Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Ryman League Premier Division

It's only August and already we've had our first postponements for weather with the Ryman Premier matches at Canvey Island and Hampton & Richmond Borough both falling foul of waterlogged pitches on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

And six teams are yet to taste defeat after five matches, with Kingstonian, Lewes, Wealdstone, Bury and newly-promoted Dulwich Hamlet and Maidstone United all unbeaten. K`s and Hamlet lead the fledgling table on thirteen points after both recorded wins on Saturday.

Kingstonian won comprehensively 4-0 at the Abrahams Stadium against Wingate & Finchley, taking a 10th minute lead through Ryan Moss and then making it almost game over at the break with further goals from Andre McCollin, from the penalty spot after 23 minutes, and Moss again a couple of minutes later. Moss went on to complete his hat-trick with the only goal of the second half 14 minutes from time.

Dulwich completed a 3-1 victory at home against Carshalton Athletic. Hamlet opened brightly and it was no surprise when Dean Lodge gave them a 15th minute lead. But a dominant first half was marred by an injury to Harry Ottaway who had to be carried off after a collision with the visiting keeper that has left him with a suspected broken leg.

Dulwich quickly doubled their lead at the start of the second half as a Kevin James free-kick found an unmarked Mathieu Boyer, who converted at the far post. However, a rare mistake by Phil Wilson offered Carshalton a way back into the game as he allowed a speculative Tommy Bradford shot to squirm under his body on what was by now a very slippery surface. This gave the visitors but it was extinguished by Erhun Oztumer with two minutes remaining.

Two of those unbeaten teams, Maidstone and Lewes, shared a goalless draw at the Gallagher Stadium in front of a crowd of 1,659, while Wealdstone won the derby at Earlsmead against Harrow Borough with goals from Chris Moore after 61 minutes and Reece Grant seven minutes from time in front of a decent crowd of 452.

The other unbeaten side, Bury, were also in derby action, winning 4-0 at Victory Road against Leiston. John Sands put the visiting Blues ahead after 17 minutes and then a David Bridges brace in the 34th and 45th minutes gave them a 3-0 interval lead. They completed a comfortable win with a Ryan Semple effort in the 64th minute.

Bognor Regis Town earned their first win of 2013/14 against Metropolitan Police at Nyewood Lane. Ben Godfrey broke the deadlock by giving the Rocks a 64th minute lead that Kane Wills doubled nine minutes from time.

Margate secured a 2-0 verdict at Bayliss Avenue against newly-promoted Thamesmead Town with goals from Phil Walsh after 10 minutes and then Lanre Azeez right at the death. A bizarre own goal after 49 minutes, and a George Purcell penalty a minute from time, ensured AFC Hornchurch took all three points at Bridge Road against Lowestoft Town, whose Chris Henderson had given them a 36th minute lead.

Enfield Town edged out neighbours Hendon by the odd goal in five at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. Adam Wallace gave the hosts the boost of an early second minute lead that Dave Diedhiou cancelled out just past the half-hour mark.

Liam Hope restored Town`s lead three minutes after the restart, only for Diedhiou to score his second of the game to restore parity on 54 minutes. The winner came in injury-time when a quick break from Adam Wallace saw him bundled over in the box by Tony Taggart. Hope gave on-loan keeper Charlie Horlock no chance from the spot to score his second and the winner, but his joy was short-lived as he was shown a second yellow card for his celebration!

Grays Athletic suffered their first defeat since winning promotion back to the Premier, beaten 3-0 at Essex neighbours East Thurrock United. Former Grays favourite Stuart Thurgood broke the deadlock by putting the Rocks in front right on half-time. David Bryant doubled the home side`s lead on 65 minutes and the same player made sure with his second, and East Thurrock's third, in time added on.

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