Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

The top two in the Ryman Premier were both held to 2-2 draws by fellow top five teams, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Hampton & Richmond Borough still lead the table by two points after sharing the spoils with a now fifth-placed Tonbridge Angels at the Beveree.

A crowd of 691 saw Nicke Kamamba give the Beavers a 22nd minute lead. Jerome Federico eventually doubled the home side`s lead eight minutes into the second half. But a good comeback from the Angels started with Tom Parkinson`s 71st minute effort and then Nathan Elder grabbed a stoppage time equaliser.

Dulwich will be disappointed not to have won their top of the table encounter against third-placed East Thurrock United at Rookery Hill after dominating for long periods.

Ryman League

Ryman League

And they got off to a great start when Ryan Moss put them in front inside the opening minute. Tom Wraight eventually equalised six minutes after half-time, only for Nyren Clunis to respond to give Hamlet the lead again with 15 minutes remaining. However, just two minutes later, Rocks` top scorer Sam Higgins levelled matters once more.

Bognor Regis Town moved above Tonbridge into fourth spot after winning 3-1 at the Harry Abrahams Stadium against fellow play-off contenders Wingate & Finchley.

Craig Robson gave the Rocks a 36th minute lead that new signing Alex Addai cancelled out six minutes after the break. Robson restored the visitors` advantage with 11 minutes to go and soon afterwards Jason Prikor made sure of the points with a third from the penalty spot.

Sixth-placed Billericay Town could have moved into the top five again but suffered a 2-1 defeat at Earlsmead by Harrow Borough.

On-loan striker Jordan Cox gave the visitors an early fourth minute lead that Lewis Driver cancelled out after 21 minutes. Spencer McCall bagged what proved to be the Harrow winner five minutes into the second half.

Kingstonian moved level on points with Billericay in a tight top half of the table after winning 4-2 at Kingsmeadow against fifth-bottom Needham Market.

But the K`s had to come back from being 2-0 down to goals from Jay Davies after 13 minutes and then Luke Ingram on 55 minutes. Malachi Hudson immediately responded and then equalised on the hour-mark. Andre McCollin gave the hosts the lead with seven minutes to go and Dan Bennett made sure with a fourth in time added on.

Leiston are still looking for their first win of 2016 after suffering defeat at mid-table Leatherhead.

The damage was done in the first half with the hosts going into the interval three goals to the good through Frannie Collin after six and 34 minutes and Kiernan Hughes-Mason after 31 minutes.

The Blues rallied in the second half with Kelsey Trotter reducing the arrears with his first ever goal just past the hour-mark. Tom Bullard's stoppage time goal set up a frantic finale but the fight back couldn't be completed.

Enfield Town and Grays Athletic are two other teams with realistic top five hopes, but only Grays won on Saturday.

Town suffered a 3-2 defeat at Hayes Lane against a now fourth-bottom VCD Athletic.

Donovan Simmonds put the hosts in front after 27 minutes and Ricky Sappleton doubled that five minutes before the break, with Harold Joseph pulling one back before the half-time cuppas. Joseph then equalised with 13 minutes to go, only for Nigel Nieta to win it for the Vickers two minutes from time.

Grays were 4-2 winners at inconsistent Metropolitan Police, who were 2-0 up thanks to a brace from Joe Turner after 14 and 19 minutes.

Grays were level by half-time though with goals from Roman Michael-Percil on 22 minutes and Dumebi Dumaka on 35 minutes and ahead through the in-demand Dumaka two minutes after the interval, with Jake Hutchings adding a fourth on 66 minutes - the Met finishing with ten-men with an 85th minute dismissal of sub Neil Barrett.

Farnborough`s relegation fears worsened after a 3-0 home defeat to Merstham.

Fabio Saraiva bagged a brace for the Moatsiders after 55 and 89 minutes, Charlie Penny sandwiching a 79th minute effort.

Second-bottom Brentwood Town pulled to within a point of Farnborough after a 1-1 home draw with Burgess Hill Town, whose Joe Keehan salvaged a point in the 90th minute after Robbie Rees had given the Essex hosts a 58th minute lead.

Staines Town`s plunge towards the bottom four continued after losing 3-1 at Wheatsheaf Park to Hendon, whose Dave Diedhou gave them a 12th minute lead.

Jeremy Boakye equalised on the half-hour mark but Kezie Ibe after 66 minutes and Mark Kirby on 87 minutes, sealed the Greens win.

And bottom-markers Lewes made it three games unbeaten and four points behind Brentwood after beating Canvey Island 3-1 at the Dripping Pan.

Jonte Smith gave the Rooks a 31at minute lead that Ashley Dumas cancelled out a minute before the break. Alex Laing restored the home side`s lead on 74 minutes and Smith`s second six minutes from time earned victory that keeps their survival hopes alive.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman North action review AFC Sudbury moved seven points clear at the top of the Ryman North table on Saturday after a 4-0 win at bottom-markers Redbridge, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Full steam ahead on live scores! With only Haringey Borough at home to Wroxham falling foul of the weather, follow Saturday's full programme of action on the Ryman League's live scores service.

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