Victories in Isthmian South East for Ramsgate, Chatham Town, Sheppey United and Corinthian while Folkestone Invicta and Herne Bay win in Isthmian Premier
Published: 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.
Read more
Chatham Deal Sport Faversham Sport Folkestone Football Folkestone Sport Football Herne Bay FC Herne Bay Sport Hythe Sport Isle of Sheppey Sport Margate FC Non League Ryman League Sevenoaks Sport Sittingbourne Sport Sport Sport Football Thanet SportMore by this author
Thomas Reeves