On This Day

The Essex Senior League was at its lowest constitution ever, a 14 club division and no reserves and consisted of League games and the Schweppes League Cup played in groups with only Saffron Walden Town and Sawbridgeworth Town on 100%. So, it was all hands to the wheel to keep the league going!

Only five League games had been played and Great Wakering Rovers were leading on goal difference from Basildon United and Burnham Ramblers. Having said that the Rovers were beaten 5-1 by Clacton Town in the County Cup that week but drew 2-2 at Welwyn Garden City in the FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying on 3rd travelling on a double decker bus and affectionately publicised as 'Olive’s Buses.'

Basildon United also played out a 2-2 draw with Spartan South Midlands League leaders, Barkingside in the same competition.

There were limited games that Saturday, Brentwood losing a County Cup tie to Burnham Ramblers 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. There were three games in the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy Round One, Ilford progressing 2-1 at Hullbridge Sports, East Ham United, the holders, tabled a 5-1 victory at Southend Manor and that was due to a famous ESL figure, Ross Weare, later going to Queens Park Rangers, with a hat-trick. Bowers United with Simon Deakin 38 mins and Steve Warner 41 min goals beat Stansted at Hargrave Park 2-1.

Leading scorer with eight was Mavute Sakala, just ahead of Ross Weare with seven. Eton Manor and Brentwood were still without a point. That week saw two interesting snippets of information, David Kreyling was captain of Hullbridge Sports at age 16 and at the time was the youngest ever in the League. The second story involved Dave Cusack who had moved from Basildon United to be Chief Executive at Football League side, Scarborough Athletic and had to apologise to Brentford fans after Sammy the Seagull had mooned at their fans. He said they had disciplined the offender and that there was to be no repetition!

Just to show how life can change since 1998, languishing in the bottom Division Three were Brentford though they did beat Peterborough 4-2 on this day.