Sports news update

The Vortex Hammers will be back in action four days earlier than expected after last week’s rained off meeting against the Coventry Bees was quickly rearranged for this coming Monday, June 3, to feature as the night’s live Sky meeting.
With the Hammers on a four match unbeaten run and sitting on the edge of the play offs and Coventry having come into form with a bank holiday double win over Peterborough the meeting promises to be crucial to both clubs title ambitions.
Coventry will be led by former Hammer and Grand Prix star Krzysztof Kasprzak whilst the Vortex Hammers will give a debut to Seb Ulamek and include Robert Mear at reserve following the publication of the June averages, although the club’s teenage star Adam Ellis will make his first appearance of the season on Friday, June 7, in the home match against the Poole Pirates.

Up to 600 football coaches will receive bursaries towards their course fees after The FA and the Essex County FA pledged a combined £30,000, marking the release of a brand new range of dates and venues for local courses.
Demand is expected to be high for the much-anticipated schedule which is usually published every six months at www.essexfa.com. The County FA has been granted just under £20,000 by The FA to put towards coach education and the Association have added their own pledge, bringing the total up to £30,000.
Anyone over the age of 19 can apply for a bursary worth £50 towards Level 1 or 2 courses of the Youth Award Modules 1 and 2, which can be claimed during the online booking process. With the Level 2 course, candidates will be awarded a £50 refund upon successful completion.
There is no deadline for applications – the scheme will finish when the money runs out. For the full course range, visit www.essexfa.com and click on ‘Coaches/Book Courses’. Alternatively, contact Maryanne Dennis via (01245) 393070 or [email protected], or Sue Hammond on (01245) 393072 or [email protected]. A PDF guide is also available online

Southend United have set up a series of pre-season friendlies throughout July, beginning at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday July 6 (KO 1pm).
This will be followed by away games at Bishops Stortford on July 9 (KO 7.45pm), Braintree Town on July 10 (KO 7.45pm) and Brentford on Friday July 12 at Boreham Wood (KO 7.30pm).
Blues came up against Brentford on three occasions last season, winning once, drawing once and losing once.
The win came at Roots Hall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Area quarter-final as goals from Kevan Hurst and Tamika Mkandawire earned Blues a 2-1 win.
The draw was also at Roots Hall in the FA Cup 3rd Round as Barry Corr scored twice to earn Blues a replay at Griffin Park. Brentford won the replay 2-1.
Uwe Rosler’s side have impressed many this season and Southend boss Phil Brown is looking forward to the prospect of taking on the Bees.
He said: “It’s going to be a very good test for us, I know Uwe very well and he’s put together a good side there who have lots of power and pace.
“It’ll be a good chance for the players to test themselves against quality opposition as we step up our pre-season schedule.”