Rams score two at the death to grab late, late point- whilst Ites hit five

Leaders Ramsgate saw their lead at the top cut to two points- but it could have been even worse for the Rams, as they were three-one down as the clock ticked around to ninety minutes. Relegation-threatened Haywards Heath Town had delivered a barnstorming performance and looked certain to take three points, but somehow the Rams managed to extend their unbeaten run to ten matches. Heath went ahead on twenty two minutes through Michael Uwezu, but the Rams were quickly level through Taofiq Olomowewe. Just as quickly, Heath restored their lead, Conrad Honore with goal number two, and just before the hour they went three-one up, Dean Gunner sending the travelling fans amongst the nine hundred and fifty two watching on into ecstasy. That joy was dampened right at the end. First, Olomowewe cut the deficit, and then, as the referee waited to blow the final whistle, Kane Rowland- on as a substitute- flicked a ball which was behind him over his head and into the net.

Chatham Town delivered something rather unique in closing the gap to the top to two points. The only goal of the match at Burgess Hill Town was scored by goalkeeper Nathan Harvey, but the Chats keeper had a mixed afternoon, as shortly after scoring he was sent off- one of three players to depart the scene early. The Chats were down to ten men as early as the twenty second minute, Dean Beckwith seeing red after twenty two minutes, but the Hillians were unable to take advantage. Harvey’s goal was wind assisted fourteen minutes from time, but he was soon forced to celebrate it in the dressing room on his own. Right at the end the Hillians went down to ten, Hayden Skerry seeing red. Eight hundred and forty seven watched the action- and the images from Chris Neal are here.

A goal in each half saw Whitehawk up to fourth. Both goals arrived shortly before the end of each period, Charlie Harris with the opener on forty five minutes, Charlie Lambert ending any chance of a Cray Valley PM comeback right at the end. The Millers stay fifth.

In between Hawks and Millers are Beckenham Town, but Becks will want to quickly banish memories of the weekend after they were thrashed at Sheppey United. The Ites were three goals up within half an hour, Eddie Allsopp, Jake Embery and Danny Leonard getting those, and although Nicholas Curran got one back on the half hour for the visitors that was the highpoint of their miserable afternoon. Richard Hamill got a fourth for the hosts twenty minutes from time, and just before the end Matthew MacArthur made it five. The Ites are a point behind Cray Valley, in sixth place.

Ashford United were on the road to Sussex to take on East Grinstead Town. Both sides needed points, but both had to be content with only one, after a two-two draw. The Wasps earned their point with a late, late goal, Matt Daniel scoring deep into added time. Danny Parish had earlier opened the scoring for the Nuts and Bolts on fifteen minutes, with Harrison Parker levelling on the half hour, but the visitors were ahead again before the break, Gary Lockyer scoring from the spot. And that looked to be that, until Daniel’s late intervention- the Wasps opening up a four point gap over the bottom four.

Sevenoaks Town and Hythe Town are still hoping to be involved in the end of season lottery, and it was the Cannons who left Greatness Park with the points- a goal from Frannie Collin four minutes from time doing the damage. The visitors climb above their hosts, and are four points away from fifth place with five matches to go.

Corinthian were without a win since January 20th as Chichester City came to call, but the Hoops came from behind to keep their slim survival hopes alive. Callum Overton gave the visitors the lead on seven minutes, but Corinthian levelled on the half hour, Charlie Clover making it one-one. A minutes from time, a spot kick, and Oscar Housego held his nerve to deliver three points.

Littlehampton Town played host to another side in relegation danger, VCD Athletic. The Golds were on a poor run, only one win from ten, but got back to winning ways when Josh Short got the only goal of the game seven minutes after the restart. Vickers remain in the bottom four, the Golds are up to eleventh and will be relieved to have opened up a nine point gap between themselves and the danger zone.

Lancing took themselves to five points clear of the bottom four with a fine win over Three Bridges. The visitors have suffered from away day woes for most of the season, winning only once on the road, and the Lancers took advantage to be two-nil up at the break, Marcus Allen and Finn Daniels-Yeomans with the goals. Ten minutes after the restart Tommy Blennerhassett made it three on his debut, and five minutes from time Bridges misery was complete as Brannon O’Neill saw red. Bridges are now ahead of their hosts only on goal difference.

Finally, we had a derby match as second bottom Faversham Town rolled out the white carpet for fourteenth place Sittingbourne. Faversham gave a home debut to ‘The Beast,’ but it was a mixed afternoon for the one and only Adebayo Akinfenwa. The Brickies went ahead on thirty nine minutes through Joe Tyrie, but right at the end we had real drama. Sittingbourne keeper Harley Earle was injured giving away a penalty in the closing stages, and Harrison Pont came on to face the spot kick. Akinfenwa stepped up, but Pont made a save, and the Brickies took the points. Sittingbourne are now five points clear of the bottom four, whilst the Lilywhites are eleven points from safety, and eight points from the possible salvation of a relegation play off place- with only five games to go.

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