ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 08th February 2020 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 8th February 2020.
There were two significant Premier Division results that impacted at the top and bottom of the table.
Great Bentley FC maintained their progress with a ‘six-pointer’ victory on the Green that saw them leapfrog rivals Tiptree Heath FC who descended to third. The villagers are now a point ahead of the Tiptree side and have three games in hand and nine points behind leaders Stanway Pegasus FC having played four games less.
At the other end of the table White Notley FC’s mini revival continues where they surprisingly defeated West Bergholt FC down on Oak Farm 3-0, a vital win that sees them move out of the bottom position and draws others into a potential relegation ‘dog fight’. The home side virtually won the game inside 45 minutes with a strong performance netting all the goals.
In consequence, the other endangered sides include Brantham Athletic FC Reserves who are in the basement position, and with six matches to play look destined for the drop. They were beaten at the Leisure Centre by Tiptree Engaine FC, 3-0.
Meanwhile Earls Colne FC have slipped to 14th having been beaten on the Recreation Ground by visiting Hatfield Peverel FC 2-1 but have games in hand that will prove vital over closely placed rivals Barnston AFC and Dedham Old Boys FC.
Barnston AFC went down at Bromley Road as Gas Recreation FC recovered from their County Cup exit last week to win 3-1, whilst Dedham Old Boys FC were comprehensively dispatched by leaders Stanway Pegasus FC, 4-0 at Stanway School.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Alresford Colne Rangers FC had a solitary goal win at Ford Lane over Little Oakley FC Reserves, and Flitch United FC maintained their championship hopes with a 2-1 away win at School Lane, Lawford.
In the First Division table toppers Cressing United FC were given a rude awakening at home to fourth place Colne Athletic FC losing 4-1 with the chasing pack closing in on the promotion race.
Tiptree Jobserve FC, in second place are now a point behind the leaders with three games in hand and with only one league defeat look strong favourites to progress. They beat Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves 4-1 at Florence Park.
However, both ‘Colne’ and Sudbury Sports FC are vying for one of the promotion places and Gosfield United FC cannot be ruled out but need consistent results over the coming weeks having failed to get the better of FC Clacton Reserves in a 2-2 draw.
In Division Two, leaders Hedinghams United FC gained a narrow 2-1 win over Tollesbury FC, but there was a shock for second place Shrub End United FC who could only pick up a point at The Duchy Field in a 3-3 draw against Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, but remain in touch with the leaders four points behind with two games in hand.
Third placed, Tavern FC are the main threat to the top two having beaten Elmden Rovers FC 3-1 at Clacton Leisure Centre and with games in hand are well positioned to make a sustained challenge.
In Division Three, there was a major upset at High Easter Road where Barnston AFC Reserves beat champions elect St Osyth FC who suffered their third defeat 2-1 but remain in pole position over their closest rivals Oyster FC and Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves.
There were no problems for Oyster FC who travelled to Cavendish FC Sports Club and inflicted a 6-2 defeat, whilst Harwich made light work of visiting Stanway Athletic FC at the Royal Oak to move smoothly into third in the table.
Finally, congratulations to Sudbury Sports FC who, under the lights at the Mel Group Stadium on Friday evening beat Sporting 87, 4-1 to reach the Semi Final of the Suffolk Junior Cup.
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