A trio of Thurlow Nunn League division south’s north Essex sides found the back of the net three times in their respective games but there was one treble that stood out from the pack to earn the day’s top performance award.

Second-placed Little Oakley were looking to continue the strong form that had lifted them to second place in the division one south table when they headed to Benfleet.

The Acorns were one of the sides who found the back of the net three times, but they also conceded three times as they missed the opportunity to go to the top of the standings.

The hosts had opened a 3-1 lead, but Matt Carmichael's side managed to get back on level terms at the final whistle as they had Lewis Wood and Harry Miller on target as well as an own goal from Benfleet.

Oakley stayed second and their 3-3 draw was a result that was repeated at Burnham Ramblers, where Holland FC were also on target three times.

Holland’s 3-3 draw moved them up a place into the top ten in the table.

The final north Essex side hitting the back of the net three times were Harwich & Parkeston and this time the treble did come in a winning cause.

It was quite a result as well as the Shrimpers put three past leaders Halstead Town in an eye-catching 3-0 win at the R Gwinnell & Sons Royal Oak.

Harwich blew their visitors away in a first-half when they scored three goals and they could easily have been further ahead at the break as the Humbugs were unaccustomedly off the pace.

It was an impressive display from Harwich, who have had some up and down form so far this year but they were more than deserving of their lead after the opening 45 minutes.

A goal from Sean Bartlett opened their account in the 11th minute and that was followed by a Jordan Heath strike and a second from Bartlett to put the hosts 3-0 up.

Halstead rarely threatened at the other end and they had goalkeeper Jack Cherry to thank for not being further behind as he made a number of smart stops, but that could not paper over the cracks of a poor display from the leaders.

They did improve after the break but were unable to get back into the game and Harwich held on to a result that made them more than worthy recipients of the day’s top performance award.

The only bright spot from a day to forget for Halstead was that they held on to the league’s top spot thanks to Little Oakley only drawing at Benfleet.

There was one further Thurlow Nunn League division one south game and that saw Brightlingsea Regent Reserves beaten 2-1 on a trip to Barkingside.

Regent fell 2-0 behind and although they scored from a 90th minute corner, it was too late to stage a comeback.