A YOUTH football team in Kelvedon Hatch is making rival clubs "well jel" (a phrase made famous by TOWIE) with its new star backing.

Brentwood celebrity Amy Childs, 22, dropped by to see Kelvedon Hatch under-8s in action last Saturday after agreeing to sponsor the team, with her boutique and salon logo now emblazoned on their new shirts and tracksuits.

The former TOWIE star said: "I'm a big West Ham fan, so it's amazing for me to sponsor a local football team."

Amy's godson Freddie Derbridge, seven, plays in goal for the youth side.

"As Freddie's in the team I'll come and see them play more in the future," she said.

"I wanted to make the kits a bit glitzy, so hopefully the boys don't mind."

Response from the players has been positive. Amy's godson Freddie and team captain Ben Gosling, also seven, are both fans of the new-look kit.

"I'm proud to have Amy's name on my shirt", Freddie said. "I've been playing for six weeks now and I support West Ham too."

Skipper Ben added: "I scored a hat-trick last week so I don't mind that the shirt has got a girl's name on it."

The added touch of Essex glamour seems to have brought a turnaround in fortunes for the team, after their new kits inspired them to victory last week.

"Last week they won their first game so I've brought them luck," Amy said.

She is also happy to support children staying active.

"It's important for the boys to stay fit and also just to enjoy it. I'm running the London Marathon next year with my boyfriend Dave [Peters], so maybe soon I'll be able to keep up with the boys", she said.

Joint managers of Kelvedon Hatch FC. under-8s, John Divall and Barry Mackay, are delighted with the new sponsorship and hope it will encourage more players to join the team.

Barry said: "It's great for the local area, with the new kits we might be able to get a few more boys down playing for the side.

"We get kids from all different areas wanting to play. The club's been around for 70 or 80 years now, and we want to keep that tradition going", he added.

POP princess Leona Lewis has vowed she will always be involved with Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and says her goal is to see a Hopefield in every community.

The Bleeding Love singer, who found fame when she won The X Factor in 2006, was speaking exclusively to the Gazette during a five-mile fundraising walk in Weald Country Park in aid of the Sawyers Hall Lane safe haven.

Leona, who has been a trustee and patron of the charity for the past year, was joined by around 80 other ramblers for Sunday's dog-friendly circular walk around the 500-acre Essex County Council-owned beauty spot.

The 27-year-old, who is estimated to be worth around £12 million, said: "I know I will always be involved with Hopefield in some way.

"When I am a billionaire we will have little Hopefields everywhere.

"There should be a Hopefield in every community – that should be the ultimate goal."

Leona, who loves horses and has been riding since the age of five, was accompanied by her dad Joe and her dogs Forest, Lilly and Misty, all of whom are rescues.

The skies may have been leaden grey and the ground muddy underfoot but neither could stop the Hackney-born singer from enjoying the wide open spaces around her.

"It is so beautiful here," she said.

"It is nice to go out and be in the outdoors, I love it.

"I'd love to ride along here too, it really would be fun."

Leona said she cannot speak highly enough of the staff and volunteers who care for Hopefield's 300-plus residents, many of whom have been neglected or abused in the past.

"They are just a great charity with a great heart," she said.

"It is a lot of work for them and they don't have a lot of staff so they are doing an incredible job with the resources they have.

"They are just amazing."

She added: "I would like to be able to give more time to Hopefield. I give as much time as I can but there could always be more hours in the day."

The charity World Horse Welfare last week warned that the UK is on the verge of an equine crisis in which increasing numbers of horses will be abandoned or neglected.

Leona, a keen dressage rider who owns a six-year-old black Friesian gelding called Spirit, said it was "really sad" that more and more horses were being dumped.

But she's also clear that without places like Hopefield, the situation would be even worse.

"It would just be awful," said Leona, whose "obsession" with horses stems from a childhood love of My Little Pony.

"Where would they go?

"They would have to put them all down. It is happening a lot already so it is really important to have places like Hopefield."

In recent weeks, Leona has returned to The X Factor as a guest judge.

But is joining the judging panel full-time alongside Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh something she would entertain?

"Maybe in the future if I have time to properly focus on it, but not at the moment as I am just too busy," she said.

She also does not believe the show is past its best, despite it having struggled to keep hold of viewers in recent weeks.

"It is still one of the most watched shows on TV," she said.

