Non-League and Academy football writer

Chadwell Heath Spartans’ final home match of the 2025/26 season, saw them face Frenford Development at The Jack Carter Centre on Tuesday evening, in an Essex Alliance Football League Senior Division fixture. Aaron Hunwicks’ Chadwell Heath Spartans side started this game in sixth place in the league table after 28 league matches played. Frenford Development started this game in 14th place in the table and in the relegation zone, after 28 league matches played. This step 7 fixture would finish in a 0-0 draw.

Chadwell Heath Spartans would create the opening chance of the game, early on, on Tuesday evening. With Aaron Hunwicks’ long lofted pass finding the run of Brandon Johnson in behind the Frenford defence, and inside of their penalty area. His resulting looping effort would go narrowly over Abdul Kadir Haji’s crossbar, however. Soon after that chance for Brandon Johnson, Frenford Development would manage the first attempt on target of the game. With Damilola Olaiya’s first time curling effort (from the edge of the Spartans’ box) being well saved by the outstretched Codey Broadmore. Then at the opposite end of the pitch, Ryan O’Connell would flick the ball onto the run of Brandon Johnson, who once again found himself through on goal, inside the Frenford penalty area. But, the outrushing Abdul Kadir Haji would make a good low save, from Johnson’s effort.

Brandon Johnson was doing well for the Spartans in forward areas, and just before half-time, and following some good work down the right-hand side of the pitch, he would then clip the ball into the penalty area. Having found Mitchell Smith in the centre of the Frenford box, his headed effort would go a fraction wide of the goal. Frenford Development would start the second half well, and following some good skill to enter the Spartans penalty area, by Tyler Shillingford, the Frenford player would whip an effort just wide of the goal. Opeyemi Salami’s powerful first time effort, from 20 yards out on the Spartans goal, would then be well turned behind by Codey Broadmore.

The Spartans were then gifted a good chance after Ryan O’Connell had latched onto the ball on the edge of the Frenford penalty area, following a loose pass from a defender. But, the forward’s effort would go just over the goal. Not long before the  end of the game, and Codey Broadmore would have to make another good and impressive save in the Spartans goal. As the youngster did well to push behind Thomas Harford’s powerful first time effort on the half-volley, and from over 25 yards out on goal. This was a competitive and well contested game of football, although there wasn’t a lot of clear goalscoring chances over the course of the 90 minutes. My player of the match award goes to young Spartans goalkeeper, Codey Broadmore.