Ryman League round-up from Saturday, April 9.

Premier Division Grays Athletic 0 Needham Market 2

Two goals from Michael Brothers helped the Marketmen record back-to-back wins for the first time since December, writes Alex Moss.

Needham Market’s leading goalscorer netted once in each half as Mark Morsley’s side ran out 2-0 winners at Grays Athletic.

With Brentwood Town drawing 0-0 with Kingstonian, the win moves the Marketmen to within four points of securing their Ryman League Premier Division status for next season.

Brothers broke the deadlock at Mill Field on 16 minutes with a thumping header from a Luke Ingram corner, before doubling Needham’s lead in the 52nd minute with a low strike into the corner.

The points were effectively wrapped up when Athletic defender Ryan Richeford was shown a straight red card seven minutes from time.

It completed a fine week’s work for the Marketmen who picked up six points on their travels at Canvey Island and Grays.

Division One North Witham Town 3 Soham Town Rangers 2

Witham won the game but not without a fright after being three goals up at half time.

A great second half fightback by the visitors made the last 20 minutes tense for the home team.

Three good goals by Witham from Damien Green, Ryan Charles and Nathan Korenteng had them in a good position at the break but Soham fought back with goals from Dylan Williams and George Darling.

Only some stout defending and two great saves from Lewis Down ensured Witham gained three valuable points.

Thurrock 2 Bury Town 1

Bury started the game well and were soon in front.

Sam Reed won the ball out wide and played in Nick Ingram on the edge of the box. Ingram hit a sweet curling strike past the ‘keeper and in to the far corner of the net to give Bury the advantage.

Promotion-chasing Thurrock found their game midway through the half and on 25 minutes Ross Wall went close for Thurrock when he broke though the Bury defence but failed to beat Neil O’Sullivan.

With Thurrock attacking more and more Bury’s defence was tested and looked solid until 44 minutes when Daniel Francis got past his marker and in to the box to hit a perfect strike past O’Sullivan to equalize.

A minute later, Ross Wall headed home from a corner to give the home side the lead going into the break.

Waltham Abbey 0 Heybridge Swifts 3

Heybridge Swifts took a giant stride towards achieving Ryman North safety with victory at relegation rivals Waltham Abbey.

Jody Brown’s men have now lost just four of their last 17 games, and Jack Barham’s 42nd minute opener put them on course for this latest vital win.

Lewis Godbold doubled the lead in the 54th minute, before Matthew Pooley wrapped up the points with a third in stoppage time.

Brightlingsea Regent 0 Aveley 0

Brightlingsea’s hopes of reaching the Ryman North play-offs are virtually dead and buried, after being held to a goalless draw by mid-table Aveley at North Road.

The R’s could not break down their stubborn visitors, and so are now five points adrift of the play-off zone, with just two matches remaining.

Maldon & Tiptree 4 Thamesmead Town 3

Rhys Henry put the Jammers ahead in the 20th minute and although Jack Hopkins equalised on 34 minutes McQueen restored the home side’s lead just one minute later.

Adam Mills made it 3-1 in the 51st minute but the Jammers squandered further chances.

Paul Vine reduced the deficit with a scissor kick in the 71st minute and Theo Fairbrother-Jackson appeared to have rescued a point following an 86th minute corner.

However, substitute Sam Newson won it for Maldon in the 89th minute, rounding ‘keeper Andy Walker to slot into an unguarded net.