Saturday Round Up, Sunday Preview- and Elphick leaves Worthing

By Ian Townsend

On a day when every match bar one saw goals, Billericay Town retained their lead at the top of our Premier Division, AFC Hornchurch and Heybridge Swifts retained their 100% records in the North, whilst four teams share thirteen points in the South

Billericay Town continue to lead our league, but Leatherhead fought them all the way yesterday. Jake Robinson- who else- popped up to give the Blues the lead in the seventeenth minute, but it could have gone wrong for the home side when Paul Konchesky- who had earlier claimed an assist for Robinson's goal- was sent off following a challenge on Niall McManus. Despite the best efforts of the Tanners, prompted by player-manager Sammy Moore, Billericay held out to claim the points.

Still-unbeaten Leiston moved up to second place, and that man Matt 'Steak Bake' Blake was back on the scoresheet, firing home two goals as they beat Thurrock 3-1. Performance of the day however must go to Margate, who travelled to Bognor Regis to take on a Worthing side still unable to go home to Woodside Road and beat the Mackerel Men 5-0. Worthing manager Gary Elphick sadly resigned from his role shortly after full time, but undoubtedly the home supporters will remember him fondly after his two magnificent seasons at the helm with then co-manager Jon Meeney; seasons which saw the side first win promotion from the South Division before consolidating at Premier Division level last season. More on that story can be found on Worthing's website here.

Harrow Borough are third, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 at home to Merstham for whom Ryan Hall scored both goals, whilst at Imber Court Hendon Manager Gary McCann celebrated match seven hundred as manager by watching his side claim fourth spot by defeating Metropolitan Police 2-1. Wingate and Finchley are sixth following a 2-0 victory over Burgess Hill Town, Folkestone Invicta move up to eighth after beating Staines Town by the same scoreline, Dulwich Hamlet are ninth following a 1-0 win at Dorking Wanderers, and Brightlingsea Regent won their third match in a row, beating Enfield Town 2-1.

Kingstonian are up to eleventh, beating Lowestoft Town by the odd goal in five, Harlow Town beat Tonbridge Angels 2-1, and in our featured game honours were shared as Tooting & Mitcham United came from behind to earn a point at home to Needham Market- report here.

Moving into the North Division, AFC Hornchurch and Heybridge Swifts proved that the manager of the month curse is no more than a rumour, retaining their 100% records with away victories over Potters Bar Town and Aveley respectively, whilst Haringey Borough moved up to third with victory at Mildenhall Town. Performance of the day undoubtedly goes to Bury Town, who thrashed six for the second time this season, visitors Tilbury managing only a solitary reply. Ware are up to sixth, with victory at previously undefeated Dereham Town, whilst Maldon & Tiptree got back to winning ways, thumping Norwich United 4-1.

Carshalton Athletic lead the South Division, where they defeated Faversham Town 2-1, but they are joined on thirteen points by Whyteleafe- 2-0 victors over Shoreham, Walton Casuals- who were held 1-1 by Horsham as they played the first match in their new stadium, and Lewes- who defeated Hythe Town 1-0 at the Dripping Pan. South Park moved up to fifth with victory over Ramsgate, and sixth place Sittingbourne could go top if they beat Thamesmead Town today.

Herne Bay won the award for bouncebackability, firing four goals past VCD Athletic after conceding ten to Tonbridge Angels in a Velocity Trophy match earlier in the week.

There are three matches today. In the South Division Guernsey host Corinthian Casuals, whilst Thamesmead Town and ten goal Alex Teniola welcome Sittingbourne to Princes Park- both matches kicking off a 2PM. The third match is a veterans game, being played at Aveley's Parkside Stadium between Middlesex Wanderers and an Isthmian Select XI. Details here.

Where next?

The Bostik League Show- Episode 7 The Back of the Net team become Billericay Dickies and Tanners mates...
Bostik Matchday: Wolfie Smith 1, Dot Cotton 1 Tooting and Mitcham United took on Needham Market at Imperial Fields. By the end, the power- and the points- were shared by all of the people.

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