Scott W reporting (Follow me on Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to another round-up of action that took place in the Ryman League Division North today (Sat April 8th) & one result from Friday night. After the results, check out the latest table to see where your side is, going into the final weeks of the season.
Friday Night (7.4) Result
Thurrock 2 – 0 Witham Town Attendance: 176
Thurrock fought to an important win at Ship Lane. After a goal-less first half, Ronnie Winn put the hosts ahead on the hour mark, before a penalty from Jordan Clark two minutes from time sealed the win. Thurrock are now unbeaten in their last four league matches, remaining in 4th spot, needing only two points to confirm their play-off position. Witham drop to 13th after Saturday’s results.
Saturday’s Results
Aveley 3 – 0 Heybridge Swifts Attendance: 303
Aveley pulled off an excellent win over strugglers Heybridge at the last Saturday 3pm KO at Mill Field, watched by a bumper crowd of just over 300. Just before the break, Hussein Jaffa put the home side ahead. After the break, the Millers wrapped up the points with goals from Michael Toner two minutes after the re-start and loanee Mason Bloomfield just past the hour mark. Aveley are now unbeaten in their last six league matches, remaining in 10th place. Heybridge’s third loss in their last six league matches sees them drop to 20th spot, just two points above the relegation zone.
Bowers & Pitsea 0 – 0 Thamesmead Town Attendance: 72
Bowers’ season may be just starting to peter out as they held by Thamesmead at the Len Salmon Stadium. Bowers have only won one of their last six league matches and they rise to 6th spot, three points off the play-off places as other results went in their favour. Thamesmead remain in 17th spot, six points clear of the final relegation place.
Brentwood Town 3 – 1 Haringey Borough Attendance: 98
Brentwood claimed an impressive win at the Brentwood Arena over play-off chasing Haringey. Ex-Redbridge forward Kieran English put the home side ahead on the quarter-hour, before Adrian Markus levelled for the visitors on 28 minutes. Just before the break, defender Ryan O’Rawe gave Craig Shipman’s side the lead again. With six minutes left, Andy Freeman’s goal secured three vital points for Brentwood. Brentwood’s third win in their last five league matches sees them remain in 21st spot, two points clear of Ware in the danger zone. Haringey’s first loss in their last seven league matches away from home sees them drop to 7th place, three points off the top five.
Brightlingsea Regent 4 – 1 Romford Attendance: 242
Leaders Brightlingsea secured the title & promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division with a big win at North Road. After just two minutes, Phil Kelly gave Regent the lead. With half-time approaching, Billy Hunt and hot-shot Aaron Condon put James Webster’s side in a very strong position. Hunt’s second goal, three minutes after the break sealed the win for a jubilant Brightlingsea. Romford did pull one back seven minutes from time through substitute Jack Browne-Sykes. Regent’s 9th win in their last ten matches seals the Ryman North title as they’re 11 points clear of nearest challengers Maldon with only three matches remaining. Romford remain 14th and can be proud of their achievements this season.
Bury Town 2 – 1 Cheshunt Attendance: 284
Bury Town defeated play-off chasing Cheshunt at Ram Meadow. Bury were two-up at the break thanks to goals from Noel Aitkens and Luke Read. Cheshunt got a late consolation through Joe Clemo. Bury Town are now unbeaten in their last three league matches, residing in 11th spot. Cheshunt remain 8th, though are five points off the top five as their winless run extends to four league matches.
Maldon & Tiptree 2 – 2 Dereham Town Attendance: 78
Maldon had to come from behind against a determined Dereham side at Park Drive. Daniel Beaumont gave the visitors the lead on 13 minutes. Seven minutes after the break, Joe Gatting doubled Dereham’s advantage. Though, Maldon rescued a point thanks to goals from Montel Agyermang and Sam Newson. Maldon have to settle for a run at the play-offs now after rivals Regent secured promotion today. They remain 2nd, three points clear of Hornchurch in 3rd. Dereham remain in 15th place, needing only a point to mathematically secure their place in the division next season.
Norwich Utd 4 – 1 VCD Athletic Attendance: 81
Norwich Utd are still in the play-off hunt following a thumping win over VCD at Plantation Park. Liam Jackson put Norwich Utd ahead mid-way through the first-half. After the break, Tim Henery doubled the lead before Jeffrey Imudia got one back for Keith McMahon’s side. Henery grabbed two more for Norwich on 71’ and 75’ to complete both his hat-trick and his side’s win. Norwich Utd’s first win in four league matches keeps them 9th, though they are five points off Phoenix Sports in 5th spot. VCD remain 16th, seven points above the drop zone, after their first loss in eight league matches.
