Mid-Essex League

Premier Division

Wednesday 20th May 2026

Kick Off 18.45 Actual 18.55

Stock United 2 Hutton Development 1, attendance 17

6’ 1-0

43’ 1-1

80’ 2-1

@ St. John Payne Catholic School

Patching Hall Lane

Chelmsford

CM1 4BS

No Admission or Programme.

The ground here at St. John Payne School is just an open pitch, in pretty poor condition, hidden away behind the buildings, with one end backing onto Partridge Avenue. Car parking was at the front of the building, with access through to the pitch being via a gate that was opened around an hour before the scheduled start, although the game actually got underway ten minutes late.

The match was 3rd versus 9th (out of 11) in the league table, with the hosts in contention for the runners up spot, behind already crowned champions Social Club Birchanger 1985, whilst the visitors couldn’t finish any lower in the table, but could still actually get themselves a fifth place finish. Stock United took a sixth minute lead, heading in a corner from the left. Hutton drew level two minutes before halftime, with a goal that looked to have had a handball in the build up, but play was allowed to continue and the ball was fired low into the bottom corner. Stock were then awarded a penalty, but it was saved, meaning it was still all square at halftime. The winning goal for Stock arrived ten minutes from time, finishing a through ball low into the bottom corner.

The journey to Essex had the usual two to three mile queue at Dartford Crossing and the return saw traffic held for almost ten minutes, again at Dartford Crossing, whilst two lanes were being closed off for roadworks.