Town, Urchins and Rooks celebrate being Christmas Number One!

Billericay Town remain top of the Premier Division, but Ian Chapman’s Burgess Hill Town came close to giving them a Christmas cold at the Green Elephants Stadium. The Hillians roared into life and were soon two goals up, through Joey Taylor and Brannon O’Neill, before Matt Paine reduced the arrears in the seventeenth minute. Pat Harding then restored the two goal advantage just after the half hour, only for Billericay to reduce the gap once more just before half time, Sussex based Jake Robinson setting up Louie Theophanous.

The equaliser arrived through Sam Deering in the 53rd minute, and the Blues then went ahead for the first time as Robinson hit what was- quite remarkably- his thirty fifth goal of the season with 22 minutes to go. Hill attempted to get back into the game once more, but this time the Billericay rearguard held firm and Harry Wheeler’s men went into the holiday season still at the summit.

Waiting for Billericay to slip up were Dulwich Hamlet, who sit level on points with the Essex side after another home victory, this time 3-0 over Leiston. Reise Allassani popped up with a goal in each half, whilst Nathan Green got the third. Staines Town slipped up in third place, falling to an unexpected 2-0 home defeat to a ten man Dorking Wanderers side who were a goal up within five minutes, James McShane putting it in the net of his former club, and with Wanderers keeper Slavomir Huk in fine form and keeping out everything the Swans could throw at him a magnificent Matt Briggs goal just before the end sealed the three points.

Hendon moved up to fifth, defeating Brightlingsea Regent 4-2 with goals from Keagan Cole, Dave Diedhiou, Niko Muir and Josh Walker, whilst Folkestone Invicta are just behind them, earning a late 2-2 draw at Needham Market. Margate’s unbeaten two month run came to an end at home to Wingate and Finchley in a seven goal thriller, despite being two goals up as the match approached the interval. A superb second half saw the North Londoner’s smash home four goals of their own, and although a Jordan Chedozie penalty right at the death reduced the arrears Wingate and Finchley held on for a magnificent victory.

Harlow Town eased their worries at the wrong end of the table by winning 3-0 away at Lowestoft, whilst Worthing fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Thurrock, despite taking the lead and later having the chance to level from the spot. Tooting & Mitcham United earned a point at Enfield Town, Leatherhead earned all three as two fine strikes from Liam Nash and Chris Arthur despatched Kingstonian in our Bostik Matchday feature- read all about that here- and Tonbridge Angels are tenth after defeating Harrow Borough by the odd goal in three.

AFC Hornchurch stay top of the pile in the North Division after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bury Town, whilst Bowers & Pitsea continued their fine form in second place, travelling to Coles Park and defeating Harrow Borough 2-0; but the performance of the day award undoubtedly goes to Canvey Island, who struck seven times against Cheshunt- George Sykes grabbing the first four of those before a Steve Sheehan double and Ryan Melaugh closed out the game. Dereham Town got back to winning ways in fourth place- and in fine style, walloping four goals at AFC Sudbury whilst conceding only one in return, whilst Maldon & Tiptree are in fifth after a three-two victory at Hertford Town. Heybridge Swifts and Barking shared six goals equally at Scraley Road, whilst Waltham Abbey were also big scorers, hitting four without reply at Grays Athletic. Tilbury got three at home to Romford, whilst the Scholars of Potters Bar hit the same number at Soham Town Rangers, in a game that saw three red cards.

Lewes remain top of the South Division, but they were made to work for the three points at Woodstock Park, Billy Medlock breaking the deadlock with only two minutes remaining on the clock and breaking Sittingbourne hearts in the process. Cray Wanderers are three points behind in second place after being held 1-1 at Molesey, whilst Corinthian-Casuals were made to work hard in third, winning a five goal thriller at home to East Grinstead Town in the ninetieth minute. Carshalton Athletic won 3-1 away at basement club Shoreham- the home side ending the match with 9 men- whilst Walton Casuals kept up the pressure in fifth with a 1-0 victory at Faversham Town. Greenwich Borough were big scorers for the second match in a row, walloping four past Guernsey to remain in sixth.

The battle between seventh and eighth went the way of Phoenix Sports, who triumphed three-one at Hythe Town, whilst Hastings United defeated Ramsgate 4-2 and Horsham were beating 4-3 at Culver Road by Thamesmead Town. In the other matches South Park defeated Whyteleafe 3-0, Chipstead beat Herne Bay by the same scoreline, whilst VCD Athletic and Ashford |United shared four goals equally at Oakwood.

Have a marvellous Christmas and we'll be back with more on Boxing Day!