ESBFL – Weekly Round-Up for 16th March 2019. – John Campany

Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 16^th March 2019.

There was a major shock Saturday when Premier league leaders Gas Recreation were humbled by much improved Kelvedon Social at Bromley Road in front of a sizeable crowd.

Indeed, the visitors are fast becoming a bogey side for the Colchester based team having been held last season to a draw in the corresponding fixture.

It was a jovial Jay Matthams, joint manager of Kelvedon, who told me that “a pleasing feature was the credit given by the home side to the surprise result”. He put the success down to “a good defensive display and the opportunism of striker Ben Turner’s two first half goals”.

He continued “although ‘Gas’ had plenty of the ball, they had difficulty in breaking us down and we were adept to hitting them on the break”.

The visitors were ahead on 15 minutes when Turner cut in from the flank and bent a shot inside the far post. Five minutes later it was 2-0 following a Peter Whitwell free kick that culminated in Turner hooking home.

The second half was all ‘Gas’ but Matthams 4-2-3-1 formation held firm restricting the opponents to shots from distance. Although Gas pulled a goal back through Harry Hewes the visitors hung on for a famous win that could yet derail another championship success for the holders.

Alresford Colne Rangers gained vital points defeating an improving Brantham Athletic Reserves 2-0 at the Leisure Centre with both goals from Ryan Lewis. Alresford have now moved into second place ahead of Tiptree Heath whose match was postponed and are on 55 points jointly with Tiptree, but both sides trailing ‘Gas’ by three points in what promises to be an exciting finale.

There was a goal feast at the War Memorial ground where Little Oakley Reserves hosted Wormingford Wanderers where both sides shared eight goals.

‘Oakley’ held a 3-2 interval lead at the break, but the visitors stormed back to gain a point. The hosts scorers were a brace for Mathew Geen and one each from Mark Palmer and Gary Stanford whilst Wanderers goals were distributed through Ben Bracey, Marc Brown and Luke Whybrow.

In the first division, Tiptree Engaine have taken a one-point lead over Flitch United who were without a game. The 1-0 victory at West Bergholt Reserves suggests the title race will go the last matches with Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves only three points behind the leaders following a 5-0 trouncing of Colne Athletic. The three leading contenders have each played 22 games.

Little Oakley ‘A’ gained a vital point against visiting Tiptree Jobserve in there bid to avoid the drop. Leading 2-0 at half time they finally settled sharing four goals. The home scorers were Liam Daly and Daniel Longley whilst Gordon Wilson and substitute Nelson Taylor replied.

In the second division, Clacton Reserves consolidated there second place with a comprehensive win over Harwich Rangers winning 6-1 with goals from Sean Hillier, Bradley Pile substitute Marcus Paul and a hat trick from Samuel Thompson.

In division three second place Dedham Old Boys Reserves hosted and defeated the divisional title winners Gosfield United 2-0 at The Drift, whilst third place Great Bentley Reserves beat Tiptree Heath Reserves 7-0 to remain in contention.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup Cavendish won through against Harwich & Parkeston Reserves at the Royal Oak 4-1 with goals shared between Chris Brewster and James Wyatt with Ross Puril getting the consolation reply.

Next Saturday it’s quarter finals day of the Knock- Out Cup with the potential of two giant killing acts. AFC Sudbury ’A’ host Premier Hedinghams United under lights on Friday evening and Cressing take on Lawford Lads. Elsewhere Gas Recreation are at home to Alresford Colne Rangers in the match of the day, whilst Wormingford Wanderers entertain Brantham Athletic Reserves.

John Campany.