Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Tonbridge Angels moved to within five points of Ryman Premier leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough with a game in hand after edging out the Beavers 1-0 at Longmead on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A crowd of 559 saw a Luke Blewden penalty in the 64th minute prove decisive for Angels while another big game saw second-placed East Thurrock United share a 2-2 draw with fourth-placed Dulwich Hamlet at Champion Hill.

A terrific crowd of 1,607 saw Dulwich stage an unbelievable fight back with two goals in stoppage time at the end of the game from Nyren Clunis and Ashley Carew from the spot to somehow rescue an unlikely point.

The Rocks led through Sam Higgins after 34 minutes and Tom Wraight on 65 minutes. And they finished with ten-men after defender Sammy Knott`s dismissal for conceding the last-gasp spot-kick.

Ryman League

Ryman League

With fifth-placed Bognor Regis Town in FA Trophy giant-killing action again, Enfield Town and Leiston both won to move to within two points of the top five.

Town beat third-bottom VCD Athletic 3-0 at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium with goals from Corey Whitely after 21 and 58 minutes, sandwiched by a 53rd minute Bobby Devyne effort.

Leiston returned to winning ways and in doing so finally broke their duck against Leatherhead at the fourth attempt.

Leading scorer Christy Finch led the way with two goals inside nine first half minutes, the second from the penalty spot, taking his tally to 16 for the season.

The visitors reduced the arrears through Phil Walsh just after the hour-mark but were then reduced to ten-men with the dismissal of Kiernan Hughes-Mason 10 minutes from time. Leiston sealed the win with a stoppage time penalty from Jack Ainsley.

Grays Athletic are still in contention, but could have done with all three points from a 3-3 draw at Mill Field against Metropolitan Police.

The Met were in front after less than a minute through Joe Turner and Charlie Collins added a second with 24 minutes gone.

Kenny Beaney after 35 minutes and Joao Carlos on 56 minutes pulled Grays level, only for Turner to notch his second nine minutes from time. But Correy Davidson rescued a point for the Blues five minutes from the end.

Bottom side Lewes are now twelve points adrift after losing 5-2 at the Prospects Stadium to Canvey Island.

Richard Halle gave the Gulls a sixth minute lead that Jonte Smith cancelled out nine minutes later. Jay Curran on 49 minutes and Martin Tuohy on 64 minutes had the hosts 3-1 ahead before Leon Redwood gave the Rooks hope on 76 minutes.

But veteran sub Cliff Akurang and then Tuohy again scored in the final three minutes to complete victory.

Bottom four sides Brentwood Town and Farnborough both picked up a point apiece on their travels, with Town taking the lead on the hour-mark through Bradley Nobbs at Leylands Park against Burgess Hill Town, whose James Fraser equalised six minutes later.

Fabio Saraiva gave Merstham a 25th minute lead at the Moatside Stadium, but Jack Smith pulled Boro level six minutes later to eventually earn a share of the spoils.

That was all bad news for fifth-bottom Staines Town, who were beaten 2-0 at Earlsmead by Hendon, for whom Tony Taggart bagged a brace in the second and 55th minutes.

Needham Market moved above Staines after sharing a goalless draw at Bloomfields with Kingstonian.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman North action review It was top versus bottom in the Ryman North on Saturday and the form book was certainly adhered to as leaders AFC Sudbury moved twelve points clear with a 5-1 win against Redbridge, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Congratulations to the Rocks! Congratulations to Bognor Regis Town on reaching the semi-finals of the FA Trophy from all at the Ryman League!

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