ESSE SENIOR EASTERN COUNTIES
SOUTHEND MANOR celebrated their first win of the season, 1–0 at
Stansted, with Celso Da Silva the scorer, but they are still 17 points from safety.
Sawbridgeworth moved a point further away from second-bottom Clapton by snatching a point when Marlon Ortiz equalised after Jack Martin had netted for
Takeley.
Stanway Rovers scored three times in the opening 25 minutes, and although Clapton reduced the arrears, a fourth goal sealed the deal.
Leaders Enfield were surprised 2–0 at home by West Essex, with Zak Oliver scoring twice late on.
Redbridge, in second place, closed the gap to two points – having played two games more – after a second half double from George Purcell brought all three points against Little Oakley.
FC Clacton are eight points behind Enfield after beating White Ensign 1–0, the prolific Mekhi McKenzie on target again.
Montel Mackenzie, Jaeden Phillips and Luke Parrott all scored for Woodford Town, these after Charlie Cole had given
Saffron Walden Town the lead.
A double from Ahmed Abdull helped Barking to a 4–2 win at Halstead Town. Jordan Palmer got two for Halstead, but Jess Norey and Tim Ogunrinde also netted for the Blues.
Buckhurst Hill and Ilford drew 0-0 while Friday night saw Romford draw 2–2 with Athletic Newham.
Praise Ogbebor and George Cox scored for Boro, Richard Kone and Joel Appiah for Athletic.
DAVID BALLHEIMER
MIDLAND LEAGUE
HIGHGATE UNITED stormed to an 8-0 victory over visitors Lichfield a first half Charlie Shaw hat-trick leading the way with Ryan Harkin adding a double.
It was Harkin who rounded keeper James Beeson for the 15th minute opener before Shaw took centre stage with his treble. Gate added four more in the second period with Isaac Adegoke chipping in the fifth from distance before Arron Brown, Jack Till and Harkin wrapped up the win.
Walsall Wood strengthened their place at the top as Jai Verma’s first half goal proved enough to see off visitors Lye Town.
Darlaston Town 1874 climbed up to third following their 2-0 defeat of fellow title hopefuls Stourport Swifts, Rivel Mardenborough and Jake Pearson with the goals. But there was a shock at
Shifnal Town who dropped to fourth after losing 2-0 to Stone Old Alleynians, for whom Sam Wilson claimed a double.
At the other end of the table, Wolverhampton Casuals picked up three vital points with a 2-1 win at fellow strugglers
Worcester City, Callum Head and Musa Ceesay cancelling out Reiss Taylor-Randle’s earlier effort.
Whitchurch Alport left it late before Junior Brown scored the only goal in their 1-0 win at Tividale while Romulus won 3-1 at Market Drayton Town.
The day’s other game in the top flight saw Uttoxeter Town and draw 1-1.
DAVE LAWRENCE
THETFORD TOWN remain seven points clear at the top of the table after a 3-0 away win against ten-man
Harleston Town on Saturday.
Cameron King, Dan Gilchrist and Emmanuel Machaya were all on target for the league leaders. Nathan Page was sent-off for fourth-placed Harleston, who now trail Thetford by 16 points.
Joel Glover netted twice for Ipswich Wanderers in second spot and Nathan Read added the other as they won 3-2 at bottom side Haverhill Rovers.
Elsewhere, Mark Ray, Andrew Crowe and Luke Mallett were all on the score sheet for fifth-placed Woodbridge Town as they secured a 3-2 away success over
Kirkley & Pakefield.
Cameron Watson’s goal was enough to hand Mildenhall Town a 1-0 home victory over Newmarket Town and struggling
Whitton United suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Fakenham Town. Ashley Jarvis grabbed a brace for the visitors with Daniel Hogston also on target.
Peter Lambert and James Page were
Mulbarton Wanderers’ goal scorers as they beat Walsham-le-Willows 2-0 away and a late Lakenheath equaliser saw them draw 1-1 away to Sheringham.
Sam Watts, Michael Campbell and Jake Spooner were Norwich United’s scorers in a 3-0 home win over Ely City and Brantham Athletic recorded a 3-0 home win over Soham Town Rangers, Sam Allen, Tom Watkins and James Lee all netting.
RORY HAYWARD
SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST
PUNJAB UNITED upset the odds as they beat runaway league leaders
Erith & Belvedere 1-0 in the Kent Senior Trophy semi-final.
Ashley Probets headed the goal on the stroke of half-time as the Gravesend based side reached the final for the first time.
They will meet Deal Town at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium on 16th April.
Steve King’s side beat Erith Town 1-0 in the other semi through Riley Alford’s 50th minute goal. It will be Deal’s first final for 23 years.
In the league, K Sports won 5-0 at
Welling Town in a relegation battle. Billy Lewis and Stuart Mortimer both netted twice after Jordan Sarfo scored first.
Matt Bourne and Tashi-Jay Kwasie also scored twice as Phoenix Sports beat Stansfeld 4-0 to go third and Lordswood upset in-form Whitstable Town with a 3-1 win at Martyns Grove. Luke Medley’s double put the Lords in charge, with Archie Risdon adding a third before Gus Barnes’late consolation goal.
Louie Clarke bagged a last minute equaliser for second-placed Rusthall who were held 2-2 at home to Sutton Athletic.
Jamie Philpot bagged an 82nd minute winner as Glebe beat neighbours Holmesdale 2-1. Luke Adams had levelled for the Dalers after Tom Hever’s fourth minute opener.
Bottom side Canterbury City took the lead at home to Bearsted through Jimmie Witt but Jordan Arabio’s double saw the visitors win 2-1. Elsewhere, Tunbridge Wells and Kennington drew 0-0.