Round Up: National League South Round 42
In was another action-packed week in round 42 of the Vanarama National League South, with the first team to be officially being relegated.
Farnborough announced that their game against Chippenham Town was postponed due to a flooded and waterlogged pitch.
Aveley got a dramatic 4-3 win against Hemel Hempstead Town as they look to push for the play-offs. It started off not so bright for the Millers as they went 2-0 after 17 minutes with goals from Michael Folivi and Chris Smith. Charlee Hughes scored a goal before half-time and score straight away in the second half to give the equaliser. Eduino Vaz gave Aveley the lead. Josh Williams scored an equaliser for Hemel Hempstead. However, Charlee Hughes scored in the 75th minute to secure his hat-trick as well as the win for Aveley. Aveley now sit 7th in the league whilst Hemel Hempstead sit 18th.
Another action-packed game, as Maidstone United beat a 9-man Eastbourne Borough away at Priory Lane. It was a rough start for the Sports, as in just 7 minutes, they gave away a penalty which was converted by Sam Corne. It went from bad to worse as Sam Beard would be sent off after receiving a second yellow n the 26th minute. Eastbourne Borough went onto to get an equaliser from Pierce Bird scored a goal of the season contender. Bird would go from hero to zero as he also got a red card for the Sports. Maidstone capitalised with the 2 extra men advantage by scoring 4 more goals, from Matt Rush as well as a hat-trick within 10 minutes from Lamar Reynolds. Maidstone now sit 4th with a game in hand on Braintree whilst Eastbourne Borough remain 22nd.
Worthing won their first game since Chelmsford, beating a struggling Havant & Waterlooville. The Rebels started off well with a header scored by Ollie Pearce in the 12th minute. After the early goal, the Hawks pushed for an equaliser and were dominant throughout the first half. All their hard worked paid off with a goal from Brendan Willson just before half time. Going into a second half, Havant started off quick again, however, a brilliant powerful shot by Tommy Willard gave the Rebels the lead once again. This got Worthing going, Ollie Pearce scoring his second of the day with a penalty in the 71st minute, boosting his goal tally to 36 goals in 39 games. As well as Danny Cashman, and Finlay Chadwick, who scored his first ever National League South goal. The Rebels now move to 5th whilst relegation is looking likely for Havant & Waterlooville as they sit 23rd.
Chelmsford continue to push for second position, with a crucial win against a struggling Dartford who are edging closer to the relegation zone. The man of the moment, Charlie Ruff, who scored a brace in extra-time to give the Clarets the win against Taunton, was once again scored a brace, as well as George Alexander scoring a brace. With Brandon Barzey scoring for the Darts. Chelmsford extend their gap to Braintree as they remain in second, whilst Dartford remain just outside of the relegation zone in 20th.
There was a game full of late goals as Truro City beat Slough Town 3-2, in a game that could help Truro City towards securing safety in the National League South. A penalty in the first half scored by Andrew Neal gave the White Tigers the lead going into half time. Neal would end up getting himself a brace scoring in the 65thminute. Slough managed to get a goal from Johnny Goddard in the 85th minute. 3 minutes later, Gabe George scored an equaliser for the Rebels. Straight after kick-off, Adam Porter would give Truro the crucial three points. Truro sit 17th five points from the relegation zone, whilst Slough remain in 12th.
Taunton Town travelled to Weston Super-Mare as they looked to get out of the relegation zone. However, it was not meant to be, as goals from Bailey Kempster, Reuben Reid, Jordan Bastin and Josh Thomas gave the Seagulls the three points. Weston Super-Mare remain in 15th whilst Taunton stay in the relegation zone in 21st.
The title is getting closer and closer for Yeovil Town, as they hosted their Somerset rivals Torquay United. A goal from Frank Nouble in the first half and two goals in quick succession from Jordan Young and Jahmari Young gave Yeovil the 3-0 win. Increasing their chance to secure the National League South title within the next few games. Whilst Torquay now sit 19th, following a ten points deduction after the club was announced to be in administration.
Braintree looked to avenge from their first loss in 14 games as they took on St Albans City who are looking to remain in a play-off position. One goal was the decider against the two sides, with a goal from Aaron Blair gave Braintree three points. Braintree remain in third whilst St Albans go out of the play-off positions in 9th.
Weymouth played their first game following the announcement that manager, Bobby Wilkinson parting ways with the club by mutual consent. They travelled to Twerton Park to take on Bath City, who had played live on TNT Sport against Worthing last time out. A goal from Joe Raynes gave Bath City the lead going into half time. However, it was not enough as Ezio Touray went onto score in the 78th minute leading the points being shared for both sides. The Romans sit 8th in the table, whilst the Terras sit in 14th.
Finally, Hampton and Richmond Borough hosted Tonbridge Angels. Tonbridge came into the game with confidence being high, winning their previous two games, whilst the Beavers had lost their previous game to Torquay United. It went onto be a very even game, with the game finishing goalless. Hampton and Richmond dropped to sixth position, with Tonbridge sitting in 13th.
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