BY JOHN CAMPANY

GAS Recreation, looking for their second consecutive Essex and Suffolk Border League championship, moved menacingly to the top of the premier division with a resounding win at Bromley Road over visiting Hedinghams United.

The hosts crushed their visitors 9-1.

It was their sixth league win and they have dropped just one point with an emphatic goal difference of 25.

The scorers for manager Simon Hayward’s side included a hat-trick from Harry Hewes, a brace from both Scott Hooper and Dean West and one each from Aston Firkins and Luke Taylor.

White Notley followed up their Premier Cup success last week with a convincing 5-3 win at Oak Farm over Wormingford Wanderers.

Their goals came from a Josh Goody hat-trick and a brace by Mathew Knowles to place them in sixth position.

Elsewhere in the top division, Hatfield Peverel moved into second place with a fine win over visiting Dedham Old Boys and are now joint level on points with Gas, but they have played two games more.

Alresford Colne Rangers were surprisingly held at Ford Lane by Earls Colne in a goalless draw, while Tiptree Heath maintained their encouraging start with a 4-3 win over luckless Brantham Athletic Reserves.

Kelvedon Social did well on the road, beating Great Bentley 4-2 with their goals coming from Ben Turner with two, Martin Young and Luke Thurston.

The remaining match saw Little Oakley Reserves overcoming Barnston at the Memorial Ground 4-0.

In the first division, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves strengthened their position at the top by inflicting a first defeat on Tiptree Jobserve 1-0.

Tiptree Engaine took advantage by moving into second place with an emphatic 6-1 demolition of Gas Reserves at Burches Meadows.

Flitch United moved into sixth place, with games in hand, securing their third win from four games by beating Boxted Lodgers 3-2 at Cage Lane.

They held a two-goal lead at half-time.

Their goalscorers were Charlie Coopersmith with a brace and Daniel O’Brien.

There was also a good win for Cressing United.

They defeated visiting Bell Vue Social at The Pavilion 3-0.

Luke Thorndyke hit two and Aaron Collier added a third, moving to fifth in the table.

The surprise of the day was in the third division where new side Elmden Rovers caused a shock, beating league leaders Shrub End United at Clacton Leisure Centre 6-1.

They held a comparatively slender lead at the break but stormed to victory in a second-half route.

The scorers included a Ben Justice hat-trick, a brace from brother Jack and further goals through Jake Chandler and substitute Mathew Rhodes.

In the first round of the Essex Junior Cup Wormingford Wanderers Reserves progressed after beating Colne Athletic 2-0 with goals from Sam Moss and Mark Norman.

There was success for West Bergholt Reserves, who defeated Bradfield Rovers 2-0 to reach the next round.

Results: Premier division: Alresford Colne Rangers 0 Earls Colne 0, Gas Recreation 9 Hedinghams United 1, Hatfield Peverel 5 Dedham Old Boys 2, Great Bentley 2 Kelvedon Social 4, Little Oakley Res 4 Barnston AFC 0, Tiptree Heath 4 Brantham Athletic Res 3, White Notley 5 Wormingford Wanderers 3.

First division: Boxted Lodgers 2 Flitch United 3, Bures United 3 Holland A 2, Cressing United 3 Bell Vue Social 0, Tiptree Engaine 6 Gas Recreation Res 1, Tiptree Jobserve 0 Alresford Colne Rangers Res 1.

Second division: Harwich Rangers 1 Lawford Lads Res 7, Mersea Island 6 Boxted Lodgers Res. 0, Ramsey & Mistley 1 Tollesbury 6, Rowhedge 3 Cavendish 1.

Third division: Dedham Old Boys Res 5 Tiptree Jobserve A 1, Elmden Rovers 6 Shrub End United 1, Tavern 5 Hedinghams United Res 0.

Essex Junior Cup first round: Little Oakley A 0 Burnham Ramblers Res 3, West Bergholt Res 2 Bradfield Rovers 0, Wormingford Wanderers Res 2 Colne Engaine 0.