Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to the preview of Essex Senior League action this weekend. As Peter is having a week off, it is a solo piece this week. What do you think will happen this weekend?
Friday 25th January 2019
Woodford Town v Sporting Bengal Utd | the Harlow Arena |
Scott: Bengal travel to Harlow to face Woodford in another of their Friday night home matches. Both sides haven’t won in their last three matches which is a little unusual given both teams are in the top seven at present. The Wood Army were held by West Essex at home last weekend while Bengal lost at Hoddesdon last weekend. On the 3G, this could well be a goal-laden contest. Draw for me.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Saturday 26th January
Barkingside v Sawbridgeworth Town | Cricklefield
Scott: Sawbo are the latest visitors to Cricklefield. Barkingside have had a mixed week with a spirited draw at Stansted last weekend before a disappointing loss to Hullbridge on Monday night. Sawbridgeworth held Takeley last Saturday and with two losses in their last six, this is no easy tie to call. ‘Side will need to be on top of their game to hold the Sawbridgeworth forward line at bay. Narrow away win.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Clapton v Takeley | Old Spotted Dog |
Scott: The Tons have a home contest with in-form Takeley. Jon Fowell’s side drew with Southend Manor last weekend while Takeley also were held by Sawbridgeworth. Three wins in their last nine matches shows how Clapton continue to be a bit of an enigma as they sit in mid-table. Marc Das’ side have only had one loss in their last nine and I’d be surprised if they didn’t get the points here.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 3
Saffron Walden Town v Leyton Athletic | Catons Lane
Scott: Leyton make the trip north to Saffron Walden, as Eli Benoit’s side continue to strive for a much-needed victory. The Bloods won well at St Margaretsbury last weekend while Ath lost heavily at home to Hullbridge as well last weekend. The hosts have won three on-the-spin and if Ath don’t reach their top form defensively, there could be a big win on the cards for the home side.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 0
Southend Manor v Ilford | Southchurch Park |
Scott: Manor entertain Ilford at Southchurch Park. Both sides are finding it tough to get wins at present with Manor winless in four and Ilford with one win in eight. Manor drew at Clapton and Ilford lost their derby with Redbridge last weekend. This is another tough one to call, the Foxes perhaps showing a greater goal threat in recent matches and because of that I’ll plump for an away win.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Stansted v St Margaretsbury | Hargrave Park |
Scott: St Margaretsbury are the next side looking to de-rail the Stansted charge to promotion. The home side have had two battling matches this week, with a home draw with Barkingside last Saturday and a good win over Enfield at a snowy Hargrave Park in midweek. St Margs lost out to Saffron Walden last weekend though have had the midweek off and they are a strong side and will pose a challenge to Messr’s Pittuck & Benterman’s side. Narrow home win for me.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Stanway Rovers v Hoddesdon Town | Hawthorns |
Scott: Hoddy have an away-day at the Hawthorns. Stanway got a rewarding late away win at Hamlets last time out, though Hoddesdon will also be happy with a late win over Sporting Bengal last weekend. For most of the season Stanway have been strong at home though that strength has deserted them recently. Hoddesdon have won three of their last six and have enough goal threat to get another win here, in my view. Away win here in a tough match, in my view.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Tower Hamlets v Hullbridge Sports | Mile End |
Scott: Hullbridge have their fourth away match on-the-trot as they visit Mile End to face a Hamlets team without the driving on-pitch influence of player-boss AJ Ashinike. Hamlets lost out late on to Stanway last weekend though Sports here will present an altogether different challenge. The hosts have pace in their side though the Bridge boys have more experience and that could well be the difference here in a game they still need to succeed in. Away win.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 3
Walthamstow v Redbridge | Wadham Lodge Stadium
Scott: Redbridge return to Wadham Lodge, mere weeks after their heavy cup loss to the same opposition. ‘Stow did perform well in their win at Enfield last weekend and have only lost one of their last seven matches. Redbridge are unbeaten in three and will be looking to add ‘Stow to their list of scalps. The Motormen won at Ilford last weekend. Micky Wetherall’s side have bought themselves a little ‘breathing room’ over the bottom four now though for ‘Stow, they can ill afford many more slip-up’s as they continue to cut the gap to the top four. That said, not many sides will be able to resist the sheer firepower they possess. Home win.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
West Essex v Enfield | Mayesbrook Park
Scott: Finally on Saturday, Enfield travel to Mayesbrook Park to face West Essex. West played well in a draw at Woodford last Friday while the E’s have suffered two losses to top six sides Walthamstow and Stansted this week. What both sides perhaps share is that they haven’t got the results they could have and only one point separates them in the table. The hosts still have their issues with their form at Mayesbrook, though they may just prevail here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Thank you for reading, we’ll be back next week.
survivor16b 