18/05/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 18/05/2024.

          In last Saturday’s delayed “Knock-Out Cup Final”, Division One, Thorpe Athletic FC secured a narrow, two goals to one, victory in a closely fought final when beating Premier Division, Stanway Rovers Community FC U23’s, in blazing sunshine down on the coast at the well-appointed, Holland FC ground. A big crowd witnessed a competitive match, Stanway scored first through leading scorer Lewis, Thorpe Athletic equalised through a fine headed goal from Hale and in the dying minutes a goal bound shot from Barnard took a huge deflection to secure victory. For Thorpe Athletic this ended a remarkable season, Essex Junior Cup winners, Division One champions and now “Knock-Out Cup” winners, a unique treble that has got football enthusiasts checking that combination in the record books!

          In the mid-week matches, Tuesday evening saw Thorpe Athletic beaten by Great Bentley, with the Division won, clearly their minds were on the Cup-Final! On Wednesday, Gas Recreation Reserves beat Dedham Old Boys Reserves to change places in the league, their final matches will be awarded as teams could not fulfil fixtures, a common theme at this late stage of the season. Roman Rovers Reserves, (three for Goddard), beat Tendring District, and in the COVID Cup semi-final, Great Bentley Reserves beat Prettygate, and they now meet Dedham Old Boys Reserves, in the final, next Saturday at Coggeshall Town FC, Kick-Off is 12:00 (mid-day).

          Saturday saw two more un-played matches, points will be awarded, but the two Division Four matches that were played saw Boxford Rovers move up to fourth after beating Tendring District, who still have two matches to play! Great Bradfords capped a fine end of season run-in by beating FC Clacton “A”, that win gives them the runners-up spot.