Takeley to host Barking in Essex Senior League play-off semi-final on Wednesday April 30

Takeley prepared for their Essex Senior League, Premier Division play-off semi-final in the best possible fashion by beating champions Stanway Rovers 1-0 at home on Saturday (April 26).

The hosts triumphed 1-0 at the Full Vision Stadium thanks to Lanre Balogun’s 69th-minute goal.

Takeley went into the contest knowing they could not catch the champions, but the victory did mean they ended the regular season just two points behind the table-toppers.

They are now gearing up to entertain fifth-placed Barking in the play-off semi-finals on Wednesday April 30.

The winners of that tie will take on either Woodford Town or Great Wakering Rovers in the final - Takeley would be at home again if they get through - on Saturday May 3.

Sawbridgeworth Town ended the season with a 2-1 success at White Ensign.

Goals from Austen Garrod and Morgan Arnold saw the 17th-placed Robins come from behind to beat their eighth-placed hosts.

Relegated Stansted held promotion hopefuls Great Wakering to a 1-1 home draw, with Jamhal Godword’s early goal for the Airport Army being cancelled out by Max Gnandi.