Millers slay yet another giant- and are through to the last eight of the Trophy!

Premier Division

Leaders Worthing, who had gone more than four months since their last league defeat, welcomed fourth place Cray Wanderers to the Crucial Environmental Stadium with a five point lead at the top of the table. Cray had been in good form of late- would they be the side to stop the Mackerel Men in their tracks? It didn’t seem so as Reece Myles-Meekums gave the hosts the lead after twenty four minutes, but the visitors levelled with twenty one minutes left, Joseph Taylor with his TWENTY NINTH of the season. Worthing went down to ten men just before the end as Jesse Starkey saw red, and then the unthinkable happened- Joel Rollinson got a winner for the Wands, who were indeed magic-and climbed to third!

Folkestone Invicta are the side with the best chance of tripping up the Mackerel Men as they waltz towards the title, and they hosted Carshalton Athletic, who started the day in fifth place. The Robins went ahead from the spot just after the half hour, Paris Hamilton-Downes with the goal, and six minutes later it was panic stations for the hosts as Daniel Pappoe made it two. If they were panicking at two imagine how they felt when the third went in, Ola Sogbanmu getting it immediately after the restart. The hosts did get one back eight minutes from time, Tyler Sterling with it, but that was all the had to show for their endeavours and they remain five points adrift.

Hornchurch started the day six points behind Invicta and eleven behind Worthing. The Urchins signed Jamie Cureton from Bishop’s Stortford in midweek, and he got their opening goal after seventeen minutes- but they were two behind by then courtesy of a Ben Ward-Cochrane double for hosts Potters Bar Town, who gave a second debut to winger Nana Kyei. Former Urchin Marvin Morgan got his marching orders for the Scholars shortly before the end, but it mattered little as the Pakex crowd were able to cheer a home victory. The Urchins fall to fourth.

Former leaders Horsham had fallen out of the top five after a run of eleven points from their last thirty. The Hornets welcomed Haringey Borough to the Camping World Community Stadium, and took the lead after only fourteen minutes, Lee Harding scoring for the second Saturday in succession. The next goal was a long time in coming, and it went to the hosts, Greg Cundle making it two with fourteen minutes remaining. Horsham remain in sixth.

Bognor Regis Town had closed to within three points of a playoff spot with a game in hand. Six matches unbeaten, the Rocks travelled to eighth place Enfield Town, the Towners in patchy and inconsistent form with only thirteen points from their last thirty- but it was the hosts who went ahead after the break when Lewis Taaffe made the breakthrough. They doubled the advantage two minutes from time, Ken Charles with the goal, and the Rocks run was over, the Towners jumping over them into seventh.

East Thurrock United, who started the day in ninth place, travelled to face Wingate and Finchley. The hosts won last time out, their first victory since 9th November, whilst the Rocks saw a six match unbeaten run ended by Folkestone Invicta last weekend. The visitors were first out of the blocks and went ahead in the fourth minute, Darren Froxley opening the scoring, but the Blues levelled eleven minutes from time through Alphanso Kennedy and then went ahead, Charlie Ruff making it two-one. The home side held out for a second successive win, and got off the bottom on goal difference.

Leatherhead hosted a now Cureton-light Bishop’s Stortford, and gave a second debut to Sam Blackman, one of three new signings yesterday. The Tanners took the lead after twenty two minutes, Zachary Robinson opening the scoring, and doubled it eight minutes after the break through Dan Rowe, another Tanner making a debut. The visiting Blues got one back shortly afterwards through Craig Calver, but Stefan Brown made is three-one with fifteen minutes remaining to seal a win which takes the Tanners into ninth.

Kingstonian haven’t yet given up on their playoff pretentions- and should they win their four matches in hand they’d be only two points short of the top five. They needed to start turning draws into victories, and they started very well against Brightlingsea Regent, Dan Bennett putting them ahead after only four minutes with his twelfth of the season. Eddie Dsane made it two eleven minutes after the restart, and although Romario Dunne got a late goal back for the visitors there was no time for an equaliser. The K’s are eleventh, Regent rock bottom.

Every week we write that you never know what you’re going to get from Margate, and every week they prove us right! The Blues hosted Corinthian-Casuals, and fell behind after twenty six minutes, Mathias Bakare putting the side in pink and brown ahead- but the hosts levelled thirteen minutes after the restart, Noel Leighton with his twelfth of the season. Casuals once more got their noses in front through Ben Checklit, but once more Leighton was on hand to rescue the Blues, earning them a point three minutes from time.

