Saturday's Premier Division action review

Leaders Chippenham Town were 1-0 Hardenhuish Park victors over a Kettering Town side whose own top five hopes now look slim.

In front of a crowd of 515, Will Richards scored the all-important goal for the Bluebirds after 24 minutes to keep them four points clear at the top from Merthyr Town.

They won by the same scoreline at Penydarren Park against another of the contenders for a play-off place, Chesham United.

A crowd of 405 saw Jarrad Wright`s goal 15 minutes from time eventually prove enough for the Martyrs against a Generals outfit who have games in hand on all around them.

Hitchin Town, Leamington and Slough Town complete the current top five and all won on Saturday.

The Canaries won 2-0 at the Bob Lucas Stadium against mid-table Weymouth with goals from Brett Donnelly and Robbie Burns within two minutes of each other around the hour-mark.

The Brakes beat the Terras` neighbours Dorchester Town 5-0 at the New Windmill with first half goals from Ahmed Obeng and Callum Powell followed up by second half efforts from Courtney Baker-Richardson, James Mace and Robbie Thompson-Brown.

The Rebels put a halt to second-bottom Cambridge City`s battle to avoid the drop by winning by the odd goal in seven in dreadful conditions at St Ives.

Simon Dunn and Gavin James had the visitors two-up by the half-hour mark. Ross Patterson reduced the deficit on 36 minutes, but Chris Flood made it 3-1 to Slough six minutes after the break.

A Salim Relizani penalty pulled a second back for City, only for Warren Harris to surely kill off the hosts in the 84th minute before Jordan Gent`s stoppage time third made for a nervy last few seconds.

The top five now hold a seven-point advantage over the chasing pack after sixth-placed Banbury United`s 2-1 defeat at Biggleswade Town.

Gavin Hoyte gave the Waders a 31st minute lead that Jack Self cancelled out just before the break. That looked like earning the Puritans a point until Rob Parker popped up with Biggleswade`s winner in stoppage time.

Seventh-placed Frome Town dopped two home points in a 2-2 draw with St Ives Town.

The Somerset side led 2-0 with goals from Sam Teale and Jake Jackson by the half-hour mark.

But Charlie Death on 70 minutes and then Josh Dawkin three minutes into time added on salvaged a point for the Saints.

At the other end of the table, bottom-markers Cinderford Town`s quest for `snookers` to get out of trouble began with a 1-0 win at Kings Langley, who are now only five points above the drop zone.

Craig Norman`s 19th minute effort proved enough for the Foresters, who are still fourteen points adrift of the safety-mark.

It`s tightened up above them, however with Hayes & Yeading United moving above Cambridge into third-bottom spot after a 2-1 win against Redditch United at Uxbridge`s Honycroft.

United`s first three-point haul of the year came courtesy of strikes from centre-backs Tom Broadbent and Wes Parker, although Luke Keen sandwiched a reply for the Reds.

Cirencester Town are now fourth-bottom after sharing a 1-1 Corinium Stadium draw with King`s Lynn Town, taking an early eighth minute lead through Tom Jones, only for Shaun McWilliams to equalise in the 25th minute.

St Neots Town moved out of the drop zone after a crucial 2-1 home win over inconsistent Basingstoke Town.

Sam Deadfield gave 'Stoke an early sixth minute lead that Shane Hill cancelled out on the half-hour mark and then Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson netted what proved to be the Saints` winner five minutes before the break.

The results mean only seven points separate Cambridge City from eighteenth-placed Kings Langley.

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