Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Hello all and welcome to the last edition of my Essex Olympian League round-up articles for the restarted Season 2020-21, looking the action in the Essex Olympian League divisions on Saturday 29th May. Before we move on, I’d like to reiterate my thanks for the support I’ve received from Managers, players & Club Officials during the season and for their assistance during the season.
EOFL Premier Division
On the last day of action in the Premier Division, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts secured a fourth-placed finish in the PPG Table with a 3 – 2 win over Harold Wood Athletic at Silver Leys. Ryan Blackman struck twice for the hosts, with substitute Jayden Hocking-Rising also netting to secure the win. Jack Sykes-Brown and Robert Whitnell both struck for Wood but this result they dropped to ninth in the PPG Table, below Rayleigh Town. After this match, both Billy Cove and Alex Goldstone announced their departures from their respective managerial roles and I wish them well for their next role in the game.
Hutton drew 1 – 1 with Springfield at Polo Fields, with Tarik Moore-Azille nettng for Matt Singh’s side, and Jake Clarke responding for Dan Williams’ side. Hutton finish seventh in the modified table, with Springfield ending the campaign tenth after a run of just one defeat in their last seven matches. Elsewhere, Rayleigh Town defeated runners-up Basildon Town 2 – 0 thanks to strikes from Sonny Coutts and a Bailey Moss spot-kick. Rayleigh finish eighth after a run of five wins in their last seven which gives them some foundation for next term. Sungate also drew 3 -3 with Champions Buckhurst Hill, in what was Hill’s first draw of the league season.
Uncontested:
Catholic Utd H – W Kelvedon Hatch | Home Walkover
EOFL Division One
The one matter to resolve in Division One was who would join champions Ongar in being elevated to the Premier Division. Galleywood ended that question with a 2 – 1 win at previously unbeaten Ongar Town, with Matthew Buckingham scoring both goals for the Chelmsford-based side. Aaron Blair notched his 100th goal for the club (Not bad in three seasons!) in response but Town were unable to get through the season unbeaten, but still face a new challenge next term. Nearest challengers Manford Way were just edged out despite a 2 – 0 win at Herongate Athletic, with Billy Rees and Daniel Lopes scoring for Trevor Grace’s side here but they finished two points adrift of the top two in third spot.
Elsewhere, Rayleigh Town Ressies ended their season with an entertaining 4 – 4 draw with Ramsden Scotia. George Vile scored twice for the hosts, with Harry Barham and Ebeneezer Djan also on target for Dave Barker’s side. Richard Bishop struck a treble in response for Ramsden, with Jamie Rivers getting the other goal and they got a point despite finishing with ten men. Town finished tenth, a point clear of the bottom two whereas Ramsden finish eighth, nine points better off.
Uncontested:
Chingford Athletic A – W Snaresbrook | Away Walkover
Shoebury Town H – W Old Chelmsfordians | Home Walkover
Toby H – W Runwell Sports | Home Walkover
EOFL Division Two
The two outstanding matches provided plenty of goals in Division Two but it was Beacon Hill Rovers who secured the second promotion spot with a 3 – 2 win over Wakering Sports at Wickham Bishops Sports Ground. Josh Perry hit two goals here for Stephen Bennett’s side, with Bradley Morgan notching the other. Ben Rowe and Mohammed Sesay got the goals for player-boss Mitchell Gleeson’s team but they finish in fourth in the PPG-adjusted standings. Epping Town got third spot with a thumping 7 – 0 win over Corinthians, in a game that was overshadowed by player-boss Stuart Hoskins being taken to hospital with a serious leg injury, I wish him well in his recovery. Callum Turner led the way with a treble and a brace from substitute Chris Gormley plus one each for Sam Law and Joe Rickett emphasised the scale of the victory here. The Stambridge side finished fifth after a barren run of only one win in their last five matches.
Uncontested:
AS Rawreth H – W Ryan | The Warren
Laindon Orient H – W May & Baker A | Home Walkover
EOFL Division Three
Champions ACD Utd went into their new challenge next season in Division Two with a 3 – 2 win at Hullbridge Sports A, with player-boss Michael Wade, Billy Rungay and George Munns all on target as they secured their 14th win of a very impressive campaign. Harry Boswell’s second penalty in as many games was allied with Charlie Oakman’s strike to give the youthful Hullbridge side hope but ultimately they finish sixth this term. Meanwhile, Manford Way Ressies celebrated their runners-up spot with a 5 – 0 triumph at faltering Collier Row, with David Hornsby scoring yet another treble, plus Charlie Parish and replacement Joe Marjason also netted here.
Hutton Reserves may have more points but their inferior PPG to Manford Ressies was really costly in the end, and ended their season with a huge 8 – 2 victory at Buckhurst Hill Res. Matthew Price netted a hat-trick, along with doubles for Jack Shaw and substitute Dayne Wood. Carl Dutton also got on the score-sheet again as Bill Stratford’s side commendably played twenty games this term, just two short of a ‘full’ season. Buttrint Lecaj got both goals here for Hill Reserves but they finish ninth, four points clear of the bottom two.
Uncontested:
Toby Res A – W Basildon Town Res | Away Walkover
EOFL Division Four Results
Catholic Utd Res 4 – 2 Canning Town Res | Prittlewell Chase
Uncontested:
Ongar Town Res H – W Chingford Athletic Res | Home Walkover
EOFL Division Five Results
Fixtures 29 May
Collier Row Res 1 – 1 Wakering Sports A | Forest Row Cen (Pitch 2)
Old Barkabeyans 4 – 3 AS Rawreth Res | Barking Abbey Sch
Uncontested:
Epping Town Res H – W Herongate Ath Res | Epping UC Rugby Club (4pm KO)
Runwell Sports Res A – W Roydon | Away Walkover
Shoebury Town Res A – W Newbury Forest Res | Home Walkover
Thank you for reading this season. That’s you’re lot of these until the new season which is predicted to beginning in August (Source: EOFL website) 2021. When the new constitution is released, I may write something on that, as I might about the Full PPG-enhanced tables & Statistics for this season plus clubs talking about this campaign just finished (ala last season’s “Club In-Focus” blog series), so keep tabs on this site or my Twitter for updates.
For now though, I wish you all a good summer break. Best wishes, Scott
survivor16b 