10/08/2024 – Weekly Round-Up

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE            2024 / 2025

WEEKLY ROUND UP       @       10/08/2024.

The ESBFL got their new season underway in mid-week with Thorpe Athletic FC (3) beating Tiptree Heath FC (1) in the AV Lee Memorial Trophy.

The League has dropped one division this season but still has fifty-one Clubs and seventy-three teams across five divisions, East Thurrock Community FC, Harwich & Parkeston FC “A” and Tendring Borough FC are newcomers, whilst Cressing United FC, Earls Colne FC, Elmstead Market FC, Stillwaters FC and West Bergholt FC have all entered Reserve teams into the competition, we wish them all well.

Judging by the teams posted on FA Full-Time, there are a number of managerial changes at some Clubs and likewise players have moved around, wasn’t going to mention the loyalty word but it’s a fact, new manager comes in with new players, manager leaves, players leave, fact!

On Saturday the Premier Division had seven matches, there were victories for Alresford Colne Rangers over East Thurrock Community, Barnston over Belle Vue, Cressing United over Kings Park Rangers, Sudbury Sports (despite having a player dismissed after just five minutes) over Hatfield Peverel, Thorpe Athletic over Stanway Pegasus Reserves and White Notley over Tiptree Heath, whilst Dedham Old Boys and Earls Colne drew, a few surprise results perhaps but it is too early for predictions as holidays, injuries and suspensions from last season will have been felt by some!

Division One saw six matches played Gosfield, (three for Matthews), Cornard United Reserves, (three for Lewis on losing side, Boxted Lodgers), Tiptree Jobserve, Lawford Lads with Dovercourt Rovers being top scorers with eight on the day with Gas Recreation drawing with Great Bentley.

There were five matches in Division Two , Great Bradfords and Stillwaters won at home, Prettygate and Assington Stanley won on their travels whilst the Rodings Reserves dropped two points when Roman Rovers equalised with a nailed-on, last-minute penalty.

One match was played in Division Four, West Bergholt Reserves drawing with Brooklands.