ON THIS DAY MARCH

With our name now the Eastway Essex Senior League, yet another nasty weather week befell us, first, with the Essex Thames-side Trophy 3rd Round tie between London Apsa and Romford abandoned at half time with Romford three nil up due to a severe blizzard.

There were supposed to be 7 games played on Saturday 5th but continuing blizzards during that week meant that only two survived. In the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy semi-finals, his own club Burnham Ramblers were 3 1 winners against Basildon United.

Recent signing Chris Stevens scored twice with Jamie Gray adding a penalty and Josh McArdle of Basildon United also scoring from the spot in the 89th minute in front of 54.

The only other game was the local derby between Stansted and Sawbridgeworth Town in front of 50 thanks to goals from Dean McAteer and a Greg Pike brace, the Robins came away with a 3-1 win.

In a Division of just 5 clubs the only Reserve game at Basildon United was postponed. The leading goalscorer was Neil Richmond of Concord Rangers with 20 just one ahead of Burnham Ramblers’, Steve Portway and it was that very club that were leading the Lague table a point above Enfield Town with Barkingside two further points adrift.

Congratulations were conveyed to Gary Hart of Brighton & Hove Albion signed from the Airportmen for £1,000 in 1998-99 in making his 300th appearance.

Penalties (4-2) were needed for Arsenal to beat Sheffield United in the F A Cup and a Peter Crouch brace gets Southampton through against Brentford. David Beckham announces that Real Madrid will be his last club.

Back in 1975 Eton Manor and Canvey Island applied to join the League but Tate & Lyle and Chadwell Heath were declined.