ESSEX OLYMPIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE RACE FOR THE TITLES

Premier Division Current Table - Top Three Only 
                    P  W  D L GF GA  GD  PTS 
1. FRENFORD SENIOR  14 11 2 1 25 11 +14  35 
2. KELVEDON HATCH   15 10 3 2 40 14 +26  33
3. WESTHAMIANS      15 9  1 5 38 22 +16  28 

In the Premier Division it looks as though it's going to be straight fight between last season's Champions and third placed sides in Kelvedon Hatch and Frenford Senior. Westhamians are back in third place with Frenford able to go ten points clear of them if they win their game in hand. What is strange is that only four teams in the fourteen team division have scored fewer goals than the current leaders, these are the bottom three (Harold Hill, Galleywood & Canning Town) along with tenth placed M&B Club.

The fixtures for March and April are yet to be released but when they are there will be two important games listed being the two clashes due between Frenford Senior and Kelvedon Hatch which will probably decide where the league title goes.

Harold Wood Athletic who have (as shown below) have won the title twice in the last three seasons are having, by their high standards, a relatively poor season and are currently in ninth position.

An indication of the strength and stability of the league is that out of the previous twenty-one season's champions only Danbury Trafford (folded in 1998 after their title win), Standard (Harlow) (left the league as Nortel (Harlow) in 2001 and I believe are no longer playing) and Takeley (now in the Essex Senior League) are no longer members.

RECENT PREMIER/SENIOR DIVISION CHAMPIONS 

2010/11 - KELVEDON HATCH 
2009/10 - HAROLD WOOD ATHLETIC 
2008/09 - HAROLD WOOD ATHLETIC 
2007/08 - WHITE ENSIGN 
2006/07 - WHITE ENSIGN 
2005/06 - HAROLD WOOD ATHLETIC 
2004/05 - WHITE ENSIGN 
2003/04 - WHITE ENSIGN 
2002/03 - BISHOPS STORTFORD SWIFTS 
2001/02 - TAKELEY 
2000/01 - RAYLEIGH TOWN
1999/00 - BISHOPS STORTFORD SWIFTS
1998/99 - BISHOPS STORTFORD SWIFTS 
1997/98 - DANBURY TRAFFORD 
1996/97 - KELVEDON HATCH 
1995/96 - KELVEDON HATCH 
1994/95 - WRITTLE 
1993/94 - KELVEDON HATCH 
1992/93 - STANDARD (HARLOW)
1991/92 - STANDARD (HARLOW)
1990/91 - HERONGATE ATHLETIC 

Senior Division One Current Table - Top Three Only 
                      P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS 
1. SOUTHMINSTER ST L  16 12 2 2 43 20 +23 38
2. WADHAM LODGE       16 8  2 6 32 31 + 1 28
3. HERONGATE ATHLETIC 13 9  1 3 31 15 +16 27

In Division One it looks as though Southminster St Leonards are champions elect with a ten point lead over second placed Wadham Lodge. It could get interesting if Herongate Athletic win their three games in hand but the cold end can only see Southminster winning the league if they carry on their excellent form so far (12 wins in 16 games). It's looking good for Southminster joining the Premier Division of the league which they joined in 2008

Senior Division Two Current Table - Top Three Only 
                P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS 
1. SPRINGFIELD  16 13 1 2 44 23 +21 40 
2. BROOMFIELD   14 10 0 4 43 23 +20 30
3. ROYDON       15 9  3 3 36 24 +12 30

In Division Two it's a similar story with Chelmsford based Springfield having a ten point lead over local rival's Broomfield. Broomfield do have two games in hand over the leaders and still have to travel the short 2 mile distance from Angel Mead to Springfield Hall Park for a potential title decider against Springfield.

Senior Division Three Current Table - Top Three Only 
                      P  W D L GF GA  GD PTS 
1. STAMBRIDGE UNITED  15 9 2 4 48 26 +22 29
2. NEWHAM UNITED      12 9 1 2 38 16 +22 28  
3. OLD BARKABBEYANS   12 6 4 2 27 14 +13 24

Two clubs new to the league feature in the top three of Division Three. Stambridge United have made a great return to the league they left in 2008/09. Last season they finished 2nd in the Southend Borough Combination and are in with a shot of the Division Three title this season but it has to be said Newham United and Old Barkabbeyans look better placed with games in hand and only a few points difference. Old Barkabbeyans are also new to the league this season.

1995 Senior Division One Champions Writtle are currently bottom of the pack with only one win to their credit so far. This came in a 3-2 victory over 2nd bottom Toby. In their last game they were hammered 10-0 versus Stambridge United. They were founder members of the league in 1966 and were last in the top division in 1998/99. Hopefully they can return back up the league tables soon.