Leaders hit Hawks for nine

By Peter Butcher

AFTER some mixed results since Christmas, Ryman North leaders Maldon reaffirmed their title credentials in style yesterday (Saturday), crushing hapless Harlow 9-1 to regain their ten-point advantage.

Chris Bryan gave them the lead after only five minutes, Lewis Dark volleyed the second after 17 and Glen Golby’s header made it 3-0 by the 34th minute.

Then James Robinson took charge, netting a minute before half-time, two minutes after it and again in the 57th minute to complete a quickfire hat-trick.

Joe Gardner took the tally to seven with 21 minutes left and Maldon had high hopes of matching the 11-0 win recently amassed by local rivals Heybridge against Redbridge.

But the next goal went to Harlow, scored by Clark Akers in the 74th minute. Debutant Eddie Hart netted Maldon’s eighth three minutes later and the former Canvey man struck again to complete the rout in added time.

Heybridge, who were second, slipped back to fourth after going down 3-2 at Brentwood whose goals all came from headers.

Steve Butterworth gave Blues the lead after seven minutes but Solomon Ofori put Swifts back on track with a rapid double just after the hour.

Darren Blewitt levelled matters in the 70th minute and Sam West got the winner five minutes from time, lifting Blues to tenth place with between four and eight games in hand on all the sides above them.

Grays regained second place with a gentle 3-0 home win over Redbridge. A foul on Joao Carlos allowed Danny Bunce to convert a tenth-minute penalty and Jared Small made it 2-0 after 19 minutes.

Small set up the third for Jeff Hammond 42 seconds after the interval (pictured by Mikey Cartwright) and Grays then missed a host of chances to boost their goal difference.

Thamesmead moved up to third with three unanswered goals at Cheshunt. Rob Carter gave them the lead after four minutes and a deflected shot from Baff Addae made it 2-0 just before half-time. Lea Dawson completed the scoring with a header in the 54th minute.

Fifth-placed Aveley had their game at Wroxham postponed as early as Friday afternoon but the three teams behind them failed to make the most of it, collecting a point apiece.

Soham were held in a goalless game at Chatham and Potters Bar had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Waltham Forest. Cole Penny finished off a good move to put the Scholars ahead in the 38th minute but Forest were well worth their point, which was earned by a Jack Leachman goal 12 minutes from time.

Tilbury, in eighth place, drew 1-1 at Needham Market. Tom Wraight gave the Dockers the lead five minutes before half-time and Sam Newson, recently back from a spell at Lowestoft, levelled it in the 70th minute. That made it 13 home games without a victory for the Marketmen, who have claimed 25 of their 31 points on the road.

Witham kept their slight play-off hopes alive with a 1-0 win at Romford. Rob Whitnell scored four minutes before the break and Romford’s Jack Barry was sent off with eight minutes left.

There was yet another change at the bottom, as Ware escaped from the sole relegation place despite going down 2-1 at home to Sudbury.

Louis Rose put Ware ahead with a looping header after 33 minutes and they stayed in front until 16 minutes from time, when Leon Antoine equalised. A foul on Dave Cowley allowed James Baker to get the winner with a penalty five minutes later.

But Ware still climbed above Ilford on goal difference because the Foxes were crushed 4-1 at home by Waltham Abbey, a scoreline that, if anything, flattered the home side.

James Peagram opened the scoring on 15 minutes and scored again seven minutes before the interval. Then a quick double by Dean Green made it 4-0 by the break.

The second half was equally one-sided but the visitors somehow failed to add to their tally and Warren Mfula managed a last-minute consolation goal.

Where next?

Oliver strike lifts Faversham A GOAL from Kieran Oliver seven minutes after half-time proved decisive for Faversham, who climbed to third place in Ryman South tonight (Tuesday) with a 2-1 home win over Burgess Hill.
Bridges shine, but lose ground YOU have to feel a little sorry for Three Bridges, who pulled off one of the best results in their testing Ryman South debut season yesterday (Saturday) when they drew 1-1 at third-placed Leatherhead.

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