Maidstone fans out in force

It was the highest crowd for a regular-season Ryman League fixture since 2,545 watched Maidstone’s game at Dover on December 27, 2008, although 2,411 turned out for the Premier Division play-off final between Tonbridge and Lowestoft in 2011.

The massed home fans must have thought they were in for a real treat when Ian Draycott scored twice in the first 20 minutes. But that was all for the hosts, and Sittingbourne pulled it back to 2-1 with a goal from Nick Treadwell deep into added time.

Maidstone closed the gap on Dulwich to two points after the leaders were held to a 2-2 home draw by Tooting. Erhun Oztumer gave Hamlet the lead on the half-hour but they were shocked by goals late in the first half from Dom Vose and Nathan Koo-Boothe which put the Terrors in front. Danny Carr equalised four minutes after the break and that was that.

Third-placed Hythe lost ground and are now looking anxiously over their shoulders at four teams who all won yesterday and are within two points of them.

They include their conquerors, Faversham, who let a 2-0 half-time lead slip before running out 3-2 victors. Aaron Lacy and Dave Botterill gave the hosts their advantage which was wiped out by Jake Hobbs and Dave Cook with two goals in three minutes early in the second half. Darren Marsden restored Faversham’s lead and they held on to fifth place.

Just ahead of them are Leatherhead, who chalked up a 3-1 home win over Walton & Hersham. It was 1-1 by the 11th minute, with Tommy Hutchings scoring for the Tanners and Connor French replying. Leatherhead eventually regained the lead through Jamie Coyle in the 62nd minute but they had to wait until well into added time for the clincher from Mark Simmons.

Crawley Down romped to a 4-1 success at Horsham. Jamie Cade and Luke Blewden put them two up before Aaron Scott’s goal right on half-time gave the Hornets some hope. The second half was little more than a minute old when Gabriel Odunaike restored the two-goal margin and he netted again in the 63rd minute.

Burgess Hill complete the leading group after a late flourish saw off visitors Worthing. Steve Metcalf gave the Rebels a half-time lead which Kai Bichard wiped out 13 minutes after the interval. It looked certain to finish 1-1 until Sam Fisk struck with 90 minutes on the clock. There was still time for Pat Harding to complete a 3-1 Hillians success.

It’s tight at the bottom. Walton Casuals almost escaped last place with a goalless draw, but Jamie Byatt broke through after 87 minutes and visiting Corinthian-Casuals won 1-0.

So Three Bridges stayed off the bottom, but only by virtue of goals scored. They went down 2-0 at home to Eastbourne, for whom Aaron Hopkinson netted after only two minutes. Richard Greenfield got the second soon after the interval.

Whitstable also took a second-minute lead, Jake Beecroft doing the trick at Folkestone. They stayed in front until the hour mark, when Richard Atkins made it 1-1, and Darren Smith grabbed a late winner for the hosts. Action from the game pictured by Les Biggs.

Chipstead produced the division’s second 4-1 away victory. Jason Henry opened their account in the eighth minute at Merstham, for whom Mark Nwokeji replied midway through the half. Jason Goodchild scored right on half-time and two goals from Dyane Antonio in the last 15 minutes made it a decisive margin.