Wands take the final play off place- on goal difference- as the Rooks rue what might have been

We had only one critical match in Pitching In Isthmian Premier, and in the end our final play off place came down to goal difference. It didn’t seem that would be the case when Cray Wanderers went two goals up at Haringey Borough, Dan Bassett and Tom Derry doing the damage, but Borough weren’t prepared to roll over. Matthew Young pulled a goal back just before the break, and just before the hour Jorge Djassi-Sambu levelled for the hosts, whilst Lewes fans at Canvey Island prayed for a Borough third. The Rooks were playing their part at Canvey Island, a Razz Coleman De Graft hat trick having put them three-one up by the hour mark, but it turned out that they fell just short. Rob Girdlestone had earlier equalised for the Gulls, and Lewes had Ayo Olukoga dismissed just after they scored their third goal, but the critical match turned out to be that at Coles Park, and the point earned by Cray turned out to be enough.

Both Cray and Lewes ended the season on seventy four points, both sides winning twenty, drawing fourteen and losing eight- but although the Rooks scored more goals, Wands had a goal difference just two goals better and as such took the final play off spot.

Our Champions, Bishop’s Stortford (pictured, courtesy of the club), travelled to Herne Bay for their last match of the season with congratulations ringing in their ears. Their hosts were already confirmed as relegated, and had already lost twice to Stortford this season- and the Blues showed no mercy, slamming home five goals without reply. Ben Marlow and Donell Thomas made it two-nil at the break, Sam Deering, Jonny Giles and Frankie Merrifield each scored after the break, and the Blues celebrated with the trophy. We wish them the best of luck in the National League.

Second place Hornchurch wanted to win at Kingstonian to ensure that they held onto that second place- and they did it, narrowly. Tom Collins gave the K’s an early lead from the spot, but Jamie Mascoll quickly equalised and with twenty five minutes to go Ade Yusuff gave the Urchins all three points and a Semi-Final home tie against Cray Wanderers.

Aveley secured their play off place in midweek, wanted to ensure that they held on to fourth place as they travelled to Enfield Town. The Millers went ahead on thirteen minutes, Ryan Scott with the opener, but on sixty seven minutes Sam Youngs levelled from the spot for the hosts. Parity lasted four minutes, Temi Babalola earning three points for the visitors, who travel to Canvey on Wednesday.

The Towners will be disappointed with how their season has ended, as they spent thirty matchdays in the top five this season yet ended the campaign in ninth.

Horsham welcomed bottom side Brightlingsea Regent, and put their relegated opponents to the sword, winning six-one. It was four-nil at half time, Jack Mazzone, Charlie Hester Cook (2) and Kadell Daniel with the goals, but the next goal went to the visitors, Suleyman Zuhdu pulling a goal back. That spurred the hosts to add two more, Shamir Fenelon and another from Mazzone- his twenty fourth of the campaign.

Hastings United ended their first Pitching In Isthmian Premier campaign for ten years with a trip to relegated Bowers & Pitsea. Bowers lost two-nil at Pilot Field in February, and lightning struck twice at the Len Salmon, Joe Gbode and an own goal sending the points back to Sussex. United end the campaign in eighth.

Relegated Corinthian-Casuals played host to Billericay Town, and the Blues ended the campaign on a high, two late goals bringing them victory. Mack Reilly opened the scoring for the hosts after a quarter of an hour, but with twenty minutes left Kareem Isiaka levelled for the visitors- and right at the end Alfie Cerulli got a winner.

Carshalton Athletic hosted Steve McKimm’s last match in the Robins hot seat as Wingate & Finchley came to call- and the Robins gave him a decent send off, winning three- one. Tommy Bradford gave the hosts the lead ten minutes before the break, and although Dylan Kearney levelled for the visitors just before the half time whistle second half goals from Calvin Ekpiteta and Tom Beers ensured the points stayed at home.

We had a seaside special as Sussex Senior Cup Finalists Bognor Regis Town welcomed Folkestone Invicta, and the Rocks scored right at the end of the first half and again right at the end of the second to take victory. Alfie Bridgman opened the scoring, Josh McCormick closed it.

Kent Senior Cup Finalists Margate welcomed Velocity Cup Finalists Potters Bar Town to Hartsdown Park, and it was the visitors who triumphed. The two sides exchanged goals in the first half, Sam Dowdridge opening the scoring for the Scholars, Harvey Smith immediately levelling, Kennedy Feyi restoring the visitors lead and Smith equalising once more. Feyi got the winner just after the hour mark, the visitors up to thirteenth.

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