Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
Hello and welcome to this week’s Essex Senior League review, looking back at the seven matches that took place in the League, with three ESL sides taking part in the FA Vase Second Round Proper also. Thanks for reading.
Saturday 2nd November – ESL
Cockfosters 1 – 1 Hoddesdon Town | Chalk Lane | Att: 87
The ‘Fosters ended their run of three-home matches on-the-spin with a late leveller against Hoddesdon. Joss Lillis put the Lilywhites ahead on 37 minutes and Simon Riddle’s side may have thought they were heading for a gutsy win though substitute Billy Murray netted in added-time to deny the visitors the win and extend the hosts unbeaten stretch to three matches. Ryan Wade’s side drop to eighth, with Hoddy only ahead of them on goal difference in 7th.
Hadley 3 – 0 Woodford Town | Brickfield Lane | Att: 46
Hadley’s terrific home form continued as they set aside Woodford at Brickfield Lane. A brace from in-form forward Luke Jupp and one from lively winger Solomon Ofori ensured the Bricks made it five league wins in succession, rising to fourth in the standings, seven points adrift of leaders Hashtag. Woodford’s third defeat in their last five meant they fell to 11th place though their squad rebuild will mean patience is needed at this point.
Ilford 3 – 1 Enfield | Cricklefield | Att: 28
The Foxes overwhelmed inconsistent Enfield at Cricklefield. Tela Trivelato opened the scoring on 11 minutes for Jonny Fowell’s side though the bulk of the scoring came in the latter stages of the contest. Ikechi Eze netted direct from a corner with 16 minutes remaining to give he hosts that crucial second goal. Matt Frew pulled one back for the E’s after coming off the substitutes’ bench though Trivelato had the last word as he netted his second with a minute of normal time to play. Two wins from two at home since Fowell took charge means they rise to fourth-bottom. Enfield drop to 13th.
Sawbridgeworth Town P – P Redbridge | Crofters
This match at Crofters fell foul of the elements and was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Southend Manor 1 – 0 Clapton | Southchurch Park | Att: 12
Manor recorded what could be a very important win over fellow strugglers Clapton at Southchurch Park. Michael Ogboin got the only goal as the Southend side ended a streak of five matches without a win to go above the Tons into 17th, twelve points above bottom side Sawbridgeworth.
Sporting Bengal Utd 2 – 1 Hashtag Utd | Mile End | Att: 101
Sporting put in a big performance to end the Tags’ ten-match league winning run at Mile End. Quick-fire goals from Bobby Redwood [30’] and talisman Steven Carvell only a minute later put them well on their way to the win. After the break, Imrul Gazi’s side had to be very resilent as Utd forced their way back into the match through Ross Gleed’s free-kick 15 minutes from time. Despite the league leaders pressurising the home side hard in the latter stages, Bengal did emerge with their first win in six matches, which puts them up to 9th place in the table. Hashtag’s fantastic streak is over though with nearest rivals Saffron Walden and Walthamstow both in FA Vase action this weekend, they remain four points clear at the summit.
St Margaretsbury 1 – 2 Tower Hamlets | The Recreation Ground | Att: 19
Hamlets emerged with a fine win at St Mags. Goals from Ben Brookes [10’] and the in-form Suaibo Balde just before the break ended up giving the East London side the victory, their third win in their last four. The hosts replied through their own chief goal-getter Kyle Roberts on the half-hour though still fell to first loss in five matches. Hamlets rise to 12th spot now while St Mags drop to 10th.
West Essex 1 – 5 Takeley | Mayesbrook Park | Att: 28
West’s week went from bad to worse as Takeley powered five in a big win at Mayesbrook. In a match played in awful conditions, Jason Todd [23’] and Mitchell Das [26’] goals put Marc Das’ team in the ‘box seat’ before Bryn Thorpe made it three five minutes before the interval. After the break, former St Margaretsbury striker Charncey Dash made his mark for his new club by grabbing a fourth on 55 minutes, then Michael Castle added further gloss to the score-line with the fifth 18 minutes from time. Brad Russell’s strike was scant consolation as the Stags dropped to sixth spot after this loss, with Takeley rising above them into 5th after ending a run of four matches without a win.
The FA Vase Second Round Proper (ESL Sides)
Saffron Walden Town 3 – 4 FC Clacton | Catons Lane | Att: 235
Walden exited the FA Vase in an enthralling contest with Thurlow Nunn Premier side FC Clacton at Catons Lane. New signing Ricky Griggs put the visitors ahead with a minute gone, though Charlie Cole levelled only four minutes later for Jason Maher’s side. Lewis Francis struck to put the hosts ahead with 16 minutes played, though nine minutes afterward Adam Hampson restored parity for Clacton. The tide really turned in favour of the East Essex Coast side as Hampson got his second 12 minutes before the break and Griggs netting just before the interval to make it 4 – 2. Ryan Fleming made it tight with the hosts’ third goal nine minutes after the break though Cacton withstood the pressure to advance.
News: Tonight (Sunday), it’s been announced by Saffron Walden that long-serving forward Lewis Francis has departed, with the club thanking him for all his efforts in his time there. I’d like to wish Lewis well in his next chapter, certainly been an important player for the Bloods.
Stansted 1 – 0 Mildenhall Town | Hargrave Park | Att: 142
The Airportmen edged a close game with Thurlow Nunn Premier side Mildenhall at Hargrave Park. Ryan Ramsey got the only goal on the stroke of half-time to ensure that his side are the only ESL representatives remaining in the FA Vase this season. Congrats to co-managers Paul Pittuck & John Watters and the team on their progress.
Walthamstow 2 – 3 AFC Uckfield Town | Wadham Lodge | Att: 74
AFC Uckfield sent ‘Stow out of the FA Vase with a narrow win at Wadham Lodge. It started well for the hosts as Ollie Fortune struck ten minutes in to put them ahead, though the start of the second half saw the game turn. First, Dan Okosie struck five minutes after the resumption to level the tie, before Ellis Cormack put AFC ahead five minutes later. Richie Welsh got a crucial third goal for the visitors with 18 minutes left and though Samrai Gebrai made it a tight finish with a second for ‘Stow 11 minutes from time, the visitors held on despite the hosts being unhappy at ‘unsportsmanlike behaviour’ by their opposition. Even so, Ryan Maxwell’s side will hone their focus in on the league, as they have matches to catch up on in the following weeks.
survivor16b 