Saturday 21st March, 2026 | Buckhurst Hill 2-1 Halstead Town | Essex Senior League Premier | Attendance : 408
By Harry Biggs
Buckhurst Hill kept up their play-off ambitions, with a hard fought 2-1 victory over a strong Halstead Town side in their 40th anniversary celebration match. In front of a healthy 408 spectators, including the club’s youth teams and club sponsors. The Stags made 4 changes from Wednesday’s Peter Butcher semi-final victory over White Ensign, with Christian North, Harvey Brown, Tyler Dolan and Tony Martin replacing Maras, Daniels, Nicolaou and Lusher, with two additions to the bench, in Nathan Sollosi and Marko Protic on their return to the club.
On a bright sunny afternoon, Buckhurst Hill made an early inroad, when a corner from George Edwards found Harvey Brown, who saw his header go into Tyler Dolan who tapped home, just before Tony Martin could get his toe onto it.
On 20 Halstead grew into the game and George Frodsham, had a chance but hit wide, before goal threat George Smith got on the scoresheet on 23, when a high ball over the top found its way to Smith, who tapped home into an empty net.
On 30 Smith had another good chance, when he headed wide, before seconds later Billy Jamison volleyed over, as the visitors started to dominate.
Buckhurst Hill then finished the half stronger, with Callum Maltese having a low shot hitting the post, after good work from Tony Martin. Tony Martin was then to strike the woodwork with a good effort.
Buckhurst went in front on 40 when a ball over the top, saw Halstead keeper Josh Woodrow looking to easily clear, but miss kicked and the ball rolled to Maltese to slot the ball home into an empty net, to take a 2-1 lead.
The final action of the half, saw Kane Gilbert turn well in the box, but hit just wide.
During the half time break, saw Buckhurst Hill celebrate their 40th anniversary, with a large team photo of all the youth sides at the club, including the successful Under 18 girl’s cup winners.
It was a slow start to the second half with ball sides unable to hold the ball. On 71 Marko Protic headed over from close range, from a George Edwards corner. As the game came into the final 10 minutes, it was Buckhurst Hill the most likely to score. Defender Ollie Fernandez headed just over, after a succession of corners for the Stags.
Late in the game visiting substitute Reece Clairmont had a good chance, but fired wide.
The result saw Buckhurst Hill move up 1 place to 7th and 8 points behind the play off position with games in hand.
Buckhurst Hill move on to play another play off, side on Tuesday night, with an away game v Soul Tower Hamlets, with the game ti be played at Roding Lane.
After the game, a pleased Buckhurst Hill manager Mark Williams commented.
“I was very pleased to get the 3 points. Halstead are a good outfit, and their direct play caused us problems. But like last Wednesday night, we defended well, but I felt our ball retention was poor and we tried to force the ball. We now move on to a very tough fixture Tuesday night v Soul Tower Hamlets.
TEAM:
North, Foster, Edwards, Williams, Fernandez, Brown, Masingham (Nicolaou 81), Banfield, Martin (Protic 63), Maltese (Sollosi 63) and Dolan (Daniels 89)
SUBS:
Unused: Hammond