Saturday 6th September, 2025 | Harwich & Parkeston 1-5 Buckhurst Hill | Essex Senior League Premier | Attendance : 254
By Harry Biggs
Buckhurst Hill FC returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a 5–1 victory away at Harwich & Parkeston.
With Mark Williams unavailable, assistant manager Ted Buchanan took charge from the dugout alongside new coach Taylor Rowland. Four changes were made to the side that lost to Hullbridge Sports: Archie Hammond and Demetri Nicolaou came in for the unavailable Josh Banfield and Levi Burgin, while Tony Martin replaced Reece Lee Simpson up front. The final change saw the return of Preston Knight, back on loan from EFL League One side Leyton Orient, who slotted in for Daniel Sayer at the back. Knight, who made seven appearances for The Stags last season, was key in victories over Woodford Town, White Ensign, and others.
The bench also had a fresh look, with the returning Alfie Padington joined by Simpson, Sayer, and two debutants—Harry Lusher and Josh Colyer.
First Half: Goals, Drama, and Brazil-esque Football
The Stags started brightly and nearly opened the scoring after just eight minutes. A corner from Edwards found Dolan, whose header across goal begged for a tap-in, but no one was there to finish. Maltese and Edwards both had efforts soon after, but neither troubled the Harwich keeper.
The breakthrough finally came courtesy of Hammond. Maltese delivered a clever ball into Martin, who held it up and returned it to Maltese. His pass teed up Hammond on the edge of the box, and he rifled home first time into the bottom corner for 1–0.
The lead lasted just seven minutes. Out of nowhere, Harwich’s Luke Mayhew unleashed a strike from distance that crashed off the bar and bounced down onto the line. After consulting his assistant, the referee awarded the goal.
Unshaken, The Stags pressed forward again. Nicolaou’s free kick found Knight at the back post, but his diving header went narrowly wide. Soon after, Maltese produced a moment of magic—cutting inside from the right and bending a superb shot into the bottom corner to restore Buckhurst Hill’s lead.
Confidence surged. Hammond, epitomising the work rate, sprinted the length of the pitch to snuff out a counterattack. Moments later, The Stags nearly scored the goal of the season. Dolan nutmegged a defender, played a slick one-two with Maltese, and delivered a perfect cross to Martin, who unfortunately headed wide. It was football worthy of prime Brazil.
As half-time approached, Harwich forced a corner, which led to a chaotic incident. Amidst a scramble, both Hammond and Nicolaou went down. The referee consulted his assistant and showed a red card to Louis Bloom for violent conduct, though it appeared to be a case of mistaken identity.
It had already been a breathless first half—and more was to come.
Second Half: Stags Turn on the Style
The second half began with more chances, as Martin, Edwards, and Knight all went close. Shortly after the hour, Martin was replaced by teenage loanee Harry Lusher from Aveley.
Not long after, Christian North was called into action for the first time, producing a crucial save from close range. The rebound sparked a lightning counter, with Lusher sprinting the length of the pitch to set up Maltese, whose shot was saved, before Nicolaou blazed the rebound over.
Hammond soon struck again, grabbing his second of the game. Lusher, already making an impact, raced down the wing and squared the ball perfectly for Hammond to fire home for 3–1.
Buchanan then turned to the bench again, bringing on Josh Colyer for Nicolaou. The youngster didn’t take long to make his mark. Moments after Maltese was subbed off to a standing ovation, Padington tore down the right and whipped in a cross for Colyer, who bundled the ball into the net in unusual fashion but celebrated his first Stags goal nonetheless.
With the game wrapped up, Buchanan introduced Sayer and Simpson for Dolan and Knight. But there was still time for one final flourish. Lusher produced a dazzling solo run, beating two defenders before coolly slotting past keeper Brad Cook to score his second and Buckhurst Hill’s fifth of the afternoon.
Full-Time: A Five-Star Statement
The final whistle confirmed a 5–1 demolition, a genuine five-star performance that underlined Buckhurst Hill’s quality. It was the perfect response to the Hullbridge defeat and a huge confidence boost heading into the home clash with Great Wakering Rovers.
TEAM :
North 🧤, Foster, Edwards, Harris, Knight, Williams ©, Maltese ⚽️, Hammond ⚽️⚽️, Martin, Nicolaou, Dolan
SUBS NOT USED :
Padington (79’ – Maltese), Lusher ⚽️⚽️(63’ – Martin), Simpson (84 – Dolan), Colyer (79’ – Nicolaou), Sayer (84’ – Knight)
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