LITTLE Oakley ran out 3-0 winners over visitors West Essex at the Memorial Ground, in their latest Essex Senior League clash.

The win moved Matt Carmichael's side up to 15th position, with four of five games in hand on the teams above them.

West Essex started well and were soon on the attack. A through ball splitting the Oakley defence saw a strong shot dip towards the top corner, forcing Joyce into action with a fine save.

Oakley started to gain more possession in midfield resulting in Mann receiving the ball on the edge of the area, side stepping the defender and getting a speculative shot off which was well saved by the keeper.

While West Essex looked very dangerous Oakley were playing some excellent football with neat passing and movement.

Nobbs' free-kick found Harman who skilfully took a snap-shot which the keeper was unable to hold and pushed the ball straight back to Harman, who headed past the keeper for 1-0.

Oakley were now on top with each attack looking like they could score. Several fluent moves were structured with Hobbs, Lumley, Rowe, and Mann all being involved.

West Essex still looked dangerous and attacked down the wings. A jinking run and lay off saw a bullet-like shot goalbound which Wood deflected off for a corner.

Joyce's goal-kick was left to bounce 25 yards outside of the box, and Rowe with a turn of pass was in a foot race with the oncoming keeper.

Rowe got to the ball first and skilfully chipped the ball over the keeper’s head in, for 2-0.

West Essex were still in the game and continued to attack. A flowing move through the centre of the Oakley defence saw a hard, low shot bound for the bottom corner of the goal pushed away by Joyce at full stretch.

The Acorns went in at the break 2-0 up but just before the hour mark, an effort from the visitors flew just wide of the post.

This spurred Oakley into action with the best move of the match. A ten-pass move arrived at a flat-out Nobbs who controlled the ball and manage to get the ball out of his feet.

Nobbs continued his run and crossed the ball into the box for Mann who arrived in the six-yard box late and worked his way in front of the standing West Essex defenders to send a bullet-like header into the net.

The third goal allowed Oakley the freedom to express themselves and in one of their best performances of the season, saw further chances fall to Mann, Rowe and Wood with a header that hit a post.