New year, new decade, no new leaders!

Premier Division

Our league leaders, Folkestone Invicta, knew that to remain on top they had to equal or better the result of second place Worthing. Both clubs had a superb New Years (away) Day, Invicta winning four-nil at Merstham whilst the Mackerel Men were walloping local rivals Bognor Regis Town by three goals to nil, and both were away from home once more today.

Invicta travelled to Brightlingsea Regent, who had only one win from their last ten matches. The game was goalless, but the visitors gave the hosts encouragement when Alfie Paxman saw red shortly before the end. Regent couldn’t take advantage, however, and the game ended without anyone managing to trouble the scoresheet.

Worthing headed to East Thurrock United, who won at Bowers and Pitsea on Wednesday and started the day in eighth place. The Mackerel Men were looking to defeat two sets of Rocks in one week, and started the day with the best away record in the Division- and they ended with that record intact, but couldn’t find a way through and the match ended goalless.

Our match of the day in the Premier Division saw third place Horsham travel to fourth place Hornchurch. The Hornets bounced back from some uncertain form to wallop Lewes 3-0 on New Years Day, whilst the Urchins were seven matches unbeaten, so this one looked too close to call. It was the visitors who got the breakthrough, new arrival Greg Cundle opening the scoring after twenty three minutes, but the Urchins were soon level through Rickie Hayles and in the sixty fifth minute they were ahead, Chris Dickson scoring his twentieth goal of the season. That’s how it ended, which allowed Invicta and Worthing to extend their lead to five points and Hornchurch to close to within two points of the `Hornets.

Fifth travelled to seventh as Enfield Town headed to Carshalton Athletic. The Towners had won their last two matches, whilst after three consecutive wins the Robins had slipped up over the holiday period, with a draw and a defeat from their last two. With no goals on the scoreboard midway through the second half Town made things difficult for themselves as Billy Bricknell was sent off- and it quickly became more difficult as the Robins went ahead through Harry Ottaway. Within four minutes it was two-nil, Lewis White with the second, and Athletic held on for the points which saw them jump to fifth.

Cray Wanderers entertained Wingate & Finchley. Cray put two consecutive defeats behind them with a four-three win at Margate last time out, whilst the visiting Blues had given their supporters little to cheer for almost two months, as they had last won a league match on Saturday 9th November. Neither side could find the net, and they had to settle for a point each- a result which saw the visitors fall to the bottom of the table.

Leatherhead had taken twenty five points from their last thirty. They travelled to face bottom side Corinthian-Casuals, who had shown improved form of late, with four points from six- and Casuals started as they hoped to go on, opening the scoring through Oliver Stitch after only two minutes. Benjamin Checklit got the hosts second with seventeen minutes remaining, and Stitch wrapped things up with goal number three eight minutes from time. The result saw Casuals climb two places, allowing them to look down on Brightlingsea Regent and Wingate and Finchley.

Bognor Regis Town were stung by defeat against local rivals Worthing in midweek, but had the chance to put things right as they hosted Margate- however it was the visitors who made the breakthrough, Gillingham loanee Roman Campbell scoring four minutes after the break. They were ahead for only two minutes, however, Harvey Whyte striking back almost immediately, but Margate managed a smash and grab as Kieran Monlouis got the winner in the very last minute.

Kingstonian headed north to face Cheshunt after only one league defeat in ten matches, whilst the Ambers had seen their mini-revival come to an end with defeats against Bishop’s Stortford and Corinthian-Casuals. However whatever the form book said it was the home side who were quickly in charge of the match, Ryan Moss putting them ahead after six minutes and Amadou Kassarate doubling the advantage after nineteen minutes. It got worse for the visitors before the break as Dan Bennett got his marching orders, and it was no surprise when the ten men were punished, Reece Beckles-Richards making it three just after the hour mark.

Louis Theophanous got one back for the visitors thirteen minutes from time, but it was too little, too late as the Ambers climbed to eighteenth.

Haringey Borough got back to winning ways in midweek, ending a five match winless streak. They hosted Lewes at Coles Park, the Rooks still searching for consistency after four wins, a draw and five defeats from their last ten. After a goalless first half the first action of note came in the form of a red card for the hosts Dimitri Froxylias, and they were made to pay as Dayshonne Golding put the Rooks ahead twenty one minutes from time (although we've also seen the goal credited to Charlie Coppola). That turned out to be the only goal of the game and the Rooks ended the day in sixteenth.

