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 19 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). This week, the focus is on the League action once again, and we will have additional sections on Division Three plus the results in Divisions Four & Five plus the Cups.
Essex Olympian Lge – Saturday 12 March
EOFL Premier Division, Divisions One & Two
In the Premier Division, Ongar Town kept their four point lead at the summit with a comprehensive 6 – 1 success at home to Sungate. The ensemble cast of Jack Zielinski, Harry Rawlins, Fred Mattock, Joe Lily, Conner Jones and Paul Cox were all on target for Richard Ponsford’s side, with a fine strike from Kyran Chiedozie proving little consolation for ‘Gate here, they remain seventh with 11 matches still to play. Elsewhere, Rayleigh Town remain second after a 3 – 1 victory at Kelvedon Hatch. Liam Oliver, Ben Baxter and replacement Habeeb Apatira all netted for Paul Higgins’ side who remain in the hunt for the title. Joseph Newson responded for Kelvedon who drop to fifth but have still have a great season under Darren Hunt’s management team.
Also, Hutton are fourth on goal difference after a tight 1 – 0 win at home to Springfield, with Brad Freeman once again the goal-scoring talisman for Matt Singh’s side. They went level on points with Basildon Town in third after they beaten 2 – 1 by Bishop’s Stortford Swifts at Silver Leys. Sam Chaney and Samuel Brown both scored for Swifts as they got a memorable win which almost secures their place in the division. Basildon still have eight games to overhaul the sides above them, and player-boss Marcus Bowers netted for them here.
Old Southendian strengthened their position in the top ten with a fine 3 – 1 victory at Galleywood, with goals courtesy of Mitchell Ali, Mattias Tonking and substitute Harry DaCosta securing their ninth win this term. Thomas Watling got the solitary goal for ‘Wood here, they remain in the bottom four. Finally, Shenfield AFC got a 1 – 0 success at home to Leigh Ramblers to remain comfortably clear of the bottom four in eighth.
In Division One, there were big wins for the chasing pack as they sought to join Runwell Sports in the promotion spots. Toby got a terrific 3 – 1 win at Old Chelmsfordians, with Albert Perry, Harry Barham and Luis Ruiz all scoring for the Brewers to maintain a chance of pinching the title on their last game. Liam Landers responded for OC’s who will have to be satisfied with a mid-table finish. Wakering Sports also got a precious three points with a 2 – 1 triumph at strugglers Beacon Hill Rovers. Aaron Clark and substitute Ben Burrows got the points for Paul Morgan’s side here, who remain third but must win both their remaining games to have any chance of a top-two finish. Bertie Whymark scored for Rovers in that game. Corinthians got a Walkover win against Chingford Athletic, who have now been removed from the divisional table after withdrawing from the remainder of the campaign. Chris Stoneham’s Corinthians side still have the opportunity of finishing third if they win their last two games.
Moving into Division Two, Harold Hill remain in prime position for a promotion spot after a hard-fought 5 – 4 win at May & Baker A. Braces for Alagi Juwara and Jose Hernandez were not enough for Bakers’ to grab a point here, they remain seventh. Wakebury also got a narrow win to go back into third spot, following a 3 – 2 triumph at Rayleigh Town Res. Jerry Nkoy, Will Wheeler and an OG were enough to give Matt Cardy’s side the win and keep them in with a chance of a top-two finish. Town remain eighth. Also, Manford Way drew 2 – 2 with Shoebury Town with Samuel Oramadike and Charlie Parish scoring for Manford. Player-boss Garry Johnson and substitute Steven Sharpe both got on the scoresheet for Town, who edge five points clear in sixth with this point. Manford need one more victory to secure fourth spot as a minimum this term.
Finally, Harold Wood Athletic Res took a big stride toward safety with a 3 – 2 success at Old Southendian Res. Daniel Spittle, Thomas Butler and Arthur Simmons all scored for Steve Hubbard’s side here to go six points clear of the bottom two. Charlie Kernott and replacement Charlie Carter both netted for Josh Bambury’s side who look set for a mid-table finish.
EOFL Senior League Cup – Canning Town 2 – 0 Catholic Utd
EOFL Divisions Three
Into Division Three now, Basildon Town Res got a 5 – 1 win at Collier Row to confirm they will finish at least fourth in the table. Grant Cumming scored twice here with Benjamin Smith, Joe Barnett and Louis Hill also on target for Tony Bowers’ side. Row look set for another relegation as they are two points adrift at the bottom, with only one match remaining. Corinthians Res got a decent 2 – 2 with improving Buckhurst Hill U23 at Stambridge. Bailey Moss got both goals for the hosts, with Harry Maslin and Louie Cooper responding for Hill who could still finish sixth this term. Wakering Sports Res got an away Walkover with Hullbridge Sports Res conceding their match, which means Wakering stay third but are level on points with Hashtag Utd Development above them.
EOFL Division Four Results
Canning Tn Res 3 – 3 Old Chelms Res,
Springfield Res 3 – 0 Galleywood Res
And Sungate Dev 4 – 3 Shenfield AFC Res
EOFL Division Five Results
Herongate Ath Res H – W Snaresbrook Res,
Leigh Ramblers Res 1 – 3 Pitsea Ath Res
Old Barkabbeyans H – W Wakebury Res
EOFL Reserve League Cup
Toby Res 2 – 4 Chingford Ath Res
EOFL Reserve League Trophy
Leigh Town Res p1 – 1 Hutton Res (Leigh Town Res won 8 – 7 on pens)
EOFL Denny King Cup
Runwell Spts 1 – 0 AS Rawreth
Snaresbrook 1 – 0 Roydon
Thanks again for reading.
survivor16b 