Worthing grab late victory, Aveley and Ware hit the summit, and Hastings increase their lead despite only picking up one point

Only four sides in the top seven tiers of English football- Manchester City, Barrow, Bromsgrove Sporting and Tiverton Town- had scored more goals than Worthing going into their game with Chesunt today, so we didn’t expect a goalless draw- but we did get a goalless first half. Early in the second half Cheshunt lost Taylor Miles to a red card, but they still held out- until they went down to nine men after Mark Hughes became the second to head for an early bath. Soon afterwards Ricky Aguiar put the hosts ahead, and Lloyd Dawes doubled the advantage three minutes from time to maintain their five point lead at the top.

Second place Folkestone Invicta slipped up at Bognor Regis Town last weekend, conceding a late, late goal to slip to defeat. Invicta had only two points from their last nine, form which saw them relinquish top spot- and entertained a resurgent Corinthian-Casuals. Invicta took the lead six minutes before the break due to an own goal, but four minutes after the restart Casuals scored at the right end, Shaun Okojie with the equaliser. Invicta took ten minutes to retake the lead, Josh Vincent scoring the goal, and made the points safe when Ira Jackson made it three-one with fifteen minutes remaining.

Third place Horsham had won-lost-won-lost-won-lost their last six matches so hoped that pattern continued for one more day as they entertained Bishop’s Stortford. The Blues beat the Hornets two-nil in October, but fell behind on this occasion, Rob O’Toole scoring just before the half hour. It was all square just before the break, Jamie Cureton scoring his customary goal, and the Blues player-boss put them ahead from the spot eight minutes into the second half and then got his hat trick with a second penalty in the sixty seventh minute. Chris Smith narrowed the gap for the hosts with eight minutes remaining, and right at the end there was yet another penalty- and this time it went the way of the Hornets. O’Toole stepped up and made no mistake, earning Horsham a share of the points.

Carshalton Athletic boss Peter Adeniyi celebrated his birthday this week, and wanted the present of three points as they travelled to Kingstonian. The last time the sides met the score was 2-2, a match which saw the K’s lose a two goal lead- and Hayden Byrd’s men started well in this one, too, Dan Bennett opening the scoring after sixteen minutes. The hosts made it two after half an hour, Gus Sow finding the back of the Robins net, and it was three-nil when Simon Cooper scored with twenty minutes remaining. Lewis White got one back for the Robins seven minutes later, but that was all they had to show for the afternoon. The K’s are up to thirteenth, but with as many as five matches in hand over the sides above them.

Cray Wanderers started the day as the second highest scorers in the Division- and although they had been rather less prolific of late they were still unbeaten in five matches. They travelled to face Enfield Town, who had lost only one of their last five, but it was the visitors who took a first half lead, Charlie Allen with the goal after thirty eight minutes. The Towners struck back eleven minutes after the restart, Ryan Blackman finding the back of the visitors net, and were soon ahead through Billy Bricknell- but went down to ten men when Blackman saw red. Allen took advantage to level the match, and the ten men failed to hold onto a point as Jay Leader scored a last minute winner for the Wands.

Hornchurch, who started the day in sixth, have two, three or even four matches in hand on the teams above them. They travelled to Bowers & Pitsea for an Essex derby, taking an unbeaten record stretching back to October 19th, when they lost to Leatherhead at Fetcham Grove. Bowers had been a little up and down of late, having followed a three game winning streak with two wins, a draw and three defeats in their last six- and the hosts were quickly behind in this one, Lewwis Spence opening the scoring after only two minutes. That goal came shortly before four o’clock, after the match kicked off almost an hour late whilst a new Referee’s Assistant was sought, the original picking up an injury in the warm up- and it turned out to be the only goal of the game. The Urchins climbed to fifth.

East Thurrock United travelled to the Dripping Pan to face Lewes. The Rooks might have been more confident had the match been played in Essex, as they had won six times on the road but only once at the Pan, whilst the Rocks would probably have agreed with that, as they’d been far better at Rookery Hill than on their travels. It was- perhaps unsurprisingly- the visitors who opened their account first, Frankie Merrifield scoring after a quarter of an hour. Mitchell Gilbey doubled the advantage six minutes from time, and Danny Harris ensured a miserable afternoon for most of the five hundred and six in attendance with a third just before the end.

Bognor Regis Town, newly reinforced with two signings yesterday, travelled to the Pakex to take on Potters Bar Town looking for a third league win in a row. The Scholars started the day five points behind their visitors, having won four and lost four of their last eight, and went behind in this one as Brad Lethbridge got the opening goal after fifty minutes. Bognor then went down to ten men as Harvey Whyte saw red, but held on for victory.

