ON THIS DAY MARCH 23rd

21 Mar 2025 By Michelle Dorling

ON THIS DAY MARCH 23rd 1985

ON THIS DAY MARCH 23rd 1985

The League were pleased to announce that two new clubs would be joining next season (1985-86) Woodford Town from the Southern League and Coggeshall Town Reserves back into the Reserve Division.

News from the week previous was that David Sams of Eton Manor scored 7 in their 9 1 win at East Ham United and the record breaking John Blackwell now had 6 out of 8 Coggeshall Town goals, a success rate of 75% and would be the best in the whole country and arguably, very hard to beat all-time ?
The Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy final was between Sawbridgeworth Town, who beat Halstead Town 2 1 in their semi-final and Stansted, 7 0 victors over Coggeshall Town. The League Challenge Cup semi-finals first leg saw Bowers United in a 1 1 draw with Maldon Town and East Thurrock taking a 1 0 lead from Chelmsford City Reserves.

There were four League matches and Witham Town retained their top spot after a 4 0 win at East Ham United, Brightlingsea United drew 1 1 with Brentwood, Eton Manor won 2 1 at Ford United and Wivenhoe Town beat Canvey Island 4 1. Stansted and Chelmsford City Reserves were in second place.

The Reserve Division leading lights were Loughton Athletic (Playing as a First Team), 6 1 winners v Bowers United Reserves and unbeaten after 19 games. The leading scorer was Mark Farthing of Wivenhoe Town with 18 goals followed by Don Cutmore of Halstead Town on 15. Jamie Reeves, a F A Vase winner with Stansted had 14.

The inclusion of Chelmsford City Reserves would, in due course, cause severe penalties on the League by exclusion from the Isthmian League Pyramid and loss of nearly all the Committee which was eventually corrected on the Clubs’ withdrawal.

On the Football League front, Osvaldo Ardiles marked his first appearance of the season with the opening goal in Tottenham's 5–1 win over Southampton. There was a hat-trick for Manchester United's Mark Hughes against Aston Villa. In the Second Division, Oxford moved up to second with a 3–0 win over leaders Manchester City.