01/04/2023 – Weekly Round Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 01/04/2023

          Rain, rain, go away come back when the season has ended, and at this rate, that is now going to be in mid to late May, numerous teams will be playing mid-week and Cup matches need to be scheduled and completed as well!

          The Wednesday mid-week match saw Division One, Thorpe Athletic, playing catch-up on fixtures, beating bottom team Holland Reserves who have just one match left. On Friday evening, second bottom Lawford Lads surprisingly pulled off a win away at Sudbury Sports but they remain sixteenth.

          On Saturday, the big game in the Premier Division, saw second placed Tiptree Heath overcome third placed Brantham Athletic Reserves handing the visitors their first defeat since November, sixth placed Colne Athletic jumped up to fourth when beating plucky bottom team, Harwich & Parkeston Reserves who reportedly conceded a last-minute penalty! The improved form of White Notley, saw them beat Alresford Colne Rangers to move above Dedham Old Boys.

          FC Clacton Reserves, seventh, drew with third placed Great Bentley in Division One, with the top two, Brightlingsea Town and Silver End “odds-on” to finish that way but necessarily in that order!

          The four games in Division Two saw victories for St Osyth and White Notley Reserves, who continue to improve. Boxted Lodgers move above Tavern to third and Mersea Island, four goals for Gibbons here, moved into second place.

          In Division Three, leaders Bradfield Rovers beat Sporting Rebels, Frinton & Walton shared the points with Prettygate whilst Gas Recreation did enough to beat a stubborn Dedham Old Boys Reserves to go second with games in hand.

          Roman Rovers stay second in Division Four when beating FC Clacton “A” and Lawford Lads Reserves travelled to Cavendish Reserves for a share of the points.

          Division Five has been dominated by undefeated Gas Recreation Reserves, who have won the Division with two games remaining, they beat Brooklands with Harknett hitting three.

          In the Knock-Out Cup, Silver End United came from behind to score seven against Cressing and will face White Notley in the quarter-finals.

          The last two Reserve Cup, Quarter Finals were played, Great Bentley Reserves beat Hatfield Peverel Reserves and Brantham Athletic “A” went through on penalties against Boxted Lodgers Reserves.

          Finally, and for the second week in a row, Barnston Reserves, three for Johnson (R), required penalties to beat High Roding in the Tommy Thompson Cup, this after being level at three apiece at ninety minutes.