Friday 23rd December 2022, 19:45 pm
THE BRIDGE v BASILDON UNITED
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE NORTH
LOWER ROAD, HULLBRIDGE

About Basildon United

Nickname(s) The Bees
Founded 1955 (as Armada Sports)
Ground Gardiners Close, Basildon
Capacity 2,000 (400 seated)
Chairman Dave Maxwell
Manager Darren Manning
League Isthmian League North Division
2021–22 Isthmian League North Division, 17th of 20

History
Basildon United's roots go back to 1955 when a club named Armada Sports was formed, joining Division One of the Southend & District League. In 1959 Armada Sports merged with London League club Pitsea United, with Pitsea United effectively absorbing Armada Sports. However, Armada Sports later split from Pitsea United and were renamed Basildon United in 1967. The club joined the Thurrock Thames-side Combination League for the 1967–68 season, before switching to the Reserves Division Two of the Greater London League in 1968. After finishing as runners-up in the division in 1969–70, they were promoted to Reserves Division One. In 1971 the club were founder members of the Essex Senior League (ESL). They finished as runners-up in 1972–73, before winning the league in 1976–77. The club went on to win the league for the next three seasons, as well as winning the League Cup in 1977–78, before switching to the Athenian League in 1980.

After finishing second in their first season in the Athenian League, Basildon joined Division Two of the Isthmian League for the 1981–82 season. In 1983–84 they won Division Two and were promoted to Division One. The club remained in Division One until being relegated at the end of the 1988–89 season when they finished second bottom of the Division and were demoted to Division Two North. In 1991 Basildon left the Isthmian League and dropped back into the Essex Senior League. They won the league and League Cup double in 1993–94 but did not take promotion to the Isthmian League. The club won the League Cup for a third time in 1997–98 and for a fourth time in 2016–17. After finishing as runners-up in the league in 2017–18, they were promoted to the Isthmian League's North Division.

Recent results & form
The Bees are currently 12th in the division with 17 points from 17 matches played and have won 4, drawn 5, and lost 8 of the 17 games. They have scored 16 and conceded 26 for a goal difference of -10. Their away form is 1 win, 1 draw, and 6 defeats. They are currently 11th in current form (last 6 matches), The Bridge are 12th. Those last six matches have seen 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats. The results have been:

East Thurrock United (Home) Drew 1-1
Hashtag United (Away) Lost 0-3
Wroxham (Home) Drew 0-0
Witham Town (Away) Won 2-1
Coggeshall Town (Home) Won 2-0
Maldon & Tiptree (Away) Lost 1-3

Last Season:
The Bridge went to Bas Vegas in March and won 2-0 with goals from Roland Oteniya and Tony Stokes. Prior to that, back in November, Basildon came to Lower Road and took a 1-0 victory courtesy of a 12th-minute goal from Ruben Carvalho.
This Season:
On Bank Holiday Monday The Bridge were beaten 1-0 in Bas Vegas with the winner coming from Daniel McCullock in the 78th minute.
The Bridge also went to Bas and won 3-1 in the Velocity Cup 2nd Round in front of a Tuesday night crowd of 84. Callum FItzer put the home side ahead in the 10th minute before goals from Anisius Lewis (32’), Darius Guinea (82’), and Sonny Dutton (88’) saw the boys through to the 3rd Round.

Watch out for:
Three Bas players have contributed 4 goals apiece so far this season so could be the ones to watch out for if they get a start for The Bees on Friday. The three to watch are Callum Fitzer, Daniel McCullock and Michael Salako.

The Bridge v The Bees
Friday night football under the lights at Lower Road, just before Christmas so an excuse to get in the bar after the game and hopefully celebrate a win. Add a bit of spice as it’s the return of Darren Manning to Lower Road as he attempts to guide The Bees to victory and take the three points back to Vegas. A win for The Bridge will take them above their opponents, so all to play for if the weather behaves.

There are some tough games for the teams below and just above The Bridge, so fingers crossed for a home win and a move up the table as we start the New Year.
COYB!