Saturday's Ryman North action review

By David Watters

AFC Sudbury took full advantage of leaders Cray Wanderers being one of several sides without a game on Saturday due to the weather to go top of the Ryman North following a 2-0 win against neighbours Bury Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

In front of a crowd of 769 at the Wardale Williams Stadium, Luke Callander gave the home side a 39th minute lead that Liam Wales eventually doubled nine minutes from time.

Third-placed AFC Hornchurch moved to within a point of Cray after a 2-0 win against Witham Town at Bridge Road.

The home side took the lead just after the break when Joey May’s corner was pulled back for George Purcell to hit his shot home. Witham keeper Harry Palmer then made a fantastic save from Elliott Styles` ten-yard strike to keep the visitors in the game on 61 minutes. However, Hornchurch doubled their advantage on 73 minutes through Junior Luke.

Ryman League

Ryman League

Tilbury moved into the top five on goal difference after a comfortable 4-0 win against Great Wakering Rovers at Chadfields.

Hero of the day for the Dockers was former Great Wakering favourite Neil Richmond, who netted a hat-trick in the sixth, 65th and 89th minutes, with Emiel Aiken sandwiching the other goal on 17 minutes.

Tilbury slipped above Cheshunt into fifth spot, despite the Ambers` 4-2 win over second-bottom Redbridge.

An amazing game saw three own goals started with Michael Akande inadvertedly giving the home side an early sixth minute lead and Stephen Good doing likewise in the 22nd minute. Not to be outdone, Cheshunt`s Joe Kizzi gave the Motormen some encouragement when he beat his own keeper in the 32nd minute.

Adam Bolle scored at the right end to make it 3-1 to Cheshunt just past the hour-mark, and after Reside Coxi Sebastfao gave the visitors` hope in the 69th minute, Stuart Zanone came off the bench to make the points safe for the Ambers three minutes from time.

Dereham Town moved into eighth and Thamesmead Town ninth after respective home wins over Soham Town Rangers and Phoenix Sports.

Payton Swatman scored the only goal with a 30-yarder in the 57th minute to maintain the Deres` nine-match unbeaten run, while at Bayliss Avenue, Tyrus Gordon Young gave Mead a great start with a goal inside the opening minute.

Ali Gordon equalised seven minutes later, only for Lee Prescott to restore the home side`s lead four minutes later.

Gordon`s second arrived in the 16th minute to put Sports back on terms, with Gordon Young bagging the only goal of the second period, three minutes in.

Waltham Abbey are now six points adrift of the safety mark after losing 2-1 at seventh-placed Harlow Town.

In front of 303 at Barrows Farm, Alex Read gave the Hawks a 10th minute lead that Piers Wixon added to 13 minutes later.

Tom Wood `won` the second half for the Abbots in the 54th minute, but despite not being at their best, Harlow held firm for the points.

Third-bottom Barkingside remain two points behind Heybridge Swifts, who also lost, after a 2-1 defeat at Ship Lane against Romford.

It wasn`t until 19 minutes from time that the opening goal arrived and it was Side`s Luke With who scored it.

Six minutes later Joe Scott equalised and then Boro won it with less than two minutes remaining through Chinedu McKenzie.

Heybridge weren`t able to pull away from Barkingside as Maldon & Tiptree took the derby honours at Scraley Road in front of 326.

The home side took the lead in the 33rd minute when Jack Barham made a run into the area and was brought down by the Jammers’ Lewis Probert and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot.

Jamie Guy, who missed a penalty in Heybridge’s 1-0 defeat to Brightlingsea Regent last week, stepped up and made no mistake to put Swifts in front.

And the Swifts held that lead until the 76th minute when Kieran Monlouis was given space on the edge of the area and fired in a low shot, just out of reach of a diving Danny Sambridge.

With time running out, Maldon won it when Charley Edge poked the ball home following a goalmouth scramble after a corner.

Wroxham and Brightlingsea Regent were involved in a six-goal thriller at Trafford Park.

Wroxham took the lead on 13 minutes with the first attack when Ashley Jarvis opened the scoring. But the lead didn’t last long as nine minutes later, Ricky Griggs fired home to make it 1-1.

Phil Kelly gave the visitors the lead for the first time on 52 minutes after heading home from a corner. But eight minutes later it was all square again as Wroxham’s Jack Guyton made it 2-2.

Kelly, however, put Regent back in front with a powerful strike into the top corner from the edge of the box on 68 minutes. Ten minutes later, Nathan Stone made it 3-3 as Wroxham secured a share of the spoils.

Where next?

Lane steps down from dual role Simon Lane has stood down as manager and director of football at Ryman Premier Wingate & Finchley.
Saturday's Ryman South action review Folkestone Invicta began 2016 in fine style as they beat play-off chasing Herne Bay 4-0 to move twelve points clear at the top of the Ryman South table on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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