Yachtsmen wallop Seasiders- whilst Tags go back to the top

Hashtag United knew that victory at Tilbury on Tuesday evening would send them back to the top of the table. The Tags, relegated to second spot after Redbridge made it three wins from three on Monday, went ahead on seventeen minutes through Sam Park. Visiting nerves were eased by a second goal eighteen minutes from time, Ellis Deveraux doubling the lead after latching onto a long ball, and late on Deveraux scored a third to make quite sure of three points- and a place at the summit. 

Title-favourites Felixstowe and Walton United haven’t had the start to the campaign they would have hoped for- and the same applied as they travelled to Wroxham, Ethan Flack taking only nine minutes to put the Yachtsmen ahead. Things soon got worse for the Seasiders, Lucas Densley adding a second six minutes before half time, and the pain wouldn’t stop, Josh Hazell making it three-nil just before the hour with a rocket! Ibuprofen was certainly required- other painkillers are available- when Densley curled home a fourth soon afterwards, sending the Yachtsmen up to seventh. Image from Stefan Peck. 

Felixstowe have now conceded four goals in both of their opening League matches- and departed the FA Trophy two-nil against fellow North Division side Mulbarton Wanderers. That doesn’t yet constitute a crisis, but we’re certain that it isn’t what supporters expected. 

Concord Rangers charged into what looked an unassailable lead at Newmarket Town- although they had help from the home side. A red card for Prince Mutswunguma left the Jockeys a man short for almost eighty minutes, and they lasted only ten of those before Khris Oti put the Beachboys ahead. Thirteen minutes later the same player made it two, and almost immediately Kai Torres ran through and added a third to have the match seemingly wrapped up by the break. The ten men didn’t lie down, and almost immediately after the restart Ben Nolan got a goal back, but that was as good as it was to get for the home supporters. Rangers are third, and hold onto their one hundred percent record. 

Witham Town were quickly behind as they hosted Takeley, George Sykes with a seventh minute opener- our first North goal of the evening; but they were resilient enough to take that in their stride. Gabe Campbell drew them level ten minutes later, and by half time they had added two more, courtesy of George Smith and- of course, Sam Bantick. On the hour the visitors were awarded a penalty, Sykes making no mistake and closing the gap, but Witham held on for three points and sit fourth, with maximum points from their two matches so far. 

Fakenham Town were hoping for their first Step Four victory as they made the trip to the coast to take on Lowestoft Town, and they might have thought that they had taken a step closer to that goal when Marley Reynolds put them ahead midway through the first half- but the Trawler Boys were level before the break, Mitchell Belmar firing home an equaliser from a free kick. They weren’t level for long, Jake Watts restoring the visitors lead ten minutes into the second half, but the hosts weren’t finished, and Ashton Blogg levelled seven minutes from time. Would they settle for a point? They would not- substitute Kyle Baker put them them ahead for the first time in the match just a minute from time, but they had to see it out with ten men after Belmar saw red. See it out they did, and they climb to tenth. 

AFC Sudbury were looking to finally get a point on the board after two defeats from their opening two matches, but Mulbarton Wanderers- who had begun their season with two knockout matches which had seen them score eight goals and concede none- went ahead just before the break, Miguel Lopez scoring the first Step Four goal for his side. That turned out to be the only goal- three wins in three in all competitions for the visitors, three losses in a row for the Yellows. 

Walthamstow went ahead against Grays Athletic just before half time, Joden Trickett making the breakthrough, but the visitors were level thirteen minutes into the second half, Denim Nnamudi delivering an equaliser. Seven minutes from time Zion Sinclair restored the Stow lead, and this time they held on to it- and climb to fifth. 

Canvey Island welcomes Brightlingsea Regent, and it was Regent who finally made a breakthrough when Mehki McKenzie struck just after the hour. It was a lead that the visitors couldn’t hold, an own goal levelling matters nine minutes from time, and that was that. Our image comes from Nicky Hayes Photos.