Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Ryman League Premier Division

Kent rivals Margate and Maidstone United continue to blaze a trail at the top of the Ryman Premier after Saturday's round of matches with both making it five wins from five, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Terry Brown's Margate head the way on goal difference after a 5-1 hammering of Billericay Town in front of a good crowd of 799 at Hartsdown Park.

The home side raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening nine minutes through Zac Attwood and Ryan Moss. Charlie Allen added a third with only 21 minutes gone on the clock and then Moss added his second just before then hour-mark to make it 4-0. Richard Halle reduced the arrears with nine minutes left, only for Allen to add his second of the game and make it a nap hand for the hosts.

Maidstone could only manage one goal at home against winless Bury Town in front of a superb crowd of 1,687, Jamie Coyle`s 63rd minute effort eventually proving enough for the Stones.

There was a first win of the 2014-15 campaign for Grays Athletic as they inflicted a fifth successive defeat on Hampton & Richmond Borough. Jay Leader gave the visitors a 21st minute lead that Jamie Guy eventually added to on 66 minutes. Lloyd Harrington and then a Billy Jeffreys own goal made it 4-0 in the final five minutes.

Promoted VCD Athletic picked up their first Premier Division point after sharing a 1-1 draw at home against Metropolitan Police. James Duckworth broke the deadlock to give the Vickers a 76th minute lead – only for Reece Hall to equalise less than two minutes later.

Bognor Regis Town, who did so well last season, also picked up their first point in 1-1 draw at Nyewood Lane against Kingstonian, who have yet to lose. But it was a frustrating afternoon by the seaside as Nathaniel Pinney's 93rd minute header rescued a point for the K's after Ollie Pearce had given the Rocks the lead in the 81st minute.

Relegated Tonbridge Angels went down to a 2-0 defeat at Wingate & Finchley, whose in-form David Knight put them ahead after 29 minutes and then Tommy Tejan-Sie doubled six minutes later.

Canvey Island sent Enfield Town to a third defeat in five at Park Lane, although the visitors led through Liam Hope`s 21st minute penalty. John Sands equalised just past the hour-mark and then Marlon Agyakwa won it for the Islanders in injury-time.

Dulwich Hamlet made if four wins from five by beating Lewes 2-0 at Champion Hill, Nyren Clunis breaking the deadlock to give Hamlet a 59th minute lead that Xavier Vidal eventually added to in stoppage time.

Leiston also made it four from five in emphatic style at Victory Road against promoted Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Craig Parker after 14 minutes and then Leon Ottley-Gooch after 42 minutes gave the Suffolk side a 2-0 interval lead. Parker added his second two minutes after the break and then Joe Francis on 69 minutes and Gareth Heath five minutes later completed their nap hand.

AFC Hornchurch, last season's play-off losers, lost their fourth game in five after going down 2-1 at Fetcham Grove to promoted Leatherhead, whose Carl Rook gave them an early fifth minute lead. Stacy Long doubled the Tanners lead after 73 minutes, with Junior Dadson replying four minutes later.

Harrow Borough and newly-promoted Witham Town, who have yet to be beaten, shared a six-goal thriller at Earlsmead.

Ola Williams put Boro in front after 23 minutes and a Josh Mayhew penalty eventually pulled the Essex side back on terms just before the hour-mark. An Anthony Page own goal then gave Witham the lead with 15 minutes to go but sub Steve Butterworth levelled five minutes later, only for Witham`s own sub, Ryan Charles, to restore their lead with eight minutes to go. But less than three minutes from time defender Franny Otira popped up with Boro`s leveller.

It also finished all-square between East Thurrock United and Hendon at Rookery Hill where the visiting Greens took a 35th minute lead through Kezie Ibe before Sam Lechmere equalised on 64 minutes.

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