Essex Senior League
Hullbridge Sports’ unbeaten league run came to an end at Sawbridgeworth Town on Tuesday, but the leaders have no time to dwell on that as Stansted are now only two points behind them. It means Hullbridge have to return to winning ways fairly quickly and have a home encounter with lowly Leyton Athletic who sit just above the drop zone. Both teams need the points, for different reasons, but it is hard to see Hullbridge suffering back-to-back defeats in this one.
Stansted meanwhile travel to bottom-placed Barkingside. The hosts have had a torrid time so far this term, with no wins from their opening eleven games, which has included heavy defeats to fellow sturrgglers Stanway Rovers, Leyton Athletic and Tower Hamlets. With goals being hard for Barkingsdie to come by, means it is hard to see anything but a Stansted win as the Airportmen have won eight from their opening ten and could go top if they win this won handily. Unless there is some massive improvement from the hosts then it will be the visitors who will be triumphant in this one.
Stanway Rovers are in the bottom two but have a chance to get out of it as they Tower Hamlets, the team that si just above them in the table. Since a 4-1 win over Barkingside, Stanway Rovers have since lost their next two league encounters. Tower Hamlet’s beat fellow strugglers Barkingside 4-0 on Monday, a return to winning ways after a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Hoddesdon Town last weekend. It’s hard to see a favourite in this basement battle which could have some bearing on the relegation issue come the season’s end.
Saturday 13th October
Essex Senior League
Barkingside v Stansted
Hullbridge Sports v Leyton Athletic
Saffron Walden Town v St. Margaretsbury
Sporting Bengal United v Hoddesdon Town
Stanway Rovers v Tower Hamlets
