ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 11th January 2020 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 11th January 2020.
There were plenty of cup ties played Saturday featuring the Border League competitions and County Cup matches.
There were no shocks in the 2nd round of the Knock – Out Cup with Premier sides progressing. However, it took penalties for struggling Tiptree Engaine FC to beat First Division, Mersea Island FC. The Islanders held their hosts to 2-2 before losing 6-5 in the shoot-out, their scorers were Lewis Ayton and Dan Gibbons in ordinary time.
Harwich Rangers FC can count themselves unfortunate having held Earls Colne FC at home to 2-2 after 90 minutes before the Premier side grabbed a 4-2 extra time victory. ‘Colne’s marksmen were Jack Charnock, Connor Randall and a brace from Kieran Adams.
‘Holders’ Gas Recreation FC faced a stern test against Division One promotion hopefuls Colne Athletic FC, but they eased through with goals from Luke Taylor and two from Eldon Craig whilst Daniel Homewood replied for the visitors.
Great Bentley FC, on their travels easily disposed of First Division Tiptree Jobserve FC 3-0 with Dale Brown getting two and one from Louis Olymbios, but Lawford Lads FC met stiff opposition from FC Clacton Reserves but prevailed 2-1 with Oliver Mann increasing his season’s goal tally to 22.
Elsewhere, Alresford Colne Rangers FC managed to overcome Second Division Shrub End United FC 2-0, whilst Dedham Old Boys FC narrowly beat First Division Tollesbury by the odd goal from three to make progress to the next round.
However, in the Suffolk Primary there was joy for Cavendish who beat Bacton 4-1 in the 4th Round with Thomas Grafen scoring a hat trick and the fourth from William Chaplin.
Sadly, in the same competition Brantham Athletic FC ‘A’ made there exit losing against Ipswich Exiles Youth 2-1.
In the Tommy Thompson Cup second round there were successes for Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves over Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves 5-4 and Tiptree Jobserve FC Reserves who overcame Tavern FC 2-1.
In the Premier Division, leaders Stanway Pegasus FC beat hosts White Notley FC to reinforce their championship credentials, whilst struggling ‘Notley’ remain anchored at the basement.
Flitch United FC consolidated their third place, five points behind the leaders, but have two games in hand with goals from James Oates and a brace from Mathew Wickham in the 3-1 defeat of Hatfield Peverel FC.
Second placed Tiptree Heath FC also kept the pressure on the leaders with a 3-1 win over visiting Barnston AFC courtesy of goals from Charlie Hayes, Callum Hunt and Ben Kensdale. They remain four points behind with a game in hand.
In the First Division, Cressing United FC took advantage of Colne Athletic FC being in cup action by beating there hosts Belle Vue Social 6-1 to leapfrog ‘Athletic’ and move to the top of the table. Their scorers were a brace from Daniel Miller, and one each from Thomas James, Samuel Ermetici, James King, Robert Olding and Luke Thorndyke.
Sudbury Sports FC ran riot Friday evening by overwhelming Little Oakley FC ‘A’ at the Mel Group Stadium 8-1 and are a real threat to the top two sides with games in hand as they push for promotion. Luke Hipkin and Shane Temple both hit the net twice, whilst Benjamin Adams, Jake Banyard, Kasey Brannan, and Owen Lennie completed the scoring.
Mid table, Bures United FC enjoyed a comfortable win at home to Boxted Lodgers FC who remain in a perilous position in the lower reaches. Addy Roy struck twice and Lloyd Finch hit the third.
Gosfield United FC beat Wormingford Wanderers FC 3-0 to remain in contention with goals from Dean Gilder and a brace from Jake Gilder.
Stanway Rovers FC Reserves moved into a more comfortable position in the table by beating Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves 3-2 with goals from Alejandro Seoane Barber, Max Sherlock and Christian Walsh.
In Division Two Hedinghams United FC lost their third match but remain top of the table. Rowhedge FC were the winners with goals from Jake Shave and Thomas Lepage to move away from the bottom two sides.
In Division Three St Osyth FC remain in control at the summit with a comfortable win over visiting Little Clacton FC 5-1 with goals from Kalon Harms, Ben Mann, Jack Panton and two from Ben O’Hara.
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