Magnificent Millers take the title

It had been so close, for so long, but Cray Valley PM took the title by six points from second place Ramsgate by defeating Horndean- whilst the Rams were losing to Three Bridges. A goal in each half secured the title for the Millers, who needed only a point to be sure of triumph, with Denzel Gayle and Danny Waldren the scorers. You can read more about how they did it by heading HERE.

The Millers ended the season with the best goal difference in the league- a record shared with South Central champions Chertsey Town- and the best defensive record, too, shared with another South Central side, Leatherhead.

Ramsgate’s Joe Taylor got his fifty second goal of the season in the second half of their match against Three Bridges, but by then the Rams were two down, and the visitors held on for victory to win their eighth match in a row and take their unbeaten run to fourteen, and earn a trip to Sittingbourne in the Play Off Semi Final. Ibrahim Jalloh’s twenty third of the season opened the scoring on twenty six minutes, whilst Noel Leighton’s thirty sixth quickly made it two. The Rams will welcome Chichester City.

Third place Sittingbourne welcomed Littlehampton Town to Woodstock Park, the Brickies looking for a third win in a row- but instead they got a bit of a hiding, the Golds delivering their best performance of the season and hitting four goals in the second half. It was goalless at the break, but Town scored on fifty three and fifty nine minutes to take a firm grip on the match, Josh Short and Jordan Layton with the goals. Ayman El-Mogharbel quickly got one back for the Brickies, but two goals from Evan Hoarty gave the visitors a fine victory and sent Sittingbourne into a Play Off Semi Final against Three Bridges on the back of a rather bad day.

Fifth place City, who saw a ten match winning streak (and a thirteen match unbeaten run) come to an end against Ramsgate last weekend, travelled to Herne Bay and somehow left with only point. After a goalless first half, City quickly went two up through Ethan Pritchard and Jimmy Wild, and although Michael Salako got one back nine minutes from time it was quickly three-one, Pritchard surely winning the match- only he hadn’t. Two minutes from time Archie Burnett got another goal for Bay, and a minute later they made it three-three, Salako scoring his twenty seventh of the season.

Hythe Town looked to end their eleven match losing run as they welcomed sixth place Lancing. The Lancers went ahead twelve minutes from time, Ben Pope with the opener, but the Cannons earned a point two minutes from time, Liam Smith scoring from the spot.

East Grinstead Town, who secured their safety in midweek with victory over Horndean, played host to Sheppey United- the Ites taking a fifth win in a row and a seventh from eight matches with a two-one win. Javaun Splatt and Jacob Lambert made it two-nil at the break, and Olu Onabanjo’s penalty thirteen minutes from time was only a consolation for the Wasps.

Broadbridge Heath ended a fine first Isthmian campaign with victory at Ashford United. Ben Aubrey put the Bears ahead after just six minutes, and it was two-nil when Kyle Sim added another, but the Nuts and Bolts hit back to level by the break, Lanre Azeez and David Ozobia getting their side level. Eleven minutes from time the visitors were roaring once more, Callum Dowell getting a winner and ensuring they ended their campaign with only one defeat from ten, and in ninth place.

Burgess Hill Town welcomed relegated Beckenham Town, and ended the campaign with a win, Tahjae Anderson’s goal in the early stages of the second half was followed by a late stunner from Kieron Rowe, a two-nil win ending a six match winless run.

Phoenix Sports fell behind after just one minute at Sevenoaks Town, but hit back for victory. Kieron Cadogen got that opener for Oaks, but Adejola Lahan levelled on the half hour and seven minutes from time Leo Mazzone got the winner.

Finally, bottom side Erith and Belvedere said goodbye to their Isthmian stay with victory over Merstham. The Deres came into the match without a win in twelve, but a Ross Morley double put them two up at the break, and they added a third eleven minutes into the second half, Matt Neary with that one. Oliver Khinda got a goal back for the Moatsiders, but the game was lost for the visitors by then- despite a late red card for the hosts Bill Parkinson.

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