The Great Notley Rams secured second place in the league table with a drawn match against the Galleywood Youth Hawks that finished two-two with the last kick of the game.
With the other Galleywood Youth team, the Falcons, beating Wilvale Rangers in their last game, it means that both they and the Rams finish on 26 points from their 14 games, but the Rams superior goal difference clinches second place, and promotion from the Osea Divison.
The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defensive pair from Emma Root, Harvey Ricci and Jamie McNeilly, midfield from James O'Reilly, Olivia Hales and Matthew Littlejohn, and a forward line including Sam Donnelly, George Morris and Matthew Norris.
And it was Donnelly who opened the scoring for the Rams in the second minute of the game when he finished well from close range.
However the Galleywood Youth Hawks are a very strong unit, and they continued to press throughout the first half, and were it not for some resolute defending and an excellent performance in goal from Tom McInerney, then the Rams would have been up against it.
As it was, the home side looked like they had done enough to make it to half time without conceding, when the Hawks managed to turn in a corner just on the half time whistle.
Moving into the second half it was again a very close affair, but the Rams had the wind at their backs and were clearing the ball more effectively, and from one of those clearances, Morris ran on to the loose ball, beat two players and then finished expertly to restore the home team's lead.
The game continued to ebb and flow, although the Rams seemed to have things under control, and indeed had a couple of good chances to increase their lead and make things safe.
But in injury time the Hawks again forced another corner and this time they managed to scramble it home, again on the final whistle, leaving barely enough time for the restart.
With the game drawn, it meant the destination of runners up slot was in the hands of the other game between Wilvale and the Falcons, but fortune was smiling on the Rams as the 'right' result emerged, leaving them clear in second place... Just!
With the other Galleywood Youth team, the Falcons, beating Wilvale Rangers in their last game, it means that both they and the Rams finish on 26 points from their 14 games, but the Rams superior goal difference clinches second place, and promotion from the Osea Divison.
The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defensive pair from Emma Root, Harvey Ricci and Jamie McNeilly, midfield from James O'Reilly, Olivia Hales and Matthew Littlejohn, and a forward line including Sam Donnelly, George Morris and Matthew Norris.
And it was Donnelly who opened the scoring for the Rams in the second minute of the game when he finished well from close range.
However the Galleywood Youth Hawks are a very strong unit, and they continued to press throughout the first half, and were it not for some resolute defending and an excellent performance in goal from Tom McInerney, then the Rams would have been up against it.
As it was, the home side looked like they had done enough to make it to half time without conceding, when the Hawks managed to turn in a corner just on the half time whistle.
Moving into the second half it was again a very close affair, but the Rams had the wind at their backs and were clearing the ball more effectively, and from one of those clearances, Morris ran on to the loose ball, beat two players and then finished expertly to restore the home team's lead.
The game continued to ebb and flow, although the Rams seemed to have things under control, and indeed had a couple of good chances to increase their lead and make things safe.
But in injury time the Hawks again forced another corner and this time they managed to scramble it home, again on the final whistle, leaving barely enough time for the restart.
With the game drawn, it meant the destination of runners up slot was in the hands of the other game between Wilvale and the Falcons, but fortune was smiling on the Rams as the 'right' result emerged, leaving them clear in second place... Just!
| OSEA DIVISION | P | W | D | L | F | A | DIFF | PTS |
| Meadow Youth Lions | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 56 | 11 | 45 | 39 |
| Great Notley Rams | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 43 | 22 | 21 | 26 |
| Galleywood Youth Falcons | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 35 | 22 | 13 | 26 |
| Wilvale Rangers | 14 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 48 | 19 | 29 | 25 |
| Galleywood Youth Hawks | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 21 |
| Dunmow United Hawks | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 25 | 46 | -21 | 12 |
| Thaxted Rangers Yellows | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 44 | -30 | 12 |
| Woodham Radars | 14 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 8 | 66 | -58 | 3 |
| Dunmow Rhodes Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Games played up to April 15th | ||||||||
