| Date | Report |
| September 24th | No Report |
| October 1st |
Upminster 1st XI 0 - 2 Bedford 2nd XI Upminster were hoping to kick start their season with a victory over newly promoted side, Bedford HC 2nd XI. The home side started well, crisply moving the ball and creating a couple of half chances in the first 20 minutes. This should have given the side the spark needed to push forward and take the lead, however, Bedford slowly took control of the game as Upminster began to sit back and make a few defensive errors. Towards the end of the half, Bedford won a short corner that they duly converted to take the lead. Shortly after the home side found themselves 2 down after a mix up in defence saw the unmarked man strike past Jared Ford in Goal.Shocked at how the tide had changed midway through the first half, Upminster attempted to inspire one another at half-time. The second half took a completely different tone to the first, the game becoming very scrappy with both sides having a man yellow carded. In truth, no side ever got the upper hand on a swelteringly hot day that saw a well organised Bedford side notch up their second win of the season.Upminster travel to Cambridge nomads next week in good spirits despite their loss, knowing that if they can take some early chances, a win will be on the cards. |
| October 8th |
Cambridge Nomads 8 - 3 Upminster Upminster travelled to Cambridge hoping to secure their first points of their season. The game started well, the away side keeping possession well for the first 5 minutes before a lack of marking at the back let the Cambridge forward in to make it 1-0. Another soft goal saw the home side double their lead before Steve Wright finished a well worked move with a tidy finish over the keeper. When the half time whistle blew, Cambridge led Upminster 4-2. Although 2 goals behind, there was positivity from the Upminster squad that a comeback was possible. These thoughts were quickly dashed after a poor 15 minutes saw Cambridge build up a 6-2 lead that all but effectively killed the game. Matt Malby managed to get a consolation for Upminster before Cambridge scored twice late on. A very disappointing game for Upminster who will need to re-focus ahead of next week. |
| October 15th |
City of Peterborough 3rd XI 4 - 1 Upminster 1st XI Another loss for Upminster sees them at the foot of the table on zero points, joined only by Pelicans. The team were in good spirits travelling to one of their farthest away trips of the season, Alistair Stewart was called up to replace Graham Abrey, who joined Geoffrey Bull on the injury table. With 2 of last year's key midfield out, Glen Noller partnered Luke Kellaher in central midfield, with Michael Joffe playing in a holding role behind them. Peterborough got the best of the opening 10 minutes, winning 2 short corners early on. The second of which the Peterborough forward skilfully drag-flicked past Phil Dixon in goal. Peterborough went two ahead shortly after, an attack from the home side forced Dixon into making 2 reflex saves before a bobbling shot forced it's way into the bottom corner past the GK and confused defenders. This seemed to reignite Upminster's passion, the away side began to keep possession well and started to create a number of chances and win a number of short corners themselves. Noller converted one such opportunity halfway through the half, rounding the running defender and dragging into the bottom corner. Once again Upminster went into the break down a goal but positive that they could salvage something from the game. Shortly after half time a break down Upminster's left from Peterborough forced a foul, the resulting free hit being taken quickly leaving the forward in a huge amount of space to fire a shot past the keeper. Upminster still continued to produce a number of good opportunities in front of goal but just couldn't find the finish to close the gap. Peterborough scored their 4, and last, of the game through a deflected hit into the D, a number of Upminster players were unsure that the ball had moved 5 yards but the umpires stuck with their original decision and awarded a goal. Another disappointing result for Upminster, although having produced a significantly improved performance from the previous week, still put themselves under pressure with one or two mistakes and not finishing more of the chances they created. MOM; Russell Murphy; DOM; Josh Cipa |
| October 22nd |
Upminster 1st XI 2 - 1 Ipswich 2nd XI Upminster finally got their season underway on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Ipswich 2nd XI. James Frankish came back into the side, completing the back 4 along with Chris Abrey, Nick Payne and Josh Cipa. Ipswich took the early advantage, drag-flicking the ball past Phil Dixon in goal from a short-corner. Upminster composed themselves after this early set-back to put pressure on the away side, winning a number of short corners, one of which Glen Noller was able to convert 20 minutes into the half. Man of the match Russell Murphy worked tirelessly the whole game, helping create the opening for Michael Scrivener to put the home side in the lead shortly before half time. Upminster continued to create a number of chances in the second half and should have capitalised on at least 2 or 3 occasions, Lyndon Ford and Matt Malby both having close range efforts denied by the Ipswich keeper. Still only leading 2-1 with less than 3 minutes left, Ipswich won a short corner. The concern on the home support's faces was evident, fortunately the flick was closed down and Upminster managed to post their first points of the season. MOM; Russell Murphy, DOM; Nick Payne |
| October 29th |
