A four point lead for Stoke

After almost an entire season writing ‘our leaders, Northwood’ it seemed rather strange to see the name at the top change, but Basingstoke Town had got there on merit- and they stayed there on merit, too. Stoke hit Merstham for five in November, but we speculated that this one might be closer as the Moatsiders have improved since then. It seemed, however, that Stoke hadn’t read that script. Brad Wilson opened the scoring for the hosts on eleven minutes, and two goals in two minutes either side of the break- George Reid and Wilson again- gave them a three-nil advantage. Noe Vendrells got a goal back on his Merstham debut with fourteen minutes left, but that was that, and the five hundred and eighty watching on seeing their side go four points clear. Image courtesy of Basingstoke Town.

Northwood travelled around the M25 to Leatherhead as they attempted to climb back to the summit, but their inconsistent form continued. Omarr Lawson put the Tanners ahead on the half hour, Keane Anderson made it two nine minutes after the break, and Woods then made their own task more difficult as Brandon Kalu saw red. That was that, and they dropped to third- the Tanners fourteenth.

Walton & Hersham, with so many postponements of late that we’d been thinking about renaming them Walton and Hersham P-P (although given all of the games called off had been away from home, perhaps P-P Walton & Hersham would be more appropriate), got back into action as Sutton Common Rovers came to call. It took sixty one minutes for a goal to arrive, Harry Mills with it for the hosts, but we had two almost immediately, John Gilbert doubling home advantage. The Swans are up to second.

Chertsey Town had climbed to fourth place prior to their match with Uxbridge, but their good form seemed to have left them as they fell two goals behind, Anthony Mendy opening the scoring and Eitel Goueth making it two at half time. That was that, and the Curfews slip to fifth.

Marlow were on the road- and the plane- as they headed to the Channel Island to take on Guernsey. The Green Lions had finally learned how to win at home, and courtesy of two one-nil wins had managed it twice in quick succession- but they couldn’t make it three in a row as the visitors came from behind to take all three points despite a red card. Naheer-Omar Nawaf opened the scoring for the visitors on twenty five minutes, but Ross Allen and Sam Murray had turned the match on its head by the break. A penalty converted by Junaid Bell drew the visitors level on the hour, and although Curtis Ujah was soon dismissed another penalty was awarded eleven minutes from time, Thomas Soares converting what turned out to be the winner as his side ended the day in fourth.

South Park Reigate travelled to Hanworth Villa. The Sparks hadn’t really been on fire of late, indeed they’d won only one of their last six- and they fell behind midway through the first half, Sam Merson scoring for the Villains. Two minutes after the restart Kyen Nicholas made it two, but the Sparks then decided to make a game of it, Nathan Hogan quickly pulling a goal back. The equaliser didn’t arrive, however, and we had a double for Villa, who are tenth.

Binfield were on the road to Bedfont Sports, their hosts two points clear of the bottom four and having lost their last two after an earlier six match unbeaten run. Harvey Harry opened the scoring for the Moles on twenty five minutes, only for Kofi Anoyke-Boadi to level before the break. Harry struck again for the visitors with twenty five minutes left, and they held on to close to within a point of the top five with three games in hand. Win those and they’d be a point behind the leaders.

We’d eighth v ninth as Southall welcomed Westfield. The two sides had already met twice this season, a Velocity Cup win for Southall and a goalless draw the outcomes, and they were level at half time, Anthony O’Connor opening the scoring for the hosts six minutes before the break only for a Troy Walters spot kick to level things up. That was that, and the sides remain eighth and ninth.

Chipstead looked to build on their superb nine match unbeaten run as they got back to action for the first time since January 7th. The Chips welcomed Ashford Town to the High Road, and went ahead on twenty one minutes, Jerry O’Sullivan with the opener. The Tangerines had only one win from their previous nine but were quickly level, Ben Peden with the equaliser- and were ahead before the break, Dan Brown creating his own inferno on forty four minutes. The equaliser didn’t arrive, and the Tangerines opened a six point gap on the bottom four.

Thatcham Town have been in fine form, a run of only two defeats from ten matches giving them a nine point cushion over the bottom four- and perhaps they can start looking at the top five rather than behind them after another victory. The visitors, bottom side Tooting & Mitcham United, fell behind just before the hour, Muhamadou Ceesay with the opener, and the same player made it two ten minutes later. The Terrors had earlier gone down to ten men, Raees Bangura-Williams seeing red- and the Kingfishers are only nine points away from the play off places.

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