RYMAN DIVISION ONE NORTHWitham Town 3 Aveley 3A DRAW was a fair result for these two teams who are both enjoying a good run. David Hawes put Witham ahead from their first attack after just six minutes.

RYMAN DIVISION ONE NORTH

Witham Town 3 Aveley 3

A DRAW was a fair result for these two teams who are both enjoying a good run. David Hawes put Witham ahead from their first attack after just six minutes.

But it was the visitors who had the most chances during the first half and Ryan Doyle equalised in the 39th minute. Two minutes after the break Doyle headed in a corner to put the visitors ahead but then Witham equalised when Cody McDonald scored from close range.

In the 69th minute Doyle completed his hat-trick when scoring from the penalty spot. All looked lost for Witham until Kevin Hawes equalised with a free kick that hit a post and went in with almost the last kick of the game.

RIDGEONS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Needham Market 2 Stanway 2

LEAGUE leaders Needham Market needed an equaliser five minutes from time to prevent an upset at Bloomfields last night.

Needham, entering the game with just one defeat in 20 league matches this season, were losing 2-1 until Richard Butler headed in Paul Berry's free kick to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the table.

The home team trailed as early as the fifth minute when Stanway took the lead. Ray Turner crossed a great ball to Harrop who easily side-footed the ball into the net.

It should have been two when Sam Newson was clean through but shot over an open goal. Liam Jones then made a great save from Turner.

Needham survived, however, and they were on terms in the 30th minute when a James Evans throw was flicked on by Mark Bailey to Matt Buckle, who forced the ball home. Needham went behind in the 63rd minute when the referee judged Jones to have brought down Turner and Harrop scored from the spot.

Harwich 3 Felixstowe & Walton 3

HARWICH were quick to assert themselves on the match as Sam Eldridge tucked away a Tony Catley cross in the 14th minute.

In conditions more familiar to Siberia Harwich doubled their lead shortly before the interval, Luke Jones connecting with Eldridge's through ball to beat Crump at the near post.

The Seasiders were quick to reply Philips smashing the ball from close range.

Felixstowe started the second period in a positive mood and equalised through a Phillips' low drive and then grabbed the lead as Goddard's volley bulged the Harwich net. With the last throw of the dice Harwich pushed forward in numbers and it was Matt Carmichael who popped up at the far post to earn a well-deserved point for the hosts.

Mildenhall Town 1 v Newmarket Town 1

THIS local derby saw an energetic start by both sides and Bell broke clear for the visitors but Nower saved at his feet. He did the same against Olive and got a crack on the head for his efforts.

Baillie cleverly jinked into a good position but his final effort was well over. Then Simpson's volley was just wide with Claydon coming close with a shot across the goal as the half ended.

Newmarket took the lead immediately after the restart, Olive heading home from a corner. After a good run by Bell, Murkin crashed the shot against the post and the ball rebounded into Paynter's arms. Sim's drive was just wide as the home side pressed for an equaliser which came when Murkin fired home in a goalmouth scramble.

Ipswich Wands 1 Leiston 3

BOTH sides fielded under-strength teams due to illness and injury on a cold, blustery evening.

On 25 minutes Leiston's new signing Crane tapped in a free kick with little in the way of a challenge from the Wanderers defence and the keeper stranded on his line.

Wanderers' Grimwood had his side's best effort at goal on 42 minutes, stepping through the Leiston defence before firing a shot narrowly wide.

Early in the second half Leiston were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Wanderers area and Chenery curled the ball round the wall and Flemming allowed the poorly-hit kick to squeeze under his body and into the net.

On 54 minutes Allen put the ball into the Leiston area from a free kick for the second time in quick succession and Grimwood's head was on the end of it to force the ball in to the back of the net.

Wanderers were looking vulnerable and on 73 minutes Eagle re-established Leiston's two-goal lead when his cross from wide on the right found its way into the far corner.

CRC 2 Haverhill Rovers 1

THREE late goals meant this match ended in favour of the hosts. McAuley put them ahead after 73 minutes when a dubious free kick from Cutler was parried by Benstead and scrambled home.

Marriott then doubled their lead five minutes later, McAuley turning provider as he put the ball into the middle and Marriott practically walked the ball in.

Westcott netted the consolation for Haverhill on 90 minutes after he rounded goalkeeper Beagle.

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Stowmarket Town 2 Diss Town 9

ON A cold night at Greens Meadow Diss won this match by a landslide.

They led 3-0 at half time through a King own goal plus two goals from captain Dale Vince, one a penalty. The Norfolk side scored six further goals during a one-sided second half. Vince scored two more aided by Norman and a hat-trick for Partridge.

Stowmarket who had been well and truly chasing shadows all evening, scored twice through Ryland and Cracknell.

Cornard 0 Hadleigh 0

CORNARD goalkeeper Holland made a brilliant save in the opening few seconds and that set the pattern for the first half.

Holland and visiting keeper Gardener both made some fine saves to keep the score goalless at the interval. There were a few more chances in the second period with Payne and Chris Smith both heading against the bar for Hadleigh, while at the other end Knott cleared off the line to prevent Cornard scoring.

Saffron Walden 1 Long Melford 0

KEEPER Croll kept Melford in the game with fine first-half saves from Butchart and Ben Riches. French had the ball in the net for Melford in the second half but it was disallowed for offside. Croll was finally beaten on 85 minutes when a free kick was swung into the box and Chadwick headed in.