13/05/2023 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 13/05/2023.

          Let us start with the mid-week matches, pride of place must go to Division Two, Dovercourt Rovers who triumphed over Division Three, Gas Recreation in the Tommy Thompson Cup, a game that was a credit to both teams, five excellent goals and was well supported.

          Premier Division Runners-Up, Tiptree Heath, are, still playing, they beat West Bergholt who can’t wait for the season to end, Harwich & Parkeston Reserves secured a point against Hatfield Peverel, three for Stratton, which helped them off the bottom. Hedinghams United dented the aspirations of Tavern for the runners-up spot and White Notley secured a rare win against bottom team, Tollesbury. Boxted Lodgers also came unstuck at Wormingford Wanderers. Third Division leaders Bradfield lost at home to fourth placed Great Bentley Reserves and Frinton & Walton kept up their late charge when thumping Sporting Rebels, three for Auty there. The other game on Tuesday saw Premier Division Champions, Dunmow Town, four for Zanone, reach the Knock-Out Cup final, when beating Division One Champions, Silver End United, three for Gage, in a ten-goal thriller!

          Wednesday evening saw Chelmsford City Reserves draw with Dedham Old Boys and Earls Colne beat Barnston, both Premier Division games. On Thursday evening Harwich & Parkeston Reserves completed their fixtures when beating Sudbury Sports and Colne Athletic joined Dunmow Town in the Knock-Out Cup Final when beating local rivals Alresford Colne Rangers on penalties. Friday evening saw Cherry, hit three for Prettygate as they beat Brantham Athletic “A” under floodlights.

          There were twelve matches played on Saturday, with wins for Barnston, three for Bowen, Chelmsford City Reserves, Tiptree Heath and Earls Colne in the Premier Division. Silver Ended their league season with a defeat at Stanway Pegasus Reserves, three for Griffiths, but they had already won the Division though!

          Three matches in Division Two, Colne Athletic Reserves won away against White Notley Reserves, Wormingford Wanderers Reserves drew with Tiptree Jobserve Reserves and Division Two Champions Dovercourt Rovers had three goals from Johnson and two from Fay when they beat Hatfield Peverel Reserves, after the match, Brian Reed, ESBFL, Treasurer, awarded them the Championship Cup.

          Elsewhere, in the basement battle, Sporting Rebels took the day out to Great Bradfords and returned with three points to leave the home side rock bottom of Division Three with the victors just ahead. Division Four, High Roding ended their league season with another win when beating bottom team Hedinghams United Reserves, to remain unbeaten in the division.

          The final place in the COVID Cup final was secured by Gas Recreation when they beat holders Barnston Reserves and they meet High Roding in the final to be played on Wednesday 17^th May, 7:45pm kick-off at Brantham Leisure Centre.

          At the time of writing all postponed matches have been adjudicated on and points awarded accordingly, the League tables are now correct.