ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 07th December 2019 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up to 7th December 2019.
The match of the day was the Premier Division clash featuring the traditional heavyweight rivals Gas Recreation FC and West Bergholt FC at Bromley Road. In a seven-goal thriller the ‘Gas’ just edged it with late winner in added time to give their title hopes a boost. (See full match report)
By all accounts it was an epic encounter that saw the game ebb and flow. At one a piece at the break it was an exciting second half that saw ‘Gas’ get in front only to be pegged back until the telling breakthrough in added time.
The scorer’s for ‘Gas’ were a brace from Luke Taylor, a penalty converted by Aston Firkins, and the winning strike from substitute Ben Girling. ‘Bergholt’s responses came from Sam Crisps, Gareth Gibson and Jack Harrington. The “Gas”, are now, in fifth place, nine points behind the leaders but crucially with three games in hand. Stanway Pegasus FC continue in second position following a 3-1 win at Alresford Colne Rangers FC whose goal was scored by Ashley Sauka.
Flitch United FC consolidated their third spot with a comfortable 3-0 win over Brantham Athletic FC Reserves with two goals from Mathew Wickham and substitute Peter Monk added a third.
Great Bentley FC with plenty of games in hand, continue to make progress winning 3-1 at home to Earls Colne FC, their marksmen were Jake Vaughan and two from Dale Brown ensuring they remain in contention.
Hatfield Peverel FC enjoyed a good 3-1 home win against visiting Lawford Lads FC with goals from Josh Oliver and a brace from Joel Older, whilst Oliver Mann struck his 19th goal of the season for the ‘Lads’
The Premier leaders Tiptree Heath FC beat bottom side White Notley FC 4-2 to keep their slender lead of one point thanks to a hat trick from Benjamin Turner and one from Joe Chester. Robbie Bennett and Toby Blanche replied for the visitors.
In the First Division, Colne Athletic FC took over at the top from Cressing United FC who were without a game, when their opposition failed to raise a team! The new leaders won 2-0 at Boxted Lodgers FC with Scott Yearling getting the goals.
The division remains very competitive, but challenging Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves were crushed at the hands of Sudbury Sports FC, 9-1. The Sudbury youngsters gave a lesson of clinical finishing where Joshua Ambrose netted four of the goals, the others coming from Alfie Adams and Jake Banyard, each with two, and completing the scoring was Samuel Cooke.
Sudbury Sports FC are in sixth position five points behind the leaders but have three games in hand and are the divisions leading scorers with 57 goals from eleven games.
Bures United FC gained a creditable win at FC Clacton Reserves winning 2-0 through Ashley Drew and Lloyd Finch. Belle View Social FC beat Stanway Rovers FC Reserves at home 3-2 with a brace from Bruce Poole and one from Joshua Chapman with the ‘Rovers’ replying through Niah Beecher and Dylan Gee. There also a fine point for visiting Wormingford Wanderers FC, their fourth of the season at Mersea Island FC in a 2-2 draw. The Islanders scorers were Dan Gibbons and Adam Passfield and the visitors replied through Will Newman and Brandon Sage.
In Division Two leaders Hedinghams United FC march on with a 2-0 win at Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, and Shrub End United FC won at home to Gas Recreation FC Reserves 5-1 to maintain their challenge in second place five points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
In Division Three, Lawford Lads FC Reserves claimed top spot with a comfortable win at School Lane against Kelvedon Social FC, 4-2. On target were Dylan Griffin, Jamie Reid and a brace from Fabrice Williams.
In another tight division the ‘Lads’ are a point ahead of St Osyth FC who did not play, another match where the opposition failed to raise a team, and who have a game in hand on the new leaders.
Flitch United FC Reserves hit seven away to struggling Cavendish FC Reserves who replied with three. On target for the victors were Adam Chappell, Clarke Gilbert, Perry Osborne, Rhys Brooks and a hat trick from Will Gale. The home marksmen were Richard Burnham, Jordon Elliott and Sam Wallace.
The current leading goal scorers for each division, taken from FA Full-Time, are:
Premier Division Oliver Mann Lawford Lads 19
Division One Paul Goddard Boxted Lodgers 18
Division Two George Day Cavendish 30
Division Three Kalon Harms St. Osyth 23
John Campany
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