Written by Scott W [@ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Essex Olympian League action, covering all the midweek games and the action on Saturday 18 May. This is the penultimate column on the EOFL of another season, thank you for reading. Cover Image by Rob Lilley, used with thanks.
Midweek action
We begin with the midweek action covering Two Cup Finals. Firstly on Tuesday night, Prem runners-up Old Southendian had to really battle back from a tricky start to claim the EOFL Senior League Cup after an Extra Time 5 – 3 victory over D1 side Wakering Sports at Scraley Road. Nathan Elgie struck twice for OS, alongside strikes for Mitchell Ali, Matt Tonking & Jack Mead to overhaul strikes by Ciaran Sweeney, Connor Fardyga and Jack Woodham for Sports. This match does show that if Wakering do get promoted, they will be one to watch in top-tier next term. Congratulations do go to the ‘Old Boys’ though, they have enjoyed an excellent season under boss Altar Ali & his coaching team. The second Cup Final was the Essex Premier Cup Final on Wednesday night, where Rayleigh Town made it a League & Cup double with a 3 – 1 win over Border League side Brightlingsea Town. Arnold Acheampong scored twice for Rob Hodgson’s side, with Owen Barratt also on target. Congratulations to Rayleigh, taking a Cup is some way to leave Intermediate football. There was also one league match on Tuesday, in Division Two. Basildon Town Res continued their late title push with a 3 – 1 win at Rayleigh Town Res at London Road. Mitchell Allen scored for the hosts, but strikes from Grant Cumming, Joe Barrett and substitute Freddie Barrett confirmed the win for Bas
Onto Wednesday’s league action now and in Division One, there was a rare match held at Billericay’s New Lodge 3G, which saw ACD Utd utterly overwhelm Shoebury Town 12 – 0 to keep Jack Munns’ side right in the promotion race. Substitute Matthew Taylor led the way with four goals himself, with Shaun Goddard netting a treble and Ronnie Hobbrough a double. Ollie Williams & Alex Noble rounded out the scorers on a memorable night for the Ingatestone-based side. In the same division, Corinthians defeated Galleywood 2 – 1 at Stambridge, thanks to goals from Max Jones & Riley Weir. Mitchell Prue responded for the visitors but they could not rally further and avoid defeat. Hashtag Utd Development also maintained their position with a 7 – 1 success at home to May & Baker A at Barleylands. Matthew Gauci led his side here with a fine treble, with replacement Harry Bradbrook netting twice and Kai Warren & Samuel Pratt also scored. Herongate Athletic also fired seven goals with a 7 – 1 victory at Harold Wood Athletic Res. Talor Gibson scored for Wood but doubles for Danny Cook & Alfie Banks for Herongate were added to by Jamie King & substitutes Paul Morris & Liam Barry to secure a fine win. There was also one Wednesday match in Division Four, as Toby Res defeated Harold Hill Res 2 – 1. Bradley Morgan netted both goals for Toby, with Finley Livingstone on target for Hill in that one.
Weekend Action – EOFL Premier Division & Division One
In the final Premier Division of the term, Catholic Utd fielded several players from their successful Reserve side as they defeated Harold Wood Athletic 3 – 1 at Len Forge 3G. Billy Reed netted for Wood, but Michael Clark, Lucas Polyblank & Harrison Phillips all scored for Utd as they passed 50 points and finish a decent fourth place. My Non-League colleague Pete Dudley was there & here is his report: https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2024/05/catholic-united-3-harold-wood-athletic.html
It was another key day in Division One, with Herongate Athletic ending their season with a superb 3 – 2 victory over leaders Wakering Sports at Billericay Road. Danny Cook, Alfie Banks & Reece Ward all netted for Ath as they look for further progression next term. Alex Jenkins & a Connor Fardyga spot-kick was not enough to prevent defeat for Sports – who now have to win both of their remaining matches to be assured of the title. Hashtag Utd Development should secure third place now after a 6 – 1 victory over Corinthians. Kai Warren passed 20 league goals here with a fine hat-trick, with Samuel Pratt, Thomas Matthew & substitute Harry Bradbrook also scored to render Max Jones’ goal for the visitors a consolation. Harold Hill were held 1 – 1 by Manford Way at Henderson’s, with Jack Suters on target for Hill and Aiden O’Connell levelling the match for Manford, who are seventh. Hill are fifth. Finally in this division, May & Baker A won 4 – 2 at bottom side Shoebury Town to gain ground on Galleywood just above them. Iqbary Mtambo and player-boss Garry Johnson got the goals for Shoebury as they now look to the future, most likely to be in Division Two.
Cup Action
There were one more Cup Final this week, this time it was the Anagram Records Trophy Final. Shenfield AFC continued their happy record of success in Cup competitions with a 4 – 2 victory (after extra time) over Trophy holders Belstone. Ben Absolon & substitute both scored a double to secure another good day in their history. Congratulations to them.
EOFL Divisions Two, Three & Four
We go into Division Two now, with Basildon Town Res within one win of the title after a 5 – 0 victory over Roydon in their game held at Barnston AFC. Keith King netted twice here for Bas, with Antony Aylett & Louis Hill’s 22nd league goal of the season being among their scorers. Burnham Ramblers Res finish their first season in fourth after a 3 – 2 success at Hutton Res at Hannakins Farm Centre 3G. Ben Prentice, Alfie Bond & Gareth Clark all scored to outdo a double for substitute Jude Keeling for the Reds, who will finish third. Bottom side AS Rawreth ended their season with a creditable 2 – 2 draw with Pitsea Athletic at the Warren. Ethan Bird & replacement Adam Barrett scored for AS, with Albert Gair & Joshua Oteng replying for Pitsea here. Rayleigh Town Res also got a win, 3 – 1 at home to Wakering Sports Res and move up to sixth.
In Division Three, and Runwell Sports Res confirmed second & a promotion spot with a 5 – 0 victory over rivals Manford Way Res at St Luke’s. They need only a point in their last game at Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res to pip Takeley Development & take the title. Springfield Res will finish fourth as they won 3 – 2 at home to Emerson & Upminster. Reece Stringer netted another double here to end the term on 12 league goals. Harrison Perrin, Liam England & an OG meant that ‘Field got the points. Lastly, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res also won 3 – 2 at home to Herongate Athletic Res. Matthew Allen scored twice here along with a goal for Aaron Cameron-Prior. Taig Barnes and Jack Conroy netted for Herongate, they finish eighth.
Onto the two match in Division Four, and Toby Res are only one match away from going through the entire season with a 100% record. They won 1 – 0 at Pitsea Athletic Res at the weekend. Galleywood Res have confirmed their runners-up spot with a 4 – 0 victory at Corinthians Res. Ben Smith, Lee Judd, James Oades & Brandon Bryan-Waugh all scored a goal each in this fine win.
That’s all in this edition, thank you for reading.
survivor16b 