March Town 1st XI 3 - 1 Upminster 1st XI Upminster were again on the road to March Town on Saturday as they looked to build on their victory the previous week. Upminster started brightly against a side that have not lost in any of their previous games but again as has happened in so many of their games so far this season conceded twice in the first half. Again basic defending errors led to 2 March goals midway through the first half and while Upminster responded with a strike of their own from Noller they still trailed at the break. The second half started well for Upminster as they continued to look for the equaliser. Time and time again they forced the play, with the tireless Lyndon Ford working as a lone striker winning a number of short corners. Steve Wright and Glen Noller went close for Upminster but unfortunately for visitors the March Town goalkeeper stood firm. March made sure of victory with a short corner of their own when they deflected a shot pass the goalkeeper to keep their unbeaten record. Upminster need to sharpen up for the visit of the league leaders this week at Coopers. |
| November 5th |
Upminster 1st XI 2 - 2 Waltham Forest 1st XI Upminster came into this match knowing a good performance was needed if they were to leave with any points against a Waltham Forest side that sat at the top of Division 1. Defying their current run of conceding early, the home side took a 1-0 lead with under 5 minutes gone, Glen Noller finishing from Upminster's second short corner of the game. Both sides created chances after, Forest coming close with a short corner of their own that rebounded off the inside of the post and across the goal-line. Lyndon Ford netted Upminster's second midway through the half with a neat finish from 10 yards. Waltham Forest continued to pressure, defender of the match Phil Dixon making 3 terrific saves to deny the away side. Forest enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half and were rewarded 5 minutes before half-time. Going into the break at 2-1, Umpinster were pleased to be in front, but disappointed to have been on the back foot after scoring their second. The second half was a tighter affair, man of the match Michael Joffe spoiling a number of potential opportunities playing in a slightly more defensive role. Upminster did fail to listen to their coaches advice and switched off momentarily after giving away a foul on the left, letting the right winger coast past two defenders before delivering a pass to an unmarked forward at the back post. Finishing up at 2-2 was probably a fair reflection on the game overall, Upminster can be pleased with an improved performance. |
| November 12th | No Report |
| November 19th | No Report |
| November 26th |
Broxbourne 2 - 1 Upminster. Visiting Broxbourne, Upminster really needed to lift their game to try and start the climb out of the drop zone. 8 points ahead in the league, Upminster thought they were in for a really tough game. This however didn't seem to be the case when 5 minutes into the game Glen Noller slotted home a well worked short corner to give the away side the lead. The Upminster dominance was relentless in the first half, but they lacked the killer instinct in putting the ball in the net. A host of short corners were wasted along with a string of open play opportunities that really should've seen U's put the game out of Broxbourne's reach. The Upminster defense stood strong with Ali Stewart playing a commanding role at the heart of the U's lineup, however Broxbourne managed to win their first short corner of the game which they converted with ease. A complete contrast to the Upminster routines. The second half saw Broxbourne get back into the game, even taking the lead with a goal early in the second half. Another well worked and simple short corner. Upminster continued to throw away chances which has been the story of the season for them so far. Losing 2-1 leaves them with a very very difficult time ahead if they want to claw their way back to safety!! Goalscorer: Noller; MOM: Ali Stewart; DOM: Ali Stewart |
| December 3rd |
Upminster 4 - 3 Pelicans After a disappointing defeat at the hands of Broxbourne, Upminster knew that anything less than 3 points would leave them in serious bad shape come the mid way point to the season. The home side started brightly with Glen Noller scoring a quick brace within the first 10 minutes. But taking an early 2 goal lead hasn't been in Upminster's game plan all season and therefore they gifted Pelicans a goal and a sniff in the game. Noller completed arguably the quickest hat trick in Upminster's history, when he slotted home a very well taken third within the first 15 minutes. Some excellent all round play from the gold and blues saw Upminster create chance after chance, Steve Wright firing home to take the score to 4-1 at half time. The second half followed the same pattern as a fair proportion of Upminsters games this year, not quite good enough. Letting Pelicans fight their way back into the game even though Upminster enjoyed the lions share of the possession. A cool finish from the forward followed by a mistake from Josh Cipa at the back left Upminster on tenterhooks, but the result was fair and the 3 points stayed in Essex with a 4-3 win to the good guys. Goals: Noller x3, Wright; Mom: Glen Noller |
| December 10th | No Report |
| January 14th | Match postponed due to frozen pitch |
| January 21st | No Report |
| January 28th | No Report |
| February 4th | No Report |
| February 11th | No Report |
| February 18th | No Report |
| February 25th | No Report |
| March 3rd | No Report |
| March 10th | No Report |
| March 17th | No Report |
| March 24th | No Report |