MATCH REPORTS 18TH JANUARY 2014

Division Two West

Last season Hale End Athletic and Maidonians suffered lots of frustration with their shared pitch at the Britannia Sports Ground regularly being under water. Such was the frustration they both switched to Astroturf pitches this season and both were rewarded by being able to play on Saturday although with different rewards. Maidonians beat third placed Little Thurrock Dynamos Reserves 3-0 with two goals from Teddy Sherringham and one from Martin Bellamy, whilst Hale End Athletic went down 2-1 to Britannia.

Division Three East

Another Club to benefit from changing location due to previous waterlogging issues are FOBS. Their new home at Sauls Bridge Sports Ground in Witham has seen FOBS host three of the four games played in this Division in 2014. On Saturday they were involved in a see saw game with League Leaders Shenfield Reserves. The visitors took the lead before Jack Tuckerman equalised for the hosts. Dave Alexander then put FOBS into the lead before Shenfield Reserves hit back to claim a point.

Division Three South

A temporary venue change to Astroturf in Maldon for Sporting Club Woodham Reserves were rewarded with victory over second placed Hornminster. The Sporting Club Woodham Reserves goal led a charmed life in the first half as Hornminster hit the woodwork on three occasions; however the hosts took the lead three minutes before half time when Mark Patient’s deflected shot appeared to be headed in by Simon Wraight. The post match bar discussion however confirmed the ball had already crossed the line before Wraight touched it. This also confirmed the excellent work and sportsmanship of the Hornminster linesman who could easily have flagged for offside. Hornminster levelled the game on the hour when Wayne Field fired in from 25 yards. Sporting Club Woodham Reserves were not to be denied as Lee Brant scored the winner nine minutes later. The other game in the Division saw Rainham Working Mens Club beat Benfleet 4-1 with Tim Clayton getting Benfleet’s reply.

Division Four West

Jason Ward was Hornchurch’s hero as he scored the only goal of the game with nine minutes remaining to defeat Sanders. Hatfield Broad Oak Reserves went down 3-1 at home to North Weald.

Over 45 Division

Glassmasters found Peverel’s Astroturf to their liking as they won by five goals to one. Glassmasters scorers were Mark Bambridge, Richard Gentle, Stephen Hall, Lawrence Robotham and Andrew Styles.