Saturday's Ryman South action review

By David Watters

Folkestone Invicta began 2016 in fine style as they beat play-off chasing Herne Bay 4-0 to move twelve points clear at the top of the Ryman South table on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

In front of a crowd of 478 at the Fullicks Stadium, Ian Draycott topped and tailed the scoring in the 14th and 56th minutes, with Ronnie Dolan on 47 minutes and Scott Heard on 53 minutes sandwiching them.

Guernsey FC and Faversham Town were two other top five teams to win on Saturday.

Third-placed Guernsey saw off East Grinstead Town on the island in front of 657 with goals from Matt Loaring after 13 minutes, Jacques Isabelle five minutes before the break and Craig Young in injury-time at the end of the game after Greg Cundle had pulled one back for the Wasps on 53 minutes.

Ryman League

Ryman League

Faversham edged Kent rivals Sittingbourne 1-0 at the Shepherd Neame Stadium, courtesy of a 56th minute goal from one of their former players, Matt Bourne.

Ramsgate dropped down to fifth after a surprise 3-1 defeat at Southwood by Hythe Town.

Jack Harris bagged a brace for the visitors in the 52nd and 72nd minutes and then the teams swapped injury-time goals through Ian Pulman and Frankie Sawyer.

Carshalton Athletic could have moved into the top five had they beaten Corinthian-Casuals at Colston Avenue, but had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw.

Tommy Bradford broke the deadlock in front of a crowd of 387 in the 53rd minute. But Shaun Okojie equalised with seven minutes to go, and held on, despite having Stefan Joseph sent-off five minutes later.

Bottom-markers Whitstable Town are twelve points adrift of fourth-bottom Walton & Hersham after losing 2-0 at the Belmont to Chatham Town, for whom Ricky Gundery right on half-time and Fred Obasa 16 minutes from time, were on the mark.

The other two teams in the relegation zone, Peacehaven & Telscombe and Chipstead, also lost.

Haven were beaten 4-0 at home by Hastings United, for whom Billy Medlock after 10 minutes and Sam Cole after 31 minutes had them two-up at half-time. Tydal Richardson Brown and Chris Cunnings added two more in the final eight minutes.

Chipstead went down to a 3-1 defeat at Whyteleafe, whose Sam Clayton opened the scoring on the half-hour mark.

Jamie Byatt doubled that five minutes after the break and after Dan Thompson had reduced the arrears on 81 minutes, Jason Henry made it 3-1 in stoppage time.

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman North action review AFC Sudbury took full advantage of leaders Cray Wanderers being one of several sides without a game on Saturday due to the weather to go top of the Ryman North following a 2-0 win against neighbours Bury Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Saturday's Ryman Premier action review A last minute equaliser denied Ryman Premier leaders Dulwich Hamlet victory against fellow title challengers Tonbridge Angels at Longmead on the first day of action of 2016 on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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