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 12 March. This weekend saw a promotion confirmed in the match I saw first-hand. As ever, there was a number of competitions being played (the EOFL Senior Cup, Reserve League Cup, Ressie Trophy, Denny King Memorial Cup & Essex Premier Cup), our focus remains on the League action. This week, the focus is on the League action once again, and we will have additional sections on Divisions Three, Four & Five plus the Reserve League Cup.
Essex Olympian Lge – Saturday 12 March
EOFL Premier Division, Divisions One & Two
As ever, we begin with the Step 7 Premier Division. Ongar Town went four points clear at the summit with a 1 – 0 win over Shenfield AFC. Jake Chadwick got the crucial goal to ensure Richard Ponsford’s team added to the pressure for the chasing pack, most of which have games in hand looking to overhaul them. Rayleigh Town remain second on goal difference after an impressive 5 – 0 win at Galleywood. Club skipper George Vile scored twice for Paul Higgins’ side here, while Harry Higgins, Harry Talbot and Charlie Seaden all also netted. Basildon Town are level on points with Rayleigh in third after an excellent 6 – 0 triumph at home to Bishop’s Stortford Swifts. Ronnie Hobbrough scored twice for Bas, and the additional scorers included Graham Harrison, Rhys Fatt, Ryan Scougall and substitute Rhys Willson. Marcus Bowers’ side still have nine matches remaining.
Meanwhile, Catholic Utd went up to sixth after a 3 – 1 success at Springfield. Jay Nash maintained his scoring streak with a double here, and Franklin Craik added a late third. Lee Harris got a consolation for the hosts who remain 10th. Harold Wood Athletic got an important point as they drew 2 – 2 with fellow strugglers Canning Town. James Pottle and Billy Reed goals were cancelled out by Town replies by Alfie Fry and Napat Pattanawanitkikkul. Wood remain four points adrift at the bottom. Finally, Sungate defeated Leigh Ramblers 2 – 1 at Belfairs Park to fortify their seventh position.
In Division One, Runwell Sports finally confirmed their long sought-after place in Step 7 after a battling 1 – 0 win at Wakering Sports, in the match I attended this weekend. Skipper Oliver Quick got the only goal in a tense match though the celebrations post-match signified a dream realised for Chairman Jason Emery, with Runwell playing in the Premier Division next season for the first time in more than twenty years. If you’d like more on this match (including photos), then my report is available here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/03/12/s21-22-match-report-wakering-sports-0-1-runwell-sports-sat-12-mar-eofl/
Wakering Sports still have three more matches to play as they duke it out with rivals Toby for the other likely promotion spot. Leigh Town also got a welcome win via walkover over Chingford Athletic, which sees them up to eighth spot. They have three matches to stay above the bottom two.
Moving into Division Two, Shoebury Town continued their good season with a 6 – 3 win at Hutton Res, in a match played at Hannakins Farm Community Centre 3G. Kian Bradshaw grabbed a fine treble to double his goal tally to six league goals this term. Kyle McAlindon, player-boss Garry Johnson and Daniel Brooker all also netted for the visitors, who remain sixth, two points adrift of Old Southendian Res. The Hutton scorers were Connor O’Regan with a double, plus one for Jack Shaw. They remain third-bottom with five matches left. Manford Way continued their good form with a 6 – 2 triumph at fellow top five side Old Southendian Res at Garon Park 3G. The ensemble cast of scorers here for Manford were David Alele, James Dobson, Joshua Owoaje, Dominic Esty-Wilkinson, Charlie Parish and an OG. The win saw them rise to third, three points adrift of Harold Hill in second. The Os side remain fifth.
In the other game in D2, Rayleigh Town Res had a Ebeneezer Djan treble to thank for a 3 – 0 victory at home to Harold Wood Athletic Res at London Road. The win takes them five points clear of their opponents here in eighth spot and seven points clear of the bottom three.
EOFL Senior League Cup Result – Toby 1 – 2 Harold Hill
EOFL Divisions Three, Four & Five
In Division Three, the one match that took place ended in a draw. Basildon Town Res were held 2 – 2 by visitors Wakering Sports Res. Louis Hill and Jamie Bradbourn netted for the Town side, with Connor Fardyga and Scott Clark responding for Wakering, who remain in the running for a top-three finish.
In Division Four, Chingford Athletic Res benefitted from a walk over win in their game with Leytonstone Utd, which took them ten points clear at the summit and only requiring two more wins to seal the title. Wakering Sports A defeated Springfield Res 3 – 1 to record a welcome win at Cupid’s. Paul Wines, Mekhi Weekes and Nathan Roche all netted for them, while Liam England replied for the visitors.
Finally, in Division Five, AS Rawreth Res were held 2 – 2 by Herongate Athletic Res at the Warren. Ethan Bird got both goals for the Rawreth side, with Lee Glynn and Samuel Tshiamala goals securing a point for Herongate.
EOFL Reserve League Cup
This week, we also have a bonus section on the Reserve League Cup. Buckhurst Hill U23’s secured their place in the next round after a fine 6 – 0 win at Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res. Stefanos Ladoukakis led the way for Darren Gosnell’s side with a double here, with Louie Cooper, Luka Ferraglioni, Jacob Richards and Casey Lockhart also on target at Silver Leys. They will joined in the next round by Hashtag Utd Development, who won 3 – 0 at Collier Row Res, with Shaun Warren’s opener being added to late on by Samuel Pratt and replacement Jake Smith. Lastly in this competition this week, Toby Res edged to a good 4 – 3 win at Pitsea Athletic Res, with Oliver Dingli scoring twice for the Toby side, allied to goals from Alkan Ali and substitute Marsell Uba. Pitsea responded through Sean Devlin’s fine treble.
EOFL Reserve League Trophy
Catholic Utd Res 10 – 0 Shenfield AFC Res
Ongar Town Res 4 – 1 Corinthians Res
Snaresbrook Res A – W May & Baker A (May & Baker A Progress)
Sungate Dev 2 – 5 Leigh Town Res
EOFL Denny King Cup
Collier Row 6 – 0 Beacon Hill Rovers
Old Chelmsfordians 6 – 1 Wakebury
And Southend Manor Dev 2 – 4 Snaresbrook
Thanks again for reading.
survivor16b 