Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to my round-up of Essex Senior League action this weekend as six matches evaded the worst of the weather and we had some ‘upsets’ this weekend to say the least. Thanks for reading.
Saturday 9th February
Ilford 3 – 2 Sawbridgeworth Town | Cricklefield | Att: 55
Ilford edged this battle at Cricklefield. Sawbo took the lead though in this one after only two minutes thanks to the prolific Joe Wright. The Foxes only took six minutes to equalise as their own marksman Yemi Adelani struck. Lamarr Douglas gave Martin Haywood’s side the lead on 25 minutes. While that lead held until half-time, Sawbridgeworth levelled through Ollie Fortune on the hour mark.
The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued though Adelani grabbed his second of the afternoon [64’] as Sawbo continue their struggles defensively this term. Foxes ‘keeper Hugo Rossetti saved a late penalty to deny John Watters’ side a point. Ilford’s third win in their last four matches sees them up to 11th spot, above Sawbo on goal difference. Town drop to 13th after their fourth loss in their last six.
Southend Manor 0 – 3 Stanway Rovers | Southchurch Park | Att: 71
Fortune wasn’t smiling Manor’s way as after a decent showing in the opening 45, Stanway’s goal-blitz after the hour ensured they left with Southchurch Park with the points. Jay Nash broke the deadlock on 61 minutes, before further strikes by Scott Kemp ten minutes later and Fionn O’Reilly [82’] ended a good afternoon’s work for Terry Spillane’s side. Stanway’s fourth success in their last six sees them leap up to tenth place in the standings. Manor’s winless run extends to 11 matches now as they drop to third-bottom, six points clear of the bottom two.
Sporting Bengal Utd 2 – 4 Tower Hamlets| Mile End ‘derby’
These two rivals ‘locked horns’ again and Hamlets emerged with a fine victory to finally end a ten-match winless run. Club stalwarts Wale Odedoyin and Luke With starred here as Odedoyin got a brace while With added a penalty and Flavio Jumo added the other strike. Bengal couldn’t deal with the enterprising play of AJ Ashinike’s side though Charles Gregory’s penalty at the start of the 2nd half and a late Kamarl Duncan header gave them something to shout about.
Hamlets were ‘more than chuffed’ with this win as they showed post-match. Anyway, Hamlets rise to 17th after a vital win while Bengal stay 7th though only sit above St Margaretsbury on goal difference.
St Margaretsbury 3 – 1 Leyton Athletic | The Rec | Att: 34
St Margs swept aside Leyton at the Rec to claim another three points. Dag & Red loanee Lanre Balogun got the opener for player-boss Max Mitchell’s side and Luke Marshall and Connor Scully got the other goals to outweigh Okwute Izuchukwu’s goal for Leyton who fell to their third straight defeat. The Bury’s fourth win in their last six sees them remain 8th, four points clear of Hoddesdon just below them.
Takeley 0 – 1 Enfield | Station Road | Att: 81
I attended this match, here’s my report: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2019/02/09/match-report-takeley-0-1-enfield-sat-9-feb-esl/
Walthamstow 1 – 0 Stansted |Wadham Lodge Stadium| Att: 73
‘Stow defied the odds to secure to a vital victory to keep their fledgling title hopes alive. Despite seeing Leon McKenzie dismissed early on for severe dissent, Ryan Maxwell’s team kept the free-scoring Airportmen at bay in a tight encounter before Marcus Bowers got the only goal seven minutes from time. Their fifth win in their last seven sees them remain 5th but they have cut the gap to Takeley in 4th to eight points. Stansted’s 15-match league unbeaten run ended here though they remain top, four points clear of Hullbridge although the latter have two matches in hand on the leaders.
Games OFF due to adverse weather this weekend:
Clapton P – P Woodford Town | Hullbridge P – P Saffron Walden Town
Redbridge P – P Hoddesdon Town | West Essex P – P Barkingside
Thank you for reading, we’ll be back next week.
survivor16b 