Essex Senior League
The top three comprising Redbridge, FC Romania and Basildon United all won in midweek as the title race hots up. Therefore Takeley need to beat FC Romania tomorrow if they want to keep their title candidacy as a realistic ambition. They may have games in hand but points on the board are now required as they sit 5th, with a massive 14 points between them and leaders Redbridge. FC Romania currently sit 2nd having extended their unbeaten run to 18 games against Barkingside on Monday. The Wolves will have other ideas of course as they are 6 points behind Redbridge and want to close that gap.
James Peagram made his debut for Basildon United against former club Ilford on Wednesday and he came back to haunt them by scoring the game’s only goal. The three points were as important as the score line as the Bees needed to make sure they kept in touch with the top two. They now have to do it again against a Sawbridgeworth Town side who have struggled to pick up points against the top sides this term. Basildon signed the league’s top scorer in James Peagram and he has the second top scorer, Marcus Bowers, also playing alongside him. That suggests that Basildon are seriously aiming for promotion and means that the Sawbridgeworth defence are going to have to keep it very tight at the back if they hope to pick up anything from the game.
Great Wakering Rovers are in 4th but with two games coming up against Redbridge means they are not totally out of the title race. They need to make sure they secure victory at Sporting Bengal United on Saturday to keep their hand in.
Redbridge have won their last 13 games, can they stretch that incredible run to pick up win 14? On paper they have more than enough to continue that winning streak as they visit relegation-battlers Wadham Lodge. The fact that the hosts also need the points means that this should be a tough encounter, with Wadham Lodge having shown some quality at times this term to suggest that on their day they can more than match anyone. They will need to be aware of Calvin Poku who has a habit of scoring goals in the final minutes. Brian Moses will also have to be kept quiet, but Redbridge have the ability to score goals all over the pitch and seeing as they don’t know when they are beaten means that Wadham Lodge will have to give it their all for the whole 90 minutes.
Hackney Wick were beaten by fellow relegation candidates Enfield 1893 on Wednesday, being felled by a goal in the 86th minute. That has happened a little too frequently recently, so the Wickers need to shore up their defences as they take on a Barkingside outfit who have picked up a few points in recent weeks, that has seen them move away from the relegation zone. A win for Barkingside sees them steer further away from the relegation waters. A win for Hackney Wick kick-starts their relegation survival bid – and the Wickers need to start picking up points as they are 9 points adrift from safety.
Saturday 3rd February
Essex Senior League Premier Division
Basildon United v Sawbridgeworth Town
Burnham Ramblers v Waltham Forest
Enfield 1893 v Clapton
Hackney Wick v Barkingside
Ilford v Tower Hamlets
Southend Manor v Stansted
Sporting Bengal United v Great Wakering Rovers
Takeley v FC Romania
Wadham Lodge v Redbridge
West Essex v Woodford Town 2017
