14/12/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       14/12/2024.

So has normal service been resumed, well sort of but a variety of reasons were given for the eight postponements!

There was a Knock-Out Cup tie played on Tuesday between Kings Park Rangers and Division One, Bradfield Rovers with the Premier side progressing after winning by seven goals to two, (three for Cannell), they now meet Division Two, The Rodings, in the third round.

For once, the Premier Division had a full complement of seven matches, bottom team, Tiptree Heath beat Hatfield Peverel to rise four places leaving White Notley in their place after defeat at Barnston. Belle Vue Social sit one off the bottom after defeat to leaders Kings Park Rangers, another team in freefall are Dedham Old Boys who were beaten by fourth placed Cressing United, whilst third placed Thorpe Athletic won at Alresford Colne Rangers. This means that last season’s, three promoted teams sit proudly in the top four, with Brightlingsea Town second after beating Stanway Pegasus Reserves, the final match was a no score draw between Earls Colne and East Thurrock Community.

Leaders, Gas Recreation hit five against second placed Lawford Lads who drop a place after fourth placed Gosfield United beat third placed Dovercourt Rovers. Little Oakley Reserves stay fifth after beating Bradfield Rovers but Frinton & Walton with a fourth straight league win, move above Great Bentley whom they beat in a narrow one-nil victory.

In Division Two, leaders, The Rodings were held by fifth placed Roman Rovers, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves hit the usual seven against struggling Assington Stanley, the other match was a three-all draw between the Reserve teams of Great Bentley and Dedham Old Boys.

Six games were played in Division Three, leaders Hatfield Peverel Reserves beat a youthful third placed Barnston Reserves, this allowed Great Bentley “A” to go above them after they beat Ramsey & Mistley, inactive West Bergholt stay second. Elmstead Market beat Oyster and are now level on points, Tiptree Jobserve Reserves, (whose First Team have withdrawn from Division One), beat Silver End United, Tiptree Heath Reserves beat Tendring District and bottom team, Wormingford Wanderers Reserves won their first match when beating Roman Rovers Reserves. Plenty of goals in that division, of the winning teams, four scored five, one four and one three.

Six high scoring games were played in Division Four, leaders Silver End United Reserves hit ten (five for Coney) at struggling Mersea Island, Harwich & Parkeston “A” (three for Hymus) stay second after their eight goals to nil win over third placed Hedinghams United Reserves. Boxted Lodgers hit Elmstead Market Reserves for six whilst Kelvedon Social scored four against Roman Rovers “A”, Brooklands beat West Bergholt Reserves and finally Bradfield Rovers Reserves shared six goals with Tollesbury.

In the Essex Junior Cup, the ESBFL has potentially one team left, either Great Bentley Reserves or Flitch United whose earlier match was abandoned and needs to be re-arranged. The other three ties saw both Earls Colne Reserves and White Notley Reserves beaten, and Cressing United Reserves failed to raise a team!

In the Essex Junior Trophy, league newcomers, Tendring Borough bowed out against a strong Hutton Development team, so another competition with no further ESBFL representation!