The big three of the Schweppes Essex Senior League gave themselves plenty of Christmas cheer by pulling off good wins on Saturday.
While top dogs Brentwood triumphed 1-0 at fourth-placed East Ham, closest rivals Basildon United had a 3-1 success at bottom club Eton Manor.
The new towners had two goals from John Doyle and one by Lee Smith to thank for their success over Eton Manor, who could only reply through Thompson's solo strike.
Barkingside, lying third, ran out 2-0 winners at home to Burnham Ramblers.
After last week's thrashing of Eton Manor at home by a 5-0 scoreline, Hullbridge Sports were again among the goals and continued their climb up the table with a 3-3 draw at Ilford.
The game pitched the League's current top marksmen in direct opposition - Ilford's Chris Stevens and Hullbridge veteran Howard Mackler.
Both grabbed two goals apiece here to put Stevens on 17 and Mackler 13.
Michael Cole gave Ilford a 26th minute lead and Mackler replied after 33 minutes before Stevens grabbed his first five minutes later.
This time Jason Jay got Hullbridge's leveller after 58 minutes and, although Stevens grabbed a second to restore Ilford's advantage after 61 minutes, Mackler ensured a share of the spoils with his 90th minute second.
Hullbridge face a tough time next week as they visit leaders Brentwood on Saturday before going to New Lodge to meet Ryman League Premier Division side Billericay Town on New Year's Day in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup (2pm).
Following the previous weekend's FA Carlsberg Vase demise at Surrey club Westfield, Bowers United suffered another bad day when losing 2-1 at home to Stansted.
Despite much drier weather generally over the past week, three Senior League games were washed out due to waterlogged pitches on Saturday - Leyton v Southend Manor, Saffron Walden v Woodford and Sawbridgeworth v Concord.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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