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 on 12 & 13 April and the action on Saturday 16 April. The focus this week is on the League action and the additional sections on Divisions Four & Five remain in place with their campaigns coming to a conclusion. Thank you for reading.
Essex Olympian Lge – Midweek (12/13 April)
This week we begin with the start of the Midweek EOFL action, in the Premier Division Springfield won their big battle at Leigh Ramblers 2 – 0. Two spot-kicks from Joe Kiff was enough to win a scrappy game and increased the pressure on the Rams as they seek to avoid a bottom two finish. In Division Four, Galleywood Res were held 2 – 2 by Old Chelmsfordians Res at Slades Lane. Oliver Sadler and Bradley Taylor scored for ‘Wood in that one, though goals from Lee Mulholland and Shane Pritchard levelled things up for the visitors.
On Wednesday night, Sungate maintained the EOFL’s recent stranglehold on the Essex Premier Cup after grabbing a 2 – 0 victory over Essex Alliance League Senior Division side Woodford East in the Final at New Lodge 3G, with nearly 450 spectators in attendance. George Johnson and substitute Arif Mustapha got the telling goals as Bobby Port’s side claimed the silverware. I was at this match & my report is here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/s21-22-match-report-woodford-east-0-2-sungate-epc-final-wed-13-apr/
EOFL – Saturday 16 April
Premier Division, Divisions One & Two
In the Premier Division on Saturday, Basildon Town continued their progress towards the summit with a 3 – 0 victory over Old Southendian. Graham Harrison netted twice for Marcus Bowers’ side here, with Michael Onafuye also on target. Bas have kept the gap to leaders Ongar to one point, but still with one game in hand. Ongar Town themselves stayed top after a fine 5 – 0 success away at Canning Town. Jack Zielinski got two goals for Richard Ponsford’s team there, with Mitchell McCabe, Fred Mattock and Frank Goodall getting the other goals. The crucial game comes in midweek for Basildon Town, if they win that then they will go top.
Elsewhere, Leigh Ramblers drew 2 – 2 with rivals Galleywood at Slades Lane. Nathan Drewberry netted another fine double for Mark Hunter’s team, but strikes by Thomas Watling and Sean Barry really made it a better result for ‘Wood, who have five matches in hand on the Rams to claw back five points. The Rams have one match left to increase the lead over Canning Town in second-bottom, it currently stands at nine points – but Canning have four matches currently in hand on the Rams so that battle will rumble on.
Also, Catholic Utd were held 2 – 2 by Sungate, only three days after their EPC success mentioned earlier. Harrison Day & Michael Sammut got the goals for Utd in that one to stay a point clear of ‘Gate in sixth. Finally, Kelvedon Hatch were held by Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 1 – 1 at New Hall. Wayne Semanshia netted for Kelvedon there
With no action in Division One this week, we move to Division Two now. ACD Utd got a precious 3 – 2 win at Rayleigh Town Res to finally confirm promotion to Division One. Michael Wade netted two goals for Greg Knock’s impressive side, with Samuel Payne grabbing the other goal. They still have to face rivals Harold Hill in the title decider, that’ll be a game & a half! Also, Wakebury got a walkover win against Old Southendian Res so they have a chance of finishing third.
EOFL Divisions Three, Four & Five
Into Division Three, Catholic Utd Res kept up the pressure on the leaders by grabbing a 3 – 2 success at Buckhurst Hill U23. James Warder’s double plus one from Alec Bateman was enough to overhaul strikes by Harry Masklin and Olaobajuwan Olagbaju and give the visitors the points. However, Hashtag Utd Dev still lead the way after a narrow 1 – 0 win at Leigh Town Res means the Tags’ youth side lead by a point, with both sies and Wakering Sports Res having two games left to play. Elsewhere in the division, Toby Res ended their season with a 3 – 1 triumph against PItsea Athletic. Both sides will finish in mid-table, which is a creditable achievement for the EOFL newcomers.
Moving into Division Four, and Old Chelmsfordians Res kept their chance of a promotion spot going with a big 6 – 0 victory over Southend Manor Dev at Lawford Lane. Substitte Alex Tomkins got two goals here, with Shane Pritchard, Tmothy King, Emmanuel Mukaka and Lee Mulholland also on target for the OC second-side. Manor will finish in mid-table. Also, Shenfield AFC Res put a dent in Roydon’s promotion aspirations as AFC won 4 – 1 at Warley Playing Fields. Ross Riding got two goals here for the hosts, while Mason Everitt and replacement Shaun Goddard also scored. Halcyon Griffith got Roydon’s reply but they will likely have to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance of a top-three finish.
In Division Five, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts got the points without playing as Herongate Athletic Res conceded, so Swifts got the walkover win and with it the confirmation of Swifts as Division Five champions so congratulations to them. Ath will probably finish fourth as this was their last match of the campaign.
EOFL Cups
EOFL Denny King Memorial Cup – Semi-Final
Snaresbrook 0 – 0 Manford Way | Snaresbrook won 5 – 4 on pens
Snaresbrook will face Runwell Sports in the DKC Final on Thurs April 28th as Basildon Utd
Thanks again for reading. Just for reference, the last EOFL round-up this term will be online on or around Monday 23rd May. Many thanks to all the readers of the column and for the kind comments it has garnered this season, it is appreciated.
survivor16b 