Faversham and Bracknell slay giants, K’s hit six and Bognor get five, and holders Hornchurch bow out

By Ian Townsend

Our comprehensive round up of today’s matches celebrates success and shock in equal measure


FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round

At the end of the Heathrow runway our so-far-brilliant Bedfont Sports welcomed Harlow Town, and they got the perfect start, Eze Bademosi getting his fourth goal in four games after four minutes. The Hawks, these days in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central, have had a decent start to the campaign and were on a ten game unbeaten run in all competitions, and equalised on seventeen minutes. The next goal took until the very last minute to arrive, and it went to the hosts, an own goal seeing them through.

Bishop’s Stortford hosted Lewes, both having announced reinforcements this morning. Only two points separate them in the League, although the Rooks have two games in hand over the Blues. Stortford’s reinforcement was up front, whilst the Rooks addition was in defence- but it was a familiar striker who opened the scoring early on, Jake Cass getting his twelfth of the campaign after three minutes for the hosts. The Rooks then created themselves a problem, Michael Klass seeing red, and Cass immediately took advantage to make it two against the ten men. That was that, and the Blues marched on.

From the Rooks to the Rocks, as Bognor Regis Town were at home, where they welcomed Waltham Abbey. Bognor lost for the first time in almost two months in midweek, but were soon ahead in this one, Nathan Odokonyero scoring on nineteen minutes. The same player doubled the lead on twenty six minutes, and then got his hat trick just after the half hour- and it wasn’t even our first hat trick of the day, see Brentwood Town for details! Jordy Mongoy made it four ten minutes into the second half, Kayne Diedrick-Roberts got the fifth, and the Rocks faithful celebrated.

An all North Division clash saw Brentwood Town host AFC Sudbury. Both sides came into the match in good form, and the hosts struck first, Tom Richardson on fifteen minutes, and second, when Richardson got another two minutes later. Richardson had his hat trick within twenty eight minutes as it seemed that the Yellows were already elsewhere, perhaps playing Colchester United in their heads. There were no further goals, but the Brentwood resurgence continues. Our headline image, from the hosts, sees Richardson celebrate number three.

Unbeaten North Division leaders Canvey Island hosted Burgess Hill Town. The Hillians had finally found some form and were four matches unbeaten, whilst the Gulls had just been superb and were looking for an eighth successive victory- and after a goalless first half victory number nine seemed quickly assured, Evans Kouassi opening the scoring and Harrison Chatting almost immediately making it two. Connor Hubble got goal three on the hour, and that was that.

There’s never a good time to be without a manager, but Chertsey Town couldn’t have picked a worse time, as league leaders Worthing headed to Surrey. The Curfews were given a boost, however, on the approach to half time, as Tyrese Mthunzi was dismissed for the visitors, but it didn’t seem to slow down the Mackerel Men as Dayshonne Golding scored just before the break- his sixth of the season. Ollie Pearce made sure of victory for Worthing just before the end.

Another side in great form were Bracknell Town, on the road to Pitching In Southern League Premier South side Chesham United. The Robins came into this one having lost only two matches in all competitions this season. They fell behind on the quarter hour, but Dave Tarpey drew them level forty five minutes later. Just before the end a red card for Michael Atkinson made the last few minutes difficult, but the match went to a shootout and the Robins emerged triumphant!

Chipstead entertained Whitehawk. The Hawks have been a fabulous cup side this season and finally got their league form on track as they walloped Corinthian four-nil in midweek, and in Javaun Splatt have one of the most in-form strikers in the league, up to nine goals so far. They got the opening goal at High Road from a less likely source, defender Adam El-Abd breaking the deadlock after twelve minutes. Chipstead have an even more in-form striker, their number nine Tom Collins on thirteen goals, but the equaliser came from a different source, Kieran Lavery on sixty eight minutes- and Lavery got the next, too, from the spot six minutes from time. It turned out to be the winner, and the Chips progress.

Thatcham Town were on the road, travelling to face Cinderford Town. The Kingfishers have lost three in a row in the league, and went behind in this one after seventeen minutes, but were level just before the half hour through Daniel Fosu. Sadly the next goal went to the hosts on eighty six minutes, but again Fosu drew them level to set up a shootout. That went the way of the hosts, and the Kingfishers will fly no further.

Corinthian-Casuals hosted Cheshunt, and after a goalless first half Zack Newton opened the scoring for the Ambers just two minutes after the restart. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, and Cheshunt continue their fine run with four wins and a draw from their last five.

