ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 23rd November 2019 by John Campany

Essex & Suffolk Border League Round Up 23^rd November 2019.

There were seven Border League sides that played in the third round of the Essex Premier Saturday Cup, but only two reached the fourth round. Renowned cup fighters Gas Recreation FC were successful in beating previously unbeaten Epping Town FC from Division two of the Olympian League 3-0 at Bromley Road. Harry Hewes scored twice and Luke Taylor the third. ‘The Gas’, have been drawn away to Waltham Abbey Reserves in round four. West Bergholt FC were the only other side to progress with a comfortable 4–1 win over fellow Border League side Earls Colne FC. Liam Close and Sam Cripps both scored twice, and they will travel to play either Barkingside Reserves or Laindon Orient in the next round. Jordon Carter scored the consolation goal.

There was some expectation that Alresford Colne Rangers FC might get past visiting Waltham Abbey FC Reserves but were beaten 3-2 at Ford Lane. Gareth Evans and Robert Wightman provided a platform, but the red card shown to Jack Balaam hardly helped their cause.

Essex Olympian League sides progressed at the expense of Tiptree Engaine FC and Lawford Lads FC.

Tiptree Engaine FC went out 4-1 to the Olympian Division One outfit, Lakeside FC whilst Lawford Lads FC were comprehensively beaten 7-0 at home to the holders Buckhurst Hill FC who also top the Premier Division of the Essex Olympian League, having just failed to secure Step 6 football after last season.

Stanway Pegasus FC were unfortunate to exit on penalties against Corinthians FC having held the visitors 1-1 after extra time but failing 4-5 from the spot. White Notley FC gave a creditable performance losing at home to Grays Athletic FC Reserves. It was 2-2 after 90 minutes with goals from Josh Goody and Lee Ifield, but an extra winner was sufficient to seal the fate of the Border League side.

In other cup action, Sudbury Sports FC travelled to Wickham Market in the Suffolk Junior Cup second round, and beat the Suffolk & Ipswich League, Division One side 3-2 and will host Barham Athletic in round three.

In the Suffolk Primary Cup, Brantham Athletic FC “A” beat West Row Gunners FC, 6-3 and Cavendish FC overwhelmed visiting Cockfield United FC Reserves 7-1 with George Gay grabbing the headlines with four goals and one each from Daniel Ashdown, Aaron Taylor and Haydn Taylor. 

In the Border League, KO Cup, Mersea Island FC beat Stanway Athletic FC, 2-0 to progress to Round Two where they have another away tie at Tiptree Engaine FC. Dan Gibbons and Brendan Horne were the marksmen.

There were two ties in the Tommy Thompson Cup, Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves defeated Flitch United FC Reserves 3-1 with goals from Dan Harding and a brace from Christopher Hill and Wormingford Wanderers FC Reserves overcame Rowhedge FC, also 3-1.

There was one game in the Premier Division that saw Dedham Old Boys FC hold third placed Flitch United FC to a 1-1 draw at The Drift. John Vitelli scored for Dedham and Mathew Wickham replied for the visitors who are now three points behind leaders Stanway Pegasus FC.

In Division One top of the table clash saw a five-goal thriller. New leaders unbeaten Tiptree Jobserve FC relegated Colne Athletic FC into second place with a 3-2 victory with a brace from Toby Booty and one from Kevin Barham whilst Colne’s scorers were Jordon Ellis and Luke Goldie – McSorley.

Third place Cressing United FC travelled to Bures United FC, and won 3-1, through Luke Bearman, Daniel Miller and Robert Olding whilst Lloyd Finch replied for the hosts.

Little Oakley FC “A” and Stanway Rovers FC Reserves fought out an exciting thriller with Rovers scraping home 4-3 having lead 3-0 at half time. Tom Holdstock hit the net twice, accompanied by efforts from Jake Phillips and Max Gray, whilst two goals Gary Stanford and one from Jordon Slater almost saw ‘Oakley’ salvage a point.

FC Clacton Reserves thumped Wormingford Wanderers FC away by seven goals without reply with goals from Jordon Mallett, Samuel Thompson and Keiran Wales.

In Division Two there was an upset at the top when leaders Hedinghams United FC lost their unbeaten tag at Tiptree Jobserve FC Reserves 3-2 but maintained their place at the summit five points clear of Shrub End United FC.

Harwich Rangers FC followed their cup success of the previous week with a fine win away to Tollebury FC, 6-2 with goals from Andrew Hammett, Nicholas Miller and a pair of braces from Liam Duly and Leroy Eade.

Elsewhere in Division Three, second placed Oyster FC made it ten wins from eleven games beating Little Clacton FC, 3-2 the scorers being Jay Baker, Ben Scholes and Alex Washington.

Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves maintained their push for a promotion place beating visiting Boxted Lodgers FC Reserves 9-1 and are handily placed fourth three points behind the leaders. Goals came from Oliver Dragisic, Elliot Fay, Ross Garwood and Kieran Watkinson each with two whilst an own goal completed the scoring.