Saturday round up, Monday preview- and Teniola time!

Premier Division

In our Bostik Friday interview Harrow Borough manager Steve Baker spoke about how he expected a tough match against Tonbridge Angels, but mentioned that he hoped to surprise Steve McKimm’s side by being rather less predictable than in the past. Whilst it’s difficult to describe a win by unbeaten league leaders as unpredictable, the fact that Borough maintained their 100% record, restricted Angels to three shots on target, and breached a previously unbeaten defence on two occasions will certainly make the rest of the division sit up and take notice.

Big spending Billericay Town maintained their charge in second place, half time substitute Adam Cunnington scoring an eighteen minute hat trick as visitors Burgess Hill Town- who earlier this week learned that key defender Will Miles would be out injured for the rest of the season- were hammered by six goals to one. Leatherhead had the strange experience of playing away whilst playing at home, as they ‘visited’ Fetcham Grove to face tenants Kingstonian, but certainly weren’t fazed by using the away dressing room as they scored four goals without reply to move up to third place. Staines Town slipped to fourth place as they conceded a last gasp equaliser at a Matt Briggs inspired Dorking Wanderers, and Leiston sit in fifth after skipper Joe Jefford grabbed a stoppage time equaliser at home to highly-fancied Dulwich Hamlet.

Our feature on the match between Dorking Wanderers and Staines Town can be found here.

Bank Holiday Monday throws up its traditional mix of derby matches, which include a Sussex clash between Burgess Hill Town and Worthing, Dulwich Hamlet hosting South London rivals Tooting & Mitcham Utd, leaders Borough travelling to Hendon and Leatherhead facing Met Police. Oh, and a Jolly Boys outing for Dorking Wanderers, who travel to not-neighbours Margate.

South Division

The story of the day in the South Division undoubtedly belonged to Thamesmead Town, for whom Alex Teniola scored his second hat trick- and seventh goal- in a week as Mead demolished the Hornets of Horsham 5-0 to move into second place behind 100% Walton Casuals. Alex confirmed that this was, unsurprisingly, the first time he’d ever managed the feat of scoring consecutive hat-tricks. He’s also delighted with his burgeoning partnership with Tonbridge Angels loanee Tashi-Jay Kwayie, who he described as “young and fiery!”

Casuals, who will be opening their new ground- the Xcel Sports Hub- on 14th September, came out on top in a seven goal thriller against Faversham Town. Whyteleafe bounced back from their midweek penalty defeat in the FA Cup to demolish South Park’s 100% record with a 3-1 victory, moving into third. At the other end of the table Shoreham, Ashford United, Chipstead and Hythe Town are still looking for their first point of the campaign.

The big match of Bank Holiday Monday in the South Division is undoubtedly the clash between Corinthian Casuals and Carshalton Athletic, although special mentions must go to the Sussex derby between Hastings Utd and Lewes, the visit of Walton Casuals to Molesey and the visit of Thamesmead Town to VCD Athletic.

North Division

Four teams still have a one hundred percent record in the North Division. AFC Hornchurch are in top spot after a 4-1 win away at Bury Town, whilst Heybridge Swifts are flying high in second place after winning at Barking. Potters Bar Town defeated Soham Town to cement third place, whilst the Magpies of Dereham give us the opportunity for yet another bird-related pun, having defeated highly fancied AFC Sudbury. At the other end Norwich United and Witham Town are still searching for their first points, the latter despite having the continual encouragement of last season’s fan of the year, James Beardwell.

Back of the Net yesterday provided full coverage of Bowers & Pitsea v Harringey Borough- see highlights and interviews here.

Monday sees AFC Hornchurch entertain Romford, tenants Grays Athletic hosting landlords Aveley, Heybridge Swifts hosting the highly fancied Jammers of Maldon & Tiptree, and a battle between Hertford Town and Potters Bar Town.

All fixtures can be found here.

Images provided with permission from Alex Teniola personal collection.