Welcome to Sodden Soccer Saturday

Premier Division:

League-leaders Folkestone Invicta started the day four points clear, but faced a tough task as they travelled to face Carshalton Athletic. The Robins were looking for a first league victory in five matches- but they Robins hadn’t been losing games, each of their previous four ended in draws. The hosts took the lead six minutes before the break through Tommy Bradford, but the advantage lasted only ten minutes, Jerson Dos Santos equalising. That’s five draws in a row for the Robins.

Second place Horsham travelled to Haringey Borough hoping for a better outcome than last Saturday, when the Coles Park faithful cheered their side to a three-nil FA Trophy victory. Borough have lost a little consistency in the league of late, losing three of their last six, whilst the Hornets saw an earlier five game winning streak come to an end, but not disastrously, with one win and two draws from their last four. It was the visitors who opened the scoring, Chris Smith scoring after only nine minutes, but Borough were level just after the half hour through Georgios Aresti. The match stayed level until the very last minute, when Kieron Pamment only went and won it for the visitors. Horsham close to within two points of Folkestone.

Fourth place Hornchurch had only one point from their previous two matches and were looking to get back to winning ways against Potters Bar Town- but the Scholars weren’t really the team to take on if you needed three points, as they’d not been defeated in the League since August 24th. Josh Hutchinson opened the score for the visitors after nineteen minutes, but they didn’t hold it for long, Charlie Stimson equalising. After the break Marvin Morgan put the Urchins ahead, and then Daniel Uchechi destroyed the Scholars unbeaten run when he made it three-one to seal victory.

Worthing, in fifth, had only one defeat in ten as they travelled to face a Cray Wanderers side who had exactly the same record, and saw the first match played at their new Flamingo Park stadium yesterday morning. Wands took the lead on the half hour through Joseph Taylor, but the Mackerel Men equalised through Ricky Aguair with twenty five minutes remaining. Then, right at the death, an own goal seemed to have gave the visitors victory- but Cray weren’t done, and there was still time for a Lee Lewis equaliser, and for Jesse Starkey to be sent off for Worthing.

Corinthian-Casuals hosted Margate hoping to pick up their first league victory of the season, whilst the visitors came into the match on a run of won-lost-won-lost-won-lost-won. Casuals will have wanted that sequence to continue at King George’s Field, but it didn’t start well for them, Elliott Reeves putting the visitors ahead in the first minute. Hafeez Sanusi made it two just before the hour, but Casuals got one back through Bradley Wilson ten minutes from time to make things interesting. It wasn’t enough, and Margate travelled back to Kent with the points.

Leatherhead, with three consecutive victories under their belts, were fast climbing the table- and the Tanners hoped to continue that run at Bishop’s Stortford. The Blues came out of a gruelling 120 minute FA Trophy replay at Enfield in midweek with nothing to show for it, but did have two consecutive league wins. It was the Greens who took the lead, Travis Gregory scoring six minutes from half time, and that turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Brightlingsea Regent put their three new signings to the test as they hosted Kingstonian, but it was the K’s who took the lead, Dan Bennett with the goal just before the break. Bennett got another at the end of the second half too, and the visitors got all three points.

Cheshunt announced seven new signings yesterday, but rather unsurprisingly they didn’t all feature against Lewes! They were down to ten men soon enough, Mo Camara dismissed, and soon they were a goal behind as James Hammond scored for the Rooks. Lewes were two up before the break, Leon Redwood with the second, and held on for victory.

East Thurrock United looked to step back into the top five with victory over Wingate & Finchley. The visiting Blues had only one win from their last ten, but did have new signing Olu Akinsanya, who arrived yesterday from Ware to provide more firepower, starting at Rookery Hill. The visitors took the lead on twenty four minutes, Charlie Ruff finishing an Akinsanya pass, but after the break went down to ten men as Tanasheh Abrahams saw red. That was perhaps crucial, as six minutes from time Ben Marlow drew the Rocks level, and three minutes later Sewa Marah put the home side ahead. Sean Bonnett-Johnson sealed the win with United’s third right at the end.

Bognor Regis Town v Enfield Town was an early casualty of the weather, and Merstham v Bowers and Pitsea also bit the dust. Or mud.

North Division

Leaders Bury Town travelled to Essex to take on fifth place Great Wakering Rovers. Bury havd only one league defeat in their last ten matches, whilst Rovers had lost only one of their last six- and only one match at home- but it was the visitors who took the lead in the second half, Cemal Ramadan scoring from the spot just after the hour. Jake Chambers-Shaw doubled the lead fourteen minutes from time, leaving Bury two points clear at the top, but with second place Maldon having three matches in hand.

Our big match saw second play third, as Maldon & Tiptree- we’ve run out of superlatives to describe their performances this season- hosted Grays Athletic. The visitors had been a little inconsistent of late, losing two of their last four, and they didn’t start well, the Jammers taking the lead in only the third minute, Jorome Slew with the goal. It was two-nil just before the break, Rob Girdlestone doubling the lead, but Grays were soon back into it as Mitchel Hahn scored on the hour. Slew made it three for the Jammers six minutes later and soon Athletic were also down to ten men, Jack McQueen seeing red. Another win for the Jammers.

