Ryman League round-up

Premier Division Havant and Waterlooville 0 Leiston 0

Leiston remain unbeaten and continue to top the Ryman League Premier Division after securing a battling point at fellow challengers Havant and Waterlooville.

The point earned was even more impressive as Glenn Driver’s side were forced to play the last 22 minutes with 10 men after Byron Lawrence was sent off for two yellow cards.

The Hampshire side bossed the majority of the game creating the better chances, but Leiston were resolute in defence, especially after the dismissal of Lawrence.

The numerical disadvantage galvanised Leiston and Leon Ottley-Gooch almost opened the scoring when his cross shot deceived the back peddling Ryan Young who made a fine stop. Havant continued to press but there was no way past a well organised Leiston defence.

Division One North Phoenix Sports 0 Bury Town 3

Bury Town put three goals past table-toppers Phoenix Sports to replace them as the league leaders.

The Blues took the lead on 22 minutes from a corner, Tom Debenham heading home Bradley Barber’s centre.

Phoenix should have been level on 35 minutes when Ben Francis found himself with an open goal, but shot wide from inside the box.

Another good chance fell to the home side on 53 minutes but a brilliant save by Neil O’Sullivan denied Alistair Gordon the equaliser.

Bury extended their lead on 78 minutes with Darcy De’Ath’s long throw-in finding Luke Read, who held the ball up well before playing in Barber to slot low past the keeper.

Josh Mayhew put the game out of reach of the home side on 81 minutes with a well hit strike into the back of the net.

Witham Town 2 Romford 0

At last a win for Witham after a lean spell, these three points were vital in what has so far been a tough season.

This was a game of two halves. The first-half was dull with lots of stoppages for minor infringements and numerous offside calls, but Witham held the lead at half-time, 1-0, after a penalty was scored by Nathan Koranteng in the 19th minute.

Witham improved after the break and their second goal came in the 72nd minute when Tim Monsheju headed home powerfully after good play from Ryan Charles and Koranteng.

Brightlingsea Regent 4 Thamesmead Town 3

Brightlingsea showed terrific character to come back from 3-1 down to win a thriller against lowly Thamesmead Town.

Thamesmead were 1-0 up at half-time, through Scott Kinch’s 25th minute opener, and they seemed on course for a rare win when Paul Vines doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.

Aaron Condon pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, only for Aaron Rhule to restore Thamesmead’s two-goal advantage just five minutes later for a 3-1 lead.

Condon converted an 83rd minute penalty to give the R’s hope, and Jake Turner notched an 87th minute equaliser.

There was still time for Condon to complete his hat-trick in injury time to record a memorable 4-3 win.

Heybridge Swifts 1 Soham Town Rangers 4

Heybridge let a 1-0 lead slip as they lost to Soham in a bad-tempered affair at Scraley Road.

Jack Barham broke the deadlock on the half hour mark for the Swifts, only for Ryan Sharman to equalise just 60 seconds later.

It stayed at 1-1 for the rest of the first period, although Soham were reduced to 10 men after Spyros Menti’s 36th minute dismissal.

Second-half goals from Joe Tennant (63), Salim Relizani (74) and Darren Foxley (84) ensured victory for the visitors, who ended the match with nine men following Relizani’s sending off. The Swifts finished with 10 men, Nichola Brown sent off on 90 minutes for two bookable offences.

Thurrock 0 Maldon and Tiptree 0

The Jammers notched their first league draw of the season, after nine wins and five defeats in their previous 14 fixtures.

Centre-halves Billy Roast and Gavin Greenfield were in fine form in the heart of Maldon’s rearguard.

Charlie Stimson struck a post for the hosts in the first half, and then missed the best chance of the match on 34 minutes when failing to convert from close range.