Saturday's Ryman North action review

Much-sought after Christian Assombalonga bagged both of the Abbots` goals in the 48th and 76th minutes at Capershotts to save them.

If results had gone a different way, Heybridge Swifts could have been in danger but secured the win that they needed to safeguard their status.

Swifts knew that a win against Phoenix would mean they couldn’t get dragged back into the bottom three. And they did just, winning 2-0 to finish clear of the relegation places.

They had to wait until the 67th minute for the breakthrough with a goal from Lamar Reynolds but nerves were settled five minutes later when George Cole doubled the lead. Any thoughts of a late comeback from Phoenix were dismissed in the 85th minute as the visitors were reduced to ten-men by the sending-off of Sports’ Joe Matthews.

The other side to finish in a relegation spot, Barkingside, finished the campaign with a win, beating Dereham Town 2-1 at home with goals from Luke With with a 20th minute penalty and Michael Spencer on 74 minutes after Lewis Butcher had equalised on 39 minutes.

The play-off semi-finals will be between Thurrock and AFC Hornchurch and Harlow Town and Cray Wanderers.

Thurrock and Harlow finished level on 96 points but Mark Stimson`s side had a two-goal advantage over the Hawks.

They tried their best to overhaul that by beating champions AFC Sudbury at the Wardale Williams Stadium in front of a bumper 673 crowd, Piers Wixon`s last-gasp goal taking a little off the party mood for Sudbury.

Thurrock edged that extra goal in front after winning 2-0 at Mill Field against Aveley, courtesy of Ross Gleed after nine minutes and Moshood Olafunmishe on 34 minutes.

The two other top five finishers shared 1-1 draws.

Cray were held by Maldon & Tiptree at home after Tarryn Allarakhia cancelled out Aryan Tajbakhsh`s 30th minute opener for Cray in the 64th minute.

The Urchins shared a 1-1 draw at Ram Meadow with Bury Town in front of another bumper crowd of 703.

Ricky Freeman`s 21st minute effort saw the visitors lead until Ollie Hughes popped up with the Blues` leveller on 63 minutes.

Long-time strugglers Witham Town ended on a positive note by beating a Cheshunt side who have finished sixth.

A 90th minute goal capped a 3-2 win against the Ambers at the Village Glass Stadium. A first half spell saw three goals in four minutes, with Scott Kemp’s 20th minute strike for Witham sandwiched between two for Cheshunt from top scorer Jason Hallett and John Frendo as the visitors led 2-1 at half-time.

Nathan Koranteng got Witham back on level terms in the 50th minute and Kemp was on target again in the final minute of the final game to make sure Witham finished well.

Brightlingsea Regent ended a run of four games without a win with a 2-0 success at Bayliss Avenue against managerless Thamesmead Town.

Goals from Jake Clowsley and Phil Kelly in the 62nd and 66th minutes saw Regent take the points as they finished the season in eighth place.

Goals from Joe Nightingill after 24 minutes and then Francis Babalola on 70 minutes, Tony Martin six minutes later and Neil Richmond on 86 minutes saw Tilbury win 4-1 at Soham Town Rangers, Salim Relizani replying in the 90th minute, to finish in eleventh place.

Great Wakering Rovers and Haringey Borough played out a 1-1 final day draw in which Dan Aristidou`s 36th minute opener for Boro was cancelled out by Lewis Sparrow on 63 minutes.

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