MATCH REPORTS SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2012
With numerous levels of football suffering a decline in numbers the Greene King Essex Veterans League goes from strength to strength with eighty eight teams in the new nine Division format kicking off the season on Saturday.
Premier Division
Although there has been some name changes this season the top three from last year all got off to a flying start with PLA rectifying their open day defeat last season to Sungate by beating the same opponents 4-0. Bowers & Pitsea formally known as Vichouse Sports beat Shenfield 2-0 whilst Ockendon who merged with Little Thurrock Dynamos thrashed Springfield 7-0. Hutton Old Boys got off to a flying start to life in the Premier Division by being 4-0 up at half time against Frenford Senior with the game finishing 5-1. In the other game in the Division Stuart Jones scored a hat trick for MetPol Chigwell in their 3-3 draw with White Notley.
Division One
Manford Way enjoyed their League debut with Martin St Hilaire and Darren Levin both scoring twice and Fraser Bay once as visitors Herongate Athletic were sent packing by five goals to one. Ground sharers Newbury Park and Britannia played out an entertaining game with the “visitors” Britannia triumphing by four goals to two thanks to strikes from Nathan 2, Hobbs and Rogers. Trevor Walker gave Rosebay the lead at Old Chelmsfordians however a second half strike from Wright earned the home side a share of the spoils. Elsewhere Beacon Hill won 4-0 against Old Parmiterians.
Division Two East
Goals from Ian Muir and Paul Callow were not enough for FOBS (East Hanningfield) against near neighbours Sporting Club Woodham who replied through Russell Wright, Curtis and Debell. Cricketers Horndon Saxons had five different scorers, Cramer, Devlin, Heather, Nicholas and Stephens as they took the points from Herongate Athletic Reserves. Highest score game in the Division was 5-3 between Dunmow Rhodes and Hawkwell Athletic with the visitors taking home. The only away team not to win were Leigh Ramblers whose consolation goal was scored by Mackler at Tillingham Hotspur
Division Two West
Team talk of the day goes to Richard Kent of West Essex with his side trailing 1-0 at half time inspired three second half goals including two in the last six minutes to overcome Blackmore Royals. A hard fought encounter between Collier Row and Bishops Stortford say the home team win thanks to two goals from Edwards and one from Akin. Harrison and Warne scored for Little Thurrock Dynamos Reserves in their draw with Ryan. Harold Wood Athletic’s 3-2 win over Hale End Athletic included goals from Brooks and Scott. Old Parmiterians Reserves returned from the short trip to Maidonians with a 1-0 win.
Next week we aim to feature Divisions Three and Four.