Another Premier match-up saw East Thurrock United host Kingstonian. The K’s got back to winning ways in midweek, whilst the Rocks had lost their last five matches, and conceded nineteen goals in the process. It was twenty goals in six when Daniel Ajakaiye put the K’s ahead on ten minutes, and twenty one when the same player doubled the advantage six minutes before half time. Kingstonian were three up five minutes after the restart, Elliott Buchanan with his second this week, and when Gus Sow made it four with twenty two minutes left it looked a long way back for the Rocks- even further when Sow got another, this time from the spot, four minutes later, making it five. It was six with six minutes remaining, Rhys Murrell-Williamson the next to score against the shellshocked home defence, but mercifully for the home supporters there were no more.

Enfield Town, in second place in our Premier Division, host former Isthmian side Metropolitan Police. The boys in blue are in seventh place in the Pitching In Southern Premier South, with only one defeat all season, whilst the Towners have won four and drawn one of their last five, and walloped eight goals past East Thurrock United last time out. Mo Faal is already on thirteen goals for the season, and surely nobody is surprised- nor would they have been surprised when he made it fourteen nine minutes before half time, opening the scoring. Met equalised on the hour, but the next goal went the way of the hosts, Andre Coker from the spot with seven minutes left getting the winner.

Bowers & Pitsea had to put their FA Cup heroics to the back of their minds for another week, as they travelled to face Southern Premier South leaders Farnborough- and seemed to be focused when they went ahead early on, Ade Osifuwa after just eight minutes. An own goal soon drew the hosts level, and Farnborough were ahead ten minutes before the break and made it three eighteen minutes from time. A fourth came right before the end, and Bowers bowed out.

Leatherhead have looked much improved in recent weeks but still haven’t picked up a victory since the opening day of the campaign. They hoped to put that right as they travelled to Faversham Town, but the Lilywhites had other ideas, and Sam Bewick put them ahead ten minutes after the break. The Tanners equalised eighteen minutes from time, Isaac Ogundere with the goal, but again the hosts struck, Emmanuel Oluwasemo getting the winner three minutes from time and slaying a giant.

Folkestone Invicta and Hendon have met many, many times before, but these days they don’t meet with any great regularity and this will be their first encounter since May 3rd 2018, when the Greens walloped them four-nil in the Isthmian Premier Playoff Semi-Final. Invicta have had to wait rather a long time for a chance at revenge- but their supporters won’t have forgotten, and will have been delighted when Scott Heard put them ahead seven minutes before the break. The lead didn’t last until half time, however, the Greens levelling in the forty fifth minute.

Invicta were ahead again eleven minutes into the second half, Adam Yusuff with his tenth of the campaign, and this time they were able to hold on for victory. Six hundred and eighteen watched the match.

Hastings United saw their winning run come to an end in midweek as Ashford United left Pilot Field with three points, but welcomed a large crowd of seven hundred and ten as Felixstowe & Walton United arrived- and quickly gave most of them something to cheer, Ben Pope with the breakthrough on six minutes. The visiting Seasiders equalised five minutes before the break through Sam Nunn, and for the second time this week the hosts lost a lead as Nunn got another nine minutes after the restart. It was three-one to Felixstowe with twenty two minutes left, Zak Brown with this one, and that was that- two three-one defeats in a week for the hosts.

Herne Bay, fourth in the South East Division, welcomed Binfield, fourth in the South Central. Bay departed the FA Cup against South Central opposition, in the shape of Bedfont Sports, and it looked as if lightning might strike twice as the Moles went ahead, Callum Bunting with his customary goal on seventy two minutes. A red card for Reion McFarlane was the next damage for the hosts, and Ollie Harris took advantage to slot home from the spot for number two and seal victory.

Heybridge Swifts hosted Hayes & Yeading United, the visitors in second place in Pitching In Southern Premier South, undefeated with nine wins and a draw from their ten games, and still in the FA Cup, too. We saw why they were doing quite so well when they opened the scoring after just five minutes, but Swifts hit back four minutes before the break, Lionel Ainsworth with the equaliser and then went on to take the lead, Joe Claridge scoring their second with five minutes later. Could they? The equaliser arrived almost immediately, and then Darren Phillips saw red- so we headed to a penalty shootout and that went the way of the visitors. A valiant attempt but no happy ending.

