Chatham almost at the finish line

Chatham Town welcomed an incredible two thousand, five hundred and forty supporters to their match with second place Ramsgate- and the home contingent will have left delighted as the Chats now have the title almost firmly in their grasp, two late goals earning them three points against their closest rivals. There were only eighteen minutes to go when Emmanuel Oloyede put the hosts ahead, and victory was confirmed five minutes from time when Andy Drury made it two. That result puts the Chats five points clear of the second place Rams, six clear of third place Whitehawk, with only two matches to go. Image from Max English.

The Hawks visited Haywards Heath Town in a match crucial for both sides, and left with three points after a narrow victory. Early goals from former Heath star Rob O’Toole and Alfie Rogers put the visitors two goals up after eighteen minutes, but the hosts got one back just before the break through Byron Napper. That, however, was that- Hawks play off spot as good as confirmed, whilst Heath are third from bottom, two points away from safety with two games to go and trying to avoid a relegation play off.

Beckenham Town are up to fourth after a stirring comeback against Sevenoaks Town. George Goodwin put Becks ahead after just four minutes, but the visitors hit back and were ahead by the break, two own goals doing the damage. The equaliser arrived just before the hour, Tunde Aderomnu with it, and after that Becks took control, Louie Theophanous doing what he does best- twice- to secure a four-two victory.

Beckenham have a two point gap over fifth place Sheppey United and sixth place Hythe Town, both of whom recorded narrow victories. The Ites were at Ashford United, and a Danny Leonard goal just before the break delivered three points to Sheppey and just about ended the Nuts and Bolts promotion chances. The Cannons welcomed Faversham Town, a goal from Johan Caney-Bryan on twenty minutes doing the damage- and relegating the Lilywhites after thirteen Isthmian seasons.

Sittingbourne’s fine form under Ryan Maxwell continued with a three-nil win over Corinthian, who saw their relegation confirmed. Correy Davidson put the hosts ahead on thirty six minutes, and Chaynie Burgin made it two before the break. A Mitchell May third with twenty two minutes remaining ended any chance of a Corinthian comeback, the Hoops second season at our level their last- for now, at least. The Brickies are eleven matches unbeaten, and have won their last four.

Burgess Hill Town hoisted themselves out of the bottom four with victory over Three Bridges. Hill went ahead in the very first minute, Kieran Rowe with the opener, only for Joe Tennent to level with twenty two minutes to go. Three minutes before the end Dan Perry, the Hillians main man this season, scored his thirtieth goal of the season to give his side three invaluable points and take them to sixteenth- a point and a place behind their opponents. VCD Athletic slip into the bottom four, a point behind Hill with a game in hand.

Lancing are in fourteenth but not yet safe, three points clear of the bottom four after a one-one derby day draw at Littlehampton Town. Josh Short put the hosts ahead after just five minutes, but Tommy Blennerhassett continued to deliver (and to use up all of the consonants) with his second goal in four matches, equalising on the quarter hour mark.

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