Trawler Boys go five clear as Seasiders held

Lowestoft Town had seen their lead at the top cut to three points after losing two of their previous three- but the Trawler Boys have games in hand over the chasing pack, and hoped to get back to winning ways as Brightlingsea Regent came to call. With Jake Reed in your side you’re always guaranteed goals, and the Town number nine scored for the sixth consecutive match- twenty fourth time this season- to give the hosts the lead after thirteen minutes. There were only fifteen minutes remaining when the hosts seemingly made the points secure, Adam Hipperson making it two, and that security was helped when Regent saw Kojo Apenteng sent off- but the ten men hit back with two minutes left, Bradley Russell getting a goal back. It wasn’t enough- and the hosts lead at the top was five points.

Second place Felixstowe and Walton United knew that they could mathematically go top this weekend were they to win and Lowestoft to lose, but those maths were rather outlandish given that the Trawler Boys goal difference was twelve goals better. That said, the Seasiders needed three points, and they went ahead after twelve minutes of their tricky trip to Brentwood Town, Noel Aitkens with the opener. The Blues had only one defeat from nine and weren’t likely to take that lying down, and they levelled just after the hour through Wyan Reid, before taking the lead seven minutes later, Mekhi McKenzie scoring his fifth goal in nine matches. The Seasiders were about to roll over, and were quickly level, Josh Mayhew making it two-two, and we had sixteen minutes for someone to find a winner. Neither side managed it- the Seasiders staying second but falling to five points behind Lowestoft, whilst Town are seventh- and have failed to defeat United in nine attempts.

Picture from Stefan Peck.

Third place Bowers and Pitsea welcomed Witham Town. Bowers were on the march, with six wins from seven, whilst Town had delivered some fine results of late, victory at Brightlingsea on Monday the latest of those, so this one looked difficult to call. The hosts went ahead on twenty six minutes, Ben Williamson keeping his cool from the spot, and the same player guaranteed three points late on, scoring a second. Bowers remain third, six points off the top.

Heybridge Swifts started the day with a seven match unbeaten run behind them, and were hot favourites against an Enfield side who had taken only four points from twenty seven on the road- and lost eight of their last nine fixtures. The first half was goalless, but they hosts went ahead eight minutes after the restart- although they needed the visitors to score it for them. Enfield then scored at the correct end, Callum Taylor making it one-one, and had a man advantage when Lee Noble saw red for the hosts with four minutes left- but they couldn’t take advantage, a draw the final outcome.

Maldon & Tiptree headed to Ipswich Wanderers, the Jammers only three points away from the top five, and with only two defeats from their previous ten matches. Wanderers, in contrast, have been having a torrid time of late, and had lost their last seven matches, so it was perhaps no surprise when the visitors went ahead on the half hour, Jayden Gipson scoring his first of the season. The Jammers were two up nine minutes into the second half, Shane Temple provoking worship from the travelling faithful, and although the hosts scored a minute from time, Zach Pedro with the consolation, a consolation was all it was. The Jammers go fifth.

Bury Town travel to New Salamis on Sunday, taking with them the warm glow of winning our Performance of the Month Award for their victory over Lowestoft last month. Town have been in fine form, six unbeaten, a run that includes five wins, whilst their Coles Park hosts are also on the up, with only one defeat from their last four. Both matches between the sides last season ended level.

Gorleston, who must be contenders for January’s Performance of the Month Award after that victory over Lowestoft Town on New Years Day, were back in Great Yarmouth and welcomed bottom side Stowmarket Town. That New Years Day win was the Greens first in six matches, whilst Stow started the day nine points from safety and were still looking for that first win of the season- but the visitors were quickly ahead in this one, Joel Simmons scoring after just three minutes. The Greens were level three minutes before the break, Ryan Curtis making it one-one, and we suspect that if Stow could make their own luck it would still be bad, as they were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time, Will Wharton-Richardson seeing red. Perhaps things picked up for them, however, when the hosts joined them on ten men just before the hour mark, Luke Johnson seeing red, and with nine minutes left the Greens went down to nine, Connor Deeks, who had only been on the pitch for fifteen minutes, leaving it involuntarily. Could Stow take advantage and find that first win? They couldn’t, and had to settle for a point.

Note to all clubs- please upload any goal of the month contenders as soon as you can, to the address we sent you!

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