Kirby strikes as Town make it two

By Peter Butcher

CENTRE-BACK Mark Kirby was Enfield Town’s hero as they made it two wins out of two in their Ryman Premier debut season with a 2-1 home victory over Wingate last night (Tuesday).

Kirby, who scored the equaliser to set up Town’s victory at Lewes on Saturday, went one better yesterday. He opened the scoring after three minutes and struck again with a dramatic winner tthree minutes into injury time. Wingate had the better of the game for long periods but they had only a Jon Docker penalty to show for it, although Kieron Street hit a post.

Three other teams have maximum points after two games, headed by Lowestoft who trounced visiting Concord 4-1. Dale Cockerill put them ahead after seven minutes and Scott Mitchell added another shortly before the break. Chris Henderson nabbed the third on 53 minutes, with Jason Hallett replying a few minutes later for the Beachboys. Michael Frew wrapped it up with five minutes left.

Hampton are second after their 3-0 success at Hendon. It was goalless for an hour before the visitors took the lead through Malvin Kamara. Joey Benjamin and, in added time, Charlie Moone finished the job.

Canvey are the other 100 per centers. Danny Heale gave them an early lead against promoted Leiston and they continued to dominate. Rob King and Rickie Hayles both headed against the bar before King’s penalty made it 2-0 at half-time, and at the end.

Wingate, Concord and Hendon are all pointless thus far, but it’s Thurrock who are at the foot of the table after their 3-0 home defeat by Bury. Tom Bullard and Billy Clark netted in the first half, and Allicion Blake’s injury-time goal made it Thurrock’s second defeat by a three-goal margin.

Whitehawk broke their Premier duck with two goals in the last two minutes to snatch a 2-1 victory at Cray. The hosts had Mark Willy sent off for a 71st-minute foul on Scott McGleish but went ahead eight minutes later with a Kevin Bremner penalty, his 100th goal for the club. There’s nothing like a bit of experience, though. Headers by Matt Lawrence and McGleish, who can boast 1,244 Football League games between them, turned it round in the dying moments – and there was still time for Cray to hit the woodwork.

The most action-packed game of the night was at Carshalton, where a double by Anthony Thomas helped Lewes to a 3-3 draw. Steve Brinkhurst’s 16th-minute opener for the visitors was swiftly answered by Justyn Roberts with Lewes claiming that he had handled. Thomas put the Rooks in front again six minutes before half-time but the Robins replied again in this battle of the birds as Ola Sogbanmu struck with a header in the last minute of the half. They went ahead for the first time with a lob from Lewis Taylor in the 57th minute and both sides hit the woodwork before Thomas earned Lewes a point ten minutes later.

It was all square, too, at Hastings where two late goals earned Margate a 2-2 draw. Zac Attwood struck early for the hosts, who found themselves under intense pressure later in the half but doubled their lead with a fierce effort from Bradley Goldberg within two minutes of the restart.

Margate’s hopes revived when Tom Vickers brought down Ryan Dolby, allowing Dan Stubbs to score from the spot with 12 minutes to go. Carl Rook levelled it from an 84th-minute corner.

Two other games finished in draws. It was 0-0 at Bognor, where Met Police were the visitors, while Richard Jolly’s 42nd-minute strike was not enough for Wealdstone in their home game with East Thurrock, who made it 1-1 through Kris Newby midway through the second half.

Where next?

Chats draw level at the top CHATHAM drew level with Grays at the top of Ryman North with a 3-1 victory at Ilford tonight (Wednesday). Both have six points and 7-1 goal records - and they meet at Grays on Monday provided neither club has an FA Cup replay.
Four-goal K's on top for now KINGSTONIAN (pictured by Andy Nunn celebrating one of their goals) moved to the top of the Ryman Premier table, at least for 24 hours, with a 4-2 home win over Harrow tonight (Monday).

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