ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 28th September 2019 by John Campany

Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 28^th September 2019.

The pride of place goes to Tony Armstrong’s League Representative side who reached the second round of the FA Inter League Cup at Harwich & Parkeston’s Ground beating the Southern Combination Football League by a solitary goal from captain and ‘Man of the Match’ Gas Recreation’s Luke Taylor. 

This was a fine win in spite of a squad player refusing to sit on the bench who departed prior to the kick off, a prima – donna, if ever there was one.

The Border League is rewarded with another home draw against previous winners of the competition, the Southern Amateur League. 

It was a truncated Premier Division programme that saw Stanway Pegasus FC claim top spot with a thrilling 4-3 win at School Lane in the defeat of Lawford Lads FC. The visitors held a slender interval lead, but hung on to go three points clear of the chasing pack who have games in hand. The Lads scorers were two from Harry Parkes and one from Alex Stocker.

Flitch United FC continued there unbeaten run, but was held by Tiptree Heath FC in a 1-1 draw with Shane Pyne getting the home goal whilst the reply came from Cameron Ward. Tiptree Engaine FC secured a useful point at home to Dedham Old Boys FC both sides sharing four goals. On the mark for Tiptree Engaine FC were Terry Rymer and Aaron Collier.

In the First Division Colne Athletic FC came from behind to beat Stanway Rovers FC Reserves 2-1 and move to the top of the table. Conrad Baker had given the visitors an interval lead, but the home side stormed back through Luke Goldie – McSorley and Luke Rogers.

Belle Vue Social FC travelled to Mersea Island FC and returned with a 3-0 success with a brace from Bruce Poole and one from Connor Howard.

In Division Two, Shrub End United FC continued their impressive start to the season chalking up there seventh consecutive win against Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves to open a five point lead at the top of the table. Improving Hedinghams United FC fortunes are on the ascendancy as they move into second and remain unbeaten following their 3-2 win at Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves.

A Haydn Taylor hat trick proved in vain for Cavendish FC who went down to Gas Recreation FC Reserves 5-4. In Division Three Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves moved into pole position with a 3-1 win at Hedinghams United FC Reserves.

There were several ties in the Essex Junior Cup.

Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves progressed with a 2-0 win against visiting Cressing United FC with goals from Jack Johnson and Ross Mathews, whilst West Bergholt FC Reserves triumphed at Boxted Lodgers FC Reserves 3-2. Paul Goddard scored for the home side, but Bergholt responded with two from Christopher Sambou and Jack Thurston.

FC Clacton Reserves were too good for Silver End FC winning 3-1 with a brace from Samuel Thompson and the other from Andreas Antoniou – Garcia, but Gosfield United FC were surprisingly beaten by Langham Lodgers FC 2-1. However, Bures United FC had better luck disposing of Redgrave Rangers FC 3-1 with Adam Dolling, Harry Liskus and Addy Roy on target.

Little Oakley FC “A” bowed out on penalties having held Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves 3-3 only to lose 5-4 on penalties and Wormingford Wanderers FC got the better of St. Osyth FC winning a tight tie 4-3. A brace from the Saints, Kalon Harms and one from Ben O’Hara was insufficient as the visitors reached the next round courtesy of two from Konnor Oughton and one each from Brandon Fulton and James Reeve.

In the Suffolk Junior Cup Sudbury Sports FC beat Grundisburg FC 3-2 to move into the next round.

​John Campany.