S22-23 Round-ups: Essex Olympian Lge (Sat 28 Jan) [EOFL 22-23 30.1.23]

Archive image – Runwell Sports v Shenfield AFC from earlier this term

---

Written by Scott W [@ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer

Hello & welcome to the another edition of the Essex Olympian League round-up. This week, we look at the action in all divisions & Cups from Saturday 28 January, as the weekend’s action was for the most part restored following the restrictive weather conditions in the ladt month.

EOFL Premier Division

In the top-tier, Hutton retained their 14 point lead at the summit, following a 5 – 1 victory at Galleywood. Substitute Matthew Price netted twice here, with Luke Ricketts, Joshua Seal & Connor Hammond also scoring for Matt Singh’s side. Ronnie Edwards replied for ‘Wood, who remain three points adrift at the bottom. Rayleigh Town produced a terrific display in an 8 – 0 success over Bishop’s Stortford Swifts at Thames Road. There were trebles for Jack Long and George Vile, along with strikes for William Vile and substitute Lewis Robson to give Town a much-needed win, given the race for second spot in gathering pace. They went back into second after Toby defeated Leigh Ramblers 2 – 0 at the Nursery Sports Ground. Sonny Leeks’ brace confirmed a big win for Mark Jones’ side, which takes them five points clear of the bottom two.

Elsewhere, Old Southendian are up to fourth spot following a fine 5 – 1 victory over Kelvedon Hatch at Garon Park 3G. Callum Ludlaim had arguably his best day this season, scoring a fine treble, with Mitchell Ali & Nico Dubouchet also scoring for Altar Ali’s side. Joe Newson netted reply after coming off the bench for Darren Hunt’s side, who drop to 11th. Catholic Utd had a battling 2 – 1 victory at Canning Town, with Joe O’Kane & Louie Hay goals sending them sixth, with several games in hand on most of the teams around them. Shenfield AFC remain ninth after a 3 – 0 victory at Springfield, with Jack Maleary, Ben Absolon & Ben Carroll all scoring for AFC. Springfield boss Allan Fenn has also elected to step down, and I wish him well for the future.

Finally, Runwell Sports stay eighth after an excellent 4 – 2 success at Sungate. James Dalton netted two goals for Rob Hodgson’s side, with Gianni Frankis & Owen Barratt adding further goals. Runwell are now ten points clear of the bottom two, as they seek to have a second consecutive campaign at Step 7.

EOFL Divisions One, Two & Three

Division One this week saw some key results. First, Epping Town battled hard before securing a 5 – 3 victory over Herongate Athletic at Billericay Road. Joe Rickett’s superb treble was added to by goals from Scout Bown & Abdul Kamara as Stuart Hoskins’ side remained three points clear in second. Alfie Yeend scored twice for Ath, with Thomas Lambourne also scoring. Old Chelmsfordians remain third at this juncture, following a 2 – 1 win at home to Beacon Hill Rovers, with Jack Walker netting for Rovers. Manford Way also got an important victory, 2 – 1 at home to Corinthians. Dawid Potoczek & replacement Harry Davison both scored for Colin Dobson’s team, who go up to sixth, while their opponents lost ground on the top three.

Into Division Two now and the stand-out result saw Catholic Utd Res defeat Hashtag Utd Development 3 – 1 at St Thomas More Sch. James Warder’s brace & a goal for Daniel Williams secured a win that takes them four points clear of the bottom two. Hashtag’s youth side lost ground on the top two and are also vulnerable to being caught by Harold Wood Athletic Res, who have matches in hand. Leaders Shoebury Town are now seven points clear, following a comeback 4 – 2 win at Wakebury. Finlay Dorrell & Louis Yuille both netted for Matt Cardy’s team but a double for Jack Woodham plus goals for Mechack-Kisoka Asuka & Enoch Gyimah secured Town’s 10th win this term. Finally for this division, Rayleigh Town Res also notched an important 5 – 0 success at home to AS Rawreth.

