04/03/2023 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 04/03/2023

This week, ESBFL fixtures were dominated by various cup competitions.

In the Knock-Out Cup, Round Two, there were victories for, Alresford Colne Rangers, Colne Athletic, Earls Colne, who hit fifteen goals, and Silver End United and in Round Three, for Cavendish, Chelmsford City Reserves and White Notley.

The Reserve Knock-Out Cup saw Gas Recreation Reserves overcome Bradfield Rovers Reserves.

Barnston Reserves and Flitch United progressed from Round Two of the Tommy Thompson Cup whilst in Round Three, Cavendish Reserves, Gas Recreation, and Oyster also won through, with Boxted Lodgers going through by default.

In the Suffolk Primary Cup, Brantham Athletic “A” beat Framlingham Town “A” whilst newcomers Assington Stanley bowed out, nine – eight on penalties with the scores level at one apiece.

Back in the league, there were two Premier Division games, Hatfield Peverel shared the points with Barnston, whilst Belle Vue moved up to third after beating lowly West Bergholt. In mid-week Stanway Rovers U23’s shared the points with Belle Vue Social and a welcome win for beleaguered Harwich & Parkeston Reserves who beat Alresford Colne Rangers by a single goal. On Friday evening, Sudbury Sports and Dunmow Town shared the spoils in an entertaining match at Brundon Lane.

Division One also saw two matches, Brightlingsea Town stroll on when beating third placed Stanway Pegasus Reserves and FC Clacton Reserves beat Gosfield United by a solitary goal.

In Division Two, five games were played, the match of the day saw second placed Tavern take the first points off run-away leaders Dovercourt Rovers, when sharing the points in a no score draw. Hedinghams United and Mersea Island won on their travels and there were draws between Tollesbury against St Osyth and Wormingford Wanderers against White Notley Reserves.

Five games were played in Division Four from which forty-one goals were scored, no case for the defences there then! Lawford Lads Reserves hit five without reply, Kelvedon Social Reserves scored four, also without reply, Ramsey & Mistley beat Stillwaters by the odd goal in five, Abbey Fields scored four but conceded nine against Roman Rovers. Divisional leaders High Roding hit fourteen without reply, at least FC Clacton “A” made the long trip to Roxwell, three goals each for Burgess, Karr and Passley amongst six scorers in that match.

In Division Five there were wins for Kelvedon Social “A” and Mersea Island Reserves matched their First team by also hitting five at bottom team Ramsey & Mistley Reserves.