Strollers made it through to the final of the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League Executive Cup with a 2-0 win at luckless Maltby.

It was Maltby's third semi-final defeat of the season.

Ford Basildon still harbour outside hopes of the title after their 4-1 win at bottom placed Ekco FDR, but they must hope that Strollers slip up in their remaining matches.

Heritage and Tappin scored a brace apiece for Fords. Chapel continued their good run with a 3-2 win at Canvey.

The first Division title race is still wide open. Courtlands Park, with Groom very much best man with all four goals, beat Eastwoodbury Ramblers 4-2 to move within two points of leaders Stambridge.

A win for Courtlands against Concord Rangers next week will ensure they finish above Stambridge.

However, Benfleet remain favourites for the championship crown after their 2-0 win over Concord.

With two games left, maximum points will ensure Benfleet finishing one point ahead of both Courtlands and Stambridge.

In the day's other games, AFC Corringham earned a 2-2 draw with Tag United and Laindon won 1-0 at struggling Wheatleys.

In Division Two, Ford 2nd had a 4-1 win over Zeus with goalkeeper Morton scoring his third goal in as many games.

Fords can still win the division, but only if Brit Athletic lose their last game next week. All the action though in this division was at the bottom.

Estrada's 4-1 defeat at Nicholas Colts means they will finish in the bottom two.

Benfleet 2nd's defeat at Ekco FDR 2nd also means that that they cannot finish outside the relegation zone.

So Jerry Carter's five goal show for Ambleside in a 5-1 demolition of Basildon Irish was somewhat academic as they cannot now be dragged into the relegation dogfight.

Haydon Manor need just one more win from their remaining three matches to secure Division Three.

As they've won all 17 matches played so far it would take a brave man to bet against them!

They beat lowly Brit Athletic 2nd 5-2 with goals from Stewart, Parkin, Cork, Cansdale and Gratnor. There was also good wins for Leigh Ramblers and William de Ferrers.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.