Cannons and Oaks hit the early heights

Hythe Town started the new season in the same form as they ended the previous one. Our Pitching In Isthmian South East Play Off Finalists were irresistible as they swept aside East Grinstead Town with three first half goals, and added a fourth shortly after the break to coast to victory at the coast. Aaron Barnes scored the opener after two minutes, and Ethan Smith made it two shortly after the half hour. Just before the break it was three, Liam Smith with that one, and Brad Schafer rounded things off to leave the Wasps chasing shadows for the last thirty seven minutes.

Sevenoaks Town welcomed title favourites Ramsgate to Greatness Park, and left the Rams with nothing after a scintillating four-two victory. Emmanuel Mensah (pictured with the Man of the Match Award, image from the club) put Oaks ahead after just nine minutes, and they extended their advantage just before the hour when Keiran Cadogan made it two from the spot. Alfie Paxman got the visitors back into the match with seventeen minutes to go, but a red card for Lee Martin gave them a mountain to climb. They looked to have climbed it, however, golden boot winner and new signing Joe Taylor drawing the ten men level nine minutes from time, but right at the end the numerical advantage told in favour of the hosts, Solomon Baugh restoring their lead with a minute to go and Daniel Carr restoring the two goal advantage in the last minute, four-two the final score.

Cray Valley PM travelled to Sittingbourne, both sides highly fancied for promotion, and they showed why, the Millers departing with victory after a five goal thriller. Lyle Della-Verde opened the scoring for Cray with a twenty sixth minute penalty, and they doubled their advantage just after the restart, Matthew Vigor making it two. That sparked a comeback from the hosts, Josh Osude getting one back on sixty five minutes, and it looked as if Ayman El-Moghaebel had earned them a point with a minute to go- but the Brickies wall was once more demolished just before the end, Adam Coombes earning all three points for the visitors.

Lancing were our only other winners on a day of draws, Henry Micheal Watson with the only goal of the game as they defeated Merstham at Culver Road.

Onto the draws. Broadbridge Heath must have thought they’d turned defeat into victory as they hosted their first ever Isthmian match, Sheppey United the visitors, but in the end they had to be content with a point. Dan Bradshaw put the Ites ahead on twenty minutes, but eighteen minutes from time Tadley Bromage drew the hosts level, and then with a minute to go Charlie Weller sent them into blue heaven by putting them ahead. Sheppey weren’t prepared to accept that blow, however, Frankie Morgan going straight up the other end to level.

Burgess Hill Town looked to have three points in the bag at Herne Bay. The Hillians entered the ninetieth minute two goals up, Lewis Finney on the half hour and Rob O’Toole on the hour leaving them comfortable, but right at the end Bay decided they weren’t going to allow the points to slip away, and first Gil Carvalho and then Archie Burnett scored to earn the hosts what had seemed an unlikely point.

Two first half goals put Three Bridges in control over newly-promoted Horndean, only for a Tommy Scutt double to earn the visitors a point. Billy Irving and Noel Leighton delivered two goals in two minutes for Bridges on twenty seven and twenty eight minutes, Scutt’s rescue act beginning in the sixty fifth minute and ending five minutes later.

Phoenix Sports and Chichester City also had to be content with a point each, neither side managing a goal.

This afternoon we have two matches, Erith & Belvedere welcoming Ashford United at three, whilst Littlehampton Town face Beckenham Town at the earlier time of 1PM.

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