Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

By David Watters

There are still plenty of issues to be settled in the Ryman Premier after Saturday's action despite the majority of teams now only having a couple of matches remaining, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Hampton & Richmond Borough hold a four-point lead at the top of the table and have just two games left, away to Grays Athletic and at home to Enfield Town.

They won 3-0 at Cherrywood Road against relegation-threatened Farnborough, with goals from Eddie Hutchinson after 14 minutes, Brendan Kiernan seven minutes before the break and Moussa Diarra two minutes after the restart.

Second-placed East Thurrock United beat already-doomed VCD Athletic 4-1 at Rookery Hill and have Harrow Borough at home and already-relegated Lewes at the Dripping Pan left to play.

Tom Wraight gave the Rocks the lead after just two minutes before Lheureux Menga equalised from the penalty spot four minutes later. But Kris Newby after 64 minutes and a Joe Ellul brace in the 78th and 84th minutes killed the visitors off.

Bognor Regis Town maintained their outside hopes of the title with a comprehensive 5-0 Nyewood Lane win over mid-table Leatherhead.

Bognor have two games in hand on the top two and have three at home in Wingate & Finchley, Brentwood Town and Hendon and travel to Leiston.

The Rocks took full advantage of the Tanners being reduced to ten-men after just 28 minutes when left-back Adam Green was shown a straight red card.

Sami El-Abd on the half-hour mark and Stuart Green eight minutes later gave them a 2-0 interval cushion and James Crane on 53 minutes and an Ollie Pearce double on 56 and 84 minutes sealed a nap hand for the hosts.

Fourth-placed Tonbridge Angels could have all-but sealed a play-off place had they beaten Billericay Town at Longmead.

They have a little more work to do after sharing a 2-2 draw in which a Jordan Cox brace after 14 and 25 minutes saw the visitors in command. Nathan Elder on 62 minutes and Tom Parkinson two minutes later pulled Angels back on level terms.

Enfield are now fifth after they won 4-0 at Moatside Stadium against mid-table Merstham with goals from Cory Whitely after two and 66 minutes, an Isaac Nehemie own goal on the hour-mark and Harry Ottaway on 68 minutes.

Town have a one-point advantage over Dulwich Hamlet, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Leiston, whose Christy Finch had them in front after just seven minutes, only for Kevin James to level on the hour-mark.

Kingstonian, with one game in hand on Hamlet and two on Enfield, are a further two points back after being held to a goalless draw at third-bottom Brentwood Town – a result that was little use to either side.

Already-relegated Lewes drew 2-2 at home to Staines Town, who came back from being an early fourth minute Ronnie Conlon goal and 54th minute penalty from Jonte Smith down to draw, thanks to Pat Cox after 76 minutes and then the bosses` son, sub Jonathan Hippolyte, three minutes later.

Hendon, Burgess Hill Town and Needham Market are all still in need of points to steer clear of the bottom four, with the latter gaining a crucial 2-0 win at Grays Athletic, courtesy of a Michael Brothers brace on 16 and 52 minutes.

Elsewhere, Metropolitan Police lost 1-0 at Imber Court to a 32nd minute Harrison Chatting effort for Canvey Island while Harrow beat Wingate & Finchley by the same scoreline at Earlsmead, thanks to a 68th minute Fejiri Okerabirhie goal.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman South action review Although the destination of the Ryman South championship was decided a few weeks ago, who makes the play-offs is still wide open with six teams chasing the four berths, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Congratulations to the champions! Congratulations to AFC Sudbury's fans, players and officials on winning the Ryman North championship on Saturday!

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