Gale dismisses manager of the month curse as Casuals march on

By Ian Townsend

We had an (almost) full programme of fixtures across the league last- here's what happened...

We had almost a full programme of fixtures last night, and they brought us seventy five goals, two changes at the top of the table, and three sides registering their first victories of the season. They also brought us five red cards and copious amounts of torrential rain. Here’s a round up.

At the top of the Premier Division, Billericay Town won their sixth league match in succession- Brightlingsea Regent keeping the scoreline respectable until the last half an hour when that man Jake Robinson popped up with his sixth and seventh league goals of the season, taking his tally to ten when you add in the small matter of an FA Cup hat trick. Before and after Robbo’s rockets, goals from Adam Cunnington and a first blues goal for Jermaine Pennant put the game out of reach for James Webster’s boys.

Three points behind in second place, Hendon snatched a last minute winner at Dulwich Hamlet, Joshua Walker firing home a thunderbolt shortly after the Greens had just been reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Dave Diedhiou. Hamlet’s inconsistent start to the season sees them in tenth place. Leiston remain unbeaten in third place after grinding out a nil-nil against Harlow Town, whilst Wingate and Finchley join them on fifteen points after a 2-1 home victory over Enfield Town.

In the other Premier Division matches, Burgess Hill Town won their second match in three, beating Tooting and Mitcham United at the Green Elephants Stadium, Lowestoft Town got back to winning ways after three defeats with victory at Needham Market, Staines Town won a hard-fought match against Harrow Borough by the odd goal in three, and Tonbridge Angels salvaged a point with a very late equaliser at Thurrock to draw 2-2.

Managerless Worthing remain bottom and pointless, falling to a Matt Briggs inspired Dorking Wanderers at Westhumble- although the final score of 4-2 perhaps flatters the home side. We’ll have an interview with Worthing owner George Dowell on Friday.

In the North Division AFC Hornchurch were made to work hard to preserve their one hundred per cent record, but work hard they did, running out 2-1 victors at Maldon and Tiptree. Heybridge Swifts are three points and two places behind, but retain their perfect record after their match at Canvey Island was called off due to floodlight problems. Haringey Borough separate the two, after being top of the pile for one night following their victory over Romford on Monday. Potters Bar Town moved up to fourth with an impressive 4-0 victory away at Cheshunt, whilst Waltham Abbey also scored four, this time at Hertford Town. Mildenhall Town had the highest North Division attendance of the night-228- and claimed the bragging rights by defeating local rivals Soham Town Rangers 2-1.

AFC Sudbury recorded their first league victory of the season, finally bringing their cup form into a league match as they despatched Brentwood Town 3-0, although are now without a manager after the club relieved duo Jamie Godbold and Andy Reynolds of their duties. Bury Town are in sixth, travelling to Norfolk to defeat a Norwich United side still to register their first point, 2-1 the final score. There were also victories for Bowers & Pitsea and Barking, whilst Dereham Town played out a 1-1 draw with Witham Town.

In the South Division Walton Casuals manager Anthony Gale was presented with his Mitre Manager of the Month Award, and once more trampled the supposed curse which goes with these things into the dust as his side put three goals past East Grinstead Town to record their fifth victory of the season and continue to set the pace. Whyteleafe are pushing them close, only goals scored separating the two sides as Leafe defeated Guernsey 2-0. At the other end of the table it was a night for celebration as both Chipstead and Ashford United picked up their first victories of the season. Chipstead travelled to Culver Road and shocked Horsham with a Sam Bell strike just before the end, whilst the Nuts and Bolts beat Ramsgate 1-0. Shoreham also got onto the board, earning a draw at home to Lewes despite conceding two penalties.

Corinthian Casuals continued their good form with a 2-1 win at Molesey, Faversham Town doubled their points tally with victory over Sittingbourne, VCD Athletic narrowly lost a mid table battle with Hythe Town, whilst South Park, who share the high scorers tag with Casuals (of the Walton variety), moved up to eighteen goals for the season by scoring two against Phoenix Sports- however the Sports got two of their own to share the spoils.

In tonight’s only match, Cray Wanderers take on Hastings United in the South Division. Kick off is at 7.45 PM.

Where next?

The Bostik League Show- Episode 8 The latest video highlights and round up from the Back of the Net team.
From Billericay to Piccadilly, from Leatherhead to Arsenal: Part One Watching the Piccadilly Line football team play at The Emirates brought a surprise- or two- for fans of Billericay Town, Leatherhead, Dulwich Hamlet and Haringey Borough

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe