BBC Essex Premier Cup Quarter Final
Seven teams from the Prokit UK Essex Olympian League are involved in the BBC Essex Premier Cup Quarter Final on Saturday. The tie of the round, and there are several crackers to choose from, has to be Waltham Abbey Res. v May & Baker E.C. The hosts sit atop the Essex Senior League Reserve Division, are still in the Reserve Shield and are still chasing a potential treble as they have reached the last eight of the BBC Essex Premier Cup. The last Reserve side to win this competition was Witham Town Res. in 2005/06. For Waltham Abbey Res. to even get close to emulating that achievement they have to first despatch a May & Baker E.C. outfit who lead the Prokit UK Essex Olympian League’s Premier Division. A case can be made for either side winning this one; whoever does come through it will go on to becoming serious contenders for landing the competition at the Final in April at Billericay Town.
Kelvedon Hatch maybe haven’t set the Olympian Premier alight this term but it is hard to back against them also having a sniff at landing the Premier Cup; they have won this competition as recently as 2014/15 but have a tough assignment away at Buckhurst Hill. The hosts dropped out the Premier Division last season but look like bouncing straight back as they currently lead Division One by seven points. It will be Buckhurst Hill’s first home tie in the competition having played three away ties, scoring an incredible 18 goals with only one being conceded. Kelvedon Hatch should provide much sterner opposition but they will have to be at their best as Buckhurst Hill are in good form and would love to claim their scalp.
Catholic United won’t want to be reminded what happened last time they reached the Premier Division Cup Final; they landed the silverware after a 1-0 win over Harold Wood Athletic but then had to had the honour over to Harold Wood due to a fielding an ineligible player. This term they have taken out their anger on every team they have met as they try to make amends from last season’s success and then heartbreak. Last time out they beat Witham Town Res. 5-1 and the two other ties have resulted in two wins that saw them hit their opponents for six. Shenfield AFC from Division One provide the opposition; they take time out from their promotion bid to continue their Premier Cup campaign that has seen them unseat Little Oakley Res., White Notley and AFC Hornchurch U21s. Underdogs they may well be but Shenfield AFC have managed to knock out higher teams so far and should give Catholic United a tough encounter. The hosts though do have unsettled business on their minds and with home advantage go into this one as the favourites.
Manford Way last won this competition in 2004/05 but to reach the last four they have to overcome a rather tricky trip at Old Southendian. The hosts are involved in the Division One promotion battle and take time out from that front to go into battle on the County Cup one. Manford Way are 10th in the Premier Division but did win on their travels in the last round. That was against Old Chelmsfordians who play at the same tier of the Olympian League as Old Southendian. Manford Way are the favourites but Old Southendian do have the ability to spring a surprise.
Prokit UK Essex Olympian League
Game of the day pits 2nd placed Frenford against Basildon Town. The visitors sit rock bottom at the table and if they are to avoid the drop then they need to go on a winning run until the end of the season. That run has to start at The Drive on Saturday. Frenford of course will have other ideas. They are four points behind May & Baker E.C. and have to be favoured to have cut that lead by the end of play on Saturday.
Harold Wood Athletic can also play catch-up on May & Baker E.C. if they can beat White Ensign on the road. Springfield can also keep their hand involved in the title race if they pick up all the spoils on offer in their home fixture with Leigh Ramblers.
Saturday 3rd February
BBC Essex Premier Cup Quarter Final
Buckhurst Hill v Kelvedon Hatch
Catholic United v Shenfield AFC
Old Southendian v Manford Way
Waltham Abbey Res. v May & Baker E.C.
Prokit UK Essex Olympian League
Premier Division
Canning Town v Rayleigh Town
Frenford v Basildon Town
Springfield v Leigh Ramblers
White Ensign v Harold Wood Athletic
