Two thousand and seventeen at Pilot Field- and they don't leave disappointed

By Ian Townsend

Hastings open a four point gap as their closest rivals fail to win- whilst Vickers shock the Millers and the Rams trample their seaside rivals

Leaders Hastings United were kept at bay for sixty eight minutes by visitors Lancing, but finally took the lead on sixty nine when Jack Dixon opened the scoring- and held on for three points which takes them four points clear at the top. A superb two thousand and seventeen fans turned up to watch- a total bettered only by Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division Worthing.

Second place Ashford United got the start they’d have hoped for against Faversham Town when Gary Lockyer put them ahead after just three minutes. The Lilywhites drew level eleven minutes after the break through Clark Woodcock, but only four minutes after that Tashi-Jay Kwayie restored the Nuts and Bolts lead. That lead slipped again, however, as Jono Richardson equalised twelve minutes from time, and the Nuts and Bolts stay second but lost ground on the leaders.

Cray Valley PM welcomed VCD Athletic, and were rather too welcoming when Anthony Adesite gave Vickers the lead on twenty one minutes. The next goal was crucial, and it again went to the visitors, Youssef Bamba making it two- and the points were confirmed when Ayman El-Mogharbel made it three, four minutes from time. The Millers stay third, but are four points off the summit. Image courtesy of Brownie Sports Photography.

Herne Bay got seven on Monday, and were quickly ahead at Hythe Town, Dan Johnson scoring after fourteen minutes- but they weren’t ahead for long, Luca Woodhouse equalising three minutes later. Kieron Campbell restored the visitors lead nine minutes before the break, but there was no runaway victory this time, the Cannons pushing them all the way in the search for an equaliser. It didn’t come, and Bay are fourth.

Whitstable Town had a torrid time on Monday, and New Years Day didn’t start well for them either, Ramsgate scoring after five minutes, Tijan Jadama with his third of the campaign. Ollie Bate made it two nine minutes after half time, and then the Oysterboys fell apart, Ashley Miller making it three, and Joshua Ajayi making it four in the sixty fifth minute. The hosts got themselves together again and Muhammed Cham reduced the arrears five minutes from time, but that was no more than a consolation as the Rams end the day in fifth.

Haywards Heath Town slip to sixth after their match with Whitehawk ended goalless.

It took an hour for a goal to arrive as Sittingbourne hosted Sevenoaks Town, and when it arrived it came to the Brickies, Toby Bancroft- on the pitch for only five minutes- giving them the lead. The visitors couldn’t find an equaliser, and ended the day with ten men after Fjord Rogers, back from Cray Wanderers, saw red.

Phoenix Sports have looked much improved of late, but that didn’t stop Oscar Housego putting Corinthian ahead after eight minutes. Only Ashford United managed to defeat Corinthian during December, and the hoops showed why, holding on for another three points which sees them end the day in tenth place.

Three Bridges welcomed East Grinstead Town in the A264 derby, and it was the Wasps who stung first, Andrew Briggs opening the scoring immediately after half time. The equaliser arrived nine minutes later, Camron Lawson with the goal, but it was next strike Town as Alex Battle scored from the spot on seventy two minutes. A late Bridges onslaught came to naught, and the Wasps took all three points.

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Where next?

Get with the e-programme: New Years Day 2022 We bring you our first electronic programmes of 2022
Marlow move up- but the spotlight remains firmly on Bracknell Town We ended up with only three games in the Pitching In Isthmian South Central Division, but they involved three of the top five.

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