Hamlet extend their lead- and Billericay survive a scare

Dulwich Hamlet went five points clear at the top of the Bostik Premier Division- and hosted the second best crowd of the season so far- whilst Margate gave Billericay Town a real scare at the AGP Arena. In the North Division Bowers & Pitsea closed the gap on leaders AFC Hornchurch, whilst Lewes remain four points clear in the South.

Both of the top two in the Premier Division had to work hard to pick up points, and perhaps Billericay Town had to work the hardest! Margate decided not to be cowed by the home side’s reputation and took the lead on the stroke of half time, a shot by Dave Martin from the edge of the box beating Alan Julian. Gate then were three minutes from inflicting only the second league defeat of the season on Harry Wheeler’s men, before Adam Cunnington rifled in an equaliser. It’s a result which sees Billericay Town fall five points behind Dulwich Hamlet- albeit with five games in hand- whilst Margate sit in eighth, eight points off a play-off place.

Dulwich Hamlet welcomed two thousand and four supporters to Champion Hill, and those fans witnessed a thriller as the home side eventually beat Folkestone Invicta 4-3, an eighty-fifth minute goal by Nana Boakye-Yiadom proving decisive. Reise Allassani went off on the hour, and Hamlet fans must hope that isn’t the last they see of him given he’s apparently the subject of a number of bids from higher level clubs.

Staines Town are up to fifth, winning a hard-fought match against bottom side Burgess Hill Town 3-1 at Wheatsheaf Park, whilst Leiston drop to sixth after Leatherhead came from behind to win in Suffolk, Tom Derry and Sammy Moore with the goals after Matt Blake got the opener for Glenn Driver’s men. At Imber Court Met Police and Brightlingsea Regent shared two goals, whilst Tonbridge Angels and Lowestoft Town shared four in front of the Back of the Net cameras- look out for highlights soon!

Harrow Borough let slip a two goal lead at home to Needham Market, before Charles Banya managed an eighty second minute winner, Kingstonian’s poor run continued as they sit 21st after a home defeat to Thurrock, whilst at the bottom end of the table Harlow Town leapfrogged Tooting & Mitcham United with a 2-1 victory over the Terrors at the Harlow Arena. Worthing were twice ahead at Woodside Road against Enfield Town, but managed to drop two points when the away side grabbed an eighty-eighth minute equaliser through Sam Youngs.

The matches between Dorking Wanderers and Wingate and Finchley, and Merstham and Hendon were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

In the North Division first place AFC Horchurch won at Aveley last night, but Bowers & Pitsea kept up the pressure in second place by defeating Soham Town Rangers 4-0. A James Cooper double helped the magpies of Dereham Town into third, defeating Tilbury 3-0, whilst Canvey Island in fifth had a bad day at the Frost Financial Stadium, going two-nil down to Mildenhall Town and losing the match 2-1. Potters Bar Town are in sixth, winning their home-match-that-should-have-been-an-away-match against Waltham Abbey by three goals to nil.

Witham Town continued their recent good form, defeating Haringey Borough 2-0, whilst Bury Town in tenth place were the big winners in perhaps the most exciting match of the day, going two up at home to Ware before being pulled back to 2-2, only to score two more in the last ten minutes to record a 4-2 victory. Romford took on Brentwood Town, winners at Hornchurch on New Years Day, and continued their good form as they came from behind twice to win 3-2 at Ship Lane.

The Rooks still rule the roost in the South Division, defeating Faversham Town 3-0 at the Dripping Pan with two of the goals coming in the last minute, whilst Corinthian-Casuals move up to second after beating Herne Bay 4-1 on the Kent coast. Cray Wanderers in third play tomorrow, at home to sixth place Walton Casuals.

Greenwich Borough made light of the loss of their management team and two of their star players by travelling to the Pilot Field and walloping Hastings United 5-2, including two goals each from highly rated Jack Barham and Travis Gregory. Borough sit in fourth place, whilst Carshalton Athletic are up to fifth, a Mickel Miller hat trick (including two penalties) giving them a comfortable win over Sittingbourne. Phoenix Sports were the days big winners, walloping five goals without reply as Guernsey visited Mayplace Road, and move up to seventh, two points clear of Hythe Town- who survived a red card to defeat East Grinstead Town 3-2. Whyteleafe and Horsham were also 3-2 winners, over Thamesmead Town and VCD Athletic respectively, whilst Ashford United continued their recent good form, defeating Chipstead by three goals to one.

Bottom club Shoreham went to Ramsgate and were two goals up after twenty one minutes, before succumbing to a fightback and falling behind with thirteen minutes to go before Scott Packer grabbed an equaliser to earn a 3-3 draw.