Top Two Only
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | PP | FORM |
| 1. | MALDON & TIPTREE | 31 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 84 | 33 | +51 | 71 | 104 | WLWWLD |
| 2. | GRAYS ATHLETIC | 28 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 62 | 24 | +38 | 63 | 105 | DWWWWW |
It all looked over bar the shouting in Division One (North) as Maldon and Tiptree managed by Terry Spillane were cruising to the to the title up until Boxing Day and their local derby game with Heybridge Swifts. The 1-0 defeat was Maldon's first league loss of the season and since then they have lost a further three games which has allowed Hakan Hayrettin's Grays Athletic side to really close the gap winning nine of eleven games.
Baring a dramatic loss of form from both front running teams, third placed Heybridge Swifts and fourth placed Thamesmead Town have lost seven games already so probably have a bit too much to do to get involved in the title race. They will be happy at cementing a play-off place along with Aveley (in fifth place) who now have an eight point gap between themselves and Witham Town in sixth place. The Millers also have two games in hand over Witham which could prove crucial in the race to secure an end of season play-off berth.
LEAGUE FORM BEFORE & AFTER 26/12/12 - A COMPARISON
| MALDON AND TIPTREE |
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS |
| 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 16 | 50 |
| 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 30 | 17 | 21 |
| GRAYS ATHLETIC |
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS |
| 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 34 | 15 | 35 |
| 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 9 | 28 |
As you can see since Boxing Day Grays have had a win ratio of 81.82% compared to Maldon's 46.15% so the current odds of 11/4 for a Gray's title with betvictor.com maybe a good and better value bet with Maldon currently odds on at 2/5.
Maldon's record would look worse had it not been for an amazing come back in their home game versus Chatham Town on Saturday 23rd February. They were 1-3 down with only ten minutes of the game to play but it eventually finished 4-3.
It could all boil down to Saturday 13th April 2013 when Maldon travel to Rush Green to play Grays Athletic. What a game that could be?
This midweek anything but a comfortable victory for Grays Athletic at Redbridge would be a major surprise with Maldon travelling to Soham Town Rangers who have only lost one of their last six games (a 0-4 home defeat to Heybridge Swifts) which could be a tricky fixture.
Grays Athletic then have a tough game away at third placed Heybridge Swifts on Saturday who are bang in from winning 4 of their last 6 games. Maldon have what looks an easier game on form when they travel to Cricklefields to play Waltham Forest who are without a win in nine league games.
Grays Athletic fans will also be relishing the derby game against Tilbury scheduled for Tuesday 19th March. Grays won the game 0-1 at Chadfields in October in front of 421 people. The only real shame is that this match which drums up a huge amount of interest in the two neighbouring towns is to be played around a 20 mile drive away in Romford where Grays Athletic currently play at The Rush Green Stadium.
It certainly looks like being a really exciting title run-in.
Forthcoming Fixtures
| DATE | MALDON | GRAYS |
| 5/3 | Soham Town | Redbridge |
| 9/3 | Waltham Forest | Heybridge Swifts |
| 13/3 | - | WROXHAM |
| 16/3 | ROMFORD | POTTERS BAR TOWN |
| 19/3 | - | TILBURY |
| 23/3 | Brentwood Town | Soham Town Rangers |
| 26/3 | - | Wroxham |
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