ESBFL – Round –Up 19th December 2020. (JC)
Essex & Suffolk Round Up 19th December 2020.
The League program was once again hit with postponements due to COVID–19 restrictions, but due to some matches being re arranged on Friday, 24 games nevertheless went ahead. The League would like to take this opportunity to thank Clubs for their co-operation in these testing times.
Sudbury Sports FC were involved in a Premier mid-week game at Kings Marsh where they thrashed second placed Colne Athletic 7-2, this was a shock for the visitors who only days before beat Gas Recreation FC in the Essex Premier Cup.
The Academy side were well served with a hat trick from Joshua Ambrose and goals each from Samuel Cooke, Luke Hipkin, Jake Banyard and Curtis Harvey and move up to 7th in the table.
Back to Saturday, Colne Athletic FC again failed, losing at home to Stanway Pegasus 2-1, but retain second place. The “Colne” goal was scored by Quentin Daly but were reduced to 10 men when Jack Burch picked up a second yellow card, the victors moved up to third place two points behind “Colne”, with three games in hand.
Meanwhile the leaders, Gas Recreation FC were beating Dedham Old Boys FC at The Duchy Field 6-1 to open up a four-point lead at the summit. This was a typical response following their cup exit last week. Aston Firkins lead the way with a hat trick, his tenth of the season with further goals from Kyle Bergin, Ryan Taylor and Callum Rogers also recording his tenth goal to date.
There was more joy for Brantham Athletic FC Reserves whose improvement continued with a 5-2 hammering of West Bergholt FC at The Lorkin Daniel Playing Field to move to a comfortable 12th place.
Elsewhere in the Premier, Little Oakley FC Reserves were too strong for Lawford Lads FC winning 5-0 at the Memorial Ground and now occupy fifth position. The hosts would have been saddened by the recent loss of Club President, Tim Gooch, a larger than life character in every sense of the word.
In the First Division it’s very tight, as the top sides compete for promotion to the Premier. Leaders Belle Vue Social FC romped to a 5-0 away win at The Glebe over Mersea Island FC, whilst second placed Silver End United FC continue to impress with a narrow 1-0 success at home to Hedinghams United FC.
FC Clacton Reserves were also in fine form beating Shrub End United FC 7-1 away to move into third place one point behind the leaders. On target were two each from Cameron Dolphin and Luke Willis and one from Charlie Ellis–Hall, Andreas Antoniou–Garcia and Terrance Kangandu.
In the remaining game, Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves won at Ford Lane beating Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves 3-2.
In Division Two, Ricky Griggs was the star performer striking a hat trick for improving Brightlingsea Town FC who beat Great Bentley FC Reserves with the remaining goals from Phillip Bennett and Danny Hill, whilst second place Lawford Lads FC Reserves enjoyed a comprehensive 6-1 win at Harwich Rangers FC whose goal was scored by Ollie Cherrington.
Stanway Athletic FC were winners at home to Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves 3-1 with goals from Liam Tawse and Daniel Crane, whilst the match between Cavendish FC and Gas Recreation FC Reserves was abandoned due to ugly scenes that has no place in Border League football.
In Division Three, Thorpe Athletic FC continued at the top by virtue of a solitary goal that beat visiting Wormingford Wanderers FC, whilst second place Barnston AFC Reserves thrashed visiting Tiptree Heath FC Reserves 7-0.
Goals from Aidan Sansom and Taylor Turner gave University of Essex FC a 2-1 win over Ramsey & Mistley FC and Oyster FC Reserves picked up their first league win at Little Clacton FC with goals from Brandon Sage and a brace from James Reeve to record a 3-0 win.
It was also a good day for Colne Athletic FC Reserves who beat travelling Sporting Rebels FC 4-1.
In Division Four there was a big win for third placed Dovercourt Rovers FC winning 7-0, whilst Stillwaters Fc put six beyond FC Clacton “A” to move into a mid table position.
John Campany
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