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 8 January. This week, the league action was rather gazumped by a huge number of Cup matches, in no less than three Cup competitions, two of them being EOFL competitions – we’ll have round-ups of those. The League action centres on the two matches that were played in the Premier Division. Happy New Year to all the readers of this column, thank you for your support.
Essex Olympian League Round-up – Saturday 27 November
EOFL Premier Division
In the top-tier, Springfield continued their quest to get themselves out of the danger zone, as they won 4 – 1 at bottom side Canning Town. Adam Cole netted twice, with Jack Gibbons and Jack French also on target for Francesco Zabotti’s side here. In the other match, Shenfield AFC held Kelvedon Hatch to a 3 – 3 draw at St Martin’s Sch 3G. Joseph Newson, Lewis Young and Wayne Semanshia all scored for Darren Hunt’s side but the point means they are in fifth spot, behind Rayleigh Town on goal difference.
Before we move on to the Cup action, here’s a quick reminder of the top of the table ahead of the second half of the season. Basildon Town lead the standings with 38 points from their 15 matches, four points clear of Hutton who continue to prosper under Matt Singh & his staff. Ongar Town are also well placed in third, with 31 points from 15 matches. It is sure to be a dramatic end to the campaign.
EOFL Senior League Cup
Moving into the five matches played in the EOFL Senior League Cup, and Toby progressed with an impressive 7 – 1 success at Leytonstone Utd in their game which was moved to Robert Clack Sch 3G. Albert Perry continued his fabulous goal-scoring campaign with four goals here, with Jake Jones, Jamie Simpkins and Marc Porter-Brown on target for Mark Jones’ side here. Shoebury Town also made it into the next round after a 5 – 3 victory against high-scoring Old Barkabbeyans at Cupid’s. Player-boss Garry Johnson and Steven Sharpe netted twice for the hosts, with Oliver Jenkins getting the other goal. Josh Robinson responded for Barkabbeayans with a fine treble but they exited here. Runwell Sports also went through with a 2 – 0 win against Collier Row at St Luke’s Park. Charlie Little and Isaac Pascal got the goals for Rob Hodgson’s team there.
Meanwhile, Corinthians progressed with a 5 – 0 victory over Wakebury at Stambridge Memorial Ground. Bailey Moss netted another two goals, with Leo Clarke, Cameron Glover and Connor Summerhill adding to the visitors’ pain as they can now focus on the League. Finally, Herongate Athletic got a fine 4 – 1 win over Southend Manor Development at Billericay Road. Benjamin Clarke netted a great treble, with Carey Wallace adding the other strike for Kurt Smith’s new side.
Essex Premier Cup – Last 16
The EPC reached the last 16 stage and the story goes on for Clapton CFC as they defeated Leigh Ramblers 4 – 2 at Wadham Lodge 3G. Josh Adejokun, Jake Stevens, Julian Austin and Noah Adejokun all scored for the hosts as the Middlesex County League Premier Division side knocked out the EOFL Premier side, and also can say they’ve knocked out both Leigh-on-Sea clubs in this competition this term, having beaten Leigh Town in a previous round. Catholic Utd will play in the Quarter-Finals though after a 5 – 3 success at Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier side Colne Athletic. James Warder scored a brace here, supplanted by strikes from Aaron Baldwin, Alfie Whiteaker and Jay Nash as Simon Thomas’ team took a fine win.
In other action, Manford Way edged to a 2 – 1 win over Chingford Athletic, with James Dobson and David Hornsby scoring for Manford. Old Southendian exited the competition as they lost 3 – 1 to the Border League Premier leaders Stanway Pegasus and Sungate got a 5 – 1 win over Harold Hill at Ilford Wanderers RFC.
EOFL Reserve League Cup
Finally this week, in the Reserve Cup there were goals aplenty. Collier Row Res got a fine 5 – 1 victory at Canning Town Res with Raheem Bravo and Anton Ostrii both notching twice here, with Jordan Adesanya also netting for the Row second side. Toby Res had a superb five-goal haul from Ollie Dingli to thank for a 5 – 0 home win over Corinthians Res at Ford’s Newbury Park. Hashtag Utd Development got one over on their divisional rivals as they defeated Catholic Utd Res 6 – 1 at Barleylands. Jay Knight and Matthew Gauci both scored twice for Denis Simpson’s team. That was allied with goals for Kai Warren and Samuel Pratt and the solitary reply for Utd came from Thomas Elliott.
Elsewhere, PItsea Athletic Res went through to the next round with a 4 – 1 win at AS Rawreth Res, thanks to trikes by Rinor Zeqiri, Vishnu Panikkar, Joe Shulver and replacement Sean Devlin. Old Southendian Res joined them with a 4 – 2 win at local rivals Leigh Town Res. Jack Cripps, Thomas Magerison, Daniel Frimley and Sean Simmonett netted for Josh Bambury’s side, outweighing goals in reply by Chris Pope and Danial Roberts for Town. Wakering Sports A safely negotiated a tricky match at Hackney Marshes with a 4 – 3 win at Snaresbrook Res. Tom Vine struck a fine treble, with Chay Saggers also scoring for Sports’ third-team. Also, Springfield Res went through after a 2 – 1 win over Basildon Town Res. Rhys Willson netted for Town but goals from Harrison Elles and substitute Owen Stewart saw the hosts make the next round.
In other action, Buckhurst Hill U23 continue to impress under boss Darren Gosnell as they won 5 – 2 at Ongar Town Res in Chelmsford. Chingford Athletic Res went through 5 – 3 on spot-kicks after a 1 – 1 draw with May & Baker A at Town Mead.
survivor16b 