Scott W reporting (Follow me on Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to another round-up of action that took place on the final weekend of the Ryman League Division North league season on Saturday (22nd April) & after the results, check out the final table to see where your side finished at the end of the league season.
UPDATE: Including the play-off semi-final Results & goal-scorers.
AFC Hornchurch 1 – 4 Bowers & Pitsea Attendance: 247
Bowers came from behind to end a memorable season with a thumping win at Bridge Avenue. Hornchurch started well by opening the scoring on 17’ thanks to Leon McKenzie’s goal. Eight minutes later, Callum Leahy levelled for Rob Small’s men. Six minutes after the break, hot-shot Brad Warner put Bowers ahead before Lewis Manor doubled the lead on 57 minutes. Warner grabbed his second late-on to give the visitors a big win though they fell a point short of the play-offs, though 6th place still shows Bowers have had a brilliant first season in Ryman North. Hornchurch finish 4th and will face Thurrock away in the play-offs next week.
Cheshunt 2 – 2 Brightlingsea Regent Attendance: 152
Cheshunt held champions Brightlingsea to a creditable draw at Theobalds Lane. Robbie Rees put Regent ahead on the quarter-hour before Jason Hallett levelled for the home side nine minutes later. Just after the hour mark, Billy Hunt once again gave Regent the lead, before a late goal from Tom Bruno meant that Cheshunt ended a run of three straight league defeats here, finishing in 10th spot, eight points off the top five. Regent continued their long unbeaten run away from home, and go up to the Isthmian Premier Division with a total of 103 points in a brilliant campaign for James Webster’s side.
Dereham Town 2 – 3 Tilbury Attendance: 158
Tilbury edged to victory at Aldiss Park in what was long-serving Dereham manager Matt Henman’s final match in charge. The Dockers took the lead through Emiel Aiken nine minutes before the break. With 13 minutes remaining, substitute Reece Conway doubled the visitors’ lead. Dereham reduced their arrears two minutes later when hot-shot Ryan Crisp struck. Tilbury were reduced to ten men with nine to go after Arinse Uade saw red for two bookings. Aiken struck with moments left to double Tilbury’s advantage. Crisp grabbed his & Dereham’s second of the afternoon just before the final whistle came, Dereham end the season winless in eight league matches, in 18th place. Tilbury finish unbeaten in their last five league matches, in 12th spot.
Great Wakering Rovers 1 – 4 Bury Town Attendance: 118
Wakering waved goodbye to the Ryman North with a disappointing defeat at Burroughs Park. A four-goal blitz in 12 minutes before half-time sealed it for Bury Town. Josh Mayhew put Town in front on 33 minutes. Only five minutes later, Mayhew grabbed his & Bury’s second of the match. As Half-time approached, Luke Read struck a quick-fire double to all but win it for Ben Chenery’s side. Wakering did pull one back through Neil Richmond with 20 minutes left though they finish the season bottom of the table and will go into the Essex Senior League next season hoping for a swift return. Bury finish the season unbeaten in their last six matches, in 11th place.
Haringey Borough 2 – 1 Norwich Utd Attendance: 122
Haringey picked up the positive result they needed late on to secure the final play-off-spot at Coles Park. Haringey opened the scoring only five minutes in, thanks to an OG by Norwich’s Andy Wilton. Norwich Utd levelled through Christy Finch midway through the first-half. Haringey secured the points late on thanks to hot-shot Rolston Gabriel, their third straight league win. Haringey finish 5th, and take on Maldon & Tiptree away in mid-week.
Heybridge Swifts 3 – 2 Phoenix Sports Attendance: 231
Heybridge produced a stirring comeback to avoid the drop at Scraley Road. Phoenix took the lead on the quarter-hour thanks to Kweku Ansah’s goal. Zak Bryon doubled their advantage ten minutes later. Four minutes after the break, Heybridge started their comeback as Lewis Godbold struck. Only five minutes afterward, George Cole levelled for Swifts. The home side’s survival mission got harder when they had Reece Grant sent off with 25 minutes left. Though Heybridge would not be denied as Godbold got his second goal 11 minutes from time to ensure his side stay up on goal difference. Heybridge finish 21st, while Phoenix finish a very creditable 9th.
Romford 0 – 0 Aveley Attendance: 102
Romford ended their season with this shut-out at Ship Lane. Romford had to play 29 minutes with ten men as Greg Akpele was sent off for two bookable offences. Romford finish in 16th place with 56 points, while Aveley finish 7th, thanks largely to a nine-match unbeaten run in the league and much to look forward to next season as they move into their new Parkside home.
Soham Town Rangers 4 – 3 Maldon & Tiptree Attendance: 183
Soham produced a brilliant display at Julius Martin Lane to secure their place in the division next season, edging out Maldon & Tiptree. Hot-shot Sam Mulready put Soham ahead on 22 minutes, before Joshua Pollard levelled for the visitors two minutes later. Eleven minutes after the re-start, substitute Kieran Bailey gave Maldon the lead though they were pegged back just two minutes afterwards by Soham’s Lloyd Groves. Maldon re-took the lead thanks to hot-shot Sam Newson on 68 minutes. Though two goals late on from Mulready and Groves, both getting their braces sealed the win Robbie Mason’s side needed to survive, they finished in 19th spot. Maldon finish in 2nd spot with 91 points and entertain Haringey Borough in the play-offs in mid-week.
