Scholars hit the top- and Rocks rock Rooks!

Our leaders- at start of play- Hornchurch were on the road to the coast, where they faced Brightlingsea Regent. The hosts started the weekend without a league win since August Bank Holiday Monday, whilst the Urchins had lost only one of their last eleven, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise when Sam Higgins put the visitors ahead midway through the first half- his sixteenth of the season. It was perhaps more of a surprise, however, when the next goal arrived- it went to the hosts, and it went to Zack Litlejohn four minutes after the restart. That turned out to be that, and the Urchins slipped to second.

Aveley were also on the road, but not quite so far away, as they travelled to Bowers & Pitsea. George Sykes, playing his one hundredth Millers match put them ahead with his head eleven minutes after the break- his fifteenth of the campaign- but they held that lead for only twenty minutes, Bola Dawodu with the equaliser. Just before the end the home fans were given the kind of treat they haven’t experienced since August 20th- a winning goal, which went to Elliott Sartorius. The Millers drop to third.

Potters Bar Town started the day just a point behind our leading duo- and ended the day at the top of the pile once more. The Scholars were on the road to White Hart Lane, where they took on Haringey Borough. They took the lead three minutes after the break, Kasim Aidoo (pictured) with the goal, and the same player doubled their advantage just after the hour, pouncing on a defensive lapse and firing home. Borough then gave themselves a chance, Alphanso Kennedy getting a goal back, but hope remained unfulfilled and the Scholars went back to the summit and made it three wins in a row against these opponents.

Canvey Island knew that a win would take them into the top five- indeed, perhaps as high as fourth- but the Gulls needed to defeat the side directly behind them in the table, Carshalton Athletic, and it was the Robins who struck- pecked- first, Tom Beere with the goal. Just before the break the equaliser arrived, Joe Paxman with it- and it was followed by a red card by Robins goalscorer Beere, surely giving the hosts an advantage. They couldn’t capitalise on it, however, despite hitting the bar and having a goal disallowed, and there were no further goals- the sides remaining sixth and seventh.

Cray Wanderers, six unbeaten, played host to Wingate & Finchley, who had lost their last four in all competitions and started the weekend just three points above the drop zone. Wingate don’t usually have a good record against the Wands, with just one win from nine before this weekend- but that victory did come at Hayes Lane last season, and they went ahead for a second season in a row, Antonis Vasiliou opening the scoring with just twelve minutes left. Wands then made their chances of a comeback more difficult, Kellen Fisher seeing red, and the visitors held on for three points, keeping them out of the bottom four.

Horsham and Herne Bay met at the Camping World Community Stadium. Bay had lost their last six matches- and their manager- and they lost a goal midway through the first half, Tom Day converting after a free kick came back off the post. The Hornets had a second with four minutes to go until half time, Lucas Rodrigues doubling their advantage, but Kymani Thomas immediately hit back, firing home from distance. The next goal was critical, and it went to the Hornets thirteen minutes from time, Harvey Sparks surely ensuring victory. If he hadn’t, Jack Mazzone did, with a fourth two minutes before the end- the Hornets up to eighth.

Into the FA Trophy now- and then there were two, as only Invicta and Bognor progressed to the next round from amongst our Pitching In isthmian Premier crop.

Beaconsfield Town were the hosts for Folkestone Invicta. Town, mid table in Pitching In Southern Premier South, had won their last three; whilst Invicta had saved most of their best performances for cup matches this season- and delivered another win, albeit on penalties. Toby Little put the hosts ahead midway through the first half, Ira Jackson volleyed home to level on the hour, and Invicta won the shootout five-four thanks to a fine save from Bailey Vose.

Billericay Town welcomed National League South side Bath City. The two were at the same level last season and City won both encounters- and they did it again, three-one, John Ufuah scored for the Blues.

Hastings United took on Chippenham Town- again. The two met in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup last season and a Kenny Pogue goal sent the National League South side crashing out- but history did not repeat itself. Ben Pope did score from the spot for the hosts after a handball was penalised, but that was an equaliser, and the winner arrived seven minutes from time.

Leamington of National League North played host to our promotion-chasing Premier Division Bishop's Stortford, and sadly the Blues fought hard but departed, one-nil.

Lewes and Bognor Regis Town met in a Sussex derby. The Rooks were eight unbeaten; whilst the Rocks had won three of their last four in all competitions- and the visitors managed another victory, albeit on penalties. Lewes soared into a two goal lead, Razz Coleman de-Graft after two minutes and Joe Taylor ten minutes later- but Tom Chalaye quickly replied and the Rocks equalised from the spot soon after the restart, Nathan Odokonyero with his fifteenth of the season. Off we went to penalties, and Bognor won that, four-two, courtesy of fine work from keeper Toby Steward.

Our image of Rocks fans at Lewes comes from Lou Chamberlain.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.