16/12/2023 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 16/12/2023.

The ESBFL returned, almost in full swing, two postponements and two teams failing to raise a team, almost certainly meaning an early Xmas gift of points to their opposition!

There were five matches in the Premier Division, with wins for Barnston, Dedham Old Boys, (three for Tunn), Stanway Rovers Reserves and free-scoring, Silver End United with second bottom Lawford Lads earning a point against second top, Hatfield Peverel.

Thorpe Athletic, after doing the double over Dovercourt Rovers, stay top of Division One, where there were also wins for Tiptree Jobserve and Wormingford Wanderers.

In Division Two there were victories for Boxted Lodgers, Bradfield Rovers, (four for Tarrier) Colne Athletic Reserves, (four for Pickard {J}), Hedinghams United, (three for Buckingham) and White Notley Reserves who stay top after a nine-goal thriller against Frinton & Walton, this was after being four goals down at half-time!

With a number of teams, from Division Three, and Division Four in cup action, Gas Recreation Reserves edged out Great Bentley Reserves by the solitary goal and Tiptree Heath Reserves beat Great Bradfords to move up to third in the Division Four table.

There were plenty of goals in Division Five, leaders, Great Bentley “A” stay top when beating Roman Rovers “A” whilst Kelvedon Social had seven different scorers as they hit nine against bottom team, Ramsey & Mistley Reserves.

At Full-Time, in the Knock-Out Cup, Premier Division, Stanway Pegasus Reserves were drawing at four goals apiece against Division Three, Gosfield United, meaning the match went to “spot-kicks” with the more senior team eventually progressing having scored twelve penalties against eleven!

In the outstanding County Cup competitions, Tiptree Heath, beat Colne Athletic, after extra-time and Brightlingsea Town (three for Fosker), also progressed, sadly, Earls Colne, who switched venues bowed out of the Essex Premier Cup. In the Essex Junior Cup, Cressing United and Great Bentley move forward, however CO4 Ultra’s must try again as their game was once again postponed!

The first matches in the COVID Cup were played, where there were victories for Bradfield Rovers Reserves, (three for Ribbans), Dedham Old Boys Reserves, Lawford Lads Reserves, Little Oakley Reserves, Mersea Island Reserves, (on penalties), Prettygate, (three goals each for Dickson, Hooper and Lam), Ramsey & Mistley, Roman Rovers Reserves, Silver End United Reserves, Stillwaters and West Bergholt, who had eight different goal-scores as they hit nine.

The Essex & Suffolk Border Football League, Management Committee wish all Clubs, their players, Officials, and all Referees a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.