ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 22nd February 2020 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round Up 22nd February 2020.
There were three quarter-final ties of the League Knock – Out Cup played Saturday involving Premier sides.
The holders Gas Recreation FC faced a tricky tie at Great Bentley FC and in a titanic struggle won 3-2 through goals from Eldon Craig, Aston Firkins and Shane Goodyear with the home side’s goals from Jake Vaughan and Dale Brown.
In another Premier clash Tiptree Engaine FC were well beaten by visiting Earls Colne FC, who won 3-0 with goals from Jack Charnock, Jamie Hudson and Connor Randall.
At School Lane, Lawford Lads FC progressed by beating Alresford Colne Rangers FC 2-0 thanks to goal scorers Oliver Mann and Jack Wood.
The outstanding tie will be played on the 14th March where Dedham Old Boys FC will entertain First Division, Bures United FC.
The Semi-Final Ties will be Gas Recreation FC at home to Earls Colne FC, and the winners of Dedham Old Boys FC and Bures United FC will entertain Lawford Lads FC.
In the Premier Division there were some crucial matches, including a 2-1 win for leaders Stanway Pegasus FC who defeated West Bergholt FC 2-1 to go 10 points clear of second placed Great Bentley FC having played five games more. It may well be argued that points in the bag will be a great advantage as others play catch up, but it might be foolish to discount ‘Bentley’!
There were also crucial games affecting the bottom of the table.
Barnston AFC earned a vital point at home to Flitch United FC, but in reality, the three points would have been more desirable as they fight for survival. Barnston AFC trailed at half-time but levelled in the second half. Flitch scorers were Shane Pyne and Billy Sykes.
Mid table Dedham Old Boys FC comfortably beat visiting Little Oakley FC Reserves 2-0, but it was White Notley FC who had an emphatic win to almost ensure their senior status for another season as their great revival continued.
The 5-0 victory at Oak Farm over bottom side Brantham Athletic FC Reserves was their 4th victory from there last five outings which virtually condemns ‘Athletic’ barring a miracle, to relegation. White Notley FC’s scorers were Peter Falco, Josh Goodey, Ryan Farley-Hearn and a brace from Callum Knightbridge.
In the First Division, Colne Athletic FC moved to pole position following a 2-0 win at home to FC Clacton Reserves and lead on goal difference from Tiptree Jobserve FC who were held by fifth place Gosfield United FC in a 2-2 draw.
The ’Dark Horses’ for the title are Sudbury Sports FC who beat Stanway Rovers FC Reserves at The Hawthorns’ 3-1 with goals from Jake Banyard, and Shane Temple both of whom have scored 22 times to date, and Luke Hipkin. Sudbury are in third position, two points off the leaders with three games in hand.
In Division Two, leaders Hedinghams United FC picked up a useful point away to third place Tavern FC, in a goal less draw, and are a point clear of Shrub End United FC in second place who beat Wormingford Wanderers FC Reserves 4-0. The two promotion places look between the top three sides.
In Division Three, Oyster FC took advantage of leaders St. Osyth FC’s inactivity by closing the gap in second place to six points with two games in hand in the race for the third Division title. Danny Clements scored each side of half time against a resilient Bradfield Rovers FC side.
Third place, Lawford Lads FC Reserves won at Hedinghams United FC Reserves 4-1 and now trail the leaders by 11 points with three games in hand. Their scorers were Ben Upton, Daniel Edwards and two from James Reid.
In the League Reserve Knock-Out Cup, Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves reached the semi-final stage beating Brantham Athletic FC “A” 4-0.
John Campany.
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