Victories in Isthmian South East for Ramsgate, Chatham Town, Sheppey United and Corinthian while Folkestone Invicta and Herne Bay win in Isthmian Premier
20:34, 21 January 2023
updated: 11:55, 22 January 2023
TJ Jadama’s hat-trick helped Ramsgate stay top of Isthmian South East on Saturday thanks to a comeback win over Burgess Hill.
Dan Perry had put the Hillians in front at Southwood before midfielder Jadama put them 3-1 up and striker Ashley Miller added a late fourth to round off a 4-1 triumph for the Rams.
Steve Lovell’s troops, who started recently-signed striker Rowan Liburd who has joined from National League South Cheshunt, remain only a point ahead of second-placed Chatham, who won their top-four clash against Beckenham.
Emmanuel Oloyede struck twice at the Bauvill Stadium in front of a bumper crowd of 1,072 during their 3-0 victory after fellow striker Dan Bradshaw had put them in front.
In-form Sheppey won an astounding 10-goal game to move into the play-off places and extend their winning streak to five matches.
Striker Jake Embery led the way with a hat-trick, Bradley Schafer got two, while fellow midfielder Josh Wisson and player-manager Jack Midson were also on target in a 7-3 success.
Solomon Baugh’s early effort was not enough for Sevenoaks in their 3-1 loss at Lancing.
Hythe were also beaten, going down 2-0 at promotion-chasing Cray Valley. Daniel Bennett and Denzel Gayle struck.
Second-bottom Corinthian on Friday night moved within two points of Sittingbourne with a 4-1 victory at VCD.
Oscar Housego, Brandon Davey, Sam Bewick and Oliver Box had put the away team in command before VCD got a late consolation through an own goal.
All the division’s other scheduled matches - including basement boys Faversham’s trip to East Grinstead, Sittingbourne’s home game against Chichester and Ashford’s encounter at Whitehawk - were postponed.
Relegation-threatened Herne Bay made it back-to-back Isthmian Premier wins - albeit two weeks apart - with a 3-1 victory at Winch’s Field over fellow strugglers Corinthian-Casuals.
Rory Smith gave them an early advantage and, despite ex-Folkestone forward Shola Ayoola levelling - the hosts led at half-time, with another Bay striker in Kymani Thomas also on target.
On-loan Tonbridge attacker Mason Saunders-Henry then rounded off the win in fine fashion after the restart.
Former Gillingham defender Finn O'Mara, who has signed on a one-month loan from Hastings, came through 90 minutes on debut.
Ian Draycott’s 150th club goal guided in-form Folkestone to a 2-1 triumph over Haringey.
Borough scored first at Cheriton Road through striker Tage Kennedy in front of a crowd of 902 but, soon after, Invicta centre-back Ian Gayle levelled.
And after the restart, legendary forward-turned-midfielder Draycott netted the all-important third goal, extending Folkestone's unbeaten league run to six games as they won 2-1, and the result also moved them to within three points of the play-off places.
Margate’s match at Bognor Regis was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
There was more FA Vase frustration for Southern Counties East Premier Division outfits Deal Town and Erith Town.
The Hoops made a second trip to Corsham Town but, once again, saw the tie postponed - this time at around 2pm!
Erith Town’s scheduled encounter at Bridgwater United couldn’t be played, either, although at least that decision was made at around 10.30am.