---

Now into Division Three, Basildon Town Res emerged with a terrific 8 – 0 win at Corinthians Res, with Louis Hill scoring a hat-trick, added to by Jamie Bradbourn’s brace and one each for Keith King, Daniel Okah and replacement Harry Johnson. Town remain eight points clear at the summit now. Buckhurst Hill U23 also got the three points, with a 3 – 1 victory over Pitsea Athletic at Roding Lane. Harvey Woods struck twice for Darren Gosnell’s team, plus Joe Marjason’s additional goal which secured the win which takes them above Pitsea & into fourth. Elsewhere, Chingford Athletic Res narrowly defeated Springfield Res 3 – 2 at Town Mead 3G. Conor Medhurst’s double & Luke Dimond’s strike outdid goals by Liam England & replacement Adam Jackson for the visitors. Finally, Leigh Town Res got a 2 – 1 win over Toby Res at John Burrows Rec, with Chris Pope and Spencer Izatt the scorers for Josh Burrage’s side, who rise to second spot.

EOFL Divisions Four & Five

Moving into Division Four, and Leigh Ramblers Res grabbed a convincing 7 – 0 triumph at home to Galleywood Res. Charlie Batchelor notched twice for the Rams second-side, with Joe Howson (pen), Luis Bracci, Dominic North, Ethan Nunn & substitute Cameron Jarvis all also scoring here. That result takes them up to fourth & strengthens their chances of being in the promotion race. Ongar Town also won this week, with a 2 – 0 success over Herongate Athletic Res at Marks Hall. Jude Collins & Mason White both netted for Tony West’s team. Also, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res drew 1 – 1 with Roydon at Silver Leys. Matthew Allen netted for Swifts, and Connor Riddoch replied for Roydon. The visitors there dropped to second by virtue of Collier Row’s Walkover win over Pitsea Athletic Res, which takes Row two points clear but they have played three games more.

In Division Five, Basildon Town A went back up to fifth after a 6 – 0 victory against Shoebury Town Res. Donnel Kujinga led the scorers with a fine treble, with Jamie Miller scoring two & replacement Bradley Pike also notching in this win which takes them up to fifth. Also, Manford Way Res extended their lead to seven points at the summit after a 7 – 2 win at Canning Town Res.

Cups

There were three Cup matches this week. Firstly, in the EOFL Reserve Cup, Hutton Res prevailed with a 4 – 1 victory over Runwell Sports Res at Polo Fields. Rodney Wilson, Luke Haydon & substitutes Thomas Price & Ronnie Richardson-Cook got the goals for the hosts there. In the Reserve Trophy, Sungate Res progressed with a 4 – 2 success at AS Rawreth Res. Justin Burrell & Bradley Giles got the goals in reply for the AS side.

Finally, Wakering Sports powered to a 5 – 0 victory over Leytonstone Utd at Cupid’s, in the Denny King Cup. Ryan Curtis & Paul Wines both netted doubles here for Sports, with Mekhi Weekes adding the other goal there.

Advertisement

Season Review 2019-20: Essex Olympian League Division Four [EOFL SR 19/20 22.4.20]

Written By Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

Hello and welcome to the first of a mini-series of blog articles looking back at the ‘void’ Season 2019-20, as deemed by the FA. Sufficed to say, I felt it was important to mark what’s been another fascinating campaign in the Essex Olympian League, Essex Senior League & Eastern Senior League South (leagues I’ve watched mostly this season just gone).

Anyway, we begin the series with a look at Division Four, including an array of statistics compiled from the EOFL FA Full-Time website including top goalscorers & top appearance makers in the League fixtures. Thanks for reading.

 

EOFL Division Four  (as of season cut-off point of March 14th 2020)

As with all the EOFL divisions, the season was halted in mid-March 2020 before eventually being curtailed several weeks later. At that point, Roydon took advantage of a fine run of six wins from their last eight matches to get themselves to the top of the standings, with 39 points from their 15 unbeaten matches played. Ten of those matches were at home and the North West Essex side won eight of them, drawing the other two. They also were the best ‘Entertainers’ in the division this term, scoring 67 goals at an average of 4.46 Goals per game (GpG).

