10/05/2025 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       10/05/2025.

There were only a handful of matches last week, in the ESBFL, Knock-Out Cup Final, in an all-Premier Division clash, Barnston AFC beat Brightlingsea Town FC by two goals to nil in front of a decent crowd at Little Oakley FC, so a new name goes onto the prestigious trophy.

Tuesday evening, in Division Two, saw Earls Colne Reserves, still playing catch-up, beat Gas Recreation Reserves by two goals to one, the other match was in Division Three, where Tiptree Jobserve beat divisional, runners-up, West Bergholt.

Wednesday evening saw Roman Rovers and Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves share four goals and complete their playing season.

The Peter Andrews Charity Cup final was played at Coggeshall Town FC on Friday evening, in front of a crowd in excess of two hundred, holders, Division One, Great Bentley played Premier Division, Sudbury Sports and with the scores tied at two goals apiece, the match went to penalties, with Great Bentley emerging winners by scoring five against the four of Sudbury Sports, thus retaining the cup.

Four matches were played on Saturday, they were all from Division two, the match of the day was played at Earls Colne, whose Reserve team played Tavern, these teams have been neck-and-neck all season, a win for Tavern would see them crowned champions, a draw or a win for Earls Colne Reserves would mean the Division would be undecided until this week’s mid-week game. In an eventful match, Earls Colne Reserves scored in the first five minutes, retaining the lead at half time only to be pegged back with fifteen minutes remaining, then conceding again three minutes later. This win meant that Tavern FC were crowned Division Two champions with sixty-five points, Earls Colne Reserves, fifty-four points, remain in contention for runners-up, there are two games to be awarded and one left to play. In a Division that has been tight all season, third placed Prettygate played The Rodings and won by three goals to one leaving Prettygate on fifty-four points and The Rodings on fifty-one.

Elsewhere, Roman Rovers beat Cressing United Reserves and White Notley eased themselves off the bottom when beating Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves by two goals to one.

As the season draws to a close, there are just two outstanding league matches, Earls Colne Reserves at home to White Notley Reserves on Tuesday and White Notley Reserves at home against Great Bentley Reserves on Saturday.