Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to my round-up of the weekend’s Essex Senior League action, which was ‘D-Day’ for some sides at both ends of the table, given that some teams played their last match of the campaign at the weekend.
Saturday 28th April
Barkingside 0 – 4 Takeley | Venue: Cricklefield | Att: 77
Takeley produced an excellent second-half display to increase the nerves for the hosts and take their relegation battle into the final week. After a goal-less opening 45, Carl Mullings grabbed a brace [60′ & 75′] before strike partner Stuart Zanone added gloss to the result with a late double [80′ & 85′] of his own. ‘Side drop to 17th, two points above the bottom three and have two games to play at Southend Manor and Wadham respectively. Takeley’s 3rd win in their last four means they’ve hit the 80-point mark and will finish 5th.
Burnham Ramblers 1 – 1 Tower Hamlets
| Venue: Leslie Field | Att: 36
This virtual ‘dead-rubber’ ended up all-square with Ollie Hanlon netting for Ramblers while James Ross responded for the Hamlets side, who look set for quite an overhaul off-the-pitch during the summer. Burnham finish 20th after only one win in nine outings while Hamlets end the campaign in 11th after a similar struggle to win matches towards sason’s end.
Clapton 2 – 1 Hullbridge Sports
| Venue: Old Spotted Dog | Att: 42
Hullbridge were denied a point late on as Clapton got their 2nd win in their last five to re-take 6th place in the table. Nathan Cook gave the Tons the lead just past the half-hour before Jimmy Cox’s penalty [68′] levelled. Jon Fowell’s side pinched the win ‘at the death’ as Jeff Cobblah netted in the 90th minute. Hullbridge sit 15th with one match left, a home tie with Takeley in midweek.
Great Wakering Rovers 5 – 0 West Essex
| Venue: Burroughs Park | Att: 120
I attended this match, you can view my match report here: https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/match-report-g-wakering-rovers-5-0-west-essex-esl-28-4-18/
Redbridge 2 – 1 Hackney Wick
| Venue: Oakside | Att: 51
The Motormen came from behind to claim victory here though it most likely will not be enough to keep them in the promotion race. Nelson Dihn struck for bottom-side Wick before a second half double-salvo from Remi Nelson [57′] & Dan Gilchrist [74′] turned the tide of this match. Redbridge sit 4th though their inferior goal difference means even if they beat Basildon on Wednesday, it won’t be enough to dislodge FC Romania from second spot.
Sawbridgeworth Town 3 – 3 Wadham Lodge | Venue: Crofters End | Att: 33
This extraordinary game saw Sawbo come from behind to wrestle a point from spirited Wadham at Crofters. Danny Francis grabbed a double [22′ & 44′] for the visitors before Aaron Thomas and Zak Johnson responded for John Watters’ side. Eli Benoit oncecagain gave the Wad Army the lead with 20 minutes left though Mark Robinson snatched a point for the hosts which means they will finish 8th. Wadham’s struggle for victories continues, it’s two in their last eight outings now though safety is still in their hands.
Southend Manor 0 – 2 FC Romania | Venue: Southchurch Park | Att: 43
FCR ‘did the job’ they had to do thanks to a goal in each half. Mihai Circiumaru broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time though Ion Vintila’s side could only really relax after Vladu Sighiartau’s strike [62′]. Manor could finish 14th though could still be caught by the sides below them. Two wins in their last 11 highlights the difficulties they’ve had of late. FCR rise to 2nd after their 5th straight win though await the outcome of Basildon v Redbridge in midweek before they know if they will be promoted.
Sporting Bengal Utd 0 – 0 Basildon Utd | Venue: Hargrave Park | Att: 50
Bengal ended a highly-respectable month by shutting out the Bees in this match at Hargrave Park, due to Mile End being unavailable. Sporting ended the season unbeaten in five with their highest points tally in the ESL (50) and will finish 10th. The Bees know that only all three points at home to Redbridge in midweek will be enough to pip FC Romania. They drop to 3rd, despite their unbeaten run extnding to seven matches now.
Waltham Forest 3 – 1 Ilford
| Venue: Kitchener Road | Att: 81
Forest completed the job of securing their Step 5 status for another season thanks to this victory over Ilford. ‘A tale of two penalties, Chris Lockwood’s for Ilford and Shomari Barnwell for Forest, meant it was level at the break. In the second-half, Josh Brimscombe-Ward [57′] and Rhea Joseph [60’] struck to seal Ryan Maxwell’s team their third win in seven, which in turn took them 16th and out of danger. Ilford’s eighth straight loss means they conclude the season in 13th and the off-season will be important for them to ‘forget’ what’s been a difficult few months.
Woodford Town (2017) 0 – 0 Enfield 1893
| Venue: Goffs Lane | Att: 41
Woodford held Enfield to end the season in 12th spot – a marked improvement on the team they replaced frpm last season. Enfield have a superb second half of the campaign to thank for finishing 9th with only three losses in their last 15 matches – that says it all.
That’s all for this week, there will be one more round-up after the Errington Cup Final in about a week’s time. Thanks for reading.
survivor16b 