After the Sunday team won their cockle-shed derby last week, it was now time for the Saturday Vets to step up and claim local bragging rights once again.

A breezy and cold, yet sunny afternoon at Belfairs Park. 1st versus 2nd. The division's two top scorers on show. The scene was set for a good game of football. The last time the two sides had faced each other was back in mid-November and it was a nail-biter. The Rams had taken an early three-goal lead but found themselves 4-3 down at the break, helped by three penalties being awarded to Town. But the Rams rallied in the second half and prevailed 6-5. Rams would be hoping for the same result but without the raised heart rates this time.

And thankfully, this is what we got. Town came out of the blocks quickly for ten minutes and that storm was comfortably weathered without any real threat on goal and the Rams began to exert control over the game. Ronnie Winterflood in particular was doing a great job of marshalling former Rams Reserves player Paul Oshin in the middle of the park, whilst Dane Willis on the right-hand side was a constant threat.

The Rams had to work hard for their breakthrough which eventually came just three minutes before the end of the half. Owen Rice made a nuisance of himself in the box, allowing the ball to fall for the in form Joe Bright who hammered home high into the roof of the net. It was a thoroughly deserved lead for the Rams.

The message from the management was "more of the same" for the second half and the Rams went out unchanged. Both sides adjusted quickly to the conditions, with the wind having a big impact, and the Rams continued to control the game. It wasn't long before the lead was extended when centre-back Ben Whiting went forward to take a long throw from the left-hand side. He found the head of Owen Rice who was able to knock it into the danger area where the ever-lively Dane Willis was able to react first and sweep the ball home.

A couple of changes were made to rest some weary legs but the overall pattern of play didn't really alter, with Town's forwards largely ineffective through a mixture of a well-marshalled back four and a hard-working midfield that was preventing them from getting any service.

The Rams took a 3-0 lead when Jack O'Connor's well-placed freekick could only be parried by the Town keeper and it was that man Dane Willis again who was first to react, tapping into an empty net for his second of the game.

This prompted a big Town effort to get back into the game but again the storm was weathered until a speculative ball into the box was carried goalwards on the wind. It looked for second as though it might catch out the Rams keeper, Clint Rostron, completely but he managed to tip it onto the crossbar. Unfortunately the first to react was one of Town's forwards who was able to head in from close range. With just under ten minutes to go, it could have acted as a springboard for a comeback. But the Rams were able to see out the victory and extend their run to 16 successive victories. The Rams go into their final two league games knowing that it is completely in their hands and two more wins will see us crowned champions.

But there's still hard work to be done. Next week is the league cup semi final against Tiptree Heath at Belfairs Park, a side that currently sits top of the Division 3 East and who beat Leigh Town in the previous round.

Up The Rams!