Anvils hand out five-goal hammering

By Peter Butcher

WHAT a difference a year makes! Last season it took Crawley Down nine games to collect their first Ryman South point. Today the Anvils sit proudly at the top of the table after their 5-0 thrashing of Burgess Hill last night (Tuesday) took their haul to

Baff Addae put them ahead after 17 minutes and Gabriel Odunaike netted either side of half-time. Late goals from Jamie Cade, a penalty, and Luke Blewden completed the nap hand.

Hot on their heels are Dulwich, who now have seven unanswered goals after powering to a 4-0 victory at Walton & Hersham on the back of Josh Turner’s first-minute opener. Kalvin Morath-Gibbs doubled the score seven minutes after the break, Vernon Francis added the third and Carl Wilson-Denis wrapped it up from the spot.

The only other side on six points are Leatherhead, who won 3-0 at Tooting in the battle of two relegated clubs. It was 0-0 for an hour, despite Leatherhead’s domination, but then Tooting keeper Darren Behcet was sent off for handling outside the area and Tanners were quick to profit. Greg Andrews blasted in the resulting free-kick and Tom Bradbrook added another two minutes later. Charlie Holness completed the scoring in the 76th minute.

The other relegated side, Horsham, went down 3-1 at Sussex rivals Eastbourne despite leading for more than half the game. Ryan Marriott put Horsham ahead midway through the first half and it stayed that way until the 70th minute, when Alex Howell squared it. Ben Austin and Danny Curd completed a burst of three goals in ten minutes.

Both promoted sides were beaten at home in their Ryman debuts on Saturday and both bounced back with away victories last night. Herne Bay took the points at Hythe with a lone, late goal from Danny Williams but it was much for eventful for Three Bridges at Worthing.

Tim Rivers scored after three minutes for Bridges and Marcus Elliott got their second. Mike Huckett twice equalised, in the 19th and 36th minutes, but the game turned away from Rebels in the last two minutes of the half as Abubacarr Touray and Rivers put the visitors 4-2 up. Chris O’Flaherty pulled one back five minutes after the break but that was all and Bridges won 4-3.

Chipstead manager Mark Tompkins resigned after their opening-day defeat at Burgess Hill and new boss Mick Read made a good start as Jason Goodchild’s 54th-minute goal earned a 1-0 home win over Walton Casuals.

Maidstone are the team to watch for goals. 14 have been scored in their two matches as they followed up Saturday’s 5-4 home defeat with a 3-2 victory at Whitstable. Tim Olorunda put them ahead after 14 minutes, Micheal Everitt levelled after 32 and Michael Phillips restored Stones’ advantage just before the break. Shaun Welford made it 3-1 with 18 minutes to go and Ian Pulman’s 89th-minute penalty was not enough to rescue the Oystermen.

Warren Schulz gave Ramsgate the lead in the 16th minute of their home game against Faversham, Tom Chapman added another 16 minutes after that and it finished 2-0.

A Troy Williams penalty two minutes from time allowed Merstham to escape with a 2-2 draw at Corinthian-Casuals. Fabio Saravia put the visitors in front after 57 minutes but Casuals were quick to respond through Danny Dudley and Jamie Byatt.

Where next?

Chats draw level at the top CHATHAM drew level with Grays at the top of Ryman North with a 3-1 victory at Ilford tonight (Wednesday). Both have six points and 7-1 goal records - and they meet at Grays on Monday provided neither club has an FA Cup replay.
Four-goal K's on top for now KINGSTONIAN (pictured by Andy Nunn celebrating one of their goals) moved to the top of the Ryman Premier table, at least for 24 hours, with a 4-2 home win over Harrow tonight (Monday).

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