Advantage Stow as the top two cancel each other out

Our match of the day saw leaders Aveley host second place Canvey Island, and the Gulls had the better of the first half, a goal from Elliott Ronto the difference at the break. Eventually the Millers pressure paid off, and Alex Akrofi drew them level three minutes from time, his twenty second of the season coming courtesy of a header in the six yard box. That was that, and it sees the Millers stay top- albeit only on goal difference- whilst the Gulls slip to third.

The third member of our title chasing trio, Stowmarket Town, don’t score as many as their two rivals but don’t concede as many either. They welcomed Romford, without a league win in almost four months, and took the lead just before the break, Reginald Thompson-Lambe opening the scoring. Josh Mayhew made it two eight minutes after the restart, and shortly afterwards Oliver Caley-Brown got number three, confirming the points. Kane Munday then got in on the act, making it four right at the end, and sending Town up to second place, level on points with the leaders and interestingly with a game in hand.

Dereham Town travelled to Witham Town, and Rhys Logan’s eighth of the campaign was the difference at the break. It turned out to be the difference at full time, too, and the Magpies end the day in fourth- although eight points off the top.

Grays Athletic, with thirteen points from their last fifteen, were on the road to AFC Sudbury, who had won only one of their last six. We had a goalless first forty five, and then a goalless second half, which leaves Athletic in fifth and the Yellows five places further back.

Brentwood Town, with new signing Manny Idem and Jai Reason making debuts, hosted Coggeshall Town. After a goalless first half the Blues took the lead with twenty two minutes left, Rob Harvey with the opener- and they soon had a second, Ashley Nzala doubling their advantage. That was that, and the hosts close to within a point of the top five- with two or even three games in hand over everyone above them.

Maldon & Tiptree, unbeaten in four, had begun climbing the table. The Jammers were on the road to Bury Town, with only one win in six, and it was the visitors who broke the deadlock, Ade Cole opening the scoring just before the break. Ryan Jolland hit back for the hosts eight minutes after the restart, but almost immediately the Jammers were in front once more, Shomari Barnwell restoring their advantage. The next goal arrived in added time, and it went to the hosts, Cemal Ramadan earning a point. Maldon are ninth, Town sit twelfth, six points further back.

Tilbury and Felixstowe & Walton United couldn’t find the net in the first half, but the in-form Seasiders broke the deadlock just before the hour, Joe Whight making the difference. The Dockers didn’t sit back, and the equaliser came nine minutes from time, Suaibo Balde levelling. That leaves the visitors seventh, the Dockers fourteenth.

Heybridge Swifts looked to bounce back from derby defeat as they hosted Hashtag United. It looked as if they were on the way to victory when a Dan Walker double put them two up, but four minutes before the break Ben Brooke got the visitors back into the match. On fifty seven minutes Garrett Kelly restored Swifts two goal advantage, but again the Tags hit back, Kojo Apenteng making it an anxious final sixteen minutes for the hosts. It was only anxious for ten of those sixteen minutes, however, as Walker got his hat trick to make it four-two, but then it was a little anxious again right at the end as a penalty from Ross Gleed made it four-three. Swifts are eleventh, their visitors eighth. Image from the incomparable Alan Edmonds shows walker celebrating his hat trick.

Great Wakering Rovers travelled to face a Hullbridge Sports side who were three unbeaten, but Rovers were soon ahead, Darnell Mavanga-Kithambo scoring after just four minutes.They stayed ahead until the very last minute, when Joe Gregory popped up to equalise and keep the Sports great escape on track.

Basildon United were impressive winners at Barking on Friday night, a double from Fahad Nyanja and a third from Dan McCullock making Tom Salter’s late consolation for Barking no more than that. The Bees are in thirteenth, the Blues only one point above the bottom two.

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