Three-way battle goes on and on

If the hosts triumph and Canvey's Concord triumph in tomorrow's difficult home game with fourth-placed Eton Manor, the outcome of the championship battle will not be known until Saturday.

That is when Barkingside and Concord meet at the former's Oakside ground in what could be a winner-takes-all climax to the campaign.

Enfield 1893, who play their final match on Wednesday at Ware when Bowers and Pitsea visit, can now only take the title and subsequent place in Ryman One North if both their main challengers slip-up.

While Enfield were out of action at the weekend, both Barkingside and Concord gave nervy performances.

Barkingside won 4-2 at a young Hullbridge Sports side - but only after recovering from going 1-0 down to a goal after 20 seconds from Tom Dosser.

It took 40 minutes for Paul Carr to equalise and Paul Kavanagh made it 2-1 to the visitors before half-time.

But Hullbridge refused to play a bit part and got on terms through Gary Paterson on 63 minutes before goals after 71 and 85 minutes from Brian Suchley saw Barkingside to victory.

Concord had been expected to give their goal difference advantage over their two rivals a boost at home to Stansted but they were made to fight all the way before winning 2-1. Bradley Walsh looked set to make a joke of Concord's title hopes when he put Stansted into a 28th minute lead.

But top striker Danny Heale came to the rescue with a brace after 64 and 71 minutes. Heale now has 43 goals and leads Enfield's Sherwin Stanley by five in his defence of the Don Douglas Trophy.

Bowers gave clear demonstration that they won't make life easy for Barkingside or Enfield this week when they thrashed bottom club London APSA 5-1 at home. Two goals from Nathan Evans plus one apiece from Scott Pether, Jamie Clarke and Ben Connolly saw Bowers to victory.

Other results: Barking 1 Eton Manor 3 (Stephenson 2, Brown); Mauritius Sports and Pennant 1 (Jones) Romford 1 (Lyons).