Hereford Take Over Top Spot

It`s often been teams who manage last-gasp wins or grab late draws that go on to win the title.

On Saturday, the leadership of the Evo-Stik League South Premier table changed again, with Hereford FC at the summit for the first time.

However, a last-gasp point by overnight leaders King`s Lynn Town could prove just as important come the end of the season.

The Linnets took on an in-form Banbury United side at The Walks and the majority in the 1,042 crowd were heading for the exits disappointed after the Puritans led through Jack Self`s 72nd minute effort with 2 minutes of stoppage time already played.

But United couldn’t hold on and in the 3rd minute time added on, Leon Mettam set up Toby Hilliard and he fired the ball home from ten yards to earn the Linnets a vital point.

The Bulls went to the top of the table by a point – and possess three games in hand on King`s Lynn – after a routine 4-0 win at Creasey Park against second-bottom strugglers Dunstable Town.

Hereford fans boosted the crowd to a season`s best 509 who saw Rob Purdie after 25 minutes and Lance Smith on 32 minutes give the visitors a 2-0 interval lead.

Ryan Green on 77 minutes and a late Eliot Richards fourth sealed a comfortable win.

Weymouth maintained their challenge in third with a 3-0 Bob Lucas Stadium triumph over a Royston Town side, for who back-to-back wins against Kettering Town and Frome Town had propelled them into the play-off race.

But goals from Calvin Brooks after 19 minutes, Ben Thomson a minute before half-time and Brandon Goodship 18 minutes from time sealed a good win for the Terras in front of 811.

There were 558 at Latimer Park to see fourth-placed Kettering hammer Bishop`s Stortford 6-0.

The visiting Blues endured a dreadful first half that saw Matt Stevens after 17 and 24 minutes, Aaron O`Connor in between on 23 minutes and on 42 minutes and a Brett Solkhon penalty on 37 minutes for which Stortford`s Marvel Ekpiteta was dismissed take the Poppies into the break 5-0 up!

A rather quieter second period saw Orrin Pendley make it 6-0 on 66 minutes.

Chesham United are fifth and they had a good 3-1 win at Frome Town, despite trailing to a 21st minute Jon Davies effort.

Dan Green equalised 5 minutes before the break and put the Generals ahead just shy of the hour-mark, with Lewis Toomey adding a third with 7 minutes remaining.

Slough Town maintained their play-off challenge and are a point behind Chesham after winning 2-0 at fourth-bottom Kings Langley with goals from Guy Hollis after 26 minutes and Chris Flood 6 minutes later.

Tiverton Town`s top five hopes took a blow, however, as they lost 1-0 at St Neots Town, courtesy of a 26th minute Tom Wood effort.

Bottom-markers Gosport Borough gave a good account of themselves at TGop Field against Hitchin Town but still lost 2-1 to a late, 80th minute Lucas Kirkpatrick goal after Craig McAllister had cancelled out Robbie Burns` early 8th minute opener in the 14th minute.

Third-bottom St Ives Town also lost – 3-2 at Penydarren Park to Merthyr Town, whose Owain Jones gave them a 16th minute lead.

But the Saints led through a 28th minute Danny Watson penalty and a 63rd minute goal from loanee Ben Baker.

Kerry Morgan equalised in the 82nd minute and then Ian Traylor won it for the Martyrs in the 3rd minute of stoppage time from the spot.

Goals either side of half-time from Stuart Fleetwood and Adam Page gave Redditch United a 2-0 cushion at home to Basingstoke Town.

Ashley Sammons added a third from the spot to complete victory 12 minutes from time.

It was a similar story at Stratford Town, where Ed Ahenkorah and Will Grocott scored twice in a minute just before half-time to see off Dorchester Town.

And the day`s other game saw Farnborough beat Biggleswade Town 2-1 at the Rushmoor Community Stadium.

Jayden Antwi-Nyame gave the home side the boost of an early 2nd minute lead that Michael Elias-Fernandes doubled 16 minutes later.

Nathan Hicks reduced the deficit 6 minutes later, but the Waders couldn`t find a leveller.

Source Steve Wintney Pitchero Non League