by JOHN CAMPANY

GAS Recreation remain in command in the Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division after a comfortable 3-0 win at Barnston.

Scott Page, Luke Taylor and Aston Firkins were their marksmen and the league champions are now three points clear of West Bergholt.

Indeed, Bergholt were beaten at home by the fast-emerging Tiptree Heath, who perhaps present the greatest danger to Gas retaining the title.

Two goals in each half produced an emphatic win, with their leading scorer, Charlie Green, getting two, bringing his season’s tally to 20.

Cameron Ward and James Chesney completed the rout.

They are in third spot, a point behind Bergholt but with three games in hand, and trail Gas by four points with a game in hand.

There was a goal bonanza at Oak Farm that saw White Notley share eight goals with visiting Hatfield Peverel.

Both sides retained their respective fourth and fifth positions in the table with 30 points, each a point clear of both Alresford Colne Rangers and Lawford Lads, who both had fine wins.

Rangers were the division’s leading scorers after a 6-0 eclipse of Wormingford Wanderers, at Ford Lane.

With games in hand, a decent run of results could see a real challenge from Gary Bright’s side.

Lawford Lads made it successive victories with a comfortable win over basement side Brantham Athletic Reserves, 3-1.

Hotshot Oliver Mann scored a fine hat-trick, bringing his tally to 24 and ensuring the School Lane side are comfortably placed in seventh in the table.

Elsewhere in the premier division, there were wins for both Dedham Old Boys over Earls Colne (3-0) and Great Bentley, who ended Hedinghams' fine run of form (2-1).

In division one, Tiptree Engaine will be disappointed that they did not take full advantage of leaders Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves' inactivity with a goalless draw at Colne Athletic. With two games in hand on Rangers, they now trail the leaders by five points.

Tiptree Jobserve won 2-1 at Bell Vue Social and both teams are level on points in fifth and sixth places respectively.

Jack Webb got the home side’s goal while Ewan Cameron and Mark Hudson were on target for the visitors.

There was a goal feast at Bromley Road that saw Gas Reserves hitting four, but Cressing United went one better to win 5-4.

Aaron Collier was the man-of-the-moment with four goals, bringing his tally to an impressive 25.

James King chipped in with the other.

Cressing jumped into third spot while Gas remain anchored second from bottom.

Kieran Fisher was unlucky to score a hat-trick and be on the losing side.

The other goalscorer was Kieran Radford.

Flitch United will be disappointed with their draw at struggling Brantham Athletic A.

They had the opportunity to move into third place, but the 1-1 draw sees them remain in fourth.

They have plenty of games in hand, though, and could be strong challengers for a promotion spot.

Shane Pyne was their scorer.

Elsewhere, Little Oakley A were beaten at home by West Bergholt Reserves.

In division two, leaders Stanway Pegasus were idol, but Friday night saw second-placed Clacton Reserves humiliated 14-1 away to AFC Sudbury A.

The avalanche of goals was led by Fred King with five, Nathan Read hit four and there was one each from Ben Altintop, Samuel Girling, Bradley Sayer, Thomas Maycock and Isaac Skubick.

In the local derby, Long Melford Reserves moved smoothly into third with a decent win at Stoneylands, beating rivals Cavendish 3-2.

They are two points behind Clacton with two games in hand.

Melford’s goals came from Maxwell Maughan, Perry Newman and Cory Willings, with William Chaplin and substitute Chris Brewster responding for the visitors.

Mersea Island and Tollesbury shared eight goals and Harwich Rangers hit five at Hatfield Peverel, winning 5-1.

Results: Premier division: Alresford Colne Rangers 6 Wormingford Wanderers 0, Barnston 0 Gas Recreation 3, Dedham Old Boys 3 Earls Colne 0, Great Bentley 2 Hedinghams United 1, Lawford Lads 3 Brantham Athletic Res 1, West Bergholt 0 Tiptree Heath 4, White Notley 4 Hatfield Peverel 4.

Division one: Bell Vue Social 1 Tiptree Jobserve 2, Brantham Athletic A 1 Flitch United 1, Colne Athletic 0 Tiptree Engaine 0, Gas Recreation Res 4 Cressing United 5, Little Oakley A 1 West Bergholt Res 2.

Division two: AFC Sudbury A 14 FC Clacton Res 1, Hatfield Peverel Res 1 Harwich Rangers 5, Long Melford Res 3 Cavendish 2, Mersea Island 4 Tollesbury 4, Rowhedge 4 Boxted Lodgers Res 1.

Division three: Harwich & Parkeston Res 4 Hedinghams United Res 2, Tavern 0 Great Bentley Res 0, Tiptree Engaine Res 4 Bradfield Rovers 3, Tiptree Heath Res 0 Elmden Rovers 3, Tiptree Jobserve A 3 Barnston Res 3.