Wells delighted with Epping as they win relegation 'six-pointer'

EPPING beat bottom side Manford Way to ease their Essex Olympian League relegation fears.

A Cheng Mparapsu brace and another from Chris Muir earned Mark Wells' men a 3-1 win.

Mparapsu opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a poked effort from two yards.

He doubled the advantage ten minute later, latching onto a free ball, rounding the keeper and slotting into the empty net.

Tom Aires pulled one back for Manford on 65 minutes, but Muir wrapped it up in the 83rd minute with a precise 18-yard shot.

Wells was delighted with the result. He said: "We went into this game with no illusions as to how important it was - it was clearly a six pointer.

"We defended resolutely when we had to and held on for a good win."

Epping host Takeley on Saturday.

Buckhurst Hill boss Phil Hernon was delighted with his players as they recorded a 2-0 victory at Sarratt.

Dean Harper opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a 30-yard bullet header, and Chris Bishop sealed it ten minutes from time by heading in Peter Beaumont's cross.

Hernon said: "In the second half we played some of our best football of the season - we were oustanding.

"The lads have shown real character and have reacted well to a few defeats."

The result keeps Hill in fourth place in Herts County Senior League Division One. They're at home to Allenburys on Saturday.

A poor second half saw Debden crash out of the Romford Premier Charity Cup semi final to Essex Olympian League outfit Harold Wood Athletic.

The scores were locked at 2-2 at the end of an even first half - Debden's goals coming from Steve Ovhiltree - but Wood upped the pressure in the second half and ran out comfortable 6-2 winners.

Boss Graham Smith said: "We let ourselves down a bit in the second half.

"In recent weeks we have defended well, so to let in six is disappointing.

"The important thing now is that we bounce back in the league because that's what important for us."

Debden are in Herts Senior League action away at Bedwell Rangers on Saturday.

Lee Humphrey and Paul Hughes scored for Ongar Town but they could only a point from a 2-2 draw with visitors Sandon Royals. Ongar are at home to Faces FC on Saturday. Loughton came back from two goals down to record a 4-2 win at Heath Rovers in the Bishop's Stortford, District and Stansted League Plate.

Two goals from Tom Carter, Anthony Baker and Peter Campbell was enough to seal the second round tie.

Loughton are at home to Hatfield Heath on Saturday.