Another busy show this week, and with promotions, relegations and play-off spots being decided it was Football that took centre stage.
In our featured match, Billericay Town narrowly missed out on a place in the Isthmian Premier League play-offs.
Their players did what they had to do with an extraordinary 5-3 win over Margate (who were relegated as a result) at New Lodge.
But the two other teams looking to secure a top five finish on the day – Wingate & Finchley and Horsham – both won and so Billericay will be playing at step three once more next season.
Meanwhile, just over 10 miles away Chelmsford City supporters must have been left feeling that their club is destined never to win a play-off campaign, as they failed to do so for the 11th time in the last 20 years.
The Clarets’ old rivals Braintree Town came to Melbourne Park for a National League South play-off Semi-final, and after the scores were level at 2-2 with 90 minutes played, a goal from a goal from Jayden Davis eight minutes into extra time gave the visitors a 3-2 victory and a trip to Worthing – who beat Maidstone United 2-1 in the other semi-final the next day – for the final on Bank Holiday Monday (6th May).
Saturday saw the final round of fixtures in EFL Leagues One and Two.
Leyton Orient‘s first League One campaign since the 2014/15 season ended on a high, Richie Wellens’ men securing a top half finish with a 3-1 win away to Shrewsbury Town.
In League Two, a 1-1 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra proved enough for Colchester United to retain their EFL status on the last day, as Danny Cowley’s side finished in 22nd place which meant that despite picking up a 4-4 draw away to MK Dons, Sutton United – managed by former Hornchurch boss Steve Morison – were relegated to the National League alongside Forest Green Rovers.
In the Isthmian North, Bowers & Pitsea and Brentwood Town – both already assured of a play-off spot – finished fourth and fifth respectively
Bowers lost their final league match at Wroxham by two goals to nil, but Brentwood ended on a high with a 2-1 win away to champions Lowestoft Town.
On Tuesday night B&P travel to third placed Felixstowe & Walton United for their play-off semi-final, whilst Brentwood are away to Bury Town, who finished second.
Also at step four, Waltham Abbey went into their final Southern League Division One Central match of the season against Thame United at Capershotts with the knowledge that they were already guaranteed a play-off place, but not of where they would finish in the standings.
Abbey’s 3-2 win, combined with other results meant that they finished fourth in the table, and they will travel to AFC Dunstable for their play-off semi-final on Wednesday night.
And in the Premier League, West Ham United may well have ended Liverpool’s title hopes by holding them to a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.
In Cricket, Essex have made a fine start to their County Championship Division campaign, with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches.
And the league leaders ended day two of their match away to Durham in control, thanks to a century by Feroze Khushi and Nick Browne’s unbeaten 94.
In Rugby Union, England won their sixth consecutive Women’s Six Nations campaign after beating hosts France by 42 points to 21.
The Red Roses won all five of their tournament matches to secure a third consecutive Grand Slam.
Phoenix Sport
John Chubb
