Blues make the trip to rural Essex tomorrow when they meet Bostik League newcomers Coggeshall Town in a league encounter the first competitive match between the clubs. The Seedgrowers were champions of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern League Premier Division which led to their promotion to the Bostik Isthmian League for the first time in their history.
The Seedgrowers have had enjoyed the most successful period in their history over the last few years in contrast to many years in the doldrums spending many years in the Essex Senior League without winning any trophies leading to relegation to the Essex and Herts Border League, and a period in the Essex Intermediate League. The catalyst for the clubs revival in fortunes was the involvement of local business man Graham Smith who took full control of the club for the 2014/5 season becoming first team manager. 2016/7 saw floodlights installed for the first time ensuring the club could potentially play at a higher level. In 2017/8 further progress was made when pop star Olly Murs became joint owner which led to a healthy financial investment culminating in the Seedgrowers being crowned Champions of the Thurlow Nunn League scoring a remarkable 146 goals, winning the league by six points from second place Felixstowe & Walton.
This season has seen Coggeshall make a steady start with only one reverse to Dereham Town back in August since then they have won three and drawn four of the games, last Saturday saw them feature in a 3-3 draw against Canvey Island. They currently sit in eighth place with 13 points from eight games two points and three places below Blues. Leading goalscorer is Sam Bantick with five goals closely followed by Nnamdi Nwachuku and Ross Wall each with four.
Tomorrow is an important game for both teams given the closeness of league positions. Blues will be eager to maintain and extend their unbeaten league run to six games, last week they were not at their best but nevertheless ground out a result winning at Soham Town Rangers never an easy place to secure points. Joao Carlos has been in sparkling form in font of goal already passing his goal total of the last three seasons with seven goals from eight appearances, Blues fans will be hoping he can continue in the same vein. Two players could be making their league debuts this season with Tommy Wade returning to the club after he left to join Hertford Town in the close season, and Adalberto Pinto who signed in midweek ensuring Blues will have two Portuguese players in their ranks!
The scene is set then for what should be an exciting and important first meeting between the teams and see the winners maintain their quest for a playoff place come quarter to five.
Form Guide Last Six Matches
Coggeshall
WWDDWD
Blues
LWDDWW