Bank Holiday Monday's Ryman Premier review

By David Watters

Ryman League Premier Division

Easter Monday's results in the Ryman Premier mean that two of the play-off places are still up for grabs on the final day, as are the remaining two relegation places, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Bognor Regis Town assured themselves of a top five slot after beating Hendon 3-0 at Nyewood Lane with goals from Ollie Pearce after 24 minutes and Terry Dodd on 32.

The visitors were dealt another blow when debutant keeper Danny McNicholas was sent-off for violent conduct and Ben Johnson fired the penalty past stand-in keeper Casey Maclaren for the third goal 14 minutes from time.

Kingstonian are also there after easing to a 5-1 Kingsmeadow win over already-relegated Carshalton Athletic.

A crowd of 412 saw Ryan Moss give K`s a 19th minute lead. However, it wasn`t until the last half-hour that the hosts ran away with it – Andre McCollin making it 2-0, Moss netting his second on 68 minutes, Sam Akinde adding the fourth seven minutes from the end and McCollin his second and K`s nap hand in the third minute of time added on – seconds after Brendan Murphy -McVey had netted a Robins' consolation.

Lowestoft Town and Dulwich Hamlet occupy the final two places in the top five and both won today.

The Trawlerboys won 2-1 at Ram Meadow in front of a good crowd of 589, taking a 20th minute lead through Jack Ainsley, who won it from the penalty spot on 64 minutes after Ross Bailey`s 41st minute equaliser.

Meanwhile, an Erhun Oztumer goal in added time at the end of the first half took Dulwich back into the play-off places and a 1-0 win at the Beveree against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

AFC Hornchurch trail the top five by a point after being held to a 1-1 draw at Canvey Island.

Canvey took the lead on 32 minutes through Rob Bartley and after piling on the pressure throughout the second half, were finally rewarded in the fifth minute of injury-time through Chris Bourne.

Maidstone United's slim play-off hopes are just about alive after they came from behind to beat Metropolitan Police at Imber Court.

Charlie Collins gave the Met a 32nd minute lead but a Frannie Collin penalty pulled the Stones back on terms just past the hour-mark and then Alex Flisher won it 18 minutes from time.

Maidstone now go into the final game needing both Lowestoft and Dulwich to lose and Hornchurch not to win if they are to extend their season beyond the Grays Athletic match.

The relegation places are also going to the wire after wins for Thamesmead Town, Wingate & Finchley and, crucially, East Thurrock United at Enfield Town, who are still in trouble.

Town couldn`t have got off to a better start in front of a crowd of 662 at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium when Ryan Doyle put them in front inside the opening minute.

But Mitch Gilbey levelled six minutes later and then goals from Steve Sheehan after 13 minutes, an own goal by young keeper James Chalk six minutes later and a Neil Richmond effort saw the Rocks go into half-time 4-1 up.

Mitch Hahn reduced the arrears 12 minutes into the second half but, after Chalk had saved a penalty, Lewis Smith netted the rebound to make it 5-2, leaving Liam Hope`s injury-time third only a consolation for George Borg`s side.

Thamesmead have the toughest task in avoiding the drop, despite their win at Grays Athletic, as they trail both East Thurrock and Wingate by three points and have an inferior goal difference.

But they improved that with a 4-1 win in which they came back from being a Joao Carlos goal down after 40 minutes to win, courtesy of Rob Carter four minutes later, Lewis Tozer on the hour-mark and then a Tyrus Gordon-Young brace in the final 10 minutes.

Wingate earned a fine 2-0 win at Victory Road against ninth-placed Leiston.

Ahmet Rifat opened the scoring after 42 minutes and they finally sealed victory in time added on through Leon Fisher.

Elsewhere, already-doomed Cray Wanderers were beaten 5-0 at Hartsdown Park by Margate, for whom Sam Rents gave them a 21st minute lead that Matt Bodkin added to two minutes after the break. Charles Adenemo on 70 minutes, Charlie Allen five minutes from the end and Jefferson Louis in stoppage time added the others.

Champions Wealdstone suffered a 4-2 defeat at New Lodge by Billericay Town, despite taking an early fifth minute lead through Michael Malcolm.

Richard Halle equalised after 28 minutes and then Ryan Scott put the Blues in front right on half-time. Ten minutes after the break Callum Dunne put the home side 3-1 up, and after Jonathan Wright threatened a comeback with a second for the Stones after 70 minutes, Isaac Layne made it 4-2 with four minutes to go.

The day`s other game saw Harrow Borough see off Lewes 2-0 at Earlsmead, thanks to Rob Woolleaston after 17 minutes and Steve Butterworth six minutes from the end.

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