Bognor bubble burst, whilst Rooks raise their game

It seemed to be written in the stars. Unbeaten all season and requiring only a victory over a Folkestone Invicta side who had lost four in a row, Bognor Regis Town were about to overhaul Tonbridge Angels to go top of the table.

Sadly for most of the 508 at Nyewood Lane last night, Invicta had other ideas.

Neil Cugley’s men have yet to find consistency this season, on occasions looking a far cry from last season’s high-flyers- but last night it all came together once more, and the swagger returned. Adam Yusuff gave them a fourth minute lead, and although Jimmy Muitt found an equaliser by half time it was 3-1, Kane Rowland and Yusuff again putting daylight between them and their hosts. Sam Hasler made it 4-1 with eighteen minutes to go, and although Tommy Scutt found a consolation to make it 4-2 there was no denying the away side, who moved up to ninth.

Folkestone weren’t the most impressive away performers of the night, however. That honour goes to Lewes, who in a battle of the promoted sides walloped AFC Hornchurch at Bridge Avenue. The Rooks were three up within half an hour- Leon Redwood, Steve Brinkhurst and Omarr Lawson finding the net- and although the Urchins got one back through George Purcell it didn’t spark a dramatic comeback, as Lewes just went and got two more, Ronnie Conlon and Jonte Smith finding the net to seal a comprehensive 5-1 win. The Rooks are eleventh, level on points and goal difference with last night’s hosts.

Burgess Hill Town’s mini revival came to an end at the Green Elephants Stadium, as Nicky Shorey and Glen Little made it two wins out of two in charge of Wingate and Finchley. The only goal of the match came from Reece Beckles-Richards in the second half.

Enfield Town and Brightlingsea Regent played out a 0-0 draw.

We had one match in the South Central Division, and Chipstead went gluten-free, casting Sarnies aside. Four goals were crashed home in a one-sided first half, Daniel Moody, Izzy Bademosi (2) and Sam Bell finding the net, and by full time Egham Town must have wished that they could have avoided the High Road and taken the low road home as Bell added another to make it 5-0.

Chipstead are now in sixth place.

There were three FA Trophy replays, two of them all-Bostik affairs. Ally Conway got a second half goal for Soham Town Rangers at AFC Mansfield, but by that point the hosts already had two, so Rangers went out. Phoenix Sports also took the door marked exit, falling to an Aaron Millbank goal for Ramsgate, whilst after not managing to find the net at all on Saturday Westfield and Ashford Town made up for it by scoring five, the Tangerines claiming victory. Bradley Wilson and Kofi Lockhart-Adams made it 2-0 to the away side, and although Arron Watson got one back Lockhart-Adams was able to make it safe with eight minutes remaining- although there was still time for a Matt Steer penalty to make it 2-3.

Town will host Lewes in the net round, whilst Ramsgate will travel to take on AFC Hornchurch.