Hornets narrow the gap on the top five

Horsham climbed up to seventh place in Pitching In Isthmian Premier with a hard-fought win over Canvey Island at the Camping World Community Stadium.

After a goalless first half which did little to warm up the five hundred and forty one watching on, the Hornets made the breakthrough six minutes after the restart. James Hammond was twenty five yards out when he lined up his effort, and it took a deflection on the way before beating Sam Jackson in the Canvey goal.

The Gulls were level within ten minutes. Bradley Sach had nine goals for the season coming into this match, and he moved to double figures, curling home a beauty. Parity lasted nine minutes, and what proved to be the winning goal came from Lee Harding, finishing beautifully inside the box after a fine pass from Jack Brivio.

That victory sees the Hornets close to within five points of a top five spot- and they have a minimum of three matches in hand over the six sides above them, so could soon be right back in play off contention.

Velocity Cup

Five of our Premier sides were in Velocity Cup action last night.

The first of them, Enfield Town, welcomed Pitching In Isthmian North side Brightlingsea Regent in the Third Round- and the Towners found themselves the victims of a giantkilling, although that statement doesn’t tell the whole story. Reece Beckles-Richards, who had earlier hit the post for Town, soon ended up at an entirely different end of the pitch, and the gloves he was wearing weren’t for warmth. Beckles-Richards ended up in goal after an injury to Rhys Foster, the hosts with no keeper on the bench- and he kept Regent out until just after the hour, Zack Littlejohn heading home a free kick.

Town could have been in front by then, substitute Marcus Wyllie striking a penalty against the bar- and try as they might they couldn’t get an equaliser, Regent making it through.

Also in the Third Round, Whitehawk welcomed Margate -and the Hawks came from behind to record a comfortable victory. Vinnie Bowman- on his first start for the visitors- put them ahead on twenty six minutes, in the right place at the right time after Hawks keeper Mitch Walker couldn’t hold onto a cross, but the Hawks were level immediately after half time. Lloyd Dawes set up an equaliser on his debut six days ago, helped his side to a draw at leaders Hornchurch on Saturday, and brought the hosts level with his first touch after emerging from the bench, converting a cross from fellow sub Imran Kayani.

Eleven minutes from time, and with thoughts just beginning to turn to penalties, Charlie Harris got his first goal since returning to the club, heading home to make it two-one. A minute from time sub Josh Nandhra, on the pitch only three minutes, scored his first ever Hawks goal. Three-one, game over.

The Fourth Round saw Haringey Borough welcome Potters Bar Town. The Scholars broke the deadlock on eighteen minutes, Ore Bello with the opener, and the same player nearly made it two soon afterwards, only a last-gasp clearance from Scott Mitchell keeping him out. Borough levelled just after the half hour, Georgios Aresti charging through the visiting defence to finish beautifully, and the next hour saw no further goals so off we went to a shootout. Borough triumphed from the spot, but it went to sudden death penalties before they confirmed a six-five win.

A note to our clubs- if you believe that any of the goals scored by your side was worthy of consideration for the 'Goal of the Month Award,' please feel free to upload it now using the link you were sent, don't feel that you have to wait until the end of the month!

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