Reasons to be cheerful, one, two three

We had rather a busy night- for a Wednesday- with action in three of our four divisions. Here’s how it played out. 

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

AFC Whyteleafe were looking for a fourth win in a row as they welcomed Burgess Hill Town- and for revenge, Hill defeating them three-nil when the sides last met back in August. 

The first half was end to end and brought four goals. Leafe opened the scoring on twenty two minutes, Toby Aromolaran continuing his fine streak in front of goal with his sixth in only four matches for the club, and five minutes later Palace Francis found Matty Warren and it was two-nil. Hill hit back almost immediately, Charlie Lambert hammering home after good work from Chris Whelpdale, and two minutes later Whelpdale was once more involved as Lambert levelled the match.

It looked as if, perhaps, the sides had used up their entire goal ration in the first half, but on eighty two minutes we got a fifth of the night, and it went to the visitors, a defensive error pounced upon by Yoan Edoukou, who made no mistake. Hill had come from two down- and held on to win three-two, and to climb to eighth. 

Pitching In Isthmian North

Leaders Gorleston hoped to go three points clear at the top as they welcomed Little Oakley, and they started superbly, Joe Marsden taking only seven minutes to put them ahead. The visitors levelled on thirty three minutes, Tobias Braney scoring from the spot, and midway through the second half they shocked the home faithful by going in front, Luke Mayhew hoping to upset the form book. 

Seventeen minutes from time Gorleston levelled, Aaron Bullent making it two-two, but again the acorns stunned their hosts, regaining the lead ten minutes later, Daniel Keeble the scorer, They held on for three extremely impressive points- and what a return to form after their seven goal hammering at the weekend. 

Gorleston stay top- albeit only on goals scored- whilst Little Oakley are up to eighth.

Grays Athletic came into their match against Walthamstow having lost seven in a row and without a permanent manager, Mitch Hahn departing earlier this week- but they looked a different side, and went ahead on six minutes through Sam Wade. Gabriel Chapps made it two eighteen minutes later, and although Stow got one back five minutes before the break- Elijah Grant with it- Chapps made it three-one ten minutes into the second half. What they had, they held- and moved to within a point of safety. 

Pitching In Isthmian South East

Sevenoaks Town welcomed Croydon Athletic to Greatness Park. The visitors parted company with their manager last week, and they parted company with parity on twenty one minutes, Nathan Jeche firing home. An own goal drew the visitors level just before the hour, but soon afterwards Oaks were ahead once more, Kevin Diomande restoring their lead- and this time they held onto it. 

Oaks climb to seventh, Athletic are twelfth, and our image comes from Aquarius Sports Photography.