Round Up Saturday 25 March 2017

t was a day of mixed emotions for Hartley Wintney on Saturday, with the huge positive being the passing of ground grading regulations allowing them to advance to the next level.

However with only a point needed to secure the title they slipped up to a 1-0 home defeat against Horley Town. The Row would have been champions anyway if Westfield had dropped points against Bedfont & Feltham, and it was a close run thing with the strugglers twice taking the lead. However a late Andre Smith winner meant the champagne is on ice for now for Hartley.

With Hanworth Villa not in action Walton & Hersham had a chance to take advantage and move up to 3rd, but they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Guildford City, having 2 men sent off in the process. The result was a first defeat in 9 for the Swans.

Epsom & Ewell also missed the opportunity to make up significant ground, with a 2-2 draw at home to Farnham Town. Town twice took the lead with scrappy goals though weren’t able to hold on.

At the bottom Raynes Park Vale are now very close to having their relegation confirmed, losing 2-0 to Camberley in front of just 14 spectators. The second of those goals came from all of 70 yards, Chris Ellis the scorer.

Badshot Lea remain 5 points from safety after a 3-1 home defeat against Sutton Common Rovers, the Gander Green Lane side ending a 3 game losing streak.

It’s Colliers Wood that the Baggies are chasing – after a 2-0 loss against Chertsey Town, Wood have lost their last 7 games as they slide towards the dreaded drop zone.

CB Hounslow aren’t safe yet either, with their 2-0 loss at home to Abbey Rangers coming as a large blow. Rangers by contrast are enjoying a great first season in the Premier Division, and are now just a point away from the 60 point mark.

AFC Hayes will feel a lot more confident after a 2-1 win away to Windsor, taking a 2 goal lead before half time and hanging on for all 3 points.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division North Greenford United were 1-0 winners at Knaphill.

In Division One Banstead Athletic secured promotion with a 5-0 win at Worcester Park, all 5 goals coming in a devastating 30 minute spell, ending the game as a contest well before half time.

Bagshot’s promotion hopes were well and truly kept alive with a 9-1 thrashing of Epsom Athletic, who are falling adrift at the bottom of the table.

Chessington & Hook too picked up a positive result by beating Frimley Green 2-0, lifting them to 2nd place for now at least.

There was a comfortable win for Eversley & California, 5-0 at home to Cobham. Cobham are now 7 games without a win whilst Eversley are 3 undefeated.

Balham’s own promotion hopes took a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dorking, who actually led until the 89th minute. The achievement was made even more significant by the fact 8 of Dorking’s starting 11 were under 18.

AC London’s strong early season form hasn’t really been replicated in the second half and they were held to a 1-1 draw against Staines Lammas on Saturday – a 3rd draw in a row for the Combined Counties League newboys.

Elsewhere in Division One Sheerwater won 4-1 at Cove.

There was also action in the RPM Records Division One Challenge Cup on Saturday, Redhill reaching the final with a 4-1 win over Ash in front of 121 fans.