Isthmian League round-up: Leaders Dover complete double over Potters Bar, David Smith sinks former club Folkestone
Published: 21:01, 02 November 2024
Leaders Dover made it four Isthmian Premier wins in a row by defeating Potters Bar 3-0 at Crabble on Saturday.
After winning 8-0 in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season, Whites were always in control as first-half goals from Ruben Soares-Junior and Alfie Matthews were added to by Francis Mampolo in stoppage time.
Cray Valley sit fourth in the table after a goalless draw at Dartford, who sit 15th after a sixth league game without a win.
Folkestone also remain in the bottom half following a 2-1 loss at Carshalton, where Invicta led at the break thanks to Daniel Smith’s ninth-minute opener.
Mason Saunders Henry and former Folkestone striker David Smith – on his debut after joining from Cray Wanderers - turned the game around in the second half although the visitors then hit the woodwork in stoppage time.
John Ufuah gave Chatham a ninth-minute lead at home to Lewes, who claimed a point after Danny Bassett’s penalty on 65 minutes.
Cray Wanderers climbed out of the relegation zone following a 3-0 victory at home to 10-man Hashtag United, their first league win at Flamingo Park. Charlie Edwards scored a first-half brace before skipper Tom Bonner added a third early in the second half.
Isthmian South East leaders Beckenham remain seven points clear of Ramsgate – albeit having played five more games – after winning 1-0 at Sheppey thanks to Louie Theophanous with 16 minutes left.
The prolific Joe Taylor scored a goal in either half to take his tally for the season to 20 as Ramsgate won 2-1 at Eastbourne Town, who replied through James Hull.
Sittingbourne stay third after winning 3-0 at home to Three Bridges in a repeat of last season’s play-off semi-final that the visitors won. This time around goals from Donvieve Jones, Richie Hamill and Liam Smith ensured the Brickies were smiling.
Margate are up to fourth after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Broadbridge Heath. Matthew Hay opened the scoring for the hosts but goals either side of half-time from Lewis Knight and Jordon Ababio claimed the points for Ben Greenhalgh’s men.
Kola Salami’s first goals since August helped Erith Town race to three points at East Grinstead.
Salami scored twice in four minutes as the Dockers led 3-0 after just 17 minutes, Ollie Milton also on the scoresheet. Hayden Bullas added a fourth just before half-time and that’s the way it stayed.
A first-half brace from Ife Oni gave Deal derby bragging rights over 10-man Hythe.
Oni scored either side of a red card for Hythe’s Ollie Gray with former Dover youngster Archie Hatcher scoring a third late on.
James Jeffrey was on target as Sevenoaks were held at home by Littlehampton Town while Kane Rowland’s first-half equaliser proved little more than a consolation for Herne Bay in a 4-1 defeat at AFC Croydon Athletic.
Ashford lost their way late on at Burgess Hill as both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half.
Bobby Price for the hosts and Ashford’s Preston Kedwell saw red just before the break. Ashford led through Jireh George early in the second half but a Will Moses own goal with 13 minutes left and Joseph Overy’s winner two minutes later ensured they returned home empty-handed.
Phoenix Sports remain bottom despite posting their first win at the 13th attempt, winning 3-2 against fellow strugglers Steyning Town. All the goals came in the first half with a Richard Pingling brace and Deshane Dalling proving decisive.
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Matthew Panting