Debden 4 : 3 Thaxted Rangers

Saturday, 17th January's local Derby certainly didn’t disappoint in a seven goal thriller that could have gone either way.

League Leaders Debden went in front early on when Charlie Norris capitalised on Thaxted’s failure to deal with a corner.

Then after 20 minutes it was 2-0, a wayward back pass pounced upon by Zak Rayner, who finished well.

Even at 2-0 down Thaxted were very much in the game and continued to play with confidence.

Then Jack Kichenbrand got the visitors further in front when a speculative effort from the edge of the area managed to find its way into the net.

The visitors were now really going at the home defence and levelled when Jamie Hansen unleashed an unstoppable effort from 25 yards.

It could have been even better from Thaxted just prior to the break, Chris Grout had a goal ruled out for offside and Al Potter was in 1 on 1 with the keeper but was unable to convert.

However, Debden had a clear shout for a penalty too as an eventful half came to an end.

Both teams went for it in the second half, but it was Debden took their chances and restored their two goal advantage.

Thaxted continued to believe they could still get something out of the game and were right back in it when Jamie Hansen netted again coming in from the left.

This set up a nail biting finale as Debden hung on desperately to their one goal advantage.

In the closing stages, Thaxted lay siege on the Debden goal and were unfortunate not to get a deserved equaliser when Charlie Daniels thundered a shot against the bar.