Essex Senior League
Report by Peter Dudley
Barkingside 0 Great Wakering Rovers 2
Billy Johnson and Jay Nash were the goal scorers as Rovers picked up another three points with victory over Barkingside at Cricklefield. Barkingside are now fourteenth whilst Rovers are in third.
Clapton 1 Ilford 1
The points were shared at The Old Spotted Dog as Clapton and Ilford played out a draw. After a feisty first period the hosts took the lead with a close-range finish from Jeff Cobblah but the Foxes earned a point thanks to a screamer from James Peagram, leaving The Tons in sixth and Ilford in eighth.
Enfield 1893 0 FC Romania 5
FC Romania remain in fourth after a five goal thrashing of Enfield at The Harlow Arena. The visitors were two goals up inside the opening half hour as Mihai Botosan and George Taban both hit the target. Adrian Balsanu added a further strike just past the hour mark before two stoppage time goals from Ionut Juganu and Sergiu Pitaru saw the visitors hit five.
Southend Manor 2 Hullbridge Sports 4
Darren Manning picked up his first win as Hullbridge boss as he saw his side produce an excellent performance to see off local rivals Southend Manor at Southchurch Park. The hosts did take a 20th minute lead when Rhys Fatt slotted home but the visitors levelled in the 34th minute when ex Manor midfielder Ash Pibworth drove home before he added his and Hullbridge’s second, tapping home a corner at the far post three minutes before the break. Fatt then got his second of the contest, heading home at the far post to bring the hosts level on the hour mark, but seven minutes later Salako converted at the far post to restore the visitors lead before skipper Jimmy Cox grabbed a fourth for the Bridge with eleven minutes remaining and see his side earn a huge three points.
Sporting Bengal United 2 West Essex 0
A goal in each half saw Sporting Bengal United pick up a much needed win at home to West Essex at Mile End. David Vaughan netted right on half time before Oscar Mendes doubled their lead with fifteen minutes remaining. That’s four points from two games now and sees the Bengalese side in twelfth whilst West Essex are in ninth spot.
Stansted 1 Burnham Ramblers 4
Burnham came from behind to smash Stansted at Hargrave Park and end a rather dismal run of defeats in the process. It looked like another long afternoon when Wis Baltazar put the hosts ahead after twelve minutes and when the hosts were awarded an 18th minute penalty it looked bleak. However Nick Brown missed the spot kick and from that moment on things changed as the visitors levelled ten minutes before half time and then three second half unanswered goals gave the Leslie Field side a superb win.
Waltham Forest 2 Takeley 0
Forest stunned Takeley at Kitchener Road to record their second win in three games. Abiolo Tanimowo put the hosts ahead after breaking through and lifting an effort over the onrushing keeper, and after the hosts had seen Takeley hit the woodwork twice, sealed the deal eight minutes into stoppage time when Mo Sagaf played a one two with Tanimowo before slotting home and consigning Takeley to a rare defeat. Takeley are fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Redbridge.
Woodford Town (2017) 2 Wadham Lodge 4
Lodge’s revival under Marc Farrell continues to roll on after his side netted four more goals in victory at Goffs Lane over a tough Woodford Town outfit. It means the visitors, who not so long ago were in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom, are now up to 13th and only six points off a top ten position. For Woodford it was a disappointing day and they remain just above Lodge in eleventh spot. Eli Benoit, Mario Gnijaj, Dwayde James and an own goal provided Wadham with their scorers, while Woodford Town were gifted an own goal with Asher Modeste notching the other.
