Top five Towners- whilst the Swans inflict a first defeat on Northwood

Enfield Town climbed into the top five of the Pitching In Isthmian Premier last night with a hard-fought win over Horsham. The Hornets seemed firmly in control within half an hour, after Andre Coker (13) and Adam Cunnington gave them a two goal cushion, but an own goal shortly after the restart gave the Hornets hope. Coker had a hand in both Towners goals, not only scoring the first but seeing his shot saved by Mitchel Beeney in the Hornets goal for Cunnington to put away the rebound. Late on Bilal Sayoud, on from the bench, hit the post, but there were no further goals and the Hornets are down to sixth. That’s four matches without defeat for the hosts, four without a win for the visitors, and nine points from their last nine against the Hornets for Town.

In Pitching In Isthmian North, Stowmarket Town had to twice come from behind to stop East Thurrock United escaping with three points. Harry Hope gave the Rocks a thirteenth minute lead, his fourth goal of the season, but Reginald Thompson-Lambe joined him on four with Stow’s equaliser as we approached the break. With only seventeen minutes left Ollie Spooner restored the visitors lead, but eight minutes from time debutant Dylan Logan, on from the bench after signing from Maldon & Tiptree, got the equaliser. It’s taken eleven matches this season for East Thurrock to draw one, so we suspect it was on the cards.

Our Pitching In Isthmian South Central leaders, Northwood, had won six matches out of six and opened up a five point gap at the top as they travelled to Walton & Hersham, and at half time it looked as if they were on course for a seventh victory, a Sydney Ibie spot kick giving them the lead. The Swans aren’t used to losing, however, and they stormed back to make it eleven matches unbeaten and at the same time ruin Woods unbeaten record. Harry Mills got the equaliser just before the hour, and six minutes later Taurean Roberts made it two-one. The Swans gave their visitors hope when Joe Hicks picked up a second yellow with thirteen minutes left, but the equaliser didn’t arrive and the hosts are up to fourth- six points behind their visitors but with two games in hand.

We also kicked off in the Velocity Trophy. South Central promotion hopefuls Binfield and Marlow met in the First Round. Second v third in the table, the Moles are having an incredible campaign, still in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy and unbeaten all season, having won their last eight matches- and they made it nine wins in a row in some style, second half goals from Liam Gavin, Brad Pagliaroli and Johnny Efedje easing them to a three-nil triumph.

Chichester City and Burgess Hill Town met in a Sussex derby, the hosts progressing with two goals from Lloyd Rowlatt five minutes before the break and Ethan Pritchard five minutes after the restart. Jeff Duah-Kessie got one back for the Hillians with sixteen minutes left, but the equaliser didn’t arrive, and Chi march on.

Coggeshall Town welcomed Basildon United, and the Seed Growers seemed to have grabbed their first win from open play when they were leading with just four minutes to go, Nathan Fuma’s goal just after the break putting them in charge. But the Bees suddenly found their sting, and not only did Michael Salako convert their equaliser from the spot, but with penalties looming Daniel McCullock grabbed a winner.

Two of the best performing sides in the Pitching In Isthmian North division met at the seaside, as Felixstowe & Walton United hosted Witham Town. The Seasiders are unbeaten in the league, whilst Town had won six of their last seven matches in all competitions and have had their best start to a campaign in rather a long time. The Seasiders opened the scoring after just five minutes, Billy Holland with the goal, and ten minutes before the break Tom Maycock doubled their advantage, only for Arnold Mengi to immediately halve their advantage. Eleven minutes from time Holland popped up to score his second of the night and secure victory for United.

A clash of two Pitching In Isthmian South East promotion contenders, Whitehawk and Ashford United- third v fourth in the league table- brought us our biggest win of the night in our only Second Round match. First half goals from Charlie Lambert, Rob O’Toole and Stefan Wright ensured the contest was as good as over at half time, and Joe Shelley added a fourth for the Hawks from the spot, two minutes from time.

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