Essex Senior League: Barking 1 Wadham Lodge 0; Clapton 1 Basildon United 4; Essex Senior League Cup: Takeley 2 Sporting Bengal United 1

Barking clambered up to third in the Essex Senior League courtesy of a 1-0 win at home to title rivals Wadham Lodge.

John Bricknell’s 13th minute free kick proved the difference, curling a fantastic effort from left of centre 20 yards out over the wall and into the bottom corner.

The Blues suffered a setback when Joe Bricknell was dismissed but were able to hang on and extend their unbeaten run in the league to 10 matches.

Barking: J Willis; Taylor, Reynolds, O’Brien, Rix (Golby 77); Joe Bricknell, Appiah (Staunton 62), S Willis, Peagram; Pearman (Barlow 72), John Bricknell

Unused subs: English, Bradbury

Attendance: 46

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Clapton made it six defeats in a row with a 4-1 league defeat at home to Basildon United, who took over at the top of the standings.

The hosts made a bad start and were behind inside 15 minutes when Brad Warner slotted home a penalty for the Bees after a foul in the box.

Clapton found themselves two goals down by the 31st minute when Eden Nelson doubled the visitors’ advantage at the Old Spotted Dog.

Tons were able to pull a goal back shortly before half time to ensure they went into the break just a goal behind and still well in contention.

But a second from Nelson and another Basildon strike ensured it was eight games without a win for Clapton, who slipped to 11th in the process.

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Sporting Bengal United crashed out of the Essex Senior League Cup following a close-fought battle at divisional rivals Takeley.

Bengal started brightly and looked in control in the opening 20 minutes, but it was Takeley who took the lead and took the wind out the visitors’ sails.

From then, it was a case of one way traffic and the hosts got the second that their play thoroughly deserved.

United did come back into proceedings in the closing moments and grabbed a late goal to set up hope of a comeback, but they were unable to find the equaliser they craved before having a man sent off on the final whistle