With just three league games having been played since then, however, due to the weather, and just one of those games at home in midweek, Gardiners Close has been in hibernation while others have played on.

From battling with the leaders, the Bees are now in a lowly 11th position, over 20 points off the pace. Incredibly, though, with having up to 8 games in hand on those around them, a late late run for the ESL championship is by no means out of the question – especially with 19 goal Wes Bocking in the Basildon ranks.

The Black’n'Ambers will, fingers crossed, host Barking tomorrow, who turned over Bowers & Pitsea 3-1 on another depressing night for the home side at the Len Salmon Stadium. Amidst much hype pre-season, it’s been a desperately disappointing season for the Crown Avenue based club.

True, they have only played the same number of matches as Basildon, but just 4 wins all season – and 2 of them against crisis torn basement side Mauritius Sports – tells its own story. 12 defeats out of 18 league games is an unexpectedly poor return.

Tomorrow, again fingers crossed, they host resurgent Sawbridgeworth Town, and regulars will be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes on the pitch sooner rather than later.

With two derby matches looming, Essex Senior League has rarely been so intriguing in this neck of the woods. Why not get yourself over to The Hive and the Len Salmon Stadium to find out? And if you do, expect the unexpected!

Pride of place goes to Canvey Island, who hammered struggling Cray Wanderers 5-1 in their Ryman Premier League clash at Park Lane. The win lifts the Gulls into sixth, just a place and a point off a play-off berth.

The gap was closed due to struggling Billericay Town holding 5th placed Tooting & Mitcham to a fine 1-1 draw away. The New Lodge side are still third bottom, four points and a couple of places from safety, but their recent run of form augurs well for the battle ahead.

It’s a battle of a different kind for Conference South outfit Thurrock. The Fleet continued their unlikely promotion push by dispatching Bath City 3-1. Sitting pretty in fourth place, it seems as if the Ship Lane outfit really mean business.

Rounding off a good day locally were Ryman One North side Tilbury. They kept their own play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Redbridge at a windswept Chadfields. The Dockers task, however, is a little harder, being just four points off a coveted play-off spot, but having played up to six games more than their rivals.