After a 3 week lay off Town made the short trip to local rivals Kelvedon Hatch, who sit proudly unbeaten and comfortably top of the league.

On an almost perfect afternoon for football Hatch started the brighter of the 2 sides and Town had Chris Neal, in goal, to thank for not going behind early on when he made a couple of excellent saves to deny Hatch. Slightly against the run of play Town took the lead when Headon played an exquisite pass into the feet of Polley, who's sublime first touch left 3 hatch defenders chasing shadows and created the space for him to slam the ball into the bottom corner, 0-1. Hatch continued to have the better of the game territorially but Town looked reasonably comfortable in defence and dangerous on the counter attack with Headon and Mark Neal in particular playing some probing passes. Hatch equalised after 20 mins when Town's defence was caught square by a long punt upfield which was headed on leaving Hatch's top scorer, Chris Wolff, in oceans of space and he neatly chipped the advancing Chris Neal, 1-1. Chris Neal then continued his fine form when he saved a penalty a few minutes later. Unfortunately the reprieve didn't last long and no more than 5 mins later Hatch scored again following a neat move, 2-1. Town responded superbly and deservedly equalised 5 mins before half time when Lodgey met a superbly delivered free kick to score with an absolute bullet of a header, 2-2. Half time.

The second half began and after 2 minutes, Town were caught napping and didn't close down the Hatch striker Mike Shelley, who scored with a fiercely struck drive from 25 yards, 3-2. Town rolled up their sleeves and led by inspirational skipper Mark Neal took the attack to Hatch. They were rewarded 10 mins later when Polley who had caused the Hatch defence untold problems all afternoon, despite playing as a lone striker, was brought down in the box for a clear penalty,he dusted himself down and converted the spot kick via the inside of the post, 3-3. The game was now a real "end to end" affair as both teams went in search of more goals. It was Hatch who got the next, and ultimate winner, a few minutes later when another long shot was superbly tipped on to the bar by Chris Neal and the recently introduced sub, Ricky Defreitas, showed his striking instincts by reacting first and tapping home the rebound from close range although again Chris Neal got a hand to it, 4-3. Town made a couple of substitutions and introduced Tony Whiteway in place of of the excellent, but tiring Headon, and welcomed back Graham Jeater, out for 3 months with injury, who replaced young Brad Merrick. Jeater made an instant impact with his strong pacey running and Hatch were now under the cosh. A few minutes later Town were awarded another penalty when Wiggy was clattered by 2 Hatch defenders. The normally reliable Polley stepped up but he scuffed an attempted chip leaving the Hatch keeper with an easy save. Wiggy, injured in the penalty incident, was replaced by Stuart Dallaway who came on and showed his usual strong running. Still Town poured forward and the final 10 minutes were spent almost exclusively in Hatch's half as Town searched for the equaliser. Hatch were now pinned back and defending for their lives and were reduced to lumping long hopeful balls to try to use the pace of Defreitas on the counter attack. There were numerous stoppages with Hatch players going down with cramp but Town were rampant and showing great fitness levels continued to pour forward. With 2 minutes remaining Dave Martin sprung forward went past 2 Hatch players, played a "one two" and hit a shot that struck the Hatch crossbar and bounced downwards - the linesman waved play on but, as confirmed afterwards, the ball had in fact crossed. Jeater was shown a straight red for apparently (if he did I have no complaint) swearing at the linesman who's hearing was clearly better than his eyesight on the day. It just wasn't to be Towns day and the game ended with a thoroughly undeserved 4-3 defeat.

In summary. although we were very disappointed to come away empty handed we can be proud of the way we performed against a very good Hatch side - you don't get to January unbeaten without being a top side but if I'm honest I thought we "shaded it" on the day and deserved all 3 points. So we must take heart from this performance and make sure we perform to this level on a regular basis. Contenders for this weeks man of the match are Mark Neal who was both inspirational and creative, Ben Polley who up front on his own gave the Hatch defence a torrid time and Rob Flight who tackled and passed superbly, but this week I am giving it to Chris Neal who was absolutely superb in goal

El Col