"Naturally the figures are going to go down because people are watching less TV and using the internet more but I don't think it is because the show is worse."

Leona, the most successful winner of The X Factor since it began in 2004, has just released her third album, entitled Glassheart, and as she explained, she is very excited about its prospects.

"It has been six years since my first album so I am just really excited to have it out," she said.

"I feel very positive about the record and everything that is going on with it and it is definitely my best album so far."

She might have got her big break on a reality TV show but that doesn't mean that Leona is a fan of the genre.

Indeed, when it comes to The Only Way Is Essex, filmed extensively in Brentwood, she has a confession to make.

"Do you know what?" she said, "I have never watched it.

"I know who the people are in it because they are infamous but I have never watched an episode."

In the short-term, Leona is focused on promoting her new album, however, the committed vegetarian does admit to having thought about life after music.

She said: "My mum uses natural products to make her own shampoos, creams and lotions so I would love to go into business with her and do something like that."

BRENTWOOD Borough Council has failed to collect as much as £100,000 revenue – after failing to invoice the companies which rent its town centre billboards for at least eight years.

The blunder relates to four hoardings located in the William Hunter Way car park, Chatham Way car park, Ongar Road and Ongar Place – three of which the authority "believes" it has let to the private sector.

The council refused to answer the Gazette's questions about how much money it had failed to collect, although it is thought to be as high as £100,000.

The revelation comes as the asset, infrastructure and localism panel devises a so-called billboard strategy to "make the best use of this source of revenue".

When asked about the faux pas, panel chairman Councillor Russell Quirk said: "Part of my new remit is to ascertain and evaluate the council's assets across the borough.

"In doing so, I have discovered that income due from billboards on land owned by the council has not been collected as it should have been and that this error goes back eight years or more.

"It does beg the question as to how Brentwood's previous chief executives might justify such an oversight.

"It is all very well announcing plans to modernise and to reorganise the workings of local authorities, yet if you are unable to organise the regular invoicing and collection of existing sums owed to the taxpayer – and as such a significant sum is involved here – then it should make us further wonder how these senior, six-figure salaries can really be defended."

The Gazette asked the council how much money it had received from the four billboards since April 2001 to date.

In reply, the council issued a statement, which read: "The asset, infrastructure and localism panel was established in February to ensure firm oversight of the assets (such as land and buildings) that the council owns, as well as our contracts, equipment and services.

"The panel has been successful in identifying surplus assets for disposal but also in investigating council functions to ensure that the strictest controls are either already in place or that they are quickly implemented.

"As part of this investigatory role, in September the panel discussed a report about billboards that are either situated on council-owned land or attached to council-owned property.

"Members decided that it was necessary to devise a billboard strategy to make the best use of this source of revenue for the council.

"The council will be reviewing its legal arrangements with a view to increasing its income from sites already under contract as well as to identify any further appropriate sites for the future.

"Since that decision, we are in the process of clarifying current arrangements and seeking to recover income due in relation to use of the current sites."

When pressed to answer the question about how much money the council had received, a spokesman simply said: "We don't have anything further to add to our previous statement."

A VETERAN of the Second World War who was evacuated from Dunkirk is fighting to live with his wife of 72 years.

George Thompson is facing his toughest challenge as he copes with the tragedy of watching his wife slip away through dementia.

The 93-year-old says his experiences – watching a loved one's mind slowly wane while people and medicine are powerless to do anything about it – represents the hidden tragedy of growing old.

Mr Thompson, who lives in Hillhouse Court, Billericay, has been apart from his wife Joyce, who has been in respite care in Queens Park Court home, for the past two months.

He met Joyce 75 years ago, just before he was sent to war as a driver with the Signals, firstly in Dunkirk, then later in the Western Desert against Rommel, until eventually he was posted to the Far East.

He finished the war at the North West frontier, as punishment for attacking his RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) who had told him he could not go home when he expected to.

But his greatest fear is he might never be able to bring Joyce, 93, back home to the flat in Hillhouse Court they shared for 17 years before the dementia started to take its toll on her around a year ago.

George, who eventually returned home to start a career in banking, said: "I'm not physically sick myself. I've been her carer for eight years. It's taken its toll on my legs and back. My brain is beautiful. I feel fine.

"But my wife is in respite. The idea is to go there for me to have a rest. But now there's talk I might not get her back and that what's worrying me because I might not get her back. And it's heartbreaking.

