Red cards, late goals, and derby day thrashings. The latest instalment of the Isthmian League was full of action – here’s what happened:
Chatham Town hosted recently promoted Hendon, in what turned out to be a thrilling 2-2 draw. The Chats went ahead early through Rowan Liburd in the 3rd minute, before former West Ham forward Freddie Sears doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Joe White pulled one back from the spot for the visitors after the hour mark, and Excellence Muhemba grabbed their equaliser ten minutes from time. Chaos ensued in the dying embers of the game, with Chatham’s Sid Nelson and Bradley Sach dismissed, as well as Hendon’s Niko Muir.
Down on the coast, Folkestone Invicta were paid a visit by Billericay, with Invicta suffering a 3-0 defeat. Ashley Nzala’s second half brace gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, before Tom Derry saw red for the hosts in the 76th minute. Invicta’s ten men were punished further in stoppage time, as Ibrahim Jalloh’s late goal wrapped up proceedings.
Slightly further east, Dover saw derby day delight as they dismantled Dartford 5-1. A string of defensive errors allowed Dover to take a 3-0 lead before half-time, with Ruben Junior, George Wilkinson and Luke Baptiste capitalising clinically. Alfie Matthews’ free kick five minutes after the break widened that lead even further, and Junior’s second goal late on sealed the deal for the Whites. Positives for the Darts came few and far between, but Jeremiah Pinder scoring his first goal for the club will certainly be one.
Dover have now scored an astonishing 24 goals in six league games and move to second following their win. Ady Pennock’s Dartford slip to fifth but retain their spot in the playoffs.
Staying south, Cray Valley PM travelled to Whitehawk and continued the theme of Kent sides dropping points. Charlie Lambert opened the scoring for Whitehawk, and Kai Jennings made it two right before full-time. Despite this, the Millers sit in fourth, behind Billericay only on goal difference.
Image courtesy of Chatham Town FC