All three ESL teams gave good accounts of themselves but all three sadly had their interest in this season’s competition ended at the 2^nd Qualifying Round stage. Hashtag United gave Vanarama South opponents Braintree Town a hell of a scare, although Anthony Page had to make a triple save in the 35^th minute to keep the Iron at bay. Josh Osude went in on a one-on-one with the Braintree keeper in the opening minutes of the second period as a ball over the top cleared the visiting defence. However the Tags took the lead in the first minute of stoppage time as Toby Aromolaran fired them into dreamland; it was to be for a brief moment though as Olu Oluwatamillin found an instant equaliser. Hashtag had already been penalty shoot-out conquerors in two earlier round to get this far now had to do it again. This time luck deserted them and they went out losing 7-6 having no doubt frightened the living wits out of their higher placed opponents. Stansted came from two goals down at Peterborough Sports to go in at the break at 2-2. As early as the 5^th minute they were fishing the ball out of the net as the Turbines opened brightly, but the goal was ruled out. Josh Moreman then fired the hosts into a 10^th minute lead, which was doubled by Maniche Sani. Stansted had to withstand a bit more further pressure as Paul Malone went close with an overhead kick from a corner; but pulled Jordan Palmer pulled one back for Stansted in the 20^th minute. The Airportmen were level on the half hour when Connor Hammond drilled home a free kick from some distance. The second period belonged to Peterborough Sports, one man in particular:Josh Moreman. He made it 3-2 when he tapped in midway through the half, then completed his hat-trick when he notched in stoppage time. Walthamstow started slowly against Hornchurch and were made to pay for it. The Urchins took a 2^nd minute lead with a Lewwis Spence free kick. It got even worse in the 13^th minute as a ball at the back post was tapped home by Ellis Brown. Stow did return fire of sorts when a Reece Conway header hit the bar; but they were then reduced to ten men after Vinny Murphy was dismissed for a handball. Walthamstow came into the game a bit more in the second half, with Callum Ibe and Charncey Dash both having chances. However the damage had been done in the first quarter of an hour and Walthamstow’s FA Cup campaign ends because of it.

The overnight rain decimated the League programme as Clapton v Woodford Town, Enfield v Ilford (which was due to be played today – Sunday), Hoddesdon Town v Hadley and St Margaretsbury v Cockfosters were all postponed.

West Essex had got the weekend off to a banger on Friday, hitting six past a Southend Manor side who also had their moments in the game. But the hosts were clinical as George Fairhead and Cameron Gray fired them into a 2-0 half-time lead. Further goals were added in the second half by Michael Mignot, who scored a brace, with Brad Russell and Hakim Medfai rounding up the scoring. West Essex are up to 3^rd after this win.

In the one Saturday game that remained Sawbridgeworth Town had to show some iron will as they turned a 2-0 half time deficit into a share of the spoils. Coming into this game having lost 7-2 at Takeley in midweek, the Robins then conceeded two first half goals to Saffron Walden Town. A Gavin Cockman penalty, alongside an Alfie Hilton effort saw the Bloods in control once they got back into the dressing rooms after the opening 45 minutes. But Sawbridgeworth managed to halt their losing streak with a second half performance that saw Jake Skeet pull one back in the 75^th minute; and ten minutes later Cabham Clarke equalised for Sawbridgeworth, salvaging a point for them, while Saffron Walden will have to settle for another draw, their third so far this term.