FOOTBALL

Waltham Abbey 2
Tilbury 0
(Ryman One North) WALTHAM Abbey all-but ensured they will be playing Ryman League football next season after claiming victory against Tilbury last night.

Second half strikes from Lee White and James Elmes gave Abbots the points in a fastpaced match, and moved them 16 points clear of the bottom two.

It also stopped the rot of four straight defeats.

Captain White said: "A couple more wins would really push us further away from any relegation trouble so that we're a bit more secure.

"We should now be looking at a mid table finish and then building for next season.

"Hopefully we can start getting a squad together and start competition for places."

It wasn't such good news for Abbots on Saturday as they lost to 2-1 to Witham.

They started the game brightly and took a 29th minute lead when Albert Bostock headed home.

But, against the run of play, Witham equalised through Grant O'Donnell following a mistake by keeper John Hickman.

And the hosts sealed the winner on 58 minutes, Kevin Hawes heading into an empty net from close range.

Nick Burt and Marc Sontag both spurned good opportunities as Abbots failed to grab a point.

Waltham Abbey are at home to Aveley on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in other team news, rivals Waltham Forest have made a seven-day approach for Calvin Petrie, while reserve team keeper Martin Cichowlas is out for season with a shoulder injury.