ESBFL – Weekly Round-Up for 16th February 2019. – John Campany
Essex & Suffolk Border League Round – Up 16th February 2019.
The race for the Premier Division Championship shows no sign of abating as Gas Recreation and Tiptree Heath challenge for the title, but with Alresford Colne Rangers still in close contention.
At Bromley Road ‘Gas’ stormed to there 16th win over White Notley to lead on goal difference. They blitzed the visitors in the first half with four goals and comfortably took the points with a 5- 2 win. Goal difference could well be a telling factor in the weeks ahead and at present the leaders hold a 13 goal cushion.
The home scorers were Ryan Taylor with two and one each from Aston Firkins, Harry Hewes and Gerry Machin, whilst Robert King replied with a brace.
Tiptree Heath consolidated second spot with a crucial victory at Tolleshunt Knights against third place West Bergholt whose title challenge now looks over for another season. Charlie Green and Cameron Ward were on target and the dependable Lee Townrow replied for the visitors.
Alresford Colne Rangers could be ‘dark horses’ in fourth place following a tight game at Ford Lane. The 2-1 victory over Great Bentley was hard fought, but they will now need to put consecutive wins together to put pressure on the joint leaders. The home marksmen were Ryan Lewis and Robert Wightman whilst Lee Barrett replied, and the visitors were reduced to 10 men with the departure of Gareth Evans – straight red card.
At the War Memorial Little Oakley Reserves crushed Hedinghams United 5-0 and are now comfortably placed 3rd from bottom, but with games in hand can dispel thoughts of losing their senior status. It was 1-0 at the interval, but they stormed clear in the second half. Their goals came from Mark Palmer, Ross Brazitis, Gary Stanford and a brace from Christopher Stratton.
Earls Colne earned a vital win at Wormingford Wanderers 4-2, but are precariously placed with teams around them having games in hand that could see them fall into the bottom two. The home scorers were Liam Close and substitute Elliot Lamb and the vital goals for the visitors came from Callum Carter, Cameron Easter, Connor Randall and Ricky Loveridge.
Brantham Athletic Reserves, already consigned to the basement place were beaten at the Leisure Centre 4-1 by visiting 5th placed Hatfield Peverel whose goals were scored by Lawrence Hale, James Irvine and a pair from Joe Older. Brantham’s solitary goal came from Jonathan Lee.
Mid table Lawford Lads shared four goals with Kelvedon Social at School Lane in an evenly contested match. Danny Garrard and Oliver Mann were on the mark for the Lads whilst the visitor’s response came from Lewis Adams and Martin Young.
Elsewhere, Dedham Old Boys cruised past lowly Barnston who are struggling for survival 4-0 to retain 6th spot. On target were Phil Mason, Tristan Moseley, Shane Pike and John Vitelli.
In the First Division it’s all change at the top as Flitch United leapfrogged Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves who were inactive. The new leaders comprehensively beat Belle Vue Social 6-0 at Allcotts Playing Field and look favourites for promotion. Their goals came from Jordon Marsh, Daniel O’Brien, Shane Payne, an own goal and two from Mathew Wickham.
However, Tiptree Engaine are only four points adrift in third following the demolition of luckless Brantham Athletic ‘A’ 13-0. It was a great day for Callum Rogers who bagged seven goals, whilst Shane Goodyear helped himself to a hat trick. The remaining goals came from Aaron Collier, Ben Reynolds and Harry Runicles.
A Luke Rogers hat trick for visiting Colne Athletic was good enough to beat Boxted Lodgers at Cage Lane with Conor Howard replying.
In the mid table affair at Tiptree Jobserve, Bures United came away with the points with a 3-1 victory with goals from Adam Dolling, Courtney Prince and Samuel Fairless. The host’s scorer was substitute Nelson Taylor.
Cressing United consolidated there fifth position easing past West Bergholt Reserves 6-1. Luke Bearman was man of the match bagging four goals whilst James King and Sam White completed the scoring for the visitors, for whom the host’s scorer was Gavin Hannah.
In the second division the clash between third and fourth saw FC Clacton beat third place Tollesbury 5-2 with both sides now on 40 points each. The home side’s scorers saw braces from both Luke Barnard and Lyndon Bramhall with the visitors Sam Hume and Mathew Smith responding. Both sides trail Long Melford Reserves, who were inactive by four points, but each has played two games more.
Lawford Lads Reserves in need of points were comprehensively beaten by mid table visitors Harwich Rangers whose marksmen were Azeez Salilu, Dean Whiten and a brace from Leroy Eade.
Rowhedge were beaten at home 3-2 by visiting Hatfield Peverel Reserves who saw Tom White grab a couple and Aaron Hosford added the third. Simon Ashurst and Josh Andrill replied.
In a Friday evening match at Thurstable Sports Centre Dedham Old Boys Reserves strengthened their second position in the table with a solitary goal from Ryan Lee against Tiptree Engaine Reserves.
In the third division Elmden Rovers moved into fifth place beating hosts Tavern 4-2 with goals from Jake Chandler and a Ben Justice hat trick. For the home side Karl Clark had an eventful afternoon hitting two goals and receiving two yellow cards.
Harwich & Parkeston Reserves made the trip to Barnston and returned to The Royal Oak with a 2-1 win with goals from Robert Good and Konnor Oughton. Alex James scored the hosts reply.
Hedinghams United Reserves and Tiptree Heath Reserves fought out a 1-1 draw. Joe Hart scored for the visitors whilst Jordan Logan came off the bench to equalise.
On Mersea Island, Oyster were beaten by Tiptree ‘A’ 2-1. Jack Scholes got the home goal, but the visitors took the points through Carl Driver and Gordon Wilson.
In the League Knock – Out Cup second division Stanway Pegasus beat third division leaders Gosfield United 3- 1 whose goal was scored by Andrew Turner, who also had Luke Ellis dismissed.
John Campany.
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