ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 18th January 2020 by John Campany

Essex & Suffolk Border league Round – Up 18^th January 2020.

It’s time to focus on the First Division title race, arguably the most competitive, and at this stage of proceedings a difficult one to call.

Leaders Cressing United FC have featured for much of the season thus far, but the 2-1 defeat at Tiptree Jobserve FC may cost them in the long term as the chasing clubs take closer order.

There is a strong case for advancing the credentials of Sudbury Sports FC who moved into second spot following there 8-0 crushing defeat of West Bergholt FC Reserves. The young fine-tuned Sudbury side look likely favourites to progress to the Premier Division by the time April arrives. One defeat in 14 games and a goal difference of 62 make them very strong candidates.

Gosfield United FC promoted last season have kept up the pace and the 3-0 win at Little Oakley FC “A” sustained their interest and are currently third on level points with second place Sudbury but have played two games more.

The remaining challenges are likely to come from Tiptree Jobserve FC who like Sudbury have been beaten just the once and Colne Athletic FC who were idle on Saturday.

The top five teams have a meagre four points separating them and with FC Clacton Reserves as live outsiders it promises to be a close-run promotion race.

In Division Two, Hedinghams United FC got their title aspirations back on track following two successive defeats and have a healthy five-point lead over second place Shrub End United FC. The leader’s goal difference is worth at least another point and the race could also include third place Tavern FC who with games in hand look a lively outsider for a promotion place.

The Third Division is similar to the First Division in that five teams are handily placed to push on. St Osyth FC crucially beat Stanway Athletic FC 2-1 and have an eight-point lead at the top albeit they have played a couple of games more than there chasing rivals. They are in decent form having won three consecutive league matches and there win over ‘Athletic’ avenged the League Knock Out Cup defeat sustained over the Christmas period.

Second place Lawford Lads FC Reserves are eight points behind, but have two games in hand, whilst third place Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves have been on a goal spree netting 36 goals in their last six matches and have made steady progress.

Oyster FC in fourth place remain in contention without playing Saturday, whilst Barnston AFC Reserves with games in hand could make a real challenge and will be pleased to have progressed in the Tommy Thompson Cup Saturday beating Great Bentley FC Reserves. 3-2.

Also, in the Tommy Thompson Cup there were wins for Harwich Rangers FC and Shrub End United FC.

In the Reserve Knock Out Cup there were successes for Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves and a strong performance from Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves to progress to the next round.

In the Premier it was a fifth straight win for Stanway Pegasus FC beating Barnston AFC 3-1 to increase their lead by seven points over second place Tiptree Heath FC and a further point ahead of Flitch United FC both of which did not play Saturday.

A ’live’ outsider to press for the title could be fourth placed Great Bentley FC who has twelve points to make up but, have five games in hand. 

Champions Gas Recreation FC has paid for their inconsistencies, despite beating Little Oakley FC Reserves 3-1, fifteen points in arrears with five games in hand of Stanway Pegasus FC seems perhaps an unrealistic chase.

A decent win for Brantham Athletic FC reserves who overcame local rivals Dedham Old Boys FC 2-1, with goals from Mott and Gunn, a win that moves them up one place and leaves Dedham looking over their shoulders with just nine games to play.