Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
Hello and welcome to a round-up of this weekend’s Essex Senior League & Cup action. We saw four ESL ties and two Cup matches too, with the Errington Cup tie – Clapton v West Essex falling foul of the weather.
Essex Senior League – Sat 16 March
Hoddesdon Town 0 – 1 Stansted | Lowfield | Att: 123
The Airportmen put in another stubborn display to emerge with all three points at Lowfield. Despite the hosts having a fair amount of the ball, Paul Clayton headed in the only goal ten minutes after the break as they extended their lead at the summit to four points after their fourth straight league victory.
My Match Report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2019/03/16/match-report-hoddesdon-town-0-1-stansted-sat16-mar-esl/
There is also a post-match interview with Stansted bosses Paul Pittuck and Marc Benterman on mine & WD Sportz’ Twitter feeds.
Hullbridge Sports 0 – 2 Southend Manor | Chadfields (Tilbury FC) | Att: 45
Manor took advantage of a ‘poor day at the office’ for Sports to record a vital win in a match moved to Chadfields, due to Lower Road being unavailable. Recent signing Michael Ogboin opened the scoring from the spot on 14 minutes and Ogboin extended that lead, again from 12 yards with 54 on the watch. Hullbridge couldn’t respond in tricky conditions in a result that makes their title quest harder as their eight-match unbeaten stretch came to an end here.
Leyton Athletic 1 – 0 Sawbridgeworth Town | Wadham Lodge | Att: 19
Leyton got a huge win to end their winless run at Wadham Lodge over Sawbridgeworth. Nyron Dyer got the only goal of the game as Morgan La Force’s side got a rare clean sheet as well here to see them back off the bottom of the table. Sawbo continue to show mixed form and are winless in seven matches now.
Saffron Walden Town 5 – 2 Enfield | Catons Lane | Att: 210
Walden recovered from a poor start to overwhelm the E’s at Catons Lane. Matt Hanning’s started proceedings well as Michael Opoko [17′] and Matt Thoma [26′] goals put them in a very promising position. Crucially though for the hosts, Ashley Skeggs grabbed one back for the Bloods on the stroke of half-time. The game turned on its head soon after as Lee Sawyer levelled matters two minutes into the second half. Lewis Francis then put Jason Maher’s side ahead for the first time on 53 minutes, before wrapping up the match and the match ball with strikes on 68 & 71 minutes. The hosts answered a question or two about their character here with this comeback while the E’s unfortunately ended up conceding 5 goals for the second match running.
Cups – Peter Butcher Trophy: Quarter-Finals
Friday 15 March
Barkingside 0 – 2 Sporting Bengal Utd | Cricklefield | Att: 78
Bengal secured their place in the last four as they defeated an altered Barkingside team at Cricklefield. Kamarl Duncan [20′] opened the scoring before the eturning Jay Knight struck with two minutes remaining. ‘Side will arguably have more focus on their crunch league match with Redbridge tonight [Mon] while Imrul Gazi’s outfit will be happy to advance to the next round.
Saturday 16 Mar
Tower Hamlets 0 – 2 Aveley Res | Mile End | Att: 31
Aveley’s second-string continued their fine run by knocking out Hamlets at Mile End. Strikes by Jamie Price and Wyan Reid did the damage as they now face the other side from Mile End in Sporting Bengal in the last four. The home side here will be disappointed though they now have to build momentum for next season in the league.
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
survivor16b 