Cade keeps Anvils out in front

By Peter Butcher

THE top two in Ryman South met at Crawley Down yesterday (Saturday) and produced a thriller worthy of the occasion which the table-topping Anvils won by the odd goal in seven.

The formidable Stuart King (pictured) gave Folkestone an eighth-minute lead which Jamie Cade wiped out 20 minutes later. Richard Atkins quickly restored Folkestone’s advantage and a Craig Richards header made it 2-2 equally quickly. Luke Blewden put the hosts in front for the first time just before the interval.

King made it 3-3 in the 55th minute, becoming the first player in the division to reach ten league goals, but a Cade penalty put Anvils ahead again eight minutes later and, remarkably, that ended the scoring.

Folkestone slipped from second to sixth in this very tight division – just 11 points separate top and bottom – with second spot being inherited by another Kent coast club, Herne Bay. The league debutants continued their good start to Ryman life by coming from behind to beat visiting Horsham 2-1. Ryan Marriott gave the visitors a well-deserved lead soon after half-time but the hosts upped their game and were in front by the 65-minute mark thanks to strikes by Rhys Lawson and Dean Grant.

Third place belongs to Eastbourne Town, who won the division’s second 4-3 cracker. Walton & Hersham were two up in 20 minutes at the Saffrons with goals from Gary Frewen and Graeme Purdy, but Sonny Cobbs and Matt Crabb, with a penalty, made it 2-2 before half-time. Purdy put Walton ahead again, in the 55th minute, Ben Austin replied four minutes later and Cobbs got the decider with two minutes left.

Pre-season favourites Maidstone are up to fourth and looking good after their 3-1 win at Merstham, marred by the fact that they finished with nine men. They were able to cruise after scoring all their goals in the first 34 minutes through Tom Mills, Paul Booth and Shaun Welford. It was Booth’s 15th goal of the season in the league and FA competitions.

Merstham were unable to profit from the dismissal of Tim Olorunda, who received a second yellow card in the 58th minute, but managed an 89th-minute consolation when Fabio Saraiva scored from the spot after an offence which earned Stones keeper Charlie Mitten a red card.

Joe Taylor’s hat-trick for Sittingbourne earlier this month was the club’s first for almost four years, They had to wait only two weeks for another as Ryan Golding did all the scoring in their 3-0 home win over Corinthian-Casuals, who had goalkeeper Danny Bracken sent off after only 28 minutes. Golding opened his account on 56 minutes and added another 12 minutes later. Shortly afterwards Danny Dudley became the second visitor to be given his marching orders and Golding completed his treble with four minutes left.

The day's fastest starters were Burgess Hill. Nicky Wheeler, Pat Harding and Karly Akehurst put them three up in 14 minutes at Walton Casuals and they went on to win 5-0. Harding completed a hat-trick by scoring seven minutes before half-time and on the hour.

There were early goals at Ramsgate, too, where it was 1-1 after 11 minutes. Ian Pulman put the hosts ahead and Carl Wilson-Dennis replied for Tooting. That was it until the 85th minute, when Sol Pinnock struck to give Tooting three well-deserved points. It was their third away win in the league yet they still find themselves at the foot of the table thanks to their failure to take a single point at home.

Leatherhead, relegated with them from the Premier last season, are above them only on goal difference after going down 3-1 at Dulwich, one of only four clubs in the league with 100 per cent home records. Dulwich did concede their first home goal, a Tommy Hutchings header after 25 minutes, but had already scored twice themselves. The impressive Erkan Oztumer put them ahead after five minutes and set up the second for Nyren Clunis ten minutes later. The points were not secure until added time, when Oztumer converted a penalty.

Faversham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Three Bridges. Marcus Elliott’s early goal for Bridges was answered just before half-time by Wayne Wilson, who drilled in a free-kick. Tim Rivers restored Bridges’ lead on the hour and only nine minutes were left when Dave Botterill rescued the hosts.

It was an unlucky 13th minute for Worthing, who fell behind to a Nicky Southall penalty for visitors Whitstable after Steve Metcalf was sent off for handling a James Morrish shot. Southall missed another penalty four minutes later and the ten men held out until the 83rd minute, when Jake MacKenzie completed a 2-0 win for the Oystermen.

Hythe were down to ten even earlier in their home game against Chipstead. Pat Kingwell was dismissed after ten minutes and Josh Andrew’s goal for Chips eight minutes later proved to be the only one.

Where next?

Crawley Cup blow for Met hero THERE was a cruel blow for young Met Police goalscoring star Jonte Smith when the draw for the first round of the FA Cup was made yesterday.
Disability football coaching course DETAILS of the next FA "Coaching Disabled Footballers" course in Kent have been finalised. It will give interested clubs an opportunity to find out more about disability football, particularly from a coaching perspective.

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