Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Ryman League

Kingstonian still lead the way in the Ryman League Premier Division table, but suffered their first defeat of the new season on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The K`s went down to a 2-0 defeat at the Gallagher Stadium in front of another terrific crowd of 1,775. Frannie Collin gave the Stones a 13th minute lead with a direct free-kick and then just six minutes later Alex Brown doubled the home side`s advantage – a lead they held.

That leaves just Wealdstone and Lewes with unbeaten records seven games into the 2013-14 campaign. Wealdstone emphatically hammered Cray Wanderers 7-0 at Grosvenor Vale with seven different scorers getting their name on the scoresheet!

Sean Cronin from the spot set the goal rush going in the 13th minute and Chris Moore, Scott McGleish and Elliott Godfrey made it 4-0 and already game over at half-time. Reece Grant added a fifth 16 minutes from time and then Stefan Bailey and Jack Hutchinson completed the rout, with Cray`s misery being complete with the last-gasp dismissal of Danny Young for a second bookable offence.

Lewes just hung on to their unbeaten record when Jack Dixon netted an 86th minute equaliser at Earlsmead against Hendon, whose Jefferson Louis had given the Greens a 65th minute lead.

Dulwich Hamlet can count themselves a shade unfortunate to suffer a first defeat of the season in front of season high crowd of 607 at Champion Hill against relegated AFC Hornchurch. George Purcell gave the Urchins a 22nd minute lead that Nyren Clunis equalised 10 minutes before the break. However, Stefan Payne – on as a substitute – restored the visitors` lead on 67 minutes and added a third 13 minutes later, meaning Erhun Oztumer`s penalty near the end was only a consolation for Hamlet.

A first win of the season, and a victory for efforts both on and off the field as a nightmare 18 hours for Harrow Borough ended with a last-minute winner from Simon Akinola on the Suffolk coast against Leiston. Harrow`s `nightmare` was caused when Premier League Fulham recalled goalkeeper Max Oberschmidt from his loan at 9.45pm on Friday night!

Manager Dave Anderson and chairman Peter Rogers couldn’t spend time bemoaning the Craven Cottage club’s behaviour, however, as they needed a goalkeeper. Working into the small hours and up with the lark, they secured the signing of Alex Tokarczyk from Hemel Hempstead Town, the necessary paperwork all faxed off before boarding the coach to Suffolk!

Lowestoft Town took a point in a goalless draw at Wingate & Finchley with the home side guilty of missing good first half chances, while Alan Bray scored the only goal of the game at Rookery Hill against East Thurrock United with nine minutes remaining to give Hampton & Richmond Borough the spoils.

Enfield Town recovered well from a slow start to seal a win 3-1 win over Thamesmead Town with goals from Tyler Campbell on 57 minutes and Liam Hope eight minutes from time after Adam Wallace's 25th minute equaliser. John Scarborough had given Thamesmead an early lead, heading home unmarked.

Canvey Island`s poor start to the season continued on the Sussex coast as they went down to a 5-0 defeat at Nyewood Lane against Bognor Regis Town. Craig Robson put the Rocks in front after nine minutes and Ben Godfrey doubled that seven minutes later. Nine minutes into the second half Kane and Wills made it 3-0 and 10 minutes after that Terry Dodd added a fourth. Ben Johnson made it nap in stoppage time.

Carshalton Athletic are also struggling and were beaten 3-1 at Colston Avenue by Bury Town, whose Billy Clark gave them the boost of an early second minute lead. Jordan Patrick made it 2-0 in the 40th minute and Clark`s second three minutes later meant the game was virtually over by half-time, despite Tommy Bradford having reduced the arrears in the 31st minute.

Where next?

Sunday's Ryman Premier action review Ryman League Premier Division

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