Chatham Town kept up the pressure at the top of the Isthmian Premier with a win over Cheshunt, whilst leaders Hornchurch stuttered again.
Whilst the Chats were winning their fifth game in the last six, Hornchurch, after their Tuesday night draw at Billericay Town have now drawn four of their last five since manager Steve Morison left for League Two Sutton United.
Back to last weekend and after a goal-less first half at the Bauvill, a double for Kareem Isiaka gave the home side the cushion and despite Cheshunt edging back into the game, Reece Butler’s goal seven minutes from time proved to be the matchwinner.
Folkestone Invicta produced the performance of the day by winning 2-0 at Play Off chasers Enfield – Tom Derry and Scott Heard on target for Andy Drury’s side – as Invicta remain unbeaten in 2024.
Invicta are now 16th in the table, a place above Neil Smith’s Cray Wanderers who had a week to forget. After losing to a last gasp winner at Bognor Regis in last midweek, the Wands were hit for six at Billericay on Saturday without reply! Margate’s home draw Concord Rangers (Steve Cawley’s goal again for the Gate), brings Mark Stimson’s side to within three points of Cray in 18th place.
Across Thanet, the Ramsgate juggernaut continues at the top of the Southeast division. After recovering from their 2-4 defeat to Lancing on the first Saturday of the year, Ben Smith’s side have beaten East Grinstead 5-0 before the Rams have given both Burgess Hill and Ashford United two goal head starts before beating both 4-2 and 3-2 respectively to go eleven points clear of second placed Cray Valley who are still unbeaten in the League.
Last weekend, they came from behind to beat Sheppey United at Badgers to stay second – Danny Leonard put the visitors ahead before Matt Vigor, Danny Waldren and Denzel Gayle win the game for Valley who stay second with Sheppey now outside the Play Off places in seventh.
Ashford United meanwhile slipped to their third defeat on the trot against Ramsgate after single goal defeats in trips to Broadbridge and Littlehampton.
Sittingbourne meanwhile stay unbeaten on their travels after winning 2-0 at Broadbridge Heath thanks to first half goals from Ayman El-Moghaebel and Mitch May (the striker’s now hit seven in his last five starts) – Ryan Maxwell’s side remain in the thick of things just a couple of points behind Valley.
Herne Bay had a good week and remain unbeaten since Christmas after beating resurgent Merstham at the weekend – courtesy of goals from Danny Walder and Theo Osinfolarin’s penalty – before winning 3-1 at Chichester on Tuesday thanks to Kane Rowland’s double and a third from Gil Carvalho which leaves Steve Lovell’s side now in sixth.
Sevenoaks Town’s up and downs continued as they drew 2-2 at struggling Beckenham Town despite going 2-0 down with just five minutes left – Abbas Agoro netting Becks second after Dieko Falade gave the home side the lead. But goals from Jahmal Howlett-Mundle and Josh Ajayi on 88 and 90 minutes saved the Oaks a point that leaves them ninth whilst Beckenham remain rooted at the bottom.
Erith & Belvedere’s struggles continue as they slipped to a 3-0 home defeat to Lancing on Sunday to remain second bottom whilst Phoenix Sports picked up a valuable point at fellow strugglers East Grinstead Town with Denzelle Olopade’s late goal in the 1-1 draw to leave the Sports seven points above the dreaded dotted line.
Finally, commiserations to Steve Watt and his Hythe Town side who bowed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy at the hands of National League North Play Off chasers Chorley, despite taking the lead by Jake Embery on the half hour.
Sadly, the visitors were level by half-time and they went on to seal their place in the last sixteen with a second goal with fifteen minutes left.
Nevertheless, it was a historic run for the Cannons who had never previously got as far in the competition. Hythe then had to travel to Lancing on Tuesday for a League game only to lose 2-1 – Johan Caney-Bryan netting – leaving Hythe eleventh in the table albeit still with twenty-two League games to play!