Written by Scott W & Peter D
Hello and welcome to another edition of our Preview pieces, looking at this weekend’s ESL action. Pete powered to victory last week predictions-wise to extend his lead. What do you think of our preview?
Also, check out this week’s Grassroots Football Show which Pete and Scott presented here: https://m.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/grassroots-football-show-18th-oct-18/
Friday 19th Oct
Sporting Bengal Utd v Clapton | Mile End Stadium
Pete: The weekend gets underway at Mile End on Friday evening as Sporting host local rivals Clapton, and the hosts are in fine form right now having netted twenty goals in their last six outings and winning four of those along the way, whereas Clapton have lost two of their last three league outings and have almost conceded as much as they have scored in their last six, so form points to an home win you’d say, well that’s what I believe too.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 0
Scott: Bengal welcome the Tons to Mile End. Imrul Gazi’s side blasted five goals in a midweek win over Redbridge while Clapton were hampered by traffic on the way to defeat at Hullbridge in midweek. The hosts average three goals a game in league action thus far this term and with Clapton being hard to predict, I’ll head for a home win here.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Saturday 20th Oct
Hoddesdon Town v Barkingside | Lowfield
Pete: Hoddy are the draw specialists in their last six games, drawing five of those, and with only five scored and four conceded in those last six it shows they are solid but not spectacular. They come up against a Barkingside who a bottom and winless so far this campaign, and with them having lost their last six and conceding twenty in the process it doesn’t look good for them in this one. Reckon it will be a narrow win for the hosts.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 0
Scott: Lowfield hosts this clash with Hodd looking to extend their fine recent run of eight matches without defeat. ‘Side are looking to avert a ten-match losing run though did make life tough for Stansted and Walthamstow before succumbing to defeat. Hoddesdon edged Leyton 1 – 0 in midweek and it could be another battle though will go for a home win here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Ilford v Takeley | Cricklefield
Pete: The Foxes form of late is inconsistent you could say, having won two, drawn two and lost two in those games, however after Hoddesdon Town they have the best defensive record in the league over the last few outings so no doubt this will prove difficult for an out-of-sorts Takeley side who have lost five of their last six in the league as ‘the wheels have come off their bandwagon’ recently. The pre-season title favourites have only scored four goals in their last six games, which is only beaten by bottom side Barkingside, and I feel their poor run may continue here too.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 0
Scott: This battle is arguably more important for the visitors as they are seeking to end their run of five losses in six which has seen them drop to mid-table. Ilford defeated Hamlets in midweek and look sturdy in defence, while Marc Das’ side has seen in-form striker Stuart Zanone depart this week. Factor in a defeat late on at home to West Essex and the odds may favour a home win. Though I will go for a draw here.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 1
Redbridge v St Margaretsbury | Oakside
Pete: Only one point and one position separate these two at kick-off and it’s two sides who ‘blow hot and cold’, so predicting this one is tricky. Both have lost four of their last six although Redbridge have won the other two, although both have conceded a few in that time as well, making it exciting for the neutral at least. I reckon this one may end all-square.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 1
Scott: Redbridge entertain St Margs in a match both sides could do with winning. The hosts’ fickle form continued this week as a fine win at Southend Manor in the FA Vase was dampened by a heavy league loss at Sporting Bengal in midweek. St Margs were hit for five at Saffron Walden last weekend though did win in the Herts County Cup this week at Harpenden Town. The Motormen need to shake off the losing feeling at home and they may do that here.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 2
Stansted v Leyton Athletic | Hargrave Park
Pete: The Aiportmen’s long winning run came to an end last time out as they succumbed to local rivals Saffron Walden Town, so they will be looking to put together another decent run starting with their home game against a Leyton Athletic side who have only one win from six and no wins in three. They did hold league leaders Hullbridge to a draw recently though in a game they could have easily won, so Stansted need to be aware. But I feel the hosts will win this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Scott: Stansted face Leyton as they look to get back on the winning trail after a narrow derby loss to Saffron Walden saw their superb eight-match winning run end in midweek. Ath are showing signs of improvement as they played well at Hullbridge last weekend before narrowly being defeated at Hoddesdon in midweek. This one might surprise a few with how much of a tough game it could be. Narrow home win.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Stanway Rovers v Hullbridge Sports | Hawthorns
Pete: Leaders Hullbridge travel to The Hawthorns to take on Stanway Rovers off the back of getting back to winning ways on Tuesday after they suffered a rare setback against Sawbridgeworth a week before that and they will be looking to make it back-to-back wins here. The hosts though have improved in recent times and did win last time out against Tower Hamlets, but Hullbridge will be a much tougher opposition most probably and I feel they win this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 1- 2
Scott: Stanway entertain Hullbridge, having tasted victory at home to Hamlets last weekend. Hullbridge got back to winning ways after recovering from a poor start to grab a home win over Clapton in midweek and this one may be a close-fought battle but ‘Bridge could well take the points here.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Tower Hamlets v West Essex | Mile End Stadium
Pete: Hamlets are slowly starting to improve after a woeful start to the season, and they come up against a side who lost all their games in August but have now turned it around to sit tenth after three wins in their last five. West also come into this one after a brilliant come from behind victory at Takeley, whilst Hamlets lost at Ilford in a game they dominated the second half. Do fancy an away win here though.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 3
Scott: The Stags travel to Mile End in a fascinating encounter between two unpredictable sides. Kwame Kwateng’s side have only lost two of their last seven league matches of late and have crept into the top ten after a late win at Takeley in midweek. Hamlets will look for more of a goal-scoring threat after losses to Stanway and Ilford this week. Have a feeling this may end honours-even.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 1
Walthamstow v Southend Manor | Kitchener Road
Pete: Stow are going well at the moment, four wins in their last six, whilst Manor are struggling at the moment having lost four from six. Manor’s problem of late has been scoring goals, just six in six currently, whilst their defence has not been too bad of late, so if they can find someone who can net a few goals they will be OK. Whether it happens here or not remains to be seen but these two did draw earlier in the season, but I feel the hosts will win this.
Pete’s Prediction: 2 – 0
Scott: The next test for Manor is a trip to Kitchener Road to face a blossoming ‘Stow outfit that are unbeaten in nine matches and also are racking up the goals too. Ryan Maxwell’s team plundered four goals in the last half-hour to overcome Barkingside in midweek. Manor battled well though lost out to Woodford in midweek and this could be a tough afternoon for Adam Peek’s youthful side.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 0
Woodford Town v Saffron Walden Town | Harlow Arena (3G)
Pete: This could be game of the day at The Harlow Arena as Woodford Town, unbeaten in five and four wins, take on Saffron Walden Town who are unbeaten in four and both have scored plenty and also have solid defences over the last few games, so it could be a intriguing contest. Both have come off the back of decent away wins too so confidence will be high for both. Going for a draw in this one.
Pete’s Prediction: 1 – 1
Scott: Finally this weekend, Saffron Walden travel to Harlow to take on an in-form Woodford side that have won four of their last five matches, the last of those being a battling win at Manor in midweek. Walden are unbeaten in four themselves and with both teams currently in the top six, this could be a highly entertaining encounter. Draw for me.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
That’s all for now, thanks for reading.
survivor16b 