After three consecutive wins to start the Ryman North season, Waltham Abbey have slipped to ninth following back-to-back defeats.

The Abbey were thrashed 4-1 at Harlow Town on Bank Holiday Monday after finding themselves 2-0 down after 13 minutes.

Goals from David Cowley and James Smith gave the Abbots an uphill battle before David Kendall added a third just before the break.

Alexander Read added a fourth for Harlow five minutes after the restart, with Jason Hallet scoring a consolation for the visitors with 19 minutes remaining.

Waltham Abbey’s home game against Burnham Ramblers on Saturday was abandoned after 20 minutes following a serious leg break sustained by Ben Bradbury.

After being taken to hospital, Bradbury had a metal rod inserted into his leg, with the hospital requiring 50 per cent weight bearing on his leg before they will allow him to return home.

Club chairman John Martin and secretary Simon Casey will undergo the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ on the pitch in order to raise money for Bradbury ahead of Saturday’s game against Cockfosters.

Redbridge were also beaten on Monday, losing 2-1 at Brentwood Town, leaving them third-bottom of the division.

Stanley Sherwin put visitors Brentwood ahead after seven minutes and three minutes before half-time, Robbie Rees doubled his side’s lead by reacting quickest from close range.

Daniel Charge pulled one back for the Motormen in the 90th minute but it was no more than a consolation for Dave Ross’ men.

On Saturday, Redbridge were trounced 5-1 at high-flying Soham Town Rangers.

Joey Abbs handed Soham the lead after 11 minutes before Ryan Sharman doubled up 12 minutes later.

Patrick Damali did pull one back for the visitors a minute before the break but in the 69th minute, Sharman scored his second to end any hope of a comeback.

Andres Gutierrez Pantiga got in on the act just seven minutes later to make it 4-1, before Abbs helped himself to a second in the 90th minute.

In the Essex Senior League, Waltham Forest continued their underwhelming start to life at a lower level by losing 2-1 at home to Basildon United.

Roy Ferrari-Hallowell skewed the hosts’ best chance wide in a quiet first period before visitors Basildon took the lead in the second half.

George Whitby got the goal, beating Ferhat Hussein with a low shot.

The Stags equalised through Neil Thompson, who took advantage of miscommunication in the Basildon defence to lob home his third of the season.

In the 92nd minute, Forest’s good work was undone as Lorenzo Ramsey struck from 30 yards after the hosts failed to track back following an attacking move.