Millers extend their lead- without winning

Cray Valley PM last tasted defeat on September 14th, so it’s no surprise that they’re at the top of the table- but they had to come from behind to win at Whitehawk yesterday. Henry Muggeridge gave the Hawks the lead after only six minutes, only for Hassan Ibrahiym to equalise seven minutes after the break. Neither side could get a winner.

The Millers actually increased their lead because, elsewhere in Sussex, closest challengers Ashford United were falling to defeat at Burgess Hill Town. The Hillians had watched their eight match unbeaten run come to an end against Corinthian last time out, but second half goals from Lewis Taylor- from the spot- and Michael Uwezu gave them all three points and raised them to eleventh place. Image: Chris Neal.

Ramsgate also took on Sussex opposition, as they welcomed our draw specialists Three Bridges- but there was no draw this time for the visitors, as the Rams got a goal in each half and won two-nil, despite ending the game with ten men after Lee Prescott’s dismissal. Joshua Ajayi opened the scoring on the quarter hour with his fifteenth goal of the season, and Callum Peck got the second ten minutes after the break, to see the Rams up to third in front of a crowd of five hundred and nine.

Hastings United travelled to Herne Bay having won four of their last five and seemingly escaped their slump, and that escape continued as they scored two goals in the first eight minutes to overcome their hosts and climb to fourth. Craig Stone and Ben Pope got those goals- that’s thirteen for the season for the latter- and United are now only four points off the top.

Haywards Heath Town had only one win in their last five as they travelled to East Grinstead Town, and now it’s one in six as they came from behind to grab a point, but slipped to fifth place nonetheless. Richard Pingling gave the Wasps the lead with only twenty minutes to go, but Nathan Cooper stepped up to save the visitors seven minutes later.

Wed an all-green battle as VCD Athletic hosted Chichester City, and it was the visitors who triumphed, coming from behind with a late Callum Overton double to take the points. Youssef Bamba had earlier put Athletic ahead, but although the Athletic number eleven was scoring for his fourth match in a row it counted for naught in the end. That’s one defeat in eight for City.

Lancing hosted Sittingbourne after eight matches without a win, and now it’s nine, the Brickies getting the only goal of the game. It came in the sixth sixth minute, and it came to Duane Ofori-Achempong, his fifth in five matches.

Corinthian, winners at Burgess Hill last weekend, welcomed Hythe Town. The Cannons looked set for three points, a goal up with two minutes to go after Jordan Sarfo gave them the lead much, much earlier; but they got nothing as a double from Jack Bath meant it was a washout for the visitors. Corinthian are tenth, The Cannons slip to fourteenth.

Faversham Town welcomed a Phoenix Sports side who finally got a point last weekend after twelve consecutive league defeats, but it was back to the drawing board for the visitors as the Lilywhites triumphed. Both goals came after the break, and they both went to Bola Dawodu as the hosts climbed to thirteenth.

The Whitstable Town revival continued at Sevenoaks Town- a fourth consecutive win seeing them overtake their hosts on goal difference. The only goal of the game came very early- after nine minutes, in fact-and it went to Jake Mackenzie for the visitors.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.