ESBFL – 19/08/2023 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 19/08/2023.

          Seven mid-week matches preceded the thirteen played on Saturday, Tuesday evening saw home wins for Hatfield Peverel and West Bergholt with White Notley winning on the road. On Wednesday evening there were home wins for Brightlingsea Town, that being a notable victory over last seasons “runners-up” Tiptree Heath, Colne Athletic and Earls Colne and Dedham Old Boys won the local derby away against Lawford Lads.

          Saturday saw two matches played in Division Five, Hedinghams United Reserves overcame Assington Stanley, both teams being reduced to ten players and newcomers Elmstead Market played their ever first match but lost to Bradfield Rovers Reserves, Ribbans leading their scoring with three of the six scored.

          In Division Two, Bradfield Rovers first team also had three goal, Farthing, to thank as their promoted team overcame another new team, this time Cornard United Reserves.

          Two more matches were played in Division One, FC Clacton Reserves getting the better of Great Bentley by the odd goal in three and with a similar scoreline Wormingford Wanderers won on home turf against another new Club, Kings Park Rangers.

          That leaves the eight Premier Division matches, Lawford Lads shared the points with visitors Belle Vue Social, incidentally, every team, in any division, who played on Saturday scored a goal. There were home wins for Barnston, Brightlingsea Town, Colne Athletic, Stanway Rovers Community Reserves and West Bergholt with Tiptree Heath and White Notley winning on their travels.

          With three matches now played by most Premier Division teams it is promoted Brightlingsea Town who are the early leaders, Baker (K) scored three goals in a five goal first half blitz, near neighbours Colne Athletic sit second, also on maximum points and White Notley, also undefeated lay third on seven points. At the bottom, and its early days in a long season, sit pointless Alresford Colne Rangers and Sudbury Sports with Lawford Lads just above them following Saturdays draw.