DARREN Manning was overjoyed as Hullbridge Sports registered their first ever home Isthmian North triumph.

Sports, who are competing in the fourth tier of non-league football for the first time in the club’s history following their Essex Senior League title win last term, beat AFC Sudbury 2-0 at the Ryan’s Heating Stadium.

Luke Hornsley and Tim Monsheju grabbed the all-important goals and Manning was full of praise for his newly-promoted side.

The Hullbridge chief said: “We were fantastic and executed the gameplan to perfection.

“We knew exactly what Sudbury were going to do and how they were going to go about the game because their philosophy is well known.

“The players stuck to the gameplan and it was really pleasing to put in a good performance as well as get the three points.

“After losing both of our first two home games of the season, we went into the game with the same mindset as we have away from home.

“It was important to make sure that we were well structured, defensively sound, well organised and then clinical going forward.

“We were and I thought we deserved to pick up the three points.”

Hullbridge broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when Hornsley converted from close range.

And Monsheju put daylight between the two sides with 61 minutes on the clock.

Sudbury lost possession and Monsheju burst through before curling his strike beyond goalkeeper Paul Walker.

The visitors could not find a way back into the contest and Hullbridge were able to register back-to-back Isthmian North wins after emerging victorious at Cambridge City last month.

Manning was pleased to see Sports impress at both ends of the pitch.

“I have been saying for a few weeks that we have been doing well but needed to find that clinical edge,” added Manning.

“We were clinical against Sudbury and I always knew that we would score goals in this division because of the forwards we have at the club.

“All six of the strikers we have can score goals at this level and it’s great that Luke and Tim are off the mark in the league this season.

“It was also fantastic to keep a clean sheet.

“The win was for all of the people who work so hard behind the scenes at the club.

“We had won away already, but it was nice to see smiles on their faces after a first ever home win at this level.”