Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Dulwich Hamlet moved five points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier table after beating second-placed Bognor Regis Town in Saturday`s match of the day, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The table-topping clash pulled in 770 at Nyewood Lane. They saw a thriller in which Harvey Whyte gave the Rocks a 32nd minute lead before the visitors deservedly drew level six minutes later through Nyren Clunis.

Recent signing from Margate, Ryan Moss, then put Hamlet in front four minutes into the second half and Rhys Murrell-Williamson made it 3-1 with 67 minutes gone on the clock. But Bognor, who hadn`t lost in seven games, fought back and reduced the arrears with a goal from Snorre Nilsen. Despite Bognor's efforts to find a late equaliser, Dulwich hung on for all three points.

Tonbridge Angels moved to within a point of Bognor in third after beating Hendon 3-1 at Longmead.

Ryman League

Ryman League

Tom Parkinson gave Angels a 32nd minute lead that lasted barely two minutes as Kezie Ibe equalised. Nathan Elder restored the home side`s advantage three minutes before the break and Tommy Whitnell made sure the points stayed in Kent with a third on 63 minutes.

Kingstonian moved into fourth spot after beating bottom-markers Lewes 2-1 at the Dripping Pan.

It was a somewhat devastating defeat for the Rooks, who led through Henry Muggeridge`s early fifth minute opener.

Having lost to an 88th minute goal at Tonbridge in midweek, the 86th minute arrived with the majority of the 456 fans ready to celebrate a first home league win of the season. But in the space of 4 minutes, K`s substitute Ricky Sappleton broke the Rooks’ hearts with a brace to steal a 2-1 win.

Wingate & Finchley are back up to fifth but could only manage a point from a 1-1 draw at East Thurrock United.

They led through Karl Oliyide`s 34th minute effort until two minutes from time when Tom Wraight popped up with the Rocks` leveller.

Leiston`s game was postponed and they dropped out of the top five as a consequence. Billericay Town, who could have gone above them had they managed a win at Leylands Park against Burgess Hill Town, had to be content with one point from a 1-1 draw.

Both goals came within two minutes shortly after half-time, with Chris Smith putting the Hillians in front and Onome Sodje equalising for the Blues.

Second-bottom VCD Athletic recorded back-to-back wins to move to within a point of third-bottom Farnborough but are still seven adrift of the safety-mark.

The Vickers won 2-1 at Earlsmead against Harrow Borough, taking a first-minute lead through Richard Avery.

Substitute Kojo Awotwi eventually doubled the visitors` lead seven minutes from time, with a Joe Bruce own goal accounting for Boro`s last-gasp consolation.

Farnborough shared a 1-1 draw with fifth-bottom Needham Market at Cherrywood Road, Bogdan Vastsuk's 25th penalty eventually being cancelled out by Jordan Patrick on 65 minutes.

Grays Athletic, with games in hand on most above them, won 1-0 at Mill Field against Enfield Town and moved into tenth spot, Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson scoring the only goal after 16 minutes.

Merstham also won by the only goal at the Moatside Stadium against a Canvey Island side who could have gone into the top five had they won.

One of several new signings in the Moatsiders` team, Phil Page, scored five minutes from time. And Metropolitan Police were another single goal winner at Imber Court against Leatherhead, courtesy of Nathan Campbell`s 67th minute effort.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman South action review It`s a Kent south coast one-two in Ryman South following wins for leaders Folkestone Invicta and second-placed Ramsgate on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Full programme on live scores! Follow Saturday's full programme of action across the Ryman League on the live scores service.

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