The 2024/25 Essex Senior League season got underway on the last weekend in July, how would pre season favourites for the title Saffron Walden Town & Stanway Rovers get on, and how would newly promoted Benfleet fare in their first ever game at this level. Also Stansted & Sawbridgeworth Town were back in the division after a season away in the Spartan South Midlands Premier, how would they get on on their return, let's find out as well as round up all the other games from the opening weekend.....
Benfleet 0 Woodford Town 1
Last seasons runners up Woodford Town were Benfleet's first opponent at this level, and a crowd of 200 turned up at Woodside to see the clubs first ever Senior level game at this ground, so it was a big occasion for the club. One goal was to prove decisive though as Khalil Kirwan-Mead's 77th minute strike handed the visitors all three points, this despite having James Jewers sent off in first half stoppage time. More red's were to follow in a fiery end to the game as Frankie Stone was sent off for the hosts and Mike Agboola for the visitors, but sadly for Benfleet their was no fairytale start to life in Step Five and the ESL. For a more detailed look at this game, go to Scott W's blog for a report on this contest at https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/2024/07/29/s24-25-match-report-benfleet-0-1-woodford-town-sat-27-july-esl/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEUVK5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfNzqMiOVUtjU1II6TGiRWcToCC_x6SX17idKYIBKnx6JJIRz8lGFUx0Aw_aem_28X1rH8RhmBmcxbw4QbeuQ
Buckhurst Hill 2 Little Oakley 2
Hosts Buckhurst Hill fought from two goals down to salvage a point against Little Oakley in front of 85 at Myrak Park. Lewis Wood handed Oakley the lead ten minutes before half time and when Gabriel Mendoza put through his own net just before the hour mark it looked good for the visiting side. Dan Jones though immediately responded for the hosts before Suley Zuhdu levelled things up midway through the second period, meaning it was a point a piece for the sides in their first outing of the season.
FC Clacton 0 Barking 3
The Blues got their 2024/25 campaign off the the perfect start with a comfortable win at FC Clacton in front of 146 at the Rush Green Bowl. Barking are one of the fancied sides to do well this season and try and go one better than their disappointing play off semi final loss at the end of their last campaign. They were up against an FC Clacton side who are having to rebuild somewhat after off the field issues so the result wasn't that surprising, Juwon Akintunde's 20th minute spot kick gave Barking the lead, a lead that was doubled on the half hour mark by Marcel McDonald. And Chris John added a third early in the second half to rubber stamp the Blues winning start to the campaign.
Frenford 2 Sawbridgeworth Town 0
Sawbridgeworth Town's return to the division ended in a disappointing defeat in front of 58 at The Drive, Jordon Elongo gave the hosts a sixth minute lead before Wayne Kayembe doubled that advantage on the hour mark and made sure Frenford started the season with maximum points.
Hullbridge Sports 5 Stansted 0
The Airportmen's return to the division could not have gone any worse as they were thrashed by a new look Hullbridge Sports under new management of course in front of 180 at the TJ Cottis Stadium. The hists were in supreme form and were four goals up at the break, Zayshaun Asamoah netted on 17 & 30 minutes before Connor Hart made it three ten minutes before the break and Mechack Asuka added a fourth three minutes before the break to leave the visitors shell shocked. Jack Unwin added a fifth with five minutes to go to complete the rout and give the hosts a wonderful start to their season.
Romford 4 Stanway Rovers 1
Much has been discussed about Romford in the off season as after their brilliant FA Vase triumph last season pretty much their entire first eleven and manager etc left for pastures new, leaving new manager Kris Newby to pick up the reigns and form a squad for this campaign, add to that their move back to Mayesbrook Park after having to leave Rookery Hill after just a season, you could say it's been a testing time for the club. And when they fell behind to one of the pre season favourites in Stanway Rovers through a Harry Thomas goal after just six minutes, you could have forgiven them for feeling a bit fed up. But not a bit of it, as they roared back to level on fifteen minutes through Chris Millar and then blew Stanway away in the second half as David Owerida gave them the lead just past the hour mark, Elliott Howson then made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute, and the new addition Shermandin Artmeladze bagged a goal for himself in stoppage time to give the hosts a big boost at the start of the season in front of 120 in Barking.
Saffron Walden Town 0 Athletic Newham 1
Walden, another pre season favourite for the title, were humbled at home by Athletic Newham in front of 227 at Catons Lane. Newham began last season by humbling then favourites Tilbury in their own back yard, and the visitors were at it again this time around too after Abdul Khamis netted in the 19th minute to prove decisive in this contest and hand the hosts a home defeat in their very first outing.
Takeley 1 Ilford 0
Hosts Takeley are fancied to surprise a few this season after a couple of seasons of mediocrity and they were up against an Ilford side who many wonder how they will fare this campaign after their struggles of last season but now have a full campaign under the stewardship of Davis & Bartlett. Takeley though took the honours in this one thanks to a Bryn Thorpe goal five minutes from time in front of 111 at Station Road.
West Essex 0 Great Wakering Rovers 2
How will last season's FA Vase Finalists Great Wakering Rovers fare this season, their are a lot of positive noises coming out of Burroughs Park for the season ahead and that they will give it a real go and winning promotion back to the Isthmian League. Well, they got off to the perfect in front of 115 at Wadham Lodge as Harry Brown, who was banging the goals in for Cannons Wood last season and is here as a replacement for the departed Boylan, gave Rovers the lead four minutes before half time. West then were reduced to ten man with twenty minutes remaining when Ryan Ramsey was dismissed, and with a minute left Tony Martin settled the points to give Wakering the perfect beginning to their campaign.
White Ensign 1 Halstead Town 1
There were 82 in attendance at Burroughs Park to witness a draw between White Ensign & Halstead Town, Asa Cansdale gave The Humbugs a 32nd minute lead but Ensign fought back to earn an opening day point when Riley Weir levelled twelve minutes after half time.
Here is the table after one game, I know slightly pointless but here we go anyway.....
There is a full round of fixtures in midweek so here are those.....
Tuesday July 30th
Barking Vs Stanway Rovers
Benfleet Vs Ilford
Frenford Vs White Ensign
Great Wakering Rovers Vs Takeley
Halstead Town Vs Hullbridge Sports
Little Oakley Vs Stansted
Sawbridgeworth Town Vs Woodford Town
West Essex Vs FC Clacton
Wednesday July 31st
Buckhurst Hill Vs Saffron Walden Town
Romford Vs Athletic Newham
So, there you go, the Essex Senior League is up and running, here's is to another season of drama, twists and turns and lots and lots of entertaining action!!!
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