27/01/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 27/01/2024.

Thirty-One fixtures were played in the ESBFL last Saturday, as well as four County Cup ties, Boxford Rovers bowed out of the Suffolk Primary Cup to last season’s winners, but Brightlingsea Town join Tiptree Heath in the quarter-finals of the Essex Premier Cup, whilst Tavern, (three for Willis) and Great Bentley progressed in the Essex Junior Cup, the latter over Gas Recreation albeit on penalties, lastly Colne Athletic Reserves found Benfleet Reserves in fine form, but did keep the score down to single figures!

The Premier Division had six matches with victories for Colne Athletic, Dedham Old Boys, Silver End United, Stanway Rovers Reserves and Tiptree Heath with the bottom two teams, Lawford Lads and Alresford Colne Rangers, sharing the points.

Division One is warning up nicely, there were three away wins for, Kings Park Rangers, The Rodings, and Thorpe Athletic, with FC Clacton Reserves denting Cressing United’s push to the top, when sharing the points.

There were five matches in Division Two, Bradfield Rovers, who stay top, Frinton & Walton (fourth) and White Notley Reserves, who stay second, all won with Hedinghams United drawing with Cornard United Reserves and Roman Rovers drawing with Cavendish.

Smith, for Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves, scored four of his teams six against bottom team Tollesbury and Gosfield United beat Barnston Reserves, a win that moves them up to third in Division Three.

Five matches were played in Division Four, a total of thirty-nine goals were scored, seventeen by Great Bradfords, (eight for Postill, five for Shearer), Silver End United Reserves, The Rodings Reserves and Wormingford Wanderers Reserves also won but the top match saw leaders Oyster and third placed Stillwaters, settling for a point apiece, the latter team moving up to second.

Division Five had four matches, Brooklands, (three for Stanescu), Kelvedon Social, that’s now eight games undefeated, and Mersea Island Reserves won but like in the Division above, third placed Assington Stanley, who even missed a late penalty award, drew with top team Great Bentley “A”.

Flitch United, (four for Rawlinson), progressed in the Tommy Thompson Cup and in the COVID Cup there were victories for Great Bentley Reserves, Little Oakley Reserves and Prettygate in normal time but Dedham Old Boys Reserves went through on penalties against Tiptree Heath Reserves.