Seasiders home run continues- but the Bees make them work for victory

Leaders Basildon United travelled to take on the Felixstowe and Walton United, the Seasiders having won nine consecutive home matches this season whilst scoring thirty four goals. It looked as if they’d be a big test for the Bees, but the visitors struck first, Darren Esuka with the goal just before the break, giving them a half time advantage. There were only twenty five minutes remaining when the Seasiders finally got home goal number thirty five, Charlie Warren with it, and thirteen minutes from time they completed the turnaround, another Warren- Thomas- the scorer. Finally, that was that- the Seasiders up to fourth. Image from Stefan Peck. 

Witham Town lost a league match for the first time this season on Saturday, and were desperate to bounce back. They welcomed Wroxham, the Yachtsmen having won for the first time this season at the weekend, but it was Town who took the match by the scruff of the neck. They went ahead after just four minutes, Jamie Riley with the goal, and midway through the half a penalty from Josh Osude made it two- his sixth in seven matches. Ryan Dear added a third nine minutes into the second half, but the visitors were back in the match when Travis Dodsworth pulled a goal back with seventeen minutes to go. They weren’t back in the match for long, however, as seven minutes from time Kamani Mcfarlane added a fourth for the hosts, who are three points behind leaders Basildon with two games in hand- and three points behind second place Bury Town with one game in hand. 

Brightlingsea Regent were looking for a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions as they travelled to Maldon and Tiptree, and they went ahead after just ten minutes, Fletcher Hubbard the scorer. The Jammers have been on a poor run, trying to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat, but they levelled on twenty four minutes, Sonny Dutton with the equaliser. Sixteen minutes from time Dutton struck again to put the hosts ahead, and it was a lead they held, moving up to thirteenth- whilst regent slip to fifth. 

Tilbury took a three match winning run to Newmarket Town, but the Jockeys had by far the best of the first half and went in two-nil up at the break, Josh Lee scoring on four and eighteen minutes, the first one from the spot. Four minutes into the second half Ryan Cole made it three-nil, but the Dockers then got going, Alex Hernandez pulling a goal back- his third in four matches. That galvanised the visitors, despite a red card for Jack Hayes, the ten men scoring on seventy four and seventy six minutes to draw level, Daniel Trendall and Oliver Spooner bringing delight to the travelling faithful. Right at the end the hosts were also reduced to ten, Efraim Romanos dismissed, but that was the last action of note, both sides having to settle for a point. Tilbury slip to seventh, the Jockeys are twentieth. 

Cambridge City, fresh from defeating Pitching In Southern Premier side AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy on Saturday, were back on their own patch- or rather St Ives Town’s patch- as they welcomed Walthamstow. City had a positive first half, going ahead after two minutes through George Smith and adding a second seven minutes before the break, Jack Thompson doubling their advantage. Alfie Mason added a third sixteen minutes from time, but Walthamstow have been good at scoring late goals and Brian Moses pulled one back with nine minutes to go. On this occasion there was to be no dramatic comeback from Stow, are City are up to twelfth, two points behind their visitors having played two matches fewer.

In the Emirates FA Cup, Haringey Borough finally departed the competition in a Replay at Lowestoft Town. A first half hat trick from Harvey Sayer left Borough with a mountain to climb, and although Tommy Boxer soon got a goal back that mountain was just too large for them to scale, and finally, after seven Cup matches this season, the visitors time in the competition came to an end. Borough have played ten knockout matches this season- and only found time for five in the League as a consequence.