A collection of some 'match reports' from the 1977/78 season courtesy of Essex County Standard.

(page 4)

<--- pg 3 various reports.

The league championship is still wide open after the three main contenders all picked up two points at the weekend.

Moler had a good win over Marquis. Roy Sestak getting a hat-trick with Graham Powell and Mick Laver also on target. Severalls had a confortable victory over Birch - John Knowles (2), Roger Springett and Terry Thomas being the scorers.

The last match in division three this season saw Royal London beat fellow strugglers Tartan House 2-0.

This win saw Royal London go above Tarta, who now finish second from bottom. W.Innes and B.Niewman got Royal London's goals.

Lots of goals in the fourth division where Rose & Crown Res got the season's highest - a massive 19 against a depleted Birch Res side. D.Girling (7), M.Bird (4), P.Reason (3), B.Martin (2), B.Slocombe (2) and R.Randall doing the damage.

Betts were also amongst the goals getting ten against Flagstaff. I.Richardson (3), R.Smith (2), G.Williams (2) and a goal apiece from T.Griffiths, D.Lee and A.Keeble.

ALAN BURTON

An enthralling Colchester Sunday League knock-out cup final lies in prospect this weekend.

ForLayer Fox take on Elmstead, Bromley Road, Colchester, this Sunday (kick-off 3pm)

This is the first time Layer Fox have appeared in a major CSL cup final. This season they finished as runers-up in division two.

Elmstead have already won the Fowler Cup and are strong favourties to land the first division title.

Teams - Layer Fox : Curtis, Clay, Hayton, Dair, Pettican, Barnard, Bond, Austin, Barton, Reed, Llewellyn. Subs from: Bell, Playle, Munson, Turner.

Elmstead : A.Pearman, Miller, Warner, Hammond, T.Pearman, Mayhew, D.Lamont, Bennett, Aldworth, Sharman, Heard. Subs J.Lamont, Hickley.

Courtesy ECS 21st April 1978

Layer Fox ... 4
Elmstead .... 2

A record crowd for a Sunday League Cup Final, approaching 500, saw Layer Fox convincingly defeat Elmstead who were strong favourites, by four goals to two in a thoroughly entertaining match.

Elmstead took the lead midway through the first half when a cross by Steve Sharman was put away by Paul Aldworth. A goal by Kenny Barton put the teams back on level terms, but just befor the interval a superb goal by Dave Mayhew again put Elmstead in front and that was how it stayed until half-time.

Right from the start of the second half Layer Fox started to look a lot sharper and it came as no supprise when Brian Reed put Layer Fox on level terms. With ten minutes to go a fine opportunist goal from Kenny Barton put Layer in front for the first time.

A spell of Elmstead pressure did not get them the goal they badly needed and with only three minutes to go Trevor Bond put the issue beyond doubt when he cracked in his side's fourth.

A fine sporting match by both sides which was a credit to local football, helped by some sensible refereeing by Bob Knight who allowed the game to flow.

ALAN BURTON.

With Elmstead involved in the cup-final, Moler took full advantage by beating Severalls by the odd goal in three and turning the chase for the title into a two horse race between themselves and Elmstead.

The two matches between the clubs will decide the issue. Goals by Dave Sawkins and Mick Laver ut an end to Severalls challenge for whom Gary Jarvis replied.

In Div. four, Betts beat their nearest rivals for the title Lloyds also by the odd goal in three. Dick Lee and G.Williams being on target for the winners. Betts now need only two points from their last four games to make certain of the title.

Courtesy ECS 28th April 1978

Elmstead edge nearer

Elmstead moved a step nearer the division one title with a crushing 6-0 win over Marquis. Two goals apiece for Steve Sharman and Dave Lamont with one each for Geoff Bennett and Barry Heard. Moler, their nearest rivals dropped both points when a second half goal by Gary Greenleaf gave Gaslights a surprise win. Woods finished off their programme with a win over Severalls. Micky Stephenson opened the socring for Woods only for Peter Smith to equlaise. A goal three mintes from time by Graham Spong gave Woods both points.

