Only goal difference separates our top two- whilst we have a five team battle for fifth place

Walton and Hersham lost their top spot when Basingstoke Town’s Brodie Peart got the only goal of the game as Stoke defeated Southall on Good Friday, but they got it back on Saturday- however only on goal difference. The Swans travelled to Guernsey, having won fourteen matches in a row- but they couldn’t make it fifteen, eight hundred and sixty two watching on as the Green Lions earned an important point in a goalless draw. With three matches left, the title is still too close to call.

Third place Marlow looked to take a step closer to a home play off berth as they hosted South Park Reigate- but they had a truly terrible first half, the Sparks ending the first forty five with a three-nil lead. Sam Tutt opened the scoring on eighteen minutes, Finlay Johnson made it two just before the half hour, and three minutes before the half time whistle Ben Jordan made it three. Jordan then saw red, but was joined in the changing rooms by Marlow’s Chris Ovenden within a couple of minutes- however the hosts did get a goal eleven minutes from time, Dawid Rogalski with it. Marlow have been very good at delivering late comebacks this season- could they? On this occasion, no- and the Sparks close to within three points of the top five.

Two of our other play off hopefuls met at Fetcham Grove. Leatherhead are making a late run towards the promised land, having won their previous four matches, but found themselves five points behind visitors Hanworth Villa at kick off- the Villains also with the luxury of a game in hand over each of their rivals for fifth place. A goal from Dave Tarpey gave the Tanners the lead just before the break, and they held onto it after the break, closing to within two points of the Villains, who stay fifth.

Image from Chloe Woodington.

Binfield started the day only one point outside the top five, and on the road to Uxbridge. The Moles were ahead after just three minutes through Brad Pagliaroli, and although Luke Parris levelled for the hosts on twenty one Conor Lynch restored the visitors lead almost immediately. The hosts then decided enough was enough, and levelled through Aaron Minhas to go in all-square at half time- before two goals in the first seven minutes of the second half gave them a four-two lead, Alex Witham with both of them, and both from the spot. Right at the end Liam Gavin brought the lead back to only one goal, but there was no time for an equaliser and Binfield slip to seventh- albeit with only a point to make up.

Chertsey Town, now being managed by a senior players collective, were looking to begin a late run towards fifth spot as they welcomed Tooting & Mitcham United- but they reached the break a goal down, Elijas Bagdonavicius opening the scoring just after the half hour. The equaliser arrived from the spot eleven minutes after half time, William Montague from the spot, and with twenty two minutes left the Curfews went ahead, Trevan Robinson making it two-one. They held on to claim victory- and went sixth, whilst the Terrors need a miracle to avoid automatic relegation- twelve points away from the possible salvation of a relegation play off spot with four games remaining.

We had a mid table battle as Chipstead welcomed Thatcham Town. The Chips went ahead midway through the first half, Kieran Lavery with the opener, but just before the break Clive Gwavava levelled for the Kingfishers. Seven minutes after the restart Lavery restored the home lead, and the points were secured when Michael Dixon made it three with only four minutes left. The Chips are eleventh, Thatcham down to thirteenth.

Another side with little more than pride to play for are Westfield- but they would have been proud of their first half performance, as they reached the break three-nil up at Ashford Town. Jake Baxter got the first two, on nine and thirty two minutes, before Andrew Crossley added a third five minutes before the break. On sixty six minutes Jude Mason made it four, and fifteen minutes from time it was five, Niran Butler with that one. Field are tenth, the Tangerines delighted that none of the sides below them managed a victory.

Finally, we had a big relegation battle as third bottom Merstham welcomed second bottom Bedfont Sports. The West Londoners started the day three points behind their hosts and six from safety, but they had a positive first half and were two up by the break, Nathan Hogan getting both of them. The Moatsiders halved the arrears from the spot nine minutes into the second half, Reece Deakin keeping his cool- and a red card for Sports Ryan Case will have boosted the hosts yet further. They quickly took advantage, Adam Allen with an equaliser, and had twenty minutes to find a winner- but that was a step too far, Sports second bottom, the Moatsiders three points better off and two points from safety.

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