It`s Beaconsfield`s Title

In front of a record crowd of 978, AFC Rushden & Diamonds rounded off their campaign in the Evo-Stik League South East with a fifth victory in succession, but they were denied the title due to Beaconsfield Town earning the win they needed at Marlow on Saturday.

Ben Farrell`s 27th minute penalty eventually saw Diamonds to victory at Hayden Road against Ashford Town (Middx).

The visitors were reduced to ten-men late on when `keeper Tyler Tobin saw red for diving on the ball on the halfway line after been up for a corner trying to grab an equaliser.

However, Beaconsfield won by the same scoreline at Marlow, courtesy of a 53rd minute goal from Lee Barney to take the title with Diamonds maintaining their progress through the non-League Pyramid by taking the second automatic promotion spot.

The play-off places had already been settled ahead of Saturday`s kick-offs and it was just a case of who finished where for home advantage in the semi-finals.

Hayes & Yeading United and Hartley Wintney were already assured of finishing as the top two of the four, but in what order?

In the end it was Hayes & Yeading who finished third after a comprehensive 5-0 home win over third-bottom Barton Rovers, while the Hampshire side finished off their excellent first season at this level in fourth after being edged out 4-3 at home by Aylesbury United.

Laste Dombaxe and Duncan Culley gave Hayes a 2-0 interval lead which Spyros Mentis with two and Manny Duku added to in the second period.

Sonny French gave the Ducks a 36th minute lead at The Memorial Fields but Jack French levelled for Hartley Wintney right on half-time.

Aaron Berry restored the visitors` lead 6 minutes after the restart only for Paul Hodges to level 14 minutes from time.

But goals from Ben Seaton and a second for Berry pushed the Ducks 4-2 up with 3 minutes remaining, rendering Nic Ciardini`s third in stoppage time as just a consolation.

AFC Dunstable will travel to Hampshire for their semi-final after they finished fifth following a 6-1 hammering of Hanwell Town and Cambridge City`s 1-1 draw at Moneyfields, meaning they ended up in sixth place and travel to Hayes & Yeading.

After Nick Turner gave AFC Dunstable a 3rd minute wake-up call, Louis Bircham went on to net a first half hat-trick and then Jermaine Hall, Chris Tavernier and BJ Christie added three more in the second half.

Jack Vasey gave City the lead on the hour-mark in Sussex, only for Lewis Fennemore to equalise 9 minutes later for Moneys.

Bedford Town secured seventh spot after a 2-0 win at the New Eyrie against Fleet Town courtesy of Bradley Woods-Garness 3 minutes after the break and loanee Paul Benson 16 minutes from time.

The Eagles finished above Chalfont St Peter on goal difference, despite the Saints winning 3-0 at home to Egham Town, with Rob Hastings, Victor Osobu and Alex Paine goals.

Elsewhere, rock-bottom Arlesey Town couldn`t finish off with a win, losing 2-0 at home to Uxbridge, whose James Burgess and Cole Brown scored second half goals.

Kempston Rovers won 3-1 at Thame United to finish a creditable ninth – Jake Newman, Ben Acquaye and Josh Crawley for the Walnut Boys – James McGowan for the hosts.

Jermaine Osei bagged a brace as Northwood ensured Aylesbury FC`s disappointing season ended in second-bottom spot, with a 3-2 defeat.

Pitchero Non League