Colin Wallington has thanked his Tiptree United strikers for producing a sterling performance in their 3-2 Ridgeons League premier division victory over Haverhill Rovers.

Tiptree went 3-0 up before letting in a couple of late goals, but Wallington felt his side were worthy winners in the end.

With a host of players out injured and unavailable, Jon Watson returned from a short spell at Witham Town to get on the scoresheet, while Jamie Ricks returned to form with a double.

Wallington told the Gazette: “It was a really funny game. We were appaling in the first half and they were not much better.

belief “It wasn’t the best game in the world and I got into them a bit at half-time and we got into the second half with a bit of belief.

“For 20 minutes we were brilliant and went 3-0 up. Jon Watson and Jamie Ricks both had excellent games and worked really well in tandem. They tore them to pieces.”

Tiptree lost another player to injury in captain Neil Shade, having already been down on numbers.

Wallington played 16-year-old Alex Nelson in midfield and said the youngster did well.

The result leaves Tiptree in 11th place – seven points off fourth with three games in hand.