It’s a good day for Aveley- and Stowmarket- whilst Athletic and the Tags hit five

It turned out to be a very good day for North Division leaders Aveley, who stayed at the top despite not actually playing.

Canvey Island knew that victory at Brentwood Town would send them back to the summit- but instead they slipped to third as the Blues scored two late goals to take all three points. Tom Richardson’s twenty second goal of the season made the breakthrough fifteen minutes from time, and Rob Harvey made sure with a second goal five minutes from time. Town are now only one point off the playoff places, but with three games in hand.

Stowmarket Town knew that a win at AFC Sudbury would put them level at the top with Friday night’s winners Aveley, and they went ahead on eighteen minutes, Craig Parker scoring from the spot. They doubled their advantage just before the break through Ben Hunter, and just before the hour Chris Casement made it three. That was the cue for the Yellows to make a breakthrough of their own, Josh Stokes pulling a goal back, but that was all they got. Town are up to second.

Grays Athletic got six last weekend, and waited only six minutes to go ahead against Great Wakering Rovers, Aron Gordon, who got two in that win over Romford, getting another. They then went rather goal mad once more. It was four-nil by the break, Anointed Chukwu firing a thirteen minute hat trick, and although Darnell Mavanga-Kithambo got one back for Rovers the last word went to Athletic, David Knight getting his fourteenth of the season to seal a five-one win. Grays end the day in fourth.

Chukwu is pictured with his MOTM award, image courtesy of the club.

Bury Town entertained Dereham Town, but the Magpies provided the first entertainment, Toby Hilliard putting them ahead on twelve minutes. Ten minutes later Cemal Ramadan’s twelfth of the season drew the hosts level, and just after the hour Ramadan strick again to put the hosts ahead- but the visitors were quickly level, Shaun Bammant with his eighth of the campaign. One more goal was scored, and it went the way of the hosts, Ryan Jolland delighting the Ram Meadow faithful five minutes from time.

Hashtag United got back to winning ways last time out, and went ahead against Witham Town nine minutes before the break, Steve Sheehan first goal of the season making the difference. Luke Hirst made it two eleven minutes after the restart, and although Ramiah Mills continued his scoring form by getting his sixth in sixth for Town just before the hour Sam Bantick was soon into the act, making it three-one. Late goals from Carlos Flood and Sheehan’s second made it five-one to the Tags, who are now only two points off the top five.

Heybridge Swifts got off to a flyer against form side Felixstowe & Walton United, Lionel Ainsworth putting them ahead after only four minutes. It was two-nil only two minutes later as the same player doubled his tally, but the Seasiders have been impossible to beat of late, and two goals in two minutes as we entered the last quarter of an hour saw them draw level- Billy Holland and Ollie Canfer finding the net. Did we say impossible to beat? Three minutes from time Andrew Fennell proved the opposite, a winner for Swifts which sees them end the day in eighth place.

Basildon United’s new manager hasn’t taken up post yet, and his new side fell behind on thirty three minutes, Bradley McClenaghan putting Maldon & Tiptree ahead. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, the Jammers ending the day in ninth.

Tilbury had won only one of their last ten matches, but must have felt that the arrival of Romford, who had taken only one point from their last thirty, gave them a good place to improve that record- and so it proved. Sam Jeremiah put the Dockers ahead on twenty eight minutes, Chris Millar doubled the advantage four minutes later, and a late third from Jesse Olukolu made quite sure.

Romford are now marooned at the bottom of the table as Hullbridge Sports defeated Coggeshall Town. Tony Stokes has been in fine form for Sports, and he got his ninth goal in fifteen games to give his side the lead just after the half hour- and he made it double figures when he got their second from the spot six minutes from time.

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