Gate fail to take advantage of Billericay's absence- and Tamplin sacks himself!

Three defeats in a week doesn’t necessarily sound like a major crisis, but when you’ve invested millions of pounds then perhaps it feels like one. After Wednesday night’s defeat at Folkestone Invicta Billericay Town joint manager- and, of course, owner- threatened to sack himself from his managerial position if results didn’t improve, and yesterday did exactly that after his Blues side were walloped 5-2 at home to National League South Wealdstone in the FA Trophy. Wealdstone, who earlier this season were knocked out of the FA Cup by Bostik Premier bottom club Burgess Hill Town, were simply unstoppable at the AGP Arena. You’ll see the highlights on the Bostik League Show later, but after the match Tamplin advised the local paper that he was now Assistant Manager rather than joint manager, explaining that he’d asked his squad to donate a weeks wages after the performance but the majority had refused, and that they “weren’t matching his investment.”

Back in the League, Margate, undefeated since New Years Day, would have gone top with victory at Needham Market, but their magnificent run came to an end as the Marketmen showed their mettle with a hard-fought victory at Bloomfields. Jamie Griffiths gave the home side the lead in the first half, but Jordan Chiedozie notched his customary goal just before the break as Gate looked to push on and record an eighth successive victory. Market had other ideas, however, and Griffiths put them back in front with less than 20 minutes remaining, before Dan Morphew got a third. Jay May did manage to reduce the arrears just before the end, but Needham held on and moved up to eighteenth place.

Third place Dulwich Hamlet continued their recent inconsistent run with a 0-0 draw at Wingate & Finchley, whilst Folkestone Invicta, in fourth place, could only manage a point at Kingstonian, having to settle for a 1-1 draw after falling behind to a goal from Jason Williams before drawing level through Adam Yussuff. Hendon, in fifth, had an identical result and a similarly difficult time, having to also come from behind at home to Lowestoft Town. Jake Reed put the Trawlerboys ahead in the first half, before Zak Joseph came to the Greens rescue with just under half an hour remaining.

Staines Town moved to within one point of the playoff places with a four-two win at the Harlow Arena. Last weekend Harlow Town came from two goals down at Worthing to earn a point, and they came back from a similar deficit yesterday, but the Swans were not to be denied their three points. Max Worsfold gave Staines the lead and Lewis Driver made it two, but with twenty minutes left an own goal halved the arrears before- with only sixteen minutes remaining- Jared Small scored to haul his side level. Staines weren’t to be undone, however, and a minute after being pegged back they were ahead once more, Driver again on the scoresheet, before Mo Bettamer made the points safe six minutes before the end.

Leatherhead are in seventh, and the Tanners now sit only three points off the playoffs with a game in hand. Yesterday’s victory at Enfield Town, courtesy of a Tom Richards free kick, was their eleventh victory from the last fourteen matches- and that certainly sounds like promotion form, although their rivals have a better goal difference.

Wingate & Finchley sit a point behind Sammy Moore’s men in eighth place, whilst Leiston are ninth, following last weekend’s victory over Billericay with a 2-0 win at Tooting & Mitcham United, Tom Bullard giving them the lead in added time at the end of the first period before Jack Ainsley got the second from the spot as the match approached its conclusion. Tenth played eleventh as Met Police travelled to Tonbridge Angels, and the home side picked up the points with goals from Joe Turner and Liam Smith, demonstrating that having to cut the budget might not hamper manager Steve McKimm too much.

Merstham got back to winning ways at Brightlingsea Regent, but left it extremely late to secure all three points. The home side went ahead through Billy Hunt in the twelfth minute, before Charlie Penny equalised twelve minutes later for the Moatsiders- but the rest of the significant action came in the last ten minutes of the match. First Alex Addai have Merstham the lead, before Dan Bennet made sure of the points right at the end.

Thurrock were the days big winners, thrashing bottom club Burgess Hill Town 5-2 at the Green Elephants Stadium in a week which has seen many column inches filled with speculation about the Essex club’s future. The away side were two-nil up before half time, Reece Morgan and Lewis Spence with the goals after Hill had defrosted the pitch using cars with their engines running, before perhaps wishing they hadn’t bothered. The Hillians did pull a goal back early in the second half through Connor Tighe, but Ronnie Winn put back the two goal cushion before Charlie Stimson extended it with twenty two minutes to go. Ibrahim Forfana reduced the arrears once more before Stimson restored the three goal cushion three minutes from the end, leaving Hill two points below Harlow- albeit with two matches in hand.

In the final match, Harrow Borough defeated Worthing by one goal to nil, Ryan Moss the scorer.

The North Division performance of the day undoubtedly came from Romford. The Boro, bottom of the table and beaten 9-1 by Heybridge Swifts in Tuesday night, were taking on eight place Barking and yet dominated the game. They were two-nil up by the break, through Craig Jeakins and Greg Akpele, and although Barking did eventually get a goal back it came deep in stoppage time at the end of the match through Izzy Bademosi, allowing Romford to close the gap at the bottom to just two points.

