Essex Senior League
The game of the day has to be at Burroughs Park where 3rd-placed Great Wakering Rovers take on leaders Redbridge. The Motormen will not want to be reminded what happened when they met the same opponents at Oakside recently, but Wakering no doubt will, as the 7-2 win in their favour snapped Redbridge’s 14 game winning streak. With only 3 points separating the two teams means that there could be new leaders at the end of Saturday if the Motormen fail to return to winning ways – or at the very least grab a draw. Great Wakering themselves have won six on the bounce and have been near the top places for most of the season. Whilst a win for either side does not necessarily mean they will win the title come April, it goes without saying that whoever wins this affair will be posting serious title candidacy credentials.
With FC Romania and Basildon United not having games allows the chance to keep in touch with the leading pack. They need to pick up a win at Clapton if they want to keep their hand in the promotion chase. Clapton have slowly picked up points, which place them 5th, one place above Takeley; they will also be looking to make up ground on the top three.
There is a local derby as Wadham Lodge, currently sitting second from bottom, take on Waltham Forest, who sit just above the relegation zone. Both teams share the Match Day Centre Stadium and both have had a similar season in that they have pulled themselves away from the drop zone, but now find themselves getting sucked back into it. Now as we enter the closing stages both teams need to get themselves as far away as possible. Waltham Forest have made a new managerial appointment and he oversaw a welcome point last weekend against FC Romania. Wadham Lodge have to win this one or else they will find themselves being cut adrift from the rest of the relegation battlers.
Enfield 1893 and Hullbridge Sports still sit in the relegation zone but have another opportunity to get out of it as wins could see them move up the table, if other results also go their way. Enfield take on Stansted, who not so long ago were floating amongst the danger zone. They are up to 13th, while Enfield sit 18th. Hullbridge Sports have been chipping away, having drawn their last three, but need to start putting wins on the board sharpish. They are still within reach of the clubs above them, and have games in hand. They can help their cause greatly if they can secure a win over Tower Hamlets.
Saturday 17th February
Premier Division
Barkingside v Southend Manor
Clapton v Takeley
Enfield 1893 v Stansted
Great Wakering Rovers v Redbridge
Hullbridge Sports v Tower Hamlets
Sawbridgeworth Town v Ilford
Wadham Lodge v Waltham Forest
