Robins rock the Mackerel Men, whilst Wingate and the Urchins each hit five

Carshalton Athletic, who have had a very hit and miss season so far, hosted our leaders, Worthing. The Robins had failed to defeat the Mackerel Men in twelve attempts, but they went ahead in this one, Harry Ottaway opening the scoring on thirty two minutes to shock the visiting contingent amongst the six hundred and fifty two watching on. Those travelling fans were further shocked when Ottaway made it two with twenty four minutes remaining, and although Callum Kealey got one back just before the end there was no time for an equaliser- which sees Worthing’s lead at the top cut to a (still rather impressive) seven points.

Folkestone Invicta were the main beneficiaries of Worthing’s defeat. Invicta, who saw their seven match unbeaten run come to an end at Margate on Saturday, welcomed a side who would give their eye teeth for a seven match unbeaten run, Leatherhead, the Tanners playing much better of late but still not picking up many points. The side from Fetcham Grove experienced that sinking feeling once more when Josh Vincent gave the home side the lead on twenty three minutes. Adam Yusuff’s seventeenth of the season doubled the hosts advantage on the hour, and David Smith made it three from the spot thirteen minutes from time. Eight hundred and twenty nine watched the game.

Cray Wanderers welcomed Enfield Town, both sides buoyed by victories on New Years Day. The Wands were quickly out of the blocks, taking the lead in just the second minute, Chris Dickson opening the scoring, but the Towners drew level midway through the half, Andre Coker with the goal. That sparked Wands back into the attack, and they were rewarded when Jamie Yila quickly restored their advantage, but again they couldn’t hold out, and Lyle Della-Verde levelled matters again six minutes before the break. Wands once again struck next, Cameron Brodie making it three-two just after the restart, and then an own goal made it four-two just after the hour. The Towners weren’t done. Lewis Taafe reduced the arrears once more, and then, three minutes from time, the same player made it are rather improbably four-all draw. The Towners are fourth.

Image: Hilliger Pix.

Kingstonian hosted Lewes. The K’s started the day five points behind the third place Rooks, albeit with three games in hand, and with a fabulous record against their East Sussex opponents- Lewes have won only once in their last seven meetings. That record looked very likely to continue as the K’s hit the Rooks with a quick one-two, Daniel Ajakaiye putting them ahead on twenty minutes and Jerry Puemo doubling the lead two minutes later- but the Rooks quickly hit back, Iffy Allen halving the deficit.

Nyren Clunis struck for the K’s with nineteen minutes remaining to widen the gap, and soon afterwards Rhys Murrell-Williamson made it four, and despite Ollie Tanner reducing the deficit to two for the Rooks the hosts were good value for their win. The K’s are seventh, the Rooks fifth.

Cheshunt suffered that rare event, a defeat, last time out, and were looking to get back to winning ways against a Haringey Borough side who had finally remembered how to win, twice in a row. Borough went ahead in this one four minutes before the break, Alfred Bawling breaking the deadlock, but the Ambers equalised from the spot right at the end, Rowan Liburd keeping his nerve.
Bowers & Pitsea welcomed a Margate side who had defeated Worthing and Folkestone Invicta recently, but lost to Wingate & Finchley, so must have been wondering which version of the Blues would turn up. They didn’t waste time wondering, however, getting straight on the scoresheet as Dan Trendall delighted the Len Salmon crowd in just the fourth minute. The equaliser came from Vance Bola, meeting a cross from Ben Greenhalgh to slot home his twelfth of the campaign.

Greenhalgh has had a superb season, and put his side ahead eight minutes after the restart, but Bowers weren’t about to give up and Bradley Sach drew them level with seventeen minutes remaining. A point each? Not a bit of it, as right at the end Dan Thompson, on from the bench, managed to somehow score two goals! Gate stay eighth, but are now only three points outside the top five.

Brightlingsea Regent hosted a Hornchurch side who were beginning to climb the table, taking twelve points from their last twelve and beginning to focus themselves on a playoff charge. The Urchins saw Lewwis Spence put them ahead after just four minutes, and then saw Tom Wraight double the advantage from the spot on the half hour. It was three-nil by the break, Olu Ogunwamide surely making sure of three points with goal three, and if they weren’t sure then, they were when Tobi Joseph made it four just after the restart.

Chris Ribchester got one back for the hosts, but Charlie Ruff made it five-one to the visitors, who are now five points off the top five with two games in hand.

Horsham, defeated by three penalties at Worthing on Saturday, would have hoped not to give any more away as they welcomed Corinthian-Casuals, their visitors on a run which had seen them lose only one match in nine. The opening goal came right on the stroke of half time, and it came from Lucas Rodrigues for the Hornets, but Casuals equalised with fifteen minutes to go, Ola Williams with the goal, before making life difficult for themselves as Peter Ojemen saw red. There were no more goals, and both had to be satisfied with a point.

Wingate & Finchley and East Thurrock United met on Summers Lane with both in desperate need of a win, both with only one win from their last ten matches. It was the hosting Blues who struck first, Alkeo Bani after a quarter of an hour, and they struck second, too- Hani Berchiche doubling their lead. Freddie Hinds made sure with goal number three twenty two minutes from time, before Berchiche made it four six minutes later. There was still time for Liam Smith to make it five before the end.

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