Tuesday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Ryman League Premier Division

Tuesday was a massive night in the Ryman Premier with Wealdstone sealing the championship with a 1-0 win at Margate's Hartsdown Park while there were important wins for East Thurrock United and Lowestoft Town but disappointment for Bognor Regis Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Margate went down to a late, 83rd minute Charlie Penny goal as Wealdstone sealed the title with a 1-0 win. Terry Brown`s side had matched the champions throughout but were sucker punched when Penny sneaked in behind the defence, rounded `keeper Nikki Bull and slid the ball into the empty net.

Bognor, looking for second spot, were beaten by the odd goal in seven at the Beveree by mid-table Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Charlie Moone scored a hat-trick as the Beavers put another promotion contender to the sword. Dave Tarpey's second minute stunner opened the scoring for the Beavers before Moone doubled up just after the half-hour mark.

The Rocks started the second half with real purpose and Scott Chamberlain from the edge of the box made it 2–1 on 56 minutes. But when Moone won and scored a penalty after 65 minutes it was all over. He soon stroked home from distance to add a fourth - completing a third hat-trick of the season in the process – after 73 minutes.

Bognor rallied late on and scored two well-taken goals from Chamberlain again on 78 minutes and Sammy Igoe in stoppage time, but it leaves the Rocks level on points with second-placed AFC Hornchurch with two goals in the Urchins favour.

Lowestoft bagged a big three points and their twenty-second clean sheet of the season after a determined performance in beating a-still-not-safe Enfield Town side 2-0 at Crown Meadow.

It was goalless until Erkan Okay broke the deadlock just past the hour-mark. And Jake Reed`s second with 13 minutes to go gave the Trawlerboys all three points.

The win leaves them four points behind fifth-placed Kingstonian but with a game in hand while the defeat for George Borg`s side leaves them five points above the drop zone where Wingate & Finchley have a game extra to play.

Town`s hopes weren`t helped by news of East Thurrock`s 3-1 win at the Courage Stadium against already-relegated Cray Wanderers.

Sam Higgins maintained his good scoring form by giving the Rocks an early third minute lead that David Bryant added to after 19 minutes.

Paul Vines reduced the deficit on 32 minutes but five minutes from the end Higgins netted his second and East Thurrock`s third, to lift them out of the drop zone and level on points with Wingate.

The other three games had little apart from final placings and pride riding on them but did see doomed Carshalton Athletic end their eight-game winless run with a 1-0 victory at Leiston, courtesy of an 11th minute Brendan Murphy-McVey effort.

Billericay Town earned Essex bragging rights with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Grays Athletic at New Lodge.

Joey Benjamin gave the Blues the boost of an early fifth minute lead that Josh Ekim doubled eight minutes before the break. Isaac Layne made it 3-0 just nine minutes into the second half, with Glenn Poole adding the fourth after 74 minutes.

Tuesday`s other game saw Bury Town edge out Metropolitan Police 2-1 at Ram Meadow.

It was goalless until 15 minutes from the end when Bradley Hudson-Odoi gave the Met the lead from the penalty spot. But on 82 minutes Jack Brame levelled and the Suffolk side won it in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Joe Whight converting from the spot.

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