Bishop’s Stortford saw their three match unbeaten run come to an end as they fell to Kingstonian last time out, and their opponents Bowers & Pitsea suffered in a similar way as their three match winning streak was ended by East Thurrock. Fifteen hosted seventeenth in this one, and it was the lower placed side who got the opening goal, Bradley Warner putting Bowers ahead just before the break. With twenty four minutes remaining the Blues were level, Jamie Cureton getting his customary goal, but the next goal again came the way of Bowers, Max Cornhill restoring their lead eighteen minutes from time. Once more they couldn’t hold it, and once more it was Cureton who got the equaliser five minutes from time- and that’s how it ended.

Finally, eighteenth place Merstham hosted thirteenth place Potters Bar Town, and the Scholars got the first goal of the Premier afternoon as Josh Hutchinson put them ahead in the second minute. Hutchinson got the Scholars second too, after twenty five minutes, and Merstham’s afternoon went from bad to worse as Omar Folkes picked up the first red card of the day soon afterwards.

The ten men got back into the match three minutes after the break, Shola Ayoola finding the net, but that forced the Scholars back into life, and Ben Ward-Cochrane restored their two goal advantage after fifty seven minutes. Twelve minutes from time Merstham struck back once more, Edwin Mensah reducing the arrears to only one goal, but they couldn’t find an equaliser and the Bar Army were able to celebrate three points on the road.

North Division

After a three point deduction for playing an ineligible player, Maldon & Tiptree started the day ahead of second place Aveley only on goal difference- which added some spice to the meeting of the two at Park Drive. The Jammers got the breakthrough through Jorome Slew in the twenty third minute, apparently against the run of play, but the same player got the next goal too, doubling the lead two minutes after the break. Wyan Reid quickly halved the Jammers advantage, but the hosts got the crucial fourth goal eight minutes from time, Ryan Charles making sure of the points.

If our top match had ended in a draw then Bury Town knew they might be on top of the table by 5PM. They hosted Canvey Island, but it was the visitors who took the lead, Sam Bantick getting the opening goal nine minutes into the second half- and it turned out to be the only goal, as the Gulls went tenth.

Heybridge Swifts travelled to Grays Athletic, and it was Jim Cooper’s side who got the breakthrough, Manny Ogunrinde scoring on the half hour. Within ten minutes the match had turned on its head, however, Evans Kouassi equalising before Odei Martin-Sorondo put Swifts ahead in the fortieth minute. Swifts were three-one up by the break, Harrison Chatting with the third just before the half time whistle, but Grays reduced the arrears with twenty three minutes to go as Ogunrinde got his second. The equaliser wouldn’t come, however, and Swifts closed to within four points of the leaders.

Great Wakering Rovers, who started the day in fifth place, travelled to tenth place Dereham Town. The Magpies had seen a fabulous run come to a shuddering stop, picking up only one point from their last twelve, whilst Rovers were unbeaten in three matches which have seen them pick up seven points- and continued in a similar manner by taking the lead after seventeen minutes, Martin Tuohy with the opening goal of the afternoon. Dereham were level three minutes after the restart with a goal from Toby Hilliard, but with eighteen minutes remaining Billy Johnson restored the Rovers lead and soon afterwards Jake Gordon made it three.

Nine minutes from time Jack Stevenson made it four, and Rovers had well and truly cemented their place in the top five.

Coggeshall Town, outside the playoff places on goals scored, needed to start turning draws into victories. The Seed Growers had drawn their last four, but visiting Brentwood Town had only one win in seven so surely the hosts were favourites? After a goalless first half, however, it was first blood to the visitors, Rene Batlokwa scoring in the first minute of the second period- and it got worse for the Coggeshall as George Cocklin saw red. The ten men couldn’t find a way through and Brentwood held on for the points- putting seven between themselves and bottom side Romford.

Histon saw their good run come to an end as they were walloped five-nil at AFC Sudbury in midweek. They would have been hoping to get back to the form that saw them pick up three consecutive victories prior to that match, as they entertained Basildon United, and they made a good start, Danny Gould putting them ahead on twenty minutes. The Bees buzzed back, and Adam Vyse equalised fourteen minutes later, put parity lasted only a minute before Lee Smith restored the Histon lead. After the break Ed Rolph extended the home advantage, getting their third, but Basildon couldn’t be shaken off and Jimmy Cox pulled it back to three-two seven minutes later.

Six minutes from time the Bees were level, Vyse scoring his second goal of the game, but they then went down to ten men as Thomas Anderson saw red- however Histon couldn’t take advantage and had to settle for a point.

