Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League Writer
Hello and welcome back to the first of new season of round-up’s looking at the Essex Senior League divisions for the Season 2020-21. This piece also includes the results from the Eastern Senior League South action this weekend. Thanks as ever to the clubs and you, my readers for continuing to show interest in these pieces. Best wishes to all players, managers & officials at all Essex Senior League sides, I wish you all a good campaign.
Essex Senior
Friday 4th Sept
West Essex 1 – 1 Takeley | Mayesbrook Park [3G] |
The weekend’s action kicked off with West Essex’s draw with Takeley, on a famed evening as they opened landlords Barking’s new artificial playing surface. However, it was the visitors who took the lead through Reece Barrett before Symeon Taylor’s leveller after the interval. All in all, both sides could have won and Stags goalkeeper Jack Coker once again excelled between the posts to give Kwame Kwateng’s side a decent point against tough opposition, only 48 hours after their huge win in the FA Cup in midweek.
Saturday 5th September
Cockfosters 3 – 1 Hoddesdon Town | Chalk Lane |
Into the Saturday action now and Cockfosters started their campaign on a high as they defeated Hoddesdon at Chalk Lane. Rueben Campbell opened the scoring on the quarter-hour for player-manager Ryan Wade’s team. Wade himself struck a free-kick to double the ‘Fosters lead with twenty-five minutes gone, though the Lilywhites did halve the deficit six minutes before the break thanks to Harrison Rookard’s effort. Nine minutes into the second half though, the hosts ended up securing the win thanks to a second goal in two games for new recruit Carl Mullings. It caps quite a week for Cockfosters and they back in action at Chalk Lane, taking on Enfield in midweek.
Enfield 0 – 0 St Margaretsbury | Woodside |
Enfield started off their League campaign with a creditable point after their FA Cup exit to Harlow in midweek. St Margs couldn’t breach the E’s defence either and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils at Woodside.
Hadley 4 – 0 Woodford Town | Brickfield Lane |
Hadley started their campaign off with another strong performance to defeat Woodford at Brickfield Lane. Two goals in three minutes from Luke Alfano [25’] and Solomon Ofori [27’] set the tone for a side hungry for goals. Ofori netted again thirteen minutes after the interval and a late defensive mishap opened the path for Jordan Edwards to grab a late fourth for Anthony Clark’s side.
I was at this match, my full report is here: survivor16b.wordpress.com/2020/09/05/season-2020-21-match-report-hadley-4-0-woodford-town-sat-5-sept/
Hashtag Utd 4 – 0 Ilford | Len Salmon Stadium [3G] |
Hashtag got their on-pitch season going in some style with a triumph over Ilford at the Len Salmon Stadium. George Smith’s spot-kick on 25 minutes put Jay Devereux’s side ahead before Toby Aromolaran made it two ten minutes after the break. Late goals from Lee Hursit and Ross Gleed added more gloss onto the score-sheet to get past an Ilford side who battled hard in the first half. Even so, the Tags showed their intent to get back into the upper echelons of the table and challenge for promotion once again.
Redbridge 2 – 2 Saffron Walden Town | Oakside |
Saffron Walden didn’t have it all their own way as they twice fought back to claim a draw with Redbridge at Oakside. After the hosts had missed a penalty before the break, James Barlow netted seven minutes after the interval. Former Redbridge star Lewis Francis levelled matters eight minutes later though in a fraught last ten minutes, Barlow struck again [82’] to put Micky Wetherall’s side on course for a surprise win. However, Walden had other ideas as George Pullen’s added-time equaliser ensured a share of the points for Jason Maher’s side.
Southend Manor 2 – 5 Sawbridgeworth Town | Southchurch Park |
Sawbridgeworth rode the crest of a wave following their FA Cup herocs in midweek to dismantle Manor at Southchurch Park. Luca Frankis netted twice for Craig Waters’ side but Sawbo overpowered them thanks to a hat-trick from Kieran Amos and goals for Cabham Clarke and Horace Ormsby. With ten goals conceded in two matches in League & Cup, Manor will need to regroup fairly quickly.
Sporting Bengal Utd 1 – 3 Walthamstow | Mile End |
Walthamstow started their season with a hard-fought win at Sporting Bengal. After both sides drew ablank in the first half, ‘Stow’s new-look forward line did the damage as Charncey Dash opened his league account from twelve yards. Fellow new recruit Jon Clements struck to double Max Mitchell’s side’s advantage. Sam Jeremiah also netted to secure the points, though credit also goes to Bengal’s Joel Ramos who lashed home a free-kick to give Imrul Gazi’s side a consolation.
Stansted 2 – 2 Clapton | Hargrave Park | Att: 64
Finally this weekend, Clapton came from behind to snatch a draw at Stansted. Moses Carvalho’s firm header put the Airportmen ahead, a lead which stood at the break. But after the interval, substitute Shaun Gittleson got his second goal of the week to level the match. As the tension rose, that stalemate only lasted four minutes before Nick Reynolds put Paul Pittuck & John Watters’ side ahead again. The Tons were soon level again though through Ruben Kennedy’s spot-kick and from there, the sides couldn’t be separated.
Eastern Senior League South
Sat 5th September Results
Brimsdown 3 – 2 Harwich & Parkeston | Chadfields
Burnham Ramblers 0 – 1 Wormley Rovers | Leslie Field
Coggeshall Utd 1 – 1 Newbury Forest | West Street
Frenford 3 – 0 Holland | The Drive [3G]
Hackney Wick 2 – 2 Benfleet | Spa Road, Witham
Halstead Town 1 – 1 Athletic Newham | Rosemary Lane
Little Oakley 2 – 1 Barkingside | Memorial Stadium
White Ensign 3 – 0 Wivenhoe Town | Burroughs Park
survivor16b 