Heybridge Swifts travelled to seventh placed Aveley. The last time they did that in a league match was the Playoff Semi-Final last season, and the Millers were desperate for revenge- and they got the breakthough just after half an hour through Harry Gibbs. It was two-nil before the break, Jason Raad with the second, and within seven minutes of the restart the lead had doubled, Alex Akrofi and George Sykes getting numbers three and four. Sykes got number five, too, as the Millers ran riot- and Swifts ended the match with ten men after Elliot Ronto saw red. Aveley climbed to fifth.

Coggeshall Town, starting the day in sixth, travelled to Hullbridge Sports, and had a man advantage just after the break as Joseph Wright got his marching orders. They had a goal advantage soon afterwards, Joseph Claridge with it, and held on for all three points to move to third.

Eighth place Histon headed to Tilbury, the Dockers buoyed by the signing of David Knight from Bowers and Pitsea. Knight made his debut, but it was strike partner Brian Moses who was first on the scoresheet, after only two minutes- and the Dockers were two up five minutes later, Ryan Boswell finding the net. Knight did find the net after the break, making it 0-3 from the spot, and then making it four in the fifty fifth minute, before confirming his hat trick with number five in the 58th minute. Even with a three month handicap, do you think he might be North Division top scorer this season too?

Soham Town Rangers are having a very good season so far, and they travelled to Romford, who have looked much better of late but still need to start picking up some points. Boro struck first, Reece Tranter with the goal just before the half hour, but Rangers hit back right after the break, Tom Newman with the equaliser. Romford got their noses in front once more just before the hour, Danny Nesbitt with the goal, and made it three-one through Giovanni Palmer, but Rangers then narrowed the lead again through Cameron Watson and that man Sam Mulready got an equaliser with two minutes to go- but the visitors were then rocked by a red card for Callum Russell. That was the final action of note, and both sides took a point.

AFC Sudbury entertained Canvey Island, and the Yellows took the lead ten minutes before the break, Tom Maycock scoring from the spot. They held it until six minutes from time, when Kane Gilbert equalised, but got the points nonetheless as Joe Grimwood scored the winner in the very last minute.

Cambridge City, who announced three new signings on Friday, hosted a Basildon United who had won both of their last two matches in all competitions, and scored five goals on each occasion. The Bees stung first, Harry Norman scoring after twelve minutes, but City equalised nine minutes after the break through Jordan Gent. Parity didn’t last long, however, Ernest Okoh putting United ahead once more, but City hit back for a second time through Ryan Sharman. Sharman then turned the match on its head by putting the hosts into the lead with eight minutes remaining, and they held on despite Jake Jessup’s dismissal. Adam Vyse also got his marching orders for the Bees.

Eighteenth took on seventeenth as Felixstowe and Walton United entertained Brentwood Town, and the Seasiders struck early, Josh Kerridge finding the net after three minutes. They were two up just after the quarter hour through Callum Bennett, and got their third shortly after the break, Armani Scaar finding the Brentwood net. Town didn’t give up, and two goals in six minutes brought it back to three-two before Andrew Freeman got an equaliser fifteen minutes from time to ensure honours were shared.

Thirteenth played fourteenth as Dereham Town hosted Witham Town. Witham lost striker George Bugg to Brightlingsea Regent yesterday, but they were a player up after Charlie Dickerson saw a red card for the Magpies, and soon afterwards a goal up as Pat Ahern gave them the lead. The ten men hit back to level, Adam Hipperson scoring the equaliser, and then took the lead through Rhys Logan- but they weren’t finished. Logan then made it three, and later got his hat trick to make it four, and the ten men completed a remarkable effort as Hipperson made it five.

We've no idea how Witham fan James Beardwell continued smiling after all that, but smile he did- and we've borrowed Alan Palmer's image of him at yesterday's match to use as our headline shot. Perhaps he's forgotten that Town have David Knight and Tilbury up next!

South Central

We had a titanic battle at the top, as Harlow Town hosted Westfield. Our leading Hawks had won their last four, whilst Westfield lost their only league match of the season last time out but could technically have gone top once more with victory. The Hawks got the opening goal just after half time through Ozzy Adeniji, and they sealed the win right at the end through Terrell Egbri to stay at the summit.

Hanwell Town, in second, travelled to Waltham Abbey. You’re never sure what you’re going to get from the Abbotts, and their previous eight matches showed won-lost-won-lost-won-lost-won-lost. They’ll have hoped that sequence continued for one more match, but they were behind after only three minutes, Gareth Chendlik- it seems like it’s always Gareth Chendlik- finding the net. Chendlik got their second, too, twelve minutes from time, and soon afterwards Abbey were down to ten men, Jack Daveney making the lonely walk for an early shower.

Tooting and Mitcham United, behind the Geordies only on goal difference, hosted Barking, and made the breakthrough six minutes before the break through David Castanho. They had no time to relax, however, Daniel Flemming equalising before the break. Danny Bassett restored the Terrors’ lead nine minutes after the restart, and the visitors went down to ten men as Sam Owusu was dismissed as Tooting held on to win.

