ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 14th December 2019 by John Campany

Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 14^th December 2019.

There was an inevitable truncated league program on Saturday with only nine matches taking place, plus three cup matches, as the rain swept across both Essex and Suffolk on Friday.

In the Suffolk Primary Cup Third Round there were successes for both Cavendish FC and Brantham Athletic FC “A” who march into the fourth round, whilst Lawford Lads FC Reserves beat Tollesbury FC in the Tommy Thompson Cup.

It was all change yet again at the top of the Premier Division as former leaders Tiptree Heath FC were undone at Alresford Colne Rangers FC and Stanway Pegasus FC regained their top spot with an overwhelming home victory.

At Bromley Road, Gas Recreation FC were held by Great Bentley FC who have lost only twice and must be considered ‘dark horses’ for a title challenge.

Alresford’s 2-0 win at Ford Lane over Tiptree Heath FC maintains their interest in the top echelons but need to show some consistency if they are to better their best ever finish in 1993 when finishing runners up to Little Oakley FC. Home scorers were Gareth Evans and Ashley Sauka.

As for Stanway Pegasus FC they too need a good sequence of results if they are to fulfil their ambitions of winning the championship at their first attempt. Their double promotion from Division Two has been fully justified where they dropped a meagre three points. However, they face stiff competition having won only 11 matches from the 18 played albeit lead by a point. On Saturday a 6-2 win over visiting Lawford Lads FC provided fresh impetus with goals from Max Booth, Callum Griffith, Ryan Mahon, Samir Rahiti and a brace from Samuel Clark whilst consolation goals from James Lee and Macauley Watson completed the scoring whilst Elliot Lamb picked up two yellow cards.

Gas Recreation FC, the present champions are having a modest season by their standards and will need to improve if they are to defend their title for the third successive season. Certainly, the home 2-2 draw Saturday against Great Bentley FC was probably disappointing, but as mentioned Jack Murray’s side are no pushovers this season. For ‘Gas’ leading scorer Aston Firkins and Harry Hewes were on target, but Luke Taylor picked up two yellow cards. For the visitors Louis Olymbios and Aaron Clifton replied whilst Darryl Wallis received a straight red.

In Division One, unbeaten Tiptree Jobserve FC will be disappointed that they did not take advantage of Colne Athletic FC’s inactivity by only drawing at home to visiting Bures United FC and remain in second spot a point behind ‘Athletic’. The 0-0 score line nevertheless ensures their strong promotion position a point behind with two games in hand and they have only conceded seven goals in the league to date.

In the only other First Division match, at Cage Lane, Boxted Lodgers FC gained a vital point in a 3-3 draw with Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves. This was a case of ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’.

There was plenty of excitement in a six-goal thriller, but both sides were reduced to 10 men by the time of the final whistle. The Lodgers goals were from Player Manager, Paul Goddard whose 20 goals thus far may keep the Lodgers in the First Division. Their other scorer was Christopher Lavender whilst the visitors were indebted to a brace from George Barron and Michael Pash.

However, stalwart referee, the genial Mr Eric Bowers, showed straight red cards to Paul Goddard and Frank Tiffney demonstrating age is no barrier for upholding the laws of the game – well done Sir.

In Division Two, Tiptree Jobserve FC Reserves comfortably beat Rowhedge FC 4-0 with goals from Harry Page, Gordon Wilson and a brace from Carl Driver.

There were plenty of goals in the three Division Three matches played. Firstly Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves travelled the A12 to convincingly beat Kelvedon Social FC 6-1 to move into third place, three points behind leaders St Osyth FC. Sam Taylor and Robert Good both scored twice with Reece Brundle and Rhys Bowler completing the goals.

St Osyth FC were rampant, overwhelming over pointless Boxted Lodgers FC Reserves 9-0. Ben O’Hara hit four and Harry Hulstrom helped himself to a hat trick. To complete the scoring Mason Garey and Ryan O’Riordan were also on target. Full marks to the ‘Lodgers’ who are having a torrid time this season but continue too show great spirit in the face of adversity.

In the final Division Three match, Stanway Athletic FC managed to scrape home 2-1 against struggling Cavendish FC Reserves with goals from Patrick Dixon and Ricky Woods. Sam Wallace provided the consolation.

In the Suffolk County Primary Cup there was a big win for Cavendish FC who defeated Hundon FC, 6-1 to move into the 4^th Round. Haydn Taylor struck a hat trick, a brace from Daniel Ashdown and one from Luke Nicoll.

Also, in the same competition Brantham Athletic FC “A” also moved into the fourth round with a 3-2 away win against Thurlow FC Youth.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup Third Division Lawford Lads FC Reserves solitary goal from Aidan Hipkin proved sufficient to beat Second Division Tollesbury FC.