11/05/2024 – Weekly Round-Up.

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 11/05/2024.

          The season is now entering its final weeks with game numbers reducing but numerous Divisional winners & runners-up and Cup winners remain outstanding.

          Bank Holiday, Monday saw Boxford Rovers beat FC Clacton “A” in Division Four, the following evening and Gas Recreation, (three each for Maiden and Marangou), thumped Roman Rovers by nine goals to nil, setting up the seasons, Division Two title, finale for Saturday. Wednesday evening saw Tendring District hit Abbey Fields for six.

          Two Cup finals were held, on Thursday, in an entertaining match at Little Oakley FC, Bradfield Rovers FC beat Hedinghams United FC by four goals to one to lift the Tommy Thompson Cup, a trophy that will have a new name on it.

On Saturday, the “Peter Andrews Charity Cup” final, this replaced “The Amos Cup” competition for season 2022/2023, was played at Coggeshall Town FC with Great Bentley FC beating Cavendish FC by three goals to nil, Warin scoring all three goals for the Division One team.

For the final Premier Division fixture, White Notley were unable to raise a first team to play Silver End United so when points adjustments are made it will confirm the latter team as Premier Division, Runners-Up, a season after gaining promotion to the top-flight, so well done to them.

Division One, bar one mid-week match is complete, Thorpe Athletic are champions and Kings Park Rangers second in a division reduced to just nine teams!

          Division Two went to the wire, in the final match Gas Recreation needed a win by at least a one goal margin to move above White Notley Reserves, this they achieved and when a final match adjustment is made will see the correct finishing positions. Hedinghams United hit eight, (three for Buckingham {T}), against Roman Rovers whose goals against tally was severely dented last week!

Another postponed mid-week match in Division Three, will see Gosfield United, who lost to a late goal against Lawford Lads Reserves, move ahead of Little Oakley Reserves but there are still several matches to be played in this division, but none affect the divisional outcome.

          Division Four remains unfinished, The Rodings Reserves have won the division and received their trophy from Matt Jarvis, Referees Appointment Secretary on Saturday, after their goalless draw against Silver End United Reserves. Tendring District won their game against Oyster and still have four matches remaining, the late surge by Great Bradfords shows no sign of abating, a three-goals to nil win over Wormingford Wanderers Reserves, took them up to third and brought their goals for, total to eighty-five!

          Division Five is already complete with Assington Stanley, champions and Great Bentley “A”, runners-up.

          Wednesday evening, 15^th May, sees Brightlingsea Town FC play against Rayleigh Town FC Reserves in the BBC Essex Premier Cup, kick-off is 19:45pm at Aveley FC.

          This coming, Saturday 18^th May 2024, the delayed “Knock-Out” Cup final is scheduled to be played at Holland FC between, Thorpe Athletic FC and Stanway Rovers Community FC, U23’s, kick-off is 15:00pm, entrance is £5.00, concessions: £3.00.