Thamesmead Town 1-2 Brentwood Town Attendance: 100
Brentwood continued their excellent form with the win in what was Thamesmead’s final match at Bayliss Avenue before they start their ground-share with Dartford next season. Leon Gordon put the Blues ahead on 21 minutes. Archie Johnson levelled for the Mead nine minutes before the break. Brentwood’s ‘Player of the Year’ Lamar Reynolds polished off a fine season with the winner five minutes after the re-start to give his side their 4th straight league win. Brentwood finish in 14th place, while Thamesmead finish 17th.
VCD Athletic 2 – 0 Ware Attendance: 125
VCD sent Ware to despair at Oakwood with this victory. Mitch Hahn gave Keith McMahon’s side the lead five minutes before the break. Just past the hour, Derek Duncan sealed the points for the home side, which ultimately sent Ware down. VCD finish 15th, whilst Ware finish 22nd, relegated despite their recent upturn in form.
Witham Town 2 – 1 Waltham Abbey Attendance: 70
Witham picked up the win over strugglers Waltham Abbey at Spa Road. Scott Kemp put Witham ahead just past the quarter-hour mark. Jack Daveney put Abbey on terms just before the half-hour. Moments later, Luke Mallet got what would be the winner to give Town all three points. Witham finish in 13th place, while Abbey finish 20th, only surviving the drop on goal difference.
Wroxham 0 – 2 Thurrock Attendance: 120
Thurrock picked-up the win in Wroxham’s swansong match in the division at Trafford Park. Substitute Michael Pindy put the visitors ahead just after the hour, before Jack Barham struck late on to seal the points for Mark Stimson’s side and give their 4th straight league win. Thurrock take on AFC Hornchurch at home in mid-week, thanks to their 3rd place finish. Wroxham finish 23rd and relegated, though their rebuilding job starts now ahead of the new season.
Here’s a look at the final Ryman North table…
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GD (+/-) | Points |
| C | Brightlingsea Regent | 46 | 32 | 7 | 7 | +57 | 103 |
| 2 (P/O) | Maldon & Tiptree | 46 | 29 | 4 | 13 | +56 | 91 |
| 3 (P/O) | Thurrock | 46 | 27 | 8 | 11 | +45 | 89 |
| 4 (P/O) | AFC Hornchurch | 46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | +36 | 85 |
| 5 (P/O) | Haringey Borough | 46 | 2 | 6 | 15 | +34 | 81 |
| 6 | Bowers & Pitsea | 46 | 23 | 9 | 14 | +36 | 78 |
| 7 | Aveley | 46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | +11 | 76 |
| 8 | Norwich Utd | 46 | 24 | 6 | 16 | +10 | 75 |
| 9 | Phoenix Sports | 46 | 22 | 9 | 15 | -1 | 75 |
| 10 | Cheshunt | 46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | +13 | 71 |
| 11 | Bury Town | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | +8 | 69 |
| 12 | Tilbury | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | -6 | 64 |
| 13 | Witham Town | 46 | 16 | 11 | 19 | -3 | 59 |
| 14 | Brentwood Town | 46 | 17 | 5 | 24 | -14 | 56 |
| 15 | VCD Athletic | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | -23 | 56 |
| 16 | Romford | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | -31 | 56 |
| 17 | Thamesmead Town | 46 | 16 | 6 | 24 | -8 | 54 |
| 18 | Dereham Town | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | -19 | 54 |
| 19 | Soham Town Rangers | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | -16 | 53 |
| 20 | Waltham Abbey | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | -16 | 51 |
| 21 | Heybridge Swifts | 46 | 13 | 12 | 21 | -17 | 51 |
| 22 | Ware | 46 | 15 | 6 | 25 | -18 | 51 |
| R | Wroxham | 46 | 6 | 7 | 33 | -61 | 25 |
| R | Great Wakering Rovers | 46 | 6 | 7 | 33 | -72 | 25 |
Here’s how the play-offs Semi-Finals shape up:
Wednesday 26th April KO: 7.45pm
Maldon & Tiptree 5 – 4 Haringey Borough Venue: Park Drive Attendance: 412
Nash 6′, (pen) 12′, 20 Richards 14′, Gabriel 49′, 76′
Newson 51′, Mills 83′ Benjamin 90′
Thurrock 1 – 0 AFC Hornchurch Venue: Ship Lane Attendance: 481
Sutton 12′
Play-off Final takes place on Sunday 30th April
Maldon & Tiptree v Thurrock Venue: Park Drive KO: 3pm
Thank you for reading these round-ups this season, hope you enjoyed it.
survivor16b 