"After all that campaigning and being separated for all that time, we just couldn't bear to be apart. We still can't. We used to go out a lot. We've had a wonderful life. We've had some fun.

"And after all that I've been through in the war, we've never been in trouble with police, never been in debt, nor have our children. We don't like being parted but it looks now as if we have to be.

What is most frustrating for George is that he is unable to share the same bed as Joyce.

George said: "I would like to get her back here for a little bit longer if I can, but I know I can't look after her in the long term.

"I can't stay there with her. There's no point me moving in there, because we can't share a room.

"We are both so unhappy with the same situation. There may be a lot of other people in the same boat, but I've always been proud about my relationship with my wife.

"It seems such a tragedy at this point to be forced apart because of her illness."

Management at Queens Park Court have said George is welcome any time and can spend as much time with Joyce as he wishes.

He is also looking at transferring his council house to one nearer the care home to make it easier to visit.

HUNDREDS of friends and family filled St Mary's Church in South Woodham Ferrers to say their final farewell to Abbey Parker and Bradley Cooper.

The teenage couple were killed on September 16 when their motorbike collided with two tractors on the Lower Burnham Road, North Fambridge.

And as friends dressed in leopard print stood in the church grounds listening to the service on outdoor speakers, the families of the tragic pair have started a campaign to reduce the speed limit on rural roads.

Abbey's mum, Louise Parker, of Mayland, said: "It sounds strange to say it but it was an absolutely fantastic service.

"There were hundreds of people there and they couldn't all fit into the church.

"Teenagers get such bad press in the papers but I want to say thank you to all the young people who showed their support, it was overwhelming."

Abbey 17, and Bradley, 18, of South Woodham, had been a couple for over three years and were on their way to a charity motorcycle run for the Essex Air Ambulance when the accident happened.

Mrs Parker, who also has a 15-year-old son, added: "It's been so hard since the accident but we've had so much support from people it's been unbelievable.

"The mornings are the worst because you wake up and everything seems normal and then you remember – I just expect to see Abbey walk through the doors but I know that's not going to happen.

"She loved leopard print so we asked people to wear that and we played the Rihanna song Diamonds In The Sky, because it seemed fitting.

"Mr Ayling, the head teacher of their old school, William de Ferrers, did a reading that was so emotional. As a couple their song was Bon Jovi's 'Always' and we played that – I can't listen to it without crying."

The funeral was held on Thursday, October 11.

In a bid to stop another accident like this Mrs Parker and her family have started a petition which they hope to have discussed in the House of Commons.

"My husband's niece and nephews, Lydia, Liam and Jamie Griffiths have set up a petition to reduce the speed of rural roads from 60 mph to 40.

"You need over 100,000 signatures which is a crazy amount, but we hope people will sign it.

"I just really want something good, if that's the right word to come from this.

"I know I can't bring Abbey back but I would like to try and prevent another accident like this happening and hopefully by reducing the speed we can."

To sign the petition visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/39233. For more information email Louise at loulouparker74@hotmail.co.uk

THE Essex Chronicle and Anglia Ruskin University are giving Essex citizens the unique chance to quiz candidates before casting their vote in the very first Police and Crime Commissioner election.

In 20 days' time, about 1.3 million people in Essex will have the first chance to elect a top police chief and determine how policing runs in your area.

But amid fears the voting turnout will be low, the Essex Chronicle and ARU decided to boost the process by co-hosting a hustings in the heart of the county.

You will get the chance to ask why it is better for the police to be overseen by one £80,000 a year US-style Police and Crime Commissioner instead of a committee of appointees previously elected by the public mainly through local councils.

And you will be able to ask how crime issues will be tackled in your local area.

Once elected the candidate will serve for four years and at our event you will be able to find out how they will work for you before making the all-important voting decision on November 15.

The event will be held at the Lord Ashcroft Building, Anglia Ruskin University, on October 31.

Please arrive at 6.45 for a 7.15pm start.

If you have any questions for the candidates e-mail them in advance to newsdesk@essexchronicle.co.uk marked "Police and Crime Commissioner Question". Please include your name, address and telephone number if possible.

The chairman will select as many questions as can be included the 90-minute session.

ARU says it can accommodate up to 400 people, and evening parking is free in and around the campus.

