Saturday's Ryman North action review

By David Watters

Ryman North leaders AFC Sudbury slipped up as their twelve-match unbeaten run came to a crashing end as a rampant Thurrock won the game comfortably with four first half goals, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A Ryan Henshaw own goal set the ball rolling for Thurrock after 12 minutes and less than three minutes later Tom Cummings gave Mark Stimson`s side a 2-0 lead. Michael Toner after 31 minutes and Ronnie Winn four minutes later gave Sudbury a mountain to climb by making it 4-0 at half-time.

The Essex side deservedly won with some good attacking football and, despite a better second half and Thurrock being reduced to ten-men with a second booking for Lewis Clark after 63 minutes, Sudbury had nothing to show for their efforts.

However, Sudbury remain in top spot, still six points clear of AFC Hornchurch and Thurrock, the latter, however, have two games in hand.

Ryman League

Ryman League

It proved a really good day for Thurrock as the second-placed Urchins also lost, 3-1 at fifth-placed Harlow Town.

Junior Dadson gave the Hawks a 13th minute lead but Hornchurch were quick to reply. George Purcell was brought down inside the area and confidently crashed home the resulting penalty, and at the same time becoming the highest Hornchurch scorer in senior football.

Mario Noto restored the home side`s lead just before half-time and Dadson`s second nine minutes from time confirmed victory for the Hawks.

Cray Wanderers became the third top five side to lose on Saturday, going down 4-2 at home to struggling Heybridge Swifts, who moved up to fifth-bottom.

Jack Barham opened the scoring to put Heybridge 1-0 up on 14 minutes. But Wanderers got back into the game when James Duckworth equalised on 53 minutes. However, Swifts were back in front two minutes later when Barham got his second of the afternoon. And Barham put Swifts further in front on 65 minutes when he completed his hat-trick.

Wanderers were then reduced to ten-men on 69 minutes when Leigh Bremner was sent-off. But the home side were making a fight of it when they pulled a goal back through Aryan Tajbakhsh nine minutes from time. Jamie Guy restored Swifts’ two-goal advantage when he made it 4-2 on 90 minutes to secure the win.

Sixth-placed Tilbury and Haringey Borough shared a goalless draw on a heavy pitch, with the game chances at a premium.

Cheshunt are now just a point behind Tilbury after beating Dereham Town 1-0 at Theobalds Lane, courtesy of a 67th minute Jason Hallett effort.

Brightlingsea Regent, in eighth, fell to a 2-1 defeat at Soham Town Rangers.

Soham raced into a 2-0 lead. Marcus Hall made it 1-0 on 33 minutes before Salim Relizani added a second two minutes later.

It got worse for Brightlingsea on 71 minutes when Jake Gould was sent-off for picking up a second yellow card. But Regent got back in the game to make it an exciting finale when Phil Kelly made it 2-1 on 88 minutes. But there wasn’t enough time left for Regent to get a share of the spoils.

Thamesmead Town are now ninth, nine points adrift of the top five, after winning by the odd goal in five at Romford.

The home side can count themselves a little unfortunate to have lost, especially after losing goalkeeper Michael Gooch, who was sent-off for handling outside the area right on the half-time whistle.

They were leading through Sam Coe`s 41st minute effort at the time and right on the hour-mark went two-up through George Woodward. But they weren`t able to hold on and Mead went on to win with goals from Ben Glasgow after 65 minutes and a brace from much-travelled striker Paul Vines in the 89th and then 93rd minutes.

Maldon & Tiptree secured a 3-0 win against bottom-markers Barkingside at Park Drive.

Adam Mills put the Jammers in front with a bicycle kick effort to record his first goal for the club on 13 minutes. Newson then doubled the home side’s advantage on 24 minutes.

However, Maldon were reduced to ten-men when Darren Mills was sent-off on 54 minutes for a second yellow card offence. But it was Maldon who went further in front when Newson made it 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Aveley moved to within a point of hosts Phoenix Sports in mid-table after a comfortable 3-0 win.

Alex Teniola put the Millers ahead after 17 minutes and seven minutes into the second period Arian Retkoceri doubled the visitors` lead. Liam Nash made sure with a third 20 minutes from time.

Bury Town recorded a 1-0 win at Great Wakering Rovers, courtesy of Ollie Canfer`s goal a minute before the break.

And Witham Town secured a much-needed home win against second-bottom Waltham Abbey, the only goal of the game coming on 32 minutes through Tyler Hayes.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman South action review Worthing reduced inactive Folkestone Invicta`s lead at the top of the Ryman South table to eleven points on Saturday after winning 3-0 at lowly Sittingbourne, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Saturday's Ryman Premier action review Dulwich Hamlet returned to the top of the Ryman Premier table after they comfortably beat Harrow Borough and overnight leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough lost at fourth-placed Bognor Regis Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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