Great Wakering Rovers are back on top of the Schweppes Essex Senior League.

The village side gave their hopes of taking the title, and winning elevation to the Ryman League for next season, a major boost when they triumphed 6-2 at East Ham.

Despite recent wet weather conditions, Hammers had provided a first-class playing surface for the affair but were without their top star, Ross Weare, who is on an extended trial with Nationwide League Queens Park Rangers.

Wakering had lost ground in the five-team hunt for the championship when held 2-2 at local rivals Southend Manor on Tuesday night.

However, on Saturday, they were really buzzing again with striker Paul Flack enjoying a great afternoon with a hat-trick.

With their four title rivals out of league action - Bowers game at Stansted was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch - Wakering took a 25th-minute lead when Flack headed home Neville Hickton's left-wing cross.

Flack made it 2-0 after 39 minutes following a solo run and Mark Hampshire grabbed the third two minutes after half-time.

Outstanding 17-year-old Steve Grant pulled one back after 55 minutes, but Jimmy Ablitt increased the advantage to three again after 68 minutes.

Flack completed his hat-trick with a simple tap-in five minutes from time before Grant grabbed a second for Hammers with a real screamer.

However, the goal action was not over and substitute Danny Heale, son of legendary ex-Basildon and Canvey goal star Billy, got Wakering's sixth two minutes from the end in a frantic finale.

Southend Manor followed up the good midweek performance against Wakering by beating Brentwood 4-1 at Southchurch Park.

They may not be going to win the league, but victory in Tuesday night's home game with Stansted would see Mark Jenkins' Manor into the top six.

On Saturday they fell behind to a Simpkins goal, but Rob Jones equalised after 32 minutes and Manor won the game with a goal rush in the closing 15 minutes.

Jones got his second 15 minutes from time before assistant manager Dave Rolfe put them 3-1 with his first goal of the season 10 minutes from the whistle. Ben Barnett wrapped it up in the closing five minutes.

Basildon United won through to a semi-final visit to Saffron Walden in the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy with a 2-1 win at home to lowly Eton Manor.

Gary Makin gave Bees a 52nd minute lead and player-manager Micky Hall ensured victory after 66 minutes before Brad Jones pulled one back in the closing stages.

In a busy midweek programme, Wakering are the only title chasing side not playing. Tomorrow, Concord host unbeaten Saffron Walden, third-placed Burnham go to Hullbridge and Basildon are at Sawbridgeworth. Bowers host East Ham on Wednesday.

Down but not out - Foulness (dark shorts) take on Hockley and Hawkwell in the Eastwoodbury Veterans League at Cupids Country Club

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

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