ESBFL – Round –Up 31st October 2020. (JC)
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round Up 31st October 2020.
Pointless Barnston AFC produced the shock of the day on Saturday in the Premier Division. Beaten in their first six games of the season they travelled to Colchester to meet leaders Gas Recreation FC. Trailing 2- 0 they sensationally fought back to win 3-2 in front of the Bromley Road faithful! The host’s scorers were Luke Edwards and Harry Hewes, whilst Manager, Dean West received the displeasure of referee Philip Molloy and was red carded. The visitor’s marksmen were Kieron Southgate and Hamdan Ashimi-Abdulrasheed.
As far as shocks go, this was significant, not only for the victors, but also the chasing pack, who would have spent Saturday evening rejoicing.
Whilst Barnston AFC still remain bottom of the table, Colne Athletic FC, West Bergholt FC and Stanway Pegasus FC all capitalised on Barnston’s success and Gas demise with crucial victories, that potentially blows the title race wide open, (should COVID-19 permit)!
There was no such slip up from second place Colne Athletic FC who beat struggling Brantham Athletic FC Reserves 4-1, whilst third positioned West Bergholt FC saw off winless Flitch United FC 5-2 aided by a hat trick from Jamie Shaw, Darren Bethell and Liam Springett.
Fourth place Stanway Pegasus FC were at Earls Colne FC and came away with their sixth league win 3-1 to maintain the pressure on their immediate rivals. ‘Colne’s’ scorer was Connor Randall.
Little Oakley FC Reserves inflicted a big defeat on Alresford Colne Rangers FC at Ford Lane 6-1. The visiting scorers were Thomas Cunningham, Robert Pratt, Sam Sims and Harry Windred.
Elsewhere, White Notley FC beat visiting Felixstowe & Walton United FC Reserves 5-1 with goals from Rory Bone, Kane Dobrowolski, Peter Falco, Derrick Leftly and Ryan Scofield. The visitors replied through Daniel Norman whilst referee Anthony Phillips dismissed both Ekow Owusu-Boakye and Caleb Palmer each picking up two yellow cards.
In the second round of the Suffolk Senior Cup, Sudbury Sports FC were beaten by Benhall St. Mary at The Kings Marsh Stadium on Friday evening, by the only goal of the game.
In Division One, Silver End United FC moved into second place with a 5-0 win against Holland FC “A” with goals from Ted Hollocks (2), Dan Gage, Adam Hewitt and Connor Holland.
FC Clacton Reserves are in fourth position following a ten-goal thriller at The Austin Arena. They beat Mersea Island FC 6-4 with Andreas Antoniou-Garcia grabbing a hat trick supported by goals from Sean Hillier, Cameron Dolphin and Harry Whitehead.
In Division Two, Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves continued their winning ways with a comprehensive 7-3 win at Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves at The Duchy Field to lead the table by seven points albeit played more games than there rivals.
Cavendish FC are in second place with three games in hand beating Brightlingsea Town FC 4-3 but spare a thought for Ricky Griggs who hit three for “Town”.
Lawford Lads FC Reserves are in third place following a feisty encounter against Oyster FC at The Glebe. The “Lads” won 7-2 with four goals from Daniel Edwards a brace from Harrison Robinson and Jamie Reid getting the seventh. Oyster FC scorers were Thomas Birch and Alex Harrington. Referee Simon Lyons showed red cards to Oyster’s Jack Scholes and Lawford’s Lloyd Gooding.
In Division Three, University of Essex FC, returning to active sport after an enforced four-week lockdown, were far too strong for Flitch United FC Reserves winning 11-2 as due to COVID-19 this was only the third match that the University have played maintaining there 100% record.
The leaders Thorpe Athletic FC were beaten for the first time, hosting Felsted Rovers AFC at Kirby Playing Field by courtesy of two goals from Jake Buckland. Rovers are now a point behind the leaders with a game in hand. Also making good progress is Sporting Rebels FC whose 5-1 win over Hedinghams United FC Reserves ensures third spot.
In Division Four there seems no stopping leaders Frinton & Walton FC who breezed past Kelvedon Social FC “A” 5-0 with goals from Patrick Dixon, Georg Giltinane, Ryan Harrington and Benjamin Dixon. It’s eight from eight with an impressive goal difference of 57.
John Campany.
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