English Democrats

Aged 54

From Willingale, near Ongar

Robin is national chairman of the English Democrats, a solicitor who runs his own firm in Essex and is past president of the Mid-Essex Law Society.

He is married with three children.

Robin says: "If elected I shall maintain the policing budget for Essex and resist Conservative ministers' plans to cut the budget by 15 per cent. This would lead to a disastrous loss of over 350 police constables and therefore reduce our police force's capability to catch criminals and maintain law and order in Essex!

"If elected every police station in Essex will proudly fly the Cross of St George and will promote Essex's celebrations of St George's Day. I shall insist upon a zero tolerance attitude on the part of Essex police force to petty crime and anti-social behaviour, which blights so many of our communities."

"It is criminals that should be afraid, not good citizens!

"I will have zero tolerance to political correctness in Essex policing and focus Essex Police on traditional English law and order and cracking down on real criminals and gangs.

"When I say that my priority will be "more police – catching criminals", I mean it and I shall not hesitate to use the full powers this office to achieve it.

"So, if you are an Essex voter and you want a police force unfettered by political correctness and doing the job that we all once thought they were paid to do, then on the November 15 vote Robin Tilbrook."

UKIP

Aged 63

Originally from Cambridgeshire but now lives in Epping

Andrew has a degree in economics and statistics and is qualified as a chartered accountant.

He is married and has adult children.

Andrew says: "The first PCC has a special responsibility to engage with both police and the public. Recent events show that the police need to be properly accountable. Even good officers can allow standards to slip when not properly supervised.

"I would work for more police officers on our streets (including more Special Constables) and community-based police officers in new local police houses, built by developers. I want Essex Police to be trusted by the public and to re-focus on the side of the householder and victims. No one should be fearful of the police but those engaged in criminal or anti-social activity must learn they deserve no favours or sympathy.

"Candidates from a career in the police or security may not be best qualified to challenge police performance and Home Office pressure. Instead my proven professional skills and training can squeeze the best value out of shrinking police budgets and ensure openness and accountability. The police and crime commissioner must campaign with other agencies outside his control to achieve improvements for Essex.

"My slogan is 'RESPECT and PROTECT' to make Essex Police accountable and united with the public. Make Essex Police the best in Britain and Essex the safest county.

"See my website at target="_blank">www.smith4essex.org

Independent

Aged 58

From Tendring

Linda has worked in a diverse range of business environments including being self-employed and she spent ten years with a city law firm.

For the last four years she has served as an independent member of the Essex Police Authority, and was vice-chairman until June of this year.

She has been married for 35 years.

She said: "I was the Essex representative to the Association of Police Authorities, police staff council and I was part of the joint strategic committees for Kent/Essex and the Eastern Region.

"I regularly met with the chief constable to call the force to account. I have made decisions at the highest levels of police governance. Equally I have regularly gone out on patrol to engage with frontline officers.

"I am determined to keep politics out of policing. The public and the police must be consulted, listened to and advised truthfully.

"I am proud to have been a parish councillor and a trustee of the Rural Community Council of Essex.

"I will be open and transparent about my decisions. The public must know how their money is being spent on policing.

"I will fight any further government cuts to the police budget.

"I support voluntary groups in the reduction of crime and dealing with the victims of crime. I will address road safety issues.

"I have always engaged with the public and I will expand and improve on this process as police and crime commissioner."

Labour

Aged 54

From Thurrock

Valerie is educated to A-level standard and has a Btec in Business Administration.

She is general manager for Wincanton Logistics with the responsibility for the Procter and Gamble Contract based in West Thurrock.

She is also deputy leader of Thurrock Council with portfolio responsibility for housing.

She has three grown-up children and a Cocker Spaniel,

Valerie said: "Together we can bring crime down.

"As police and crime commissioner I will focus on bringing the community together to assist the police in reducing anti-social behaviour, ensure victims are supported and criminals are properly punished.

" In these constrained times I have the skills to deliver improved results with fewer resources."

Valerie pledges to:

Work with the whole community to prevent and tackle crime

Put victims at the heart of the policing strategy

Police will be at the heart of the community

Fight the worrying and growing trend of domestic violence and sexual crimes

Look how Essex can use new technologies and techniques to tackle crime

Put crime reduction at the centre of every planning, housing, health and education decision made in Essex

Protect frontline officers

Oppose privatisation of our police

Independent:

Age 56

From Southend

Mick has enjoyed a varied and long career in the police force as assistant chief constable, head of traffic and head of operations division.