Their nearest rivals in second spot were former leaders Chingford Athletic Development, who if I recall correctly were a new side in the EOFL this season, supporting the club to begin a pathway for the first team (who played in Senior One this term) for players. The Ath ‘second-side’ amassed 38 points from their 19 matches, scoring 61 goals in the process (the second best in the division) and having three entrants in the Top Goalscorers listing but more on that later.

Ongar Town Reserves finished in third spot after a mixed campaign, with 28 points from their 17 matches. Five of their nine wins came away from home interestingly though it is also worth noting that only six of those 17 games were at home. A leaky defence arguably stopped them from being nearer the top two at the cut-off point, though it is certainly a campaign to build on next term.

Next, three clubs all on 27 points with goal difference proving decisive in separating them. In fourth spot are Wakering Sports Reserves, having won eight of their 16 matches and having a better defence than their nearest rivals. Forest Glade also ended on 27 points though ended up fifth, because of inferior (and zero) goal difference. They won eight of their 19 matches in total, though had a better second half of the campaign as they rose up the mid-table spots. Catholic Utd’s Reserve side finished in sixth, also on 27 points though because a negative goal difference dragged them down. Continuing the mantra of the first team somewhat, the ‘second-side’ scored 52 goals and conceded 58, the second worst defence in the division. Also, five of their eight wins at their home pitch at the Len Forge Centre [3G].

There lays a gap of seven points before we reach the bottom half sides. Firstly, Galleywood Reserves are in seventh spot, having won six of their 14 matches to end on 20 points. A hard-earned quirk of their season is that they have the fourth best defensive record in the division, with 26 goals conceded. Only three of the top four sides are above them in terms of having a more miserly defensive record. Leytonstone Utd are a point behind them in eighth place, having grabbed six wins from their 15 matches which isn’t bad going when you factor in they were the second weakest in terms of scoring goals in Division Four in 2019-20. Laindon Orient Reserves are just behind in ninth spot, with six wins and nine losses from their 15 matches. Unfortunately, the O’s second-side do have that poorest goal-scoring record this term, along with the third-worst defence. Club Chairman Neil Blackburn will hope for better next term, you feel.

Rounding off the division are Old Chelmsfordians Reserves (10th, 17 points from 15 matches), Shenfield AFC Reserves (11th, 12 points from 16 games) and lastly, Canning Town Reserves who amassed two wins  from their 18 matches to end up with ten points, whilst also conceding sixty goals, the worst in the division.

 

EOFL Division Four – Top Goalscorers 2019-20 Season

 

	Player	Club/s	League Goals	League Starts
1	Franklin Craik	Catholic Utd Res	19	13
2	Lewis Watson	Roydon	17	12
3	Tom Vine	Wakering Sports Res	16	12
4	Lewis Page	Roydon	15	9
5	Frankie Goodhall	Ongar Town Res	14	10
=6	Zak Robinson	Galleywood Res	12	10
	James Medlock	Leytonstone Utd	12	15
=8	Luke Dimond	Chingford Athletic Dev	11	7
	Jack Zielinski	Ongar Town Res	11	7
	George Burton	Chingford Athletic Dev	11	9
	Scout Bown	Roydon	11	11
12	Dean Peck	Galleywood Res	10	7
=13	James Warder	Catholic Utd Res	8	10
	Matthew Gauci	Forest Glade	8	16
15	Umar Ali	Chingford Athletic Dev	7	12

 

Finally, here’s the top page of the Leading Appearance Makers in Division Four (focus on League Starts)

			Appearances
		Club/s	League Starts	Bench	Total
1	Kian Burton	Chingford Athletic Dev	18	1	19
=2	Joseph Edwards	Forest Glade	17	0	17
	Shaun Warren	Forest Glade	17	0	17
=3	Nathan Ackie	Chingford Athletic Dev	16	2	18
	Patrick Clarke	Chingford Athletic Dev	16	1	17
	Billy Calder	Shenfield AFC Res	16	0	16
	Matthew Gauci	Forest Glade	16	0	16
	Charles Simpson	Forest Glade	16	0	16
=8	Jayson De Araujo	Canning Town Res	15	1	16
	Harry Holt	Ongar Town Res	15	1	16
	Trevor Kabuchu	Ongar Town Res	15	1	16
	James Medlock	Leytonstone Utd	15	0	15
	Lee Pellin	Laindon Orient Res	15	0	15

