Isthmian League round-up: Margate 10 points from safety in the Premier Division while South East title rivals Cray Valley and Ramsgate both win
Published: 19:04, 23 March 2024
Updated: 20:10, 23 March 2024
Destiny Oladipo was sent off on his club debut after five minutes as Margate’s Isthmian Premier relegation worries deepened despite ending their losing streak.
Gate battled to a 1-1 draw at home to third-placed Enfield Town after striker Oladipo picked up two early yellow cards, halting a run of four successive defeats.
But they’re now 10 points from safety, with seven games to play, after drop rivals Cheshunt beat Carshalton 1-0.
Oliver Knight put Town in front at Hartsdown Park, with substitute Steve Cawley levelling from the penalty spot in first-half injury time.
Chatham moved 10 points clear of Enfield in second place after coming from behind to beat Haringey 2-1 at Maidstone Road.
Jack Evans cancelled out Matthew Young’s early opener and Ashley Nzala scored the winner before the hour mark.
Danny Waldren’s late double kept Cray Valley top of Isthmian South East.
He broke the deadlock against Hythe in the 79th minute and clinched a 2-0 victory with two minutes left.
Ramsgate remain a point behind in second place but wiped out the Millers’ goal difference advantage after beating play-off contenders Lancing 7-2 at Southwood.
TJ Jadama scored either side of a Joe Taylor strike as Rams led 3-2 after a frantic opening 14 minutes.
Taylor’s second-half double, including a penalty, completed his hat-trick, with Lee Martin and Joe Turner also on target.
Third-placed Sittingbourne won by the odd goal in five at bottom side Beckenham.
Mitchell May opened the scoring but the Brickies trailed 2-1 following goals from Louie Theophanous and Finley Roberts.
Defender Donvieve Jones levelled and Danny Parish scored a 77th-minute winner for the visitors.
Herne Bay are six points adrift of the play-off places after a 2-1 home defeat by Sevenoaks.
Gil Carvalho levelled shortly before half-time after Solomon Baugh edged Oaks in front but Karn Miller-Neave settled the match with seven minutes remaining.
Sheppey’s fading play-off hopes suffered a blow with a 2-0 defeat at Chichester.
The Ites, who’ve slipped to 11th, have three games in hand on fifth-placed Lancing but are 15 points behind.
Former Margate striker Noel Leighton scored a hat-trick as Ashford went down 3-2 at Three Bridges.
Ian Draycott got the Nuts & Bolts back into the game at 2-1 and Max Walsh scored their second after Leighton had completed his treble.
Phoenix Sports lost 3-1 at Broadbridge Heath but remain five points clear of danger.
Ex-Tonbridge and Ashford forward Tashi-Jay Kwayie scored for Sports.
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Craig Tucker