Towners go third- and leave the Beachboys a long way from safety

Pitching In Isthmian Premier had a match critical at both ends of the table, as fourth place Enfield Town travelled to bottom side Concord Rangers.

The Towners started the evening six unbeaten and needing victory- not only to take them up to third place but also to ensure they opened clear water between themselves and Carshalton Athletic/ Billericay Town in sixth and seventh. The Beachboys were twelve points from safety, albeit with four games in hand- and after five successive defeats very much needed a change of fortune.

When the sides met on Donkey Lane back in the sunny days of August, Town triumphed three-nil- but given the stakes, this one was always likely to be closer and rather more tense, and indeed it was. The first half was goalless, with the hosts having perhaps the best chances, and the second half began the same way until, with only twenty minutes remaining, the Towners went ahead. Sam Youngs is having a fine season, and it was his header- and his twenty third goal of the season- which broke the deadlock. Rangers rallied and had chances of their own in the closing stages, but unlike their visitors they couldn’t manage to make one count, and Town headed back to North London three points better off.

Town indeed climbed to third- and perhaps more importantly opened up a five point gap between themselves and Carshalton/Billericay, having played a match fewer. The Beachboys remain rock bottom, twelve points from safety- and now with only three games in hand over fifth bottom Cheshunt, who must be delighted with the efforts of their neighbours from Donkey Lane.

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