Dockers retain the advantage

On Friday evening Basildon United entertained leaders Tilbury. The Bees had won only one of their previous four, whilst the Dockers were looking for a sixth successive win- but the first half suggested that the visitors run would come to an end as Ramie Mills and Darren Esuka gave the hosts a two-nil lead at the break. In midweek Tilbury had come from four down to defeat Haringey Borough, so there was no way we could write them off, and they turned the game around in the second half, Alex Hernandez scoring his customary goal- his ninth in nine- and then new signing from Dover Athletic Lindell Stewart made his mark, equalising on seventy four minutes and scoring the winner six minutes from time. The Dockers are a point clear at the top.

Onto Saturday, and second place Witham Town had been in fine form, winning three in a row, but they looked to have a tough test as they welcomed Gorleston, and it got tougher with Friday’s departure of star striker Josh Osude. The Greens took the lead on twenty four minutes, Alby Matthews- on as a sub only one minute earlier- with his fifth of the season, but just before the break Witham drew level, Isaac Skubich scoring for the first time this season. Nine minutes from time the home fans were perhaps thinking “Josh who” as Kamani Mcfarlane put their side ahead, and they held on for three points to close the gap on Tilbury. 

Bury Town’s trip to Cambridge City TODAY will again be played at St Ives Town, as City are still waiting for final sign off on their new ground. Hopefully it will come soon, as it looks rather impressive - and not having a permanent home may well be affecting their home form, as they’ve lost more than they’ve won on their ‘own’ patch this season. They’ve lost three of their last four in all competitions, whilst Bury were in fine form until last Saturday’s defeat against Waltham Abbey, which they followed with a narrow County Cup defeat against Leiston in midweek. 

Felixstowe and Walton United hosted Brentwood Town, so new Seasiders signing Rob Harvey got to reunite with his former Blue teammates rather quickly after moving between the clubs in midweek. The Seasiders came into the match with a one hundred percent home record- and not just in the league- having played eleven matches on their own patch this season, won them all, and scored thirty eight goals in the process- but they went behind early on, Daniel Ogunleye opening the scoring for the Blues on eight minutes, taking his tally for the season to twelve. Thomas Warren (pictured, Tom Bradford) scored for the third game in a row to bring the hosts level nine minutes before half time, and ten minutes into the second half another Warren- Charlie- put the Seasiders ahead, and took his personal tally to eighteen. They held on to win once more and climbed to fourth. 

Waltham Abbey hoped to climb into the top five, the Abbotts taking on Newmarket Town at Capershotts. Abbey were on a five match unbeaten run and were impressive in knocking Bury Town from their perch last weekend, but they fell behind on the half hour, Joe Robinson opening the scoring for the Jockeys. Five minutes before half time the Abbotts were beginning to look in need of prayer, Isaac Maynard making it two, but they proved that prayer works, Prince Domafriyie scoring from the spot just before the break to halve the deficit, and Kymani Thomas levelling six minutes into the second half. Unfortunately for the hosts the next significant statistic of the match was a red card, Aaron Eyoma seeing them down to ten, but the sides soon had the same number of players once more as James Chivers was dismissed for the visitors. That was that for red cards and goals, two-two the final score, the Abbotts still sixth. 

Brightlingsea Regent were at home to Walthamstow. Regent knew that a victory could lift them into the top five, but were trying to avoid a third successive defeat; whilst Stow ended a three match losing streak with victory over Basildon on Saturday. Regent finally made the breakthrough six minutes into the second half, Jayden Robinson with the opener, and that seemed to have secured them three points, but four minutes into added time Stow found themselves level, T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver, on from the bench for his league debut, earning his side a point. 

Redbridge travelled to Mildenhall Town, the Motormen looking to extend a three match unbeaten run. The visitors went ahead on twenty three minutes, Charlie Stimson with the goal, but The Hall levelled just after the hour, Jake Chambers-Shaw the scorer, and then went ahead with only eight minutes left, Ben Nolan making it two-one. The hosts held on for three points and go fifteenth.

Grays Athletic were back at Chadfields, where they welcomed Maldon and Tiptree. Athletic had lost only one of their previous six in the League, and were looking for a third successive victory- and went ahead twelve minutes into the second half, Matas Skarna the scorer. That turned out to be the only goal, and it lifted Athletic up to eighth- a fourth loss in a row for the Jammers.

Heybridge Swifts were at home once more, but that might not have felt like a positive as they hadn’t managed to win a match on their own patch this season, despite being unbeaten away from home. They welcomed Concord Rangers, and gave the home fans something to shout about by taking the lead on ten minutes, Scott Sloots with the opener. The Beachboys were level on thirty three minutes, a penalty from Thomas Stagg making it one-one, but they had to play the last twenty minutes with ten men after Kacper Gruszcznski saw red. Soon, however, the hosts were also down to ten, Danny Nesbitt dismissed.

Five minutes from time the home fans held their breath- Kojo Apenteng, just back from injury, putting Swifts ahead once more- and they held on to finally take those three elusive Scraley Road points. 

Sporting Bengal United’s win over Brightlingsea in midweek lifted them out of the bottom four, and dropped Ipswich Wanderers into the relegation places- so Wanderers had an extra incentive as they travelled to the Mile End stadium. It was the hosts who made the breakthrough, however, Joe Gregory with the opener just after the half hour, and it was a lead they held, to climb to sixteenth, as wanderers winless run extends to seven. 

Finally, the bottom two met in North London, as Haringey Borough welcomed Wroxham. Borough’s season so far was perhaps summed up by their Velocity Cup match against Tilbury in midweek, when they entered the last twenty minutes with a four-nil lead and somehow contrived to lose the match on penalties- and they fell behind in this one, Ryan Hawkins with his sixth goal in nine matches. It soon got worse, Travis Dodsworth making it two, but immediately after the break Borough got a goal back, Joseph Waight giving the home fans hope. Five minutes later that hope became rather more real, Waight drawing Borough level, and the goals stopped there.