Takeley are looking to start their rise back up the table on Saturday when they host Kelvedon Hatch in the Essex Olympian League Premier Division. Manager Don Watters has watched helplessly as his side have dropped down the table due to a series of cup ga

Takeley are looking to start their rise back up the table on Saturday when they host Kelvedon Hatch in the Essex Olympian League Premier Division.

Manager Don Watters has watched helplessly as his side have dropped down the table due to a series of cup games in recent weeks and can't wait to get back into league action against the seventh placed side.

"We are in a lot of cups and winning them but I keep looking at results in the league and teams are picking up points and moving away from us," he said.

"We have games in hand but I would rather have the points. When you open the paper and see Takeley sitting in the top two it's nice and we want to stay up there with the leading pack.

"We have two tough games coming up with Kelvedon and then Frenford and we need six points from them.

"It's a wide open league, but I'm confident as defensively we are strong, we keep the ball well, and we are creating chances up front.

"I've seen most of the teams and I honestly feel we are capable of beating any team, we just need to go out and do it."

Tring Corinthians 3 Takeley 4

Takeley were given a tough test by Tring on Saturday, but despite keeper James May having a day to forget, they made it through to the third round of the Anagram Records Trophy.

Sky Sports cameras were at the ground filming the referee who was celebrating 50 years in football and for the most part, the visitors put on a great show.

Takeley started the stronger and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough after 37 minutes when Mark Watters headed a corner on target, which Dan Wardle nipped in to deflect past the keeper.

However, the hosts were soon level when May was caught trying to take on a Tring striker, who had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

Takeley didn't let their heads drop and retook their lead just before half-time with Dean McAteer who later saw a penalty saved, powering a free-kick into the net from 20 yards.

Takeley started the second half as they had the first and they expended their lead just before the hour mark after a great long-range volley from James Amott flew past the keeper.

They added to their tally two minutes later when Mark Aken superbly chipped the keeper from the edge of the box.

Mistakes from May let the hosts back in it with two goals, but Takeley held firm to progress to the next round.

"We were on top in the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half was beautiful to watch," said Watters.

"We were 4-1 up and comfortable, but our keeper tried to play to the cameras and tried too hard to redeem himself from his earlier mistake.

"He held his hands up and knows what he did wrong, but he has played well all season so is entitled to one bad game."

- Takeley Reserves were beaten 3-1 by M & B Club Reserves on Saturday.