15/03/2025 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       15/03/2025.

Last Saturday was another match day with a few surprises, as apart from another four more matches falling because teams could not field teams, there was a first league defeat, by Gosfield United, for Division One leaders, Gas Recreation and Premier Division leaders, Kings Park Rangers, fell by four goals to nil, away at fifth placed Barnston, who have now scored twenty-nine goals in their last six matches. In the same division, bottom team White Notley surprised mid-table, Alresford Colne Rangers, winning by four goals to one.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division there were victories for second placed, Earls Colne, third placed Cressing United, fourth placed, Brightlingsea Town and East Thurrock Community, who, after difficult start have now reached a mid-table berth.

Despite their loss, Gas Recreation, still lead the table by thirteen points, Great Bentley who have played five games less, stay fourth after hitting five at bottom team, Bradfield Rovers, in the other match Hedinghams United shared eight goals with Lawford Lads.

Prettygate beat Gas Recreation Reserves to move up to second place in Division Two, going above The Rodings who lost against Great Bentley Reserves, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves beat Cressing United Reserves to hold their mid-table position and the mini revival by Boxford Rovers continues after they beat Stillwaters by a single goal.

There were six matches in Division Three, leaders Hatfield Peverel won on the road, as did Barnston Reserves who hit nine, eight different scorers, against Tiptree Heath Reserves to go second with third placed, West Bergholt inactive. There were also victories for Oyster, Silver End, Tiptree Jobserve and Great Bentley “A” making it a good day for their club, three teams, three wins.

The top two teams were in action in Division Four, Silver End United Reserves, with nine different scorers, took a two-point march over Harwich & Parkeston “A” when scoring thirteen (four for Coney) against a decimated Elmstead Market Reserves, with the second placed team being held by West Bergholt Reserves (three for Ketley). Boxted Lodgers retain third spot after beating Brooklands, in fourth place are Tendring Borough who were winners against Mersea Island, finally Roman Rovers “A” beat second bottom Tollesbury.

In the third round of the Tommy Thompson Cup, Earls Colne Reserves beat Dedham Old Boys Reserves to set up a quarter-final tie against Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves.

Leading Goalscorers (excluding penalties):

Premier Division:     23      Alfie Bowen                       Barnston AFC.

                              23      Harry Willoughby               Alresford Colne Rangers FC.

Division One:          21      Christopher Stratton           Bradfield Rovers FC Reserves

Division Two:          31      Lewis Clifford                    Earls Colne FC Reserves.

Division Three:        44      Oliver Dingli                      Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves.

Division Four:          43      Kevin Coyle                       Tendring Borough FC.