Hornets go third whilst Ambers climb out of the bottom four

We were left with only two of our five scheduled matches- but they were crucial at both ends of the table.

At the Camping World Community Stadium, fifth place Horsham welcomed bottom side Kingstonian. With only one defeat from ten the Hornets were on the march, and knew that another victory would take them up to third in the table- whilst still leaving them with games in hand over their play off rivals. The K’s, in contrast, started the night seven points from safety- but with only one defeat in four, and celebrating picking up our Performance of the Month Award for February for their win over Bognor Regis Town.

The first goal took only five minutes to arrive, and it went to Charlie Hester-Cook, his thirteenth of the season- but he didn’t know too much about it as he gave the Hornets the lead, the ball apparently skimming off his head into the net. The same player, however, was rather more involved as the Hornets made it two-nil five minutes before the break- this time leaving his markers for dead at the back post to finish a fine cross from Daniel Ajakaiye.

Horsham had more chances which they didn’t take, and fourteen minutes from time former Hornet Eddie Dsane made things interesting and gave the K’s hope, pulling a goal back from a free kick- but it was hope which evaporated four minutes from time, James Hammond making the match safe with a third, from the spot- the penalty awarded after the same player was fouled. Lucas Rodrigues hit the bar late on for the hosts, but it mattered not, and they climb above Billericay Town into third place- having played three games fewer than the now fourth place Blues.

Eight hundred and nine watched on- and the gap between the visitors and safety is now up to nine points.

We had a proper relegation battle at Aveley, after Concord Rangers took up temporary residency whilst they waited for their own pitch to dry out. The Beachboys, starting the day four points from safety in twentieth place- but with at least four games in hand over the sides above them- welcomed the side three points and one place ahead of them, Cheshunt.

Rangers had won only one of their last seven, although that run also included three draws, whilst the Ambers had one win from ten, but it was the visitors who looked the most likely to score during a goalless first half, and they finally took the lead seven minutes into the second half, Finlay Titchmarsh forcing the ball home from a tight angle and via the crossbar. Just before the hour the Ambers did it again, this time Alfie Pendlebury the scorer after good work from Chevron McLean, and the game was as good as over six minutes later, Nnamdi Nwachuku adding a third- his fourteenth from twenty six matches.

That was that, and the happy Ambers leap out of the bottom four, Margate falling into the relegation zone in their place.

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