Prokit UK Essex Olympian League
Canning Town take time-out from Olympian League business to have a crack at putting together an FA Vase run. They face a difficult task as they have to travel to an Enfield Borough outfit that are current leaders of the Minerva Spartan South Midland Division One table. The hosts also have won all five of their league games, whereas Canning Town have only played two league games which has resulted in one draw and one loss.
The pick of the games scheduled for Saturday has to be Harold Wood Athletic v Catholic United. The hosts are traditionally one of the Premier Division’s top sides, having been champions in 2014/15. Catholic United have adapted to life in the top Olympian tier reasonably well as their two wins from their opening two games has given them the early season lead. However this will be a good test on whether the Southend-based team that has risen through the Olympian League divisions in recent season can be considered possible Title contenders. They did pick up a good win at Frenford last week and it would be impressive if they follow that up with another win on the road on Saturday.
Bishops Stortford Swifts sit in second spot and they travel to a Rayleigh Town side that are currently bottom. Again its early days, so no one can get too excited or worried, but nonetheless both teams will be looking to pick up three points.
Springfield started their defence of the Premier Division title with 3-0 win over Canning Town last Saturday and now travel to a White Ensign side that sit fifth, having won and lost their opening two fixtures. Springfield occupy fourth position and if they want to retain their title will need to carry over last season’s eighteen game unbeaten run into the new campaign. Last Saturday’s win means the defending champions are unbeaten in their last nineteen Olympian League fixtures but White Ensign will give them a good test and be looking to prevent their opponents reaching a milestone twenty.
Buildbase FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Enfield Borough v Canning Town
Premier Division
Frenford v Leigh Ramblers
Harold Wood Athletic v Catholic United
Kelvedon Hatch v Basildon Town
May & Baker E.C. v Manford Way
Rayleigh Town v Bishops Stortford Swifts
White Ensign v Springfield