Phoenix Sports 1 – 2 Soham Town Rangers Attendance: 96
Soham’s revival continued as they surprised play-off chasing Phoenix at the Phoenix Sports Ground. The home side took the lead thanks to hot-shot Theo Fairweather-Johnson on the hour mark. Soham’s Jon Kaye levelled seven minutes later before Sam Mulready grabbed the winner moments from time. Phoenix’ long unbeaten run is over, though they remain 5th, three points clear of their nearest play-off challengers Bowers & Pitsea and Haringey. Soham’s fourth consecutive win sees them rise to 19th spot, three points clear of the drop zone.
Tilbury 1 – 1 Wroxham Attendance: 50
Tilbury were held by Wroxham at Chadfields. Reece Conway put Tilbury ahead with 12 minutes left, before an OG by Kurt Smith levelled with three minutes remaining. Tilbury stay 12th, while relegated Wroxham rise to 23rd after their second draw in their last four league matches.
Waltham Abbey 0 – 1 AFC Hornchurch Attendance: 131
Waltham Abbey fell to defeat late-on against play-off chasing Hornchurch at Capershotts. With only five minutes remaining, Elliott Styles got the only goal to give Jimmy McFarlane’s side the points. Waltham Abbey remain 18th on goal difference, though are just three points clear of the drop zone. Hornchurch’s 6th win in their last seven away league matches helps them stay 3rd and confirms their spot in the play-offs.
Ware 1 – 0 Great Wakering Rovers Attendance: 62
Ware narrowly defeated relegated Wakering at Wodson Park. Alaa Oudji got the solitary goal mid-way through the first-half. Ware’s 2nd consecutive win sees them stay 22nd though still in touch with the sides above them as they’re only two points off Brentwood in 21st. Wakering’s 30th defeat of the season sees them drop back to the foot of the table.
Here’s a look at the updated Ryman North table… (Bold indicates confirmed position)
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GD (+/-) | Points |
| C | Brightlingsea Regent | 43 | 30 | 6 | 7 | +50 | 96 |
| 2 (P/O) | Maldon & Tiptree | 43 | 27 | 4 | 12 | +52 | 85 |
| 3 (P/O) | AFC Hornchurch | 43 | 23 | 13 | 7 | +37 | 82 |
| 4 | Thurrock | 43 | 24 | 8 | 11 | +39 | 80 |
| 5 | Phoenix Sports | 43 | 22 | 9 | 12 | +5 | 75 |
| 6 | Bowers & Pitsea | 43 | 21 | 9 | 13 | +31 | 72 |
| 7 | Haringey Borough | 43 | 22 | 6 | 15 | +30 | 72 |
| 8 | Cheshunt | 43 | 20 | 10 | 13 | +17 | 70 |
| 9 | Norwich Utd | 43 | 23 | 4 | 16 | +8 | 70 |
| 10 | Aveley | 43 | 19 | 12 | 12 | +9 | 69 |
| 11 | Bury Town | 43 | 19 | 7 | 17 | +5 | 64 |
| 12 | Tilbury | 43 | 15 | 12 | 16 | -10 | 57 |
| 13 | Witham Town | 43 | 15 | 11 | 17 | +2 | 56 |
| 14 | Romford | 43 | 15 | 10 | 18 | -25 | 55 |
| 15 | Dereham Town | 43 | 15 | 9 | 19 | -14 | 54 |
| 16 | VCD Athletic | 43 | 14 | 10 | 19 | -22 | 52 |
| 17 | Thamesmead Town | 43 | 15 | 6 | 22 | -8 | 51 |
| 18 | Waltham Abbey | 43 | 13 | 9 | 21 | -14 | 48 |
| 19 | Soham Town Rangers | 43 | 13 | 9 | 21 | -17 | 48 |
| 20 | Heybridge Swifts | 43 | 12 | 11 | 20 | -17 | 47 |
| 21 | Brentwood Town | 43 | 14 | 5 | 24 | -18 | 47 |
| 22 | Ware | 43 | 13 | 6 | 24 | -20 | 45 |
| R | Wroxham | 43 | 6 | 7 | 30 | -56 | 25 |
| R | Great Wakering Rovers | 43 | 6 | 7 | 30 | -64 | 25 |
survivor16b 