Borough leave it late- again- whilst the Millers close the gap

Haringey Borough have developed a habit of scoring late goals. Since Coby Rowe scored an eighty-third minute winner against Dorking Wanderers back in November they’ve scored in the last ten minutes against AFC Hornchurch, Wingate & Finchley, Margate- and then on Saturday came back from two goals down to break Burgess Hill Town’s hearts with two in the last two minutes of the match to earn what might yet be a vital point as the race for the title heats up. So perhaps Brightlingsea Regent should have known what was going to happen at Coles Park last night?

Regent have been in marvellous form of late, and when Billy Hunt hit a thunderbolt after only eight minutes it looked as if Tom Rothery’s 300th match with the club would end happily. Indeed, the R’s coach might still have been fairly happy even when Ralston Gabriel- it’s always Ralston Gabriel, isn’t it- equalised with nineteen minutes remaining. But then, four minutes into added time, Gabriel again found himself with the ball on half way and charged forward, defenders in his wake, before laying it off to Ricky Sappleton- and wallop! Six yards out, the ball in the net, and Borough had done it again.

It must have been hard for Regent to take, but Borough seem still to be celebrating- on social media, at least- this morning; and with good reason. The three points takes them level on points with Dorking Wanderers at the top of the table, with only a slightly inferior goal difference. Will the last match of the season, which sees Borough face Wanderers at Meadowbank, turn out to be a title decider? It is, of course, too early to make such a prediction, but with nine points between this duo and third place Merstham it has to be a possibility!

Regent are still tenth, but remain only three points from the playoff places.

There was another big match last night, and it came in the North Division, where Aveley were entertaining bottom side Romford. The Millers took thirty five minutes to open the scoring through Ngandu, and when Alex Akrofi made it two just before the break it was effectively game over. The second half saw no further additions to the scoreline, and the Millers ended the evening level on points with Bowers & Pitsea- if behind on goal difference.

We’ve almost a full programme of fixtures tonight, weather permitting. Take a look HERE, put on a warm (and perhaps waterproof) coat, and get out and watch your team.