Jammers and Seasiders continue to battle for the title- whilst Swifts relegation is confirmed

Our Pitching In Isthmian North weekend started on Friday, with Maldon and Tiptree hoping to open up a more substantial lead at the top of the table as they hosted Takeley- but an added time equaliser from Zak Drake for the visitors left the Jammers with only one point, Terrell Egbri having given them the lead just before half time.

Maldon consolidated their hold on top spot with a four-nil hammering of local rivals Heybridge Swifts at Scraley Road, condemning their hosts to relegation at the same time. All of the goals arrived after the break, and after Swifts went down to ten men following a red card for Dominic Locke. Tom Eastman, Anthony Wordsworth, Jack Cawley and Malachi Napa ensured the visitors remained in pole position.

The Jammers lead is only on goal difference, although they have a game in hand. Second place Felixstowe and Walton United started the weekend by coming from behind- twice- to take a point at Bowers and Pitsea. Alex Golder gave Bowers the lead on sixteen minutes, and Joseph Burton did it again on sixty six, with Ethan Garcia and Josh Mayhew delivering the equalisers. The Seasiders then overcame Lowestoft Town two-nil on Monday, Dan Gilchrist and Mayhew ensuring three points. Image from Stefan Peck. 

Third place Waltham Abbey are now ten points clear of sixth place Gorleston and seven clear of fourth place Stanway Rovers. The Abbotts hammered Concord Rangers four-nil on Saturday, Luke Deslandes, Ban Baker, Aaron Eyoma and Khale Da Costa with the goals, and their one-nil defeat at Walthamstow on Monday was a disappointment but not a crisis. Callum Ibe scored the Stow goal. 

Fourth place Stanway Rovers let go a three goal lead as they drew three-three with Redbridge on Saturday, and then took a hammering on Monday, Witham Town hitting them for five without reply. An early red card for Mekhi McKenzie certainly didn’t help Rovers, but goals from Tom Stagg, Ollie Bell, Luke Ige (2) and Sam Bantick made the most of Witham’s one man advantage. Witham are up to tenth, whilst Rovers hold only a three point advantage over sixth place Gorleston, who have a game in hand. 

Fifth place Bowers and Pitsea followed that draw with Felixstowe with another one, at Concord Rangers on Saturday. They are fifth, but hold only a two point lead over Gorleston with Wroxham only a point further back.

Gorleston defeated Heybridge Swifts two-nil on Saturday, but followed that with a one-nil defeat at Wroxham on Monday. The Yachtsmen are making a late push for the play offs and had a fine Easter, defeating Branthan Athletic on Saturday; they have only three points to make up on fifth place, and three games to go.

Grays Athletic eased their relegation fears with a two-nil win over Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday, Gabriel Chapps and Ned Hepburn the scorers, but defeat by the only goal in the derby against Tilbury left them only one point above the drop zone by the end of Monday. Mildenhall Town, who drew one-one with Downham Town on Monday and nil-nil against Cambridge City ion Saturday, are behind Athletic only on goal difference. 

Lowestoft Town remain a point from safety after defeating Tilbury three-two on Saturday despite that defeat at Felixstowe on Monday, whilst Downham Town, six points from safety with three matches remaining, look favourites to follow Swifts and Brantham out of the door when the season ends. Brantham Athletic did record a rare win on Monday, defeating Brightlingsea Regent one-nil.