30/03/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 30/03/2024.

The first Cup Final of the season, the Reserve Knock-Out Cup, was played out at Little Oakley FC on Good Friday morning, in front of a crowd, estimated to be in excess, of one hundred & fifty people. Third Division, Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves played Second Division, White Notley FC Reserves and led by two goals to one at half-time, eventually winning by four goals (Vitelli, Rush & Nash {2}) to two (Clifford {L} & Gray).

There were six Premier Division matches scheduled, five took place, Brightlingsea Town dropped points and a place against Alresford Colne Rangers, a welcome win for Barnston against Stanway Pegasus Reserves, but Silver End United, (three for Gage), move up to fourth, Tiptree Heath moved up to second and leaders, Colne Athletic stroll on, all getting three points.

Three matches were scheduled for Division One, one was postponed because of a water-logged pitch, Tavern and Dovercourt eked out a one-all draw but Thorpe Athletic beat troubled FC Clacton Reserves to stay eight points clear at the top.

Four matches got played in Division Two, there was a home win for Hatfield Peverel Reserves and away wins for Cavendish, (four for Liskus), Hedinghams United and Bradfield Rovers who remain eleven points clear at the top with one match to play.

As expected Prettygate were too strong for bottom team Tollesbury in the only Division Three match.

Division Four had four matches, The Rodings went joint top after beating Oyster, and they moved ahead with an Easter Monday victory over Great Bradfords who failed to score, there were other wins for Boxford Rovers, Roman Rovers Reserves and Wormingford Wanderers Reserves.

After beating Elmstead Market, Assington Stanley need one point from their final match to secure the Division Five title, Boxted Lodgers Reserves won against Brooklands but Mersea Island Reserves and Kelvedon Social shared the points.

In the four COVID Cup ties, Gosfield United beat Gas Recreation, Great Bentley Reserves beat Little Oakley Reserves, Bradfield Rovers beat Ramsey & Mistley and Stillwaters beat Tendring District.

Finally, in the outstanding Knock-Out Cup, quarter-final tie, in what on paper should have been a close match, with both Kings Park Rangers and Cressing United, doing well in Division One, the result was a surprise with the home team scoring eight without reply! The reward for Kings Park Rangers is an away semi-final tie against Stanway Rovers Reserves, the other semi-final will be between Thorpe Athletic and Earls Colne.

Leading Goal-scorers:

Premier Division:     21      A. Sauka                 Brightlingsea Town FC

Division One:          12      M. Gray                   Thorpe Athletic FC

Division Two:          22      T. Buckingham        Hedinghams United FC

Division Three:        18      E. Cherry                Prettygate AFC

Division Four:          28      N. Postil                  Great Bradfords FC

Division Five:          15      L. Sheppard            Kelvedon Social FC