The race for the Isthmian Southeast title took another twist on Tuesday night as Cray Valley went top as Ramsgate lost on their long trip to Hampshire, and elsewhere there was an unexpected managerial return! 

The Rams went into midweek still top after winning at Burgess Hill Town last weekend but a single goal defeat from their long trip to Horndean on Tuesday opened the door for Valley, who took full advantage by hammering bottom of the table Beckenham Town 6-0 at Eden Park Avenue on Tuesday.  

Valley, who won 2-0 at Sheppey at the weekend, were 4-0 in front at half time in midweek courtesy of two from Kyrell Lisbie, Adam Coombes’ penalty and Matt Vigor. Junior Anau and Marcel Babbington added late goals in a six goal win which leaves the Becks deep in trouble at the bottom as they prepare for a Thursday night trip to Hythe Town as the Cannons try to get their home games played. 

Valley meantime go top of the table by a point as they prepare to welcome Hythe at the weekend whilst the Rams welcome fourth placed Lancing to Southwood. 

Sittingboure stay third despite their midweek trip to Littlehampton being called off for the fourth time leaving the Brickies still reeling from Saturday’s unexpected home defeat to Broadbridge Heath. Despite the defeat, they’re still eleven points inside the top five with a game in hand on sixth. 

Herne Bay stay seventh after coming from two down at Merstham to get a point thanks to Vance Bola’s brace, whilst Hythe are still much in the Play Off hunt after Tuesday’s late win at East Grinstead when Troy Howard scored a stoppage time winner for the Cannons. Aaron Barnes levelled the home side’s early goal before the home side retook the lead from the spot. Defender Lex Allan then levelled and Howards late goal leaves Hythe ten points off the Play Off zone but with five games in hand, the first of which being Thursday’s game with Beckenham at Reachfields. 

Cray Valleys win at Sheppey on Saturday leaves the Islanders thirteen points adrift of fifth placed Chichester but with three games still in hand from their Cup adventures earlier in the season.  

Ashford parted company with Kevin Watson at the weekend, and appointed Alan Walker and Darren Hare as interim managers and the duo’s first game was at Burgess Hill in midweek and the home side netted three second-half goals in a comfortable home win that leaves Ashford eleventh. 

Sevenoaks are tenth but like Ashford do not have games in hand following their 4-2 loss to Broadbridge on Tuesday – Kieron Cadogan had pulled a goal back in the first half and Dominic Morgan-Griffiths goal on the hour reduced the arrears to 3-2 but that was as good as it got! 

At the bottom, Erith & Belvedere are now five points from safety after Phoenix earned a point from a goal-less draw with East Grinstead on Saturday whilst the Deres went down 3-1 at Lancing, with Beckenham rock bottom nine points from safety. 

In the Premier Division, Chatham left it late to get a point at Hastings, who on Tuesday night did Kevin Hakes side a “favour” by beating leaders Hornchurch 1-0. At the weekend, the Chats were indebted to Ashley Nzala’s stoppage time equaliser for a 1-1 draw but with the leaders winning beating Billericay, the lead between first and second is now eleven points. 

At the bottom, Margate are now in deep trouble as their 3-0 defeat at Carshalton left Mark Stimson’s side five points adrift of safety following Cheshunt’s win over Concord. 

Folkestone have now put fourteen points between themselves and the drop zone thanks to their 1-0 weekend win over Canvey – Tom Derry’s second half goal enough. Then on Tuesday, they lost by the odd goal in five at Cheshunt as the Hertfordshire side won back-to-back games to ease their own relegation fears. It was a game of three penalties – all scored; two for the home side and David Smith’s strike for Folkestone – whilst Seidou Sanogo late strike could force the point for Invicta. 

Cray Wanderers climb away from the bottom four continued apace with a 4-0 win at Haringey courtesy of Ellis Brown’s goal in first half stoppage time and second half goals from David Ijaha, George Porter, and Anthony Cook. The win leaves Neil Smiths side fifteenth in the table and twenty points away from the bottom four.