Round Up Saturday 19 November 2016

With the weather calming down at the weekend all postponements were avoided, and runaway leaders Hartley Wintney took full advantage, though they were made to work for their 3-2 victory at AFC Hayes. Twice the hosts came from behind to equalise, but the third Hartley goal, courtesy of Steve Noakes, saw off the Brook.

The gap at the top is now at 12 points, with Westfield slipping to a 2-2 draw against Abbey Rangers. It could have been worse for Westfield as they came from behind twice to get that point.

Knaphill’s strong season continued with a 3-1 win away to North Greenford, Charlie Postance hitting a hatrick – his second in a week.

The battle at the bottom of the table is still very tight, with none of the bottom 3 getting on very well at the weekend. Chertsey are now 9 games without a win after being beaten 3-1 at home to Windsor, whilst Bedfont & Feltham slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Walton & Hersham, having won by the same scoreline in midweek. Badshot Lea remained bottom of the table after a narrow 2-1 defeat at 11th place Colliers Wood. New manager Michael Charles has a task on his hands to keep the Baggies up, but will be enthused by their second half display. Sutton Common Rovers failed to seize the opportunity to climb away from the drop zone, losing 3-2 against Farnham Town who are now 4 points from the dreaded trapdoor.

Raynes Park Vale have struggled this season, but they snatched a credible 1-1 draw with Camberley – Vale were in the lead for all of 2 minutes against a Town side with just 1 win in their last 6 games.

The biggest winning margin of the day came at High Road as Epsom & Ewell hammered Bedfont Sports 5-1. The Middlesex side will be lamenting their collapse from 1-0 up after 29 minutes, and being level at 1-1 at half time.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division Guildford City beat CB Hounslow 3-0, and Horley Town continued their excellent form (6 wins in the last 7 games) with a convincing 3-0 win away to Spelthorne Sports.

The big news in Division One in the week was AC London having 6 points deducted to slip away from the promotion picture. They dealt with this disappointment well though, beating Sheerwater 3-1.

The eye catching result of the day was Banstead Athletic’s 10-1 win against Epsom Athletic, whilst Balham also impressed with their comfortable 6-0 win at South Park Reserves.

Bagshot stayed top of the league by narrowly beating Frimley Green 3-2. Frimley were 3 goals down until very late in the game but didn’t quite have enough to complete the comeback.

It’s fair to say there were few surprises in Division One at the weekend, with strugglers Dorking and Farleigh Rovers both losing, to Eversley & California and Ash United respectively.

Redhill, chasing an immediate return to the Premier Division, secured a 3-0 win at Cobham; their fourth win on the trot.

Chessington & Hook were able to remain in third place for now though with a 2-1 win against Staines Lammas. Despite their dominance it took a stoppage time free kick from Dan Green to secure the three points.

There was action in the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup as well, Worcester Park crushing Cove 8-1.