Last season's corresponding fixture was the opening game of the season and therefore Takeley's first ever in the Isthmian ranks following their promotion from the Essex Senior League. Grays ran out comfortable winners on the day, 3-0 with goals from Casey Nolan-Samuels, Callum Fitzer and Jayden Silcott Brown.

The return fixture was played at the end of November at Takeley's Station Road ground. A much tighter game was decided by Takeley's substitutes, with Lanre Balogun's run and cross dispatched by Harry Wicker for a 1-0 win. Grays played with 3 at the back for this game, an experiment that did not work and was not tried again for the rest of the season.

Takeley had a challenging first season but came through in 17th, one place above Grays, with 47 points. They took some notable scalps in their first season including good wins at Gorleston, Witham Town and a resilient 1-1 draw at Champions, Maldon and Tiptree.

Head to Head

Last season was our first playing in the league against Takeley, plus there was an FA Cup meeting at Rush Green in August 2012 where Jack West's goal separated the sides. The record therefore is;
P3 W2 D0 L1 Goals for 4 Goals against 1.

In The Dugout

Takeley are managed by Kieran Amos in his second season in charge. Kieran was previously joint manager with Alex Martin, who departed after promotion from the Essex Senior League.

Close Season

Takeley have a tight core of players, many of whom have been at the club for a number of seasons and who have signed on again for 2026/27; Jarvis Monk, Jordan Westcott, George and Joe Pullen, George Powell, James Thomas, Zak Drake, Kian Cocking, John Clarke, Andre Embalo and Harry Wicker.

Departing the club were Jayden Silcott-Brown, Lanre Balogun and Glenn O'Hanlon.

New for this season are forward George Sykes who was a huge part of Aveley's success, scoring 39 goals in their back to back promotion campaigns and has previously played for Brentwood Town and Enfield amongst others. Defensive Midfielder Conor Witherspoon was also a key player in Aveley's rise and helped them to reach the Isthmian Premier, one of three such promotions he has achieved in his career (Brightlingsea Regent and Brentwood Town the other two). Forward Charlie Heatley has played for a number of clubs in South Essex and North Kent and finished last season scoring goals for fun for Walthamstow. Finally, Dean Forbes a former Millwall U21 defender has also joined the Station Road outfit.

Playing Links

In terms of our current squads, there are two players who have represented both sides. Jordan Wescott made 8 appearances for The Blues early on in the 2021/22 season, before joining Takeley and becoming a key part of their success. Last season, he made the most appearances for them and was their top scorer in the league with 7.

A former Takeley player is our own Denim Nnamudi who made 3 appearances for them early on last season including in his debut, a good win, at Lowestoft Town.

Early Season Form

Takeley have picked up 10 points from their 7 league games this term with 9 of those points coming from 4 home games, thanks to wins over Wroxham (2-0), Buckhurst Hill (3-2) and Brightlingsea Regent (2-0). They lost their last home league game to Redbridge (2-4). Away from home, in between defeats to Witham Town (2-3) and Hashtag (0-5), they picked up a useful point at Newmarket Town (0-0).

Before the results from Tuesday evening's games, Takeley are in 13th place, 5 places and 3 points ahead of Grays.

In the FA Cup, a good win away at Great Wakering Rovers, was followed by a loss at home to Waltham Abbey. In the FA Trophy they beat London Lions away and Aylesbury United at home, leading to a third qualifying round tie at home to our old friends, Hitchin Town (see below).

In the Essex Senior Cup, they have been drawn at home to last years Play off Winners, Stanway Rovers. In the Velocity Cup they have a long Tuesday evening journey to deepest Norfolk to face Fakenham Town.

Last Time Out

Takeley hosted Hitchin Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy and beat their Step 3 opponents, 2-0. There was a goal in each half, with George Pullen and George Sykes the scorers. This win put Takeley into the First Round Proper for the first time in their history at only the second attempt which is a great achievement. They have been drawn against Southern League Premier South side, Chertsey Town.

The Blues last game was the trip to Bowers and Pitsea. In an open game with plenty of chances at both ends, the game was decided early in the second half. Connor Hogan was denied by a fine reaction save and then Grays conceded a goal with the defence convinced that offside should have been given. To add to Blues frustration, Tyler Brampton was dismissed following two yellow cards.

Summary

So far this season, Blues supporters have covered a few miles following the team, with 9 of our 12 games played being on the road. The three games at the EMR have seen good wins in the league against Lowestoft Town and Redbridge along with the drawn FA Cup tie against Step 3 Leiston.

It's still very early days in the league season, but it is important we keep picking up points when we can. Three Isthmian North sides have made it through to the 1st Round Proper of the F.A.Trophy and they are next three opponents. After Takeley we travel to Newmarket Town, followed by a home fixture against Hashtag United.

Please come on down to the EMR on Wednesday and get behind The Blues as we seek to climb the table.

COYB!

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