20/01/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 20/01/2024.

Old “Jack Frost” was the only winner on Saturday as only eleven matches involving ESBFL teams were played.

The ESBFL Representative team played their FA Inter-League Cup, Round Two, match against the “Prokit Essex Olympian Football League” at Harlow Town FC, this is a Step Seven national League competition held bi-annually. The ESBFL, despite having a two-goal advantage at half-time the hosts pulled a goal back with twenty-five minutes remaining then struck twice in the last ten minutes. Manager, Danny Laws was gracious in defeat but commended those ESBFL players for playing and putting up a good show on the 3G pitch, whilst thanking their Clubs for allowing them to play.

Tiptree Heath beat a team called “Kit Out London Community” by two goals to nil to move into the Quarter Finals of the Essex Premier Cup, where the draw is still awaited, hopefully, Brightlingsea Town can win their outstanding Fourth Round tie against Basildon Town Reserves, to join them.

Two matches survived in the Premier Division, Earls Colne eased past bottom team Alresford Colne Rangers and Stanway Pegasus Reserves did the same against second bottom, Lawford Lads.

There was an upset in the only Division One match played, in front of over one hundred spectators, second placed, Kings Park Rangers, who had been reduced to ten players, and were three goals up at half-time but third placed Dovercourt Rovers scored four in the second half, the victors also have two games in hand over, but remain seven points behind leaders Thorpe Athletic, this Division will be one to watch, it’s very close.

In Division Two, the local derby between Cavendish and Cornard United Reserves, ended all square, at three goals apiece, the home side being reduced to nine players!

Similarly, in Division Three there was another drawn match, mid-table teams, Prettygate and Gas Recreation Reserves sharing eight goals.

Leaders Stillwaters, slipped up in Division Four after being beaten by Tiptree Jobserve Reserves who move up to second, Oyster, who scored seven, (three for Nicholson) also capitalised moving to the top after beating Ramsey & Mistley.

Three matches survived in Division Five, Kelvedon Social’s good form continued with another win, (three for Taylor) this time over third placed, Boxted Lodgers Reserves. Assington Stanley also moved up the table winning on “the Glebe” against Mersea Island Reserves, elsewhere, with a goal apiece, Bradfield Rovers Reserves drew with Brooklands.