THE TITLE RACE HOTS UP
CRAY VALLEY PM are still unbeaten in their South-East Division campaign winning 17 and drawing 7 of their 24 games played. The Millers are now only two points below table topper's RAMSGATE following Saturday's results. The Rams suffered a shock home defeat against 17th placed Merstham who recorded a 0-2 win thanks to first half goals from Korrey Henry and Charlie Greenwod.
It was the Kent side's first home league defeat since Saturday 29th October 2022 when Sevenoaks Town won 2-4. Cray Valley drew 0-0 at home to Chichester City. Ramsgate make the long trip to Horndean (13th) this Tuesday evening and then host Broadbridge Heath (14th) next Saturday when The Millers host East Grinstead Town (16th). It's roughly a five hour round trip to Horndean (just 10 miles North of Portsmouth) and back for The Rams tomorrow!
The Millers have a 100% winning record away from home with 11 wins from 11 games played!
THE MOATSIDER'S FIRST AWAY WIN OF THE SEASON
MERSTHAM's victory at Ramsgate was their first league win on their travels this season making it a real unexpected result. Their last away win was on the final day of last season when they were a South Central Division team - they won 0-1 at Chertsey Town with Bryan Zepo (now with Lewisham Borough) scoring the only goal of the game.
It's been a real up and down season for the Surrey club which is indicated in their last four away games - A 6-6 draw at Broadbridge Heath, a 2-1 defeat at bottom of the table Beckenham Town, a 0-0 at Chichester City followed by Saturday's amazing victory.
LOTS OF CHANGES AT THE DERES
It's been a season to forget for ERITH & BELVEDERE who many fans thought would go well on their return to Step Four after they run away with the Southern Counties East Premier Division title in the 22/23 season. Their last game was on Sunday which was a 0-4 home defeat against play-off chasing Sittingbourne.
Defender Rob Strachan was the only player left in their starting XI compared to their opening game of the season against Ashford United. Manager Matt Longhurst departed the Park View Road hot seat in January and has been replaced by former Stansfeld co-manager's Billy Hamlin and Jamie Phipps. They took The Chislehurst based club up from the SCEFL Division One in 2022 as well as a fantastic run in the FA Vase where they lost in the Fifth Round to Southall. They finished in a highly respectable 9th position in the 22/23 Premier Division when the duo departed the club at the end of the season.
WHO IS MAKING THE PLAY-OFFS?
It will be a ultra-dramatic loss of form if two of the top three don't make the play-offs. Ramsgate and/or Cray Valley PM (20 and 18 points away from 5th place) will be more than likely be joined by third placed in-from Sittingbourne who are currently 14 points away from 5th place. Lancing are fourth, Herne Bay are fifth followed by Sheppey United, Chichester City, Three Bridge and Sevenoaks Town.
SEVEN GAME WINNING RUN - THE BRICKIES IN FORM!
SITTINGBOURNE have won their last seven games in a row which has cemented their place in the play-off zone. Mitchell May has scored nine goals in those seven games for Ryan Maxwell's team - The former Dunmow Town, FC Romania, Coggeshall Town striker who had a spell on loan with Spartan South Midlands League side Stansted earlier in the season has been attracting scouts from football league clubs for his impressive performances for the club.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Tuesday 13th February Broadbridge Heath v Sevenoaks Town
Horndean v Ramsgate
Three Bridges v Hythe Town
Wednesday 14th February
Phoenix Sports v Beckenham Town
Saturday 17th February
Burgess Hill Town v Hythe Town
Cray Valley PM v East Grinstead Town
Herne Bay v Beckenham Town
Horndean v Sheppey United
Lancing v Phoenix Sports
Littlehampton Town v Three Bridges
Merstham v Ashford United
Ramsgate v Broadbridge Heath
Sevenoaks Town v Erith & Belvedere
Sittingbourne v Chichester City
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