It was a day when plastic was fantastic for our sides in the Isthmian League as games were frozen off leaving just seven games involving Kent sides going ahead along with a fair amount of controversy too…
Folkestone gained a crucial point at Haringey Borough in a 0-0 draw to keep themselves eight points above the relegation zone. Margate though lost 2-0 at Hartsdown to Play Off chasers Bognor Regis as Mark Stimson still looks for his first win in charge with the Gate just three points outside the bottom four.
In the South East division, the only game to be played on grass saw Herne Bay extend their unbeaten run to five games as a brace from Michael Salako saw Phoenix beaten 2-0 and lift the Bay into the final Play Off place.
In the game of the day, Cray Valley PM put their unbeaten record on the line at form team Lancing and a single goal from Marcel Barrington saw Steve McKimm’s side cement second spot as they handed the Sussex side their first defeat since mid-December when Sheppey United won 2-1 in Sussex.
Sheppey themselves stayed in Play Off contention as James Taylor’s injury time goal beat lowly Littlehampton – Dan Bradshaw’s 13th of the season put the home side ahead before a visitor’s equaliser.
Ashford United lost more ground on the Play Off places slipping to a single goal defeat by East Grinstead at Homelands whilst at the bottom Beckenham were thumped 4-0 at Chichester.
The controversy came at Wingate & Finchley where Chatham Town were scheduled to play and when the pitch passed an 11.00 inspection, Kevin Hake’s side looked to close the gap on long time leaders Hornchurch to just three points following the Urchins own game being called off.
But when the match official arrived, he deemed that the pitch was not playable causing a lot of consternation on both sides and especially those who had travelled, some of whom we understand went to Walthamstow v New Salami’s in Isthmian North to make sure that their trip was not wasted completely!