Lewes desperately needed some improved form, particularly at home. With only one victory all season at the Dripping Pan their home woes had seen them slip to within five points of the bottom two, and Cheshunt, who started the day in twentieth, knew they could close to within a point of the Rooks if they could cause more misery for the home faithful. Lewes gave their fans something to cheer early on, Dayshonne Golding putting them ahead, but only seventeen minutes later the Ambers levelled through Reece Beckles-Richards. It was more of the same for the Rooks as Ryan Moss gave Cheshunt the lead just after half time, and the natives must have been restless when Amadou Kassarate made it three-one with twenty three minutes remaining. Beckles-Richards made sure any thoughts of a comeback were gone by getting the Ambers fourth sixteen minutes from time, and when former Worthing man Zack Newton made it five just before the end then Rooks had surely lost all of their feathers. There was still time for it to get worse, however, as Mo Camara made it six. Cheshunt climbed to eighteenth.

Bowers and Pitsea hosted Merstham, and took an early lead, Callum Leahy putting them ahead after only ten minutes. The Moatsiders cause wasn’t helped when Luke Ige departed the fray for an early bath soon after the break, but the ten men levelled with twenty one minutes remaining through Calvin Ekpiteta, and held out for a point.

North Division

We’re going to start our round up of the North Division by leaving it for a moment, and heading to Parkside, where Aveley hosted Chelmsford City in the FA Trophy Third Round.

Getting to the last sixteen of a national competition was magnificent for the Millers, and being the Isthmian League’s sole representatives at this stage doubled their glory- but that wasn’t enough for a side who have already slain five giants to get to this stage, and so it proved as the National League South side joined a list that included Bowers & Pitsea, Taunton Town, Biggleswade Town, Carshalton Athletic and Hornchurch and fell by the wayside.

Jason Raad gave Aveley an early lead, but it looked as if they might have to face a replay as Chris Whelpdale equalised with only ten minutes remaining. However the Millers had other ideas, and Alex Akrofi put them back ahead with only two minutes remaining, before Jonathan Nzengo made it three in the last minute. Aveley are confirmed in the last eight with Barnet, AFC Fylde, Halesowen Town, Harrogate Town and Notts County (two matches went to replay)- and won’t be afraid of any of them! Congratulations to all at Parkside, who have probably just won our performance of the month award again!

Heybridge Swifts started the weekend at the top of the league, two points clear of local rivals Maldon & Tiptree- although the Jammers have a rather incredible seven matches in hand. Swifts travelled to face Canvey Island having won seven and lost three of their last ten- and their not-so-secret-weapon, hotshot striker Alex Teniola, was looking to add to the twenty one goals he’d already scored this season, including four in his previous five matches.

The last time the clubs met it was the Gulls who had emerged victorious, winning three-two with former Swift Sam Bantick getting a double, so Swifts were looking for revenge and got the perfect start, two up halfway through the first half with goals from Matt Price and George Cocklin. Ernest Okoh reduced the arrears from the spot seven minutes before the break, but the two goal cushion was restored when Evans Kouassi scored Swifts third on the stroke of half time.

The Gulls were the first to make a breakthrough in the second half, Matt Lock making it two-three, but the two goal lead was restored once more when Emmanuel Osei-Owusu scored number four in the sixty fourth minute. Could they hold it? They couldn’t. Right at the end they conceded two goals, Michael Finneran and Tobi Joseph earning an unlikely point for the Gulls. Swifts slip to second.

The Jammers were at home once more, and hosted Hullbridge Sports. Sports, who started the day in thirteenth place, had been in very good form of late, but they were three down by the break this time around, Danny Parish, Charlee Hughes and Ryan Charles all getting to celebrate. In the second half the Jammers eased off a little, and it took them until twenty one minutes from time to get number four, Jake Cass with it. They still had time to find a fifth, however, and Connor Hubble got it, two minutes from time- a result which sent them to the summit once more.

Bury Town, in fourth place, hosted eighth place Histon. An injury crisis had seen Town win two and lose five of their last eight, whilst their visitors were four games unbeaten- and it was Histon who made the breakthrough, Danny Gould scoring in the forty ninth minute. The Ram Meadow faithful were soon cheered by an equaliser, Joe Hood getting on the hour mark, and they were happier still when, deep into injury time, Cemal Ramadan got the winner from the spot.

Tilbury had been in fabulous form; form which had seen them climb to fifth place and lose only once in their previous ten matches. The Dockers hosted Dereham Town, who started the day in ninth, and it was difficult to split them, but the winning goal came five minutes from time, and it came from the hosts Eljay Worrell. The Dockers stay fifth.

