Six goal Rocks are our star turn

Aveley welcomed Bognor Regis Town to Parkside. The Millers, who had needed no time to acclimatise to a higher level, suddenly found that life in the Premier League was difficult after all, as the Rocks stoned them into submission, firing home six goals. Nick Dembele got his first of the season after thirteen minutes, only for the hosts to draw level six minutes later- George Sykes with the goal- but that just gave home fans false hope. An own goal quickly restored away advantage, and after that it was all one-way traffic. Alfie Bridgman added to his winner against Hornchurch to make it three one, and after the break Nathan Odokonyero added two more, the second of them from the spot. Eighteen minutes from time Isaac Olaniyan made it six, and the Rocks hit the summit.

Image courtesy of the Rocks.

With two wins and eight goals scored, Horsham had a fine start to their league campaign. The Hornets welcomed Carshalton Athletic, who travelled back to Sussex for the second time this week hoping for a different outcome- and the Robins achieved their goal in style. Walter Figuera put them ahead after just two minutes, Tom Beere doubled their advantage eight minutes before half time, and although Lucas Rodrigues got one back, the killer blow came from Calvin Ekpiteta, who made it three five minutes from the end. Eight hundred and twenty two watched on.

Promotion favourites Bishop’s Stortford travelled to the Dripping Pan to face a Lewes side who were magnificent on Tuesday night, when they defeated Carshalton Athletic two-nil. The Rooks had won only three of their last eleven matches against these opponents, and it didn’t look good for them when Will salmon was dismissed after only twenty seven minutes, but the ten men rolled up their sleeves and went ahead just before the break, Crawley Town loanee Ronan Silva with the opening goal. Blues Mr Reliable, Frankie Merrifield, levelled midway through the second half, but if anyone amongst the seven hundred and forty one watching on thought that they’d ease to victory, then they were very wrong, as the winner went to the hosts, Razz Coleman De-Graft scoring twenty minutes from time to seal victory and send his side up to second.

Brightlingsea Regent didn’t have a point before today, whilst visitors Margate were in the top five- but the hosts found form and took the points, winning two-one. Connor Barmby was the match-winner, scoring both goals, whilst Ben Greenhalgh got his customary goal for Gate with thirteen minutes to go, but his side couldn’t add to it.

Canvey Island scored five at Regent in midweek, and looked to have taken a point at Cray Wanderers, only for Billy Crook to come on from the bench and get a last minute winner for the hosts. Wands climb to eleventh.

Herne Bay picked up an impressive first Premier win at Haringey Borough last time out, but couldn’t add another against a Bowers & Pitsea side who had lost both of their opening matches. Duane Ofori-Acheampong put Bowers ahead on thirteen minutes, but they held that lead for only a moment before Bay equalised, Hassan Jalloh getting his third of the week. Seventeen minutes into the second half the winner arrived, and it went to Bowers, Bola Dawodu moving his side up to seventeenth.

Hornchurch cruised up to fourth with victory against Hastings United, helped enormously by Finn O’Mara’s dismissal after just five minutes. Tom Wraight converted the penalty, Sam Higgins added another six minutes later, and then the ten men thwarted the Urchins until just before the end, Ola Ogunwamide making it three.

Billericay Town travel to Potters Bar Town. Sammy Moore has put together a side which should inspire the Bar Army, and they were certainly inspirational today, scoring three second half goals to take a fine victory. Lewis Manor scored on the hour and right at the end, with Finlay Titchmarsh adding the second in between. The Scholars crash into the top five, the Blues are fifteenth.

Haringey Borough and Corinthian-Casuals met at Coles Park, both sides looking to get back on their feet after heavy defeats. Casuals started the season in fine form, defeating Bowers four-one, then saw it all fall apart at Horsham on Tuesday night; whilst Borough had lost both their opening matches. The two scored only one goal between them in their two meetings last season, but they managed four on this occasion- two each. Casuals roared into a two goal lead early on, Luke Stokoe and Ben Checklit with them, but Anthony Mendy gave the hosts hope six minutes before the break. The equaliser arrived on sixty eight minutes, and it came to Alphanso Kennedy, and that was that.

Finally, Folkestone Invicta followed two draws with a win as they hosted Wingate & Finchley. The visiting Blues had also drawn their first two matches, but they fell to narrow defeat in this one- their fifth consecutive defeat to these opponents. Both Invicta goals came in the first six minutes, Ian Gayle and Adam Yusuff with them, but when Tyrique Clarke got one back from the spot for the Blues, midway through the second half, it gave the closing stages some spice. Seven hundred and twelve watched on.

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