Maldon go seven points clear; Jonte passes 20

Jamie Guy took just four minutes to put them ahead with his 14th league goal of the season, becoming the division’s top scorer in the process. He was aided by an excellent advantage call by referee Thomas Brooks, who could have awarded a penalty but let play continue (as shown in the picture by Gavin Ellis. Guy is no.9 and the beaten Romford keeper is Atu Ngoy).

Romford then held out until the hour mark, when a solo goal by Ollie Berquez made it 2-0. Chris Bryan completed the scoring in added time, punishing a miskick by Ngoy.

Met Police teenager Jonte Smith became the first player in the league to reach the 20-goal mark in major competitions with the first goal of his hat-trick in the Met’s 5-3 home League Cup win over Walton Casuals.

Howard Newton put the Met ahead after 14 minutes and goals late in the first half from Steven Noakes and Smith made it 3-0 at the break. Casuals, bottom of Ryman South, pulled one back five minutes after the interval with a Sam Robinson penalty and gave themselves a real chance when Liam Holden reduced the arrears further in the 64th minute.

Smith nabbed his second on 79 minutes but Jerald Aboagye-Noel quickly made it 4-3. Smith finally killed off the battling Casuals side with three minutes left, taking his haul to 22: six in the league, 10 in the FA Cup and three apiece in the FA Trophy and League Cup.

Joel Palmer scored after 36 and 53 minutes to set up Waltham Forest’s 3-1 home win over Canvey in the night’s other League Cup tie. Jay Curran put Canvey back in the game on the hour, only for Luke Stanley to restore the three-goal margin five minutes later.