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 30 October. This week, the focus on League action remains, with this round-up focusing on the top four divisions, with results from Division Four & Five. I also attended a match in the EOFL this weekend, more on that in the Division One section.
Many thanks for reading.
EOFL Premier Division
In the Premier Division, Ongar Town remain at the summit after a 5 – 0 win at Kelvedon Hatch. Joe Lilly notched twice for Richard Ponsford’s side, with Eamon Payne, Mitchell McCabe and Jack Zielinski all scoring to also go joint-top in terms of goals scored this term. Kelvedon remain eighth. Basildon Town are still second after they won 3 – 1 at Canning Town. Graham Harrison got another two goals and replacement Antony Aylett confirmed the win for Marcus Bowers’ side in Beckton. Meanwhile, Hutton are just a point further back in third spot after a superb 5 – 0 triumph at Leigh Ramblers. The ensemble cast of Stpehen Judge, George Nash, Sean O’Callaghan, Luke Ricketts and substitute Jack Shaw all contributed a goal each to see Matt Singh’s side to victory.
Rayleigh Town also stayed as they were in fourth place after a good 2 – 0 triumph away at Catholic Utd. Liam Oliver netted both goals to take his League tally up to nine for the season already. The ‘Super Hoops’ fell to seventh after this result, six points adrift of the top three. Old Southendian got their sixth win of the campaign as they won 2 – 0 against strugglers Harold Wood Athletic at Garon Park. Strikes by Ed Gould and Mattias Tonking were enough to see Altar Ali’s side maintain their good start to this term as they rise to fifth.
Also, Springfield got their first win under new boss Francesco Zabotti as they won 2 – 1 at Shenfield AFC, which moved them up two places to 12th, while Sungate were held to a 2 – 2 draw with Galleywood.
EOFL Division One
In the second-tier, Toby were the big movers up the standings with a 4 – 1 triumph at home to Beacon Hill Rovers. Doubles for Ben Picton and Albert Perry were enough to see Toby up to third after their third win in their last four matches. Beacon Hill remain second-bottom in the table after five straight defeats. In the match that I attended this weekend, Corinthians fought back well to claim a 2 – 2 draw against fellow top six side Herongate Athletic at Stambridge Memorial Ground. Herongate had Martin Llewellyn’s double to thank for an early lead, but as the match went on the hosts got stronger and goals from Jordan Stoneham and Leo Clarke levelled things up but Ath defended well to claim a point. For more on this match, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/s21-22-match-report-corinthians-2-2-herongate-athletic-sat-30-oct-eofl/
Elsewhere in the division, Chingford Athletic got another home win, this time defeating Leigh Town 2 – 1. The win takes Declan Murphy’s Chingford side up to fifth on goal difference, just ahead of Herongate and Old Chelmsfordians, who defeated bottom side Snaresbrook 2 – 0 at Lawford Lane. Finally, Runwell Sports got another win as they defeated Epping Town 2 – 1 at Epping Rugby club. Andrew Smith netted for Town here, but they remain 9th with Runwell now going level on points with leaders Wakering Sports, with Rob Hogdson’s side having played a game more.
EOFL Division Two
Now into Division Two, we have new leaders in Harold Hill after they comprehensively won 7 – 0 at Rayleigh Town Res. Harry Agombar netted a fine hat-trick, with Tommy Foster adding a brace plus Peter Tyler and Matthew Harris also netted for Mark Ellis’ side. Hill are three points clear of ACD Utd, who lost their unbeaten record, as they lost 2 – 1 at Wakebury. Strikes by Max Hall and Harry Kateley were enough to claim a big win for Matt Cardy’s side, overturning a rare goal by player-boss Greg Knock. The win sees the Berries fortify third spot, six points clear of Manford Way, who got a 3 – 0 success over Old Southendian Reserves in NE London.
Meanwhile, Hutton Res got their first win of the season after a 5 – 2 success at home to May & Baker A at Polo Fields. The visitors had to field May & Baker First team boss Jordan Harris in goal for the majority of the match (one of those great stories in Grassroots football) but Hutton did claim the points as Jude Keeling notched a treble and Carl Dutton got the other two goals to claim a morale-boosting win for the hosts. Finally, in their bottom-of-the-table match, AS Rawreth got a narrow 1 – 0 win at Rochford Town and end their six-match losing run. Harold Wood Athletic Ressies’ match with Shoebury Town was postponed, presumably due to a waterlogged pitch.
EOFL Division Three
In Division Three, Hashtag Utd Development opened up a seven-point cushion in third spot after a 4 – 0 triumph at Pitsea Athletic. Tony Stevens and Kai Warren struck to bolster their position, before late strikes by Samuel Pratt and replacement Charlie Drew sealed the win. Pitsea remain mid-table, a point ahead of Hullbridge Sports Res who got their third win of the season after a 3 – 1 success against Toby Res at Lower Road. Jay knight, Harry Mole and Michael Clark all netted to give the hosts the points. Elsewhere, Catholic Utd Res made it ten wins from ten matches after a 2 – 1 win at Leigh Town Res. Plus, Wakering Sports Res stayed in second on goal difference after winning 5 – 1 at home to Corinthians Res at Cupid’s. Collier Row’s match with Basildon Town Ressies was postponed, due to waterlogged surface at Forest Row.
EOFL Division Four Results
Canning Town Res 1 – 4 Leytonstone Utd | Bobby Moore Pavillon
Galleywood Res 5 – 3 Sungate Dev. | Clarkes Field
Roydon 1 – 0 Southend Manor Dev. | Roydon Playing Fields
Shenfield AFC Res 2 – 0 Old Chelmsfordians Res | Warley Playing Fields
Springfield Res 1 – 4 Chingford Athletic Res | Arun Close
Wakering Sports A P – P Ongar Town Res | Cupid’s CC (Pitch 2)
EOFL Division Five Results
AS Rawreth Res A – W Pitsea Athletic Res | Away Walkover
Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res H – W Pitsea Athletic Res | Home Walkover
Herongate Athletic Res 2 – 3 Wakebury Res | Billericay Road
Old Barkabbeyans 8 – 1 Epping Town Res | Barking Abbey Sch 3G
And in Herts Senior Centenary Trophy
Codicote 3 – 5 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts | John Clement Memorial Ground
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