Waltham Abbey’s dismal 2018 in the Bostik Premier League North Division continued on Saturday, as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Potters Bar.

A first half penalty by Michael Murray on the stroke of half time was backed up by a second half double from Jack Bennett to hand the visitors a comfortable win over Abbey, who had to play the last 25 minutes with ten men after Ben Glasgow was dismissed.

The result leaves Abbey in 18th place in the table and means they have now lost 15 of their 20 games in the league this year.

Elsewhere, Waltham Forest’s upturn in fortunes under player-manager Ryan Maxwell continued, as they secured a crucial 2-1 win over relegation rivals Stansted to aid their fight against the drop in the Essex Senior League.

It was Stansted who took an early lead thanks to Ryan Ramsay’s spot kick, but Forest got back on level terms with just under ten minutes of the first half remaining as Elias Siligato’s deflected effort found the back of the net.

But having trailed early on, Forest would take the lead on the stroke of half-time as Shomari Barnwell calmly converted from the spot, after Michael Clayton was sent off after handling the ball on the line.

Forest survived pressure from Stansted in the second half, with Joe Lustig making a crucial block on the line, to secure all three points, meaning they now sit five points clear of the drop zone.

Meanwhile Wadham Lodge’s relegation concerns deepened, as they were thrashed 5-1 away to West Essex.

Paul Oshin gave the visitors the lead before Michael Mignot equalised on the stroke of half-time to send the teams in on level terms at the interval.

But West Essex were to put their opponents to the sword in the second half, as strikes from Isaac Marfo, Tom MacLeod, Josh French and Mignot secured them a dominant 5-1 win.

At the other end of the table, Redbridge’s hopes of earning promotion from the Essex Senior League were dealt another blow as Freddy Tandon’s second half strike handed Sporting Bengal United a 2-1 win.

United were to take the lead in comical fashion in the 17th minute, when Redbridge goalkeeper Lewis Green’s clearance smashed into Bobby Redwood and flew over the line.

But having got back on level-terms on the stroke of half-time thanks to Brian Moses’ header, Redbridge were to be dealt a further sucker punch as Tandon rifled the ball into the roof of the net with 15 minutes remaining to secure United the win, meaning they broke their record points tally for a season in the Essex Senior League.

The result was a blow to Redbridge, who lost ground to FC Romania and Basildon United after their respective wins, meaning they now sit three points from third.

Lastly, it was another disappointing week for Ilford who were condemned to their seventh defeat in a row after they were beaten 3-1 by Barkingside.

Second half strikes from Roddy Lemba, James Briggs and Michael Ogboin cancelled out Jake McWee’s opener for Ilford, leaving them in 11th place in the table.