Written by Scott W {Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
Hello and welcome to this week’s Essex Senior League Preview piece as Scott looks at the ESL fixtures this weekend.
Friday 29th March
Woodford Town v Sawbridgeworth Town | The Harlow Arena (3G)
The weekend starts with Sawbo travelling to Harlow to face Woodford.
Town lost out last Friday night to Hullbridge though got back on winning form in midweek with an entertaining win at Clapton. Sawbridgeworth lost out to Southend Manor last weekend and sit 16th after a nine-match winless run. Woodford have the form here, with four wins in their last eight matches. Have to go with a home win here.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 0
Sat 30th March
Clapton v Stanway Rovers | Venue: Old Spotted Dog
The Tons welcome Rovers to the Old Spotted Dog. Both sides are still in mixed form with Clapton have had three wins in their last six matches, with Stanway having two wins in their last seven games. Jon Fowell’s side lost narrowly at Walthamstow before losing out in a seven-goal thriller at home to Woodford in midweek. Stanway got a win in a closely-fought win over Leyton last weekend. Will plump for a home win here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Enfield v Barkingside | The Harlow Arena (3G)
The E’s face ‘Side in Harlow. Matt Hanning’s team got a super win over Stansted last weekend to end a seven-match winless run. Barkingside gave Saffron Walden a battle before ultimately losing out last weekend. One win in their last seven games mean that Alex Goldstone’s side badly need a couple of wins to round out the season to try to leapfrog Leyton at the foot of the table. I reckon this will be a huge battle on the artifical surface. Going for a draw.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Hoddesdon Town v Southend Manor | Lowfield
Hoddy welcome Manor to Lowfield. Simon Riddle’s side have had a good week with a win in the derby at St Margaretsbury before getting a creditable draw at Redbridge in midweek. Manor have won three of the last four to pull away from the bottom three after last week’s win over Sawbridgeworth. The Lilywhites are a tough side to beat, and I’ll head for a home win here.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
Ilford v Leyton Athletic | Venue: Cricklefield
Ilford entertain Leyton at Cricklefield. The Foxes won their last league match ten days ago at Sporting Bengal. Then at the weekend, Barkingside Reserves won out on spot-kicks in the Peter Butcher Trophy. Leyton lost at Stanway last weekend before suffering a heavy loss to Walthamstow in the derby in midweek. Leyton have conceded 83 goals thus far this term and will need to be more resolute against a hard-working Ilf side.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 0
Redbridge v Tower Hamlets | Oakside
Hamlets travel to Oakside to face Redbridge. Micky Wetherall’s team lost out at West Essex last weekend before getting a decent draw at home to Hoddesdon in midweek. They have won four of their last eight matches and sit 12th. Hamlets lost out at Takeley last weekend and having last four of the their last six, sit third-bottom. Have to go for a home win.
Scott’s Prediction: 3 – 1
Sporting Bengal Utd v Saffron Walden Town | Mile End
Bengal face Walden in what is an interesting battle at Mile End. One win in their last six for Bengal has hampered their bid for a much-improved record points tally for the club in the ESL and lost last time out at home to Ilford. Walden won at Barkingside last weekend before losing out to Hullbridge in midweek in a match they started well in. Walden are still a very strong side and they are favourites for this one in my mind. The question is ‘How much did Tuesday’s match take out of them?’
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 3
St Margaretsbury v West Essex | The Rec
The Stags travel to The Rec to face the ‘Bury. St Margs began the post-Mitchell era with a loss in the derby with Hoddesdon last weekend. West won well over Redbridge last weekend to get their first win in their last four matches. Kwame Kwateng’s side are one point short of 40 points now. Tough one to predict this, though will head for a narrow away win, given the hosts have had a squad turnover after Mitchell’s departure.
Scott’s Prediction: 1 – 2
Stansted v Hullbridge Sports | Hargrave Park
The massive match of the weekend takes place at Hargrave Park, as Stansted face leaders Hullbridge. The Airportmen were temporarily grounded by a loss at Enfield last weekend, which ended a run of four straight wins. Hullbridge won at Woodford last weekend before securing a major win over Saffron Walden at Lower Road in midweek. Stansted have only lost three matches at home all campaign while Hullbridge have the best defence so something has gotta’ give here you sense. Factor in centre-back Perry Dunn being out for the last month of the season for Darren Manning’s side and what effect will that have on them?
Bly, are you really asking for a scoreline prediction here? Oh, go on then I’ll stick my neck out. Entertaining draw.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 2
Walthamstow v Takeley | Wadham Lodge Stadium
Finally this weekend, ‘Stow seek to continue their winning run against stubborn opposition in Takeley. Ryan Maxwell’s side backed up a hard-fought win over Clapton last weekend by winning the derby with Leyton convincingly in midweek to make it seven straight wins. Marc Das’ team beat Hamlets last time out but three wins in their last seven isn’t super form really. Hard to go against the hosts and their excellent defensive record, now the second best in the league this term in terms of goals conceded.
Scott’s Prediction: 2 – 1
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