Great Wakering Rovers consolidated their top place with a 5-0 successover Bowers and Pitsea who had also been beaten in midweek at the Spotted Dog by Clapton, 3-1 who secured their first win of the season in the League. This weekend, the Rovers scored through Ty Benjamin in the 12th minute followed by Jay Nash in 24 mins and Stuart Hepburn after 32 mins for a 3-0 half time lead, This was further extended in
the second half by Ashley Hawkins 60 mins and John Mbamarah two minutes before time. Enfield 1893 moved into second place with a 3-2 win over Eton Manor at Brimsdown though John Bricknell opened the scoring for the visitors in the 2nd minute but Neil Hughes quickly equalised two minutes later and Ricky Edwards gave Enfield the lead in the 11th minute and then added a further goal in 67 mins. Although John
Bricknell scored from the spot in 78 mins, the points went to Enfield 1893.

Burnham Ramblers put up a very brave performance at Roots Hall in the week against Southend United in the County Cup with Charlie Kirby going staright through to score at the start. It was 2-2 at half time but in the end the home side went through 4-2. The Ramblers travelled to Clapton this weekend and Bradley Nobbs put them ahead after 13 mins but Chris Thomas replied in 40 mins from the penalty spot before Danny
Cossington in 68 mins and Ross Wall, two minute later gave the Ramblers a 3-1 lead .Though Chris Thomas pulled one back in 89 mins , the points went the way of the visitors who now move into third place in the League due to London Bari going down by the odd goal at Barking, 3-0 winners at Ilford in the County Cup during the week. Ben O'Brien scoring in the 52nd minute

A top grade performance by Hullbridge Sports saw them go through 5-4 on a penalty shoot out to Heybridge Swifts having drawn 2-2 aet in the County Cup on Tuesday and now find themselves drawn to Southend United at home in the next round which could bring back many memories of that great night that Blackburn Rovers came visiting in the F A Youth Cup a number of years back, watched by over 800 ! In the League this weekend, they travelled the few miles to Southchurch Park to meet
Southend Manor but goals from Hamid Zamani in 13 mins and David Tubbs on 53 mins secured a win for last seasons runners up.

Barkingside met Stansted at Oakside though the Central Line not operating reduced the attendance somewhat and late arrivers missed the first goal scored by Jeff Williams-Baah within two minutes of the kick off. Mark Steadman reduced the arrears in 11 mins and Reece Cosson made it 2-1 on the half hour , then, in a hasty finish, Richard Oxby made it 3-1 in 83 mins before Charlie Simpson reduced the deficit for Stansted with two minutes to go.

Bethnal Green United travelled up the M11 to Crofters End and met Sawbridgeworth Town on top form but took a 16th minute lead through Chris Hubbard but George Wappett responded with three goals in 30m 39m and 58 mins helped by Scot Williams with a 80th min penalty and Jason Todd adding the fifth with a minute to go.
Takeley travelled twice this week with varying success, losing 2-3 at Aveley on Monday in the County Cup but it was back to League action at Mile End Stadium against Sporting Bengal and more success for League leading scorer, Greig Taylor who scored three times in 35 mins, 70 mins and 90 mins with Graeme Turner 20 mins and Luke Milbourne 58 mins making it 5-2 on the day. Sarfraz Pivanno 40 mins and Javier Riviera 60 mins scored for Sporting Bengal United.

Great Wakering Rovers move back to the top of the league with a 3-1 win against London Apsa at Aveley and after Julian Simon-Parson scored first for them in the 20th minute , it wasn't long,in fact, five minutes later that new signing Danny Heale, the League leading scorer in 2007 and 2008 , added a second. Jason Maynard pulled one back another five minutes later but in the second half, Jimmy Webb made it 3-1 for the Rovers with a penalty in the 80th minute.

Bethnal Green United, after a heavy 0-5 midweek league cup defeat by Burnham Ramblers were leading Hullbridge Sports at Mile End 1-0 thanks to Jason Fox's 35th minute goal but Jimmy Cox equalised way into added time to share the points .

In the meantime, London Bari midweek League Cup 1st leg winners 2-0 over Great Wakering Rovers, were grateful to Geoff Mitchell for his two goals in 33 min and 68 min for their win at Bowers and Pitsea where the attendance on this cold weekend was just 15. Even lower than that, at 7
were the brave souls at Haringey and Waltham Development who saw their side draw 2-2 with Stansted. Billy Pike scored twice in 5 mins and 77 mins with Stansted replying through Jeff Williams-Baah in 42 mins and James Blackaby from the spot on 64 mins.

Basildon United met Enfield 1893 with the visitors taking a 28th minute lead from Ricky Edwards.Jamie Williams drew level in 55 mins but goals from Neal Hughes in 67 mins and Chet Johnston three minutes from time gave Enfield 1893 the points. Clapton played host to Barking, smarting from a midweek 1-3 loss to Barkingside in the League Cup 1st leg at the Spotted Dog with the visitors winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Dumabi GB Dumaka 87 mins after Ricky Mackin had put them 1-0 up in 37 mins.

