Grays and Barking win Landlords v Tenants derbies, Witham win again, whilst the Bees get their buzz back

Anointed Chukwu managed a hat trick on Saturday afternoon, and he got his fourth of the long weekend when putting Grays Athletic one up as they ‘hosted’ landlords Aveley in front of five hundred and thirty at Parkside. The Millers had Shad Ngandu to thank for their equaliser after fifty three minutes- from the spot- but they weren’t level for long, Saturday’s other hat trick hero David Knight putting Athletic ahead once more. Athletic held on to take all three points, and ended the day in pole position, retaining their one hundred percent record.

We had another tenants v landlords battle at Barking, and once again it was the tenants who made the breakthrough, Billy Hayes scoring for Romford on the half hour. Boro got number two, too, Usoman Tankara four minutes after the restart, but the lead was soon halved by George Purcell as Barking hit back. Purcell then drew the Blues level, and seven minutes from the end Charlie MacDonald did what Charlie MacDonald does, scoring to make it three-two to the ‘visitors.’ Barking are up to second, Romford sit in fourteenth. The match was marred by an injury to Romford keeper Carlos Simeon right at the end- our best wishes go to Carlos, with hopes for a speedy recovery.

After a goalless first half, Hullbridge Sports saw visitors Witham Town take the initiative after the break, Adam Cheniti opening the scoring on sixty three minutes. That was the only goal of the game, and one hundred percent Witham end the day in third, whilst Sports are nineteenth.

AFC Sudbury and Coggeshall Town didn’t manage a goal in the first half, but quickly had one in the second, Cruis Nyadzayo putting the yellows ahead on fifty five minutes. Lewis O’Malley got the second fifteen minutes from time, and right at the end Daniel Gilchrist made it three. The yellows end the day in fourth place.

Stowmarket Town have looked a force to contend with in the opening weeks of the season, and Bury Town quickly found that out as first Chris Casement and then Anthony Spyrou- with his second of the Bank Holiday weekend- put them two up within half an hour of kick off. Jack Ainsley made it three seven minutes before the break- could a shellshocked Bury recover? Most of the seven hundred and ninety seven in attendance undoubtedly hoped not, and they were rewarded with no further goals and three points.

Hashtag United’s first significant contribution of the afternoon as they hosted Brentwood Town was a red card for Ross Gleed, but their second was rather more positive, Jesse Waller-Lassen putting them ahead from the spot on the hour. The visiting Blues equalised soon afterwards, Daniel Ogunleye with that one, and the same player made it one-two with sixteen minutes remaining. The next goal was all-important, and it came to the visitors, Tom Richardson with the third goal for three points. Town are seventh, United seventeenth.

Felixstowe and Walton United got the first goal of our North Division afternoon, and it went to Stuart Ainsley on thirteen minutes. Their second took a little longer, but the gap became two twelve minutes after half time when Miles Powell doubled the advantage. The Magpies couldn’t find a way back, and the Seasiders recorded their first league win of the season.

Basildon United hoped for a quick recovery after their hammering against Grays Athletic on Saturday, and they started well, Sam Jeremiah giving them the lead from the spot on twenty eight minutes at Great Wakering Rovers. Things got better for the Bees when Nathan Fuma doubled their advantage three minutes before the break, and Saturday was but a distant memory when Tyrone Baker made it three just after the restart. Martin Tuohy got one back with seventeen minutes remaining, but that just provoked United to get a fourth, Luke Hirst with that one four minutes from time. A proper bounce-back for the Bees, whilst Rovers concede four for the second time in four days.

Four hundred and twelve watched Tilbury host Canvey Island, and most of them will have been delighted when Eljay Worrell put the home side ahead seven minutes after the break. The Gulls hit back eleven minutes later, Matt Price with the equaliser, and then almost immediately went ahead, Elliott Ronto with their second. The Dockers weren’t done, Lewis Smith levelling with sixteen minutes remaining, and the sides had to settle for a point each.

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