Betts become division four champions following their 2-0 victory over Middlewick. Ian Richard and Dick Lee being the scorers that gave Betts their first ever trophy. A point for Stanway Swan in their last match take them out of the bottom two which means Tey Lion are relegated along with Geo. Ewer.

Betts ............... 2
Middlewick Oyster ... 0

Betts consistency throughout the season was finally rewarded on Sunday when they became division four champions with the necessary two points coming from a fine two goal win over Middlewick Oyster at Clairmont Road on Sunday.

The two teams involved in this end of season title decider produced some very good football and but for good defensive work from John Gandolfini and Trevor Griffiths the score sheet may have not remained unopened at half time.

The second half spell saw Betts producing more controlled football and slowly begin to assert more authority into the game. The first goal came for Betts after a combination of short passes between Dick Lee and Graham Vandervord. Dick Lee released a blistering right fotted drive from a good twenty-five yards out high inside the keeper's left hand post.

Any chance Middlewick may have had in squaring this game was finally sunk when Ian Richardson scored the decisive goal twenty minutes from time with a fine run at the Middlewick defence taking it past the keeper and slotting home from close range.

Courtesy ECS 5th May 1978

Elmstead virtually clinched the Division One title on Sunday following their 5-1 win over Moler the only club who could have overtaken them on points.

Because of Elmstead's victory, Woods take the runners-up spot. In the other Division One match Severalls went nap over Rose & Crown. Star of the match was Severalls' midfield player Clive Vickery, who scored a hat-trick.

The only issue still to be settled is who takes runners-up spot in Division Four. Following Mile End's 4-4 draw with Birth Res, they are now level on points with Lloyds who have one match to play but that is against Division Four champions Betts.

Any teams who would like to enter the Sunday League should ut a written application to the League Secretary, Alan Burton, 19 St Jude Close, Colchester, within the next seven days.

Flagstaff ..... 1
Betts ......... 3

An under-strength Flagstaff side gave a brave display in narrowly losing out to champions Betts.

After 40 minutes the score was still locked at 0-0 but Betts went ahead just before the break.

Flagstaff stormed back in style and equalised when K.Vince cracked home a tremendous 20 yard shot.

Despite Betts scoring two more goals Flagstaff ut the visitors under intense pressure during the final 15 minutes but they couldn't score again.

Courtesy ECS 12th May 1978

Colchester Sunday League.

Goals by John Hammond and Dave Knight gave Elmstead victory over Moler and the division one title.

Moler replied through Malcolm Edwards. Elmstead have progressed through the divisions, each season either winning or finishing runners-up. This is their last season in the top section.

The only other outstanding honour was settled on Sunday when Lloyds beat champions Betts to take runners-up spot on division four.

This Sunday sees the league representative side take on Thurrock SL in the final of the Home Counties Inter-League Trophy. The match is to be played at Maldon Town FC with an 11am start.

The Colchester team is: G.Warner (QB), D.Miller (Elmstead), G.Bennett (Elmstead), G.Sharman (Gaslights), S.Shaw (Coggeshall), D.Warner (Elmstead), D.Lamont (Elmstead), D.Mayhew (Elmstead), G.Powell (Moler), P.Aldsworth (Elmstead), D.Knight (Elmstead). Subs: D.Harrington (Gaslights), Smith (Severalls), W.De'ath (Middlewick Oyster), S.Sharman (Elmstead), J.Lamont (Elmstead)

Lloyds ..... 1
Betts ...... 0

Lloyds took the fourth division runners-up spot with a fine win over champions Betts.

Having taken command of midfield from the kick off and subdued the two Betts wingers Lloyds never looked like losing this game. In fact the score could have so easily been more. The Betts woodwork was hit twice a penalty missed and Betts defence split on numerous occasions by some good approach work.

The goal that clinched Lloyd's their medals was a fine header from Waters midway through the first half.

After the match a presentation was made by Lloyd's to Dave Presland who was playing his last game for the club.

Courtesy ECS 19th May 1978

<--- pg 3 various reports.