Essex Senior League Round-Up

by Peter Dudley

Basildon United 5 Sporting Bengal United 1

A Marcus Bowers hat-trick helped The Bees maintain top spot in the division after seeing off Sporting Bengal United at The Hive.  Luke Hornsley gave the hosts a 7th minute lead when diverting a terrific cross beyond the keeper, however the visitors levelled midway through the half when sloppy defending allowed the ball to be squared to David Vaughan who slammed home.  But with six minutes of the half left Bowers tapped home from a yard out after an initial header was saved, and then six minutes after the break Bowers headed home from a free kick.  And just before the hour mark he completed his hat-trick when drilling home a free kick.  Late on in the contest a rather unsavoury incident saw Sporting midfielder Spencer Forte red carded for a punch, but he then struck one of his own teammates and pushed an official and then tried to pick a fight with spectators on way off, he will surely face lengthy ban.  Anyway there was just enough time for Hornsley to net another for the hosts and cap another good day for the club.
Enfield 1893 5 Woodford Town (2017) 1

The hosts bounced back from last weekend’s debacle to record a thumping win against Woodford Town at The Harlow Arena.  John Bricknell, who hadn’t kicked a ball at all this season, netted penalties in the 33rd minute and 43rd minute to give the hosts a two goal cushion at the break, and Dan Jones then made it three early in the second period.  Bricknell then completed a fairytale comeback by grabbing another in the 63rd minute before the visitors pulled one back with twelve minutes left.  Bricknell was replaced by Jayden Hocking-Rising and the substitute netted with just less than two minutes remaining to cap a fine win for the home side.

FC Romania 2 Southend Manor 1

Adam Peek’s first game in charge of Manor ended in defeat at in form FC Romania who maintained third spot in the division with the points in this one.  Manor, who had six first team players missing, felt they were unlucky not to get anything from the game, however a goal in each half from Sergiu Pitaru and Ionut Jugaru, consigned the hosts to their third defeat on the spin which sees them remain in fourteenth.

Hackney Wick 1 Redbridge 2 The Motormen continued their fine form with victory at The Old Spotted Dog against Hackney Wick.  Calvin Poku gave the visitors a 33rd minute lead before the hosts levelled through Jeff Idemudia, however Shaun Harris netted the winner to see the Oakside outfit remain in fourth place.

Hullbridge Sports 0 Clapton 2

The Tons remain fifth after two quick goals around the hour mark gave them a seventh straight win in the division and gave Hullbridge plenty to think about after another defeat at Lower Road.  Jay Morris gave Clapton the lead on the hour mark with a good effort and it was two just three minutes later when Hassan Nalbani beat the Bridge defence and scored with a good finish to seal the points for the Tons on the road.
Ilford 3 Waltham Forest 1 Goals from James Peagram , Eamon Payne and Alex Paskeva saw Ilford come from behind to defeat Waltham Forest at Cricklefield.  The visitors took the lead when Harris nicked in at the back post, cut back to Faria who took a touch before poking it home however Ilford were awarded a penalty for hand ball which left the Forest players outraged.  Josh Coulson, who was later sent off, was booked for his protests and Peagram netted the spot kick, and thereafter the Foxes took the lead through Eamon Payne before Alex Paskeva sealed the win with a third.

Tower Hamlets 1 Burnham Ramblers 0 Elias Tackie’s 81st minute goal gave Hamlets all three points at Mile End against Burnham Ramblers.  Substitute Tackie slotted home after a lay-off by Rowe and sees the hosts in seventh whilst a third defeat in a row for the visitors without a goal leaves them down in 17th.

Wadham Lodge 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 Lodge drew level with rivals Forest at the bottom after earning a draw at home to Sawbridgeworth Town. A precision pass by Joe Wright for Toby Cleaver to compose himself and slot in under the keeper saw The Robins lead, however a well worked goal by Dwayde James saw the hosts level and made sure they gained something from this one.

West Essex 1 Great Wakering Rovers 3 Two Billy Johnson strikes helped see Rovers defeat West Essex at Mayesbrook Park.  Neil Richmond netted just before half time to put the visitors ahead and on the hour mark Johnson doubled their lead.  Johnson then netted again with seven to go and although Fatos pulled one back with a great strike, it was too little too late for the Stags who fell to defeat.