13/04/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 13/04/2024.

Congratulations go to Thorpe Athletic FC on winning the coveted Essex Junior Cup on Wednesday evening against Fairlop Rovers FC from the Essex Alliance Football League, with the scores level at two goals apiece at full-time, Thorpe Athletic scored the only goal in extra-time to secure victory. The match lived up to expectations with two footballing teams having a right go, the match was competitive, as one would expect and went into extra-time when Thorpe Athletic FC scored a ninety-seventh minute equaliser from the penalty spot! Whilst the ESBFL has had teams in the final more recently, no team had been successful since West Bergholt FC Reserves in season 1991 / 1992, over thirty years ago!

There were four Premier Division matches, Colne Athletic cemented their Champions spot when beating a very youthful Sudbury Sports, they were awarded the Champions Cup, by Brian Reed, League Treasurer, second, third and fourth places are still up for grabs with Tiptree Heath, Brightlingsea Town and Silver End United winning on their travels, goal difference may well be a deciding factor.

Division One had three matches with differing outcomes, in the basement battle, Tavern got the better of FC Clacton Reserves, Kings Park Rangers, apparently celebrated promotion, after beating Dovercourt Rovers, they can’t win the Division, league leaders are Thorpe Athletic, whose match against Great Bentley was abandoned due to a serious player injury, the ESBFL wishes him a speedy recovery, but fourth placed Cressing have games in hand and play Kings Park Rangers in their last match.

Five matches took place in Division Two, with leaders Bradfield Rovers having completed their fixtures it is left to the chasing pack, White Notley Reserves, Frinton & Walton and Gas Recreation, (three for Marangou) all won, Colne Athletic Reserves had a rare win and lowly Hatfield Peverel Reserves and Cornard United Reserves shared the spoils.

Gas Recreation Reserves moved up to fourth in Division Three, when beating Great Bentley Reserves, another tight finish is expected here with Gosfield United, Little Oakley Reserves, Dedham Old Boys Reserves and Flitch United in contention, but playing catch-up.

Division Four is the problem division, six matches were played, leaders, The Rodings, still have seven to play, they scored five, (three for Johnson {R}) against Boxford Rovers, Tiptree Heath Reserves got a last minute winner against Abbey Fields to stay second, Roman Rovers won to stay fourth, Great Bradfords beat Tendring District to stay fifth, Wormingford Wanderers Reserves surprised Stillwaters and FC Clacton “A” got a point against Oyster.

The winners in Division Five were Brooklands and Mersea Island Reserves but the top three places are assured already.

The COVID Cup, quarter-final, between Dedham Old Boys Reserves and Bradfield Rovers Reserves, saw the Division Three team coming out on top by two goals to nil.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup, quarter-final, Gosfield United narrowly beat fellow Division Three side, Flitch United, ironically, these teams will meet again in a delayed COVID Cup, second round tie!

Sadly, this week has seen the withdrawal of two more teams, CO4 Ultra’s FC from Division One and Brantham Athletic FC (Development) from Division Four, but whilst grass-roots football remains strong this is a worrying trend and it’s a national trend not just in the ESBFL, their playing records will be removed in due course.