Written by Peter D & Scott W
This weekend, the ESL programme returns after last weekend’s reduced programme due to the bad weather which has unfortunately also affected this weekend’s ties already. As usual, here are Peter’s & my thoughts on the action on the penultimate weekend of 2017:-
Friday
Woodford Town (2017) P – P Sporting Bengal Utd | Venue: Goffs Lane
This match has been postponed, due to a waterlogged pitch.
Saturday
Burnham Ramblers v Wadham Lodge | V: Leslie Field
Peter: Ramblers saw their four-match unbeaten run come to a crashing end last weekend however they take on a Lodge side who saw their manager Marc Farrell depart, this after he had taken them from bottom to mid-table in a matter of weeks. How the side will perform without him will be interesting and it will be a tough task at Leslie Field, however I will plump for a draw.
Peter’s Prediction 1 – 1
Scott: Burnham welcome Wadham to Leslie Field. Burnham playe5d their part in a terrific high-tempo match last weekend though lost out to West Essex. Wadham lost manager Marc Farrell who resigned after last weekend’s draw at Enfield 1893 and may find this one a tough encounter. Home win for me, providing the hosts play near their best.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Clapton v Takeley | Venue: Old Spotted Dog Stadium
Peter: Takeley roll into Forest Gate off the back of defeat at Basildon United in a big top-of-the-table clash. They take on sixth-placed Clapton who have drawn and won their last two games but have had a fairly poor last six games overall. No doubt they will give the Station Road side a good test however I feel Marc Das and his troops will grab a win here.
Peter’s Prediction: 0 – 2
Scott: These two ESL ‘big-guns’ meet at the Old Spotted Dog. The Tons were held at Southend Manor last weekend while Takeley narrowly lost out to Basildon. Jon Fowell’s are not finding wins that easy to attain, having won one of their last six league matches though Takeley have lost two of their last five so both sides need the points here. Have a feeling the visitors may edge it.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
FC Romania v Great Wakering Rovers | Venue: Theobalds Lane
Peter: Game of the day surely comes from Theobalds Lane as FC Romania take on Great Wakering Rovers. The two met in the Vase a few weeks ago and after a draw at Burroughs Park the visitors from near Southend won an ill-tempered replay to progress in that competition. So expect a tight battle in this one and I reckon it could end all square.
Peter’s Prediction: 1-1
Scott: Another ‘clash of the titans’ occurs at Theobalds Lane. FCR may have their FA Vase exit earlier this season to the same opponents in their minds though league-wise, being unbeaten in 13 matches is some going! GWR have a eight-match winning league run themselves so you know what’s coming..
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Hullbridge Sports v Redbridge | Venue: Lower Road
Peter: Its bottom against top at Lower Road, but don’t let the league position of Hullbridge fool you, as under new boss Darren Manning they are a much tougher opposition to take on now. However Redbridge are in imperious form and are arguebly the best side in the division right now, so the hosts have their work cut out to win. Tough one to call but reckon the Motormen will get the job done.
Peter’s Prediction: 1-2
Scott: Resurgent Hullbridge welcome in-form leaders Redbridge to Lower Road. This may well be boss Manning’s hardest league test yet as the Motormen have won their last eight straight ESL matches. Factor in that Ricky Eaton & Joey May’s side can ‘win ugly’ as well so you’d think you would know where the points were going, though you never know in this game.
Scott’s Prediction: 1- 3
Sawbridgeworth Town v Barkingside | Venue: Crofters End
Peter: Big game at the bottom this one, as The Robins take on Side, with the hosts winless in three whilst the visitors are having an appaling run of form themselves, so badly need a win to turn this around. However, I fancy the hosts to grab their third win in seven games.
Peter’s Prediction: 2-0
Scott: This fascinating lower-end of the table clash sees Barkingside travel to Crofters. Both sides have been hit by postponements of late though Sawbo have won two of their last six whilst ‘Side have lost their last six on-the-reel. John Watters’ side may well be up for this one, and sadly for the visitors, I can see it being a home triumph here.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Stansted P-P Hackney Wick| Venue: Hargrave Park
Tomorrow’s match at Hargrave Park has been postponed due to a frozen/waterlogged pitch. With temperatures of -3 predicted tonight the decision was taken to make an early call to postpone the match.
Tower Hamlets v Basildon Utd | Venue: Mile End Stadium
Peter: It really all depends which Hamlets side shows up in this one, and they will have to be on their metal to get anything from this one against promotion chasing Basildon United at Mile End. Hamlets won a tough battle against rivals Sporting Bengal last weekend whilst The Bees did the same against Takeley at The Hive. Gonna plump for a Bees win here.
Peter’s Prediction 1-3
Scott: Hamlets welcome the Bees to Mile End. Both sides prevailed last weekend, over Bengal and Takeley respectively. The hosts are in decent form of late though Basildon have won six of their last seven matches and I can see them adding to that here.
Scott’s Prediction: 0 – 2
Waltham Forest v Southend Manor | Venue: Kitchener Road
Peter: Forest are unbeaten in their last four league outings, three of them wins, as they have climbed up towards the mid table positions. Manor on the other hand are winless in their last three games, this after winning three on the bounce before that, so they will no doubt want to get back to winning ways. Got a feeling Manor may just do that here as well.
Peter’s Prediction 0-2
Scott: Finally, Forest welcome mid-table Manor to Kitchener Road. The hosts are unbeaten in four matches while Manor have won one of their last four, though fought back to hold Clapton last weekend. Tough one to call this, so I’ll plump for a draw.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
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