Another all-Isthmian Premier tie saw Horsham host Carshalton Athletic, and it took only two minutes for the Robins to sting the Hornets, Danny Bassett giving them the lead. It was two just five minutes later, Lewis White doubling the advantage, but Horsham rallied and Rob O’Toole halved the arrears just after the half hour. The next goal was all-important, and it went to the visitors, Paris Hamilton Downes restoring their two goal advantage on the strike of half time. Eddie Dsane got one back for the Hornets with eight minutes left to set up an exciting finale, but there was no late drama and the Robins fly on.

Margate, who climbed into the top five in midweek, welcomed Beaconsfield Town, eighteenth in Southern Premier South. Town ended a six match losing run with two draws last week, but had still gone eight matches without a win- but it took until the seventy third minute for the first goal, Crossley Lema putting the hosts ahead. The second was much quicker, again for Margate, this one for Ben Greenhalgh- and the Blues eased to victory.

We’d an all South Central tie as Marlow hosted Westfield. Marlow strengthened significantly yesterday but it was the visitors who struck early on, scoring after two minutes, however they were pegged back by the usual name, Nnamdi Nwachuku equalising on eleven minutes. Westfield were very quickly back ahead, however, Sam Evans with their second, but again the hosts hit back and Junaid Bell equalised just before the break. The next goal saw Marlow ahead for the first time, and it went to Devontae Romeo, and when Nwachuku got his second of the match and his sides fourth nineteen minutes from time that was surely that- only it wasn’t, as Caleb Wright pulled it back to four-three. This time, that was that, and Marlow held on for victory.

Merstham have been superb of late, and were even rather good in defeat at Worthing last weekend. Visitors Welwyn Garden City didn’t seem to care about that, however, and took the league midway through the first half, and then doubled it eleven minutes after the break. The Moatsiders got one back from the spot with twenty minutes left, John Ufuah with the lifeline, but the visitors managed another just before the end and that was that.

Northwood have slumped to the bottom of the South Central Division in recent weeks, but they did boost their confidence when defeating leaders Uxbridge in the Middlesex Cup in midweek- and they also defeated then-South East leaders Haywards Heath Town on penalties in the last round of the Trophy. They needed to keep up that form against leaders today, as visitors Berkhamsted are currently top of the Southern Central Division One, undefeated and having conceded only three goals all season- but they’d conceded another after fourteen minutes when Adam Cash gave the Woods the lead. The visitors quickly levelled, but again Woods took the game to their opponents and Ismael Ehui put them ahead once more two minutes before the break. It took until seventeen minutes from time until the next equaliser arrived, and the match went to a shootout, the visitors earning a narrow sudden-death win.

Potters Bar Town welcomed Haringey Borough, only a month after the two drew at Coles Park in the League. The Scholars are in fine form, six matches unbeaten and having won the last three; whilst Borough have gone six without a win, and things went with form early on, Kaziah Sterling giving the hosts the lead on the half hour. The same player doubled their advantage on sixty four minutes, and the victory was confirmed with no further goals.

South Park have been in great form, with only one defeat in five, three wins and a draw. Visitors Harrow Borough are looking forward to an FA Cup First Round trip to Portsmouth next weekend and had won their last five matches- and they started by showing that form, going ahead on nine minutes. That turned out to be the only goal, and the Sparks were put out.

South Central leaders Uxbridge welcomed Basildon United to Honeycroft, and it was the North Division side who struck first, and early- Tyrone Baker opening the scoring after just three minutes. Mahlondo Martin soon equalised for the hosts, and sixteen minutes from time Anthony Mendy put them ahead with his fourteenth of the season. The Red Army are getting used to victory, and this was another on a long list.

Great Wakering Rovers travelled to face Walton Casuals. Rovers have been much better in cup competitions than the league so far this season, winning two cup matches and two trophy matches- the latter against Stowmarket Town and Chichester City- whilst picking up only one league win, but they fell behind in this one after twenty one minutes. The equaliser did arrive, Ashley Nzala with it eight minutes after the restart, and the game looked like it was going to penalties, only for the hosts to get a spot kick five minutes into added time and win the game.

Our FA Trophy holders Hornchurch travelled to face Wingate & Finchley. The Urchins have been out of sorts this season, in fifteenth place at the moment and without a win in six matches in all competitions, and they were soon behind in this one, Bilal Sayoud with his ninth of the campaign after fifteen minutes. The equaliser came quickly, however, Jordan Clark with that, but with no more goals we were off to a shootout- and it went the way of the hosts, the holders dumped out at the first hurdle.

