BARKING BOAST THE BITE TO SUBDUE THE LEADERS
BARKING secured their first three points of the season thanks to a 3-0 victory over early table-toppers Romford.
Both sides showed promise early on, but it was Barking that took the lead just before the half hour mark as Darelle Russell got the final touch on a throw.
The lead was doubled when Ola Ogunwamide crossed perfectly for Russell to prod home his second. Sub Ogunwamide continued to impress as he won an injury time penalty for Joe Bruce to convert to finalise all three points.
An early goal and a late strike were enough for Canvey Island to see off Bury Town 2-0.
Canvey opened the scoring after only eight minutes when Jordan Cox sent over an excel- lent cross from the right wing which Frankie Merrifield was on hand to head home from inside the six-yard box.
Canvey sealed the points with ten minutes remaining when Mitchell Gilbey forced Luis Tibbles into work with a low shot from the left. Tibbles could not hold the ball and pushed it out into the middle of the area where Marlon Agyakwa was on hand to smash a shot home.
Maldon & Tiptree inflicted a crushing 5-0 home defeat on Grays Athletic to top the table.
The game was even until midway through the first half when Joao Carlos was shown a straight red card for a high tackle for Grays.
Then the floodgates opened as Decary Sheriff opened the scoring before Shane Cojocarel doubled the advantage before the break.
Chris Millar added a third
just before the hour mark and then Sheriff added his second and Jack Cawley rounded off the scoring late on.
Heybridge Swifts crashed to a 3-0 home defeat to Dereham.
Daniel Beaumont’s 20yard free kick was deflected past home keeper Danny Sambridge to give the visitors the lead.
Dereham went further ahead on 63 minutes when Ollie Ebbage crashed home a superb volley direct from a corner at the far post. George Quantrell made the game safe late on.
Felixstowe & Walton United came away with points thanks to a 2-0 win over Aveley.
Jordy Matthews gave the hosts the lead on 35 minutes and then the points were wrapped up by Sam Ford late on.
Bowers & Pitsea produced a stunning rearguard display to earn the spoils at AFC Sudbury with a 1-0 win.
Quentin Monville scored the only goal of the game as Rob Small’s team played an hour with ten men following David Knight’s red card but were able to hold out for a fifth consecutive clean sheet.
Elsewhere, Great Wakering Rovers battled back from a goal down to take a point in their home clash against Brentwood Town.
Coggeshall Town secured a solid 3-0 win away at Soham Town Rangers thanks to goals from Aaron Condon, Ross Wall and Nnamdi Nwachuku.
While Mildenhall Town were denied a much-needed win by Witham Town. John Sands put the victors ahead on the half hour mark but L'Heureux Menga levelled midway through the second half.