Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Hello all and welcome to my round-up of the action in the Essex Olympian League, on Saturday 2 October. This weekend saw some huge scorelines and some surprising results in matches played in inclement weather conditions. This week, the focus is on the top four divisions with results from Divisions Four & Five and the one Essex Junior Cup second round tie involving an EOFL side.
Many thanks for reading.
EOFL Premier Division
We begin as ever in the Premier Division, and Ongar Town are the new leaders after a 2 – 0 home win over Galleywood. Richard Ponsford’s side have now accrued six wins in their seven games and lead second-placed Hutton by two points. Matt Singh’s side were held 2 – 2 by Bishop’s Stortford Swifts at Polo Fields. Stephen Judge & an OG accounted for the home side’s goals while a double from Sam Chaney took his tally to six league goals for Craig Glashan’s side, who go up one place to 13th. Basildon Town had a frustrating afternoon as they were held 3 – 3 by Shenfield AFC at St Martin’s Sch. Mitchell Day, Sam Coombes and substitute Vincent Clarke were all on target for the hosts, with Jamie Bradbourn and James O’Brien among the scorers for Marcus Bowers’ third-placed side. Shenfield are tough to beat at the moment and reside in ninth spot.
Meanwhile in Beckton, Canning Town got their first win of the campaign, defeating Harold Wood Athletic 2 – 1. James Pottle netted for Gary Willis’ side but Town responded to take the points. Rayleigh Town’s top-six clash with Sungate had to be abandoned on 71 minutes due to a serious injury to a Sungate player, who sustained a bad knee injury. I wish the player concerned a swift recovery. Elsewhere, Catholic Utd got back to winning ways as debutant James Warder netted twice in a 2 – 1 triumph against local rivals Old Southendian. Callum Ludlaim had put OS ahead but this defeat saw them drop below Utd into eighth.
Finally, Leigh Ramblers got a fine 4 – 0 win at Springfield with Nathan Dewberry scoring twice to complete a welcome return for Mark Hunter’s side. Jack Gardner and Ole Hunter also netted for the visitors. Sadly, after the game Springfield boss Dan Williams announced he was stepping down from the role citing family reasons and I’d like to wish Dan well for the future.
EOFL Division One
In the second-tier, two of the top three sides faced off at Billericay Road where leaders Wakering Sports made a stirring comeback to draw 3 – 3 at hosts Herongate Athletic. Billy Cove’s Ath side launched into a three-goal lead thanks to goals from Izaih Antoine, Robbie Farrell and Thomas Turner but Mitchell Gleeson’s side showed their spirit again and left with a point thanks to a brace from replacement Alfie Fossett and one from Connor Burrows. Old Chelmsfordians also got their first win this term with a 3 – 1 triumph over Chingford Athletic at Lawford Lane. Max Johnson, Mason Naylor and Brad Ross all scored for Ryan Fleming’s side here.
Toby got their third win of the campaign as late goals saw them to a 2 – 0 win at Snaresbrook. Marc Porter-Brown and Albert Perry goals saw Mark Jones’ team to the points at ‘Brook’s first-team new home at the Hackney Marshes centre. Epping Town also grabbed a fine away win, winning 4 – 2 at Runwell Sports. Joe Rickett, Chris Gormley, Jamaine Belle & an OG saw Stuart Hoskins’ team to the points which took them up to seventh. An OGo of their own & Charlie Little saw Rob Hodgson’s side take an early lead but they succumbed to defeat and lost ground on leaders Wakering Sports, who now hold a three-point lead.
Also, Corinthians got a memorable victory as they hit ten goals in a huge 10 – 3 victory at Beacon Hill Rovers. Recent recruit Bailey Moss got six goals himself here to take his tally up to 14 league goals already. Jake Hodder added another two goals with Leo Clarke and Cameron Glover also netting for a jubilant Chris Stoneham’s team, who are now only two points adrift of Runwell Sports in second.
EOFL Division Two
Moving into Division Two now, and ACD Utd maintained their 100% start to the season with a 5 – 0 triumph at AS Rawreth. Ollie Williams led the way here with a treble, with Samuel Payne and Shaun Goddard also on target for Greg Knock’s side. Harold Hill are adapting very well to life back in the EOFL as they won 3 – 2 at Manford Way. Peter Tyler, Ronnie Hobbrough and Siddy Clarkson all netted for Mark Ellis’ side in this one, they are now six matches unbeaten and sit level on points with the leaders. Wakebury are another side who are in decent form after a fine 3 – 2 win at Old Southendian Res. William Wheeler now has seven league goals already this term after notching twice again at Garon Park, with Lewis Francis also netting for Matt Cardy’s side. Nico Dubouchet and Jack Cripps resonded for Josh Bambury’s team but they fell to a fourth consecutive loss. Rayleigh Town Res also got a good win on the road with a 2 – 1 success at Shoebury Town. Byron Down kept up his decent season thus far with a double here for Dave Barker’s side. Kian Bradshaw replied for Jason Doyle’s side but their mini-revival is over.
Elsewhere, Rochford Town picked up a crucial 2 – 1 victory over Hutton Res at the Rec. Owen Pedder and replacement Matt Welsh both netted to give James Cooper’s side their opening win this term. Thomas Price scored for the visitors but they are yet to win this season. Lastly in this division, Harold Wood Athletic Res got another three points, thanks to a 3 – 2 win over May & Baker A. Harvey Cooper, substitute Freddy Shepherd and a penalty from Thomas Butler all assisted Steve Hubbard’s side to the points which takes them up to fifth.
EOFL Division Three
In Division Three, Leigh Town Reserves got their 2nd win of the campaign after a 2 – 1 triumph at home to Buckhurst Hill U23 at John Burrows Recreation Ground. Strikes by Chris Pope and Max Whitehead saw Antony Lane’s side to the win, which sees them rise to sixth. The Hill second-side are second-bottom after their fourth loss in six matches. In the other action in the division, Catholic Utd’s Ressie side retained their six point lead at the summit after a 3 – 2 success at home to Pitsea Athletic. Paul Gunn and replacement David Newcomb netted for the visitors but they drop down to seventh.
Hashtag Utd Development are the nearest challengers in second spot, after they defeated Basildon Town Res 2 – 0 at Barleylands. Toby Res are up to third after dispatching bottom side Corinthians Res 5 – 0 in Newbury Park. Finally, Hullbridge Sports Res made it two wins thus far this season with a 2 – 1 win away at Collier Row, with Jay Knight among the scorers there for the visitors.
Cups
Essex Junior Cup R2 – Hawkwell Athletic 3 – 5 Wakering Sports Res
Herts Junior Cup – Rio Rovers 0 – 3 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res
EOFL Division Four
Results
Canning Town Res 1 – 2 Roydon | Bobby Moore Pavillon, Beckton
Chingford Athletic Res 2 – 3 Ongar Town Res | Town Mead 3G
Galleywood Res 0 – 3 Wakering Sports A | Clarkes Field
Shenfield AFC Res 3 – 4 Springfield Res | Warley Playing Fields
Southend Manor Dev. 2 – 0 Old Chelmsfordians Res | Southchurch Park
Sungate Dev 3 – 2 Leytonstone Utd | Ilford Wanderers RFC
EOFL Division Five
Results
Collier Row Res 2 – 9 Old Barkabbeyans | Forest Row Centre (Pitch 2)
Leigh Ramblers Res 2 – 1 Herongate Athletic Res | Belfairs Park
Pitsea Athletic Res 3 – 3 Snaresbrook Res | Basildon Sporting Village
Wakebury Res 4 – 3 AS Rawreth Res | Nursery Sports Ground
survivor16b 