The Stags have played four Cup games this season, with mixed fortunes. They have won both of their matches in the FA Cup, but lost their FA Trophy debut to Welwyn Garden City and also in the Essex Senior Cup to Basildon Town.

Our Opponents

We have met in a couple of pre season friendlies, but this will be our first competitive match. It is also The Stags first ever league game at Isthmian League level, so a real milestone for them.

The Stags were formed as a Junior team in 1985, but have really made rapid progress in the last 10 years, gaining promotion to the Premier Division of the Essex Olympian League and then winning the title at the first attempt.

Their election to Step 6 sparked another excellent debut campaign and they won promotion to the Essex Senior League (Step 5). Last season saw their best finish in the ESL, with a very strong second half of the season seeing them qualify for the end of season play offs in 4th place. Here they travelled to promotion favourites, Great Wakering Rovers and upset the odds, winning 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The final of the play offs saw The Stags host Barking and in front of over a 1000 supporters and they won through 1-0 thanks to a late goal from substitute, Arthur Massingham.

Playing Squad

Fourteen members of last seasons successful squad were retained for this season, with their new signings having plenty of experience of this level and in some cases, Step 3.

Four of their current first team squad have played in the past for The Blues.

First up is Centre Half, Jack McQueen who made 70 appearances for us between 2019/20 and 2021/22, with 2 goals. Jack was at Great Wakering Rovers last season and before that has a successful spell with our landlords, The Dockers.

Centre Forward, Shane Temple joined The Stags having had a good season with Brightlingsea Regent, scoring 11 times in 39 appearances. Shane joined us for the second half of the 2024/25 season making 20 appearances, scoring 2 goals.

Powerful forward player, Suley Zuhdu, made 17 appearances for The Blues earlier in this career back in 2017/18. He scored 2 goals and went on to also play for Brightlingsea Regent and Aveley in the Isthmian Premier. Suley made 21 appearances for Aveley at Step 3 last season with 10 goals including all 4 at Cray Valley PM.

Finally, Callum Maltese made 6 appearances for us back in 2015/16 with (you guessed it), 2 goals. One of his goals came in that crazy Isthmian League Cup game at Wingate and Finchley where we lost 5-4.

Other players supporters may recognise are goalkeeper, Christian North, who has played for several Isthmian North teams including Tilbury and Max Gnandi who also spent some time with the Dockers before moving to Great Wakering Rovers.

In The Dugout

The Stags manager is Mark Williams who has done an outstanding job masterminding The Stags rise in the last few years. Mark graduated up to managing the first team after years coaching the club's age group sides and he is assisted by Ted Buchanan.

Last Time Out

Both sides were in FA Cup action with The Stags travelling up to Bedford, the home of Southern League Central side, Biggleswade and coming away with an excellent 2-1 win. The Waders scored early and went into the break with the lead.

Straight after half time, Buckhurst Hill were awarded a penalty, dispatched comfortably by Suley Zuhdu, The Stags then took control and it was Callum Maltese who popped up with the winner in injury time.

The Blues faced a shorter journey to face Essex Senior League new boys, Hutton FC, at New Lodge, Billericay. In spells The Blues played well and took the lead just before the Infantino-inspired hydration break through Ned Hepburn after good work from Connor Hogan and Gael Kileba.

In the second half, Grays started to make more in roads, with Ollie Muldoon opening his account with a sliding finish, from Gabriel Chapps pass. Blues then missed several golden chances to extend their advantage and were pegged back late on by a good long range effort from Andrei Cocan.

Sadly just before the end, former Blue, Callum Leahy, who had had a fine game, fell very awkwardly and had to be stretchered off with what looked like a nasty shoulder injury. We wish Callum well in his recovery.

In the draw for the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, The Stags have been given an away tie at either Yaxley or Wisbech Town (both sides at Step 5), who replay tonight.

The Blues will host old adversaries in Leiston from the Southern Premier Central. The tie, subject to final confirmation will be played on Saturday 5th September, bouncing our planned league game with Witham back to a later date.

Other League Fixtures This Evening

Tuesday night sees 7 other ILN fixtures with the pick on form seeming to be Witham Town hosting Concord Rangers with both sides having won their two opening games.

Little Oakley also play their first ever Isthmian League game this evening and it's a home derby against Brightlingsea Regent who have drawn both of their matches.

Elsewhere, Tilbury host Bowers and Pitsea, with both sides yet to win in the league, Lowestoft host Mulbarton who have started very well, Wroxham have a Norfolk derby, at home to Fakenham, Walthamstow are at Wadham Lodge against Cambridge City and Newmarket test our their relaid 3G surface against Takeley.

Getting There

The Roding Lane ground has a postcode of IG9 6BJ.

By car, take the A13 and A406 North Circular and then the M11 North to Junction 5. Come off here and follow the A1168 and A113 into Chigwell. At the third roundabout, turn right on the B170, Chigwell Rise. After about 1.5 kms, the ground and car park are on the left.

If there are traffic problems on the A13 or A406, you can go via the M25 and head South on the M11, but remember in this direction there is no exit at Junction 5. You will need to go down to Junction 4 and take the North Circular West to the exit for the A104. Head North on Woodford Green Road for just over 3 kms and bear right on the A121. After the hospital, take a right into Palmerston Road (signposted Chigwell) and follow this down into Roding Lane. The ground is on the right.

By public transport, the nearest station is Buckhurst Hill on the Central Line. It should take about an hour to an hour and 5 mins from Grays station; change at West Ham for the Jubilee Line and then at Stratford for the Central Line. Come out of the station and turn right in to Victoria Road then a second right into Palmerston Road. Head over the railway bridge and follow the road to Roding Lane and it should only take 10-15 mins.

Summary

So it's a big occasion for our hosts as they play at Step 4 for the first time and it should be a very competitive game.

Blues have won 3 of their 4 games so far this term, which is a very reasonable start, but even so, Mitch and the team will be determined to learn from the defeat at Walthamstow last week and come home with the three points.

Join us at Buckhurst Hill and see if we can get our 2nd league win this season.

Up The Ath!