Isthmian League round-up: South East leaders Chatham Town two points clear of Ramsgate, Margate safety confirmed in Premier Division
19:36, 08 April 2023
updated: 20:08, 08 April 2023
Leaders Chatham sit two points clear of Ramsgate at the top of Isthmian South East ahead of their massive Easter Monday clash.
Jack Evans made it four goals in his last four games with the second-half winner at Lancing on Saturday.
Ramsgate trailed for long periods at home to Beckenham in front of 1,062 at Southwood after Steven Townsend’s 19th-minute opener.
But Tijan Jadama equalised with six minutes remaining, with Jamie Coyle’s men knowing victory at Chatham on Monday will take them back to the top of the table.
Cray Valley won at Sevenoaks for the first time in a decade to boost their play-off chances. Daniel Bennett scored twice with Julien Anau also on the scoresheet.
Sheppey and Hythe could both yet gatecrash the play-offs. Sheppey came from behind to win 3-2 at home to Three Bridges, Warren Mfula scoring twice including an 88th-minute winner with Eddie Allsopp also netting.
Hythe enjoyed a more comfortable victory, 4-1 at Burgess Hill. Frannie Collin’s quick double made it four goals in his last three games and Ethan Smith added a third on the stroke of half-time. Jason Fregene completed Hythe’s tally.
The bottom two were both held to a draw having been ahead during the afternoon.
Bottom side Faversham twice led at home to Haywards Heath – through Matt Parsons and Tyler Christian-Law – but had to settle for a 2-2 draw while Corinthian led Littlehampton through Oliver Box’s first-half goal but the visitors went in level at the break.
Both teams could have their fate sealed on Monday – Faversham go to Hythe and Corinthian are at Sittingbourne.
Donvieve Jones scored twice as Sittingbourne’s upturn in form continued with a 3-1 success at East Grinstead, Mitchell May also netted for Ryan Maxwell’s team.
The only game in the division on Friday saw VCD climb out of the relegation play-off places with a 2-1 win over Ashford at Oakwood. Muraino Banjoko and Soul Kader scored for VCD with Johan Ter Horst pulling one back for Tommy Warrilow’s men 10 minutes from time.
Herne Bay are three points from safety with three games to play in Isthmian Premier.
Despite leading through Marcel Barrington’s 15th-minute goal, Bay trailed Lewes 3-1 on Good Friday until two goals in the last minutes from Troy Williams and Mason Saunders-Henry rescued a point.
Margate went down to a late Samuel Owusu goal at Haringey but results on Saturday confirmed their Premier Division status for another season.
Folkestone were held to a goalless draw by Carshalton while Cray Wanderers are now just one point outside the play-off places after Nyren Clunis scored the winner against Corinthian Casuals on Saturday.
Play was delayed for an extended period at Cheriton Road, home keeper Pat Ohman suffering an injury and - after lengthy treatment - he was replaced by Joe Coleman.
Ohman, who suffered a dislocation and a fracture to his elbow, has since said on Twitter: "Just wanted to say a massive thank you to both club physios @CarshaltonA_FC and @FIFC for helping me after my injury today.
"[A] massive setback this, but the comeback is always bigger than the setback."
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