Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

The Ryman Premier's title race is really bubbling to an exciting finale with only a point now separating leaders East Thurrock United and second-placed Hampton & Richmond Borough, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The game of the day saw the leaders inflict a 3-0 defeat on a third-placed Tonbridge Angels side, who really needed to win to remain in the race themselves.

A crowd of 331 at Rookery Hill saw Sam Higgins bag his 30th goal of the season to put the Rocks in front after 12 minutes. James Walker added a second after 32 minutes and sub Kye Ruel made sure with a third 14 minutes from the end.

In front of 414, Hampton enjoyed a 5-0 Beveree romp against mid-table Canvey Island.

Ryman League

Ryman League

The Beavers opened with a penalty after 25 minutes when Jamal Lowe was bundled over on the edge of the box by Canvey Island's Richard Halle and Nicke Kabamba stepped up to strike the spot kick. Conor Gough guessed right and saved the kick, Kabamba's follow up shot struck the post before Josh Casey side-footed home from 10 yards.

Kabamba made it 2-0 after 35 minutes as he followed up Brendan Kiernan's shot and just five minutes later in was virtually all over - Kabamba on the end of Jerome Federico's deep cross to nod home. Tom Beere killed the game with a great shot just before half-time and with just over an hour gone, Kabamba completed his hat-trick.

Fourth-placed Dulwich Hamlet picked up a point at the Harry Abrahams Stadium against Wingate & Finchley but failed to end the winless run that has seen their promotion push falter.

A goal from Dean McDonald rescued a point for Hamlet in the 63rd minute after Leon Fisher had given the hosts a 54th minute lead from the spot in a low key encounter that produced little flowing football from either side.

FA Trophy heroes Bognor Regis Town hold the final play-off place but were held to a 1-1 draw by second-bottom VCD Athletic.

Jason Prior gave the Rocks a 17th minute lead – his 24th of the season – but four minutes before the break Ricky Sappleton equalised from the spot. In the end Bognor were holding on after having Doug Tuck sent-off with 16 minutes remaining.

Billericay Town are level on points with Bognor but they too were held by a relegation battler in fourth-bottom Brentwood Town at The Arena.

The Blues led through Conor Hubble`s 34th minute goal but were pegged back by Andy Freeman 14 minutes from the end.

Those draws mean Enfield Town, Leiston, Grays Athletic and Kingstonian are all still in with a shout of mounting a top five challenge.

However, with K`s playing Sunday, none of the others managed a win on Saturday!

Enfield and Leiston both shared away draws – Town 2-2 at Imber Court against Metropolitan Police where Bobby Devyne`s 32nd minute opener was overturned by Will Salmon on 61 minutes and Charlie Collins 12 minutes later, only for Stanley Muguo to level three minutes later, while Leiston shared a goalless draw at Earlsmead with Harrow Borough.

Grays were on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing by an improved and strengthened Farnborough side and ended the game with only nine-men!

Charlie Allen gave Boro a 35th minute lead that Bogdan Vastsuk doubled after 63 minutes. Grays had keeper Lamar Johnson dismissed a couple of minutes later and Vastsuk on 80 and new signing Dennis Oli six minutes after that made it 4-0. When Nicky Symons received his marching orders in injury-time, Vastsuk completed his hat-trick with the resulting penalty.

Bottom-markers Lewes picked up one point which probably isn`t enough at this stage with the Rooks twelve points adrift of the safety-mark.

Lloyd Cotton had them in front as early as the second minute, only for Brandon Adams to level 10 minutes later. Ronnie Conlon restored the home side`s lead just before the break but Adams` second just shy of the hour-mark saw the Greens go back with a point.

Fifth-bottom Needham Market remain five points in front of the drop zone after also drawing – 2-2 at mid-table Leatherhead.

The Marketmen had Michael Brothers after six minutes and Ian Miller in the 90th sandwich goals from Ryan Mahal on 21 minutes and Frannie Collin two minutes into the second half for the Tanners.

Staines Town pulled ten points clear of the bottom four after a 2-0 Wheatsheaf Park victory over Merstham, courtesy of a Dan Brown brace in the ninth and 21st minutes.

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Where next?

New number two gets started Former East Thurrock United coach Joe Keith took his place on the touchline alongside Canvey Island manager Danny Heale for the first time in the Ryman Premier on Saturday following his midweek switch to become his new number two.
Log on for Saturday's live scores! Stay in touch with the battles for promotion and relegation across the Ryman League on Saturday's live scores service.

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