ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 15th February 2020 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round Up 15th February 2020.
The Clubs, Players and Referees were the heroes on Saturday in the light of Storm Dennis with only three matches postponed out of the scheduled twenty-seven, whilst at least one other neighbouring league took the easy option of postponing their entire program. Other leagues had truncated programs.
In consequence there were winners and losers.
In the Premier Division Stanway Pegasus FC march on with a narrow 3-2 win over visiting Hatfield Peverel FC that virtually ends “Peverel’s” chances of a top three place.
Meanwhile Great Bentley FC had a hard earned 2-1 victory at Little Oakley FC Reserves with Christopher Bowles and Jake Vaughan securing the important points as Jack Murray’s side strengthened their second spot seven points behind the leader, but with four games in hand. This was their fifth successive league win.
The losers on the day were third place Tiptree Heath FC who dropped two points in the 3-3 draw at neighbours Tiptree Engaine FC. They are now five points adrift of Great Bentley FC and have played three games more.
Current champions Gas Recreation FC have it all to do to retain the title and have games in hand of teams above them, but crucially remain ten points behind the second placed side having played a game less. Their 3-0 win at Bromley Road against probably doomed Brantham Athletic FC Reserves was gained courtesy of goals from Aston Firkins, Luke Taylor and Shane Goodyear.
One of the most significant results in the Premier Division saw White Notley FC climb out of the bottom two places with a crushing 4-1 win over Barnston AFC who now occupy the 15th spot with only Brantham Athletic FC Reserves below them.
Whilst it is tight in the relegation zone it has been a commendable effort by White Notley FC that has seen them take 10 points from their last four matches, and now look relatively comfortably placed.
Last season both Brantham Athletic FC Reserves and Barnston AFC finished in the bottom two places, but survived the drop, due to reorganising of the league, but their present plight looks extremely ominous with the First Division beckoning, and no such reprieve likely to be in the offering this time round.
Earls Colne FC’s match was one of the three league postponements, but Chairman Robin Bragg will be breathing easier in the knowledge that although third from bottom they have sufficient games in hand to keep a safe distance from the bottom two.
The winners in the First Division were four of the top five whilst perhaps Cressing United FC would perhaps have preferred to have been sidelined losing at Mersea Island FC 2-1.
Those who took advantage were Tiptree Jobserve FC who beat Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves 2-0 to maintain top spot, and second place Colne Athletic FC who cruised past Little Oakley FC “A” 5-2, who are two points behind the leaders having played a game more.
The ‘dark horses’ remain Sudbury Sports FC who had a fine win at The Austin Arena beating FC Clacton Reserves 3-0 and are four points behind the leaders with two games in hand.
The outside bet is Gosfield United FC who remain in fifth following a 2-1 win at home to West Bergholt FC Reserves, but will need a consistent run-in to pressurise the top four.
In the Second Division, Hedinghams United FC were in cup action beating Barnston AFC Reserves in the Tommy Thompson Cup but remain in pole position. Shrub End United FC and Tavern FC both second and third respectively met at the Boadicea Way Sports Ground where the hosts were held in a 2-2 draw. It is increasingly a battle between the top three for the promotion places.
In Division Three the top two maintained their relentless pursuit of promotion. Leaders St Osyth FC beat visiting Kelvedon Social FC 4-0 and hold a six point lead over second place Oyster FC who seemingly made hard work at Bradfield Rovers FC winning 2-0.
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