We had a Surrey derby at Fetcham Grove as Leatherhead entertained Merstham. The Tanners had an injury, illness and unavailability crisis in midweek at Worthing, with Manager Nikki Bull having to play in midfield and only one player on the bench- Assistant Manager Martin McCarthy- but seemed back to reasonable strength this time out as they entertained Merstham. The Moatsiders got back to winning ways against Horsham last weekend, but nobody could find the net in this one and both sides had to be content with a point.

Thirteenth faced twelfth as Margate hosted Haringey Borough. Gate have been massively inconsistent this season, either brilliant or awful- but it looked as if it was the former this afternoon as they charged into a three-nil half time lead; Ben Smith, Kadell Daniel and Elliott Reeves all finding the back of the Borough net. The visitors got one back on the hour mark, Anthos Solomou with the goal, and then got back to three-two as Roman Michael-Percil scored from the spot. The hosts ensured the points in the last minute as Kieran Monlouis made it four-two.

Our bottom two met as Wingate and Finchley entertained Brightlingsea Regent. Regent had taken only six points from their last ten league matches, but their hosts would have loved a tally like that, as the same period had seen them remain winless and pick up only three points. Neither side could find a goal, so they had to be content with a point each.

North Division

Heybridge Swifts- who took over at the summit with a midweek victory- and Aveley both had the chance to end the day on top. Both had home fixtures, Swifts taking on Basildon United and the Millers entertaining Witham Town.

Swifts were in their best form of the season, with three consecutive wins under their belt and five victories from their last six matches, whilst their opponents travelled to Scraley Road with only five points from their last twenty one- but the Bees turned those stats on their head when Conor Tyrell put them ahead eleven minutes from time, and that was how it ended. Swifts dropped to second, whilst Basildon climbed to seventeenth and put twelve points between them and bottom side Romford.

The Millers had lost only one of their last ten league games- a list of victories that gets even longer if we add in their superb progress in the FA Trophy- and scored thirty six goals during those ten matches too. George Sykes made it thirty seven in eleven matches when he opened the scoring in the twenty ninth minute, and thirty-eight wasn’t far behind, Alex Akrofi doubling the advantage just before the break. Harry Gibs made it three just after the break, and with Akrofi getting his second twenty five minutes from time it seemed as if the Millers were going to run riot- but it was the visitors who struck next, Marcus Bowers pulling a goal back, and there was time for Scott Kemp to reduce the arrears to four-two. Aveley leapt over Swifts to the top of the table, a point clear of Swifts and three clear of Maldon & Tiptree- although the Jammers have four games in hand.

The biggest match of the day came from Chadfields, where fifth place Tilbury entertained fourth place Bury Town. The Dockers ruined Maldon and Tiptree’s unbeaten run last time out; whilst Town seemed to have bounced back from a run of three straight defeats and had taken four points from their last two matches. The Dockers were looking to complete a double over their visitors, and Thomas Barton put them ahead after eighteen minutes- but it took Town only three minutes to draw level through Ryan Jolland. The Dockers were soon ahead again, David Knight scoring from the spot, and held on to leapfrog their opponents into fourth.

Sixth place Coggeshall Town travelled to face ninth place Dereham Town reinforced by the return of Nnamdi Nwachuku- and the striker got on the scoresheet after fourteen minutes. By that point, however, the Magpies had scored two- Adam’s Smith and Hipperson doing the damage- and it was three-one before half an hour had ben played, Toby Hilliard restoring the Magpies two goal lead. Robbie Linford made it four fourteen minutes from time, and the Magpies climbed to sixth.

Canvey Island walloped seven goals past Witham Town in midweek, and seemed finally to be starting to show the form that should be coming from a squad of that quality, winning three of their last four. Their opponents this weekend were Soham Town Rangers, who they met less than three weeks ago at Julius Martin Lane and defeated by three goals to one- but it was the visitors who opened the scoring when Lloyd Groves found the back of the Gulls net on sixty seven minutes. Rangers held on and end the day in twelfth, Canvey drop to ninth.

Great Wakering Rovers entertained Histon as eighth played tenth. Rovers had seen a good run come to an end with two single-goal defeats, and fell behind early on in this one, Dan Brown putting the visitors ahead after ten minutes. Histon were two up by half time, Evan Key with the second, and Brown got his second- and Histon’s third- just after the restart. George Purcell struck back for the hosts two minutes later, but that was the end of the scoring and the visitors go seventh.

After four consecutive defeats Grays Athletic got back to winning ways last weekend, a last gasp goal giving them victory over Great Wakering Rovers. Their opener this weekend at Cambridge City came much earlier, Joao Carlos putting them ahead on nineteen minutes, but City drew level with fifteen minutes remaining, Arel Amu with the goal- and that was how it ended.

Hullbridge Sports had climbed the table with two wins and a draw from their previous three matches. They travelled to face Felixstowe and Walton United, who started the day second from bottom and had picked up only one point from their last twelve- but who were impressive in narrow defeat at Aveley on Monday evening. The Seasiders took the lead twenty three minutes from time, Josh Kerridge with the first goal of the afternoon, but Mike Agboola equalised seven minutes from time and the points were shared.

