13/01/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 13/01/2024.

Are we back to normal, one late postponement, otherwise ESBFL teams competed in thirty-five matches, in a mixture of League, League Cups and County Cups.

Premier Division leaders Colne Athletic won by the only goal at Dedham Old Boys, the gap at the top is now thirteen points over new leading goalscorers, Brightlingsea Town who thumped Barnston, (three for Baker {K}) White Notley also hit five against Lawford Lads (three for substitute Stracey). The Stanway derby recorded a home victory for Pegasus Reserves over the Rovers Reserves, a last gasp winner saw Alresford Colne Rangers get all three points at Sudbury Sports, whilst Tiptree Heath drew with Hatfield Peverel.

Three matches were played in Division One these saw home wins for Dovercourt Rovers, Great Bentley and Kings Park Rangers, (three for Cannell) who move up to third, sixth and second respectively.

One game was played in Division Two, Bradfield Rovers beating Roman Rovers to move back to the top of the Division.

Division Three had two matches, rejuvenated Prettygate won on the 3G pitch at Shrub End, a busy afternoon there where three other matches were played on grass, and visiting Great Bentley Reserves inflicted the first league defeat on Flitch United who stay second.

There were Division Four victories for Roman Rovers Reserves over Tiptree Heath Reserves and The Rodings Reserves over Stillwaters, who stay top because second placed Oyster lost against Wormingford Wanderers Reserves.

Lastly in Division Five, there were wins for Bradfield Rovers Reserves, Great Bentley ”A”, Kelvedon Social and West Bergholt Reserves, the other match was a see-saw game saw Hedinghams United Reserves go ahead, then go behind only to snatch a last minute, equaliser against Brooklands.

On a busy cup afternoon, in the Knock-Out Cup there were wins for Cressing United, Earls Colne, Ramsey & Mistley, (despite Bowden hitting all four for Brantham {Development} in their defeat) Silver End United and Tavern.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup, there were wins for Frinton & Walton, (three for Fisher) Gosfield United, Hatfield Peverel Reserves and Mersea Island Reserves, the only upset being Division Five, Assington Stanley’s win at Little Oakley Reserves from Division Three.

Finally, after several weeks of postponed matches there were Essex Junior Cup wins for Gas Recreation and Thorpe Athletic, (three more for Gray), but CO4 Ultra’s were beaten, whilst in the Suffolk Primary Cup, Boxford Rovers beat Bacton United 89 Reserves on penalty kicks.

Next Saturday the ESBFL, Representative Team play the Essex Olympian Football League in the bi-annual FA Inter League Cup, the match is being played at Harlow Town FC. KO: 15:00pm.