Essex Senior League
The Essex Senior League game of the day has to be Basildon United v Hackney Wick as there is so much at stake for both teams as we move into the second half of the season. The Bees sit 3rd and need to pick up a win to close the gap on leaders Redbridge who don’t have a game. Hackney Wick meanwhile foot the table and are desperate for points to kick-start their relegation survival campaign. Basildon may have had to go via the penalty route before beating lowly Barkingside in the Errington Challenge Cup in midweek, but it is hard to see them failing to pick up the full quota of points on Saturday.
FC Romania sit 2nd and entertain Waltham Forest. The two teams clashed on Wednesday evening in the Errington Challenge Cup which FC Romania won 2-1. Ion Vintila has a full squad to choose from for this league engagement but Forest can go into the game knowing that they have nothing to fear if they can take their chances. FC Romania close the gap on Redbridge to a solitary point if they win here.
Hullbridge Sports were knocked out of the FA Vase at Tring Athletic last weekend. Having had a fantastic Vase run that took them to the 4th Round, Hullbridge now have to return to league business and that means getting enough points on the board to lift them out of the relegation places. A trip to West Essex is tricky as the hosts sit in 8th position and any Vase hung-ups from Hullbridge will be exploited by the Mayesbrook Park outfit.
Saturday 13th January
Essex Senior League Premier Division
Barkingside v Woodford Town 2017
Basildon United v Hackney Wick
Clapton v Stansted
Enfield 1893 v Sawbridgeworth Town
FC Romania v Waltham Forest
Great Wakering Rovers v Tower Hamlets
Sporting Bengal United v Ilford
Takeley v Burnham Ramblers
Wadham Lodge v Southend Manor
West Essex v Hullbridge Sports