The return of Nnamdi Nwachuku had seemingly seen Coggeshall Town get back their sharp edge. Their downfall had been an inability to turn one point into three, with six of their last previous ten matches ending in a draw. They hosted Grays Athletic, who have slipped from the top five to mid-table but who seemed to be experiencing a positive turnaround in form, and- of course- it was Nwachuku who made the breakthrough in the sixty third minute. That was the only goal of the game, and it leaves the Seed Growers two points off the playoffs.

Soham Town Rangers had won four of their last five, form which had seen them climb the table into twelfth place. They hosted Brentwood Town, who now had a new manager and were looking to impress him and increase the gap between themselves and bottom side Romford- but they fell behind midway through the first half, Charlie Johnson putting Rangers ahead. They couldn’t hold their lead, however, and Andy Freeman equalised fourteen minutes from time- but they had time to regain it, and as usual it was Sam Mulready who was in the right place at the right time to give them another victory. Rangers are up to eleventh.

AFC Sudbury, buoyed by a derby victory over Bury Town in midweek, travelled to Cambridge City hoping to keep that good form going and record a third consecutive victory- but fell behind after thirty six minutes as Luke Knight put City ahead. City doubled their advantage and sealed the points right at the end, Tom Wood making it two.

Witham Town walloped four goals past Romford in midweek and hoped for more against Basildon United as fifteenth hosted seventeenth. They got only one, but it was the only one that mattered as Oliver Bell gave them all three points seven minutes from time.

Finally, the bottom two met- although they did so in Kent, as Romford v Felixstowe and Walton United was moved to Phoenix Sports due to the pitch at the Brentwood Arena being currently more suited to wallowing hippopotamus than football. Romford were desperate for points, but the opening goal went to the Seasiders, Ollie Canfer getting it six minutes after the break. Boro weren’t behind for long, however, as Louis Theophanous equalised just four minutes later; and Romford went ahead when Adam Morgan scored with twenty one minutes left. The same player got the third for the bottom side eight minutes later, and moved to within six points of their visitors with six games in hand.

South Central

It was tight at the top at three o’clock this afternoon, with only a point between leaders Hanwell Town and second place Ware. It remained the same at full time.

The Geordies were on the road, travelling to Barking, and made the breakthrough just after half time, Ogo Obi putting them ahead. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, and it maintained their advantage at the top.

Ware were four games unbeaten and looked to have a good chance to extend that as they travelled to second bottom Ashford Town, but it took them until thirteen minutes after the break to take the lead, and that goal came from the spot, Liam Hope with his twenty sixth of the season. Hope then got another, this one from open play with eighteen minutes remaining, and Thomas Bruno ensured three goals and three points just before the end.

Third place Westfield had suddenly looked fallible of late, having lost their last three matches after winning the seven before that. They travelled to Chalfont St Peter, and took the lead eight minutes from time, Arsen Ujkaj with the opening goal- but were unable to hold on for victory, Luke Illsley equalising for the hosts.

Tooting and Mitcham United started the day in fourth place and ended it in eighth. They hosted sixth place Chertsey Town, the Curfews having rediscovered their form in winning their last three matches and scoring a total of fourteen goals in the process. Danny Bassett gave the home side a first half lead, only for Jake Baxter to get his twenty first of the season- and the equaliser- just after the hour. The visitors then got what was to prove the winner as Jonathan Hippolyte scored with twenty minutes remaining- and the Terrors went down to ten men as Sol Patterson-Bohner saw red, a result which lifted the visitors into the top five.

Uxbridge started the day in fifth, a point ahead of the Curfews. They travelled to face a newly reinforced Harlow Town, and took the lead ten minutes after the break, Mark Bitmead opening the scoring. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, and they climbed to third.

Bracknell Town have climbed ominously up the table in recent weeks, eight matches unbeaten and with six victories during that period. The Robins hosted a South Park side depleted by transfers and injury of late, and who perhaps consequently have lost their last three matches- and it was soon quite obvious that they were going to lose a fourth, as Bracknell were four-nil up after thirty three minutes; Mickel Platt with two, Luke Holness and Seb Bowerman with the others. There were no further goals, but Bracknell are now a point off the top five with a game in hand over fifth place Chertsey Town.

Waltham Abbey wanted to get back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats as they travelled to Staines Town, and the Swans, who had gone nine matches without a win, duly obliged. A Rob Clark double, one early in the first half and the other early in the second, put the Abbotts in the driving seat, and they held on to take the victory.

Chipstead have been quite magnificent of late, and continued in much the same vein at FC Romania. Tom Collins gave them the lead in the first minute, and the same player doubled it just before the hour. Ollie Tanner made it three just before the end, and the Chips climbed to ninth.

Another side in improving form were Marlow. They travel to Hertford Town with the joint second best defensive record in the Division, and ended it with the second best as they once again didn’t concede- but they couldn’t score either, and had to be content with a point.

