Hat trick Eddie- and away win Villains- close the gap at the top to one point

Hanworth Villa enhanced their own promotion prospects- and blew the title race wide open- with a narrow victory at leaders Basingstoke Town. Stoke, who had won fifteen in a row prior to this match, saw a goal from Theo Crawford immediately after the restart end that record- and more importantly from their point of view, allow their lead at the top to be cut to one point. The Villains remain in fifth spot, and most of the one thousand and twenty eight watching on went home miserable, whilst the away fans were ecstatic.

Second place Walton & Hersham needed a Stoke slip-up, and they will be delighted with that defeat for their rivals- but the Swans still needed to do their bit if they were to capitalise. They did just that, winning their thirteenth match in a row as another Eddie Simon hat trick- that means that, rather incredibly, he has taken home a match ball from each of his last four matches (and five times this season)- gave them victory over Uxbridge. Simon’s goals came in the forty ninth, fifty eighth and sixty ninth minutes, and Mark Bitmead’s last consolation for the hosts made little difference. Congratulations to the Swans number nine on a magnificent feat- image from the club.

Third place Marlow’s match with Tooting & Mitcham United was important at both ends of the table. Stuart Pearce was watching on as the hosts continued to impress, and strengthened their hold on third place with a two-nil win. Khalid Simmo scored for the third match in a row to give his side the lead on twenty minutes, and the Terrors hopes of snatching an equaliser were ended when Alex Filipe saw red with thirteen minutes to go. Louis Rogers almost immediately made it two, and the Terrors find themselves fourteen points from safety, nine from the possible lifeline of a relegation play off, with only five matches to go.

Northwood, in fourth, got back to winning ways with a narrow victory over Westfield. The Woods went ahead nine minutes before the break, Shane Cojocarel with the opener, but the visitors levelled on the hour, Jake Baxter with his first goal for his new club from the spot. With fifteen minutes left Micah Jackson restored home advantage, and soon afterwards both sides went down to ten men, Junior Paiva and Didi Ndombe seeing red.

The match between Chertsey Town and Sutton Common Rovers was crucial at both ends of the table. The Curfews were on their worst run of the season, seven matches without a win, but got back to winning ways- and remained a point outside the top five- with a goal right at the end, Troy Walters breaking Rovers hearts. The visitors had held on for seventy minutes with ten men, after Marcus Marku’s early red card made their task even more difficult. Rovers are five points from safety with four matches to play.

The worldflow Stadium hosted another match critical at both ends, as Merstham welcomed Binfield. The Moatsiders have closed to within three points of safety, but their seven match unbeaten run came to an end as a goal in each half gave the Moles victory. Conor Lynch scored both of them, taking his tally to eight in twelve matches. The only consolation for the hosts is that all of their closest relegation rivals lost, too.

South Park Reigate had won only one of their previous ten as Ashford Town came to call, but they picked up a valuable three points when Finlay Johnson grabbed the only goal of the game midway through the second half. The Sparks are ninth, six points short of the play offs. The Tangerines remain three points above the bottom four, but have taken only one point from their last seven matches.

Chipstead are a point behind the Sparks, a late goal giving them victory over a Bedfont Sports side desperate for points. George Vincent gave the Chips the lead on the stroke of half time, but the visitors levelled midway through the second half, Cerny Ando with the equaliser. Right at the end a valuable point was snatched away from the second bottom visitors, Jensen Grant delighting the home faithful. Sports are six points from safety.

Leatherhead did the double over Thatcham Town, two late goals earning three points for the Tanners. Twelve minutes from time Daniel Hector finally broke through the Kingfishers defence, and with three minutes left on the clock Dave Tarpey’s sixteenth of the season made quite sure.

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