Blues climb- as Urchins and Millers held

Hornchurch had the chance to go top of the Pitching In Isthmian Premier last night- but it was a chance they failed to take in a topsy turvy match at Bridge Avenue. During the course of ninety minutes the Urchins contrived to be two down with sixteen minutes left, recover to lead three-two going into the last minute, and still end the night with just a point. Haringey Borough were fastest out of the traps and went ahead on eighteen minutes as Scott Durojaiye converted from the spot, and despite the best efforts of the home side the visitors went two up with twenty two minutes remaining, Johnny Ashman doubling their advantage. At this point the hosts were finally roused, and within twelve minutes Sam Higgins had brought them level with his thirteenth and fourteenth goals of the campaign, before- two minutes later- Danny Green completed the turnaround and surely gave his side three points. Borough decided otherwise, however, and in the dying embers of the match grabbed a deserved point, Stefanos Georgiou with the final goal of an exciting night.

Victory for Aveley, then, would have taken them top on goal difference. The Millers did make an early breakthrough, and as usual it was George Sykes who delivered it, his eleventh of the season coming after just eight minutes. That prompted the Lewes Supporters Club, struggling with the weather, to post the tweet you see below, and given the weather we’re surprised the players hadn’t taken to flippers, but their side rallied and just after the hour drew level, the reliable Joe Taylor slotting home from the spot to earn his side a point. That’s twelve for the season for Joe.

Two other sides with top five pretentions met in Essex, as Billericay Town welcomed Hastings United. Both sides were on good runs; the Blues having won their last four and unbeaten in the league since August Bank Holiday Monday, United having won seven of their last nine in all competitions- and it was no surprise that this one was rather a tight affair. The hosts got the only goal of the game seven minutes into the second half, and it came to Anthony Jeffrey, who sent his side into ninth- four points behind Enfield Town in fifth place but with three games in hand. Our image of the celebration comes from Nicky Hayes.

Into Pitching In Isthmian South Central, and Walton & Hersham knew they would go second if they could defeat Hanworth Villa- but the Villains had other ideas. The Swans led for most of the match, Taurean Roberts with his fifth of the campaign on just seven minutes- but with twenty minutes left Jonathan Hippolyte took charge for the visitors, scoring two goals to silence the home faithful and send his side up to eleventh. Walton remain seven points behind leaders Northwood- but now they have only two games in hand.

Pitching In Isthmian South East was a washout, both matches postponed, so we move on to the Velocity Cup, and the departure from the competition of holders Horsham, defeated by a Whitehawk side who are now unbeaten in open play in their last fourteen matches.

The Hornets took a fifth minute lead through Jack Mazzone, but the Hawks drew level seven minutes before the break as Joe Shelley converted from the spot- and then the hosts found themselves in water far hotter than that which was pouring from the sky as Stefan Wright put his side ahead on the stroke of half time. That water was hotter still when Alex Malins saw red just after the restart, but the ten men drew level with only ten minutes to go, Mazzone with his ninth of the campaign. Of course the Hawks had a number of former Hornets in their ranks, and it was one of them who delivered the killer blow, Will Miles delivering victory for his side with eight minutes remaining.

Folkestone Invicta welcomed Faversham Town, and the Lilywhites have now conceded eleven goals in two matches after the Pitching In Isthmian Premier hosts put them to the sword. It was four-nil at half time, Nathan Green, Ibrahim Olutade, Ian Gayle and Ade Yusuff making short work of the visitors rearguard- but they took pity after the break and added only one more, Matthew Norman with it.

Brightlingsea Regent might have thought their luck had changed when new signing Francis Jno-Baptiste gave them an early lead against Bowers and Pitsea at the Taydal- but it turned out to be a false dawn. Freddie Hockey drew the visitors level shortly before the break, Sonny Fish added a second just after the restart, and Michael Bareck made certain with a third six minutes from time.

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