He has worked across Essex and as head of traffic he covered the whole of Harlow and Colchester.

He has served in three police forces – City of London, Metropolitan and Essex.

He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

Mick said: "I have over 34 years of experience working in some of the toughest and most challenging areas of policing.

"I am running as an independent candidate because I believe politics has no part to play in the role of police crime commissioner.

"Having spent the last 12 months speaking to people across Essex, victims of crime, mental health charities, local authorities, police officers and communities, some common themes come through loud and clear.

"Essex people don't want politics deciding policing priorities; they do want to see cops on our streets. They want the police to turn up when they call them, take their problems seriously in order to make their lives better.

"They don't want to become victims, they want less crime and they don't want their lives blighted by antisocial behaviour.

"My aim will be to make Essex safer and to do all I can, working with others to reduce the number of victims who suffer from crime and antisocial behaviour.

"The voice of the people of Essex will be heard loud and clear if I am elected as this county's first police and crime commissioner."

Conservative Party

Aged 60

From Chelmsford

Nick went to King Edward VI Grammar School and Cambridge University.

He is married and has a son in the Royal Artillery in Afghanistan and a daughter who is a teacher. He has two grandchildren.

Nick said: "I was born in Harwich police station and lived all across Essex, following my father's career as a senior police officer.

He said: "After Cambridge I joined the Royal Navy, and then moved to defence and national security. After 32 years' public service, I joined a major international company for five years as the director responsible for security, again often working with police around the world.

"I am now on the advisory board of the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science at UCL and a director at Broomfield Hospital.

"I am enthusiastic about this new democratic role to which I bring unique experience and a record of success to help me both challenge and support the chief constable.

"The role will enable all of us in Essex to have a direct say in setting the priorities of our police and to hold them to account."

Nick's priorities are:

Policing that meets local needs

Policing that is prompt and professional

Effective cooperation between police, councils and the voluntary sector, building on the good work of the Safer Essex initiatives

To be an influential voice in leading public engagement about crime reduction and policing, and to listen to and speak for the victims of crime

For more details see www.nickalston.com

PREMIER DIVISION

TOP match of the week was at BAE Selex 'A' with Chris Knight, Paul Sayer and Jon Stokes needing a doubles win to ensure victory over Billericay 'A'.

The Billericay team were made up of Alex Abbott (unbeaten), Glenn Johnson (one win) and Keith Ashton (scoreless).

The home pair duly took the doubles to record a 6-4 home win over a side likely to cause a few ripples in the Premier Division this season.

Another match featuring top players in the Premier saw Kingswood 'A' defeat Cranston Park 7-3 with their new recruit Kuan Lim unbeaten. Gus Heath winning twice and Steve Buer once. Ev Lucas, John Mansfield and Hamish Innes all picked up points for Park.

FIRST DIVISION

BRENTWOOD Table Tennis Club's new recruit David Humble was perhaps somewhat disappointed not to record a hat-trick in his team's match against Billericay 'C' at Tipps Cross as his final single against Brian Farmer saw him lose the fifth end 10/12.

Farmer won his other two games against Bob Garson and Brian Steward. A welcome return for Trevor Collin saw him pick up two wins and a share in a doubles victory which took Billericay to a 6-4 away win. Charles Yeung unable to score.

A big 9-1 win for St Josephs (Hutton) at home against Brentwood 'D' . Mike Pratley and Roy Barnes contributed their usual six points with David Barnes dropping one point to Rick Paris. David Halfteck and Stuart Weston unable to contribute.

An away win for Brentwood Hard at Hutton 'A' thanks to Greg Cooper (undefeated), Nick Wright (two wins), and John Barns (one win). Final score 7-3 to the visitors.

Writtle 'B'secured a 7-3 away win, led by Martin Goddard (unbeaten). Kevin Barber with two wins and Anne Lockhart picking up one point against a Brentwood 'C' team of two players in Graham Harris (two wins) and Jon White (one win).

In the Handicap Cup Kingswood introduced another of their new signings Maciej Nakielski along with Gus Heath and Steve Buer against BAE Selex 'B' with Kingswood recording a 5-2 win.

