30/11/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       30/11/2024.

Fifteen league and eighteen cup matches were the order of the day on Saturday, a real mixed bag, would the weather be kind enough for them all to be played, the answer was a no as one fell to the weather and another two for lack of players!

Only One Premier Division match was scheduled, and this saw a welcome win for lowly, Belle Vue Social over Sudbury Sports.

Likewise, there was only one match in Division One, Cavendish and Tiptree Jobserve eked out a one all draw, the hosts albeit with games in hand are rooted to the bottom of the table.

Two matches took place in Division Two, the whipping boys of the division, Assington Stanley were hit for five by Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves, but Roman Rovers conquered unpredictable, Stillwaters, scoring eight without reply!

In Division Three, three matches were played, Oyster beat Ramsey & Mistley by four goals to nil to go above them in the table, the other two matches, Elmstead Market versus Great Bentley “A” and Silver End United versus Hatfield Peverel Reserves, ended all square, both at three goals apiece.

The most leagues games (six) played were in Division Four, both Silver End United Reserves and Harwich & Parkeston “A” won to stay first and second, Hedinghams United Reserves hit nine (four for substitute Ricca and three for Turner) to stay third. Bradfield Rovers Reserves shared eight goals against Kelvedon Social, Brooklands hit eight at Tollesbury and Elmstead Market Reserves kept up their average of conceding seven goals per game, by losing by that score at mid-table West Bergholt Reserves!

Nine matches in the second round of the Knock-Out Cup were played and a couple of surprises were seen, holders, Premier Division, Thorpe Athletic lost on penalties at Division One, Cornard United Reserves, Division One, Great Bentley won at Premier Division Cressing United and another Premier side, White Notley, were knocked out by Division One, Gosfield United. In the, all Premier Division ties, Stanway Pegasus Reserves beat Alresford Colne Rangers and Barnston beat Tiptree Heath, on penalties. Another upset, at least on paper, was Division Two, The Rodings hitting five (three for Rosewall) against Division One, Lawford Lads, elsewhere East Thurrock Community beat Gas Recreation, Dedham Old Boys (three for Vitelli) beat Boxford Rovers and Hatfield Peverel beat Frinton & Walton on penalties.

The Reserve Knock-Out Cup featured three ties, Earls Colne Reserves and Great Bentley Reserves (three for Evans) both progress to the quarter finals whilst Roman Rovers Reserves moved into the semi-finals by beating Gas Recreation Reserves.

Last season, Brightlingsea Town reached the final of the Essex Premier Cup, losing to Rayleigh Town, sadly no repeat this season and both they and Hedinghams United lost out to Leigh Ramblers and May & Baker “A” respectively, on their travels.

Finally, in the Essex Junior Cup, Tavern lost by a single goal against BKS Sports.

There had been one mid-week match, Premier Division, Sudbury Sports scored the only goal in added time to defeat Division One, Frinton & Walton in the Peter Andrews Charity Cup.