Essex Senior League
Great Wakering Rovers take time out from League duty to continue their FA Vase campaign as they are one of three Essex Senior League teams in the 3rd Round. Rovers entertain Cogenhoe United who ply their trade in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League, currently occupying fourteenth spot. Rovers are third in the Essex Senior League but the Vase being the competition that it is means that either side can win this one, although Rovers are perhaps the favourites. Hullbridge Sports have had a torrid time in their league campaign and currently occupy the bottom position. But they have had some great results in this season’s FA Vase. Fellow Essex Senior League outfit Enfield 1893 provide the opposition; they too have floated a little bit nearer to the bottom end of the table, whilst having produced some good results in their Vase campaign. It’s an enthralling encounter which will guarantee at least one Essex Senior League team appearing in Monday’s 4th Round draw.
With Redbridge and Basildon United both without games means that fourth-placed FC Romania have an opportunity to catch up on some ground. Woodford Town 2017 provide the opposition, sitting mid-table and having blown hot and cold over the course of the campaign. FC Romania can sometimes switch off and have an off-day but at the same time can also be ruthless in front of goal. The Wolves need to win this one if they want to make a run for the title. Takeley will be thinking exactly the same as the former league leaders are now down to fifth after picking up a solitary point from their last two games. A win over Southend Manor would put them back up to second.
Two teams near the bottom are in action as Hackney Wick have an East End derby with Sporting Bengal United at Mile End Stadium, while a resurgent Waltham Forest, up to nineteenth having occupied bottom spot, can move further up the table if they can win their East London derby with Tower Hamlets.
Barkingside have been in free fall and are now looking over their shoulder as they are getting dragged into the relegation battle. A win over ninth-placed West Essex would keep that wolf away from the door for the time being but West Essex, winless in three, might be seeing the visit from their near-neighbours as a home banker. Ilford entertain a Burnham Ramblers team scrapping for points and showing plenty of fight having won their last two games. The Foxes might have home advantage but Burnham’s two back-to-back wins have also come on the road; so James Peagram needs to continue scoring the goals, with his team mates chipping in, as Burnham have scored 9 goals in recent games themselves.
Saturday 2nd December
Buildbase FA Vase 3rd Round
Great Wakering Rovers v Cogenhoe United
Enfield 1893 v Burnham Ramblers
Premier Division
FC Romania v Woodford Town 2017
Ilford v Burnham Ramblers
Sporting Bengal United v Hackney Wick
Takeley v Southend Manor
Waltham Forest v Tower Hamlets
West Essex v Barkingside
