Pitching In Isthmian Performance of the Month, February 2024

Our congratulations for some fine February performances go to:

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

Bognor Regis Town had just picked up our Manager of the Month Award for January, courtesy of a fine seven match unbeaten run- the first six of those seeing them victorious- when they headed to Kingstonian hoping to close in on the top five. Their hosts had only a temporary manager in place, and were without a win since the end of September- fifteen matches- so the outcome looked rather certain, but the newly reenergised K’s had other ideas.

The hosts went ahead on twenty three minutes, Eddie Dsane opening the scoring- and it got even better for them soon afterwards as Freddie Price made it two. The Rocks then got going, and four minutes before half time Alfie Bridgman got one back with a wind assisted effort which might have ben a cross, before they levelled only two minutes into the second half, Dan Smith with the equaliser. You might have expected the hosts heads to drop, but no, they regained their lead with thirteen minutes to go, Lion Bello making it three-two- and could have already been ahead again by then, Dsane putting a penalty wide. No matter though, they held on for three points and a vital win- and now they have a trophy by which to remember it.

Pitching In Isthmian North

When Ipswich Wanderers travelled to leaders Lowestoft Town in October, they had lost every previous league match and were expected to lose another- but they turned the form book on its head, took three points, and sparked an unbeaten run which lifted them up the table and out of trouble. On Tuesday 27th February they welcomed the Trawler Boys for a rematch after a run of five matches without a win…and it happened again!

Town had won their previous four matches and were unbeaten for seven, and were playing their game in hand over second place Felixstowe and Walton United. Victory would have taken them six points clear at the top of the Pitching In Isthmian North table, but it seems that Wanderers have a secret formula for making these particular opponents miserable.

A scorching start to the second half saw the hosts go two up within four minutes of the restart. First, Rashid Salau opened the scoring within seconds of kick off, and then, three minutes later, Teon Leggett made it two. The visitors made it interesting when pulling a goal back with eleven minutes to go, Travis Cole giving the travelling support hope, but it turned out to be forlorn hope as Wanderers held on for three valuable points, a result which takes them sixteen points clear of the drop zone and- as the first victory over the Trawler Boys did- earns them a Performance of the Month double!

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Second place Marlow had the chance to close the gap on leaders Chertsey Town to five points as Guernsey came to call- but the Green Lions had other ideas! Marlow had been in magnificent form- with eight wins from their previous nine- so a home win was very much expected, but what was delivered was rather different, as the visitors not only came from behind- twice- but managed to score four goals!

Marlow went ahead on sixteen minutes, Dawid Rogalski scoring his thirtieth goal of the season after a corner came his way, but the Green Lions were level two minutes later, Owen Wallbridge tapping home after Marlow keeper Aaron Watkins was unable to hold a cross. Seven minutes before half time Rogalski restored home advantage, and we expected the hosts to push on from there, but instead it was all Guernsey after the break. Within two minutes of the restart Ross Allen made it nine goals in twelve matches for the season and brought his side level, and ten minutes later the visitors were ahead for the first time, Niall Hainsworth making it three-two- his first ever Guernsey goal. With eleven minutes left Marlow’s hopes came crashing to an end, Scoring Matt Loaring making it twelve for the season and eleven in his last fourteen matches to finalise a magnificent win for the visitors, and ensure a joyous flight home.

Congratulations to Guernsey, who will now have a permanent memento of a fabulous day to go with their three valuable points.

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

Leaders Ramsgate had found themselves suddenly under pressure at the top, as they welcomed Merstham to the seaside. It wasn’t that the Rams had lost form- they’d lost only one of their previous ten- but draws in their previous two and Cray Valley PM winning nearly all of their games in hand had reduced the gap at the top to three points, and the Millers still had a game in hand. Three points looked a must- but the visitors had other ideas, overcoming the leaders and a home crowd of more than a thousand!

The Moatsiders went ahead on seventeen minutes, Korrey Henry opening the scoring, and nine minutes later the home crowd were silenced once more, Charlie Greenwood making it two-nil. The visitors held onto that lead comfortably despite home pressure to take a greatly deserved first win in six, and their supporters celebrated long into the night. They haven’t stopped celebrating since, as the result has sparked a four match winning run which has also brought some fine football as well as ten points!

Many congratulations to Merstham on a particularly fine performance, a deserved three points, and a trophy to help them remember a superb victory- not that we suspect they’ll need any help!

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