The Pitching In Isthmian League and Essex Senior League are back to being suspended until further notice following the tier 4 announcements in the South East
The Pitching In Isthmian League and Essex Senior League are back to being suspended until further notice following the weekend's tier 4 Covid restrictions announcement.
With the whole of Hertfordshire, most of Essex – Uttlesford has remained in tier 2 – the whole of London and much of the South East being moved into tougher restrictions, it means Bishop's Stortford, their tenants Enfield, Stansted, Takeley and Sawbridgeworth Town are now waiting to hear when action can resume.
Steve Smith's Stortford side sit seventh in the Isthmian League, Premier Division table and are unbeaten in their six games. They reached the first round of the Emirates FA Cup, in which they were knocked out by Brackley Town.
The stop-start nature of another difficult campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic means they still have 36 league games to play.
As reported in the Indie on December 9, the Isthmian League has already said there will probably have to be serious discussions on how the season can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Options could include an alternative format or extending the season into June.
The Essex Senior League could well be in the same position, with Premier Division teams having up to 26 fixtures still to play.
Some action was possible last week before the suspension, with 15th-placed Sawbridgeworth losing 5-2 at Hadley. Solomon Ofori, Ed Davis – who both bagged braces – and Stephen O'Hara netted for the hosts while Rowan Dorling and Ethan Barton claimed consolations for the Robins.
And Enfield, who are in 16th, went down 6-1 at Walthamstow. Olly Miles scored for the visitors but Dwade James' hat-trick along with efforts from Jon Clements, Callum Ibe and Tommy Fletcher condemned them to defeat.
Stansted go into the enforced break in second place, two points behind leaders Hashtag United having played three games more, while Takeley are ninth.