Nearly but not quite for the Ambers- and Worthing extend their lead

Away from the bread and butter world of the Pitching In Isthmian League, Cheshunt were on a road trip in the Trophy. The Ambers, having already disposed of National League South clubs Chelmsford City and St Albans City, were on the way to the North West to take on the might of National League leaders Stockport County- and they gave the big boys a real scare. In front of a crowd of three thousand, three hundred and forty it took the hosts an hour to break the deadlock, and it was a man with a famous Isthmian name- Myles Hippolyte (and yes, they are related, Johnson is his father’s cousin)- who got the goal. The Cheshunt spirit wasn’t broken, and they were boosted six minutes from time when the County keeper, Ethan Ross, saw red for handling outside the box. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the Ambers couldn’t find an equaliser, and their FA Trophy adventure is over.

Cheshunt should take real credit for their efforts. The Hatters have scored an average of two goals a game against sides in their own Division, and the Ambers not only restricted them to one but never gave them time to relax. Congratulations to all at the club- now it’s time to resurrect that Play off push!

Image of Cheshunt fans and a furry interloper from the lens of Matt Dedman.

Our leaders, Worthing, were on the road to Merstham knowing that any slip ups could let in second place Enfield Town. The Mackerel Men had new signing Davide Rodari on the bench, and after a goalless first half Rodari was introduced- but it was a familiar name who opened the scoring, Ollie Pearce with his thirty fourth of the campaign on fifty six minutes. Reece Myles-Meekums second goal against these opponents this season made sure of the points five minutes from time, and opened up a five point lead at the top.

The Towners welcomed third place Bishop’s Stortford to the QEII Stadium, but their chances of going top took a blow when Ryan Charles gave the Blues a first half lead with his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Frankie Merrifield. The visitors doubled their advantage three minutes after half time, Merrifield converting from the spot after a foul on Charles, and the visitors held on for three points, to close to within a point of their hosts.

Lewes were on the road to face their bogey side, Carshalton Athletic. The Robins were unbeaten in nine matches against the Rooks, and it looked like more of the same when Daniel Bassett put the hosts ahead on twelve minutes, but two goals in two minutes as we approached half time changed the picture entirely, Taylor Maloney and Razz Coleman De-Graft putting Lewes in charge. The second half saw no goals, but a late red card for the hosts, Ergis Shala getting his marching orders on a debut to forget. The Rooks stay fourth.

Hornchurch hadn’t lost since 23rd November, but they looked to have a difficult task in prospect as they hosted fifth place Folkestone Invicta. A Tom Wraight penalty for the Urchins was the difference at half time, but Invicta hit back straight after the break, David Smith with his twenty first of the season. That sparked the Urchins into life once more, and six minutes later Ollie Muldoon made it two. Five minutes more and it was three-one, Charlie Ruff scoring for the third successive match. Sam Higgins, back after five months out with injury, wrapped up victory with a fourth just before the end. The sides swapped places, and the Urchins are into the top five.

Kingstonian gave boss Hayden Bird a new two year deal this week, but two was a rather less exciting number in the first half at Horsham, as that’s how many the Hornets scored. Tom Kavanagh got both of them, on fifteen and thirty seven minutes, and on sixty seven minutes it was three-nil, Tom Day grabbing the third. Harvey Sparks got a fourth seven minutes from time, and the majority of the nine hundred and forty five watching on went home delighted. Horsham are thirteenth, and K’s stay seventh- but their fans will undoubtedly be more worried about a first half injury to keeper Rob Tolfrey.

Margate travelled to face our bottom side, East Thurrock United- the Rocks having lost eight of their last nine. After a goalless first half, there were no goals in the second half either- a point perhaps more valuable to the Rocks than the Blues.

Leatherhead welcomed Bognor Regis Town, the hosts on a run that had seen them go two hundred and seventy minutes without a goal but only lose once. Another forty five minutes went by without anyone from either side scoring, but then the Tanners ended a three hundred and thirty minute wait by getting the opener, Aaron Lamont puncturing the Rocks rearguard. The Rocks are our draw specialists, and they drew level and with eight minutes remaining, Nathan Odokonyero ensuring the Tanners couldn’t keep another clean sheet. Surely that was that- but no! Four minutes from time James Crane fired home a spot kick for the Rocks to earn…another draw, as there was still time for Antonio German to also convert a spot kick for the Tanners and a home ‘winner’ to be chalked off for offside! Leatherhead remain eight points from safety, Bognor eleven off a playoff place.

Corinthian-Casuals welcomed Bowers and Pitsea, and were too welcoming by half, Rob Small’s side two up by half time. Lewis Manor got the first after just five minutes, Michael Ademiluyi doubling their advantage three minutes before the break. Manor got another ten minutes after the break, his sixteenth of the season, and that was that.

Potters Bar Town welcomed Haringey Borough to the LA Construction Stadium, and were quickly ahead, Joseph Boachie getting his sixth of the campaign after just four minutes. On the stroke of half time Borough’s task became even more difficult as Andronicos Georgiou saw red, and the comeback didn’t happen. The Scholars climb to sixteenth.

Cray Wanderers were ahead at Wingate & Finchley after just two minutes, but were behind by the break, as Dylan Kearney and Kavan Cotter cancelled out Chris Dickson’s opener. Wands drew level just after the hour, Nazir Bakrin with that one, and the two had to be content with a point each.

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