Ninth place Tilbury entertained Witham Town. The Dockers had only one defeat in their last nine matches and victory could have seen them climb as high as fifth if other results went their way. Witham saw their three match unbeaten run come to an end as they were walloped by Maldon & Tiptree last time out, but would have hoped to restart their momentum- and got the breakthrough as Declan Nche opened the scoring four minutes before half time. Eljay Worrell drew the Dockers level shortly after the restart, and that was the end of the scoring.

Felixstowe hosted Soham Town Rangers. Rangers ended an eight match run without a win by defeating Dereham Town last time out, whilst the Seasiders won their last home match, defeating Basildon, and would have wanted to build on that- but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough, Luke Brown opening the scoring in the eleventh minute.

Soham were two up seventeen minutes from time, Sam Mulready putting daylight between them and their hosts, but a remarkable last two minutes saw Joseph Yaxley get a late goal back for the Seasiders and then Ollie Canfer grab an equaliser.

South Central

Any one of three clubs could have ended the day on top of the South Central Division. Leaders Ware held a two point advantage over second place Hanwell Town at the start of the afternoon, and three points over Westfield, who started the day in third.

The Blues hosted Chertsey Town at Wodson Park, the Curfews sitting in sixth at the start of play but having fallen down the table recently, with only one win from their last eight matches. Ware had also developed an inconsistency, winning and losing two each of their last four, but that mini-slump had coincided with former leaders Hanwell Town only picking up one win in seven. Ware were soon in front, Andre McCollin scoring after only seven minutes, but it took them until eight minutes from time to confirm victory, Joshua Williams with the second.

The Geordies travelled to Hertford Town, their hosts having won only two of their last ten matches and lost four of their last five. Hanwell were soon in front through Tayshan Hayden-Smith, and they had another just after the half hour, Brendan Matthews doubling their advantage. Hayden-Smith surely ended the contest with number three four minutes after the restart, and the visitors held on to remain in second place.

Westfield had been in excellent form of late, with four consecutive draws being followed by four consecutive victories. They travelled to face another side in good form, South Park, who defeated Hanwell last time out and who were unbeaten in four matches- and the opening goal was almost immediate, as Max Blackmore scored for the visitors in the very first minute. Blackmore got the second goal of the game too, but that came a full eighty one minutes later, ending the Sparks hopes of a comeback.

Fourth travelled to face fifth as Uxbridge entertained Waltham Abbey. The Abbotts were nine games unbeaten and defeated Ware and Harlow Town in their last two, whilst Uxbridge had only two defeats in ten- and it was the visitors who got the early advantage, Charlie Edwards putting them ahead after only four minutes. That turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Tooting and Mitcham United, in sixth place, won our performance of the month gong this week for their five-nil win at Chertsey Town in December, but had suffered mixed form of late, that victory and a second over Ware being followed by a four-one home defeat to Chipstead. The Terrors travelled to Northwood looking to do the double over their opponents, who had seen a mini-revival come to an end with three consecutive defeats. The first notable action happened late in the match when the hosts saw Bradley Kauzeni sent off, and the ten men couldn’t hold on, the Terrors getting the only goal of the game three minutes from time through Hady Ghandour.

Barking, in eighth, hosted thirteenth place Bedfont Sports. The Blues had won seven of their last eight matches, whilst Sports had also been in great form, only losing one of their last ten- and the two cancelled each other out as the match ended goalless.

Harlow Town were desperate to get back to winning ways after picking up only two points from their last twenty four. They entertained Staines Town, the Swans without a win in four matches. The Hawks took an early lead through Billy Jones, and held it until the end- the three points seeing them end the day in eighth place.

Chipstead, fresh from that win over Tooting, hosted Chalfont St Peter. The Chips had won their last four matches and were full of confidence, whilst the Saints had one win and two defeats from the same period- but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough, Dan Williams with the goal. The hosts drew level twenty one minutes into the second half, Kyen Nicholas with the equaliser, and both had to settle for a point.

Marlow hosted bottom club FC Romania. Marlow had only two defeats in ten, but had been held back somewhat by the fact they’d drawn five of them, whilst the Wolves had lost their last seven consecutive matches and were hoping to avoid making that eight. They made a very good start, Lawrence Nzuruba putting them ahead in the seventh minute, and they held that lead until sixteen minutes from time, when an own goal drew Marlow level. Heartbreak for the Wolves came one minute from time, when Adam Richards gave the hosts all three points.

Ashford Town, second bottom, hosted Bracknell Town. The Tangerines had lost their last four matches and taken only seven points from their last thirty, whilst the Robins seemed to have put a run of three defeats behind them by taking four points from their last six- and were soon two goals up, Seb Bowerman and Kensley Maloney getting them. The Tangerines replied eleven minutes before the break through Darryl Harrison, but were soon two goals behind once more as Nebay Haile made it 1-3 six minutes before the break. There was still time for Bowerman to make it four for the Robins before the referee blew the whistle for half time.

