Woods hit back!

By Ian Townsend

Whilst Binfield slay more giants, and Uxbridge also make Trophy progress. It's our Pitching In Isthmian South Central and FA Trophy Round Up.


Leaders Northwood had seen their advantage cut to two points prior to kick off against Merstham, but they were quickly ahead, Micah Jackson opening the scoring on fifteen minutes. The Moatsiders, still searching for their first South Central win of the season, were quickly level- Charlie Greenwood with the equaliser- and then went ahead four minutes before the break, Lorenzo Lewis giving them the advantage. The Woods hit back, Sydney Ibie equalising from the spot just before the hour, and they were ahead two minutes later, Jake Tabor making it three-two- and that was that, the Woods back to winning ways and five points clear.

Image: James Brown.

Marlow’s hopes of three points and a climb to second had a fairly determined obstacle in their way, as Chertsey Town came to call. The hosts hadn’t scored in their last two matches, whilst the Curfews have scored seven in their last two- and they quickly had another, William Montague putting them ahead from the spot on fourteen minutes. That turned out to be the only goal, and it lifted the Curfews to third.

Basingstoke Town knew that a win over Chipstead would take them into the top five- perhaps as high as fourth. Three games unbeaten- three games in which they’d not conceded a goal- had given them confidence, and it showed as Bradley Wilson gave them an early lead. George Reid doubled their advantage just after the break, and a Wilson third eight minutes from Town saw Stoke go fourth.

Southall also have top five pretentions, and a win over Thatcham Town today could have taken them there. They went ahead just before the break, Joseph Otudeko with the goal, but the Kingfishers, who scored five last weekend, were level just after the break through David Nyarko- and the same player then quickly put them in front. The hosts equalised on seventy seven minutes, Anthony O’Connor earning a point- their fifth draw in nine matches.

South Park Reigate had a new 3G pitch to christen, the ten points they’ve earned so far all coming away from home due to necessity, but they were down to ten men in the first half of their match against Sutton Common Rovers, Seth Owens seeing red. It didn’t dampen their spirits, and Aiden Brown got the winner eighteen minutes from time, sending the Sparks up to sixth.

Guernsey welcomed Ashford Town. The Tangerines were buoyed by their second victory of the season over leaders Northwood last weekend, whilst the Green Lions were looking for a first home win of the campaign- and only a second in total. The flight home wwas a happy one, as the only goal of the game went the way of the visitors, Dale Burnham getting the winner in the very last minute.

Into the FA Trophy now.

Burgess Hill Town picked up their first League win of the season last time out, but the Hillians have been much better in cup competitions. They welcomed Pitching In Isthmian South Central Hanworth Villa, and Dan ‘Hitman’ Perry opened the scoring for the hosts after just six minutes. Martyn Box made it two with eighteen minutes left, and although Jonathan Hippolyte immediately got one back the Hillians held on for victory.

Hendon played host to our (nearly) all conquering Moles, Binfield heading to North London. Unbeaten in the league- indeed with only one defeat all season in all competitions- the Moles were full of confidence, although their hosts were six matches unbeaten across all competitions and defeated our very own Herne Bay in the Cup last weekend. The match went to ninety minutes without a goal- although the Moles saw a penalty saved- and we headed to a shootout, and that ended with yet another Moles giantkilling, five-four.

Uxbridge welcomed Walton & Hersham in a South Central Trophy derby. The two met in the league just over a month ago, the Swans running out with a three-one win, so Uxbridge had a quick chance of revenge- and they were ahead at the break, Dan Williams with the goal five minutes before half time. That turned out to be the only goal, and that’s two defeats in a row for the visitors after an eleven match unbeaten run.

Where next?

Hornets win a seven goal thriller on Trophy Saturday Our Pitching In Isthmian Premier sides entered the FA Trophy, many playing each other. We also had wins for Billericay, Bognor, Carshalton, Invicta, Haringey, Stortford, Wingate, Hastings & Lewes

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