Round-up: Essex Olympian League & Cups (Sat 7 Mar) [EOFL 19/20 8.3.20]

Archive Image: Corinthians v Rochford Town in EOFL D2 last month 

Written by Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

Hello and welcome to this week’s review of Essex Olympian League action on Saturday 7 March. The weather continued to blight fixtures though there were still a lot of big matches in League & Cups that took place. Thanks for reading.

EOFL Crest

Essex Olympian League – Saturday 7 March

Premier Division

In the Premier Division, Sungate picked up a narrow 1 – 0 win at Rayleigh Town to extend their lead at the summit to six points. Buckhurst Hill can still catch them if they win five of the eight matches they have in hand on the ‘Gate. Rayleigh remain in seventh spot. Meanwhile, Kelvedon Hatch rose to fifth place after a 3 – 2 win over Harold Wood Athletic in a match moved to Frances Bardsley Academy 3G in Romford. Calvin Poku, Theo Ola and Joe Gregory all netted for Hatch, with Rob Whitnell and Jack Brown-Sykes scoring for Ath, who remain bottom, five points adrift of the top ten.

Shenfield AFC also secured a much-needed three points with a fine 5 – 2 win at mid-table Springfield. Ben Carroll grabbed a treble here, with Samuel Lock and Alex Tredgett also notching for AFC to send them up to 11th spot, four points clear of the bottom two.

Match OFF: Basildon Town  P – P  Leigh Ramblers   |

 

Senior Division One

In Senior One, FC Hamlets won 2 – 0 at bottom side Toby through goals from Charlie Heatley and Jack Patten to secure their fifth league win this term, having played only 11 matches, due to postponements & Cup ties. Ashley King’s side rise to seventh spot and still have an outside chance of securing a top-four finish.

Lakeside edged to a 1 – 0 success over Runwell Sports with Jody Reynolds getting the only goal to go five points clear in fourth. Runwell remain in the bottom three. Also, Galleywood also won away from home, 2 – 0 at Ramsden Scotia thanks to strikes by Matthew Buckingham and replacement Jamie Rick, which sent ‘Wood up to fifth. Ramsden have lost three on-the-spin and remain in tenth.

 

Matches OFF:
Manford Way  P – P Rayleigh Town Res   |

Shoebury Town P – P   Herongate Athletic |

Snaresbrook  P – P  Old Chelmsfordians |

 

Senior League Cup

In the one EOFL Senior Cup Quarter-Final tie, Catholic Utd edged to a 1 – 0 win over fellow Premier side Hutton at the Len Salmon Stadium. Jay Nash got the only goal to see the Super Hoops through to the last four.

Essex Premier Cup: Semi-Finals

In the one Essex Premier up Semi-Final that did take place at Roding Valley Sch 3G, Premier side Buckhurst Hill edged past impressive Senior One side Chingford Athletic on penalties after a pulsating 3 – 3 score-line after extra-time. Sam Sollosi netted twice for Mark Williams’ side in normal time, before Fenti Falola netted in extra time though Chingford showed their warrior spirit with Alex Gordon netting a double of his own which was added to by Gary Murray. Hill won the ensuing shoot-out 5 – 4 though this battle adds fuel to the thought that Dave Richbell’s side will be a Premier Division side next term. Congrats to both teams though it is Hill who make it through to the Final to defend their title at Billericay Town’s New Lodge on Wednesday April 11th.

