TIPTREE United's half-term report reads Grade A.

The Jam-makers just need to keep their nerve during the second half of the season and promotion from Ridgeons League Division 1 is theirs, such is the manner in which they have breezed to the top of the table.

Chapel Road has never been short on action since Colin Wallington took over the reins in the summer. He came in with one objective - promotion - and he does not look as though he is going to disappoint.

Tiptree are the team to beat in the first division, the big-guns, the Goliath. But Wallington has had to develop them, and mould them into a unit which is hard to beat and good enough to last the pace.

Many of last season's squad followed former boss Jody Brown to Halstead Town.

Top scorers James Robinson (Maldon) and Chris Bryan (Halstead) both departed, leaving a gaping hole up front, while regulars such as Josh Leeke, Dave Streetley and Sen Murfet were also on their way.

However, with the aid of a bit of finance, Wallington has built a side which he feels would be comfortable in the Ryman League.

Neil Shade, a player he had at Maldon, came in from Ipswich Wanderers to keep it tight at the back.

Craig Huttley, a key member of Wallington's successful Maldon side, made the short trip to Tiptree, although he has missed most of the season so far with injury.

Tommy Noble cost a record transfer fee when he signed from AFC Sudbury. The goals have not yet flowed for him, but Wallington knows he has the quality to score a bucket load.

His best acquisition has been midfielder Lee Owen - a player he says is as good as anyone he has managed. Owen has suffered, like many at Tiptree in the past couple of months, with injury. He is fit again, though, and provided he stays fit, Tiptree have a talent capable of opening up defences at will.

Tom English returned to the club after a spell at Ipswich Wanderers, and he has been banging in the goals - 16 in the league and 18 in total in all competitions.

Wallington has been wheeling and dealing all season in a bid to get the team he wants. The majority of his signings have been youngsters with potential, such as Luke Webster and Ian Nimmo who were both at Ipswich Town, and more recently Rhys Darg, who was at West Brom's academy.

On current form, they look certain to achieve the promotion dream.