Saturday's Ryman South action review

Although a crowd of 444 was decent, and Invicta`s third best of the season to date, it was probably far less than it would have been had it not been played on traditionally the worst day for football attendances!

However, a tight and evenly-contested encounter was eventually separated by a goal a minute into the second half from the home side`s Scott Heard.

As well as the top two meeting, third and fourth also did battle at Southwood where Ramsgate overtook Herne Bay into third after another hard-fought 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Joe Taylor right on the half-time whistle.

Guernsey pulled level on points with Herne Bay in fifth after a much more comfortable 6-2 hammering of Tooting & Mitcham United.

Top scorer Ross Allen helped himself to a hat-trick, with Craig Young, Sam Cochrane and Matt Loaring netting the others – Jake Baxter bagging both of the Terrors` goals in front of another good crowd of 759 on the Channel Island.

The top five have a three-point lead over the chasing pack which is led by Faversham Town, who could only manage a 1-1 home draw with lowly Walton & Hersham.

Gareth Chendlik gave the Swans something to hold onto when he put them in front after just four minutes. Faversham eventually pulled back on terms four minutes after half-time through Matt Bourne.

Dorking Wanderers stayed in contention for a top five challenge in the New Year after a 5-3 home win against another struggler, East Grinstead Town.

The visiting Wasps had an 11th minute lead through Dodi Capella but fell 2-1 behind to goals from Kevin Terry on 22 minutes and Tommy Hutchings 10 minutes into the second half.

Danny Leonard equalised just past the hour-mark, only for Tom Tolfrey to restore Dorking`s lead from the spot on 75 minutes. However, Yacine G`Nhoare equalised with 6 minutes remaining, only for Hutchings and Tolfrey to both score again as the game went into injury-time.

Second-bottom Chipstead surprised Carshalton Athletic by winning 2-1 at Colston Avenue.

Sam Butler scored both of the strugglers` goals in the 27th and 42nd minutes, sandwiching Tommy Bradford`s reply on the half-hour mark to dent the Robins` top five hopes.

Corinthian-Casuals moved above Carshalton into eighth after beating bottom-markers Whitstable Town 2-0 to leave the Oystermen almost needing snookers already to avoid going down. Josh Uzum from the spot just before half-time and Danny Dudley 18 minutes from time, were the Casuals` scorers.

Whyteleafe enjoyed a good 4-1 home win over Hastings United, taking a 25th minute lead through veteran Roscoe D`Sane, only for Josh Jirbandey to take United into the break on level terms. But two goals in a minute just after the hour-mark from recent signing Shawn Lyle and Vernon Francis killed Hastings off, with Sam Clayton adding a fourth 11 minutes from the end.

Chatham Town moved to within a place and a point of hosts Walton Casuals after winning 2-1 at the Waterside Satdium.

A Ricky Gundry brace in the 14th and 45th minutes put the Chats in command, with Jordan Cheadle`s 76th minute effort being all Casuals could respond with.

A remarkable game in Sussex saw visitors Sittingbourne swap places with hosts Peacehaven & Telscombe, who dropped into the relegation zone, after a second half blitz saw them record a 6-2 victory.

Steve Ita`s 21st minute penalty for Bourne was cancelled out by Ashley West two minutes after the break and then Haven took the lead five minutes later through Dan Perry. But a Jono Richardson brace and singles from Dan Hughes, Jordan Wells and Miles Collwell sealed Bourne`s remarkable win.

Three Bridges moved above visitors Hythe Town into thirteenth spot after a 3-0 win at Jubilee Field.

Goals from Matt Daniel after 18 minutes and Jamie Brotherton from the spot right on half-time gave the hosts a two-goal cushion that Hakeem Adelakun added to just shy of the hour-mark.

Mid-table teams Molesey and South Park cancelled each other out in a 2-2 draw in which the visitors took an early 8th minute lead through Asa Rixon-Nicholls.

James McShane equalised after 11 minutes and then put the home side in front on 65 minutes, only for South Park to earn a point with Kieron Lavery`s 73rd minute spot-kick.

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