Match OFF: Leigh Town  P – P  Ongar Town  | New Date: Sat March 14th

 

Senior Division Two

Two matches survived in Senior Two, as Beacon Hill Rovers went back up to second spot with a 3 – 1 home win over Wakering Sports in the early kick-off, moved to Plume Sch in Maldon. Nathan Ruggles, Ade Adeyemi and a late Stephen Bennett spot-kick saw Rovers to a fifth straight win and are seven points off leaders Leigh Town. Corinthians also endorsed their promotion chances with a 4 – 2 win at May & Baker Res. Alfie Knight, Ollie Brickwood, John Bolton-Smith and Dan Cooksley all netted for Chris Stoneham’s side who went above their opponents into fourth place. Ryan Leavens and Ricardo Teixeira struck for Jimmy Donald’s team though their own aspirations of elevation took a dent here as they have five matches left to play.

Match OFF: Laindon Orient  P – P  Epping Town

 

Senior Division Three

Finally for the round-up section in Senior Three, Wakebury failed to gain ground on leaders ACD Utd as they were held 0 – 0 by Toby Res at Shoebury Park. It looks increasingly likely that Corinthians Res are the biggest threat for the title though the Berries will still want to secure a top-two finish for the best chance of promotion. Elsewhere, Lakeside Res got their third win in their last five with an important 3 – 1 win at Collier Row. This win sent ‘Side up to ninth, four points clear of the bottom two and handed Row a setback in their focus for a top-three finish.

Also, Corinthians Res handed White Ensign Res another heavy loss as Terry Rose’s side won 6 – 0 at Stambridge Memorial Ground. It was an ensemble cast of scorers with Steve Solarin, Max Hall, Ashley Webb, Ryan Woodley, George Penfold and Taner Dagyaran all on target as the hosts remain third and cut the deficit to leaders ACD to six points with three matches in hand on them. Ensign’s second side have three matches left to get out of the bottom two, they sit second-bottom and are three points away from Basildon Town Ressies.

Matches OFF:

Buckhurst Hill Res  P – P  Hutton Res   |

Hullbridge Sports ‘A’  P – P Basildon Town Res |

 

Senior Division Four results

Canning Town Res  1 – 1  Roydon

Forest Glade  P – P  Catholic Utd Res

Galleywood Res   P – P  Wakering Sports Res

Old Chelmsfordians Res  2 – 4  Chingford Athletic Development

Ongar Town Res  P – P  Laindon Orient Res

Shenfield AFC Res  0 – 2  Leytonstone Utd

 

Senior Division Five results

Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res  4 – 0  Shoebury Town Res

Herongate Athletic Res  P – P  Collier Row Res

Roydon Res  2 – 2 Springfield Res

Runwell Sports Res  1 – 0  Newbury Forest Res

Round-up: Essex Olympian League & Senior Cup (Sat 14 September) [EOFL 19/20 15.9.19]

Written by Scott W  [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer

Hello and welcome to this week’s extended round-up of Essex Olympian League action, which includes matches from the top four divisions, plus a round-up/results from the Senior League Cup action and results from Senior Division Four and the Reserve League Cup action this weekend – Saturday 14th September. Thanks for reading.

 

EOFL Premier Division

In this week’s Premier action, Basildon Town got a fine 4 – 2 win at Bishop’s Stortford Swifts with Keith King, Tommy Green, Jimmy Markham and replacement Daley Grant all finding the net. Terrell Hunter got both strikes for Swifts though their three-match winning run ended here. Harold Wood Athletic registered their first win of the new season as they defeated Canning Town 2 – 0. Reiss Kingsley and Robert Whitnell got the goals for Kris Taylor’s side. Kelvedon Hatch also triumphed, defeating Old Southendian 3 – 1. Petrit Elbi struck twice with substitute Reece Morgan also notching for Hatch, while Mattias Tonking netted for OS.

Springfield edged a tight affair with Hutton as a late Ryan Batchford penalty saw them to a 1 – 0 home win. Rayleigh Town made it six league wins from six as they won 3 – 1 at Shenfield AFC. George Vile, Harry Talbot and Bailey Moss goals saw them extend their cushion at the top to six points. Leigh Ramblers drew with Sungate 2 – 2 for the second time this term, with Acer Wake and Justin Hazell netting for Wayne Seal’s side.

