ESBFL – 26/08/2023 – Weekly Round-Up

ESBFL – WEEKLY ROUND-UP for 26/08/2023.

          There were eight Premier Division matches played in mid-week, four on Tuesday, Belle Vue Social, although they have played one game less, remain unbeaten and gave second placed Colne Athletic their first defeat. The Stanway “derby” saw a win for the “Rovers” Reserves over “Pegasus” Reserves, there was a first victory for Sudbury Sports, three for Williams, when they beat Barnston, who have had a mixed start, likewise Tiptree Heath who shared the points with Hatfield Peverel.

          Wednesday evening saw plenty more goals, Brightlingsea Town stay top the table after their fourth straight victory, this was against bottom team Alresford Colne Rangers who remain pointless. Earls Colne shared the points with travelling Lawford Lads, Silver End United won their local derby against White Notley, which was a first defeat for them, and West Bergholt’s improvement continued in a frantic match at Dedham Old Boys, in the proverbial game of two halves, the visitors were four goals ahead at half-time, but the home team threw everything forward to score three without reply in the second half.

          Saturday saw thirteen matches played, Brightlingsea Town roll on with another victory, this time over West Bergholt, something they managed with three players sitting out ten minutes in the “sin-bin”, at various times! Colne Athletic, stay second, Tiptree Heath are third after hitting nine, three for Whymark and four for Knill-Jones, against White Notley, there were also wins for Barnston, Hatfield Peverel, three goals for Page, Stanway Rovers Community Reserves and Silver End United.

          Division One is going to be an interesting league this season, Great Bentley beat The Rodings, Thorpe Athletic beat Wormingford and Kings Park Rangers beat FC Clacton Reserves, there were twenty-one goals in those three matches.

          There was one match in Division Two, Roman Rovers got their season underway by beating Cornard United Reserves.

          Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves shared six goals with Little Oakley FC Reserves upon their return to the ESBFL and this was the first game of the season in Division Three.

          Finally, Division Five newcomers, Elmstead Market found the going tough once again losing by five goals to Hedinghams United Reserves, three for Buckingham, who are finding life much better having been relegated last season.