After the break there was only one goal, and it came to Ashford, Nathan Pooley scoring in the last minute- but it was little more than a consolation as the Robins held on to win four-two.

South East

Our leaders Hastings United started the day four points clear, but had what looks like a tough match in prospect as they travelled to face Whyteleafe, who start the day in fifth. United were son ahead, however, Craig Stone opening the scoring in the eighteenth minute- and that turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Ashford United, who climbed to second in midweek, travelled to face Burgess Hill Town. The Hillians were unbeaten in five but had a rain-interrupted December so will have been delighted just to be able to play at home- but the visitors had won their last three matches so probably started as favourites, and made the breakthrough with an own goal after twenty three minutes, before scoring one of their own as David Smith made it two-nil. It was three before the break, Aaron Condon getting the third, and Condon also got the fourth, three minutes after the restart.

With just under half an hour remaining it was five, this one going to Josh Wisson, and fourteen minutes from time it was six, Condon getting his hat trick. There was still time for Levi Gold to add number seven in the very last minute, as the Green Elephants had a day that they will hope to soon forget.

Cray Valley PM had slipped to third at start of play, and they faced a side in fine form, as Herne Bay came to call. Bay were ahead through Keiron Campbell after fourteen minutes, but it was level at half time as Joe Tennant got a forty-third minute equaliser. The next goal was critical, and Zak Ansah got it from the spot for Bay with twenty three minutes remaining. The Millers then saw Paul Semakula sent off, which must have helped the visitors hold on to take all three points and end the day in sixth- level on points with fifth place Whyteleafe.

Whitehawk, in fourth, had recently seen their season rain interrupted. They hosted Hythe Town side who seemed to be finally finding their feet, having won their last three matches and picked up a Manager of the Month and Golden Gloves Award yesterday. Who mentioned a winners curse? The Hawks were ahead after only two minutes through Connor Tighe, and two up after sixty four minutes, Ahmed Abdulla with the second. Rhyle Overton sealed the victory with the third in the very last minute, sending the Hawks up to third.

Sevenoaks Town, in seventh, travelled to eleventh place Whitstable Town. Oaks had only one win from eight but had shown signs of recovery in drawing their last two, whilst the Oysterboys have gone three games without a win. It was the visitors who got their noses in front early on, new signing Liam King putting them ahead after six minutes, but the Oysterboys got a late, late equaliser through Marshall Wratten.

Ramsgate v VCD Athletic looked a must-win for both sides. The Rams, under new management after their seven-nil defeat last weekend, had only three points from thirty, whilst Vickers had taken only one points from their last fifteen, a sequence of results which had seen them fall to tenth. The Vickers made the breakthrough thirteen minutes into the second half, Alex Gaggin with the goal, and held on to take all three points and climb to eighth.

Sittingbourne, the scorers of those seven goals against the Rams, travelled to face bottom club East Grinstead- who played their first home match under new manager Leigh Dynan. He’ll have been pleased to see his charges take the lead after only ten minutes, Gil Carvalho with the opening goal, but they were pegged back less than a quarter of an hour later as Johan Caney-Bryan equalised for the Brickies- and the visitors got the winner seven minutes from time through Samuel Stace to go eleventh in the table.

Faversham Town had gone five games without victory and hoped to put that right as they hosted Chichester City- who had one win and five draws from their last eight matches. The hosts went ahead eleven minutes after the break through Solomon Taiwo, but it took only four minutes for City to respond, Ryan Davidson with the equaliser.

Osman Proni got the next goal for the hosts, and as it came only six minutes from time there wasn’t time for City to find another equaliser- although there was time for them to have Robert Hutchings dismissed. Faversham leapfrog City to go fifteenth.

Haywards Heath Town travelled to Three Bridges, and were ahead inside two minutes, Lloyd Cotton with the goal. Bridges had taken only five points from their last thirty, whilst Heath have twelve- including six draws- and it seemed that the hosts record wasn’t likely to improve today as Trevor McCreadie made it two after only eight minutes and then three only two minutes after that. Bridges got one back after twelve minutes through Ruben Soares Junior, but then gave themselves a mountain to climb as Lee Hall was dismissed. There were no more goals, and Heath climb to thirteenth.

Guernsey entertain Phoenix Sports on Sunday. The Channel Islanders have drawn three of their last four, losing the other, so will be looking to get back to winning ways, whilst Sports have followed a four game winless run with two notable victories, over Cray Valley and neighbours VCD Athletic.