Saturday's Ryman Premier final day review

AFC Hornchurch and Lowestoft Town earned play-off places in the Ryman Premier on the final Saturday of the regular season, meaning Dulwich Hamlet agonisingly missed out despite being in the top five for the majority of the campaign, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Dulwich needed a win at Champion Hill against a Kingstonian side who were chasing the runners-up spot. However, despite taking a 10th minute lead through Kevin James, Hamlet could only draw after Daniel Sweeney`s equaliser right on the half-time whistle.

The Urchins finished fifth after Chris Bourne`s goal three minutes into the second half at home to the Metropolitan Police proved to be enough for all three points.

Lowestoft booked their place in the play-offs with a 3-0 home win over Harrow Borough in front of a crowd of 845 at Crown Meadow.

Rob Eagle gave the Trawlerboys the boost of a goal a minute before half-time. Shaun Bammant added a second on 68 minutes and then Harrow had Anthony Page sent-off, with sub Michael Frew eventually adding a third in injury-time.

K`s finished second after Bognor Regis Town were beaten 4-2 at East Thurrock United – a result that saved the Essex Rocks from the drop.

It didn`t look good for the visitors though as Bognor led 2-0 with goals from Ben Johnson after seven minutes and Ollie Pearce seven minutes later, with Dave Bryant reducing the arrears 10 minutes before the break.

But a poor second half performance by the Sussex Rocks saw Mitch Gilbey bag a brace for the hosts in the 55th and 70th minutes and then Sam Higgins add a fourth 10 minutes from time to earn salvation.

That result must have been galling for fellow strugglers Thamesmead Town and Wingate & Finchley, who both also won on Saturday but were relegated.

Mead had the hardest task as they had to rely on the two others losing, but they did their bit by beating Bury Town 4-2 at Bayliss Avenue with goals from Rob Carter after 24 minutes, Tyrus Gordon-Young after 38 minutes and, after Anthony Roulston had levelled with goals in the 50th and 62nd minutes, a Shamir Mullings brace in the 75th and 81st minutes won it for Mead.

Wingate produced one of their best performances of the season in hammering Billericay Town 5-0 at the Abrahams Stadium – but it proved to be not enough.

Ahmet Rifat bagged a brace in the 14th and 48th minutes, with Leon Fisher sandwiching a third in the 17th minute. Scott Shulton made it 4-0 on 66 minutes and then Rifat completed his hat-trick with eight minutes remaining.

Enfield Town also needed points at already-relegated Cray Wanderers to ensure they survived – and they duly achieved that.

But they had to come back from being a 10th minute Paul Vines goal down to win, courtesy of Jordan Lockie after 39 minutes and Ryan Doyle 16 minutes from time.

Champions Wealdstone won their final game in the Ryman League as a crowd of 906 celebrated, although the team made them wait until the final nine minutes for goals from Charlie Penny and sub Peter Dean to see off Canvey Island.

Elsewhere, there were final day wins for Maidstone United, Lewes, Margate and already-doomed Carshalton Athletic.

Another fantastic crown of 1,984 saw Maidstone beat Grays Athletic 2-1 at the Gallagher Stadium with an own goal from Phil Anderson after 15 minutes and Frannie Collin on 64 minutes – Chris Benjamin replying three minutes from time.

Lewes ended a disappointing campaign on a high, hammering Leiston 5-1 at the Dripping Pan in front of a crowd of 556.

Luke Blewden bagged a brace in the sixth and 12th minutes and Jack Dixon added a third with only 22 minutes gone. Blewden completed a first half hat-trick in the 41st minute and immediately after the break Nicky Wheeler added a fifth for the Rooks, with Emmanuel Osei netting a consolation eight minutes from time.

Margate edged out Hendon by the odd goal in five at Earlsmead to end their season on a high.

The Greens took an early ninth minute lead that Charlie Allen cancelled out right on half-time. Just three minutes after the break Matt Bodkin put Gate in front, only for Dave Diedhiou to level on 56 minutes. Sub Luke Medley then came on and won it for Terry Brown`s side with four minutes remaining.

And Carshalton at least ensured they didn’t finish bottom after beating Hampton & Richmond Borough 2-0 at Colston Avenue, thanks to goals from Sean O`Toole after 23 minutes and Jason Henry just five minutes later.