Moatsiders surely secure fifth spot

Merstham, in a fight with Beckenham Town for fifth spot, knew that victory at Erith Town could almost confirm their play off place- and they swept to a three-nil win on the road. Korrey Henry has been in magnificent form for the Moatsiders, having scored in his four previous matches- and he took that form with him to Erith, hitting a first half hat trick. His goals started on thirteen minutes, and then fifteen minutes later the visitors were awarded a spot kick, Henry scoring another. Six minutes from time, another spot kick, another Henry goal, and game effectively over! That’s twenty two for the season for Henry, and a six point lead for the Moatsiders in that race for fifth- with two matches remaining and a much better goal difference. 

Seventh place Three Bridges have had a rather positive campaign when you consider they spent the first half of it playing home matches in Chatham! Bridges welcomed Herne Bay to Crawley, looking to put last weekend’s defeat at Ramsgate behind them- but they had to settle for a point, and only got that in added time. Michael Salako opened the scoring for Bay nine minutes before half time- his twenty third of the season- but Ben Holden quickly brought Bridges level from the spot. Sixteen minutes from time Liam Friend restored Bay’s lead, only for the hosts to take a point in the ninety first minute, Hayden Velvick making it two-two (pictured, courtesy of the club).

Sevenoaks Town have had a positive end to their campaign, and welcomed Broadbridge Heath hoping to bounce back from their first defeat in ten- but instead they made it two defeats in a row. The Bears charged into an early lead, Louis Evans scoring in the very first minute, and only six minutes later Mason Doughty made it two. Josh Wisson set up a grandstand finish by getting a goal back for Oaks with nine minutes left, but instead of a home equaliser we got a Heath third, Callum Dowdell making it three-one a minute from time. 

Deal Town hoped to get back to winning ways after a hammering at the hands of Burgess Hill Town as they welcomed another Sussex side, East Grinstead Town. Deal had won four in a row prior to that defeat, and a ninth minute goal from Ife Oni confirmed another three points- and a sixth defeat in a row for the travelling Wasps.

Croydon Athletic took on already relegated Lancing. The Rams were in inconsistent form, whilst the Lancers form has been consistent but not in a good way, and they had lost their previous last fourteen- a run which was to extend to fifteen. Abby Akanbi opened the scoring for the hosts just before the half hour, and on sixty eight minutes Brandon Pierrick’s twenty first of the season completed a Lancing double for the hosts. 

Finally, Eastbourne Town welcomed Phoenix Sports to East Sussex. Sports started the match eight points from safety with three matches to go, and a goal from James Ding on forty four minutes for the hosts sealed their fate, confirming their relegation and ensuring that Littlehampton Town stay up.