Finally, Witham Town welcomed Hanwell Town. The Geordies had won five in a row before South Park held them to a draw last weekend, and they were quickly in front here, Harry Rush putting them ahead after just seven minutes. The second goal of the game was also scored by the visitors, but in the wrong net as Witham drew level ten minutes after the break, but they were quickly ahead once more through Dan Carr and sealed the win when Trevan Robinson made it three in the last minute.

Pitching In Isthmian North Division

Dereham Town and Grays Athletic both had the chance to make up ground on leaders Canvey Island, busy in the Trophy. The Magpies looked to have the hardest task of the two, as they hosted Aveley, with the Millers firmly in the promotion mix and confident having scored five against Maldon and Tiptree last time out. It was Aveley who struck first, Alex Akrofi with his ninth of the season, and the same player made it two just before the break.

Akrofi had his hat trick six minutes after the restart, and when Shad Ngandu made it four just before the end the Magpies had truly been tipped out of their nest. The Millers are up to fifth, the Magpies drop to third.

Athletic, stronger after Kai Brown’s return yesterday, hosted Hullbridge Sports- still without a league win all season. Joe Paxman took just six minutes to give Grays the lead, and that turned out to be the only goal of the game- but it was enough to see Athletic up to second.

Maldon & Tiptree haven’t yet had the season they may have expected, but we’re just over a quarter of the way through the campaign so Jammers fans will have no need to panic! The same thing could be said about visitors Tilbury, but they looked back to their best in walloping Stowmarket Town in midweek and got off to a flyer today, Lewis Smith opening the scoring in just the fifth minute. It wasn’t long before the Jammers had turned things around, however, Malachi Napa and Charlee Hughes putting them ahead with goals after sixteen and seventeen minutes, but the Dockers hit back to level, Roman Campbell continuing his fine start to his Tilbury career.

The next goal also went to Maldon, and it went to Martyn Stokes eleven minutes after the break, and the Dockers then saw Lee Noble see red, so it was no surprise when the Jammers made it four, Hughes once more, nine minutes from time. The Jammers end the day in sixth.

Coggeshall Town hosted Barking, both sides having strengthened of late and both looking for their best form. One player not looking for form is Sam Bantick, and the Seed Growers forward got his tenth of the season to open the scoring- and on twenty six minutes Jayden Gipson made it two. The second half started with the visitors in the ascendency, and new signing Sak Hassan got them back into the match on fifty minutes before another former Urchin, George Purcell, drew them level. The Seed Growers hadn’t thrown away victory, however, as Jermain Francis scored eight minutes from time to make it three-two and send them up to eighth.

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

First took on third, with Cray Valley PM aware that any slip ups could see second place Haywards Heath take over at the top. Ashford United won brilliantly at title favourites Hastings United in midweek, coming from behind to do so, and as we reached half time knew they’d have to do the same again, Denzel Gayle giving the Millers the lead just before the break. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, and kept Cray at the summit.

Heath hosted Sittingbourne, the Brickies looking to bounce back after their hammering at the hands of the Millers last weekend, whilst the hosts were on a high after scoring six of their own last weekend. The first half saw only one goal, which came early and went to the hosts, Jerson Dos Santos after just five minutes- but they didn’t make things easy for themselves when Kieron Rowe was dismissed eight minutes before the break. The sending off didn’t change the outcome, however, as Sam Remfry made it two fourteen minutes from time to seal

VCD Athletic hosted East Grinstead Town, and the deadlock was broken just before the break, Youssef Bamba opening the scoring. The Wasps drew level on fifty eight minutes, Marco Sousa Pina with the equaliser, but a spell of three goals in five minutes sealed the win for Vickers, Kiki Oshilaja, Anthony Adesite and Jason Williams making it four-one. Athletic stay fourth.

Ramsgate gave a debut to new signing Ben Harding, and went ahead after fourteen minutes, Joshua Ajayi getting his eighth of the campaign against Phoenix Sports. The hosts doubled their advantage just after the break, Callum Peck giving Sports the bird, and two goals in the last twelve minutes saw Ajayi claim a hat trick and seal the victory, the Rams in sixth.

Sevenoaks Town had a local derby as they welcomed Corinthian, and they got the only goal of the first half, Louis Collins scoring from the spot on fifteen minutes- his eighth of the season. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, Oaks ending the day in eleventh.

Whitstable Town and Three Bridges didn’t manage a goal between them in the first half, but there was soon a goal in the second, Harry Goodger from the spot for the Oysterboys on the hour. Dan Perry’s equaliser thirteen minutes from time sealed Bridges seventh draw from twelve matches.

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