ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 30th November 2019 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round Up 30th November 2019.
For the first time in years the League championship is a very open contest with no fewer than seven sides in contention.
The table topping match in the Premier Division saw Tiptree Heath FC leapfrog over Stanway Pegasus FC whom they beat 2-1 to gain top spot. Benjamin Turner and substitute Jack Tollhurst were the home scorers.
Third placed Flitch United are a point behind the new leader having played the same number of matches.
Alresford Colne Rangers FC were without a game but are well placed in fourth position five points behind Tiptree Heath FC, but with three games in hand. West Bergholt FC are in 5th trailing seven points behind with two games in hand. They had a good 3-0 win away at Dedham Old Boys FC with goals from Jack Harrington, Lee Townrow and Luke Whybrow.
Gas Recreation FC, the defending champions are not giving up their title lightly and had a resounding 9-2 win at Bromley Road over Tiptree Engaine FC. They have much ground to make up, but although nine points behind the leaders Tiptree Heath FC they have played three games less.
Great Bentley FC is the 7th team that might have a say in the final analysis in April. They beat Brantham Athletic FC Reserves 2-1 have played a meagre 12 matches and are nine points adrift. Dale Brown and Joseph Hurd were on target.
Lawford Lads FC had a fine 4-0 win at Barnston AFC whilst Earls Colne FC had a major success over bottom side White Notley FC. For ‘Colne’ it was a timely win that gives breathing space over the other sides around the drop zone. Jack Charnock grabbed a brace whilst Connor Randall and Harry Slater, ensure White Notley FC are the basement dwellers. Brantham Athletic FC Reserves and Tiptree Engaine FC remain in trouble both just above the bottom side.
In Division One both of the leading sides consolidated. Leaders Cressing United FC beat Boxted Lodgers FC 5-2 whilst second place Gosfield United FC had a single goal victory at West Bergholt FC Reserves to remain trailing by one point on level games.
There was a notable first win for bottom side Wormingford Wanderers FC beating Belle Vue Social FC 4-1.
In Division Two leaders Hedinghams United FC recovered from last week’s first defeat by beating Harwich Rangers FC 3-2 whilst second place Shrub End United FC beat Elmden Rovers FC 5-2 away from home.
In Division Threethere was little league action. Little Clacton FC drew with Kelvedon Social FC 3-3 with goals from Benjamin Hartley, Alex Hayes and Taylor McAndrews.There were four County Cup matches involving our Clubs.
Firstly, congratulations to FC Clacton Reserves who beat Roydon FC in the Essex Junior Cup and to Lawford Lads FC Reserves who also progressed through to the last eight at the expense of Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves.
FC Clacton Reserves won through 5-3 spearheaded by a hat trick from Samuel Thompson and one each from Kieran Wales and Lyndon Bramhall, whilst Lawford Lads FC Reserves beat fellow Border league side Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves at Ford Lane 3-1.
The irony is that the draw has thrown both sides together with Lawford Lads FC Reserves having home advantage. The tie is due on the 25th January and will guarantee that there will be a Border league side in the Semi Final.
Congratulations are also due to Sudbury Sports FC who outclassed Barham Athletic FC 11-0 in the Suffolk Junior Cup third round and await the draw for the next round. Bures United FC were less fortunate losing to Sporting 87 by 5-3. John Campany
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