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 22 January. This week, the league action was the mainstay, with several matches also taking place in Cup competitions, mainly the EOFL Senior League Cup which we round-up later in the article.
Essex Olympian League Round-up – Saturday 22 January
EOFL Premier Division
In the top-tier, Rayleigh Town sit second after a 3 – 0 success at Harold Wood Athletic. Harry Talbot, George Vile and substitute George Aston got the goals for Paul Higgins side, as they stayed a point clear of Ongar Town, who gained ground on leaders Basildon Town but winning 4 – 1 at Bas. Meanwhile, Catholic Utd strengthened their position in seventh following a 2 – 1 win at Galleywood. Aaron Baldwin’s brace secured the points for Simon Thomas’ side, outdoing the reply from Ben Smith for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Springfield got an excellent 5 – 2 triumph at home to Old Southendian. Replacement Garjay Thompson netted twice for Francesco Zabotti’s team, with Adam Cole, Ryan Kelland and Mohammed Raza also on target for the hosts as they went up to tenth. Finally, Sungate stay sixth after a 1 – 0 win over Bishop’s Stortford Swifts.
EOFL Divisions One, Two & Three
In Division One, the one League match what took place saw a big win for promotion-chasing Wakering Sports, who won 2 – 0 at Leigh Town. Ben Rowe and Joseph Burton got the goals for Mitchell Gleeson’s side at John Burrows Recreation Ground, which took Sports back up to second spot. Leigh remain eighth, four points clear of the bottom two.
In Division Two, in the two matches that were played, Manford Way got a 2 – 0 triumph at home to strugglers Hutton Res. Josh Sykes and Josh Owoaje both netted to send their side up to fourth. The other match saw a surprise 2 – 1 success for Rochford Town at Old Southendian Res. Substitutes Bobby Anderson and Max Harrington both scored for James Cooper’s team to lift them up to tenth. OS Ressies lost further ground on the top three and drop to fifth after this loss.
While in Division Three, Basildon Town Res are now ten points clear in fourth after a 2 – 1 win against Leigh Town Res. Rhys Willson grabbed both goals in this one for Bas as they got their ninth win this term. Also, Buckhurst Hill U23 got a big 5 – 3 victory at home to Toby Res at Roding Lane. Oliver Dingli’s double & Justin Clarke’s goal was not enough for the visitors as Hill U23’s ensemble cast of scorers were Joseph Strange, Jack Barnes, Philip Kumi, Ayomide Ademokun & replacement Harry Maslin to ensure their side went six points clear of the bottom two.
EOFL Senior League Cup
In the seven matches that were played in the EOFL Senior Cup, Hutton edged through to the next round on spot-kicks, following a goalless draw at Kelvedon Hatch. Matt Singh’s side won the resulting shoot-put 9 – 8 to progress. Also, Epping Town went through following a 3 – 0 triumph at Pitsea Athletic. Conor Corrigan netted twice, while Joe Rickett added the other goal for Town at the Basildon Sporting Village. Toby also won 2 – 1 at home to Shoebury Town, with Dean Maguchu and Jamie Simpkins on target for Mark Jones’ side. Bradley Samaroo got the goal for Town there.
Elsewhere, Chingford Athletic pulled off an excellent 3 – 2 success at Leigh Ramblers, with Eren Muti, Timothy Dennis and replacement Scout Bown netting for Declan Murphy’s side. The Rams responded through goals from Nathan Dewberry and Ryan Lowe but exited here. Roydon also got a 4 – 2 triumph over Hullbridge Sports Res, with a treble from substitute Mohamed Benzid being added to by fellow replacement Jack Bagley-Etheridge to outweigh strikes for Hullbridge by Michal Clark and Joseph Darby and get through to the next round.
Meanwhile, Corinthians also progressed with a 4 – 0 triumph against Shenfield AFC in Stambridge. Bailey Moss netted another treble, with Leo Clarke also finding the net for Chris Stoneham’s side. Canning Town also edged through after a 1 – 0 victory over Runwell Sports in Beckton.
EOFL Reserve League Cup – Shenfield AFC Res 0 – 2 Harold Wood Athletic Res
Essex Junior Cup Results
Burnham Ramblers Res 2 – 4 Catholic Utd Res | Leslie Field
Wakering Sports Res 1 – 2 Hashtag Utd Dev | Cupid’s (Pitch 1)
EOFL Divisions Four & Five Results
Div Four
Canning Town Res 0 – 0 Sungate Dev
Old Chelmsfordians Res 3 – 0 Springfield Res
Ongar Town Res 2 – 3 Galleywood Res
Wakering Sports A 3 – 4 Chingford Athletic Res
Div Five
Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res 0 – 3 Leigh Ramblers Res
Collier Row Res 3 – 0 Runwell Sports Res
Epping Town Res 1 – 2 AS Rawreth Res
Wakebury Res 1 – 2 Herongate Athletic Res
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