HALSTEAD Town were beaten 2-0 at Frenford in their latest Thurlow Nunn League first division south match, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs made the trip to Ilford knowing they would be in for a tough battle against mid-table Frenford, who were unbeaten in their last seven.

That included a draw with all-conquering Buckhurst Hill, which were the only points Frenford dropped in that unbeaten sequence.

Halstead were buoyed from the result in their previous match, victory at Wivenhoe and were looking to complete a season double over their hosts - something they haven’t achieved before.

The early stages of Halstead’s first match of 2022 were shaded by Frenford, as it took a little while for the Humbugs to get into their stride.

However, once they had they posed a threat and in quick succession Jordan Blackwell struck the bottom of the post and Jordan Palmer went close when he headed just over.

Despite carrying a threat, Halstead conceded as it was the hosts who opened the scoring on 23 minutes when Raheem Gray added to the two, he got in Frenford’s previous game.

Halstead responded well and almost immediately forced a corner, but the resultant goalmouth scramble saw the hosts eventually clear their lines.

Following the goal, the final 20 minutes of the half were pretty uneventful as these closely matched sides cancelled each other out.

The only incident of note was a large shout for a penalty from the visitors, but the referee was not interested and within minutes blew his whistle to conclude the first 45 minutes.

Halstead would have been looking to get back on level terms as the second period started but within six minutes they were two goals adrift in unfortunate circumstances.

Frenford winger Owen James saw his cross end up in the back of the visitors' net and for the second time this season Halstead would need to come from two goals behind to get anything from the game, although in the earlier encounter they had a full hour to do so.

The second goal for the hosts really knocked the stuffing out of the Humbugs and also the match which transgressed into bland affair and a stalemate in which neither side really threatened the net.

The referee eventually brought proceedings to an end with the rain still hammering down and which all the spectators were grateful for, even the disappointed Halstead followers who had seen their side defeated on the road again.

The hosts extend their own unbeaten run to eight with the win while Halstead have now lost eight games on their travels in the league this season, as opposed to losing just the one at the Milbanks.

Halstead Town: Jack Cherry, Ryan Carter, Nick Miller, Matt Travell , Greg Strong , Jack Schelvis, Alfie Cleal, , Jordan Palmer, Jordan Pavett, Adam Hampson. Subs: Jamie Baker, Mark Dallinger, Louis O’Sullivan, Callum Tracey.