In an Inter League match Brentwood Veterans' Over 40 'A' recorded an easy 8-1 win over a Clacton side of Colin Webber, Gill Locke and Martin Edwards.

CHELMSFORD Chieftains' player/coach Gary Clarke is confident but wary ahead of this Sunday's league game against Milton Keynes Thunder.

The Riverside Leisure Centre-based side could be without key overseas defenceman Tibor Schnider for the game as he's struggling with a trapped nerve.

Clarke said: "Milton Keynes managed to get a draw in Cardiff last week, a rink we lost at recently.

And they beat Streatham at home so they got three out of four points last weekend.

"They're a very organised side.

"The last time we played them it was very difficult, there was only one goal in it and we'll have to make sure we're at our best to come away with the points."

Last weekend was one of mix fortunes on paper for the club with a narrow home league win against the Solent & Gosport Devils followed by a narrow 4-3 defeat away to Invicta Dynamos in the South East Trophy.

The Trophy defeat was immaterial as the Chieftains had already qualified for the final in January where they will meet Wightlink Raiders and Clarke made major tactical changes.

On Saturday against the Devils the Chieftains were made to work hard for their two points by a tough visiting team that battled right to the end of the game and were backstopped by Christian Cole who had an immense game in the Devils net.

"We made the league win on the Saturday very difficult for ourselves," explained Clarke.

"When you compare us man for man when we're a much better team than Solent & Gosport but they came with a game plan and made life very difficult for us. On another night we cold have scored another ten goals but I'm pleased with came away with the points."

Danny Hammond struck early for the home side and the first break was 1-0 to the Chieftains, but it wasn't a convincing scoreline.

Into the second and more goals went in with Clarke doubling the advantage before Kevin Tanner hit back for the south coast side. Darren Brown restored the two goal advantage before the final break, but a third period marker from Mitchell Murray set up a nervy finish for the home crowd.

The Chelmsford side held on, despite late pressure and were lucky to get the extra point.

On Sunday night and the Essex derby between the Chelmsford Warriors and Romford Fury took place in the second tier of the National League which ended 4-4.

This Sunday's games is at home with a 6.30pm face off.

ROMFORD bounced-back from the previous week's disappointing home defeat by putting AFC Sudbury to the sword.

Boro had thrown away a two-goal lead at home to Soham Town Rangers to lose 3-2, but there was to be no repeat of that collapse in Suffolk on Saturday.

Boro started brightly and nearly opened the scoring on four minutes when from a Joe Oates free-kick Sudbury's Michael Shinn headed against the underside of his own bar and the ball bounced out.

Romford continued to pile the pressure on Sudbury and they hit the bar for the second time when Michael Sammut's deep cross was laid back by Joe Turner and Tom Richardson volleyed the ball from 18 yards against the top of the bar and over.

A minute later and Boro scored the goal their play deserved when Tom Richardson made a powerful run at the Sudbury defence and when he got into the box drilled the cross in for Paul Clayton to side-foot home from four yards.

Three minutes later and it was 2-0 when after Sudbury had cleared a Romford corner Oates put the ball back into the box, Clayton headed to Jack Barry whose cross-cum-shot was poked home by Imbert from six yards.

Sudbury's first real chance came on the half hour when Romford failed to clear a corner and Danny Green's effort was cleared off the line.

Back at the other end and after Nick Reynolds had found some space his shot went just wide.

Sudbury got back in the game against the run of play when Lee Boylan raced into the box and was brought down by Oates.

It looked like Oates played the ball but the linesman gave a penalty and the full-back luckily escaped with a yellow card when he could have been the last man.

Boylan buried the penalty into the bottom right of the goal.

Romford immediately went down the other end and Nick Reynolds hit a volley that was brilliantly saved by Howe. Just before half-time Turner had a chance to get Romford's third but his free header was deflected just past the post.

In the third minute of injury time Sudbury managed to make the game level when Boylan latched on to Leon Antoine's lay-off and blasted the ball past the helpless Atu Ngoy in the Boro goal.

Unlike last week Romford were in no mood to throw away another two-goal advantage and Nick Reynolds restored the lead when from Joe Turner's corner he chested the ball down and shot past Howe into the goal on 48 minutes.

Six minutes later and Imbert got on the end of a long ball and headed just wide before being clattered by Howe in goal. Boylan missed his chance for a hat-trick when he shot weakly after good work by Dave Cowley.

