Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Hello and welcome to this week’s extended round-up of the action in the Essex Olympian League this week, including the midweek action In League & Cups and the action on Saturday 7 May. The focus this week is on the League action in the top three divisions. Thank you for reading. Photos are by Scott W & Wakering Sports FC, used with thanks.
Essex Olympian League – Midweek [Tues 3 May]
We begin the midweek action began with the EOFL Reserve Cup Final, held once again at Woodside (Bishop’s Stortford FC). Wakering Sports Res ended a fine campaign with a 4 – 1 triumph over Buckhurst Hill U23 with Connor Fardyga underlining his superb goal-scoring campaign with a brace here, which Ciaran Sweeney and David Watson added goals to complete the win to claim the silverware.
Before we move on, I’d like to add my congratulations to the Wakering Sports second-side, as a club Sports have had a strong season.
Also on Tuesday night, Rayleigh Town maintained their slim chances of the EOFL Premier title with a superb second-half showing securing them a 4 – 0 success at home to Galleywood. Harry Talbot netted twice for Paul Higgins’ side, with Liam Oliver and replacement William Vile also on target. Rivals Basildon Town and Ongar Town need a point to both overhaul Rayleigh’s points total as of this point ahead of the weekend’s action. Non-League writer Peter Dudley was there & here is his report: https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2022/05/rayleigh-town-4-galleywood-0.html
The other game was at a chilly Len Forge 3G where Catholic Utd put in a good performance to dispatch Hutton 4 – 0. James Warder struck two goals here for Simon Thomas’ team and Aaron Baldwin & Joe O’Kane was also on the score-sheet in the match I attended. If you’d like more on this match, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/05/04/s21-22-match-report-catholic-utd-4-0-hutton-tues-3-may-eofl/
Essex Olympian League – Saturday 7 May
Now onto the weekend’s action, and in the match I attended, Basildon Town got a crucial 1 – 0 victoryat Hutton to seal a top-two finish at least. Graham Harrison got the goal just before the hour mark which means Ongar Town have to win next weekend to claim the title. If you’d like more on this game, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/05/07/s21-22-match-report-hutton-0-1-basildon-town-sat-7-may-eofl/
Elsewhere, Catholic Utd still have a chance of afifth-placed finish after they secured a superb 5 – 1 triumph over Galleywood at the Len Forge. Aaron Baldwin netted twice here, with Franklin Craik, Thomas Kearney and debutant Matt Creevy also netting here. Thomas Watling again scored for ‘Wood but they still need at least a point to avoid a bottom-three finish. Finally, Sungate will definitely finish in the top half after a 4 – 2 success at Harold Wood Athletic. James Pottle and replacement Jamie Webb-Kelly struck for Ath but it was confirmed here that they will finish bottom. ‘Gate will face Canning Town in the Senior League Cup Final on Tuesday at Woodside (Bishop’s Stortford) – the first of three matches against Canning in 18 days.
In Division One, Snaresbrook are two points from safety now after a fine 4 – 2 victory over Corinthians at Hackney Marshes. Bailey Moss and John Bolton-Smith scored for Chris Stoneham’s visitors but a double from Lee Lashley as well as strikes by Yevhen Zhyvka and substitute Tyrell Holder were enough to claim the win which keeps Rob Caine’s side well in contention for Division One survival. If they defeat Beacon Hill Rovers next weekend, they will stay up. The Stambridge-based side have finished fourth after another good season.
In Division Two, AS Rawreth also earned a crucial triumph, winning 3 – 2 against Harld Wood Athletic Res at the Warren. Freddy Shepherd & Thomas Butler’s penalty made it tough but Rawreth responded to claim the points. A victory next week at home to promotion-chasing Manford Way may be enough to avoid a bottom-two finish, if Hutton Res lose at home to Manford’s promotion rivals Harold Hill.
Lastly, for this week – in Division Four, Roydon kept up their slim chances of a top three finish with a 2 – 0 victory at Sungate Dev. Mike Hayes & an OG secured the win for Roydon but they must win by at least six clear goals at Springfield Res in two weeks’ time to leapfrog their rivals and finish 3rd. Sungate Development are now confirmed as finishing second-bottom and will likely be relegated.
EOL Divisions Three & Five have now been completed.
That’s all for this week, the EOFL round-up has two more editions this month before we end for the season. Thanks to you all for reading.
survivor16b 