Essex Senior League
The Essex Senior League is holding a groundhop weekend with a game on Friday 10th November followed by three games on Saturday 11th November which will have staggered kick off times. The weekend is set to coincide with Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy Appeal.
The Friday evening game sees Barkingside entertain Clapton. The hosts are not in good form going into this one and were beaten 7-0 at Takeley last Saturday. The Tons have slowly crept up the table having won their last six league games. Admission will be £5 which includes a special commemorative programme. Badges and mugs celebrating Barkingside’s 120th anniversary will also be available. Added to that the club will also be collecting food for a local homeless charity.
The first game on Saturday is Redbridge v Burnham Ramblers which has a 12pm kick off. Programme and poppies will be sold together with the money raised going to the Poppy Appeal. There will also be a selection of food available on the day. Redbridge are posting their league title credentials but Burnham Ramblers did beat the Motormen when they met on league business in October. That win broke Redbridge’s seven game run so there is chance for revenge or a double dose on the cards.
At 2.30pm Waltham Forest entertain Woodford Town with a full colour programme being produced. The hosts sit second from bottom with only goal difference keeping them off top spot so need maximum points from this one.
The final game is at 5.30pm when Hackney Wick host Wadham Lodge. A special commemorative programme will be issued, there will be a penalty shootout before the game and there are other activities being planned as the club want to use the game as a way of showcasing its involvement with the local community. Both teams need the points; Wadham Lodge perhaps more so as they are currently bottom of the table. However Hackney Wick have only won one of their last seven so will also be scrapping for the points.
Three other league games also take place with leaders Basildon United looking to extend their lead against Southend Manor. The visitors have quickly appointed Adam Peek to take the reins after the departure of Stuart Marshall and he has been given a tough assignment as the hosts, now playing at the rebranded Ho Ho Stadium have been at the top end of the table for most of the season.
Five ESL teams also have FA Vase assignments with four of the teams being drawn together. Tower Hamlets entertain Enfield 1893, while Great Wakering Rovers and FC Romania, both sitting near the top end of the table, put that to one side with an opportunity to continue their Vase campaign. Both games are genuine fifty-fifty match-ups and it does at least guarantee two ESL teams reaching the 3rd Round. That could become three teams if Hullbridge Sports can put aside their troublesome league form and continue doing the business in the FA Vase. They host Wembley who sit sixth in the Spartan South Midland Premier Division.
Friday 10th November
ESL Groundhop Game
Barkingside v Clapton (KO 7.45pm)
Saturday 11th November
ESL Groundhop Games
Redbridge v Burnham Ramblers (KO 12pm)
Waltham Forest v Woodford Town 2017 (KO 2.30pm)
Hackney Wick v Wadham Lodge (KO 5.30pm)
Buildbase FA Vase 2nd Round
Great Wakering Rovers v FC Romania
Hullbridge Sports v Wembley
Tower Hamlets v Enfield 1893
Premier Division
Basildon United v Southend Manor
Stansted v Sawbridgeworth Town
West Essex v Ilford