On 66 minutes Paul Clayton received the ball after good link up play and cut in unleashing a great shot that again hit the Sudbury bar before getting another chance seconds later that this time was tipped round the post by Howe.

Two minutes later Romford got a free-kick just outside the box and Tom Richardson belted the ball goalward and Howe made another save, but from the follow up Ryan Imbert cheekily back heeled the ball into the goal from Jack Barry's cross.

Imbert nearly got his hat-trick when he raced clean through but shot wide of the goal.

On 72 minutes Richardson picked the ball up on the left wing and ran at the Sudbury defence before cutting in and curling a superb shot past Howe into the bottom corner.

Just as Romford were starting to coast Boylan scored a deflected effort with 13 minutes to go to claim his hat-trick and panic the away fans into thinking they could throw away another lead, but what Boylan could do Imbert could do too and he shot past Howe on 83 minutes when the goalkeeper and centre-back left the ball for each other.

There was still time for Howe to produce another good save, this time from Reynolds when the powerful striker curled the ball goalwards from the edge of the area.

Atu Ngoy made a routine save from Antoine in injury time and the final whistle went with Boro earning a fantastic, well deserved three points.

HOCKEY: Brentwood started the match as fast and dominant as always.

They opened the scoring when a strong interception from Teale who passed for a typical piercing run from Haynes ending in a ferocious reverse stick shot which was expertly hooked in at shoulder height by top scorer Duggan.

This brought the opposition into life and the scores were level through a short corner.

Si Cannon then skilfully worked his way in from the left wing and put a ball through to the goal with Chambers scrambled over the line, 2-1.

Brentwood seemed to relax as half-time approached and the scores were again levelled as a break away run and strong finish saw it 2-2 at the break.

The second half saw fitness take its toll as Brentwood stepped up their attacking play and took the game to their opponents. Duggan got his second, Fryer dispatched a rocket short corner strike and the team play in and around the D saw West Herts chasing shadows as one and two touch hockey created goals for Gilchrist and two for Haynes Jnr.

Haynes Snr then put another reverse stick into the danger zone and Duggan secured his hat-trick. High pressure then gave Haynes Snr a goal of his own as he won the ball midway in the half and did the rest to squeeze it into the near post.

Brentwood remain top of the league and look formidable to any opposition travelling to the fortress.

MALDON 'A's Paul Stephens produced the stand-out performance of the week in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League first division.

Former Brentwood Men's Singles Champion Stephens scored a superb hat-trick of wins against Bocking as Maldon 'A' raced to a 7-3 victory. Stephens opened his account with an excellent five game win over Kevin Gowlett and followed this up with an equally impressive five game victory against Paul Davison and he completed his hat-trick with a 3-0 win over Jon Hill.

With Paul Sayer also winning his three singles Maldon ran out clear-cut winners.

Early leaders Maldon 'B' also won 7-3 and they had Keiran Lally and Minda Sinkus on undefeated form as they beat OCs 'A'.

Minda Sinkus beat Brandon Crouchman 12- 10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the closest game of the night.

ECC 'B' came out on top 6-4 in the battle of the two promoted sides, as they beat Excalibur 'B' 6-4.

Rik James won his three singles for the County Council side whilst Simon Webber won twice. Webber beat Gary Cattermole 12-10, 4-11, 10-12, 11-7,11-9 in the most evenly contested game of the evening.

DANBURY 'B' recorded their first win of the season which was never in doubt. Neil Want, Glen Laing and Tim Pulham won all nine singles as they beat Danbury 'C' 9-1.

LEADERS Elmtree Excalibur 'C' were the week's big winners with both Ian Rattray and Bill Smith undefeated as they beat ECC 'E' 9-1.

Elmtree Excalibur 'D' were 8-2 winners against OCs 'B'. Newcomer Russell Mills and Scott Dowsett both scored hat-tricks. Scott Dowsett had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Frank Hodge 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 7- 11, 11-9.

Allan Thompson was unlucky to be on the losing side in ECC 'E's 6-4 defeat against Chelmsford 'C'. Thompson scored a hat-trick of wins over Chris Denyer, Gordon Fairchild and Dave Parker.

DANBURY 'H' with two 8-2 wins are in pole position with Brian Ellis unbeaten against OCs 'D' with Adrian North winning twice for the Old Chelmsfordians team whilst Dave Powell was undefeated as they beat EPHQ.

