Tiptree Heath and Alresford Colne Rangers take pride of place - Essex and Suffolk Border League round-up

PRIDE of place goes to Essex and Suffolk Border League pair Tiptree Heath and Alresford Colne Rangers, who progressed to the Essex Premier Cup quarter-finals.

Tiptree’s season went from strength to strength after a resounding 5-1 win over visiting Shoebury Town, from the Essex Olympian League.

The home side were held at half-time but surged to victory with a Cameron Ward hat-trick and one each from Jamie Chesney and Harry Hazell.

Alresford redeemed themselves following last week’s disappointing league defeat with an excellent victory at Ford Lane.

They beat Barking under-23s, who are having a good season in the Bostik Development League, thanks to a solitary goal from Jack Johnson.

The quarter-final draw is awaited and ties are due to be played on January 13.

In the premier division, there is a familiarity evolving with both Gas Recreation and West Bergholt gaining wins that take them to first and second-places respectively, albeit the other championship contenders, Tiptree and Alresford, were in cup action.

Simon Haywood’s Gas were 5-2 winners over Lawford Lads at Bromley Road.

Scott Page hit two while John Bulmer and Harry Hewes netted and Ryan Dale came off the bench to complete the scoring.

Oliver Mann’s brace for the visitors ensured some respectability.

Chris Tracey’s West Bergholt gained a narrow 2-1 win at Hatfield Peverel, with goals from Nicholas Farthing and Daniel Keeble, and are a point behind the leaders.

Elsewhere in the premier division, Dedham Old Boys fought out a home draw against Great Bentley and Earls Colne shared the points against visiting Hedinghams United 1-1.

The home scorer was Ricky Loveridge and Alec Pyman replied.

Meanwhile, Wormingford Wanderers travelled to bottom side Brantham Athletic and poured more misery on them with a 3-1 win.

Wanderers' marksmen were Elliot Lamb (two) and Sam Barton.

In division one, West Bergholt Reserves completed a good day for the club by beating leaders Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves 3-2 to move into a mid-table position.

The home scorers were Connor Haynes, Craig Isom and Joe Steel, while the visitors' marksmen were Kye Learoyd-Tuckwell and substitute Chris Price.

Flitch United continue to make good progress with a fine win 2-1 away to Cressing United, who they leapfrogged into third place.

Jack Buckland scored both for the winners and Aaron Collier the consolation goal.

There was an eight-goal thriller between Little Oakley A and Gas Recreation Reserves where the home side, trailing at half-time, fought back to get a point.

With Holland A withdrawing from the league this week, it was an important point for Gas as they now languish second from bottom.

The home scorers were Christopher Stratton (two), Andrew Page and Cameron Wallace.

Gas replied through Daniel Beeson twice, Kyle Binns and Kieran Radford.

Tiptree Jobserve were emphatic winners, beating Brantham Athletic A 5-0, leaving the visitors stranded in the basement position with only a point.

In division two, the clash of the day saw runaway leaders Stanway Pegasus overcome a spirited young AFC Sudbury A 4-2 to maintain their relentless charge at the top, making it 12 straight wins.

FC Clacton Reserves consolidated their second spot by beating third-place Tollsbury 3-2 at the Victory Recreation Ground, with goals from Bradley Pile, Samuel Thompson and an own goal.

The home side's scorers were Ashley Collins and Tommy Gregory, while Scott Lewis received a straight red card.

Dedham Old Boys maintained their second position with a 3-1 victory at the Royal Oak, where they beat hosts Harwich and Parkeston Reserves 3-1.

Dedham’s scorers were Keir Brown and a brace from Jamie Rush, while Jake Neale replied for the hosts.

Results: Essex Premier Cup - round three: Alresford Colne Rangers 1 Barking U23s 0, Tiptree Heath 5 Shoebury Town 1.

Premier division: Brantham Athletic Res 1 Wormingford Wanderers 3, Dedham Old Boys 0 Great Bentley 0, Earls Colne 1 Hedinghams United 1, Gas Recreation 5 Lawford Lads 2, Hatfield Peverel 1 West Bergholt 2, White Notley 3 Barnston 0.

Division one: Colne Athletic 2 Boxted Lodgers 3, Cressing United 1 Flitch United 2, Little Oakley A 4 Gas Recreation Res 4, Tiptree Jobserve 5 Brantham Athletic A 0, West Bergholt Res 3 Alresford Colne Rangers Res 2.

Division two: Boxted Lodgers 0 Cavendish 6, Long Melford Res 1 Hatfield Peverel Res 0, Ramsey & Mistley 0 Harwich Rangers 5, Rowhedge 2 Mersea Island Res 3, Stanway Pegasus 4 AFC Sudbury A 2, Tollesbury 2 FC Clacton Res 3, Wormingford Wanderers Res 4 Lawford Lads Res 2.

Division three: Bradfield Rovers 2 Hedinghams United Res 0, Great Bentley Res 1 Tiptree Jobserve A 1, Harwich & Parkeston Res 1 Dedham Old Boys Res 3, Oyster 2 Elmden Rovers 2, Shrub End United 0 Tiptree Engaine Res 1, Tavern 6 Tiptree Heath Res 0.

Essex Junior Cup - fourth-round draw (ties to be played on December 1): Corinthians v Leigh Town, Old Southendian Reserves v Bowers & Pitsea U23s, Lakeside Reserves v Shoebury Town Reserves, Great Bentley Reserves v Extreme United, Brentwood United v Old Barkabbeyans, TBA v Boxted Lodgers, Westhamians v Roydon, Tiptree Jobserve v Stanway Pegasus.