Sawbridgeworth Town met Barkingside at Crofters End with the visitors taking a first half 2-0 lead through Richard Oxby 10 mins and Gavin Toussant 36 mins but the Robins fought back and second half goals form Mitchell Das 58 mins and James Solkhom right on time shared the points
The result, I am delighted to tell readers, being relayed to us by Ronnie Alder !

Southend Manor welcomed debut boy Adam Vyse to the First team and he responded with two goals in 36 mins and 44 mins after Jamie Salmon had given them a 1-0 lead in 34 mins, Ashley Johnston replied for Sporting Bengal in the 45th minute but a further goal by Jay Smith in 75 mins
made it 4-1 for Southend Manor. Finally, at Station Road, Takeley met the in-form Burnham Ramblers who promptly went into a 2-0 half time lead with goals from Stuart Judd 14 mins and Brad Hunter 18 mins, Reece Dobson reduced the deficit in the 54th minute but Brad Hunter scored a
second in 60 mins and Charlie Kirby put the Ramblers further ahead six minutes later. League leading scorer, Greig Taylor replied in 77 mins but the score was 4-2 to Burnham Ramblers.
 

Finally, with a 8-0 result at Burnham Ramblers Reserves, Tilbury Reserves still lead the East Division with Romford Reserves still leading the West division.

Top of the table, Bethnal Green United travelled to Brimsdown to play Enfield 1893 whose goals from Isaac Marfo in 66 mins and Shaun Glidden 76 mins helped the homeside inflict only the second defeat of the season on the leaders.

Nevertheless, with second place London Bari securing just the draw with Clapton at the Spotted Dog, Jody Banim's 35th min goal for the 'Ton equalled by a Patrick Songe-Dumali effort in 80 mins meant their total has now been supersceded by Great Wakering Rovers who now go second with a 3-2 success against Haringey and Waltham Development at Burroughs Park. Jimmy Webb opened the scoring in 31 mins but Tony Cookey levelled after 58 mins only for Jay Nash to make it 2-1 in 72 mins whereupon the visitors refused to give up with their second from Gaz Madden in 80 mins. The winning goal coming from Nathan Fletcher right on the stroke of full time.

Takeley took advantage of Burnham Ramblers defeat by Eton Manor to go third at Hullbridge Sports who took the lead through Tom Peck in 40 mins only for James Amott to make it 1-1 just a minute later. In the second half, Tom Ranger gave Hullbridge the lead again in 55 mins but goals from League leading scorer, Greig Taylor in the 75th minute and Reece Dobson right on the final whistle gave Takeley victory.

Meanwhile at Leslie Field Burnham Ramblers went ahead with an own goal in 20 mins against Eton Manor but first, John Bricknell in 30 mins and then Chetin Ali 38 mins made it 2-1 to the visitors at the break and it was the Manor who scored twice again for a 4-1 win thanks to late goals from Chetin Ali in 87 mins and Cary Wright on 90 mins.

Sporting Bengal United and Barkingside fought out a great battle of wits at Mile End Stadium, with Dan Calloway opening the scoring for the visitors in 24 mins but Aaron Hutchings levelled in 35 mins then Michael Begg came into his own with three in 45 mins, 57 mins and 82 mins, Barkingside having kept their end up thanks to a 59th min own goal and one apiece from Matt Guilfer 63 mins and Reece Cosson 73 mins,

Stansted played host to Southend Manor with all the goals coming in the second half, first an own goal in 51 mins for the Airportmen was followed by a frantic ending when Tyrone White made it

2-0 in 88 mins, then Chris Badderly pulled one back but with virtually the last kick of the match.
Barking and Bowers and Pitsea also played out a thrilling draw and this one was 3-3 with Barking's goals scored by Dumabi GB-Dumaka in 10 mins and 62 mins and Ricky Mackin 72 mins. The response from Bowers and Pitsea being Jamie Clarke 35 mins, Calvin Poku 50 mins and Brad Warner
78 mins.

During the week, Great Wakering Rovers went out of the County Cup to Chelmsford City in a very close match 1-2 whilst Clapton lost their London Senior Cup tie at Croydon 0-4 and Barkingside, theirs against Cockfosters 0-2 but it was far better news for Haringey and Waltham
Development who beat Fisher 3-1 to go through to meet Haringey Borough for a mouth watering tie in the next round !

  Forty One goals in 9 matches gave fans value for money in the League this weekend though one game resulted in a 0-0 draw despite the presence of Loran Ramsey at No 9, of Barkingside, a St Lucian International who plays in the Caribbean Cup next weekend and who certainly brought the sunshine to Southend On Sea but sadly no goals.

Nevertheless just down the road at Burroughs Park, Great Wakering Rovers it was a different story with Jimmy Webb's hat-trick in 27 m, 38 m and 45 mins added to a brace from Jay Nash on 47m and 54 min plus one apiece by former Newport County's Dave Collins in the 36th min and Lewis Sparrow 80 mins making seven against Eton Manor's two from John Bricknell 48m and Jack Leachman 85m.