Northwood appointed a new boss this week, and the new man faced the challenge of turning around the fortunes of a club who had careered to a run of eight consecutive defeats and fallen to the bottom of the table. The Woods hosted Bedfont Sports- victors over Tooting in midweek- and the visitors were two goals up within nine minutes, Eze Bademosi and Max Oldham with the early goals. Eric Lopes got one back from the spot for Woods, and also got their second on fifty minutes, but in between those Darryl Sanders had got Sports third.

Sanders made certain of the points nine minutes from time, and there was still time for Brian Testolin to make it five.

South East

Ashford United closed to within four points of leaders Hastings United in midweek, and knew that they could narrow that gap to only one point if they could win at Pilot Field. The Nuts and Bolts were the only side to defeat Hastings this season, and they were ahead once again after thirteen minutes as Jay May opened the scoring. Seven minutes later and it was two, Sam Hasler doubling the visitors advantage, and despite Hastings’ best efforts Hasler made it three eleven minutes from time to give the Nuts and Bolts a double and ensure that Hastings recent record shows only one win in their last five.

Third place Whitehawk twice took the lead against Hastings in midweek but had to settle for a point- but hoped to pick up three as Sittingbourne arrived in East Brighton. Ahmed Abdulla gave the Hawks the lead after thirty three minutes, and they held on to it to move within four points of the top.

Cray Valley PM had got back to their early-season form in recent weeks, and hosted Phoenix Sports, who have slipped to ninth place. The Millers took the lead midway into the first half due to an own goal, then scored one themselves twelve minutes from time, Gavin Tomlin sealing the win which takes them within five points of the top.

Herne Bay, in fifth place, had only one defeat in ten and walloped Ramsgate in midweek. That form had allowed them to open up a five point gap between themselves and sixth place Whyteleafe, and they hoped to extend it still further as they travelled to Haywards Heath Town. Tushaun-Tyreese Walters gave Bay an early lead, and Zak Ansah doubled it just after the half hour. Town couldn’t find a way back, and Bay eased to victory.

Whyteleafe travelled to Sevenoaks Town, both sides having fallen into the doldrums of late. Oaks had only two wins- and five draws- from ten, whilst Leafe had three wins and three draws from the same period, having lost their last two. The visitors took the lead in the thirty fourth minute, Ryan Gondoh with the goal, and the same player made it nil-two nineteen minutes from time to ensure that they fell no further behind in the race for promotion.

Guernsey entertained Chichester City for the very first time. The Green Lions seemed to have found form once more with ten points from their last twelve, whilst City have been in similarly fine fettle, with only one defeat from their last six- and it was the visitors who took the lead just before the break, Kaleem Haitham opening the scoring. They were two up seven minutes after the restart, Gicu Iordache doubling their advantage, and Josh Clack put the icing on the cake with a third just before full time. City climb to seventh- eight points off the playoffs but with three games in hand.

Whitstable Town saw their five match unbeaten run fall to late defeat in a seven goal thriller at Cray Valley in midweek, and looked to start another as they hosted Kentish rivals Ramsgate. It was the Rams who got themselves in front, however, Tom Chapman with a sixteenth minute goal, but the Oysterboys levelled just after the break, Harry Stannard finding his way past the Ramsgate rearguard.

East Grinstead Town travelled to Three Bridges still looking for their first win of the season. It didn’t look promising as Charlie Towning put the hosts ahead after sixteen minutes, but Gil Carvalho levelled nine minutes before the break and then, wonder of wonders, Daniel Thompson gave them the lead five minutes later. They close to within six points of second bottom Ramsgate, with two games in hand and a level goal difference.

Thirteenth hosted twelfth as VCD Athletic took on Hythe Town. Vickers got back to winning ways last time out after four consecutive defeats, whilst Hythe had been at the other end of the form spectrum, with only one defeat in ten- but fell behind as Ali Fuseini got the opening goal after half an hour. After the break Hythe drew level through Alex Flisher, and the same player put them ahead with six minutes remaining- but Fuseini managed to find an equaliser with one minute to go.

Finally, Faversham Town hosted Burgess Hill Town- seventeenth v sixteenth. The Lilywhites had only one win from their last ten matches and none from their last five, whilst the Hillians saw a decent run come to an end with two consecutive defeats and hoped to get back to winning ways- and took the lead just before the break through Charlie Bennett. The hosts drew level nine minutes from time, Luke Griffiths with the equaliser, but just before the end the visitors struck again to take the points, O’Shaye Giraud-Hutchinson with the winner. Hill climb to fifteenth.