Securing a derby day win – Canvey Island (Image: Nicky Hayes)

It has been a busy festive period for our local sides as 2023 came to a close.  

Southend United were on the road on Saturday to take on Barnet and they fell to a 1-0 defeat following Adebola Oluwo’s goal six minutes from time. Dagenham & Redbridge were involved in a thrilling game with Eastleigh as the points were shared in a 4-4 draw on Monday, with ex-Daggers striker Paul McCallum netting a hat-trick against his former employers.

Aveley put an end to their nine-game losing run in the Vanarama National League South with a 2-1 victory over Dover Athletic on Saturday. There was a second Essex derby in as many days as Chelmsford City locked horns with Braintree Town again. The Clarets ran out as 3-0 victors, the same scoreline they beat Angelo Harrop’s side on Boxing Day.

It was a busy weekend for sides in the Isthmian Premier Division as most sides featured on Saturday and Monday. Starting with Billericay Town, they visited Whitehawk and secured a 1-0 victory thanks to Frankie Merrifield’s first half strike before they sealed a 2-1 win over Potters Bar Town at New Lodge.

Hashtag United won 3-1 at Folkestone Invicta but they couldn’t stop Hornchurch getting another three points as the Urchins secured a 3-0 win on Monday. Hornchurch did not play on Saturday.

Canvey Island shared the spoils with Bognor Regis Town in a 1-1 draw while Concord Rangers let a two-goal lead slip against Hastings United and had to settle for a 3-3 draw. Canvey and Concord met in the ‘Island derby’ on Monday and local bragging rights went to the former who secured a 1-0 win as Sam Higgins scored the winner.

On Saturday in the Isthmian North Division, Ajay Ashanike picked up his first win as boss of Basildon United with a 2-1 victory over Brightlingsea Regent. Elsewhere, Grays Athletic lost 3-1 at Bury Town, Heybridge Swifts drew 0-0 with Gorleston and nothing separated Witham Town and Wroxham in a 2-2 draw.

Bowers & Pitsea left it late to beat Felixstowe & Walton United 2-1 following Ben Williamson’s strike on the 90-minute mark.

There were convincing wins for Brentwood Town and Maldon & Tiptree who won 6-1 and 4-0 respectively against Ipswich Wanderers and Walthamstow.

Monday’s results saw Brightlingsea fall to another defeat, this time losing 3-1 to Witham Town, Terrell Egbri delivered the goods for Maldon  who won 1-0 at Grays and Heybridge secured a 2-0 victory over Ipswich.