Urchins go eleven clear- and all hail the Hornets!

Most of our Pitching In Isthmian Premier matches survived the weather, but they made us wait twenty five minutes for a goal.

The first goal of the afternoon arrived at Margate, who were taking on Lewes. It was scored by Tyrone Sterling, forward for a corner and heading it home to delight the fans at Hartsdown Park. On the hour they were even more delighted, Ben Greenhalgh making it two-nil, and they coasted home.

Hornchurch and Enfield Town met at Bridge Avenue in a battle of first v second, with eight hundred and sixty braving the elements to watch. It took fifty three minutes for a goal to arrive, and it went to Ryan Scott for the hosts, and it was Scott once more, up from the back, who clinched the three points, heading home a second seven minutes from the end. That’s eight goals already this season for the centre back.

Hashtag United were hoping for a win rather than their usual draw, but they fell behind against Hastings United at the Len Salmon, Jason Fregene opening the scoring. They weren’t behind for long, however, going straight up the other end an equalising, Misha Djemaili with his fifth of the season- four of which have arrived in his last five matches. United regained their lead four minutes after the restart, Tayo Oyebola making it two-one, and this time they held it- the return of Chris Agutter as boss has clearly created a bounce! Hastings are up to seventh.

Wingate and Finchley had seen a good run come to an end with two defeats, and they fell behind as Cray Wanderers came to call, Gary Lockyer opening the scoring on the half hour. Wands weren’t ahead for long, the Blues levelling just seven minutes later, Ruben Carvalho continuing the fine form which has seen him score in three of his sides last four matches. This one was his tenth of the season, a fine free kick, but it was somewhat overshadowed as his side went down to ten men just three minutes later, Alkeo Bani seeing red. The ten men were behind five minutes after half time, Frankie Raymond with Wands second, and there was daylight between the sides when Anthony Cook made it three-one on the hour.

Billericay Town welcomed Bognor Regis Town to New Lodge. The Blues were looking to close the gap on leaders Hornchurch, the Rocks to end a two match losing run, and the deadlock was broken ten minutes before the break, Ade Azeez delivering delight for the hosts. The next goal looked to be critical, and it went to the Rocks, Tommy-Lee Higgs levelling with twenty minutes left to set up a grandstand finish with a fine free kick. The Blues, in Bradley Stevenson, have a man they can almost always rely on to find a crucial goal- and he got his twelfth of the season, and the winner, six minutes from time. Billericay are fourth.

It took thirty six minutes for Carshalton Athletic to go ahead against Folkestone Invicta at Colston Avenue, Olu Babajide opening the scoring- but it took only another four minutes for that lead to be doubled, Luke Read doubling their advantage. Invicta got one back just before the break, Jake Goodman giving his side hope, but the Robins regained their two goal cushion just after the hour, Mark Marshall making it three-one.

Dulwich Hamlet went to bottom side Haringey Borough looking to extend a three match unbeaten league run- and they went ahead just before the hour, Ayuk Tarh making the breakthrough. The lead was short-lived, Bobson Bawling levelling nine minutes later, and both sides had to settle for a draw.

In the Emirates FA Cup First Round, Horsham made the long, long trip to Barnsley on Friday night- and what a match we got. The Hornets were one-nil down, two-one up and three-two down before delivering a fine equaliser, and you can read all about it here. All credit goes to man of the match Lewis Carey, who at one point managed to make four saves in around forty five seconds to keep his side in the game at three-two down, and was superb for ninety minutes. We await a confirmed replay date.

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