Premier Division
Hannakins Farm remain in pole position to lift this season’s Premier Division title after a 2-1 home win over Bishops Stortford Swifts. Anthony Aylett netted in the first half and then Dean Nevill popped up in the second half to score the winner, with the Swifts goal also coming via a Hannakins Farm player putting the ball into his own net. Springfield kept themselves in touch by beating strugglers Harold Hill 4-1. Adam Vyse supplied two long range strikes in the first half. Seye Ock then pulled one back from the penalty spot. Despite being down to only ten men, Springfield showed great resilience and then scored twice more via Jack Mundy and Joe Mayer to wrap up the win. The result places second-placed Springfield fourteen points behind Hannakins Farm, but with five games in hand. Frenford Senior are also mathematically still involved in the title chase and they kept that campaign on the road after a 2-1 win at local rivals Manford Way. Luke Woodward and Shane Wallace scored the Frenford goals with David Leech netting Manford’s goal. Sean Crossley and Reiss Kingsley were the Harold Wood Athletic scorers in their 2-1 win over Kelvedon Hatch. Chris Muir scored the Kelvedon reply. Rayleigh Town entertained Buckhurst Hill in a relegation six-pointer and found themselves a goal down after fifteen minutes; then on the stoke of half-time they were awarded a penalty, which Ross Webster despatched. Rayleigh then had a man sent off and were now up against it. However Steve Barker fired Rayleigh into the lead and then a second penalty was smashed home by Webster to win the game 3-1. The result could aid Rayleigh’s survival, while Buckhurst Hill, who needed to win this game, are still a point from safety as White Ensign lost 4-0 at Leigh Ramblers. Tom Hollingsworth, Ryan Lowe, Jack O’Connor and Brad Williams were the marksmen. Canning Town registered a 3-2 win over May & Baker E.C. courtesy of goals from Tom Phillips, Paul Preston and Tom Quinn. Kiel Chandler and Kane Messenger notched the May & Baker replies.
Division One
The top two both won on Saturday as the Division One title race comes down who can keep their nerve as the season comes to a climax. Leaders Basildon Town dished up a 4-0 victory over Snaresbrook with Darren Phillips scoring twice; Grant Cumming and Alex Smith were the other scorers. Catholic United recorded a 2-1 win over Runwell Sports with Dan Trenkel and Dave Collins grabbing a goal each in the victory. Ben Crouch scored the Runwell reply. Four points separate the top two as we enter the business end of the campaign. Newham United are bottom and looking doomed but they picked up an away point at Great Baddow. Remi Nelson and Omar Jomanday scored the Newham goals in the 2-2 draw. Newbury Forest and Hutton also shared a point via a 2-2 draw at Oakside. Mostafa Abid and Bobby Wise notched the Newbury goals with Jonathan Hilliard and Lorenzo Ramsey doing likewise for Hutton. Old Southendian beat Galleywood 3-1 with Josh Barmby, Lewis Groves and Nick Cardosi supplying the goals. Harry Bond scored the Galleywood consolation. Ben Absolon and Alex Tredgett scored the Shenfield AFC goals in a 3-2 loss at Old Chelmsfordians. The hosts recorded their goals via Ryan Baxter, Joshua Goodey and Ryan Scofield.
Division Two
Sungate took a step closer to lifting the Division Two title after a Danny Downer goal was enough to win their encounter with Upminster. With promotion not yet assured they are now in a good position to achieve that and are moving towards ending the season as champions; however FC Hamlets do have games in hand and kept the pressure on by recording an emphatic 6-0 win at Lakeside. Braces from Charlie Heatley and Jagne Pa were added to by strikes from Ishmael Carter and Jamie Lottrie which move FC Hamlets up to second. Herongate Athletic’s promotion wagon was slightly damaged by one man on Saturday as Ben Foord scored all goals that won the game 5-1 for Benfleet. Glen Jordan scored the Herongate reply. The result keeps Benfleet involved in the promotion chase with Toby and Herongate, despite this defeat, also involved in promotion pack.
There was also a relegation six-pointer on Saturday which went the way of Ramsden Scotia who beat Rochford Town 1-0. Ryan James’s all-important goal sees Ramsden move out of the drop zone with Rochford taking their place. Jay Dale scores for Old Barkabbeyans but the bottom-placed club lose 2-1 at Ryan.
Division Three
A no-show allowed May & Baker E.C. Res to win the Division Three title. Frenford Senior Res. however have a relegation to battle against and they picked up a point in that quest at home to Debden Sports. Ryan Gordon-Broadley scored the Frenford goal with Thomas Osmond replying for Debden. The point earned is enough to move Frenford move out the drop zone. Jack Shaw, Peter Juniper, Tom Price and Dan Keen were the Hutton Res. marksmen in their 4-2 win over Roydon.
Premier Division
Canning Town 3 May & Baker E.C. 2
Hannakins Farm 2 Bishops Stortford Swifts
Harold Hill 1 Springfield 4
Harold Wood Athletic 2 Kelvedon Hatch 1
Leigh Ramblers 4 White Ensign 0
Manford Way 1 Frenford Senior 2
Rayleigh Town 3 Buckhurst Hill 1
Division One
Basildon Town 4 Snaresbrook 0
Catholic United 2 Runwell Sports 1
Great Baddow 2 Newham United 2
Newbury Forest 2 Hutton 2
Old Chelmsfordians 3 Shenfield AFC 2
Old Southendian 3 Galleywood 1
Division Two
Benfleet 5 Herongate Athletic 1
Lakeside 0 FC Hamlets 6
Rochford Town 0 Ramsden Scotia 1
Ryan 2 Old Barkabbeyans 1
Sungate 1 Upminster 0
Division Three
Frenford Senior Res. 1 Debden Sports 1
Hutton Res. 4 Roydon 2
