Essex Senior League

The Essex Senior League takes a break this coming weekend as the Buildbase FA Vase kicks off with the 1^st Qualifying Round, featuring fourteen teams from the ESL.

The first tie takes place on Friday evening when Tower Hamlets take on Hackney Wick in an all-ESL encounter. Tower Hamlets picked up a 5-0 win in midweek and will be looking to take that into this cup tie. There is also two further all-ESL clashes as Great Wakering Rovers take on Sporting Bengal United on Saturday, while on Sunday Barkingside host Southend Manor.

Basildon United takes time out from leading the ESL table to take on St. Margaretsbury who currently occupy the bottom position of the Minerva Spartan South Midland Premier Division. The visitors did knock out two ESL sides in the FA Cup but Basildon have won their opening six league games and should be favoured to win this clash.

Ilford take on Cornard United, while near-neighbours Redbridge also meet Thurlow Nunn League opposition in Brantham Athletic. Ilford perhaps have the easier task as Conard United play in Division One and sit at the foot of the table, whereas Brantham lie in tenth position, meaning that the game with the Motormen is much more fifty-fifty in terms of whom to back.

Stansted are at home to Wodson Park, while on Sunday Enfield 1893 host Haverhill Borough. Neither two of the home sides have set the ESL Premier Division alight but do have home advantage. There’s little to choose between Saffron Walden Town and Sawbridgeworth Town; both sit mid table in the Thurlow Nunn Premier and Essex Senior League Premier respectively, but it’s the Robins from Sawbridgeworth that are the away side in that contest.

The two ESL teams that represent the London Borough of Waltham Forest both take trips into East Anglia as Waltham Forest travel to Framlingham Town and go into the game on the back of a midweek 5-0 loss at Tower Hamlets. Wadham Lodge meanwhile make the long trip to Hadleigh United.

Buildbase FA Vase 1^st Qualifying Round

Friday 8^th September

Tower Hamlets v  Hackney Wick (KO 7.45pm)

Saturday 9^th September

Basildon United v  St. Margaretsbury

Framlingham Town v  Waltham Forest

Great Wakering Rovers v  Sporting Bengal United

Hadleigh United v  Wadham Lodge

Ilford v  Cornard United

Redbridge v  Brantham Athletic

Saffron Walden Town v  Sawbridgeworth Town

Stansted v  Wodson Park

Sunday 10^th September

Barkingside v  Southend Manor

Enfield 1893 v  Haverhill Borough