07/08/2021 – Results Round-Up

Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 7^th August 2021.

Saturday saw the opening league fixtures of the season that produced high scoring games in the Premier Division, not to mention some shocks. There will be several sides harbouring high expectations for the title in what will in all probability be a very competitive competition.

Despite there much heralded new summer signings West Bergholt were held at Earls Colne where both sides shared four goals. The home side let a two-goal lead slip as ‘Bergholt’ fought back with two goals from Karl Andrade to cancel out the two home strikes from Jack Charnock and Connor Randall.

Newcomers Chelmsford City Reserves were beaten at Marconi Sports Ground 3-1 by visiting Alresford Colne Rangers. It is difficult to gauge the strength of Chelmsford’s second string, but clearly the Ford Lane outfit proved too good, and gained the three points. The visitor’s scorers were Finlay Hughes, Jack Johnson and Ryan Lewis.

Barnston commenced there season in fine style at High Easter Road thumping Felixstowe & Walton U23s 4-0. There was no score at half time, but Barnston turned on the style and stormed home with four goals from Shane Pyne, Jordon Robertson a double from substitute Stuart Stanley.

Dunmow Town, elevated to the Premier with high expectations were brought down to earth with a thumping 4-0 defeat at Stanway Pegasus, who announced their credentials with this impressive win against one of the title favourites. Their plight was hardly helped in a feisty contest that saw referee Jack Wilmore produce an assortment of red and yellow cards.

Tiptree Heath thrashed visiting Brantham Athletic Reserves 8-1 to take an early lead at the head of the table. There were two goals each for Ryan Knill-Jones and Benjamin Turner whilst James Chesney, Joe Chester and Cameron Ward completed the route.

Sudbury Sports were surprise losers at home where Dedham Old Boys won 3-1 despite finishing the game with nine men. Samuel Hodder, John Vitelli and Liam Macklin had put the visitors in command before referee John Watson brandished two yellow cards to each of James Parker and William Smith. Sudbury’s consolation goal came from Bobby Badham.

Gas Recreation defeated White Notley in a nine-goal thriller at Bromley Road, winning 5-4 where Harry Hewes and Ryan Dale were amongst the goals for the home side. White Notley made a fight of it with goals from Josh Goodey, Regan Farley- Hearn and a brace from Rory Bone.

It was a close game at School Lane where Lawford Lads were beaten by visitors Little Oakley Reserves 2-1 after a goal less opening half. The prolific Oliver Mann was on target, but ‘Oakley’ countered with goals from Callum Green and Robert Pratt.

Colne Athletic easily beat Lawford Lads in mid week in the Albert Lee Services Memorial Trophy. This game was played at Little Oakley’s ground on Wednesday, the curtain raiser before the start of the league programme, that saw an impressive ‘Athletic’ win 5- with goals from Jack Burch, Ryan Ellis, Daniel Price and a brace from Dale Brown.

The pacemakers in Division One are Stanway Rovers U23s who proved far too strong for travelling Mersea Island winning 9-1.

On their heels are Belle Vue Social who at the resplendent Ford Lane ground beat the home side Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves, 6-2 where Sam Cripps struck four times. Bradley Bantala scored one and the other an own goal.

The Division Two leaders are fancied Brightlingsea Town who travelled up the A12 and inflicted a heavy defeat on there hosts Kelvedon Social 6-0 with a brace each for Keiron Baker and Liam Close. Ricky Griggs notched one whilst the other scorer was an own goal.

                                                                                                John Campany.

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