15/02/2025 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       15/02/2025.

Twenty-six matches were played last Saturday, there was the usual flurry of goals across all divisions and the three cup ties.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup, Earls Colne Reserves beat Great Bentley Reserves and Mersea Island beat Abbey Fields to progress to the second round whilst Gas Recreation Reserves beat Cressing United Reserves to reach the quarter finals of the same competition.

In the Premier Division, there were wins for Barnston, Hatfield Peverel and Earls Colne who move up to second spot and in the other match East Thurrock Community drew with Cressing United who move up to third.

The top of Division One remains largely unchanged, excepting that unbeaten Gas Recreation moved ten points ahead of the chasing pack which saw them defeat Gosfield United, Great Bentley hit five against Hedinghams United to move up to fourth. Cavendish hit six at Lawford Lads as they move up the table and bottom team Cornard United Reserves also capitalised when beating Little Oakley Reserves.

Division Two remains tight, Tavern, stay top after beating bottom team White Notley Reserves, second placed The Rodings were held by unpredictable Stillwaters and Prettygate drew against Dedham Old Boys Reserves, each team scoring three goals apiece. The other match saw Roman Rovers consolidate fifth place when hitting five without reply against Great Bradfords.

Division Three had six matches, there were home victories for third placed Barnston Reserves against Tiptree Jobserve Reserves, Elmstead Market against Tiptree Heath Reserves to stay seventh, Oyster against Tendring District to stay eighth and West Bergholt against Great Bentley “A” to stay second and away wins for the Reserve teams of sixth placed Roman Rovers, at fourth Silver End and Wormingford Wanderers who moved up two places at Ramsey & Mistley.

There are normally plenty of goals in Division Four, four of the five matches had five or more goals, Silver End United Reserves went top after beating Roman Rovers “A”, fourth placed Hedinghams United Reserve went nap against lowly Tollesbury, Boxted Lodgers Reserves stay fifth winning by five goals to one at Kelvedon Social. Bradfield Rovers Reserves also scored five at home to West Bergholt Reserves but spare a thought for bottom team Elmstead Market Reserves, as after going behind they equalised on half time, then went ahead before sixth placed, Brooklands equalised, with a late penalty before the visitors hit their winner from a direct free kick in the last minute!