Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

Strugglers Needham Market produced the perfect smash and grab raid at a blustery Champion Hill to dent the hopes of Ryman Premier leaders Dulwich Hamlet, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Marketmen scored just short of the hour-mark through Jay Davies. This was a game where Dulwich failed to deal with a team that arrived with a clear game plan and the blustery conditions. But news later of second-placed Tonbridge Angels` defeat softened the blow a little.

In front of another excellent crowd of 1,547, Hamlet did almost all the attacking as the visitors set themselves up to defend and produced a disciplined display.

The majority of the crowd of 457 at Longmead went home disappointed as Tonbridge were beaten by the odd goal in five by mid-table Burgess Hill Town.

Ryman League

Ryman League

Sam Gargan gave the Hillians a great start with a goal inside two minutes. But a brace from Nathan Elder after 19 and 54 minutes put the home side in front. Sam Fisk equalised 15 minutes from time and just three minutes later, Chris Smith scored what proved to be the winner.

An excellent first half performance against Merstham gave Kingstonian a 3-1 win and a rise in the table to third place.

Ricky Sappleton's 15th minute headed goal was the catalyst for a three goal first half. Dan Bennett doubled the lead in the 29th minute before supplying the cross for Pelayo Pico Gomez's 40th minute header. Phil Page got one back in a quiet second half in the 89th minute as K's moved into the play-off zone with a 3-1 win.

Neither Wingate & Finchley nor Bognor Regis Town, in fourth and fifth place respectively, managed a win on Saturday.

A Teddy Nesbitt goal five minutes from time earned Billericay Town victory and sixth place at the Harry Abrahams Stadium, while Bognor were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Hendon, whose Finbarr Robins scored after just seven minutes, only for Sami El-Abd to level for the Rocks 18 minutes from time.

Hampton & Richmond Borough are looking dangerous in seventh and just a point behind Billericay after a 3-2 win at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium against Enfield Town.

It was a classic `game of two halves` with Town leading 2-0 at half-time through Tyler Campbell after 34 minutes and Harry Ottaway after 43 minutes.

Tom Jelley pulled the first back for the Beavers six minutes after the break but it wasn`t until the last minute that Jerome Federico managed to level and then Dean Sinclair won it for the Beavers in stoppage time.

A late header from Joe Turner condemned Leiston to a third home defeat of the season against Metropolitan Police, sending them to eighth position, their lowest position of the season.

The Blues did enough to get something from the game but were undone late in the game in tough conditions. Leon Smith fired the visitors ahead before Met Police keeper Craig King palmed a Seb Dunbar cross into his own net.

Early Blues chances went begging before Ashlee Jones made a fine save to deny Charlie Collins from the penalty spot. But Turner had the last laugh six minutes from time.

Lewes are now rooted nine points adrift at the bottom of the table after they suffered an eighteenth defeat of the season to date and second-bottom VCD Athletic managed a third win of the campaign.

The Rooks suffered a 4-1 defeat at East Thurrock United, whose Ashley Miller opened the scoring just before the break and then Sam Higgins bagged a brace – the second a penalty – and Ade Yussuf the other – with Henry Muggeridge replying.

Grays Athletic had Jay Leader sent-off nine minutes into the second half of their home game against VCD, Mathias Bakare converting the resulting penalty to eventually earn the Vickers their surprise victory. However, they are still seven points adrift of fifth-bottom Hendon.

The other two sides in the bottom four – Brentwood Town and Farnborough – shared a 1-1 draw in Essex.

It was goalless until just past the hour-mark when Liam Hope gave the home side the lead that Jamie White cancelled out eight minutes later.

Canvey Island`s top five hopes took a knock when they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to youthful Staines Town.

Tommy Brewer gave the visitors an early fourth minute lead that Pat Cox eventually added to from the spot nine minutes into the second period. Jeremy Boakye made it 3-0 with 20 minutes to go but the Gulls made the Swans sweat when they pulled two back in four minutes courtesy of George Sykes and a Jay Curran spot-kick.

Harrow Borough moved up to eleventh after winning 2-1 at Fetcham Grove against Leatherhead, who have had a change of management.

Kiernan Hughes-Mason gave the Tanners the boost of an early ninth minute lead that Fejiri Okenabirhie levelled four minutes into the second half. And then Joshua Webb won it for Boro six minutes from time.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman South action review Saturday was a good day for Ryman South leaders Folkestone Invicta, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Hamlet host huge reunion! Dulwich Hamlet held one of the biggest ever reunions of their former stars on Saturday before kicking off against Needham Market in the Ryman League's top flight.

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