Town smash five at the seaside- whilst Erith go fourth with four

Peacehaven & Telscombe had made a fine start to their Step Four return, but suffered a Cup hiding against Margate on Saturday so had something to prove as they travelled along the coast to take on Eastbourne Town in a Sussex derby. The Magpies knew that victory would take them second, but they went behind with nineteen minutes on the clock, Edward Ratcliffe opening the scoring for the hosts. Marcin Ruda made it two-nil to Town just after the hour, and the same player made the points safe with a third eleven minutes later. They were safer still almost immediately, Sonny Walsh adding a fourth after a fine run, and still not finished, Ratcliffe adding a fifth in added time. Town climb to sixth- and provide our image.

Herne Bay finally kicked off their South East campaign as they travelled to Sheppey United. Bay, with striker Joe Taylor already showing his usual prowess in front of goal, had been sidetracked by their Cup and Trophy exploits- particularly that saga against Broadfields United which eventually saw them depart the former; whilst the Ites had also been full of goals, scoring fourteen in their first five competitive matches. 

Sheppey had a disastrous start, only six minutes on the clock when they saw Harry Lawrence sent off, so perhaps it was no surprise when Taylor struck on eighteen minutes. Taylor got another ten minutes later, and the third arrived just before the hour, Jacob Lambert with that one. The scoring stopped there, and Bay move up to eleventh. 

Erith Town went into last night’s game against Sevenoaks Town with a one hundred percent League record- but they had only played one match! The Dockers, who had won three of their previous four competitive matches so far this season with the only defeat coming on penalties, were ahead on fourteen minutes, Michael Arthey with the opener- and they added a second seven minutes before the break, Deven Reid-Solanki with that one. 

Four minutes into the second half Harry Taylor made it three, and still the Dockers weren’t finished, Jefferson Aibangbee making it four just before the end. Perfect record retained- and in some style. 

Whitstable Town and Deal Town met in a Kentish seaside derby. The Oysterboys were still looking for a first point after two matches, and they seemed determined to put that right. Alex Wall put them ahead on eleven minutes, and only six minutes later they had another, Jack Nelson making it two-nil. Deal didn’t give up, however, and early in the second half Tom Chapman halved the arrears, but the next goal looked to be crucial and it went to the hosts, Perri Iandolo restoring their two goal lead. 

A late red card for the hosts Nathan Green gave the visitors a little hope, but it was soon to be dashed by the final whistle. The Oysterboys move up to seventeenth. 

Crowborough Athletic were at home to South Park Reigate. The Crows went into the match with three wins from four- and three clean sheets from four- in League and Cup, whilst the Sparks had drawn their South East opener against Broadbridge Heath last Tuesday, three days after defeating the same opponents in the FA Trophy. At half time the hosts were half way towards another clean sheet, the match goalless, but that defence was unlocked just after the hour, Dan Moody putting the Sparks ahead. The hosts went down to ten men eleven minutes from time, Will Puffette seeing red, and a late own goal gave the visitors a cushion, whilst the Crows then went down to nine men, Rushaar Samuel-Smikle also taking an early walk to the changing room. 

That was that- and the Sparks are up to ninth. 

Faversham Town and Punjab United- who were scheduled to meet in the League this evening- were instead in Cup Replay action. The Lilywhites were determined to defeat Bedfont this time around, and they did so in some style, Kane Haysman scoring a first half hat trick. Ibrahim Olutade quickly added a fourth, and that was that. United sadly departed the competition, losing two-nil at SE Dons.