Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Hello all and welcome to my round-up of the third weekend of action in the Essex Olympian League, on Saturday 28th August. This weekend saw some high-scoring matches and some surprise results as ever. As usual, the focus is on the top four divisions with results from Divisions Four & Five.
Many thanks for reading.
EOFL Premier Division
As ever we begin in the Premier, and Old Southendian maintained their 100% record with a 3 – 2 win over Kelvedon Hatch at Garon Park. Craig Paton, Mattias Tonking and Taylor Turner all scored for Altar Ali’s side as they held on for a good victory. Sungate also shone this weekend with a 5 – 1 success at Galleywood, with Ciaran Kelly, Ben Absolon and Thomas Drayton among the scorers for the visitors there. Jack Chatterway got the solitary response for ‘Wood in that game. Elsewhere, Springfield edged to a late 2 – 1 victory over Basildon Town at Springfield Hall Park. Strikes from Jack French and Aiden Brown were enough to overturn an earlier Antony Aylett leveller for Marcus Bowers’ side and complete a surprise win.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh Town got back to winning ways with a good 2 – 1 triumph at Bishop’s Stortford Swifts. Paul Morris and Jack Long both scored for Paul Higgins’ side, with Sam Chaney responding for Craig Glashan’s new side. Catholic Utd also got a second successive win as they defeated Harold Wood Athletic 2 – 1 at Harold Wood Park. Pablo Passenda and Max Kent got the goals for Simon Thomas’ team, while Matt Donovan replied for Gary Willis’ side.
In other action in the division, Shenfield AFC managed a comfortable 3 – 0 win over Canning Town at St Martins School 3G. Ben Carroll, Pelumi Adedokun and replacement Alex Broadbridge got the goals here in what was a much-needed win for them. Finally, Ongar Town continued their 100% record with a hard fought 2 – 0 win over Hutton at Lakeside Sports Ground, thanks to goals from Frankie Goodhall and Ayodele Awosika.
EOFL Division One
Moving now into Division One, with Herongate Athletic sitting as early front-runners as they made it three wins from three games with a 2 – 0 victory over Runwell Sports at Billericay Road. Another brace from Robbie Farrell made it five goals already for him this term, as Billy Cove’s side sit three points clear. Toby won their top-of-the-table clash, impressively defeating Wakering Sports 3 – 1 at Cupid’s. A brace from Albert Perry and thunderbolt from Mitch Grace gave Mark Jones’ side the win as they went second. Substitute Alfie Fossett scored for Mitch Gleeson’s side here. Snaresbrook got their first win of the new campaign, winning 3 – 2 at Epping Town. Ife Ogunbayo, Daniel Tesfay and Max Catherall all netted one each to outdo strikes by Andrew Smith and Joe Rickett for Town and ultimately give Rob Caine’s side the points.
Also, Beacon Hill Rovers won 2 – 1 at home to Old Chelmsfordians and there was a hugely entertaining match for the neutral at least at Stambridge where Corinthians came from three goals down to draw 4 – 4 with Leigh Town. Bailey Moss struck twice for Chris Stoneham’s side, with Jake Hodder and Damian Siemienczuk also on target.
EOFL Division Two
In Division Two, it is newcomers Harold Hill who are at the summit on goal difference after a 4 – 0 win at home to Rayleigh Town Res. In second spot are ACD Utd after they won 5 – 2 at Hutton Res. Jacob Dingli and Jamie Alexandrou both got doubles for Greg Knock’s team, with replacement Shaun Goddard also finding the net. Jack Shaw got both of the hosts’ goals here. Also on six points are Old Southendian Res as they made two wins from two following a 2 – 1 win at Shoebury Town. Jack Cripps and Nico Dubouchet got the goals for Josh Bambury’s side, with Jason Doyle’s team responding through club stalwart Garry Johnson.
Meanwhile, AS Rawreth are the last of the four teams at the top end of the table on six points after a 1 – 0 win over Rochford Town at The Warren. Tom Binks got the all-important goal for Josh Hutchins’s team here.
EOFL Division Three
In Division Three, the early leaders are Basildon Town Res after a 2 – 0 triumph over Collier Row at Basildon Sports Club. Jamie Miller and Nathan Fisher saw Tony Bowers’ side to the points. Buckhurst Hill U23 got their maiden win this term with a 4 – 0 victory over Corinthians Res at Roding Lane. The ensemble cast of Buttrint Iecaj, Jason Gomes, Nicolas Chramiec and Flynn Toye got the goals that saw Alan Byers’ team get their season underway in earnest. A hat-trick from perennial goal-getter Joseph Darby saw Hullbridge Res to a 3 – 0 home success over Leigh Town Res at Lower Road.
Elsewhere in the division, Hashtag Utd Development got another victory as they defeated PItsea Athletic 5 – 0 at Barleylands. Samuel Pratt netted twice for Denis Simpson’s team, with Bradley Bunker, Kai Warren and Jake Smith also on the scorer’s sheet. Also, Catholic Utd Res joined them on six points after a resounding 7 – 1 success at Toby Res.
EOFL Division Four
Results
Chingford Athletic Res 5 – 2 Galleywood Res | Town Mead [3G]
Leytonstone Utd 1 – 2 Springfield Res | Forest Row Centre (Pitch 1)
Ongar Town Res 3 – 2 Roydon | Melbourne Park 3G, Chelmsford
EOFL Division Five
Results
Collier Row Res 0 – 2 Epping Town Res | Forest Row Centre (Pitch 2)
Old Barkabbeyans 5 – 6 Leigh Ramblers Res | Barking Abbey Sch 3G
Pitsea Athletic Res 6 – 2 AS Rawreth Res | Basildon Sporting Village
Runwell Sports Res 5 – 2 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res | St Luke’s Park
Wakebury Res 0 – 2 Snaresbrook Res | Nursery Sports Ground
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