Invicta and Cheshunt march on- whilst Casuals hit four

We knew we’d have at least two sides in the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy, as four of our Pitching In Isthmian clubs took on each other- but we ended up with exactly that number after this afternoon’s matches.

Our stripey favourites, Folkestone Invicta, hosted Pitching In Isthmian South Central hotshots Uxbridge. Invicta are in fine form, in second place in the Premier Division and with only one defeat in their last eight; whilst the visiting Red Army had already knocked out two higher-ranked clubs, National League Chippenham Town in the last round, and Walton Casuals- scoring six goals in the process- in the First Round. They travelled to the Kent coast on the back of a fourteen match unbeaten run, but it looked in danger when Josh Vincent put the hosts ahead five minutes after the break. The next goal was all-important, and it went to Adam Yusuff, his fifteenth of the campaign. The hosts held on for victory.

Cheshunt and Bishop’s Stortford are having fine seasons. The Ambers went into today fourteen matches unbeaten across all competitions, and of course knocked out National League South opposition in the last round, defeating Chelmsford City away from home; whilst the Blues unbeaten run was even better, if only just- fifteen matches so far. One of those unbeaten runs had to come to an end today, as fourth hosted fifth- and they couldn’t be separated in ninety minutes, nor could they score. The shootout was next, and it went the way of the Ambers, four-three.

Cray Wanderers hosted Dartford. The Darts departed that other famous knockout competition- the FA Cup- at the hands of our very own AFC Sudbury, but there was no chance of that happening again, as a purple patch in the middle of the first half saw them score three goals in six minutes just before the half hour mark. Jai Reason did get one back with fifteen minutes left, but it was no more than a consolation.

Enfield Town took a trip to Hampshire to face Eastleigh. The Spitfires in thirteenth place in the National League, took the lead ten minutes before the break, and got another just before half time. It was game over when goal number three went in four minutes after the break, and after that the hosts rubbed salt in the wounds with a fourth and a fifth.

Kingstonian were on the road to face National League Aldershot Town. The Shots might be in eighteenth place, but they were in their best form of the season, with four wins and a draw from their last five matches, so it was testament to the K’s efforts when Daniel Ajakaiye’s fourteenth of the season gave them the lead seven minutes before half time. The hosts drew level eight minutes after the break, and then an own goal gave them the lead, and they held on to knock the K’s out.

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Corinthian-Casuals, fresh from their appearance on Football Focus, welcomed Potters Bar Town to Tolworth- but they weren’t very welcoming to begin with, as Oliver Sitch gave them the lead after just two minutes. It was advantage doubled on twenty five minutes, Jack Strange getting number two, and three-nil by half time, Sitch getting his second of the day. After the break Ben Checklit made it four, and Calvin Dickson’s eighty eighth minute goal for the Scholars made no difference to the outcome. Casuals are up to tenth.

Managerless Leatherhead got back to winning ways last weekend, but visitors Bowers & Pitsea were in no mood to do them any favours, and took the lead six minutes after the break, Luca Albon scoring for the second time this week. Callum Leahy made it two-nil eleven minutes later, and Bowers move up to sixteenth.

Margate walloped league leaders Worthing in midweek, but perhaps they were still basking in that glory when Dylan Kearney’s third goal in five matches gave Wingate & Finchley the lead at Hartsdown Park. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, and it sealed the visitors first win since October 16th.

Merstham saw Brightlingsea Regent ruin their Jolly Jingle Jamboree with a late winner at the Whisky Bible Stadium. Zack Littlejohn got that goal, and even a red card for Kane Gilbert didn’t spoil the visitors party. It won’t have done much for the Moatsiders evening festivities, though.

We'll round up the North, South Central and South East Divisions first thing tomorrow.

Image: Andy Nunn.

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