ROVERS 3-1 WHITE ENSIGN

Report credit to Chris Phillips of the Southend Echo

Great Wakering Rovers saw off White Ensign 3-1 in a local derby with a difference on Monday.

The two teams both play their Essex Senior League games at Burroughs Park.

But it was the landlords who bagged bragging rights on Monday, much to the delight of Wakering’s Max Gnandi, who scored his side's third goal in the victory.

"It’s a great feeling to get the win especially over one of our rivals," said Gnandi.

"We’ve stuck together as a group and that hard work is now starting to show in our results.

It’s now about keeping up that momentum and confidence that we’ve been building throughout the whole season."

Callum Boylan fired Wakering into the lead in the 35th minute before Harry Talbot made it 2-0 just before the hour mark.

Ensign got a goal back in the 64th minute through Ethan Evison before Wakering sealed their win with Gnandi running through to score.

And he was thrilled to make the most of the opportunity.

"As always it’s good to get a goal and I’m happy to help the team anyway I can," said Gnandi.

"Going in to the game knowing it was a derby it was always going to be a tough, physical game.

"They’re a good defensive side so we just had to stick to our plan, stay solid and be clinical when the chances arrived which we did."

Wakering are now 13th in the Essex Senior League standings while Ensign are ninth.