ESBFL – Round Up to Saturday 29th February 2020 by John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 29th February 2020.
Saturday’s program was severely decimated following the significant rainfall Friday. In fact, of the 22 scheduled domestic league and cup matches only six were played, plus the Essex Junior Cup semi final tie between Collier Row and FC Clacton Reserves.
Unfortunately following a fine run in the County Cup, the Clacton side made there exit following a 3-1 defeat against the Essex Olympian division three side. It was a gallant effort, but a final appearance was not to be. Samuel Thompson scored for the South Essex side.
There was only one Premier game to survive and that saw West Bergholt FC gain the points in 4-2 win at the Plume Academy against Tiptree Heath FC.
Tiptree Heath FC have faltered of late, but remain in third position in the table, 15 points behind leaders Stanway Pegasus FC whilst West Bergholt FC are comfortably in mid table. Benjamin Turner claimed his 20th goal of the season, whilst Ryan Knill – Jones struck the second for the home side. West Bergholt’s marksmen were a brace from Liam Close and one each from Sam Cripps and Perry Newman.
In Division One, Sudbury Sports FC rose to the summit to strengthen there push for a second promotion with an emphatic success at Nayland Road Sports Ground. beating Bures United FC, 5-2.
It’s been a successful season for the Suffolk Club having reached the Semi Final of the Suffolk Junior Cup where they travel to Halesworth Town FC on the 21st March bidding for another final place having won the County Primary Cup last season.
Their Division One record shows that they are one point clear of Colne Athletic FC having played two games less and have scored 90 goals in the process.
On Saturday, Shane Temple added two more goals to his tally of 24 whilst Joshua Ambrose grabbed a brace with Luke Hipkin netting the fifth. Out of the total number of goals scored, the marksmen at Bures have currently netted 53 goals between them.
Boxted Lodgers FC put a dent in Cressing United FC’s promotion aspirations with a slender 3-2 win at Cage Lane with goals from the Division’s top scorer Paul Goddard and one each from Thomas Donnellan and Keith Hammond.
Cressing United FC are now in fourth place four points behind the leaders but have played four games more and have too much ground to make up.
Gosfield United FC’s hopes of a further promotion now look unlikely following their 2-0 defeat at Stanway School against Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves who are providing excellent back – up support for their senior side’s push for the premier division title. Max Booth and Darren Bethell scored the goals.
There were no fixtures played in Division Two, but two matches took place in Division Three.
Although in top spot, St Osyth FC faltered at the Philip Morant School where Stanway Athletic FC beat the leaders 2-0 whose Patrick Dixon scored the goals. Whilst St Osyth FC have a six-point lead from second place Oyster FC they have crucially played three games more. Lawford Lads FC Reserves and Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves trail the leaders by eleven and twelve points respectively, but each has four games in hand that will ensure an exciting run – in during the weeks ahead.
Next Saturday’s key senior matches will see Stanway Pegasus FC look to strengthen their title credentials with a home match against struggling Tiptree Engaine FC where they should take three points. Meanwhile the ‘dark horses’ Great Bentley FC will be at School Lane to meet the challenge of Lawford Lads FC where a win for the second placed side will be crucial.
In the Knock – Out Cup, Earls Colne FC seeking a final place, have a tough assignment against the holders Gas Recreation FC at Bromley Road where ‘Gas’ will be firm favourites to progress.
John Campany.
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