HULLBRIDGE Sports won a thrilling encounter with promotion-chasing FC Romania…in what was their first competitive match in three weeks!

Mark Bliss’ side has seen game after game fall by the wayside because of the weather but they were worthy winners against Romania.

Luke Hornsley shot over after only three minutes and the first goal didn’t come until 23 minutes had been played.

And Hornsley did get the goal, as he was picked out by Charlie Little’s delightful free-kick.

However, that lead didn’t last long when Crawford Plenderleith couldn’t keep out a fierce effort.

And the match was turned on its head shortly before the break when Romania scored once again, despite Sports’ appeals for offside to lead at half-time.

Romania started the second-half well but couldn’t stop Sports equalising, with Reece Brandon netting.

The goal that decided the game came 20 minutes from time and it was Hornsley once again. The striker picked up the ball and thrashed home an effort off the underside of the crossbar and in.

Elsewhere in the Essex Senior League, Basildon United enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over Newham.

Player/manager Craig Gillam scored the opening goal seven minutes before the break, before Ben Sartain made it 2-0 shortly after half-time.

Callum Leahy and Sartain scored the other goals to move Bees to within one place of the Bees.

Southend Manor couldn’t follow up their impressive 3-1 win over Romania in the week against the new league leaders Barking.

They were beaten 4-1, with all the goals coming in the second-half.

The opening goal for Barking came from a corner before a neat team move saw them double their advantage.

Manor grabbed a goal back but a late double from Tom Jeffes condemned Southend to defeat.

Bowers & Pitsea’s match with Haringey Borough was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.