Written by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
Hello & welcome to another round-up of action this weekend that took place in the Bostik League Division North as every match did take place on the rain-drenched Saturday 15th of December.
Saturday 15th December
AFC Sudbury 8 – 2 Dereham Town | Venue: King’s Marsh (3G) | Att: 194
The Suds absolutely vanquished sorry Dereham with this massive win at King’s Marsh. The hosts led thanks to a brace from Paul Hayes [22’ & 40’] and a third from Callum Harrison, three minutes before the break put the hosts in command. The onslaught continued soon after the restart as Reece Harris smashed a hat-trick inside nine minutes [53’, 58’ & 61’] to erase any doubt as to where the points were heading. Joe Gatting did give the travelling support ‘something to shout about’ with a 67th-minute goal though Tom Monk made it 7 – 1 on 86 minutes. Gatting got his second two minutes later for the visitors before Mekhi McKenzie completed the rout on the cusp of full-time.
Sudbury claimed their fourth win in their last eight games and soit 9th spot while Dereham fall to the foot of the table following a run of six matches without a win.
Bowers & Pitsea 3 – 1 Soham Town Rangers | Venue: Len Salmon Stadium (3G) | At: 86
Bowers had super-sub David Knight to thank for this victory at the Len Salmon. Soham have shown sprinkles of revival of late and did take the lead on 25 minutes here through Sam Mulready’s spot-kick. Crucially though, that lead didn’t quite last until half-time as Lewis Manor levelled for Rob Small’s side just before the break. This ended up giving the hosts some impetus after the break as Knight got a brace [63’ & 90’] to secure Bowers’ their third straight win which takes them back to the summit of Bostik North. Soham’s third loss in their last five sees them fall to second-bottom.
Bury Town 2 – 1 Barking | Venue: Ram Meadow | Att: 240
Town overcame the Blues thanks to two goals from key man Ollie Hughes. He got the opener on 25 minutes though Darelle Russell eliminated that lead eleven minutes afterward. The hosts re-took the lead right before the interval as Hughes grabbed his second of the afternoon and with no further goals in the second period; Town’s four-match winless run is over as they sit in 8th spot. Barking reside in 14th place.
Canvey Island 0 – 1 Witham Town | Venue: Park Lane | Att: 121
Witham continued their recent upturn in form with a terrific win at Canvey. Johnny Ashman got the only goal on 62 minutes to give Mark Ashford’s men their third straight win to catapult them out of the bottom two, into 16th. Canvey’s inconsistent form reared its head again with their 5th loss in their last eight matches here which saw them drop to 11th.
Coggeshall Town 3 – 0 Great Wakering Rovers | Venue: West Street | Att: 64
Coggeshall continued their good home form with a strong performance at West Street. Sam Bantick put the hosts ahead after 29 minutes before Connor Hubble doubled that lead on 62 minutes. Rovers had Brian Moses and Jake Gordon among their front line though Cogg sealed the win thanks to Ross Wall’s goal ten minutes from time. The hosts have only tasted defeat once n their last eight and rise to 3rd spot, just three points off leaders Bowers. Wakering are winless in their last four now and fall to 15th.
Grays Athletic 2 – 2 Basildon Utd | Venue: Parkside (3G) | Att: 204
These two playing-off chasing sides couldn’t be separated at Parkside. The Bees took the initiative three minutes before the interval as Luke Stanley struck. Ryan Reed inadvertently levelled for the hosts by putting through his own net on 63 minutes though Callum Taylor struck from 12 yards with nine minutes and caretaker boss Lee Connor may have thought they may have earned the three points. It wasn’t to be though as Aron Gordon got Ath another draw with his strike four minutes later. Grays stay 6th despite not winning in their last three games while Bas remain two points behind in 7th and today have appointed Laindon Orient boss Neil Blackburn as their new manager until the end of the season.
Maldon & Tiptree 2 – 1 Felixstowe & Walton Utd | Venue: Park Drive | Att: 122
Maldon produced a stirring comeback to claim all three points at Park Drive. Miles Powell put the Seasiders ahead on 61 minutes though two goals in two minutes swayed the direction of the points as a spot-kick by DeCarrey Sheriff on 74 minutes plus Eddie Dsane’s winner a mere minute later sealed the match’s fate. Utd have lost three on-the-bounce now and drop to 13th while the Jammers rise to 2nd spot, just two points off leaders Bowers after 7 wins in their last eight matches.
Mildenhall Town 0 – 6 Brentwood Town | Venue: Recreation Way | Att: 110
Brentwood pummeled the Hall to add to their hosts’ misery at Recreation Way. Charlee Hughes continued his fantastic recent scoring run with a hat-trick, firstly to put the hosts ahead on 29 minutes and then added two more in the latter stages [72’ & 76’]. Tony Stokes also grabbed a pair of strikes, one from the spot on the hour and late on [82’]. Goalkeeper Rob Budd also scored with 11 minutes remaining to complete a stellar day for Craig Shipman’s improving side – their third win in their last four, which helps them rise to tenth. Mildenhall have only had one success in their last eight now and are a point clear of the bottom two in 17th.
Romford 1 – 5 Heybridge Swifts | Venue: Rookery Hill | Att: 118
Heybridge continued their fine form with a big win at beleaguered Romford. The dependable Matt Price stroked home a penalty on 21 minutes to give Swifts the lead. Debutant Reece Hewitt levelled for Boro four minutes before the break though full-back Guillem Ramon struck right on half-time to give the visitors the lead once again. Price got his second [62’] before the visitors made the points safe thanks to strikes by Jack Adlington [76’] and Elliot Ronto three minutes later. The winless stretch extends for Paul Martin’s side, and having lost eight of their last nine outings, they fall to 18th. Swifts have opened up a six-point gap from the play-off chasing pack, thanks to their fourth win on-the-spin.
Tilbury 3 – 0 Aveley | Venue: Chadfields | Att: 159
The Dockers sent ten-man Aveley to a rare defeat at Chadfields. Oliver Spooner gave Marc Harrison’s side the lead on the half-hour mark before Aveley saw Dan Humphreys dismissed. The hosts took advantage as Lewis Smith [75’] and George Sykes late on sealed the points to take them up to 12th. Aveley drop to 4th on goal difference after their 13-match unbeaten streak ended here.
survivor16b 