Westfield return to the top- and Grays go second

Westfield were knocked off the top of the South Central Division on Tuesday night- but they remained off the summit for only twenty four hours, courtesy of an impressive victory at highly-fancied Bracknell Town.

There was a distinct possibility that conceding an early opening goal- seven minutes- might have knocked the visitors confidence. That possibility was heightened further when that goal was scored by Bracknell's keeper, Mark Scott, from a distance of seventy yards- particularly as the video of the strike will undoubtedly be shown repeatedly throughout today, just like THIS version captured from behind the goal by those fabulous Beautiful Game fellows. Field keeper Gary Ross is probably looking away now; but in truth it was a moment of ingenuity from Scott, spotting his opposite number organising his defence and trying his luck from distance.

It didn't help the Robins too much. Westfield have been scoring goals for fun recently, with nineteen in five league matches, and they had soon made it twenty in six as George Frith got the equaliser. After the break Elijah Simpson got the winner- his sixth goal in three matches- and try as they might, Bracknell couldn't find a way to respond. That was apparently- Playoff Final defeat apart- the Robins first League loss at Larges Lane for three years.

Over in the North Division we had a local derby, as Grays Athletic entertained Tilbury. The Dockers arrived having taken seven points from their last nine, whilst Athletic had gone two points better- so we expected a tight match, and we got one. It didn't start that way, however, Joao Carlos putting the home side ahead after only eight minutes; but the Dockers grew into the game and got an equaliser after the break, through Brian Moses- a man so tall that he can be seen from space. Could the visitors kick on and record victory? Well they tried, but the answer was no.

Tony Stokes, playing his eighth competitive match of the season, scored his ninth goal eighteen minutes from time. This was closely followed by a second goal from Carlos- his eighth in eight- indeed, only Basildon United have escaped his wrath (and he won't have minded too much as the Bees were vanquished anyway).

That win lifts Athletic into second place, three points behind Maldon & Tiptree.