defence, but the shot was straight at our keeper.
Just ten minutes into the half, Frenford picked up their second booking after Aderibidge fouled Kehinde on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick, taken by birthday boy Archie Hammond, had to be tipped over the bar by keeper Haylock.
Mark then made a double change on 64 minutes, bringing on Youcef Tacine—his first appearance since last year—in place of Jack Ferris. Captain Ollie Williams was also replaced by Alex Georgiou.
With 20 minutes remaining, Ethan Daniels was shown our only yellow card of the game for a foul on the edge of the area. Frenford’s resulting free kick posed no threat.
With 12 minutes to go, Hammond and Oti made way for Chama Torsiello and Levi Burgin as The Stags looked to see out the game.
Alfie Harris almost added a second late on after another surging run, but his effort from distance went just wide.
Sealing the Win
The icing on the cake came in added time. A backpass from a Frenford defender was too short, and Tyreece Robertson showed great determination to beat the keeper to it, rounding him and walking the ball into an empty net—reminiscent of his goal against Ilford. That sealed a 2–0 win for The Stags in our final home match of the season.
The last chance of the match fell to Alex Georgiou, who saw his effort saved, and shortly after, the final whistle blew—another strong performance and a brilliant way to sign off at Myrak Park.
End of Season Presentation
Following the match, our End of Season Presentation took place. Congratulations to Alfie Harris, crowned Supporters’ Player of the Season 2024/25. A huge thank you to everyone who voted—it was a close contest, with Archie Hammond and Ollie Williams finishing as runners-up in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
There’s just one game left now! We’d love to see as many Stags fans as possible at Mayesbrook Park this Saturday, as we face Romford in the final match of an unforgettable season.
TEAM :
Page 🧤, Cadette, Carolan, Harris, Knight, Daniels, Hammond, Williams ©️, Oti, Ferris, Robertson ⚽
SUBS :
Tacine (64’ – Ferris), Torsiello (78’ – Oti), Georgiou (64’ – Williams), Burgin (78’ – Hammond), Kehinde (26’ – Carolan)
REMAINING LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON:
Saturday 19th April – Romford (A) – KO 3PM | FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON