Senior League Cup
Basildon Town secured a place in this season’s Semi Finals after finally overcoming the challenge of FC Hamlets via a penalty shoot out. Basildon looked to be sailing through as they had a 2-0 first half lead thanks to a Levi Harbour goal plus a superb overhead kick by Alfie Phillips. But at the break FC Hamlets were back on terms before going on to take a 3-2 lead which they held onto until five minutes from time, then Phillips popped up to score his second of the game and to level the tie. There was to be no further goals in extra time, during which time Basildon were reduced to ten men. Successful penalties from Alex Smith, James Humphrey and Tommy Green, plus two penalty saves from ‘keeper Nick Keys saw Basildon Town win the tie 3-1 on penalties, with a home tie with Bishop’s Stortford Swifts now awaiting them in the Semi Final.
Reserve League Cup
Herongate Athletic Res. and Rayleigh Town Res. both booked their places in the Semi Finals after both winning their ties on away territory. Herongate overcame Lakeside Res. 3-2 as goals from Lucas Winzar, Darryl Legge and Jermaine Jones trumped the goals Lakeside scored via David Azeeze and Ben Christie. Herongate Athletic will have a home Semi Final encounter with either Catholic United Res. or Corinthians Res. Rayleigh Town Res. also scored three goals in their away tie with Springfield Res. Liam England scoring for the hosts, but goals from Charlie Legg, James Nottage and Daniel Russell saw Rayliegh win the game 3-1, setting up a Semi Final with local rivals Basildon Town Res.
Essex Junior Cup
The Essex Olympian League will be providing both Finalists in this season’s Essex Junior Cup. Old Southendian Res. booked their Final appearance in February. On Saturday the other Semi Final between Westhamians and Leigh Town was played and Westhamians, currently top of Division Three, reached the Final with a 2-0 win. Ben Jones and Ryan Creed scored the goals that take Westhamians a step closer to ending the season with a double.
Premier Division
Buckhurst Hill extended their lead at the top of the table after beating second-placed Harold Wood Athletic 4-0. The deadlock wasn’t broken until the 46th minute when Nathan Sollosi opened the account. The lead was doubled in the 55th minute as Sollosi nothced again and then further goals were added late on by Suley Zuhdu and Keaton Moore. Third-placed Kelvedon Hatch were gunned down by a 65th minute Jack Long goal that won the game 1-0 for Rayleigh Town; while fourth-paced Bishop’s Stortford Swifts were handed a 3-0 defeat by Sungate who scored via Daniel Candy, Ciaran Kelly and Jermaine Purchas. Simon Jones scored Catholic United’s goal in a 1-0 win over Canning Town; while Hutton beat Springfield 2-0 with Brad Freeman scoring twice to secure the victory. Manford Way secured a point at Leigh Ramblers. Andrew Webster and Jack Deasy scored for Leigh, with Stephen Judge and Joshua Seal the Manford Way scorers in the 2-2 draw.
Division One
Snaresbrook are now on a four game losing streak after they were beaten 3-1 at home on Saturday by Old Chelmsfordians. The visitors saw Jordan Bodan, Sam Adams and Garreth Williams hit the target, while Harry Price notched Snaresbrook’s consolation. The result means that Snaresbrook remain second, three points behind leaders Shenfield AFC, having played two games less. However the losing run also means they are only two points in front of third-placed Basildon Town who have three games in hand. Snaresbrook need to attest their current form as we come into the business end of the season as at the moment their promotion charge has faltered.
Division Two
Lakeside are up to third after a 4-2 away win at May & Baker E.C. Res. The hosts were leading 1-0 at the break, but a Luke Quinton brace, plus goals from Drew Klessa-Smith and Matthew Vambe meant Lakeside were 4-2 winners by the games end. Joshua Adesanye and Joseph George Wain were the May & Baker scorers. Shoebury Town drop down to fourth after their game with Chingford Athletic ended in a 1-1 draw, with Gary Murray scoring the Chingford goal.
Division Three
Promotion chasers Academy Soccer lost 3-2 at home to Laindon Orient on Saturday, but they were handed the lead via Chris Cox. But Billy Field, Jason Purewal and James Shadwell all got on the Laindon score sheet, and although Alfie Sayers went on to pull one back, Laindon Orient held on to take all the points.
Senior League Cup Quarter Final
Basildon Town 3 FC Hamlets 3 (Basildon Town Win 3-1 Pens)
Premier Division
Catholic United 1 Canning Town 0
Harold Wood Athletic 0 Buckhurst Hill 4
Hutton 2 Springfield 0
Kelvedon Hatch 0 Rayleigh Town 1
Leigh Ramblers 2 Manford Way 2
Sungate 3 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 0
Division One
Snaresbrook 1 Old Chelmsfordians 3
Division Two
May & Baker E.C. Res. 2 Lakeside 4
Shoebury Town 1 Chingford Athletic 1
Division Three
Academy Soccer 2 Laindon Orient 3
Forthcoming Fixtures
Essex Premier Cup Semi Finals
Hutton v Catholic United
Kelvedon Hatch v Buckhurst Hill
Premier Division
Great Baddow v Rayleigh Town
Manford Way v Canning Town
Old Southendian v Leigh Ramblers
Sungate v Springfield
Division One
Basildon Town v Ramsden Scotia
Galleywood v May & Baker E.C. Res.
Herongate Athletic v FC Hamlets
Ongar Town v Snaresbrook
Shenfield AFC v Rayleigh Town Res.
Division Two
Beacon Hill Rovers v Chingford Athletic
Ryan v Shoebury Town
Toby v Runwell Sports
Division Three
Old Chelmsfordians Res. v Laindon Orient
Westhamians v Old Southendian Res.
