ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE - THE RACE FOR THE TITLE

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	POSS PTS	PPG	FORM	WIN%
1	FC ROMANIA	27	+59	64	103	2.37	WWWWWW	74.07%
2	BASILDON UNITED	26	+32	59	101	2.27	WWWDLD	73.08%
3	BARKING	25	+32	53	98	2.12	WWWWLW	64.00%
4	SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN	26	+16	49*	91	1.88	LWWDLL	57.69%
5	ILFORD	25	+21	47	92	1.88	WLWDWL	56.00%
6	WADHAM LODGE	28	+17	46	82	1.64	WWLWLL	46.43%
7	BOWERS & PITSEA	19	+35	44	107	2.32	WLWWLW	60.87%

The race for the title in the Essex Senior League has a somewhat distorted feel to it with FC Romania and Basildon United currently leading the way but with Bowers & Pitsea (currently 7th place) arguably in the best placed position to challenge. B&P were in FA Vase action today gained a creditable 1-1 draw AET at Ispwich Wanderers but this means a replay which adds to their already congested fixture list. This past week they played on Monday evening at Colchester United in the Essex Senior Cup and on Wednesday at London Bari in the league as well as the afformentioned Vase game. 

Since a 2-2 draw against Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday 24th October FC Romania have won thirteen league games in a row including all important victories v Sawbridgeworth Town, Barking and Ilford.  Next Saturday see's the biggest game of the season so far as FCR travel to The Len Salmon Stadium to play Bowers & Pitsea - the result of this game could have a big say in where the league title ends up.

FORTHCOMING KEY MATCHES
Saturday 13th February
BOWERS AND PITSEA v FC ROMANIA
A huge game in the title race.

Friday 19th February
ETON MANOR v GREENHOUSE SPORTS
Obviously not a match that features teams involved in the title race but this is a chance for local football fans to see some Friday night football at Goffs Lane. It may not be as eventful as Eton Manor's home game against Southend Manor yesterday which saw 6 (SIX) players sent off for one incident in injury time at the end of the match!

Saturday 20th February
BASILDON UNITED v BOWERS & PITSEA*
* subject to Bower's FA Vase result versus Ipswich - if they get through they will play Kidlington in the Quarter-Final at home on this date.
Another huge game for B&P. Not just a local derby game as both teams have title ambitions. This game should attract a decent crowd of 200+ to The Longmans Motors Stadium.

Tuesday 23rd February
BASILDON UNITED v FC ROMANIA
Another game where the result of which may have a bearing on which team wins the title at the end of the season.

Saturday 27th February
WADHAM LODGE v FC ROMANIA
Even the most ardent of Wadham fans will know they have played too many games to be involved in the title race but they will be very pleased with their team's debut season at Step five of the non-league ladder. They will be looking forward to welcoming FCR to E17.