A good night to stay at home?

Two defeats in a row for Southall had allowed Chertsey Town to create a six point lead at the top of the Pitching In Isthmian South Central table, but The All cut that in half last night as Hanworth Villa came to call. The Villains had also lost their way a little of late, losing their last three, and that became four as a second half masterclass swept them aside.

Brendan Matthew’s sixth Southall goal in ten matches gave the hosts the lead on twenty seven minutes, only for Villa to level ten minutes later, Sam Mead ensuring it was all-square at the break. The second half, however, was a different story. Josh Green restored the All’s advantage nine minutes after the restart, and any chance of a comeback ended when Jaden Thompson-Brissett got a third for the hosts seven minutes from time. That was the Southall number seven’s twenty seventh of the season, and he added a twenty eighth four minutes later to crown a fine night for the home fans, and to ensure his side cut that Chertsey lead to three points.

South Park Reigate had seen their play off chances slip after winning only one of their previous five- and that’s now one win in six after Sutton Common Rovers continued their fine home form with a third consecutive win at Whyteleafe- and they did it rather well, two late goals ensuring that the margin of victory was three. Rovers went ahead on nineteen minutes, Aaron Jenkins scoring his twelfth of the campaign- but the Sparks weren’t out of the game until two minutes from time, when Maxwell Oldham added a second. Right at the end substitute Lindell Stewart rounded off a fine night for the hosts, who climb to thirteenth.

Next we focus on the other end of the table, as Guernsey welcomed Chipstead- and something of a goalfest. The sides were separated by one place and one point at kick off, in favour of the Chips, but the hosts home form was rather good and Chipstead had never won at Footes Lane, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise when that pattern continued.

An own goal opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half, and talisman Ross Allen quickly added a second from the spot. It looked as if the game was over by the break, Charlton Gauvain making it three-nil just before the interval, and eight minutes into the second half Allen added a fourth, which was when the visitors finally roused themselves. Dan Berry added what looked to be a consolation with twenty one minutes to go, and just three minutes later Jordy Ndozid brought it back to four-two. Could they? No. Ten minutes from time Matt Loaring added a fifth for the hosts, and although a Jack Leahy penalty pulled it back to five-three just before the end, the Green Lions held on for a fine victory- although at least the Chips can say that they won the second half!

Guernsey climb to sixteenth, the Chips are just a place above the bottom two- but that comes with an eight point cushion.

The Reposs Isthmian Women’s Cup second Semi-Final was taking place at Nyewood Lane, as Bognor Regis Town and Ashford United faced off for the chance to take on Billericay Town in the Final. The Rockettes had narrowly defeated Guernsey to reach this stage, whilst their opponents walloped Sittingbourne by five goals to nil, and were a division higher than their hosts, so undoubted favourites- and that was certainly how it turned out.

Rebecca Wyatt scored twice within the first twenty minutes to make the visitors comfortable, and when Karis Howard delivered a long distance rocket to make it three midway through the half it looked to be a question of how many. The answer was six! The next goal arrived in the last quarter of an hour, and it went to Jodie Cain- and she quickly added a fifth. Three minutes from time Abby Davies made it six, and it was a happy trip home to Kent for the visitors.

We’ll have details of the Final as soon as we can!

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.