No place like . . . away?

All three games in the North this week have been won by visiting clubs, making 93 successes on the road against 91 on home turf.

Travelling teams have had the better of things throughout the season in Ryman South, their current advantage being 103-86.

Only in the Premier has the conventional pattern been followed, with an 86-69 advantage for home teams.

The South produces some of the strangest records. Leatherhead are third in the table despite six home defeats, atoning for them with nine away victories. Worthing are in the top half of the table despite losing nine games at Woodside Road: seven of their ten wins have come elsewhere.

Faversham have also won seven away and only three at home, while Walton Casuals moved off the bottom of the table tonight with their fourth win of the season, all of them on their travels.

In the North, the majority of clubs have won roughly even numbers of home and away games, rather odd in itself. Maldon’s 100 per cent home record stands out and they are, in fact, the only club in the league without a home defeat.

At the other end of the scale, Needham Market are still seeking a home victory after 10 attempts but have won six times on the road. Ilford are also still seeking a home victory, though they have won only once anywhere.

In the Premier things are more normal, though leaders Whitehawk have won seven away and only five at home. Six of Cray’s eight defeats have been on home territory.