Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman was happy to see his team return to winning ways with a 2-0 win at Cornard United.

They had lost their previous three Thurlow Nunn League division one games, but they bounced back up to fourth in the table with a solid win on derby day.

Cornard’s hard work in preparing the pitch was rewarded by a crowd of 237 who came through the gates at their Blackhouse Lane ground, but it was the visitors who largely dominated the action.

The game was secured with goals from two members of their back four – skipper Lewis Cunliffe and full-back James Regan – in the first-half and it could easily have been more.

However, Benterman was satisfied to take the three points in his team’s first outing since January 11.

He said: “The points are very welcome after three games without a win and not being able to play recently.

“It was just nice to be able to get back on the pitch and play.

“It’s hard to replicate match action in training games and in practice sessions, so you just want to get back out there and give the boys the chance to play for three points.

“There was a bit of rustiness, but I felt we didn’t do too badly.

“Some of the stuff we played was fantastic and Cornard aren’t a bad side.

“Their league position doesn’t do them justice and they played a lot better than when we beat them 4-0 earlier in the season.

“You could see the improvements that they’ve made.

“I think what Mark Hoskins is doing there is fantastic and I think their community need to back that and get behind him.

“They have a good side and will move up the table with a bit of luck.

“They did a great job with the pitch, it was very firm.

“It was superb and full credit to them for getting the game on.”