Written by Scott W [@ScottMHC14] – Non-League Writer
Hello & welcome to the round-up from the fourth week of action in the Essex Olympian League season. This week on Saturday 3 September, we look at the action in the top four divisions in-focus, with a round-up from Divisions Four & Five.paigns here.
EOFL Premier Division
The Premier Division begins with a fabulous 6 – 1 win for Rayleigh Town at Bishop’s Stortford Swifts. Paul Higgins’ team have continued their good early season form with this big win, which saw Harry Talbot and Jack Long both score two goals each, with substitutes Sonny Woodward and Lewis Robson also finding the net. Replacement Alfie Bowen got a consolation goal for Swifts here. Catholic Utd also got a big win, despatching Galleywood 5 – 0 at the Len Forge. Aaron Baldwin & Franklin Craik both scored braces for Simon Thomas’ side, with Matt Wilson also notching to give the ‘Super Hoops’ their third consecutive win.
Also, Leigh Ramblers got a important 1 – 0 victory at Shenfield AFC, with Scott Clark getting the decisive goal for Mark Hunter’s team. At Chadfields, Hutton were held to a goal-less draw by Runwell Sports but Matt Singh’s side remain top because of their unbeaten record. Kelvedon Hatch were held 2 – 2 by Sungate at New Hall with Charlie Nichols and replacement Joe Cull getting the goals for Darren Hunt’s team.
In the match I saw live on Saturday, Canning Town made the most of a strong first-half as they won 4 – 3 at Old Southendian. Nabil Musah’s fine hat-trick allied with Napat Pattanawanitkitkul’s goal was enough to edge them to their third win of the campaign after OS came back strongly in second half through goals from Ed Gould, Jordan Faulkner and a pearler from Callum Ludlaim. If you’d like more on this game, my report is available here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/09/03/s22-23-match-report-old-southendian-3-4-canning-town-sat-3-sept-eofl/
EOFL Division One
In Division One, ACD Utd continued their decent season with a good 3 – 2 trimuph at Beacon Hill Rovers. Samuel Payne, Jamie Alexandrou and Shaun Goddard netted for Michael Wade’s side, but had to deal with a Rovers comeback which saw Lewis Sherwood and Bertie Whymark reply for the home side there. Epping Town got a superb 5 – 0 win at Wakering Sports, with Chris Gormley and Abdul Kamara both getting two goals apiece, while Joe Rickett contributed the other goal to add to Sports’ pain at Cupid’s Country Club.
In the other action in the division, Harold Hill defeated Herongate Athletic 2 – 1 at Noak Hill, while Corinthians were held 2 – 2 by Harold Wood Athletic. Bailey Moss got both goals for the hosts with James Pottle’s goal and another Billy Gray spot-kick giving John Field’s team a share of the points at Stambridge Memorial Ground, Ath also remain top.
EOFL Divisions Two & Three
In Division Two, Shoebury Town began their campaign with a 2 – 1 victory at Harold Wood Athletic Res. Kian Bradshaw & Dominic Walton got the goals for Garry Johnson & John Galley’s side, though Charlie Portway did get an added-time reply for Wood at Harold Wood Rec. Hutton Res also triumphed this weekend, as goals from David Johnson and Jonathan Hillard saw them to a 2 – 0 win at AS Rawreth to join a chorus of four teams on six points at the summit.
Hashtag Utd Development were also in action and got a important 2 – 1 success over Wakebury at Barleylands. Chandler Wray got both goals in the first half for the Tags’ youth side to render Harry Kateley’s goal in response a consolation for Matt Cardy’s team. In the other match in Division Two, Wakering Sports Res narrowly defeated May & Baker EOFL 3 – 2 at Cupid’s to continue their decent start to the season.
Moving now into Division Three, Basildon Town Res got a 2 – 1 victory at Toby Res, with Joshua Hales scoring both goals at the Nursery Sports Ground. Pitsea Athletic lead the table at this very early stage after a 4 – 0 win at home to Corinthians Res at Basildon Sports Club. The ensemble cast of scorers fir the hosts were Precious Aminu, Kwadwo Asante, Emmanuel Ampaabeng and substitute Joshua Ledger.
Also, Collier Row got a 2 – 0 success at Leytonstone Utd in the ‘Forest Row derby’. Buckhurst Hill U23 are still unbeaten after three matches and reside in second spot after drawing 1 – 1 with Leigh Town Res at Roding Lane. Substitute Divine Ngonye netted for Buckhurst’s developmental side there.
Lastly in Division Three, Springfield Res were held to an entertaining 3 – 3 draw with Hullbridge Sports Res at Chelmer Valley School. Jay Knight got two goals for Jason Mole’s side, plus Harry Mole also netted but it was not enough to get the points.
EOFL Divisions Four & Five results
Division Four
Galleywood Res 3 – 4 Herongate Ath Res
Roydon 3 – 1 Ongar Town,
Shenfield AFC Res 2 – 0 Pitsea Athletic Res,
Wakering Sports A 1 – 4 Leigh Ramblers Res
Division Five
Collier Row Res 1 – 2 Canning Town Res,
Epping Town Res 0 – 8 Manford Way Res,
Runwell Sports Res 4 – 0 Wakebury Res,
and Sungate Res 3 – 5 Basildon Town A
End
survivor16b 