22/11/2025 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2025 / 2026

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       22/11/2025.

Despite the wet and frosty weather again this week, only four matches were called off, I sometimes wonder whether local councils call games off too early, like they did on Thursday, as believe it or not Friday was a lovely drying day, Saturday, perhaps, not so!

Six matches survived in the Premier Division, leaders East Thurrock lost by a single goal at Hatfield Peverel, Great Bentley moved back to second after beating Springfield by the same scoreline, this was because Sudbury Sports lost by four goals to three against AFC Pegasus Colchester. Earls Colne hit seven against Belle Vue Social to move up to fourth, Gas Recreation eased their worries when beating Cressing United whilst Dedham Old Boys shared six goals with Tiptree Heath.

Second placed, Gosfield United, on a high, after beating the league leaders last Saturday, put in another shift to beat third placed Clacton Regent in Division One, this by four goals to three to create a five-point gap. Prettygate were the divisions top scorers, hitting seven (four for Lewis) against Tavern, in the other match Roman Rovers drew with Great Bentley Reserves.

There were four matches in Division Two, lowly Boxford Rovers hit five (four for Chance), against fourth placed, Wormingford Wanderers but stay second bottom as Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves beat third bottom, Cavendish, for only their second victory of the season. Leaders Bradfield Rovers drew against Springfield Reserves, and second placed Silver End United did likewise against White Notley Reserves.

Mersea Island were the days top goalscorers, hitting nine (three for Mahon), against luckless Brooklands, unbeaten Great Bentley “A” remain third after beating Oyster, Stillwaters edged out Boxted Lodgers, but Harwich & Parkeston “A” stay top of Division Three, after beating winless, Roman Rovers Reserves. Now football has been described as a “funny old game”, last weekend Silver End Reserves were three goals to two down at half-time, but won by five goals to three, this week they were three goals up at half time but Wivenhoe United rallied to score four without reply!

Division Four had seven matches, leaders Frinton & Walton Reserves beat fourth placed Ramsey & Mistley by four goals to one, the game was closer than the result suggests, a case of one team taking their chances, second placed Roman Rovers “A” also scored four, this was against West Bergholt Reserves. Third placed Hedinghams United Reserves beat Prettygate Reserves and Kelvedon Social stay fifth after beating Tollesbury scoring five goals (three for Freathy), without reply. Bradfield Rovers Reserves were another team to score seven, this was against bottom team Elmstead Market Reserves, Rayne narrowed the gap on the team above them, Wormingford Wanderers Reserves, winning by two goals to nil, the team below them, Tendring District managed a scoring draw against Stanway Rovers EVL Development.

In the Amateur FA Challenge Cup, Hedinghams United lost by seven goals to nil against Queen Mary College Old Boys of the Southern Amateur league, the match was played at Fairlop Oak Sports ground.

There was one outstanding Essex Junior Cup, Round Three tie, here Cressing United Reserves beat Elmstead Market by three goals one, meaning that in two weeks’ time, they will be at home to Tiptree Jobserve.