Millers return to the summit

Cray Valley PM knew they’d have their work cut out to defeat hosts Broadbridge Heath, and they were forced to dig deep to take three crucial points and return to the summit. The Bears, who were six unbeaten with five wins, shocked the title chasers by taking the lead after just two minutes, Sean Terry with the goal, but the Millers hit back to level eighteen minutes later, Barney Williams with the equaliser, and within twenty minutes of their opener had opened up a three-one lead, Arthur Lee and Kyrell Lisbie making them more comfortable. Just after the hour Jamie Chesworth pulled a goal back for the hosts, but the visitors held on for three points and went back to the top, one point clear of Ramsgate.

Lancing welcomed Chichester City to Culver Road, not only an A27 derby but on this occasion a promotion battle. City had won their previous six matches whilst the Lancers had only one win from five, and City’s fine form continued with a four-nil win. Mo Jammeh opened the scoring on twenty five minutes, and only four minutes later Isaac Bello added a second. Just before the hour Bello made the outcome secure with a third goal, and right at the end the visitors added another, Emmett Dunn making it four-nil. City (pictured, image from the club) ended the day in fourth, four points clear of a trio of clubs in fifth, sixth and seventh- that side in seventh the Lancers, who have slipped out of the play off places.

Three Bridges climbed back into the top five with a hard-fought victory over Beckenham Town. It looked like it would be easy for Bridges in the first half, Nabeel Ghannam, Kevin Rivera and Noel Leighton making it three-nil at the break, but in the second half Finley Roberts got a goal back and then, a minute from time added another. Sadly for the visitors there wasn’t time for an equaliser, and they are nine points from safety at the bottom of the table.

Herne Bay are outside the play off spots only on goal difference after victory over East Grinstead Town. The Wasps went ahead midway through the first half, Kiye Martin with the opening goal, and they were still ahead on forty five minutes, but behind at half time. Kane Rowland got a goal back two minutes into added time, and the same player then got another four minutes into added time to somehow give his side the lead at the break- and twelve minutes after half time Michael Salako made it three-one. Tom Cadman got a goal back for the visitors seven minutes from time, but the equaliser didn’t come, and the Wasps are seven points clear of the drop zone.

Hythe Town’s promotion hopes have been severely damaged by three defeats in a row, and that became four as Merstham left Reachfields with three points. The only goal of the game took only three minutes to arrive, Dean Gunner with it, and it allowed the Moatsiders to open up a thirteen point gap between themselves and the danger zone. The Cannons are ninth, twelve points away from the top five with two games in hand.

Second bottom Erith & Belvedere desperately needed three points as Burgess Hill Town came to call, and they twice took the lead, but couldn’t hold in for victory. The Deres took only a minute to go ahead, Matt Neary with the opener, and although Martyn Box levelled just after the half hour the lead was quickly restored, Bill Parkinson making it two-one on thirty nine minutes. The equaliser arrived on sixty nine minutes, Noah Hoffman earning the Hillians a point only a minute after entering the fray from the bench. The Deres are seven points from safety.

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