by JOHN CAMPANY

TIPTREE Heath took closer order in the Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division after a 3-2 win at Dedham Old Boys.

They took advantage of the abandonment of leaders Gas Recreation’s match versus Barnston at Bromley Road and are now three points behind, following a hat-trick from sharpshooter Charlie Green.

George Vallentyne and John Vitelli replied for the Old Boys.

Third-place Alresford Colne Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw at Lawford Lads, where Oliver Mann, another prolific scorer, hit two more for the home side.

Fourth-placed West Bergholt were held to a goalless draw at The Chase by Kelvedon Social while Great Bentley eased past visiting Wormingford Wanderers 4-0.

The remaining premier match saw Hatfield Peverel beat struggling Earls Colne 3-2 at the Keith Bigden Memorial Ground with goals from Lawrence Hale, James Irvine and Lewis Nial.

Cameron Easter and Ricky Loveridge replied.

Peverel remain sixth but Earls Colne are in a perilous position in the relegation zone.

In division one, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves maintained a healthy nine-point lead at the top, drawing 1-1 with Cressing United at Ford Lane. Their marksmen was Kye Learoyd–Tuckwell.

Flitch United maintained their challenge in third spot with a 2-2 draw at West Bergholt Reserves, where Daniel O’Brien and Mathew Wickham both scored.

The response from Bergholt came from Craig Isom and Scott Cannon.

Little Oakley A were convincing winners at Bures United, gaining valuable points as they fight against the threat of relegation.

Their 5-0 victory featured two braces from Frank Selwyn and Christopher Stratton and one from Thomas Simpson.

Equally, there was a big win for Gas Recreation Reserves against basement side Brantham Athletic A.

The 6-2 victory, however, sees Gas remain second from bottom in the table.

At Florence Park, Tiptree Jobserve were engaged in a thriller against Colne Athletic, who finally won 3-2, having held a three-goal interval lead.

Lee Monk and Nelson Taylor scored for the home side while Joe Hawkins and a brace from Luke Rogers wrapped up the points for Athletic.

Bell Vue Social and Boxted Lodgers shared the points at Fords Lane with a 1-1 draw, with Jayson Sowden scoring for the home side and Daniel Watts replying.

In division two, runaway leaders Stanway Pegasus continued their relentless pursuit of the title with a comfortable 3-1 win over visiting Hatfield Peverel Reserves, whose scorer was Alex Soloman.

Long Melford Reserves consolidated second position with a 4-2 win against Lawford Lads Reserves at Stoneylands.

The Melford goals were evenly distributed between Will Howe, Addy Roy, Cory Williams and substitute Daniel Harewood.

Lawford’s reply came from Christian Rayner and Chris Upton.

FC Clacton Reserves are third after a 2-0 win at Wormingford Wanderers Reserves with James Gregory and substitute Bradley Pile on target, while Mersea Island are two points behind in fourth place.

The Islanders were 2-1 victors against Harwich Rangers with goals from Alex Akinola and Dan Gibbons and a reply from Ricky Davies.

In division three, leaders Gosfield United maintained their charge for the title with a 2-0 win at Harwich and Parkeston Reserves with goals from Jake Gilder and Andrew Turner.

However, they are being pursued by Tiptree Engaine Reserves, who beat Shrub End United 3-0.

Dedham Old Boys Reserves strengthened their grip on third spot with a resounding 7-0 win at Barnston Reserves.

Their goal haul included four from Ryan Lee.

Results: Premier division: Hatfield Peverel 3 Earls Colne 2, Dedham Old Boys 2 Tiptree Heath 3, Gas Recreation A Barnston A, Great Bentley 4 Wormingford Wanderers 0, Kelvedon Social 0 West Bergholt 0, Lawford Lads 2 Alresford Colne Rangers 2.

Division one: Alresford Colne Rangers Res 1 Cressing United 1, Bell Vue Social 1 Boxted Lodgers 1, Brantham Athletic A 2 Gas Recreation Res 6, Bures United 0 Little Oakley A 5, Tiptree Jobserve 2 Colne Athletic 3, West Bergholt Res 2 Flitch United 2.

Division two: Boxted Lodgers Res 2 Ramsey & Mistley 3, Cavendish 5 Rowhedge 1, Long Melford Res 4 Lawford Lads Res 2, Mersea Island 2 Harwich Rangers 1, Stanway Pegasus 3 Hatfield Peverel Res 1, Wormingford Wanderers Res 0 FC Clacton Res 2.

Division three: Barnston Res 0 Dedham Old Boys Res 7, Elmden Rovers 1 Tiptree Jobserve A 0, Harwich & Parkeston Res 0 Gosfield United 2, Hedinghams United Res 5 Bradfield Rovers 1, Tavern 3 Oyster 4, Tiptree Engaine Res 3 Shrubb End United 0, Tiptree Heath Res 1 Great Bentley Res 3.