Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Hello all and welcome to my round-up of the fourth weekend of action in the Essex Olympian League, on Saturday 4th September. This weekend saw a double-header of matches for me to see first-hand 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
In the Premier, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts ended Old Southendian’s unbeaten start to the season as Swifts won 5 – 2 at Silver Leys. Sam Chaney netted a treble with Archie Gerard and Toluwani Osiyemi also scoring for Craig Glashan’s team. OS responded with goals from Nick Henesy and Mitchell Ali but a hard afternoon for them saw them down to ten men. Drew Klessa-Smith notched another double as Kelvedon Hatch won 2 – 1 at Canning Town, in what was Hatch’s second win this term. Also, Basildon Town recovered from defeat last week with a 3 – 1 victory over Catholic Utd at the Len Forge Centre. Jamie Selby-Knight, Matt Brinklow and replacement Jamie Bradbourn were among the scorers for Marcus Bowers’ team there.
Elsewhere, Hutton got their first win since the opening day with a 2 – 0 triumph over Galleywood at Polo Fields. Jude Keeling and Will Marlowe got the win for Matt Singh’s side as they again look to get into the upper echelons of the standings. Shenfield drew 1 – 1 with Harold Wood Athletic at St Martins Sch, with Luke Williamson scoring for the hosts and James Pottle levelling for ‘Wood from twelve yards. Also, a dramatic match saw Sungate inflict a first loss of the campaign on promoted Ongar Town as the ‘Gate won 7 – 3 at Ilford Wanderers Rugby Club. The scorers for Sungate were Thomas Ward (2), Jaiden Odle (2) with Arif Mustapha, Scott Truman and Thomas Drayton chipping in as well. Ongar were up against it when they were reduced to nine men at one point, and responded through a double from Frankie Goodhall and one from Joe Lilly.
Finally, in the match I attended at London Road, Rayleigh Town put in a strong display to emerge with a 2 – 1 win over resilent Leigh Ramblers. Shaun Gittleson and Charlie Seaden got the goals for Paul Higgins’ team, with Dan Williams notching a late consolation for Mark Hunter’s side. If you’d like more on this match, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2021/09/05/s21-22-match-report-rayleigh-town-2-1-leigh-ramblers-sat-4-sept-eofl/
EOFL Division One
Moving into the three matches played in Div One, and Herongate Athletic saw their 100% start ended with a enterprising 2 – 2 draw with Chingford Athletic at Billericay Road. Robbie Farrell and Harry Watkins struck for Billy Cove’s side, with Andrew Omusi and Alex Gordon replying for Declan Murphy’s team.
Also, Runwell Sports got a fine 3 – 1 home win over Beacon Hill Rovers at St Luke’s Park. Matt Tapley got two goals here for Rob Hodgson’s side, with Kleshay Grant getting his first league goal as well here. And Wakering Sports defeated Corinthians 1 – 0 at Cupid’s with Aaron Marshall getting the decisive goal there.
EOFL Division Two
In Division Two, ACD Utd have three wins from their three matches now after a 6 – 3 win at Rochford Town. Michael Wade scored another terrific treble to make it to five goals this term, with Jacob Dingli, Paul Mangan and Warren Taylor also netting for Greg Knock’s side. Harold Hill made it three straight wins as they won 4 – 1 at Old Southendian Res. Hill were thankful to Peter Tyler, Baciro Bari, Siddy Clarkson and substitute Jack Suters for the match-winning goals. Jack Cripps’ goal was a mere consolation for Josh Bambury’s previous unbeaten side. Harold Wood Athletic Res also got a good win, 2 – 1 over the new Manford Way side. Ben Gibbons and Daniel Spittle scored for Steve Hubbard’s Wood team who earned their first win of the new season.
Also, Wakebury had to fight hard in their 4 – 2 success at May & Baker A, with Max Hall scoring a double for Matt Cardy’s side here, with Ibrahim Kagbanda and Will Wheeler also on target for the visitors. Meanwhile at Cupid’s, Shoebury Town played out a superb 4 – 4 draw with Hutton Res, which saw both sides finish the match with ten men. Harvey Yellop’s brace coupled with goals from James Gardner and substitute Bailey Morris accounted for the visitors’ goals. Shoebury responded through the exsemble cast of stalwart Garry Johnson, Kian Bradshaw, Kirk Hudson and Oliver Chew to claim a decent point.
Finally, in the match I saw at London Road, AS Rawreth fought back late on to draw 2 – 2 at Rayleigh Town Res. John Hanrahan’s penalty and Robbie Allen both netted for Dave Barker’s side, while Tom Binks and Danny Carr responded for Rawreth. If you’d like more on this match, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2021/09/05/s21-22-match-report-rayleigh-town-res-2-2-as-rawreth-sat-4-sept-eofl/
EOFL Division Three
Finally for this week’s main section, in Division Three, Hashtag Utd Development made it three wins from four league matches with a comfortable 5 – 0 victory at Corinthians Res. Replacement Tommy Sykes struck two goals here for Denis Simpson’s team, with Bradlery Bunker, Jake Smith and an OG accounting for the other goals. Toby Res also put in a superb performance, comprehensively defeating Collier Row 7 – 1. Oliver Dingli led the way with a hat-trick , assisted by Thayne Myrie, Rhys Willson and Ben Picton, who were all amongst the scorers here for Lee Glynn’s side.
Basildon Town Res were held 2 – 2 by Buckhurst Hill U23 with Joe Barrett and James O’Brien netting for the Town second-side. In other results, Catholic Utd Reserves edged a nine-goal encounter, winning 5 – 4 against Leigh Town Res at St Thomas More Sch. Plus Wakering Sports Res pulled a brilliant 8 – 2 win at Pitsea Athletic, held at Basildon Sporting Village.
EOFL Division Four Results
Chingford Athletic Res 3 – 3 Springfield Res | Town Mead 3G
Galleywood Res 0 – 4 Ongar Town Res |
Leytonstone Utd 0 – 2 Southend Manor Dev. | Forest Row Centre (Pitch 1)
Old Chelmsfordians Res 4 – 1 Sungate Dev. | Lawford Lane
Shenfield AFC Res 1 – 1 Canning Town Res | The Drive
Roydon P – P Wakering Sports A
EOFL Division Five Results
AS Rawreth Res 0 – 2 Leigh Ramblers Res
Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res 2 – 1 Collier Row Res
Epping Town Res 1 – 3 Herongate Athletic Res
Pitsea Athletic Res 1 – 4 Runwell Sports Res
Old Barkabbeyans 2 – 3 Snaresbrook Res
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