Heybridge Swifts 2 Witham Town 1

Heybridge Swifts recovered from the blow of conceding a goal inside the first minute to record a 2-1 victory over neighbours Witham Town in a local derby at Scraley Road tonight.

Just 48 hours after suffering the heartbreak of a 3-2 defeat at Potters Bar Town, when they leaked an injury-time goal having been down to 10 men for more than half the match, the Swifts were soon trailing to a first minute opener from Witham’s John Watson.

But Matthew Price netted a 36th minute equaliser, and the Swifts striker, who had scored a brace at Potters Bar, repeated the feat with his second of the game to put the hosts 2-1 up on 52 minutes. That proved to be the winner.

Tonight’s Bostik North clash was watched by a crowd of 239.

The three points have lifted the Swifts into the top 10. They are now 10th, nine points behind sixth-placed Maldon & Tiptree (last play-off berth) but with five games in hand. Witham stay in 14th.