Burnham Ramblers, very pleased from being drawn against Southend United at Roots Hall in the County Cup, played Haringey and Waltham Development at Leslie Field and won 4-1 thanks to goals by James Ward 25m, Charlie Kirby 40m , Bradley Nobbs 67m and Ross Wall 71m to one
from Levi Mathurine who actually opened the scoring in 3 minutes....and the result telephoned to me , as usual by Shaun, not from the ground , but in the Baggage Collection Hall on return from the Republic of Ireland - that's committment !

Bethnal Green United , having drawn with Eton Manor 2-2 during the week take top spot in the League on goal difference with a 3-1 win at the Aveley temporary home of London Apsa despite Stefan Kilron giving the home side a 15 min lead. Danny Gabriel levelled up five minutes later
and further goals from Chris Hubbard 78 mins and Brett Lambert Wright on time gave the visitors their win.

London Bari are just one goal behind on the same points though in their game with Enfield 1893 at the Spotted Dog, Neal Hughes put the visitors ahead in 55 mins. In a busy finish, Zubair Haleem levelled in the 70th min, then Lesley Thompson 85 mins and Danny Tenkurang made it 3-1 with a minute to go. Sporting Bengal United travelled to Crofters End, Sawbridgeworth Town and found the home side with their scoring boots well fitted for Scott Williams got two in the 8th and 60th minutes, George Wappett 30 mins, Jason Todd 75 mins and Charlie Cole wrapping it
up with two late goals in 87 and 89 mins, Sporting Bengal United having just the one to their credit, a 44th minute effort from Stephane Forbes.

Hullbridge Sports , well happy with their midweek success over Thurlow Nunn League, Saffron Walden Town having welcomed back to the ESL for the night, Colin Wallington their Manager and Stuart Wardley on the coaching side. A 4-1 success ensued and a one goal better score , that
being 5-1 came Great Wakering Rovers way against fellow leaguers Halstead Town after they were 0-1 down at half time. In this weekends game, Tom Peck gave the Lower Road side a 7th minute lead but three goals from Barking, 1-0 County Cup winners at FC Clacton in the week,
gave them the win, Chas Liddiards 17th min goal helped along by Ben O'Brien 57 mins and Sean Crossley 86 mins.

Also in the County Cup, Basildon United beat Stansted 3-1 and followed this up with another win, 3-0 at Hargrave Park, goals scored by Dave Reynolds 37 mins, Charlie Bridgeman 55 mins and Terry Mason 72 mins whilst in the final league match, Takeley ran 5 goals past Clapton without reply, thanks to leading scorer, Greig Taylor with a 25th minute penalty, Anton Collins on 31 mins and 85 mins, Graeme Turner 52 mins and Scott Forbes 73 mins,

Rob Errington

 If it was goals you want then the game to watch was at Bowers and Pitsea v Sporting Bengal United yet it was only 1-0 at half time an that was due to a Brad Warner 23rd minute goal . In an all action second half he scored again in 49 mins and the Calvin Poku made it 3-0 three minutes later but Stephane Forbes pulled one back in 55 mins and Ashley Johnstone a second in 65 mins, Then came a mad minute with Callum Leahy netting for Bowers and Pitsea only for Ashley Johnstone to do the same immediately. Stephane Forbes made it 4-4 in 78 mins with Callum Leahy securing all three points for the home side right on time.

Takeley, hoping to reach top of the League entertained Great Wakering Rovers , themselves having drawn 2-2 in a midweek thriller at Southend Manor but Great Wakering soon got into gear with a 7th minute goal from Toran Senghore, added to this came two more, from Jimmy Webb 38 mins and Jay Nash 89 mins.

Barking met Burnham Ramblers at Mayesbrook Park with the visitors winning the match 2-0 goals coming from Bradley Nobbs right on half time and Ross Wall five minutes into the new half. Eton Manor were on top form at Basildon United winning 4-0 thanks to two goals from Ali Chetin 44m and 50 min and Jack Leachman 48m and 85 mins.
The only unbeaten record went when Bethnal Green United lost 0-2 to Barkingside at, Mile End Stadium the visitors goals scored by Dave Cooper 56 mins and Luke With 64 mins.

Clapton and Stansted met at the Spotted Dog and Fahied Nyonga gave the 'Ton a 25th min lead but James Blackaby equalised in the 55th minute which is how it remained.
Enfield 1893 entertained Southend Manor at Goldsdown Road and it was the visitors Wilf Msiska who opened the scoring in 6mins but Aaron Cato equalised two minutes late and his second in 37 mins turned out to be the winner 2-1.

London Apsa and Haringey and Waltham Development met at Aveley and the visitors went ahead in 20 mins through Levi Mathurine but London Apsa pulled one back in 70 mins before Brad Falco 75 min secured the visitors, a victory,

Sawbridgeworth Town and Hullbridge Sports met at Crofters End and the Robins took a 2-0 lead at half-time with goals from Scott Williams and Mitchell Das. Hullbridge Sports fought back in the second half with goals from Alex Collisson 46 mins and Jimmy Cox 48 mins but Sawbridgeworth Town found James Whitbread and George Wappett both with shooting boots on and helping their side to a 4-2 win.

Progress was made in the week for Burnham Ramblers in the Essex CountyCup with a 4-1 win against Wivenhoe Town.

Rob Errington