LEAGUE NEWS FROM IAN THOMPSON

Last Tuesday Results Round Up

In the FA Trophy, a severely depleted Bognor Regis Town - only thirteen fit or available players - travelled to take on National League North promotion chasers Banbury United, and departed the competition by the odd goal in seven. That's a rather fine result given their rather strained circumstances, and given the fact that United are in seventh place in their Division and in fine form, with five wins from their previous six - including the 6-0 hammering of Stowmarket Town in the last round.

The Rocks fell behind to a Jay Williams goal just before the half hour, but levelled through James Crane seven minutes after the restart. Two quick goals for the hosts, both from Giorgio Rasulo, put them back in command, but with seven minutes remaining Dan Gifford red uced the deficit once more to set up an extiting finale. Sadly with a minute to go and the Rocks pushing for an equaliser the sixth goal of the night came at the other end, Ben Acquaye with it - and although there was still time for Sam De St Croix to get a third for the visitors, their Trophy campaign is over.

Back to the bread and butter, and in the Pitching

In Isthmian Premier Billericay Town got back to winning ways, with two second half goals defeating fifth place Aveley - who drop out of the top five on goal difference as a result, Canvey Island the beneficiaries. The opener came six minutes after the break, Matt Price heading home a cross from Brad Stevenson, and although the Millers pushed for an equaliser - forcing a goal line clearance and having a penalty denied by an offside flag - they then saw substitute Manny Ogunrinde sent off as we approached full time. Eze Ebuzoeme immediately capitalised, adding a second.

Our clash between second and third, as Bishop's Stortford welcomed Potters Bar Town, was a tight affair which ended with both sides having to be content with a point apiece. We suspect the visitors will be more content with that than the Blues, and perhaps that Hornchurch will have an even greater share of contentment as they are four points clear at the top and Stortford no longer have a game in hand.

The Blues took the lead on sixty-four minutes, and it came from a familiar source, Frankie Merrifield with his eleventh of the season, a shot across the keeper into the bottom corner. The equaliser arrived quickly, Mohammed Kamara waiting just four minutes to bring his side level, and the Blues needed the ever-reliable Jack Giddens to make a fantastic save from Scholars debutant Wranyel Hercules to save a point right at the end.

Hastings United made it five unbeaten - and a third win from that set - by defeating Margate at Hartsdown Park, in a match which saw a late home red card. Ben Pope gave United the lead just before the half hour, the striker apparently slotting the ball through the legs of Daniel Jinadu in the hosts goal. United weren't ahead for long, Sam Blackman giving the Blues parity six minutes before the break, but thirteen minutes from time came the killer blow, a Tom Chalmers cross laid back by Pope for Kane Penn to fire home. Peter Ojemen was the man dismissed. United are up to ninth.

VITA RISK SOLUTIONS MANAGER OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 2022

We’re off up the A10 with a left turn into Donkey Lane, and delivering our Vita Risk Solutions Manager of the Month award for the Pitching In Isthmian Premier to Enfield Town boss Andy Leese. The Towners had a perfect Isthmian November, winning every match, and conceded only one goal in doing so. Congratulations to Andy, and to all at the QEII Stadium.

Ab1 Golden Gloves Awardsnovember 2022

We’re already scheduled to deliver a Manager of the Month Award to Enfield Town, and now we’re off there again, bearing a pair of finely crafted goalie gloves! November saw the Towners concede only one league goal, and the man behind that mean defence is Nathan McDonald, who takes our prize.

Best Performance Of November

On November 26th Hornchurch travelled to play the only side above them in the table, Potters Bar Town. We expected a tough, close encounter, and what we got was a superb Urchins performance which saw them crash home five goals and leave with the match ball and three points. Liam Nash got the hat-trick, Sam Higgins the other two, and Hornchurch got three points and a large psychological advantage over a close rival. Five-two was the final score, and a trophy will soon be winging its way to Bridge Avenue in recognition.

Dulwich Hamlet Defender Josh Hill Arrives On Loan At Enfield

Given Enfield Town have just been awarded our Golden Gloves prize for November you'd think they were fairly strong in defence already, but last Wednesday the Towners announced the arrival of National League South centre-back Josh Hill, who arrives on a short term loan from Dulwich Hamlet - which will cover the period up until our New Year fixtures.

This appears to be Josh's first visit to our shores, but he has a great deal of experience at a higher level. Amongst his clubs are Dartford, Boreham Wood, Hemel Hempstead Town, Havant & Waterlooville, St Albans City, Wealdstone, Braintree Town and Welling United.

Lee Protheroe Steps Up As Potters Bar Town Manager

Potters Bar Town have announced the promotion of Lee Protheroe from coach to manager, as they fill the gap following Sammy Moore's shock departure to Faversham Town.

Lee joined the club in the summer as First Team Coach, moving across from Pitching In Isthmian Premier rivals Wingate & Finchley. As a player, he turned out for the likes of Yeading, Enfield, Aldershot Town, Canvey Island, Margate, Wealdstone, Chelmsford City and Gravesend & Northfleet.

He is joined at the club by former Welywn Garden City boss Max Mitchell, who was announced as leaving his former club - mid table in Pitching In Southern League Division One Central - to take up the Assistant's position for the Scholars.

POTTERS BAR TOWN BRING IN FORMER WATFORD KEEPER DANTE BAPTISTE - ON LOAN

Potters Bar Town had a debutant goalkeeper as they defeated Hullbridge Sports in the Velocity Trophy last night- and although he was picking the ball out of the net after Sports struck home an eighth minute penalty, his next eighty two minutes were unblemished as his side scored three of their own!

Dante Baptiste previously played for Watford, and has already had a number of loan spells. He began his career with Norwich City before a move to the Hornets, where he has played Under 18 and Under 21 football, and has been out on loan at Hendon and Farnborough. He joined Wealdstone a few months ago.

He comes in for an initial month.

Haywards Heath Town Boss Martin Dynan Departs

Haywards Heath Town have announced the departure of manager Martin Dynan, he and the club agreeing a parting of the ways.

Dynan joined the club from South Park back in January, and steered them to the Pitching In Isthmian South East Play-Off Semi-Finals last season. This season, however, has been much more difficult, and Heath currently find themselves third from bottom.

HUFC vs CANVEY ISLAND FC - MAN OF THE MATCH - TOM CHALMERS