Woods bounce back- whilst the Swans win our big match

Our leaders, Northwood, crashed to heavy defeat last weekend, but as usual bounced back immediately to maintain their lead at the top. The Woods travelled to Tooting & Mitcham United and consigned to memory their last trip to Imperial Fields, a match which saw them lose seven-three in October 2021, by emerging with a two goal victory to do the double over the Terrors. A goal just before the break from Jake Tabor gave the visitors the lead, and Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway made sure with the second, midway through the second half, to ensure that Woods remain three points clear.

Down by the riverside, Walton & Hersham, in second place, welcomed third place Marlow. The two were separated only by goals scored at start of play, but by three points at the end- in favour of the hosts, who cruised to a comfortable three-nil win. Harry Mills opened the scoring on seventeen minutes, and any chance of a Marlow comeback ended when John Gilbert made it two with sixteen minutes left. A third from Mills, three minutes later, effectively ended the contest- and the visitors slip to fourth. Image courtesy of Walton & Hersham FC.

Basingstoke Town are only five points off the top with two games in hand, and climbed the table to third with victory at Bedfont Sports. Stoke were perhaps aided by injury to Sports keeper Cairo Richards midway through the second half, but they were two goals up by then, George Reid just before the break and Brad Wilson giving them the advantage. Steve Ngunga got one back for Sports to set up a grandstand finish, but six minutes from time Wilson added a third to seal victory. Plaudits go to sixteen year old Jack Beck, who ended the game in goal for Sports despite not being a goalkeeper!

We’d sixth v fifth as South Park Reigate welcomed Chertsey Town. Both sides were three matches unbeaten coming into this one, but it was the Curfews, who walloped the Sparks four-nil on opening day, who were comfortably victorious- winning three goals to nil. William Montague got the opener on the half hour, Jake Baxter added another just before the break, and Trevan Robinson made sure two minutes from time. Chertsey are unbeaten in six matches against these opponents, winning four.

Southall delivered a Lazarus-like comeback to take a point against Merstham. As we entered the last minute the Moatsiders were three-one up and coasting, having come from a goal down- Anthony O’Connor- to lead through Peter Adeniyi and two for Bryan Zepo. It looked a surefire three points for the visitors, only for Hall to somehow score two right at the end, Jaden Thompson-Brissett and Carl Pearce earning them an unlikely point. The second bottom Moatsiders have now drawn more matches- nine- than any other side in the Division.

Westfield and Leatherhead shared the points, the goals and the red cards at Woking Park. Dave Tarpey’s eleventh of the campaign gave the Tanners a half time lead, but shortly after the restart they were down to ten men, Kenny Beaney seeing red. Niran Butler quickly equalised for the hosts, but five minutes from time they also went down to ten, Emmanual Adebiyi seeing red.

Hanworth Villa, conquerors of Northwood last time out, hoped to build on that result and close the gap on the top five as they took on Uxbridge- but they had to settle for a point. The hosts were ahead in the very first minute, Sam merson with the goal, and although Victor Osobu equalised twelve minutes before half time parity lasted only two minutes, Kyren Nicholas restoring the hosts lead. With twenty three minutes left Kensley Maloney earned Uxbridge a point.

Chipstead don’t get to play their old rivals Whyteleafe any more, but they did get to travel to Whyteleafe as they faced Sutton Common Rovers. The Chips are going really well, and made the trip defending an eight match unbeaten run- a run which they extended to nine by scoring the only goal of the game. Michael Dixon got it midway through the second half, and the Chips are up to tenth.

Guernsey host Thatcham Town today.

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