Mixed Trophy fortunes whilst Hamlet extend their lead in the league

There were mixed fortunes for our clubs in the FA Trophy, whilst in the League Hamlet extend their lead, the clubs at the top of the North Division experience a train-wreck Saturday, and Rooks stayed at the South summit without playing. Here’s your round up.

Hungerford Town must be sick of the sight of Billericay Town. Having already lost to them in the FA Cup, the Crusaders could have got off to a dream start in their FA Trophy rematch only to see away keeper Alan Julian save Luke Hopper’s early penalty. Jake Robinson took advantage, heading home his twenty-first goal of the season just after the half hour, and although Sam Deering also failed to score from the spot for ‘Ricay, Sanchez Watt doubled their advantage with eight minutes remaining. They remain in second place in the Bostik Premier League, nine points off the pace but with a staggering six games in hand.

A number of our clubs faced National League South sides in the Third Qualifying Round, and sadly the outcome was the same for all of them. Brentwood Town perhaps came closest to an upset, leading through Izzy Bademosi before Matt Hall had an effort cleared off the line; but the lacklustre League Leaders managed to get back into it with a header from Elliot Bradbrook before former Brentwood blue Lee Noble broke home hearts with two minutes to go, firing an unstoppable strike from twenty yards into the back of the net somewhat against the run of play. Cray Wanderers travelled to Braintree Town and held out for more than an hour before conceding three goals, Dorking Wanderers fell 3-1 to Havant & Waterlooville, whilst Lewes entertained Truro City and despite performing rather well couldn’t come back from conceding three first half goals, although Billy Medlock did reduce the arrears. Harlow Town went down 5-1 at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

You can read more about the Brentwood Town match here.

Mildenhall Town were facing a National League North side, and saw their run come unluckily to an end, travelling all the way to Lancaster City and falling to a goal just before the end when it must have seemed as if they’d earned a replay.

Haringey Borough got back to winning ways and the chance of another crack at the big boys, defeating Thame United 3-1, whilst in the only all-Bostik tie played yesterday, Met Police found themselves suffering a home defeat to Wingate and Finchley. At Silver Jubilee Park Hendon scored a last minute equaliser at home to Slough Town, whilst Margate- a round behind the rest and playing catch up- defeated Egham Town by two goals to nil at Hartsdown Park.

Back to the League now, and at the top of the Premier Division the gap is now nine points after Dulwich Hamlet defeated Lowestoft Town by a goal to nil, in front of 1,832 supporters. Leiston got back to winning ways with goals from Jack Ainsley and Christy Finch earning them a 2-0 victory over Tooting & Mitcham United and in so doing lifting them to seventh, whilst Niall McManus struck twice as Leatherhead moved up to thirteenth with victory over Enfield Town. Thurrock- for whom Charlie Stimson was presented with a silver salver marking his 200th match- defeated Burgess Hill Town by four goals to two, and Stimson was on target, firing home the fourth five minutes from time. Worthing and Harrow Borough shared four goals at Woodside Road, and the Mackerelmen might count themselves unlucky as Borough equalised in the very last minute, through Ryan Moss.

The form guide wasn’t just thrown out of the window at the top of the North Division, it was torn up and set on fire! Leaders Dereham Town stay top, but after last weekends victory against Heybridge Swifts they travelled back to Maldon again, this time to face the Jammers of Maldon & Tiptree, and were walloped 5-1! Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe hit a first half hat trick to take his tally for the season up to twenty six. AFC Hornchurch in second place were held 2-2 at Tilbury, whilst third place Canvey Island were walloped three-nil at home to Potters Bar Town, the Scholars moving up to eighth. Bowers & Pitsea in fourth place lost to the odd goal in seven at AFC Sudbury but might feel themselves a little unlucky after coming back from being 4-0 down at half time, whilst Barking are fifth after defeating Romford 2-0. Waltham Abbey had the other big win of the day, defeating Bury Town 4-1.

In the South Division Corinthian-Casuals could have gone top with a win at Sittingbourne, but were held to a 2-2 draw- whilst third place Greenwich Borough had the same result, giving up a two goal lead at Chipstead, for whom Chris O’Flaherty and Sam Bell did the damage. Carshalton Athletic are fourth after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Thamesmead Town, whilst Walton Casuals turned a draw into an emphatic victory at home to Whyteleafe, two last minute goals from Josh Kelly doing the damage and giving Anthony Gale’s side a 4-2 victory.

There is one match scheduled for today, Kingstonian facing cup kings Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy at Fetcham Grove.