Saturday's Ryman South action review

By David Watters

Folkestone Invicta continued their dominance in Ryman South by moving fourteen points clear of second-placed Worthing, who lost, after winning 4-0 at South Park on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

It turned out to be a good day for Neil Cugley`s men – and for young striker Harry Smith in particular.

He gave Invicta a 41st minute lead and then went on to complete his hat-trick with further strikes on 48 and 84 minutes, with a Ryan Smith own goal sandwiching those on 76 minutes.

Hythe Town improved their hopes of mounting a top five challenge when they beat second-placed Worthing 3-0 at the Reachfields Stadium – and they did so despite playing the whole of the second half with ten-men following the dismissal of Nick Reeves.

Ryman League

Ryman League

The Kent side were already two to the good by then, courtesy of an Alfie May brace on 13 and 44 minutes. Reeves got his marching orders immediately after the restart but Hythe held firm and added a third four minutes into stoppage time through sub Jack Mahoney.

Third-placed Dorking Wanderers were the only other side in the top five to manage a win on Saturday.

The won 2-0 at Whyteleafe, thanks to goals from Matthew Briggs after 53 minutes and Anthony Oakes 11 minutes from time.

Herne Bay were held to a goalless draw at Winch`s Field by Tooting & Mitcham United.

However, they were probably grateful to get away with getting a point as they lost striker Mark Lovell to a straight red card after just 22 minutes.

Fifth-placed Guernsey were dealt a late blow at Southwood by top five-chasing Ramsgate.

The Rams led through Ian Pulman`s 12th minute effort and then Dominic Heaume equalised in the 26th minute.

The Channel Islanders held on to that point until stoppage time when a foul on Craig Thompson earned the hosts a last-gasp spot-kick which Joe Taylor duly converted.

Faversham Town are just a point behind Guernsey in sixth after beating second-bottom Peacehaven & Telscombe 2-0 at the Shepherd Neame Stadium.

Charley Robertson gave the Kent hosts an early fifth minute lead. And eight minutes into the second half, Renford Tenyue added a second for what was a comfortable win for the hosts.

Clubs right down to thirteenth-placed Corinthian-Casuals can still cause the current top five to sweat with only six points separating them.

Molesey, Hastings United, Hythe, South Park and Carshalton Athletic are in that group.

Molesey beat bottom side Whitstable Town 2-0 with a brace from Stafforde Palmer after 46 and 81 minutes.

Carshalton gained a late draw from their visit to the Moatside Stadium against lowly Walton Casuals, who led through Scott Day after 28 minutes.

Jordan Higgs eventually equalised just past the hour-mark, only for Stefan Cox to restore Casuals` lead on 76 minutes. But a 30-yard screamer from teenager Ryan Healy in the 87th minute pulled the Robins back on level terms.

Hastings, however, suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Pilot Field to mid-table Three Bridges, for whom John Lansdale scored the only goal after 25 minutes.

Bridges had defender Nigel Brake dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 90th minute, but it came too late to have much of an effect on the game.

Corinthian-Casuals could have done with more than a point from their trip to third-bottom Chipstead.

And it looked as though they would get all three when they led through Shaun Okojie`s goal on the half-hour mark. But in injury-time at the end of the game, a Danny Dudley own goal salvaged a draw for the hosts.

Fourth-bottom Walton & Hersham also picked up a point from a 2-2 draw at Woodstock Park against fellow strugglers Sittingbourne.

And as the Swans twice came back from being behind, they will be happy enough with a point. Hicham Akhazzan put Bourne in front from the spot on the half-hour mark.

Two minutes after half-time Michael Salako equalised, only for Ollie Bankole to restore the hosts` lead on 61 minutes. Matt Somner levelled again for the visitors with 16 minutes to go.

Chatham Town pulled well clear of the drop zone after beating fifth-bottom East Grinstead Town 2-0 at the Sports Ground.

The only goal of the game came 19 minutes from the end, courtesy of Khari Oriogun.

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Where next?

Record sponsorship deal extended The Isthmian Football League and title sponsors Ryman, part of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, have agreed to extend the longest running sponsorship partnership in football until the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Saturday's Premier Division action review There was a full fixture list in the Ryman Premier on Saturday as the league escaped the worst effects of the wet weather that hit most of the rest of the country, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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