The first round of fixtures for 2012 took place on Sunday with The Charlie Turnbull Memorial Trophy taking centre stage with six third round matches taking place.
Premier Division side CFC Shalford were the highest scorers of the day in the Charlie Turnbull Trophy winning 12-2 at home against Division One Frontline. The hosts lead 6-0 at the break thanks to four goals from Gavin Bensley and two from Mitchell Simmons. Further goals from Jordan Miller and Sam Jones with two each and one each from Adam French and Liam Blackburn completed the rout. The visitors to their credit didnt lie down and upped their game in the second half and pulled two goals back through Wayne Chipperfield who scored both.
Bridgelink of the Premier Division won 8-3 at home against Division Two highfliers Notley. Dave Riley scored five, Adam Pomphrett two and one from James Howes. Kieran Bristow with two and Rob Cork scored the goals for Notley.
Division One Beaumont Wanderers won 2-0 in a tricky match at home against Division Two leaders Beacon Hill Social. Ezra Drann gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time with a volley and brother Rowen Drann tapped home number two during the second half to send Wanderers through to the next round.
Division Three side Great Bardfield beat Division Two Braintree Town Supporters 3-2. Llewellyn Glafford, Jamie Naughton and an own goal scored for the home side. Paul Miller and a Damion Moy penalty scored for the visitors.
Onley Arms bottom of Division Two put in a fine performance at home against George FC of the Premier Division losing 4-2. Jack Soar had given the hosts a shock lead but goals from Marc Champ, Jamie Fisher, Josh Goodey and Steve McCoy put George out of sight, Soar scored his second of the game for Onley to give them a respectable result.
The shock of the round came as Premier Division Western Arms lost 2-1 at home against Division Three Bell United. Mike Reeve scored the only goal for Western. Two goals from Kev Wells saw Bell into the hat for the next round.
In the Premier Division second placed Bocking and Vipers Social travelled to face third placed SC Crittall. The hosts had virtually wrapped up the points as they lead 4-0 at the break thanks to a hat-trick from Scott Lodge and one from Jake Gilder, Lodge scored two more in the second half to take his tally in the match to five and with his side winning 6-0 enabled them to jump above their opponents into second.
Argos United and Essex Cricketers fought out a 1-1 draw. Michael Pennefather scored for Argos, Richard Barnes scoring for Cricketers.
Division One leaders Panfield Bell Rovers extended their lead at the top of the table to four points after a 4-2 away win against Essex Police. Keith Cassidy, Will Bowen, Sam Barden and the league’s top scorer Jack Dean netted for the visitors. Tom Stokes and Frankie Cole scored for the hosts.
Old Bramstonians are up to second after a 1-0 win away against Cressing. Mark Everitt netted the only goal of the game.
Bocking Sports and Braintree Old Boys drew 1-1. After a goalless first half Charlie Palmer opened the scoring for Old Boys with his fifteenth league goal of the campaign and looked to be on there way to maximum points but Bocking equalised with three minutes left when Rick McDonald scored to earn his side a share of the spoils.
In Division Two third placed Braintree Sporting lost 2-1 away against Titan United. Ben Benning and a fine 25 yard strike from Craig Tomlinson gave the hosts all three points, Jack Skinner scored for Braintree Sporting.
Sporting 77 and Cressing Yardley United drew 2-2. Billy Capper and Luke Anderson notched for the home side Sporting, Steve Crosdale and Lewis Dyson scored for United who remain in fourth place.
Tolleshunt Knight Eagles and CFC Shalford Reserves fought out a 0-0 draw as neither side could capitalise on the chances they had.
In Division Three second placed CFC Shalford ‘A’ won 6-1 at home against Witham Galacticos. Danny Saffer scored five with Phil Goodwin also on target. Jamie Lawes scored the consolation for Galacticos.
Great Notley moved up two places to third after a 2-1 home win against Frontline Reserves. Tristan Wolfenden scored both goals to take his tally for the season to 27 in the league.