by JOHN CAMPANY

THE AV Lee Memorial Trophy was played at Little Oakley between Essex and Suffolk Border League giants Gas Recreation and West Bergholt.

Predictably, it was a competitive affair with Bergholt beating their old rivals 2-1.

Bobby Bethell put them ahead after two minutes but Gas equalised with a superb Luke Taylor free-kick.

However, a second-half goal by Lee Townrow gave Chris Tracy’s side the first silverware of the season.

Bergholt continued their good form on Saturday with a resounding 5-1 league win over visiting Earls Colne, with the goals being distributed among Luke and Darren Bethell, plus one from Gavin Hannah.

They now head the premier division table.

An Oliver Mann hat-trick saw Lawford Lads beat fellow promoted side Tiptree Heath 3-1 at School Lane to move up to second place, leapfrogging champions Gas, who were without a game.

Charlie Green replied for the visitors.

Hatfield Peverel’s good start was checked by visiting Alresford Colne Rangers, who are now fourth following their 3-1 win.

Rangers are handily-placed two points behind the leaders with goals from Jack Johnson and Ryan Lewis, plus an own goal.

Adam Brotherton scored for the home side, who finished with ten men, following the dismissal of Ben Hull.

Dedham Old Boys secured their third league win in a close-fought match at The Drift against struggling Hedinghams United.

They prevailed 3-2 as John Vitelli scored twice and Mathew Halsey added a third for the Old Boys.

Steven Hill and Alex Pyman were United’s marksmen.

Rapidly-improving mid-table Barnston inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Kelvedon Social, who are finding goals a difficult commodity and languish third from bottom.

Barnston’s winner came from Mathew Dorset.

Meanwhile, down at Oak Farm, White Notley were harvesting a 3-1 victory over Little Oakley Reserves.

Mathew Knowles netted twice and Robert King notched the third as the home side consolidated their mid-table position.

Mathew Green scored for Oakley.

The remaining premier division match saw Wormingford Wanderers and visitors Brantham Reserves share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Johnny Lee put Brantham ahead but Elliot Lamb equalised for the home side, thus ensuring the draw.

In division one, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves are the pacesetters and have opened up a gap of four points following their narrow 1-0 win over Flitch United.

Roger Smith was on target.

Elsewhere, Boxted Lodgers and Bell Vue Social fought out a 2-2 draw at Cage Lane.

The home side held a 2-1 interval lead through a pair from Connor Howard, but the visitors equalised in the second half through Jamie Ennew, who likewise netted twice, to salvage a point.

Results: Premier division: Dedham Old Boys 3 Hedinghams United 2, Hatfield Peverel 1 Alresford Colne Rangers 3, Kelvedon Social 0 Barnston 1, Lawford Lads 3 Tiptree Heath 1, West Bergholt 5 Earls Colne 1, White Notley 3 Little Oakley Res 1, Wormingford Wanderers 1 Brantham Athletic Res 1.

First division: Arlesford Colne Rangers Res 1 Flitch United 0, Boxted Lodgers 2 Bell Vue Social 2, Bures United FC 2 Tiptree Jobserve 3, Gas Recreation Res 1 Colne Athletic 7, Holland A 0 West Bergholt Res 5, Little Oakley A 1 Cressing United 6.

Second division: AFC Sudbury A 8 Harwich Rangers 3, Cavendish 4 Hatfield Peverel Res 0, FC Clacton Res 4 Wormingford Wanderers Res 1, Lawford Lads Res 4 Boxted Lodgers Res 3, Mersea Island 1 Stanway Pegasus 4, Ramsey & Mistley 1 Long Melford Res 5, Tollesbury 4 Rowhedge 1.

Third division: Barnston Res 1 Shrub End United 2, Great Bentley Res 1 Hedinghams United 0, Harwich & Parkeston Res 4 Oyster 2, Tiptree Engaine Res 4 Tavern 0, Tiptree Heath Res 2 Dedham Old Boys Res 3, Tiptree Jobserve A 3 Elmden Rovers 1.