28/10/2023 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 28/10/2023.

          Despite the rain, only one game fell foul of the weather, another was off due to insufficient players, but thirty-two games were played and a total of one hundred and sixty-two goals were scored, probably a record, that’s an average of five per game, so have goal-keepers gone on holiday, are defences over-whelmed or are strikers on top form!

          In mid-week, Sudbury Sports overcame Stanway Rovers Community Reserves by the odd goal in seven, staying in the Premier Division, there were wins for Barnston, Dedham Old Boys, three for club stalwart, Welham, Hatfield Peverel, Silver End United, three for Makanjuola, Stanway Rovers Community Reserves and of course, leaders Colne Athletic who have now opened up a thirteen-point gap. At the bottom, looking up, are Alresford Colne Rangers, who remain pointless, Lawford Lads, Belle Vue Social and Earls Colne.

          There were five games in Division One, Dovercourt Rovers against CO4 Ultras and Tavern against The Rodings were drawn matches, Kings Park Rangers and Tiptree Jobserve won, as did leaders Thorpe against third placed Cressing.

          With leaders Gas Recreation not having a match, Bradfield Rovers continued their fine form to go top, winning at Cavendish, four goals for Davis, Frinton & Walton, Hedinghams United and White Notley Reserve all won, the latter moving up to third place.

          Division Three is looking tight, leaders Gosfield United were held by Flitch United who dropped their first points of the season but move up to fourth behind Dedham Old Boys Reserves who dented Gas Recreation Reserves aspirations by winning handsomely at Bromley Road. Great Bentley Reserves stay second, winning on their travels as did bottom team Prettygate who won their first game of the season against Tollesbury with whom they change places. In the other match, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves and Lawford Lads Reserves shared four goals to maintain mid-table berths.

          With eight different scorers, led by Joseph with three, top scorers of the day were Stillwaters, as they hit eleven without reply against bottom team Abbey Fields, meaning they moved top of Division Four, as Brantham Athletic (Development) suffered a third straight loss, this time against Ramsey & Mistley. Gregoire hit four of the five for Oyster against Boxford Rovers for whom Egglestone, also scored all four for his team. Great Bradfords seem to have stirred after a difficult start and having scored six goals last week, they hit eight, three for Postill, against luckless, FC Clacton ”A” who did manage to score four themselves. Unbeaten, The Rodings Reserves beat Tendring District and sit handily placed in sixth, whilst the Reserve teams of Tiptree Heath and Silver End United shared the points.

          In Division Five, Boxted Lodgers Reserves are now top after beating basement team Kelvedon Social, but second placed Great Bentley “A” lost at West Bergholt Reserves who move up three places. There were also victories for Elmstead Market, three for Goody, Mersea Island Reserves, three for Green, and Roman Rovers Reserves.