ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 04th January 2020 by John Campany

Essex & Suffolk Border league Round – Up 4^th January 2020.

Gas Recreation FC, renowned cup fighters have moved through to the Quarter Finals of the Essex Premier Cup by beating Waltham Abbey FC Reserves away 5-3, after extra time. The score after 90 minutes was 3-3. The ‘Gas’ scorers were Ryan Dale, Luke Edwards, Aston Firkins and a brace from substitute Callum Rogers.

West Bergholt could join them in the Quarter Finals if they win their pending third round match against either Barkingside FC Reserves or Basildon Town FC.

Stanway Pegasus FC maintained their lead at the top of the Premier Division with a comfortable 3-1 win over Brantham Athletic FC Reserves.

The second and third placed teams Tiptree Heath FC and Flitch United FC were inactive whilst Alresford Colne Rangers FC slipped up at Hatfield Peverel FC, 3-1 to drop down to 5^th place. The home side’s scorers saw a brace from Lawrence Hale and one from substitute Martin Young with Michael Runicles replying for Rangers.

Great Bentley FC could do no better than secure a home point against Barnston AFC and are now 4^th.following a goal less draw.

It was an impressive 5-0 win for Earls Colne FC against visiting Little Oakley FC Reserves with goals from Jack Charnock, Connor Randall, Jeffrey Ashong and a brace from Keiran Adams.

Elsewhere White Notley FC remain in trouble at the bottom of the table losing at home to Lawford Lads FC, 2-1, Oliver Mann struck another two goals for the ‘Lads’ whilst Josh Goodey replied for the home side.

In Division One it was a good day for Colne Athletic FC who leapfrogged Cressing United FC to move to the top with a 5-3 win over visiting Mersea Island FC. Joe Hawkins helped himself to a hat trick and Ryan Brown and substitute Freddie Saunders completed their tally.

Cressing United FC who dropped to second place were held at West Bergholt FC Reserves both sides sharing four goals. The home scorers were Christopher Sambou and Lee Townrow whilst for Cressing Wesley Assan and Daniel Miller were on target. Tiptree Jobserve FC were surprising losers, their first league defeat, going down at home 2-1 to FC Clacton Reserves in a fiery contest where referee Ricky Johnson branded six yellow cards to the Seasiders. They were indebted to their substitutes Andreas Antoniou – Garcia and Ross Nash who each scored for the visitors.

Sudbury Sports FC gained a good 5-1 win over visiting Gosfield United FC to move into fourth place as United dropped down to fifth, the Sudbury scorers were Jake Banyard, Shane Temple substitute Jack Palmer and two for Samuel Cooke.

Little Oakley FC ‘A’ gained crucial points over mid table Bures United FC winning 2-1 to climb a place above the bottom two sides Boxted Lodgers FC and Wormingford Wanderers FC. Josh Caudill and Tyler Sullivan got the important goals whilst Jordon Melia scored the visitor’s consolation.

Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves and visitors Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves played out a 1-1 draw at Ford Lane with George Barron equalising for ‘Pegasus’.

In Division Two, Tavern FC took closer order by beating leaders Hedinghams United FC on the road 1-0 moving into third place, eight points behind the leaders, but with two games in hand. Karl Clark hit, the all-important goal.

The performance of the day came from Haydn Taylor who netted five times for Cavendish FC that saw them beat Shrub End United FC on their travels 6-4. Luke Nicoll completed the demolition. For the home side Ryan Amass found the net twice plus goals from Alfie Alexander and Sam Blank.

In Division Three, the ’match of the day’ saw third place Oyster FC host leaders St Osyth FC. In an exciting match the leaders strengthened their position at the summit winning 3-2 with goals from Oscar Cowler, Kalon Harms and Ben O’Hara whilst Danny Clements struck two for the hosts.

The shock of the day came in Division Three that saw basement side Boxted Lodgers FC Reserves gain their first points of the season beating visiting Little Clacton FC 4-2. Vinny Flynn, Jonnie Miller got one each whilst Danny Griffiths struck twice.