ESBFL – Weekly Round-Up for 06th April 2019 – John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 6th April 2019.
Congratulations are due to Flitch United on holding off the challenges of Tiptree Engaine and Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves to finish top of the First Division, on merit, and thus gain promotion to the Premier.
Although Tiptree Engaine won at Boxted Lodgers 3-0 to finish second, the day belonged to United who made sure of going up by cruising past Bures United with a five goal first half blitz and completing the rout winning 6-0. Shane Pyne hit two goals whilst Jordon Marsh, Billy Sykes, Mathew Wickham and James Stranders completed the scoring.
The champagne is temporarily on ice subject to the ratification of the final placing, but if there is any justice, glasses will soon be raised in celebration.
In the Premier Division, Gas Recreation have opened a five-point gap defeating Alresford Colne Rangers at Ford Lane, whilst second place Tiptree lost a vital match 3-2 at Little Oakley Reserves whose scorers were Ross Brazitis, Rory Harman and Harry Windred.
‘Gas’ are now hot favourites with a game in hand on Tiptree and were well served by scorers Luke Edwards, Luke Taylor and a fine hat trick by Jamie Guy. ‘Gas’ will become champions for the 13th time if they beat Tiptree Heath on Saturday at a potentially packed Bromley Road.
Lawford Lads had a fine win at the Lorkin Daniel Field beating West Bergholt 4-1. It was that goal machine Oliver Mann who set up the victory with a fine hat trick bringing his seasons tally to 38 whilst Gregg Harrison hit the fourth. ‘Bergholt’ struggled and to make matters worse Sam Walker received a straight red card from referee Phil Molloy.
White Notley won 4-3 down at Oak farm 4-3 over bottom side Brantham Athletic Reserves. There scorers were Josh Goodey with a brace and Patrick Wilkinson.
In the only other premier match Earls Colne finished there season on a high with a 3-1 victory over Wormingford Wanderers at Green Farm Meadow to complete a comparatively successful season finishing in a creditable 11th position. A brace from Ricky Loveridge and the third from Jack Charnock set up victory whilst the visitors replied through Jamie Pringle.
With the Division Two title wrapped up sometime ago the race is on for second spot currently held by FC Clacton. They finished their campaign with a mid week win against Cavendish 3-1 at The Rush Green Bowl with goals from Adam Daniels, Samuel Thompson and substitute Bradley Pile.
However, there is the challenge from third place Long Melford Reserves who are two points behind Clacton with two games in hand who were inactive Saturday. The favourites for the runners up spot are probably AFC Sudbury ‘A’ who picked up vital points with a mid week win beating Hatfield Peverel Reserves 5-2 and Saturday winning 3-2 at Rowhedge.
The Suffolk Side are now in 5th place trailing FC Clacton Reserves by seven points and Long Melford Reserves by five points with five matches remaining.
In the Third Division Great Bentley and Dedham will now fight out the runners – up placing. Both sides have played 22 matches and have 47 points, but Bentley have a seven-goal advantage.
In the run – in both sides look capable of maximum points culminating with a potential showdown in the final game of the season when they both meet at Dedham.
Meanwhile Great Bentley reached the Reserve Knock – Out Cup Final by beating there rivals Dedham Old Boys 3-0.
John Campany.
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