Report by Peter Dudley / Photo by Philip Lindhurst

Barkingside 1 Ilford 5

Lauric Diakiesse netted a brace as Ilford hit five to add to Barkingside’s woes at Cricklefield.  Lion Docaj put the visitors ahead after just four minutes before Diakiesse netted their second midway through the first half, and just before the hour mark Diakiesse netted another to give the foxes a three-goal cushion.  Seye Okunola then added a fourth and although Michael Clarke pulled one back for the hosts in the 76^th minute, Ilford completed the scoring thanks to an own goal with two minutes remaining to complete a resounding win, seeing them remain ninth in the table.  For Side it’s another defeat as they remain rooted to the foot of the division.

Enfield 1 Woodford Town 3

Woodford Town won the battle of the Harlow Arena sides as they came from behind to defeat Enfield.  Dylan Florence had given the hosts the lead right on half time but Jayden Thompson-Brissett levelled eight minutes into the second half, and then Temi Babalola put the visitors for the day ahead with just over fifteen minutes remaining.  Giorgio Sallengou then netted a clinching third for Woodford with two minutes left to see them to the points, seeing them into seventh place whilst Enfield are now 16^th and just three points above the bottom three places albeit with four or five games in hand over their rivals down the bottom.

Hullbridge Sports 4 Sporting Bengal United 3

Nathan Scarborough netted a hat-trick for hosts Hullbridge as they saw off Sporting Bengal United in an epic seven goal thriller at Lower Road to open up a four-point gap at the top of the division.  Scarborough put the hosts ahead after just seven minutes and when Emmanuel Okunja doubled the hosts lead nine minutes before the break Hullbridge looked in good shape.  But Sporting haven’t been on a long unbeaten run for no reason and pulled one back through Kamarl Duncan four minutes into the second period, and then levelled four minutes later though Jay Knight.  And then with just over twenty minutes remaining Sporting grabbed the lead thanks to Steve Carvell, but Hullbridge aren’t top for no reason and levelled through Scarborough just three minutes later, and then netted the winner with eleven minutes left to settle this remarkable contest.  Sporting slip to fifth after their first defeat since the end of September, a remarkable run indeed.

Leyton Athletic 2 Southend Manor 3

Southend Manor came from two goals behind to net back to back wins, taking them out of the bottom three as a result.  Lance Ledgister had given the hosts the lead eight minutes before half time before Francisco Cicconi doubled that lead a minute before half time, only to see Jordan Chambers pull one back for the visitors in first half stoppage time.  Mohammed Kargbo then levelled eight minutes into the second half and then Dylan Jones netted a 92^nd minute winner for Manor to give them a huge three points.  Athletic remain second bottom following this loss, seven points above bottom side Barkingside with two games in hand.

Saffron Walden Town 0 Takeley 1

Takeley’s recent good form continued after a Mitchell Das goal was enough for then to see off Saffron Walden Town at Catons Lane, meaning they now are fourth and only below their opponents in third on goal difference now, and just seven points off leaders Hullbridge with two games in hand.

Sawbridgeworth Town 3 Redbridge 1

A Joseph Wright brace saw The Robins come from behind to take an important win against Redbridge at Crofters.  Remi Nelson put The Motorman ahead after 17 minutes but the hosts levelled eight minutes before half time through Wright, and then twelve minutes into the second period Lindisipho Mtyanda put the hosts ahead.  Wright then added his second and Sawbo’s clinching third with nine minutes remaining and the win sees them up to 15^th, one place below their opponents on goal difference now.

St Margaretsbury 2 Stanway Rovers 1

Tom Cowell netted an 88^th minute winner for hosts St Margaretsbury as they maintained their tenth place in the division with victory over Stanway Rovers at The Recreation Ground.  Charncey Dash put the home side ahead in the 17^th minute but Jay Nash levelled for the visitors in the 63^rd minute, but Cowell then netted his late winner to give the home side all three points, leaving Rovers in 13^th.

Stansted 1 Hoddesdon Town 2

The Airportmen lost at home for the second league match in succession to lose ground on leaders Hullbridge after they were beaten by Hoddeson Town at Hargrave Park.  Joss Lillis put the visitors into a 20^th minute lead before Connor Bolton doubled that lead five minutes before half time, and although Jordan Palmer pulled one back four minutes into the second half they fell to defeat and now four points behind the leaders.  Hoddesdon remain in eighth after their win.

Tower Hamlets 0 Walthamstow 2

Early second half goals from Craig Pope and Matt Brinklow saw visitors Walthamstow bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Woodford Town to claim all three points here.  Pope netted in the 48^th minute to give Stow the lead before a brilliant second from Brinklow five minutes later doubled the visitors lead, and they saw out the remainder of the second half to take victory and remain sixth in the table.  Hamlets, who have now lost at home twice inside a week, slip back into the bottom three.

West Essex 2 Clapton 3

The Tons picked up a welcome win after they defeated West Essex at Mayesbrook Park to move up to 11^th in the standings.  Jacob Kromann put the visitors ahead after thirteen minutes but Callum Bloss levelled from the spot two minutes into the second period, before Giovanni Palmer restored Clapton’s lead on the hour mark.  Ali Al-Nashi then give Clapton a two goal lead with then minutes remaining, and although Joe Lefley netted another West penalty five minutes from time to reduce the arrears, The Tons held on for victory.  West Essex are now 12^th, one place below Clapton on goal difference.