Nuts and Bolts hold on to fifth- but only just, as Oaks and Cannons narrow the gap

Ashford United delivered an impressive win to lift themselves back into the top five at Beckenham Town on Saturday, but they couldn’t follow it up as bottom side Corinthian came to call. The hosts were delivered a blow early on as striker Danny Parish had to depart injured, and although both sides had chances to win the match, particularly after the break, neither could find a way to put the ball in the net. The point lifts Corinthian off the bottom- but they are still eleven points from safety.

Sevenoaks Town, in seventh place, knew that victory at Three Bridges coupled with an Ashford defeat would send them into the top five, and they carried out their part with perfection, coming from behind to take three points. Noel Leighton put Bridges ahead as early as the fifth minute, but Oaks levelled twenty two minutes later, Harvey Walker converting a cross from David Kawa. Nine minutes after the restart a free kick from Solomon Baugh hits the wall before returning to him, and he makes no mistake with his second attempt, putting his side ahead. Right at the end, and with Bridges looking for an equaliser, Freddie Parker made sure of three points for the visitors with a third goal. Our image of a winners huddle comes from the club!

Burgess Hill Town, under new management, had a difficult trip- in every sense- as they headed to Hythe Town. The Cannons, on a fine run with six wins from seven, made it seven out of eight by scoring the only goal of the game at Reachfields- Liam Smith getting it after only four minutes. One-nil is a favourite scoreline for Hythe- that’s their sixth one-nil win if the campaign, each of them coming since the start of December. Hythe are only kept out of the top five on goal difference, whilst Hill slip into the bottom four.

Sittingbourne, who walloped Haywards Heath Town by five goals on Saturday, climbed out of the bottom four with victory over East Grinstead Town. The Brickies victory over Heath was their first in five matches, and they ended a five match unbeaten run for their visitors by delivering two second half goals. Chaynie Burgin got the opener, eleven minutes after the restart, and Mitchell May got the second from the spot after Harrison Parker saw red for the Wasps.

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