OLYMPIAN: Ten-man Rayleigh Town went down to Kelvedon Hatch having had to play all but 15 minutes a man light.

Town were in for a tough fight against the table-topping side and their cause wasn’t helped by the early red card, with the hosts losing the clash 3-0 – ensuring Kelvedon Hatch’s 100 per cent start to the season continued.

Hannakins Farm were also losers on the day against May & Baker EC. George Lay had drawn Hannakins level but a goal in each half condemned them to their first defeat in three games.

In Division One, White Ensign continued their impressive form to record their fourth win against Westhamians.

They won 2-0 with goals from Yaw Danso and Darren Burrel doing the damage, and they could even afford to miss a penalty. They sit top of the league after the win.

A solitary Bradley O’Donnovan goal ensured Harold Hill took the points against Canning Town.

Leigh Ramblers were also winners, triumphing 3-1 over local rivals Old Southendian, with Max Corrigan (two) and Justin Hazell on target.

Herongate Athletic were narrow losers in an end-to-end game against Galleywood. Anton Dywer made a scoring debut for the visitors, netting twice in a 3-2 loss, but they remain rooted to the bottom of the division.

Benfleet smashed in an impressive five goals against Rochford Town in Division Two but were still on the losing side after a remarkable comeback.

Trailing 4-1 at half-time Rochford came storming out of the block to strike seven times in the second half, running out 8-5 winners.

A Ryan Lancaster hat-trick, a double from Ben Smith and also strikes from Carl Read, Daniel Barrington and Nathan Dewberry score the Rochford goals. Benfleet’s goals came from James Braithwaite (two) and Stuart Paton (two) with Tony Fraser scoring the other goal.

Basildon Town threw away a 2-0 lead to go down 3-2 to LOASS. Marcus Bowers and Mark Saunders had put the hosts in charge before the second half surge from the away side.

In Division Three, Southend Sports suffered their second league defeat on the trot after they conceded twice in the first half against FC Hamlets POAPC. Jimmy Webb scored from the spot but two goals from Ashley King were enough for the hosts to take the win.