Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
Hello and welcome to this week’s Essex Olympian League round-up, here on my blog. The weather did have a heavy impact on the amount of matches that took place on Saturday 2nd February though as ever, we cover the top five tiers, plus the solitary Essex Premier Cup quarter-final that happened.
EOFL Premier Division
In the top-tier, with the top two of Buckhurst Hill and Kelvedon Hatch not in action, Harold Wood Athletic and Bishop’s Stortford Swifts sought to recoup some ground on them. Harold Wood won 2 – 0 at Canning Town in Beckton. Joe Stevens and Robert Whitnell got the goals as they took the points. Swifts also won 2 -0 away from home, at Manford Way. Gavin Cockman and Lee Samways strikes saw Mark Watters’ side to their third straight victory.
Old Southendian got a fine 5 -0 victory at Sungate. Nick Henesy fired a hat-trick, with former Burnham Ramblers player Scott Plom and substitute Nicolas Dubouchet also netting here as OS grabbed their first win in seven games. Springfield also nabbed a vital 2 – 1 win at fellow strugglers Great Baddow, which was only their second win in their last 11 league matches.
Essex Premier Cup – Quarter-Finals
Arlesford Colne Rangers 3 – 4 Buckhurst Hill
Galleywood P – P Kelvedon Hatch | Hutton P – P Rayleigh Town |
Tiptree Heath P – P Catholic Utd
EOFL Senior Div One
In Olympian Division One, only one match survived the elements. In a match of two high-flying sides, Shenfield AFC drew 1 – 1 with FC Hamlets. Ronnie Hobbrough struck for AFC and John Gilroy hit back for the visitors. Shenfield have lost in their last ten matches, while FC Hamlets are unbeaten in their last nine games.
EOFL Snr Div Two
In Senior Division Two, the weather was the only victor as all three matches were postponed: Beacon Hill Rovers v Chingford Athletic, May & Baker ‘A’ v Rochford Town & Toby v Runwell Sports
EOFL Snr Div Three
In Senior Three, three matches brought about 14 goals. First up, Academy Soccer continued their good season with a 4 – 0 success over White Ensign Res. Dominic Cooper, Michael Nichols, Marc Porter-Brown and Luis Ruiz were the names on the score-sheet.
Laindon Orient were also celebrating three points despite ending with ten men in their 3 – 0 triumph over Hutton Res. Ally Collins struck very early on before Tomn Read and Henry Ballard secured the points. Samuel Lake saw red for the home side though they held on for a comfortable win. In the other match that took place, Old Chelmsfordians Res consigned Roydon to a second straight home loss with OCs winning 4 – 3.
The two matches that were postponed due to the adverse weather involved leading sides. Westhamians’ trip to Old Southendian Res and Leigh Town’s home clash with Basildon Town Res will need to be played in due course.
EOFL Senior Four
In Senior Four, two of the five set games survived the incessant rain. The highlight goals-wise came at the Lakeside Sports Ground 3G as Lakeside’s Ressie side defeated Shenfield AFC Res 9 – 2. Dale Kenyon led the way with a hat-trick, with a stellar supporting cast of David Alele, Daniel Damain, Emmanuel Mattheus, George Meaney, Carl Prendergast and substitute Damilola Olusanya all also notching. Alessander Cook and Corley Ross netted for AFC’s second-string though they fell to a heavy defeat here.
Elsewhere, Leigh Ramblers Reserves edged to a fine 2 – 1 win over goal-hungry Epping Town.
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
survivor16b 