THERE were three eye-catching derbies in a reduced Thurlow Nunn League programme.

Several fixtures were lost to the weather but there was no stopping HARWICH AND PARKESTON, as they defeated first division south rivals WIVENHOE TOWN 2-0 at the Gwinnell and Sons Royal Oak.

Jake Plane put them ahead before Adam Hampson added his first goal for the Shrimpers.

The first division south programme got underway on Friday night, with HALSTEAD TOWN thumping fellow north Essex side BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES 4-0.

Ricky Gardner was their hat-trick hero, putting them ahead and then, after Jamie Baker’s headed second, scoring from a free-kick to make it 3-0.

Gardner then capped a great night both individually and collectively by chipping a fourth in stoppage time.

The third derby came in the premier division, on Saturday, as in-form BRANTHAM ATHLETIC welcomed FC CLACTON to the Leisure Centre.

The Imps continued their resurgence with a 3-0 victory, thanks to goals from Michael Brothers, Jack Madley and Jonathan Lee.

Meanwhile, there were important games in the BetVictor Isthmian League.

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT had a home date with Margate, in the premier division, and came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw.

Reece Prestedge put the visitors ahead on the hour-mark mark but Jake Clowsley grabbed an equaliser for Kem Izzet’s side, notching in the 84th minute.

The R's remain bottom, level on points with Wingate and Finchley.

In division north, leaders MALDON AND TIPTREE came from behind to win 2-1 at Dereham Town.

Charlee Hughes came up trumps with their equaliser, late in the first half, after Toby Hilliard had opened the scoring for the Norfolk side.

Conor Hubble then stroked home a penalty, ten minutes from time, to make it a buoyant trip home for the Jammers.

In the other game of note, WITHAM TOWN lost 2-0 at Brentwood Town after first-half goals from Adam Topley and Alan Fleming.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS’ home match against Tilbury was postponed, due to the conditions caused by Storm Dennis, as was COGGESHALL TOWN’S trip to Histon.

The wet, windy conditions also led to a succession of postponements in the Thurlow Nunn League.

STANWAY ROVERS’ premier division fixture at home to Ely City was called off, as were the first division south contests between COGGESHALL UNITED and LITTLE OAKLEY and Barkingside and HOLLAND FC.

Meanwhile, the draw for the First Division Knockout Cup semi-finals was made on Saturday.

Rivals Harwich and Oakley will meet at the Gwinnell and Sons Royal Oak on Wednesday, March 11.

The other last-four tussle will be Norwich CBS or March Town United against Mulbarton Wanderers or Lakenheath.

In Vanarama National League South, BRAINTREE TOWN drew 0-0 at home to Hemel Hempstead Town.