Hello and welcome to this week’s Essex Olympian League round-up, which includes matches from the top four divisions & more on Saturday 7th December. Thanks for reading.
Saturday 7 December
Premier Division
In the top-tier, Sungate are the new leaders of the division after a narrow 1 – 0 win at Shenfield AFC. One loss in their last six matches see the ‘Gate a point clear of Catholic Utd who powered past Springfield 7 – 3 in a entertaining encounter at the Len Salmon Stadium. Luke Trice netted a treble for Dan Trenkel’s side, with Jay Nash getting a brace plus Aaron Baldwin & Brad Vaughan were also on target. Springfield had Dylan Caramba-Coker, Oliver Evans and replacement Harrison Elles to thank for their goals though they drop to sixth, behind Rayleigh Town on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Leigh Ramblers ended their recent winless run with a 2 – 0 success at Old Southendian, with Ryan Lowe and Justin Lowe strikes proving the difference in a team-wide good performance, which sees Wayne Seal’s team rise to third, at least temporarily given their rivals have games in hand on them. Kelvedon Hatch were held 3 – 3 by strugglers Canning Town at New Hall, which gave the visitors the point they needed to rise off the foot of the table.
Match Postponed: Harold Wood Athletic P – P Basildon Town (Waterlogged pitch)
Senior Division One
Now into a reduced programme in Senior One, and Chingford Athletic remain seven points clear at the summit, thanks to a 3 – 1 triumph over Rayleigh Town Res at Town Mead. The goals came from Mickey Mesmin, Alex Gordon and an OG as Ath got their fifth straight league win. Town’s Ressie side remain in mid-table. Elsewhere, Manford Way drew 2 – 2 with Toby at London Marathon Sports Ground. Olajide Yusuff and Paul Marjason struck for Manford though goals by Nic Keyamo and Sam Parrish levelled things for Toby who got their second point of the season. Manford are winless in their last four matches and sit 7th. Also, Old Chelmsfordians won 4 – 1 at Herongate Athletic to retain second spot, four points ahead of Ongar Town.
Match Postponed: Snaresbrook P – P Galleywood | (Waterlogged Pitch)
Senior Division Two
In EOFL Senior Two, Leigh Town roared back to the top of the standings after a fine 6 – 2 win over AS Rawreth at John Burrows Recreation Ground. Shane Cooper and Tom Byford both nabbed braces here, alongside one each for Daniel Driscoll and Max Jones. Town are unbeaten in their nine league matches thus far now, the only side still unbeaten. Rawreth struck through Louis Hill’s double though it’s nine consecutive defeats for them now as they drop to last place. Laindon Orient won 3 – 1 at Rochford Town, thanks to a Charlie Mann double & one from ex-Southend Manor midfielder Ricky Bowyer. Matt Welsh got the solitary Rochford goal as Orient’s third win in their last five outings sees them remain sixth. Town stay third-bottom after their fifth loss on-the-spin.
Meanwhile, in the match I attended at Stambridge Memorial Ground, Old Southendian Res put in a very gritty display to defeat Corinthians 3 – 1. Ben Franklin’s two goals & one from skipper Oliver Tatton-Bennett won the contest, and a hard-working defensive showing assisted them with Nathan Dewberry on the score-sheet for Chris Stoneham’s side. If you’d like more on this match, my report is available here: survivor16b.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/match-report-corinthians-1-3-old-southendian-res-sat-7th-dec-eofl/
Also, May & Baker Res made a blistering comeback to win 5 – 2 at Epping Town. Kurt Smith and Joe Thomas netted for Billy Cove’s side though they were also reduced to ten men in what was their first loss this term in the league.Bakers recovered superbly thanks to doubles from John Mogege and Ricardo Teixiera and one from George Dawood.
Ryan drew 2 – 2 with Harold Wood Athletic Res with Krasimir Kamboshev getting both Ryan goals & Mike Lowry notching both for Wood’s second side. As a result, both sides are in the bottom four while Beacon Hill Rovers won 3 – 2 at Wakering Sports, with Sam Holden getting two of the Rovers goals. Adebolu Adeyemi got the other while Ben Rowe and replacement Ben Aston notching the Sports goals here.
Senior Division Three
Finally for this section, in Senior Three, with their nearest rivals not in action due to postponements, Wakebury went two points clear at the top with a fine 5 – 1 win over White Ensign Reserves at Shoebury Park. Christopher Gore led the way with a treble, plus Daniel Buglione and Charlie Little also chipping in for Matt Cardy’s side. Hullbridge Sports ‘A’ finally ended their winless run with an important 1 – 0 at fellow strugglers Lakeside Res, with Josh Boswell getting the crucial goal for Jason Mole’s side. Hutton Res also won, 3 – 0 at home to Leigh Town Reserves thanks to strikes by Harry Calder, Stephen Judge and substitute Harry Lane. That win sees them stay 9th but gain ground on the sides above them.
Matches Postponed: Collier Row P – P Corinthians Res | Forest Row Centre
Toby Res P – P ACD Utd | Ford’s Sports Club (Newbury Park – Toby pitch)
Senior League Cup Results
Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 2 – 2 Hutton (Hutton won 5 – 4 on pens) | Silver Leys
Rayleigh Town 4 – 0 Lakeside | London Road
Essex Junior Cup
Buckhurst Hill Res 0 – 1 Wakering Sports Res
Shoebury Town ‘A’ 5 – 2 Basildon Town Res
Senior Division Four Results
Catholic Utd Res 0 – 1 Chingford Athletic Development
Galleywood Res 3 – 4 Ongar Town Res
Laindon Orient Res 1 – 6 Roydon
Leytonstone Utd 1 – 2 Forest Glade
Old Chelmsfordians Res 5 – 3 Shenfield AFC Res
Senior Division Five Results
Leigh Ramblers Res 3 – 2 Wakering Sports ‘A’
Newbury Forest Res 0 – 5 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res
Roydon Res 1 – 0 Old Barkabbeyans
Shoebury Town Res P – P Collier Row Res
Springfield Res 9 – 1 Herongate Athletic Res
survivor16b 