A midweek North round up- as the Bees go top

We've had a busy few days of Pitching In isthmian North action, and here's what occured. 

Monday

Haringey Borough have been superb in knockout competitions this season. Three rounds in Cup and Trophy have brought three wins, which is why it’s rather surprising that their league matches so far have brought not a single point. It gets even more surprising when you consider that their latest defeat, on Monday, came against a side they’d knocked out of the FA Trophy only two days earlier! 

Redbridge went ahead on twenty five minutes, Solomon Ogunwomoju the scorer, and three minutes before the break Abs Thompson made it two. It got worse for the visitors five minutes into the second half, a red card for Scott Mitchell leaving them with a mountain to climb, and they couldn’t climb it. The Motormen held on for three comfortable points, a third league win in a row, and they will go into the weekend in sixth place, outside the top five only on goal difference. 

Tuesday

Bury Town are two points clear at the top, their latest victory- their fourth in five- coming against Newmarket Town. The Blues went ahead from the spot after just seven minutes, Cemal Ramadan bringing his usual guarantee of goals- that was his sixth of the season. Eleven minutes into the second half Ryan Horne added a second, but that was a cue for the Jockeys to fight back, James Chivers reducing the arrears and leaving them half an hour to find an equaliser. Sadly for the travelling faithful, that equaliser remained elusive. 

It was a bit damp, as our headline image from Sean Doyle might demonstrate!

Witham Town have had a superb start, and they maintained their unbeaten record with a fourth win from five, this one over Ipswich Wanderers. Josh Osude made it five goals from his last four matches with the opener, but the visitors levelled on sixty four minutes, Michael Bareck continuing his fine start to his Wanderers career with another goal. The winner arrived five minutes from time, and it went to Callum Fitzer, his third of the season ensuring that Wanderers wandered back to Suffolk with nothing to show for their considerable efforts. 

Felixstowe and Walton United looked down and out against Wroxham. The Yachtsmen took the lead on fifteen minutes, Charlie Royle with the goal, and it was a lead they held until a minute from time. With all appearing lost Charlie Warren equalised with seconds remaining, and eight minutes into added time the turnaround was complete, Joe Whight scoring a Seasiders winner. 

Three league matches had brought three wins for Gorleston, but Mildenhall Town ended the Greens winning streak. The only goal of the game arrived in the very first minute, so we very much hope that nobody arrived late! Jarid Robson scored it, Hall’s first win of the campaign. 

Cambridge City travelled to Waltham Abbey and left with three points, although it looked for most of the match that they’d have to be content with one. City opened the scoring on seven minutes, Jack Thompson scoring for the second time in two matches and two days, but the Abbotts quickly levelled, Declan Rydings also scoring for the second match in a row. The winner arrived a minute from time, Aaron Greene defying the home defence to earn victory. 

After drawing their first three matches Heybridge Swifts very much needed a win, and they got one, coming from behind to defeat Brentwood Town at the Arena. The Blues went ahead on twenty four minutes, Daniel Ogunleye scoring his sixth goal of the season, but the visitors levelled nineteen minutes from time, Manny Osei- Owusu the scorer. Nine minutes from time Swifts were awarded a penalty, and Andy Fennell made no mistake. 

Walthamstow finally turned performance into points as they welcomed Tilbury. The East Londoners picked up their first win of the campaign, but they left it late to confirm it. Brian Moses got the opener on twenty six minutes, but victory wasn’t sealed until five minutes from time, Tayo Oyebola adding a second. Deep in added time Bilal Sayoud put a gloss on the scoreline, making it three-nil.

Wednesday

Our final set of midweek North fixtures saw us head to Chadfields and Mile End.

Sporting Bengal United were the hosts for Basildon United, and the Bees knocked Bury Town off the top by making it four wins from four. After a goalless first half united took the lead on fifty four minutes, Karl Kayembe with his first of the campaign, but United hit back with only nineteen minutes left on the clock, Kevin Krans with the equaliser. That stung the visitors into action, and within two minutes they had regained their lead, Nidal Berri making it two-one, and ten minutes from time Ruben Nartlett-Antwi’s fifth of the season gave them some comfort. Into added time, and Berri got another, four-one the final score. 

Grays Athletic welcomed Concord Rangers, and picked up their first league win in three matches by scoring at the start of the first half and the enjd of the second. Luke Hirst opened the scoring on four minutes, his third in four matches in all competitions, and the points were finally clinched just a minute from time, Louie Remi’s first of the season- we suspect the first of many- making it two-nil and sending Athletic up to eighth.