Cheshunt sit just above them, Craig Edwards men seeing their recent good form coming to a crashing end as they were walloped by a much improving Aveley, 4-1. It was three-nil to the home side at Parkside by half time, a Tom Richardson double sandwiching an effort from Connor Witherspoon, and soon after the break Lewis Gard made it four for the Millers. Sam Alderson did manage to pull one back, but it was scant consolation. Third bottom Ware also had a day to forget, losing 2-0 at Haringey Borough, where Tom Loizou’s men continued their recent good form and stormed into fourth place, helped not only by goals from Coby Rowe and Anthony McDonald but by points deductions handed to Dereham Town and Potters Bar Town this week.

AFC Hornchurch are eleven points clear at the summit, but yesterday were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Tilbury, in manager Jimmy McFarlane’s enforced absence (get well soon Jimmy). Chris Assombalonga put the Urchins ahead, but Harry Norman equalised for the Dockers. Bowers & Pitsea narrowed the gap with a two-nil victory over AFC Sudbury, Ben Sartain and David Knight the scorers, but perhaps more importantly there is now an eight point margin between Bowers and Canvey Island in third place, after Canvey were held 1-1 at now fifth place Potters Bar Town. James Walker gave the away side the lead at the Pakex, before George Nicholas grabbed a second half equaliser for the Scholars. Maldon & Tiptree sit in sixth, but the Jammers continued their inconsistent recent form, falling 2-1 at home to Mildenhall Town, for whom Josh Curry and Tom Debenham got the goals after Joe Ellul had given Maldon the lead.

Dereham Town are in seventh after a 1-1 draw at Brentwood Town, Rhys Logan putting the Magpies ahead only for Brentwood to earn a point through Tony Stokes ten minutes from the end, whilst Bury Town move up to ninth after a 0-0 draw with Waltham Abbey at Ram Meadow. There was also a goalless draw between Soham Town Rangers and Grays Athletic, leaving the sides in eighteenth and eleventh spots respectively.

Lewes remain at the top of the South Division, coming from behind to win a pulsating match at Phoenix Sports. Jonny Miller put Sports ahead in the sixth minute before Frankie Chappell equalised for the Rooks on eighteen minutes, and the league leaders took the lead twelve minutes later through ex Crawley Town striker Jonty Smith. Sports were soon down to ten men after a red card for Gil Carvalho but were still able to equalise through Ashley Probets, but it was short lived parity as Lewes regained their lead almost immediately, an own goal sending the Rooks into the break with the advantage. Billy Medlock made the points safe for Lewes seven minutes before the end.

Corinthian-Casuals sit in second place. The side in pink and brown went ahead early on through an own goal, but visitors Sittingbourne were soon level through Mobalaji Dowadu. The Brickies were only able to remain level for three minutes, however, Gabriel Odunaike giving Casuals the lead once more, and in the second half Jordan Clarke made the match- and the points- safe.

Carshalton Athletic are third, but the Robins were made to work hard for the points at Colston Avenue, two goals from Omar Koroma just enough to see off Thamesmead Town, for whom Laurent Mendy replied. Cray Wanderers slipped to fourth, two goals from Ashford United debutant Daniel Ajakaiye giving the home side the victory at Homelands, with Brandon Scott replying for Wanderers- who you may recall beat the Nuts and Bolts 9-1 in their last meeting little over a month ago. Greenwich Borough got back to winning ways in fifth place, with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Chipstead- Omari Delgardo-Hibbert the scorer eight minutes from time- whilst sixth place Walton Casuals fell 3-2 in a thrilling match at Church Road, eighth place Whyteleafe the victors. The Leafe went two up through Anton Douglas and Lanre Azeez before Casuals roared back to level, Josh Kelly and Jack Sammoutis equalising by half time, but the home side were able to take all three points courtesy of a Tommy Hutchings winner- and close the gap on their visitors to seven points.

Hythe Town sit between Casuals and Leafe, and they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Horsham- and indeed had to come from behind, Alfie Rogers putting the Hornets ahead in the second minute. Darren Oldaker drew them level just before the half hour, but they couldn’t find a way to get a winner- and indeed had Chris Kinnear sent off in the second half.

Hastings United, in ninth, travelled to Guernsey, where both sides earned a point with first half goals, Alex Le Prevost putting the Green Lions ahead before Sam Adams equalised for United. The match between South Park and Faversham Town ended with exactly the same outcome, but the Sparks are undoubtedly kicking themselves after Faversham equalised Jack Mazzone’s early goal in the very last minute, Matthew Bourne taking time away from his work as a choreographer to score with some fancy footwork!

Shoreham remain marooned at the bottom of the table, but have been much improved of late and almost earned a point at home to VCD Athletic before conceding the only goal of the game with six minutes to go- Junior Baker the scorer- whilst in the other match Ramsgate earned a 2-1 victory over second bottom Molesey. Ollie Gray had put Ramsgate ahead early on, but it seemed as if Ross Chalke had earned the Moles a point; however right at the end Liam Dickson ensured all three points remained in Kent. The Rams remain nineteenth.

Our #bostikmatchday feature would have been the game between East Grinstead Town and Herne Bay, but this was postponed shortly before kick off due to a frozen pitch.

Headline image- Billericay Town manager Harry Wheeler (left) with his now Assistant Glenn Tamplin- image from Nicky Hayes.