22/02/2025 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       22/02/2025.

Twenty-four matches were played last Saturday, as is the new norm, there was the usual flurry of goals across all divisions and the single cup tie as well as matches postponed because of the weather or player availability, a worrying trend!

Fifth placed Thorpe Athletic switched their previous Saturday match to Tuesday evening at Holland FC but lost by a single goal scored in added time by Dedham Old Boys. Quite what happened to Thorpe Athletic last Saturday remains to be determined but sixth placed, Barnston scored ten (four for Bowen, three for Mcelvenna, and three for substitute, Myers) with just one in reply. Heady days for Earls Colne who moved into top place after beating Stanway Pegasus Reserves, Kings Park with five games in hand play next in mid-week, but Brightlingsea Town visited East Thurrock and notched up five goals in the process to remain in contention. Sudbury Sports picked up welcome points against bottom team White Notley where seven goals were scored, lastly the Tiptree Heath revival continued with a last-minute winner against Dedham Old Boys, bit of “Deja Vue” for them.

Runners-Up spot in Division One remains very tight, excepting Gas Recreation, who triumphed over bottom team Cornard United Reserves to go thirteen points clear and second bottom, Bradfield Rovers moved above inactive Hedinghams United when beating local rivals Lawford Lads, this for a first league win since mid-October.

Five teams remain in contention in Division Two, eleven points separate those five teams where they say, points in the bag are better than games in hand, Tavern (four for Richter) are top after another big win against Great Bradfords. Second placed, The Rodings lost for only the second time, this against a strong Great Bentley Reserves team, Prettygate stay third after a six goals to two win at Boxford Rovers who remain second bottom. Another team to hit five was Roman Rovers (four for Goddard) against Dedham Old Boys Reserves but fifth placed Earls Colne Reserves dropped points against eleventh placed Cressing United Reserves, as both teams cancelled each other out scoring one apiece in a very competitive match.

Six matches were played in Division Three, Roman Rovers Reserves beat Tiptree Heath Reserves and lowly Flitch United moved up two places when winning by a solitary goal at Tiptree Jobserve. The other four matches, Elmstead Market (three for Beavis) against Oyster, Great Bentley “A” against Silver End United, West Bergholt against Barnston Reserves and Wormingford Wanderers against Hatfield Peverel Reserves, ended in draws, the latter three matches involved teams in the top five.

Once again, Division Four did not disappoint on the goals scoring front, five matches saw forty-five goals. Silver End United Reserves stay top after beating Bradfield Rovers Reserves, Boxted Lodgers, with seven goals and Brooklands with six goals, had good victories over Tollesbury and Hedinghams United Reserves respectively, Kelvedon Social managed five against bottom team Elmstead Market Reserves whilst West Bergholt Reserves beat Mersea Island by the odd goal in three.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup, Division Two, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves, as expected, beat Division Four, Tendring Borough and move into the quarter-finals.