11:17am Monday 16th November 2009
By Dick Marshall
WHILE most of their promotion rivals were either being held or out of action due to the weather, village side Wakering returned to the top of the table.
The last time soccer action took place at Burroughs Park, a floodlight failure brought the Heroes v Legends match in aid of Help for Heroes to an early finish on Wednesday night.
But, with all problems with their new generator now ironed out, it was striker Neil Richmond who lit-up Wakering with a superb hat-trick display.
Richmond has taken the division by storm since returning earlier this season from Premier side Aveley.
He is now leading the divisional scoring list with 11 goals and while he maintains his scoring form Iain O’Connell's men can continue their shock challenge at the top of the table.
It took them just five minutes to stamp their authority on last season’s Essex Senior League champions when, after Steven Heffer had broken up an attack with an outstanding challenge, Michael Fox’s through ball sent Richmond through to score.
Rovers continued to dominate apart from ex-Tilbury and East Thurrock striker Kurt Smith hitting the top of the bar for the visitors.
But Wakering made it 2-0 after 43 minutes and Ben Hudson, who probably enjoyed his best-ever game in a Wakering shirt, chased a lost cause out to the bye-line before crossing for Richmond to score with a superb volley.
If Richmond’s first two goals were laid-on by outstanding play by colleagues, his third was very much his own work.
It arrived on 65 minutes when he dispossessed Martin Heed before drawing goalkeeper Neil Finn and slotting home.
Romford grabbed an 86th-minute consolation from the penalty spot, converted by Paul Kavanagh, but Wakering, who included former Concord Rangers midfielder Alex Fiddes for the first time after his signing from Leyton, were very much masters on the day.
Tomorrow night Wakering face one of their longest, and toughest, challenges of the season when they make the trip to Lowestoft.
The Suffolk side were pre-season favourites for promotion and, if they can win their matches in hand caused by their success in FA competitions, are likely to be well in contention for top spot.
Rovers’ coach making the trip will leave Burroughs Park at 3.45pm.
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