MAY 2023 – Season Summary

ESBFL – Season Summary – 2022 / 2023:

For this season, there had been six new applicant Clubs, Assington Stanley FC., Boxford Rovers FC., Brooklands FC., Holland FC Reserves., Oyster FC and Tendring District FC as well as Gas Recreation FC “A”., Kelvedon Socials FC “A”., Roman Rovers FC Reserves and White Notley FC Reserves. With the addition of these Clubs, the number of Member Clubs became fifty-six and the number of competing teams became eighty-two across six divisions. The Premier Division is a “Step 7”, National Feeder League System, competition, to where, Stanway Pegasus FC, as Premier Division, Champions were to the Thurlow Nunn, Division One South, finishing a commendable fifth, but losing out in the “play-offs”.

AV Lee Memorial Trophy:

The usual season opener, the AV Lee Memorial Trophy, played back in August 2022, is normally played between the Premier Division, Champions and Knock-Out Cup, winners, however, with Stanway Pegasus FC winning both the respective Runners-Up, West Bergholt FC and Tiptree Heath FC played for the trophy with Tiptree Heath FC winning by two goals to one.

Premier Division:

The season should have started with eighteen teams, sadly Gas Recreation FC (First), pulled out before a match was played leaving the Division with seventeen teams. Then at short notice, Little Oakley FC Reserves exchanged places with Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves from Division One, with Stanway Rovers FC U23’s and Belle Vue Social FC being promoted from Division One. Throughout the season, five teams have led the way, Dunmow Town FC, with one defeat, triumphed, but it was their last match against Tiptree Heath FC that secured the title with “The Heath” finishing a commendable second, both teams scoring over one hundred goals. Earls Colne FC finished third, just ahead of Brantham Athletic FC Reserves and Colne Athletic FC who can still move up a place. At the bottom end, three teams have struggled this season Lawford Lads FC, Harwich & Parkeston FC Reserves and last season’s runners-up, West Bergholt FC. The divisions leading goal-scorer was Stuart Zanone, of Dunmow Town FC, who has scored sixty goals from thirty-five games.

Division One:

Division Two started with fourteen teams but through the season, Little Oakley FC Reserves, Kelvedon Social FC (First), then West Bergholt FC Reserves withdrew and since then Gosfield United FC have given notice not to return next season. This is a very competitive Division to get out of, but Champions are Silver End United FC who had to play match “catch-up” to overhaul recently promoted Brightlingsea Town FC. These two teams dominated the division with Thorpe Athletic FC and Tiptree Jobserve FC in third and fourth places respectively. At the bottom Holland FC Reserves experienced a torrid time having dropped down from the Thurlow Nunn, Reserve Section, less travelling perhaps but better competition! The divisions leading goal-scorer was Dan Gage, of Silver End United FC, with twenty-nine goals from twenty-three games.

Division Two:

Previously promoted, Dovercourt Rovers FC, were crowned Champions last Saturday, this with two games to play, the Runners-Up position was only confirmed on Wednesday evening when Mersea Island FC beat Dovercourt Rovers FC, leaving third still place to be decided as Tavern FC have to play White Notley FC Reserves and fourth placed Boxted Lodgers FC have to play St Osyth FC. Tollesbury FC and Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves prop up the division and this division saw the withdrawal of Rowhedge FC, another uneven division that meant a team stands idle each week. The divisions leading goal-scorer was Chris Johnson, of Dovercourt Rovers FC with twenty-eight goals from twenty-four games.

Division Three:

Another uneven division, teams wise, caused by the withdrawal of Gosfield United FC Reserves after the New Year, but this Division has also been very competitive, Gas Recreation FC (First) were Champions with three matches to play, the table shows they don’t score many goals, but their goal difference is the best in the division. Bradfield Rovers FC, who had been in the top two all season missed out at the death with Frinton & Walton FC getting the points they needed. At the bottom end Great Bradfords FC are several points adrift of Sporting Rebels FC and Brantham Athletic FC “A”. The divisions leading goal-scorer was Brooklyn Maiden, of Gas Recreation FC with thirty-one goals from twenty-six games.

Division Four:

Last season, Division Five was dominated by Roman Rovers FC and High Roding FC, both were promoted to Division Four, and once again their strength and organisation has seen them finish in reversed positions, High Roding FC finishing top with one draw and no defeats, the only Team to boast that accolade, scoring one hundred and fifteen goals, second only to Premier Division, Dunmow Town FC! Hedinghams United FC Reserves end the season in bottom place, and they also now have the distinction of conceding the most goals, twenty-two, in a game. This division saw Great Bradfords FC Reserves withdraw and be replaced by Tendring District FC before the season started. The leading goal-scorer was Josh Burgess, of High Roding FC with forty-one goals from twenty-four games, closely followed by Konnor Oughton, of Roman Rovers FC who scored forty goals from twenty-three games.

Division Five:

What should have been Gas Recreation FC “A” resulted in them becoming the “Reserve Team”, a combination of experience and youth, saw them win the division, by six points, hitting one hundred and five goals in the process. New entrant Club, Boxford Rovers FC, inflicted the one and only league defeat to “The Gas” to finish a commendable second, overtaking reformed Oyster FC in their last match. Tollesbury FC Reserves had withdrawn mid-season so the whipping boys in this division were gallant Ramsey & Mistley FC Reserves, they conceded one hundred and forty-three goals, their three points coming by default as their opposition had played an ineligible player! The leading goal-scorer was Will Egglestone with fifty-four goals from twenty-one games, four more had been chalked off when Tollesbury FC Reserves withdrew.

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Reserve Knock-Out Cup:

Division Five Champions, Gas Recreation FC Reserves triumphed over Division Three opponents, Great Bentley FC Reserves, by three goals to one, in a match played at Little Oakley FC.

Tommy Thompson Cup:

Division Two Champions, Dovercourt Rovers FC won an extremely entertaining final against, Division Three Champions, Gas Recreation FC, by three goals to two, in a match played at Harwich & Parkeston FC

COVID Cup Final:

In another entertaining match, played at Brantham Athletic FC, this time Gas Recreation FC, First overcame spirited opposition, Division Four Champions, High Roding FC, albeit 5-4 on penalties, with the scores level at one apiece, at normal full-time.

Knock-Out Cup Final:

Finally, Dunmow Town FC crowned their excellent season by beating Colne Athletic FC by three goals to nil and became another team who have completed the sought after “double” and just like last year’s double winners, Stanway Pegasus FC, they have been rewarded with promotion to the Thurlow Nunn, Division One South, we wish them well.

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On behalf of the ESBFL Management Committee we congratulate all teams who have won promotion or a Cup, whilst commiserating with any teams that has been relegated or withdrawn, let’s hope you all enjoy the summer recess, late coming as it is and be prepared for an August Kick-Off.

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The ESBFL “Annual General Meeting” will be held on Thursday 8^th June 2023, 19:30pm at Stanway Rovers FC, this is a “mandatory attendance” for Member Clubs and New Club Applicants.