Poppies Return To Top Spot As Lynn Are Held By Terras

The wet weather claimed four of Saturday`s Evo-Stik League South Premier matches, but fortunately the top five all managed to see action.

And the leadership changed hands again after King` Lynn Town were held at The Walks by fourth-placed Weymouth, leaving Kettering Town to return to the summit after a hard-fought 4-2 win at Penydarren Park against Merthyr Town.

In front of 684, Lynn looked to be heading for three crucial points when Simon Lappin broke the deadlock to give them a 75th minute lead.

But Brandon Goodship popped up with an 86th minute equaliser for the Terras to make their long journey home a decent one.

Lynn lost the leadership though as the Poppies triumphed in Wales after the game survived several inspections.

In front of 556, the visitors took the lead after 9 minutes through Aaron O’Connor.

Rene Howe hit the crossbar soon after but he wasn`t to be denied after 28 minutes when he headed home to make it 2-0.

On-loan Matt Stevens made it 3-0 on 33 minutes and the Poppies went four-up 11 minutes into the second half thanks to Brett Solkhon.

But Merthyr went on to finish the game strongly with Kerry Morgan pulling one back 5 minutes later and then Ian Traylor made some visiting nerve ends tingle when he pulled a second back 5 minutes from time.

A big away following boosted the Avenue Stadium attendance to 909 as Hereford FC moved into third place with a 1-0 win against lowly Dorchester Town.

But a Lance Smith header just past the hour-mark was all that separated the sides in the end.

Tiverton Town were the only member of the top five to lose as the Yellows suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat to a now fourth-bottom St Ives Town at Ladysmead.

It was a terrific performance by the Saints, especially as they trailed 2-0 to goals from Levi Landricombe after 21 minutes and Jamie Price on 46 minutes.

Ollie Snaith`s penalty reduced the arrears 10 minutes into the second half and then Snaith scored from open play to equalise 15 minutes from time, with the winner coming from Declan Rogers in stoppage time.

Royston Town`s six-game unbeaten league run came to an end as the Crows suffered a 2-0 Garden Walk defeat to a Chesham United side who are now just a couple of points behind them in ninth.

It was veteran striker Jefferson Louis who won the day for the Generals with a brace in the 33rd and 77th minutes – the second from the spot.

Second-bottom Dunstable Town are just two points above bottom-markers Gosport Borough but have played three more games now after they suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the Rushmoor Community Stadium against Farnborough.

A Dan Walker penalty after just 8 minutes set Boro up and just 3 minutes later, Perry Coles added a second.

Jack Barton made it 3-0 in the 56th minute and Manny Omrore made it game over in the 77th minute.

Frome Town enjoyed the day`s most emphatic win, 6-1 at St Neots Town.

It was 2-0 at the break through Darren Jefferies after 8 minutes and Joe Raynes on 32 minutes.

Chas Hemmings after 53 minutes and Mitch Page 4 minutes later killed the game off as a contest, with Ryan Bath bagging a late brace in the 76th an 88th minutes ahead of Dion Sembie-Ferris` last-gasp consolation for the beleagured Saints.

Kings Langley gave themselves a boost by coming back to earn a late point at Redditch United.

The hosts led 2-0 with goals from Tristan Dunkley after 6 minutes and Ashley Sammons just before the break.

Mitchell Weiss reduced the deficit after 65 minutes, and then 4 minutes into stoppage time, Weiss grabbed Kings` leveller.

Source Pitchero Non League / Steve Wintney