Jammers held by Rovers- and Beachboys hit five

Maldon and Tiptree knew that victory over sixth place Stanway Rovers would send them to the summit, as they started the evening three points behind Felixstowe and Walton United- and with two games in hand. Just before half time the Jammers were awarded a penalty, but Freddie Sears couldn’t manage to get past Callum Robinson in the visitors goal and the first half ended goalless- would that prove crucial? It looked as if it might when Rovers took the lead eleven minutes from time, Jamie Bennett the scorer, but the Jammers finally found an equaliser deep in added time, Anisius Lewis heading home. That turned out to be that- and the one remaining game in hand Maldon have over Felixstowe may now turn out to be crucial. 

Rovers are back in the top five. 

Concord Rangers were the hosts for bottom side Brantham Athletic- although technically they weren’t, because the match was being played at Billericay Town’s New Lodge. They didn’t seem to mind as it took them only four minutes to take the lead, Stephan Toussaint opening the scoring- and only five minutes later Owen Moore put them two up. Athletic hit back midway through the first half, Tom Lawson halving the arrears, but just before the hour mark Toussaint restored the Beachboys two goal advantage. It was soon a three goal advantage, Oli Spooner making it four-one, and Toussaint claimed the match ball with a fifth four minutes from time, this one from the spot. Finally, that was that- five-one the final score. 

Image from Nicky Hayes.

Takeley, four points from safety, had temporarily moved home to Aveley’s Parkside for the visit of Brightlingsea Regent. The hosts had two games in hand over eighteenth place Grays Athletic, although had a worse goal difference, so victory looked rather crucial. They had a good start, going ahead on nineteen minutes, Glenn O’Hanlon with the opener, but Regent set up a thrilling finale with an equaliser eighteen minutes from time, Shane Temple the scorer. Eight minutes from time Takeley restored their lead, Lanre Balogun making it two-one, and this time they held onto their lead, leaving Grays looking nervously over their shoulders. 

Mildenhall Town, kicking off five points above the drop zone, were at home to Newmarket Town, the Jockeys five points better off. The visitors pulled ahead by a nose on twenty seven minutes, Oscar Dean scoring from the spot, but another spot kick at the other end saw the hosts level four minutes before half time, Ryan Sharman the latest to hold his nerve. Two minutes later, however, Dean was on the mark once more, this one from open play, to restore the Jockeys advantage- and they held on for victory, climbing to twelfth.