There were bumper crowds across the Southern Counties East League as the annual groundhop weekend took place.

The action started on Friday night as Lordswood hosted Corinthian in the Premier Division.

A crowd of 324 – Lordswood’s biggest league gate for 18 years – saw the visitors take a first-half lead through Jamie Billings.

But leading scorer James Jeffrey’s twice-taken penalty with 10 minutes left was enough to earn Matt Barman’s men a point.

The early Saturday morning fixture saw Rochester host Faversham Strike Force in Division 1 with a club-record crowd of 279 at Rede Court Road.

They had to be patient for the only goal of the game, though, with Harrison Hume scoring in the final minute to hand Rochester maximum points.

It was back to Premier Division action in the afternoon with leaders Faversham easing their way to a 5-2 success against Hollands & Blair.

Another bumper crowd was at Salters Lane with 563 seeing the hosts go into the break 2-0 ahead thanks to Kieron Campbell and Stefan Payne.

Payne’s penalty early in the second half extended the advantage and Ashley Miller and Ollie Gray completed the hosts’ tally with Dean Grant netting a late brace in reply for Blair.

The day’s final game was at The Belmont where Whitstable hosted Bearsted in a 6.30pm kick-off.

There was an emotional minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of Matt Milne, who passed away last weekend.

A crowd of 682 saw Josh Oliver’s third-minute goal put Whitstable ahead and Harvey Smith’s cracking goal made it 2-0 early in the second half.

Joel Wakefield pulled one back with 20 minutes left but Whitstable held on to take all three points.

The groundhop was completed with two games on Sunday. First up, was a 2-0 home win for Lydd over Snodland.

Charlie Dickens headed in a right-wing corner to put the hosts ahead and their lead was doubled through Charlie Webster’s strike just before half-time in front of 295.

The final game saw Deal take on Kennington with a crowd of 535 enjoying the warm sunshine.

All the action came in the second half as Tom Chapman put Deal ahead but then collected a red card.

Deal were reduced to nine men when Liam Hark was also dismissed but they added a second goal through Ben Chapman to collect all three points.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division on Saturday, Fisher moved up to second following a 3-1 home win over Tunbridge Wells.

Manny Shoderu, Jojo Kinzonzi and Thomas Ngegba did the damage with Trevor McCreadie scoring a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Erith Town are fifth after goals in either half from Ladic Melconian and Ollie Milton were enough at Holmesdale.

Punjab United scored early on through Lea Dawson and then had to rely on AJ Dythe’s 90th-minute goal to earn a 2-2 draw at Rusthall, who replied through Tommy Lawrence and Jack Lyons.

Jacob Kalonda’s goal helped Sutton Athletic earn a 1-1 draw at home to VCD.

Glebe led Stansfeld 2-0 on Friday night but were held to a 2-2 draw after second-half goals from Dan Parkinson (penalty) and Ollie Wright. Michael Adepoju and Malachi Morris had netted for the hosts.

AFC Whyteleafe sit top of Division 1 after a 2-1 win at Staplehurst, who led through Stanley Oldfield. Mike Hill and an Aaron Watson penalty proved decisive.

Larkfield are up to third following a 3-1 home win over K Sports with goals from Clark Woodcock, Joe Bingham and Luke Russell.