Kevin Willis had got Danbury off to a winning start by beating Ian Hockley 11-9, 11- 9, 5-11, 6-11, 12-10 in the opening game. Richard Allen won his three singles for Danbury 'G' in their 6-4 victory against OCs D.

His closest encounter was against Charles Yeung and he eventually emerged as a 10-12, 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 11-8 winner. Brian Riedling's hat-trick gave Maldon 'C' the ascendancy as they beat Chelmsford 'D' 7-3.

But the experienced Riedling was fully extended by Adam Pitt before pulling away in the fifth end to win 12-10, 6-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7.

LEADERS OCs 'E' drew 5-5 with Elmtree Excalibur 'F'. It was the Elmtree team who came out best in the five-enders winning all three games which were decided in the fifth end.

Wiktor Delimat was undefeated for the Elmtree Excalibur side.

Highwood emerged as narrow 6-4 winner against Hatfield Peverel 'E'. Martin Goddard sealed his side's 6-4 victory by getting the better of Andy Simmonds 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4 in the last game of the night.

Simmonds had previously made his mark with 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9 win over Anne Lockhart. Hatfield Peverel 'E' in turn did better against OCs 'G'. Ron Biggs and Paul Malley were both undefeated as they ran out 8-2 winners.

THIS week's FA Cup First Round draw has, as usual, thrown up some interesting ties on Saturday week proving again that it remains the most exciting cup competition around.

It's the day when the smaller clubs hope to cause an upset by beating a Football League outfit.

Non-league clubs like Hendon (away to Aldershot), Met Police (home to Crawley Town), Cambridge City (home to MK Dons), Dorchester Town (home to Plymouth Argyle), Arlesey Town (away to Coventry City), and Gloucester City (home to Leyton Orient) will all be hoping to pull off a shock and make the back page sport headlines on the Sunday morning.

Closer to home one of the big ties of the round, of course, will see Braintree Town take on current npower League One leaders Tranmere Rovers at the Amlin Stadium – it's only the second time in the Iron's long history they've made it to this stage of the competition.

Clearly though Rovers' manager Ronnie Moore knows that it will not be an easy game despite the huge gulf between the sides.

Moore admitted this week he'd have preferred a home draw adding: "You always want to be drawn at home but it wasn't to be.

"Braintree might be a non-league side but they'll be up for the game and in the Blue Square Bet Premier they've just beaten Luton and drawn at Hereford, who are both ex-league sides, so we know we'll have to be at our best on the day."

Iron manager Alan Devonshire is delighted with a home draw: "We have the advantage of playing at home but they are a top side and it will be a real test for my players.

"Everyone knows the FA Cup is unpredictable and upsets do happen and we'll be giving it our best go. "I hope there's a good crowd on the day because that always makes the atmosphere for the FA Cup."

The game is being played on Sunday (November 4) with a 12.30pm kick-off and will be shown live on ITV1.

It will not be an all-ticket game with only grandstand seats being reserved in advance.

Both clubs will pick up £64,000 each from the television company plus other income from ground advertising and with the £12,500 the Iron picked up for winning their fourth qualifying round tie on Saturday it means the club will collect a six-figure income from the competition, irrespective of whether they beat Tranmere or not.

ATHLETICS: A Chelmsford triathlete has pulled off a remarkable feat by coming home seventh in her age group in the famous Hawaii Kona Ironman Race.

Melissa Dowell, who trains with the Braintree-based Born2TRi club, came home in an overall time of 10:56:20 and admitted it was a tough event adding: "I was feeling rather dizzy and dry retching at the end so I was taken to the medical tent for my 2 IV drips."

She went on: "During race and post race thoughts were that I definitely didn't want to return to Kona 2013.

"I had achieved my unspoken personal aim of sub 11 hours and a top 10 finish but I still feel I have some unfinished business as the top five podium slots in my age group don't look too far away to be attainable," she continued.

"I was very happy to reach the finish line in under 11 hours, a significant 22 minute chunk off last year's time, in what felt like tougher conditions," she added.

"I had arrived in Hawaii a week before race day but inexplicably felt very flat all week and wondered if I would be able to find my 'race head' in time.

"I kept telling myself how lucky I was to be here as so many athletes strive for years to qualify. It didn't seem to help though, possibly because I knew what was in store from last year."