Hamlet, Urchins and Rooks stay top on a weather-hit day across the Bostik League

The first big freeze of the winter saw matches fall foul of the weather in every division, with supporters left disappointed at Dorking Wanderers, Leatherhead, Lowestoft Town, Sittingbourne, Cheshunt, Hertford Town and Ware. This was a particular blow for Enfield Town and Guernsey, the visitors to Lowestoft and Sittingbourne, who had already finished what turned out to be fruitless journeys before the decision was made.

After a few days where Dulwich Hamlet once again had their future threatened off the field, on it they picked up another three points to stay at the top of the Premier Division. Ash Carew put them ahead at home to Brightlingsea Regent, firing home a penalty after Matt Cripps was adjudged to have handled the ball, and then Reise Allassani fired home a magnificent solo goal to double their advantage- watch out for the highlights later, you won’t want to miss it. As the match approached half time Regent halved the deficit with a stunner of their own, Ricky Griggs firing home from twenty yards, and the away side came out in the second half rejuvenated and determined to make Hamlet work for the points but were unable to find an equaliser.

Second place Billericay Town had what looked to be the most difficult task of the day as they travelled to third place Staines Town- although that task was made a little easier when Swans striker Elliot Buchanan was ruled out through illness as kick off approached. The Blues had no such striker problems, and top scorer Jake Robinson fired home goals thirty and thirty one of the season- and goals 102 and 103 for the club- one in each half sealing a 2-0 victory which also saw Swans skipper Tommy Brewer, who had earlier picked up an award for his 150th game, sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

Folkestone Invicta stay in fourth place but slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against a newly resurgent Harrow Borough, Sahr Kabba, Charles Banya and Michael Bryan doing the damage, whilst Metropolitan Police got back to winning ways and moved back into the playoff places with a 2-1 home victory over Harlow Town.

Leiston climbed to sixth, first half goals from Patrick Brothers and Byron Lawrence giving them a first half advantage against Kingstonian which the K’s failed to threaten, whilst Margate continued their unbeaten run with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Hendon and ended the day in seventh. There were also wins for Wingate & Finchley, Harrow Borough and Merstham, and Worthing closed the gap at the bottom of the table by defeating Tonbridge Angels 2-0 at Woodside Road, helped by two penalties- one missed.

In the North Division the top four played each other, Canvey Island hosting AFC Hornchurch whilst Dereham Town welcomed Bowers and Pitsea. The Urchins remain top but lost for only the third time this season, goals from Michael Gibley and Ryan Charles earning victory for the Gulls, whilst the Magpies recent poor run continued as Bowers moved into second spot after a convincing 3-0 victory. Barking are in fifth, after a 2-1 win over Maldon and Tiptree, whilst Potters Bar Town’s recent good run came to an end as they lost by the odd goal in five at Tilbury.

Haringey Borough got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at AFC Sudbury and are now seventh, whilst Grays Athletic moved to within three points of the playoff places with their fourth successive victory, this one over Norwich United. Draw specialists Bury Town did it again, their ninth draw of the season coming at Heybridge Swifts.

Lewes extended their lead at the top of the South Division to six points when Ashford United came to call, and they did it in comprehensive style, hammering five goals in front of 561 supporters at the Dripping Pan. The Nuts and Bolts did get one back, but their joy will be more around the fact that Shoreham failed to close the gap on them at the bottom of the table, the Musselmen falling to a 3-1 defeat at Walton Casuals. Corinthian Casuals moved back into second place with a point at Thamesmead Town, displacing Carshalton Athletic who also got a point on Friday night in our #bostikmatchday featured game at Molesey.

Cray Wanderers let supporters in for free, and the 398 who took advantage saw a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Hythe Town, whilst Phoenix Sports scored four second half goals to record a magnificent away victory, 5-1 winners at Herne Bay. Greenwich Borough slipped to sixth, drawing their tenth match of the season at Faversham Town.

Tomorrow night third take on first in the South Division, as the Robins of Carshalton host the Rooks of Lewes- and we have matches across the divisions to look forward to on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday so you’ve no need to wait until the weekend for your next football fix. Click on the fixtures tab for more details.