 

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round result

Lopes Tavares  3 – 1  Catholic Utd   | Terence MacMillan Stadium

Essex Thames-side Trophy result

Buckhurst Hill 1 – 1 Walthamstow (‘Stow won 3 – 0 on penalties) | Roding Lane

 

 

EOFL Senior Division One (result only)

Toby  1 – 2  Lakeside   | Ford’s Sports Club (Newbury Park – Toby pitch)

 

EOFL Senior League Cup 2019-20

Chingford Athletic advanced in the Senior Cup as they defeated Beacon Hill Rovers 5 – 0 at Town Mead. Mickey Mesmin got a brace, with Eric Kelly, Lee Lashley and Warren Isoka all getting on the scorer’s sheet as Ath continued their strong start to the campaign in all competitions. Leigh Town also progressed with a 2 – 1 success at Ramsden Scotia with Max Jones grabbing both Town goals there.

 

Other Results in Senior League Cup this weekend:

Ongar Town  8 – 1  Snaresbrook  |  Fyfield Village Hall

Runwell Sports  0 – 3  Manford Way   |  Runwell Sports Club

Shoebury Town  6 – 1  Old Barkabbeyans  | Cupid’s Country Club (Pitch 2)

 

Senior Division Two

In Senior Two, Laindon Orient got their second win this term with a 3 – 0 home win over Rochford Town. A brace from Ashley Blackburn and one from Jasper Read saw them to victory there. Westhamians got their first league win in Senior Two with a super 4 – 2 win over Wakering Sports. Substitute John Massala got two, while Monty Hussain and Abel Okoghenu also netted for the hosts. Zac Wheatley and skipper Russell Beck responded for Sports though they have yet to register a point on the board.

Corinthians had a new star to thank for their 5 – 2 win at Ryan as recent signing, former Basildon Utd, Southend Manor & White Ensign forward Nathan Dewberry got all five goals for the visitors at Wadham Lodge. May & Baker Reserves outshone all on the ‘goals count’ as they defeated AS Rawreth 10 – 2.

Finally, Epping Town came away from Garon Park with a fine 5 – 0 win over Old Southendian Reserves, as Alex Paraskeva netted twice, with Bradley Gayer, Glen Warwick and Tommie Turner also getting on the score-sheet. If you’d like more on this match, my report is here: survivor16b.wordpress.com/2019/09/14/match-report-old-southendian-res-0-5-epping-town-eofl-14-9-19/

 

EOFL Senior Division Three

Into Senior Three now, Corinthians Reserves continued their 100% start to the league campaign with a 4 – 2 win over Wakebury. Max Hall, Luke Smith, Sener Suavi and Ashley Webb all struck for Terry Rose’s team. Oliver Laycock and substitute Daniel Blewett netted in reply for the EOFL newcomers.  White Ensign Res also won this weekend, after a fine 5 – 2 win at Dagenham Utd. Kieran Follett, Joss Pountney, Lewis Brown, another spot-kick from Zach Somerset-Butler and one from fellow substitute Mechack Kisoka-Asuka gave Jack Caten’s team the points.

Collier Row got their second league win with a 4 – 1 triumph over Buckhurst Hill Res at the Forest Row Centre. Also, ACD Utd won 3 – 0 over Hullbridge Sports ‘A’ with Brad Falco, Frank Markham and replacement Michael Wade all on target for the EOFL newcomers.

 

Senior Division Four  (results only)

Canning Town Res  0 – 5  Galleywood Res

Leytonstone Utd  0 – 6  Chingford Athletic Dev

Roydon  4 – 1  Forest Glade

 

Reserve League Cup 2019 – 20  (Results only)

AS Rawreth Res A – W Leigh Town Res   (Leigh Town go through uncontested)

Basildon Town Res   2 – 1  Ongar Town Res

Catholic Utd Res  4 –  0  Leigh Ramblers Res

Herongate Athletic Res  1 – 4  Lakeside Res

Hutton Res  5 – 1 Laindon Orient Res

Old Chelmsfordians Res  1 – 0  Harold Wood Athletic Res

Rayleigh Town Res  H – W  Roydon Res (Rayleigh go through uncontested)

Wakering Sports Res  1 – 5  Collier Row Res