Prokit UK Essex Olympian League
BBC Essex Premier Cup
The BBC Essex Premier Cup 4th Round sees six Olympian Premier sides still involved. Seven other Olympian teams are also looking to get into the last eight. All-Olympian affairs abound with Frenford taking time out from leading the Premier Division to take on Old Southendian from Division One. Frenford last won this competition in and go into 2018 fighting on three fronts as they chase a possible treble. Old Southendian are chasing promotion from Division One and will be up for this one. An interesting battle awaits.
An all Premier Division affair pits May & Baker E.C. against White Ensign. League form slightly tips the balance in May & Baker’s direction as they sit 3rd, with White Ensign two places lower. May & Baker may have won the league encounter in September, but that won’t count for much here in an evenly matched contest.
Sungate have a reputation for unseating higher status outfits. They will fancy their chances against Waltham Abbey Res. but the hosts have a very capable squad of young players and they currently sit 2nd in the Essex Senior League Reserve Division. Sungate have dispensed of Stansted Res. in a previous round so their pedigree hasn’t disserted them so far this campaign, but Waltham Abbey have been potent in front of goal this term and that could make the difference.
Catholic United have reached two finals in recent years, losing one, winning the other last season: a player technicality then scrubbing that victory out. They have a score to settle having actually lifted the Cup last season, but to reach the Quarter Finals they have to first overcome Witham Town Res. The Bostik North’s second string sit 3rd in the Thurlow Nunn Reserve Division but go into the game having lost their last three games.
Premier Division
There are three games scheduled in the Premier Division and all have some importance. Canning Town entertain Basildon Town which will have some bearing on the relegation issue. There is likely to be only one team relegated from the Premier Division this season and Basildon Town by occupying the bottom spot are the team currently in danger. They are quite some distance behind Canning Town and need to win to close that eight point deficit. Failure to do so could leave Basildon Town being cut even further adrift.
Rayleigh Town entertain Leigh Ramblers with not only revenge in mind – they lost the corresponding fixture 2-0 – but also needing to add points to keep them away from the drop zone. They have a five point advantage over Basildon Town at the moment, but haven’t won in their last three league games. Springfield can return to the top of the table if they beat Bishops Stortford Swifts.
Saturday 13 January
BBC Essex Premier Cup 4th Round
Frenford v Old Southendian
Hutton v Kelvedon Hatch
Little Oakley Res. v Shenfield AFC
May & Baker E.C. v White Ensign
Old Chelmsfordians v Manford Way
Snaresbrook v Buckhurst Hill
Waltham Abbey Res. v Sungate
Witham Town Res. v Catholic United
Premier Division
Canning Town v Basildon Town
Rayleigh Town v Leigh Ramblers
Springfield v Bishop’s Stortford Swifts