SHAMIDO Pedulu stepped off the bench to deliver early Christmas cheer for Witham Town in Bostik League division north.

Witham’s 1-0 win against Aveley means they have now taken 20 points from their last ten games and are pressing up towards the play-off places heading into their busy run of festive action.

It was a result built on a solid defensive display from Witham at the Village Glass Stadium as they kept out their visitors before wrapping up the points in the final stages of the game.

The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute when Pedulu, who had stepped off the bench in the 65th minute fired home what proved to be the winning goal.

There was also pre-Christmas cheer for MALDON & TIPTREE in division north as they won on the road at Hertford.

The Jammers had to come from behind to earn their three points, though.

They conceded in the third minute to a goal by Hertford’s Charlie Ruff, who was later sent off just after the half-hour mark, but Maldon were soon level as Oluwole Akinsanya levelled on six minutes.

Josh Pollard then fired the visitors ahead and top-scorer Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe stretched their lead in the 45th minute.

A late Michael Toner penalty did give Hertford some hope of getting something from the game, however, Maldon and Tiptree hung on for a 3-2 win and three Christmas points.

There was just the one point for HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS as they were held to a 3-3 draw as they hosted Barking.

Goals either side of half-time from Barking’s Dan Gilchrist and Martin Tuohy put the visitors in control, but Swifts hit back in the latter stages as, first, Luke Callander and then Juan Luque pulled them level after 81 minutes.

Gilchrist soon had Barking back in front, but a last-minute strike from Ryan Henshaw made sure Swifts claimed something from the match.

There was, however, no joy for BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT in the premier division.

The R’s had Billy Hunt on target in the 27th and 90th minutes in their trip to Hendon, but the hosts fired in four times themselves as they wrapped up a 4-2 victory.