Leiston moved closer to taking the Ryman North title at the first attempt on Saturday with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Ilford which opened up a seven-point gap at the top with six games to play. Ilford, just two points above the relegation zone, snatched a shock lead on the half-hour through Loui Hazlewood. Stuart Boardley levelled the scores after 54 minutes and Sheridan Driver put Leiston ahead with 14 minutes left. There was still a sting in the tail, however, as a Blake Saker own goal made it 2-2 with six minutes left. Leiston responded and won a penalty which Gareth Heath converted to bring the title closer. It also made Leiston the first team in the division to be sure of at least a play-off spot.
Second-placed Enfield Town left themselves with much to do if they are to win automatic promotion after slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Maldon. The damage was done by Junior Luke’s fierce shot on the half-hour and Sos Yao’s strike with 20 minutes left.
Needham Market moved closer to booking their play-off place with a 1-0 home win over Waltham Forest. The visit of the out-of-touch Londoners seemed an ideal opportunity for the Marketmen to score the four goals they needed to reach the century. But they were unable to add to Duane Wright’s fifth-minute header, with top marksman Sam Newson remaining scoreless since November.
Grays moved up to fourth as early and late goals gave them a 2-0 home win over Heybridge. James Bunn scored five minutes after the start and Joe Sweeney struck five minutes from the end.
Local rivals Tilbury suffered a major setback with a 1-0 home defeat by Sudbury. James Baker’s penalty after 32 minutes was enough to settle it, with a goalline clearance denying Sam West an equaliser.
Tilbury stay in the final play-off spot but Sudbury are just a point behind them and Harlow one point further back after they also won with a lone goal. Getro Kilapi headed the winner after 17 minutes and this third successive defeat against play-off rivals has surely ended Brentwood’s hopes.
The other remaining contenders are Redbridge, whose 2-1 home win over bottom club Ware keeps them four points behind Tilbury. The Motormen’s domination finally paid off when James Robinson netted on the hour and set up the second for Mitchell Das five minutes later. Sonny Silenti managed a last-gasp reply for Ware but it was slim consolation as they remain six points short of safety with games fast running out.
The other team in deep trouble at the bottom are Great Wakering, two points behind Ilford, and they did nothing to improve their survival prospects as they crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Thamesmead. Rikki Cable did much of the damage, setting up an eighth-minute goal for Theo Fairweather-Johnson and scoring himself two minutes before the break. Ashley Probets converted a penalty soon after half-time and Cable nabbed his second near the end.
That result came as a relief to Soham, who could still be vulnerable if the bottom three find some form. They remain seven points above Wakering after failing to make the most of Dan Cotton’s third-minute goal. Visitors Romford levelled through Kurt Smith just before the break and clinched a 2-1 victory with a late strike by Jack Barry.
Cheshunt, though, virtually ensured their survival with a 1-0 home win over Chatham. Top scorer Josh Hutchinson netted from Sam Ruff’s cross in the 54th minute.
Potters Bar, play-off contenders until recently, suffered their third defeat in four games, going down 3-0 at local rivals Waltham Abbey. Tom Laxton opened the scoring after ten minutes and Steve Cawley struck twice in three minutes midway through the second half, both from Louis Bristow free-kicks.

Ryman League