Finally, AFC Sudbury entertained Brentwood Town as sixteenth played seventeenth. The match took eighty four minutes to see a goal, and it was the only goal of the game- Tom Maycock giving the yellows the points.

South Central

The lead at the top of the South Central Division seems to change hands every week. Westfield were the most recent team to hit the top, and deservedly so, as they’d won their last seven matches including victories over their two closest rivals, Ware and Hanwell Town. Field were home to Barking, the Blues starting the day in seventh place after their own unbeaten run came to an end in midweek, and it was Barking who made the breakthrough just before half time, Junior Dadson with his thirteenth of the season. That turned out to be the only goal of the game, and Westfield’s short reign came to an end as they slipped to third.

Ware started the day behind Westfield only on goal difference, the Isthmian League’s top scorers travelling to South Park. The Sparks were in fabulous form with only one defeat in seven- but it was the visiting Blues who took the lead, Albert Adu with the opener- and just after the break Liam Hope made it two. Ware weren’t having it all their own way, however, and David Fisher pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, and Sparks were level when Great Evans made it two-two. A draw seemed certain, then Hope stepped up to make it three just before the end to send Ware back to the summit.

Defeat against Westfield last weekend saw Hanwell Town slip to third, but our longtime leaders knew they could get back to the top if Westfield and Ware failed to win. To do so they had to defeat Chalfont St Peter, but it was the Saints who got their noses in front, Dan Williams with the opening goal. Town equalised just before the break, Ogochukwu Obi scoring from the spot, and soon had a man advantage as Kay Conteh saw red for the hosts. They made the most of that numerical superiority as Rob Laney gave them the lead ten minutes into the second half and scored for the third match in succession, and they held on to go second- two points behind Ware.

Uxbridge climbed to fourth with a win at Barking in midweek, and seemed to have rediscovered their early season form, with only one defeat in their last eight matches. They hosted another form side as Chipstead travelled to Honeycroft, the Chips undefeated in seven and having won six of those matches, and after no goals in the first thirty four minutes we had three by half time; Calum Duffy giving Uxbridge the lead, Tom Collins quickly levelling and Jack Beadle restoring the Uxbridge advantage. The second half saw only one goal, and it was an equaliser for the Chips, Kyen Nicholas earning them a share of the points.

Tooting & Mitcham United started the day in fifth. The Terrors travelled to Staines Town with revenge on their mind, given that the Swans defeated them at Imperial Fields in November; but it was the hosts who struck first, Klajdi Cani putting them ahead from the spot on nineteen minutes. Tooting were soon level, Jamarie Brissett firing home just before the half hour, but that was the last thing added to the scoresheet and the Terrors slipped to sixth.

Waltham Abbey, who started the day in sixth, had a morale-boosting five-one win over Maldon & Tiptree in the County Cup during the week. Uncharacteristically they’d taken only one point from their last two matches, but started strongly against Northwood and took the lead after ten minutes, Darrelle Russell with the opening goal. The Woods travelled to Capershotts on the back of six consecutive defeats, and were soon two down and down to ten men, Russell getting another and Mileno Ribeiro Sanches seeing red. Aron Gordon made it three-nil just after the hour, but the ten men struck back shortly afterwards as Eric Lopes made it three-one. The Abbotts weren’t done, however, and Russell got his hat trick, and Gordon his second as they got five goals and went fifth- although Charlie Malin did get a second for Northwood.

Chertsey Town, who started and ended the day in eighth, entertained Hertford Town- and were quickly ahead, Jonathan Hippolyte opening the scoring after eleven minutes. Almost immediately afterwards it was two, Scott Day doubling the advantage, and although Hertford pulled a goal back through Kit Brown the Curfews restored their two goal cushion just before the break, Day getting his second and their third. Seven minutes after the restart it was four, Jake Baxter with his sixteenth of the season, and Day confirmed a hat trick when making it five-one on fifty six minutes. Baxter rubbed salt in the wound with a sixth a minute from time.

Bracknell Town, improving and in ninth place, travelled to face FC Romania. The Wolves had only one win from ten and were thrashed six-nil by Tooting last weekend, whilst the Robins were five games unbeaten and wanted to narrow the gap between themselves and the Playoff places- and they did so eventually, although it took them until the seventy first minute to open the scoring, Seb Bowerman getting their first goal from the spot. Another from Bowerman ensured three points six minutes from time.

Harlow Town had a new manager, three new players, and only one win from their last ten. They took the lead against bottom side Ashford Town on the half hour, Tayo Oyebola with the goal, but were pegged back just before the break, Sam Humphreys scoring for the Tangerines- and that was how it ended.

