Essex Senior League
Basildon United’s midweek win at Waltham Forest took them to the top of the Essex Senior League Premier Division table. They host a Sporting Bengal United side that come into the game on the back of seven league defeats. Sporting Bengal did pick up a welcome win in midweek in the Errington Challenge Cup but will have to be on guard as the Bees will be buzzing to keep themselves in pole position.
Takeley may have been dropped down to second but they are only a point behind and have home advantage on Saturday when they welcome Barkingside to Station Road. The nine home games Takeley have played this season has gathered eight wins and one draw. Barkingside may have returned to winning ways last time out but will have to be at their best if they are to get anything from this game.
FC Romania have propelled themselves back into the top three and they have a home engagement with a Southend Manor side that have recently lost the services of their manager Stuart Marshall. Adam Peek and Aaron Bloxham have taken over the reins and have to rally their troops against a team who on their day can be very potent upfront.
Hullbridge Sports will be hoping they can get some league form together as they have managed to get some good results in the FA Vase but sit in the bottom three. Clapton provide the opposition and they bring with them a winning run of six which has seen the Tons move up towards the top end of the table. Points are needed for very differing reasons in this one and so could make for an entertaining encounter.
Hackney Wick will be hoping to build on last Saturday’s 3-0 away win at Southend Manor but will be up against a Redbridge side who also returned to winning ways last weekend with a 2-0 away win at Stansted. The Motormen had gone on an eight game winning run, had it snapped by Burnham Ramblers and then bounced back with a win and will go into this one looking to start another run as they post their title intentions.
West Essex sit seventh and play Great Wakering Rovers who sit one place above them. West Essex have lost an FA Vase tie to the same opponents so perhaps will want to avenge that one. Great Wakering do have Neil Richmond in their ranks, he scored only once in last weekend’s 7-1 mauling of Sporting Bengal United though meaning that West Essex may have to be tight at the back if they want to give themselves a chance of securing any points from this one.
Saturday 4th November
Premier Division
Basildon United v Sporting Bengal United
Enfield 1893 v Woodford Town (2017)
FC Romania v Southend Manor
Hackney Wick v Redbridge
Hullbridge Sports v Clapton
Ilford v Waltham Forest
Takeley v Barkingside
Wadham Lodge v Sawbridgeworth Town
West Essex v Great Wakering Rovers
