ON THIS DAY FEBRUARY 8th 1997

ON THIS DAY FEBRUARY 8th 1997
The Centre Spot issue on this day Vol 10 No 22 was No 426 having started in December 1984 though Volume 1 was actually August 1987.
Ford United continued to blaze a trail through the ESL, County Cup, London Senior Cup and our own League Cup and their victory 2-0 over Concord Rangers in midweek plus 6-1 at last place Eton Manor on this day meant winning their last 10 games away from home with an application made to join the Isthmian League. Jeff Wood got a hat-trick with a 13 min effort from Dave Reilly and former East Ham United and England Under 18 International, John Varney got two. Brentwood drew 3-3 at Basildon United, Dave Stittle with two and Fillary, offset by Edwards with two and Fannon for the Bees. Manager Derek Stittle had now been in the hot seat for 18 years.
In the leading position were Great Wakering Rovers after a 6-0 success against East Ham United, Paul Flack scoring a hat-trick and Gavin Levin netting inside 19 seconds, Jimmy Ablitt and Andy Innell getting the other two. Stansted with the late great Don Watters back in joint control, won 1-0 against Southend Manor with their 90th minute goal inevitably scored by Gary Hart. Bowers United won 3 1 at Sawbridgeworth Town with one of the goals scored by recent signing former Fulham, Brentford and Canvey Island favourite Tony Mahoney. Burnham Ramblers beat Saffron Walden 3 0, Gary Hollocks (2) and Billy Herbert whilst Concord Rangers were victors over Ilford 2-1 thanks to Tony Macklin and Dave Matthews with Trevor Destouche for the visitors.
Outside of the League a scoreline of Cambridge City 1-2 Atherstone Town was mentioned as the scorer was former Great Wakering Rovers and Maldon Town striker Neil Harris. The leading scorer was Jeff Wood of Ford United with 19 followed by Tony Macklin of Concord Rangers with 17, Gary Hart had 13. That weekends edition of Centre Spot gave all the F A Amateur Cup games for ESL clubs from 1971/72 to it ending in 1973/74 with the best performance being Witham Town who reached the First Round Proper on 9th December 1972 losing 0-5 at Witney Town.
On this day there were no Premier Division games but in Division One Huddersfield Town were beaten 0-2 by Wolves and Man City beat Southend United 3-0. In the lowest tier, Division Three, Lincoln City beat Fulham 2-0 and Brighton won 5-0 against Hartlepool.