Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL blogger
Hello again & welcome to this week’s bumper Olympian League round-up, taking in the top four tiers of league action, one FA Vase tie and a Senior Challenge Cup tie as well. Thanks to the clubs for their assistance in this piece & to you for reading.
EOFL Premier Division
We start off as ever with the top-tier and Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 2 – 1 away win at Harold Wood Athletic. John Clarke and James Richardson were the heroes for Swifts with Bradley Foley scoring for Wood as they fell to defeat. Buckhurst Hill got back to winning ways with a 4 – 2 win at Kelvedon Hatch. Suley Zuhdu, Nathan Sollosi, Sam Sollosi and a second-half penalty by Josh Banfield effectively sealed the win for Mark Williams’ side, though Hatch finished strongly as Danny Gillard and Theo Ola both struck for Kelvedon here.
Springfield also triumphed this weekend as they defeated early strugglers Canning Town 2 – 0 thanks to an own goal and one from Joe Nathanson. Rayleigh Town went five points clear at the top with a 1 – 0 away win at Old Southendian. Paul Morris got the only goal in that local derby.
Elsewhere, Sungate were held 2 – 2 by the visiting Leigh Ramblers, with Rhys Fatt and Dan Williams on target for the Rams in that match. Shenfield AFC also drew, 1 – 1 at home to Hutton with Mitchell Day grabbing AFC’s goal.
FA Vase – First Round Qualifying
In their first-ever FA Vase match, EOFL Premier Division side Catholic Utd powered ESL side Clapton with a 6 – 1 win at Parkside. The ensemble goal-scoring cast were Brad Vaughan, Tom Kearney, Simon Thomas, Tony Jacobs, Max Bradford and Max Kent as Mick Jacobs’ team roared into the next round, where they are set to face Lopes Tavares of Eastern Senior League South.
EOFL Senior Division One
In Senior One, Rayleigh Town Ressies started with a bang as they won 6 – 1 against Herongate Athletic. Rodney Wilson and Billy Field each nabbed doubles while Lewis Lawrence and Ryan Scougall also netted as Dan Williams and Lee Bunn’s side got the points. Ongar Town won 4 – 2 at Runwell Sports with Harry Rawlins netting twice plus Joshua Boxall and Joe Lilly contributed to the visitors’ tally. Chingford Athletic continued their strong start with another 3 – 0 home win, this time over FC Hamlets at Town Mead. Tayo Olusanoye, Alex Gordon and Eric Kelly provided the goals for them in that victory.
Shoebury Town were held 2 – 2 by visitors Galleywood with Dominic Binns and Juan Rushton the scorers for the home side. Also, Old Chelmsfordians won 2 – 0 at Toby.
EOFL Senior Challenge Cup
In the single Senior Cup tie, Lakeside of Division One defeated newcomers Wakebury 5 – 1 with talisman Drew Klessa-Smith grabbing another hat-trick plus Mason Iley and Luke Quinton also joined him on the score-sheet. Matthew Hubbard got the consolation for Wakebury though the hosts went through.
EOFL Senior Division Two
Corinthians started their season with an impressive comeback win, 4 – 1 over Laindon Orient. Orient led after just four minutes through Jasper Read though the hosts responded through John Bolton-Smith, Leo Clarke, Bill Wilton and Theo Cannon to take the points. Epping Town also started their campaign wit an away win as they triumphed 6 – 1 at AS Rawreth. Louis Hill netted for the hosts though Town got the points thanks to Alex Paraskeva’s double plus one apiece for Glen Warwick, Patrick Duggan, Joey May and Bradley Gayer. Both of these sides could be in for another good campaign this term.
Leigh Town made it two wins from two matches with a 2 – 0 win at Beacon Hill Rovers. Shane Cooper and Tom Byford goals meant they go top of the very early standings. Harold Wood Athletic Reserves won 2 – 0 at Rochford Town as Del Hawtin fired both goals in that contest for the Wood second-string. Finally for this division, Ryan made a winning start to their campaign with a 5 – 2 win over May & Baker Reserves at Wadham Lodge.
EOFL Senior Division Three
Into Senior Three now and we start with a massive win for Lakeside Reserves as they won 10 – 2 at Dagenham Utd. Substitute Ben Austin led the way with a treble, with David Alee and Damilola Olusanya both grabbing braces plus Dale Kenyon, Azeez Aileru and fellow replacement Alex Swan also getting on the hefty scorer’s sheet as they won their first match of the new season in some manner. Toby Res also got their opening win with a 5 – 1 triumph at Hullbridge Sports’A’ with Marc Porter-Brown the leading light with a hat-trick plus Rhys Willson and Matt Davies were also on target.
Corinthians Reserves also won this weekend, with a 4 – 2 success at White Ensign Reserves. Max Hall, Luke Smith, Sener Suavi and Sonny Woodward all struck for the Stambridge-based side and although they saw Charlie Carter dismissed, Ensign’s second-side couldn’t match them despite Zach Somerset-Butler’s brace of penalties for them. ACD Utd won their first match at Olympian level with a 2 – 1 win at Hutton Reserves. Brad Falco and substitute Sam Page did the job for the visitors, while Hutton responded through Josh Sumner’s goal.
Leigh Town Reserves also tasted success with a 3 – 1 win at Basildon Town Reserves. Ben Forsyth’s spot-kick plus Miles Waddilove and Alex Hubbard strikes outdid a solitary goal from Grant Cumming for the hosts as Leigh took the points. Meanwhile, Collier Row began life in Div Three with a 2 – 1 success at Buckhurst Hill Reserves. It’s worth noting that not one home side won in this division this weekend.
EOFL Senior Division Four (Results only)
Forest Glade 13 – 1 AS Rawreth Reserves
Laindon Orient Reserves 0 – 1 Chingford Athletic Development
Leytonstone Utd 2 – 3 Shenfield AFC Reserves
Roydon 4 – 2 Canning Town Reserves
Wakering Sports Reserves 6 – 1 Ongar Town Reserves
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