Bedfont Sports took on Marlow. Sports had lost only two matches from their last ten, whilst Marlow had also only lost two during the same period, so we expected a tight contest. Marlow opened the scoring midway through the first half, Jordan Brown with the goal, and the same player made it two from the spot ten minutes before the break. Darryl Saunders pulled one back with twenty three minutes remaining, but Sports couldn’t get an equaliser and Marlow went above them on goal difference.

South East

With eight wins from their last ten, our leaders Hastings United headed to Sevenoaks Town this weekend four points clear at the top- and with a game in hand over second place Ashford United, the only side to defeat them this season. Could Sevenoaks help the chasing pack to narrow the gap?

They certainly did their best, reaching the break a goal to the good after Alec Fiddes scored only the eleventh league goal that United has conceded all season. They got a second thirteen minutes from time, Tyrell Richardson-Brown doubling their advantage; but finally Hastings came to life, and a goal from former Oaks player Kenny Pogue and a last minute penalty from Ben Pope gave them a point.

The Nuts and Bolts would have been hoping that Sevenoaks could do them a favour, but also needed to do themselves a favour as they travelled to Cray Valley PM. The Millers were at the top of the table not so long ago, but a run of one win in nine matches hadn’t helped their cause- however they looked to have put that behind them as they were quickly ahead through Francis Babalola, and just after the half hour the same player made it two-nil. The fightback started as Jay May halved the deficit on sixty six minutes, but the Millers secured the win with four minutes remaining as Denzel Gaye got their third, a result which means that Hastings went five points clear despite their difficulties this afternoon.

Third place Whitehawk had slipped up recently, their previous fine form being undone somewhat as they’d taken only one point from their last two matches. They hosted Faversham Town at the Enclosed Ground, and the visitors made light of their poor away form by taking the lead after twelve minutes, Stefan Wright the scorer, and then doubling it after twenty five through Joshua Dorling. Faversham got to the last minute with that two goal lead, yet didn’t leave with it, as the Hawks scored two goals at the death, Duane Ofori-Acheampong and Charles Banya earning them an unlikely point.

Whyteleafe, in fourth place, got back to winning ways after two defeats by beating the Hawks last time out. They travelled to Sittingbourne- the Brickies developing Playoff pretentions of their own- and the only goal of the game came very late indeed, Ryan Gondoh scoring it for the visitors, who maintained their grip on fourth place.

Sixth took on eighth as Herne Bay entertained Chichester City. Both sides had steadily climbed the table of late, but Bay made the breakthrough, new signing Anthony Edgar scoring on seventeen minutes. They doubled the lead twenty three minutes from time through Ryan Cooper, and held it to stay level on points with the two sides above them.

Phoenix Sports travelled to Burgess Hill Town. The Hillians had been in great form of late, losing only two of their last ten, but the hosts fell behind after eighteen minutes, Lauris Chin opening the scoring, and two minutes later James Dyer made it two. It was three-nil nineteen minutes from time, Dyer with his second of the day, and that wad the final outcome as Sports went seventh.

VCD Athletic welcomed Guernsey for a match that kicked off at 2PM. Neither side had been setting the world alight of late; VCD had lost six of their last ten, whilst the Green Lions have seen their great early season form escape them and were without a win in seven- although three of those ended in goalless draws. The match turned when home keeper Nick Blue got his marching orders, and although Laurent Mendy did well when donning rather unfamiliar gloves, the Green Lions went ahead eleven minutes from time through Robbie Legg and held on to take all three points.

Whitstable Town, who started the day in twelfth, travelled to Sussex to take on Three Bridges. The visitors made the breakthrough after only eight minutes, John Ufuah with the goal, and two goals in three minutes midway through the second half assured them of the points, Aaron Millbank with both of them. Curtis Gayler did get one back for the hosts, but it wasn’t enough and the Oysterboys held on for victory- and went ninth.

East Grinstead Town looked in danger of being marooned at the bottom, and had a massive match as they took on second bottom Ramsgate at the end of College Lane. The Rams made the early breakthrough, Tyrell Mitford scoring after twelve minutes, but the Wasps grabbed an equaliser five minutes later, Gil Carvalho with his fifth of the season- and then took the lead through Didi Castanho, scoring on his Town debut. They held that lead until eight minutes from time, and then it all went wrong, as Mitford equalised from the spot and Ashley Miller gave the Rams victory in the very last minute. Ramsgate go eight points clear of their hosts.

Finally, Haywards Heath Town hosted Hythe Town at Hanbury Park. Both sides strengthened this week and it was a new arrival who broke the deadlock, Tom Murphy scoring for Hythe just before the half hour mark. Frannie Collin gave the Cannons breathing space with fifteen minutes remaining, and Jarred Trespaderne made the victory look convincing with five minutes remaining, getting the third. Hythe go tenth.