Worthing go thirteen clear- on a Premier night of narrow victories and few goals

Pitching In Isthmian League leaders Worthing travelled to face relegation-threatened East Thurrock United knowing that they could go thirteen points clear at the top of the table- and they duly managed that, but once again the Rocks made their lives difficult. The last time the two met, back in September, Worthing were given a real scare, twice falling behind before rallying to win three-two- and last night the hosts shut up shop until ten minutes after the break, Callum Kealey making the breakthrough and sealing victory.

The Mackerel Men are now ten matches unbeaten, whilst the Rocks remain seven points behind twentieth placed Brightlingsea Regent.

United will be glad that the gap remains seven points, and have Bowers and Pitsea to thank for that, as Rob Small’s men moved up to fifteenth with victory over Regent at the Len Salmon. Regent had lost four in a row against these opponents, and now it’s five, as a double from Lewis Manor- eighteenth and nineteenth goals of the season- were the biggest factor in a three-one win. Max Cornhill got the other goal for Bowers, Sandwiched between Manor’s two efforts, whilst Regent were level going into the break after Aaron Blair converted a spot kick.

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Hornchurch, who haven’t lost a league match for almost four months, came from behind to win at Potters Bar Town and climb to fourth. Aaron Eyoma put the Scholars ahead on the half hour, but a Tom Wraight penalty drew the Urchins level five minutes before the break and Liam Nash did Liam Nash things just after the hour, sixteenth of the season sealing victory.

Lewes remain sixth, two points behind the two sides above them, but the Rooks did pick up three points at Leatherhead. The game had only one goal, and it came from the spot, Joe Taylor converting seven minutes after the break to score his twenty seventh of the season and break his scoring duck after an uncharacteristic five matches without a goal. The Tanners remain bottom, nine points behind third bottom Brightlingsea, and if they are going to manage that great escape need to hurry as they are beginning to run out of matches. They’ve nine of them left.

Cheshunt travelled to Merstham in a clash of the Ambers, and Craig Edwards’ men made it five unbeaten when Reece Beckles-Richards scored the only goal of the game. It came nineteen minutes from time, and it leaves Cheshunt in ninth, the Moatsiders eighteenth.

Corinthian-Casuals and Bognor Regis Town couldn’t manage a goal between them- the visitors twelfth draw of the season. Only Bishop’s Stortford have drawn that many, whilst Casuals are fourth in that particular table, with ten, behind Haringey Borough, who have drawn eleven.

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