Diamonds Stretch Their Lead

AFC Rushden & Diamonds possess a commanding eight-point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik League South East table following a 2-0 win at second-bottom Barton Rovers on Saturday.

With second-placed Beaconsfield Town`s game being one of three off due to waterlogged pitches, Diamonds stretched their advantage at Sharpenhoe Road, courtesy of Tom Lorraine 4 minutes after the break and Jack Ashton 13 minutes from time.

Apart from inactive Beaconsfield, Hartley Wintney were the only other top six side to lose on Saturday as AFC Dunstable, Hayes & Yeading United and Chalfont St Peter all won.

AFC Dunstable won 3-0 at Creasey Park against Aylesbury United with goals from Louis Bircham after 47 and 51 minutes and then BJ Christie 10 minutes from time.

Hayes & Yeading were the side to beat Hartley Wintney, 3-1 at home thanks to Laste Dombaxe after 22 minutes and, after Dean Stow had levelled after 37 minutes, Scott Donnelly on the hour-mark and Manny Duku 2 minutes into stoppage time.

Chalfont were another side to hit three goals at home to Uxbridge, with Jake Cass after 57 minutes and then late efforts from Frankie Jones and recent signing Brian Haule in time added on.

Canbridge City, with games in hand, are seventh and five points behind Chalfont after hammering bottom side Arlesey Town 6-1 away from home.

It was only 2-0 to City at half-time with Jordan Gent and Ryan Sharman the scorers.

James Hall added a third after 71 minutes, Keanu Williams replied 3 minutes later, only for Sharman again, Salim Relizani and a Hall penalty to take City away from their hosts.

Fleet Town remain third-bottom after losing 2-1 at Calthorpe Park to Ashford Town (Middx), who came back from being a 14th minute Toyosi Olusanya goal down to win, thanks to James Cottee after 17 minutes and Samad Kazi on 37 minutes.

Elsewhere, Luke Ricketts bagged a brace as Thame United beat Marlow 4-0 at home – Dan West and James Essex topped and tailed Ricketts` goals, while a crowd of 255 saw Kempston Rovers earn local bragging rights with a 2-1 Hillgrounds win over neighbours Bedford Town, with a goal 2 minutes into stoppage time from Luke Heneghan after Jake Newman had cancelled out Callum Donnelly`s 29th minute opener for the Eagles in the 42nd minute.

Source Pitchero Non League