Chertsey Town, the other of the twenty point trio, hosted FC Romania and the FA Vase. The Curfews got the first goal of the day, Lubo Guentchev putting them ahead after only three minutes, and Guentchev had a second two minutes later as the Wolves seemed to have remained in their den. It got worse for the visitors, Jake Baxter making it three after only ten minutes, and when Andrew Crossley made it four seven minutes before the break it was surely game over. It was certainly game over when Johnathan Hippolyte made it five, shortly after Gelu Lupu had been sent off for FC Romania. There was still time for Baxter to get his second and his sides sixth, and then Crossley made it seven in the last minute to seal a more than emphatic victory.

Ware, in sixth, put their unbeaten record on the line at home to Northwood, who had won only one league match all season. Ware lost their top scorer to Wingate and Finchley on Friday, but they didn’t seem to mind too much as Williams Danquah scored after only seven minutes to put them ahead- and they were two up five minutes later, Alaa Oujda finding the net. Leigh Rose made it three after the break, and perhaps the home fans shouted Akin-who? They would certainly have been happy when Liam Hope made it four with fourteen minutes to go. Northwood did get one back through Harry Lodovica in the last minute, but that wasn’t much consolation.

We had a local derby as seventh place Chalfont St Peter travelled to eighth place Uxbridge, and the Red Army had something to cheer as Alex Paine put them ahead. They were cheering a little more when the Saints then went down to ten men, Luke Elliott dismissed, and took quick advantage, Mark Bitmead making it two. Bitmead was on the scoresheet again seven minutes after the break, and Uxbridge held on to run out three-nil winners.

Bracknell Town’s new management team will be hoping to steer the Robins up the table. They travelled to Staines Town, the Swans yet to record a league victory- but the home side had seemed to be on the up of late, and they struck early, Joey Taylor scoring after just four minutes. The lead lasted only seven minutes before Robb Sheridan equalised for the Robins, and the visitors were ahead seven minutes later, Seb Bowerman with their second goal. It was soon even worse for the Swans, as Dan Carr made it three, and after the break it got worse still, Carr scoring his second, Daniel Bayliss making it five

We had another derby as Ashford Town entertained Bedfont Sports at the edge of Heathrow Airport, and the Sports went ahead just after the break, Andy Ali with the goal. A late red card for Imran Uche gave the Tangerines hope, but hope was all they were given as Sports held on.

South Park v Marlow was an early postponement, whilst Chipstead v Hertford Town went the same way.

South East

Leaders Cray Valley PM, with only one defeat from their last ten matches, hosted a Three Bridges side who have won only two during that period, and who let a three goal lead slip last Saturday to lose 5-3 against Herne Bay. Warren Mfula gave the Millers a sixteenth minute lead, and that turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Sevenoaks Town, in second place yesterday morning and with five wins from their last six, travelled to VCD Athletic, their hosts having lost only one of their last eight league matches but having drawn two of their last three, losing the other. Vickers struck first, Rob Bartley scoring after nineteen minutes, and they struck second, too- Charlie MacDonald doing what he does best. Oaks reduced the arrears just after the break through Ainsley Everett, and then two minutes from time Ben Gorham got the equaliser and earned his side a point.

Our only unbeaten side, third place Hastings United, could have gone top if they could defeat Hythe Town at Pilot Field and Cray Valley had failed to win- and they took the lead as Daniel Ajakaiye scored after twenty minutes. They doubled it through David Rodari seven minutes from time, and held on for victory- and jumped over Sevenoaks into second.

Fifth place Phoenix Sports travelled to Whyteleafe after five successive victories, whilst Leafe had got back to winning ways in midweek when defeating Burgess Hill Town by the odd goal in seven. Sports struck first after twenty one minutes through Harry Harding, but Leafe were level eleven minutes later, Ronald Sobowale scoring from the spot, and went ahead fifteen minutes from time through Corie Andrews.

The Hillians headed to Whitehawk with neither side in good league form, the Hawks losing their last three whilst the Hillians, who parted company with manager Simon Wormull in midweek, losing six of their last seven. Last season this match was rained off at half time, and given the weather yesterday there were worries that it might happen again- but just after the break the Hawks scored two goals in two minutes, Connor Tighe- a former Hill player- and Fintan Walsh finding the net. They were the only goals of the match, as the Hawks held on for three points.

Tenth place Herne Bay hosted an East Grinstead Town side who announced five new signings yesterday, but it didn’t seem to help the Wasps too much early on as they fell behind to a Tushaun-Tyreese Walters goal after eleven minutes. The visitors were level by half time, Steve Smith with that goal, but a Zak Ansah double put daylight between hosts and visitors after the break and ensured the points stayed at home.

Faversham Town v Ramsgate, Guernsey v Whitstable Town, Haywards Heath Town v Sittingbourne and Chichester City v Ashford United were postponed, the Green Lions match due to an Oysterboys flight delay.