By Matt Bishop
It was goals galore on Bank Holiday Monday as Billericay Town and Leatherhead leapfrogged Harrow Borough in the Bostik Premier.
A staggering 44 goals hit the back of the net on an eventful afternoon that also witnessed four red cards, and Billericay extended their impressive run of form by thrashing struggling Thurrock 5-0 to now top the table on goal difference.
Leatherhead also won their fourth game of the season, to stay level on points with Glenn Tamplin’s men, after they beat Metropolitan Police 1-0. Following Joshua Webb’s red card, Chike Kandi’s sweet strike sealed three points for the home side.
Harrow slipped to third place following an abysmal away performance at fellow promotion hopefuls Hendon, as the former league leaders were thumped 6-0 by Gary McCann’s side.
Leiston rose to fourth in the division, and just a point off the top, with a convincing 2-0 win at Lowestoft, while Wingate & Finchley travelled to Staines Town and blew the The Swans away, winning 5-0.
Enfield Town edged past Harlow Town thanks to a solitary goal from Aaron Green and an impressive defensive performance, and just below them, Margate are up to ninth after Jordan Chiedozie’s late goal beat Dorking Wanderers.
A Kenny Beaney brace secured three important points for Dulwich Hamlet as they beat lowly Tooting & Mitcham United, while Folkestone Invicta won a thrilling match against Tonbridge Angels 3-2.
Kingstonian came from behind to beat Merstham, with two goals in quick succession from Thomas Derry and Lewis Taylor securing the victory, and Brighlingsea Regent, who had George Doyle sent-off, comfortably beat Needham Market 3-0.
At the bottom, Worthing United are still searching for their first points of the season after they travelled to local rivals Burgess Hill Town and lost 4-1.
Bostik North Division
In the Bostik North, the top three sides all won as AFC Hornchurch, Heybridge Swifts and Dereham Town claimed maximum points at Romford, Maldon & Tiptree and Norwich United respectively.
Haringey Borough also kept pace with the three leaders, as they edged past Cheshunt thanks to Ramil Sherriff’s 89th minute winner, while fifth placed Potters Bar Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Hertford Town.
Below them, Bowers & Pitsea were thrashed 3-0 by Canvey Island, while Ware made ground on the promotion chasers by dramatically beating Waltham Abbey – a last minute strike from Yannick Kammaman sealed a 2-1 win.
Three second half goals from Kieran Bishop, Glenn Wilson and Kiernan Hughes-Mason meant Grays beat Aveley 4-2, and Tilbury edged past Brentwood Town with a tight 2-1 victory.
Soham Town Rangers and Bury Town played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, and Whitham Town beat fellow strugglers Barking to claim their first three points of the season.
Bostik South Division
Walton Casuals continue to lead the way in the Bostik South division after Luke Holness’ long-range strike and an own goal from Charles Ashby secured the Stags a second win in nine days over Molesey.
A trio of teams are two points behind Walton, with Carshalton Athletic, Whyteleafe and Lewes all on ten points after beating Corinthian Casuals, Chipstead and Hastings United respectively.
Keeping pace with the leaders are South Park, who swept aside East Grinstead Town to win 3-1, while Cray Wanderers, who are seventh, impressively beat Shoreham 3-0 away from home.
The only team in the top eight who didn’t win on Monday were Sittingbourne, after they drew 0-0 with Ashford United, while Thamesmead Town also failed to claim three points after VCD Athletic beat them 3-1.
Despite having Mark Phillips sent off, Greenwich Borough produced an emphatic performance to beat Phoenix Sports 3-0, while a brace from Nassim Dukali secured Herne Bay an equally impressive 3-0 win at Faversham Town.
A last minute Robert O’Toole winner secured three vital points for Horsham against Guernsey as they claimed a 2-1 victory, while Hythe Town, who are 19th, thumped 20th placed Ramsgate 4-1.