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 14 May. The focus this week is on the League action in the top three divisions. Thank you for reading.
Photos by Trevor Robinson Photography [@TrevRobPhoto] & Scott W
Essex Olympian League – Midweek [Tues 10 May]
The solitary midweek match this week was the EOFL Senior League Cup Final, which saw Canning Town grab a surprise 3 – 2 triumph over Sungate at Woodside. Goals from Dominic Lewis, Karl Harms and Jack Williamson confirmed a memorable evening for Canning. Jake Willis and Petrit Elbi both netted for Sungate but they will have to be content with their Essex Premier Cup success this term.
Essex Olympian League – Saturday 14 May
Now moving on to the weekend action, and Ongar Town got a big 4 – 0 victory over Catholic Utd to confirm the EOFL Premier Division title for the first time. Second-half goals from Evernage Nyahunda, Joe Lilly, Mitchell McCabe & a Fred Mattock special secured a memorable day (and evening) of celebrations for Richard Ponsford’s team as they won the title on goal difference. Utd will finish no worse than seventh and have one more match to play at home to Canning Town next weekend. If you’d like more on this match, my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/05/15/s21-22-match-report-ongar-town-4-0-catholic-utd-sat-14-may/
Continuing with the Premier Division, Galleywood secured their divisional safety for another season with a 3 – 0 success at Springfield. Matthew Crick scored twice for the visitors there, with Thomas Watling again on target in this win against their local rivals. Canning Town retained their slim hopes of avoiding a bottom two finish with a 3 – 0 home victory over Bishop’s Stortford Swifts in Beckton. Town will have to win all three of their remaining matches to do that, and two of those games are against Sungate. Swifts fell to 11th but are out of immediate danger.
Finally in the Premier, Old Southendian grabbed a 2 – 0 win at Sungate, with two Daniel Frimley goals giving Altar Ali’s team the points, they will likely finish in eighth in what has been a good season in the main for OS.
In Division One, Beacon Hill Rovers confirmed their safety for another season with a superb 3 – 2 win away at rivals Snaresbrook at Hackney Marshes. ‘Brook need at least a point to avoid a bottom two finish from their last match – against rivals Leigh Town next weekend.
In Division Two, Manford Way got given the points from a recent match after an infringement from the opposition and that boost assisted them to a runners-up finish (and promotion so congratulations to them) as they won 4 – 3 at AS Rawreth. James Dobson, Alfie Smith and substitutes Samuel Oramadike and Dawid Potoczek all netted to secure the win for the East London side. Harold Hill finished third as they lost 1 – 4 to Hutton Res at Polo Fields, which also ensured the Hutton scond-side will avoid a bottom two finish and likely avoiding relegation along with it. With Division One short of clubs, Hill might still get elevated. Rawreth & Rochford Town are the bottom two clubs and will likely be demoted.
Finally, in Division Four Old Chelmsfordians Res secured their promotion as they grabbed a 4 – 1 victory over Ongar Town Res. They will finish second and congrats to them as well. Champions Chingford Athletic Res also ended their season with a home walkover win against Sungate Development, who finish bottom and will be relegated.
The last edition of this round-up for the season will be online on or soon after Monday 23 May. Thank you for reading.
survivor16b 