Dover increase their lead

Dover Athletic, ten unbeaten and with a five point lead at the top, had the chance to possibly make that gap even larger as all of their closest rivals were playing each other. Athletic headed to South London to take on Dulwich Hamlet, and they had a tricky start, an own goal giving the hosts the lead on five minutes. Dover drew level in the last minute of the first half, Ruben Soares Junior scoring his fifteenth goal of the season, and on sixty seven minutes they completed the turnaround, George Nikaj giving them the lead and taking his tally to eighteen. Athletic then took charge, and within seven minutes had added a third, Alfie Matthews ensuring three points. There was still time for a fourth, too, Soares-Junior making it a depressing day for Dulwich fans.  

Two thousand, one hundred and sixty braved the elements. 

Cray Valley PM welcomed Lewes, and the score was two-nil to the Rooks when, with eleven minutes to go, a serious injury to Marcel McIntosh saw the match abandoned- our best wishes go out to Marcel. 

Third place Billericay Town travelled to North London to take on the side four points and one place behind them, Wingate and Finchley. The Essex Blues seemed to have got over their mini blip and were looking for a third win in a row, whilst the Summers Lane Blues were looking to avoid a third successive league loss, and to narrow the gap between themselves and their visitors. The hosts were also looking for a fourth win in a row over their promotion rivals, but it didn’t look likely when Billericay broke the deadlock with only thirteen minutes remaining, Charlie Panton the scorer. That was that, and the Blues climbed to second, 

Dartford played host to Bognor Regis Town. The Darts recent league form had seen them climb into the top ten, and they were only three points away from the top five at kick off after a seven match unbeaten run. The Rocks, in contrast, were in disarray, bottom of the table and hammered seven-one at home last weekend. With only one win from ten, and with caretaker managers in place, the travelling fans hoped that their side could begin to rewrite the narrative, but they went behind just before the half hour, Denzelle Olopade striking for the hosts. Within three minutes it was two-nil, Olly Box continuing his fine run of recent form with a seventh of the season, and five minutes before half time George Whitfield made it three. Still the first half torture wasn’t over for the visitors, as just before the break Josh Hill made it four. The second half was devoid of goals, but things still got worse for the visitors, skipper Calvin Davies dismissed with twelve minutes to go. Dartford climb to fifth, Bognor are seven points from safety. 

Eight hundred and five watched on. 

Chichester City welcomed Hastings United in a Sussex derby. City started the day in fifteenth, with one win from their last five, whilst United were in the bottom four on goal difference, courtesy of a five match winless run which had seen them pick up only one point- but were under new management, and perhaps that spurred them on. United went ahead on seventeen minutes, Finley Chapman with the opening goal, and they doubled their advantage three minutes before half time, Jack Dixon making it two-nil. The hosts were given some direction at the break, and quickly halved the deficit, Lloyd Rowlatt giving them hope- hope which was quickly fulfilled as Jimmy Wild got an equaliser five minutes later, his nineteenth of the campaign. United then found their feet once more, and Davide Rodari restored their lead with eighteen minutes remaining- and this time they held onto it to climb out of the relegation places. 

Bowers and Pitsea hosted Cray Wanderers in a match which looked crucial for both sides. Bowers started the day three points from safety, and wanted to end a five match losing streak with something rather more positive, whilst Wands were one of three sides three points better off, outside the bottom four only on goal difference, and with only one win from their previous five. The match was goalless when, on sixty six minutes, Bowers skipper Lewis Chambers was dismissed- and the visitors took advantage, going ahead with only eleven minutes remaining, Frankie Raymond (pictured, Nicky Hayes) scoring from the spot. That was that- the gap between the sides now six points.