There were some big important away wins for Kent’s clubs in the Isthmian League last weekend, with Cray Wanderers and Folkestone Invicta gaining valuable three points in their fight at the bottom of the Premier.

Meanwhile, Herne Bay gained a brilliant win at a side they are trying to catch in the race for the Play Off places. 

Folkestone take pride of place with a 2-1 win at fourth placed Billericay Town as first half goals from David Smith and Kane Penn gave Andy Drury’s side an advantage, they held onto despite the home side’s last minute spot kick.

The three points lift Invicta onto thirty-one points, and they were joined on that amount by Cray who continued their recent decent run by also recording a 2-1 win – theirs coming at Carshalton Athletic.

A goal in each half from Ellis Brown gave Neil Smith’s side the advantage that they held onto and here again, the home side “only” pulled a goal back in the dying moments. 

The two Kent sides now find themselves nine points ahead of Mark Stimson’s Margate who currently occupy the final relegation place. 

A win is something that Margate boss Stimson would love as he still has not seen the magical “W” in the results column since he arrived at Hartsdown Park.

After losing 2-4 at Lewes and 0-4 at Hastings, sadly it was not a case of home sweet home as despite Steve Cawley’s eighteenth goal of the season, Dulwich Hamlet left Thanet with all three points and a 4-1 win.

Things do not get any better for Stimson next as he returns to Medway for the first time in more than a decade at the weekend as the Gate have a Kent derby against Chatham Town at the Bauvill. 

At the other end of the table, Chatham stay second behind leaders Hornchurch as Kevin Hake’s side battled to a 2-1 at Whitehawk to stay in touch – Khale Da Costa put the Chats in front just after the break only for the home side to level within a couple of minutes.

Danny Kedwell then popped up with his third goal of the season to win the game eleven minutes from time. 

In the South Eastern division, Herne Bay recovered from their home defeat to Sittingbourne by inflicting just third placed Lancing’s second defeat of 2024 with a crushing 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Harrison Pont, Frankie Smith, and Kane Rowland. 

Sittingbourne took advantage of Lancing’s defeat and now go above them. Burgess Hill Town arrived at the Roman Stadium top of the form guide having won five of six games but left battered 5-0 – two each for Chris Harris and Mitch May with the scoring rounded off by Donvieve Jones.

The Brickies now up to third and just three points behind still unbeaten Cray Valley PM who courtesy of Matt Vigors goal just past the hour won 1-0 at Merstham. 

Leaders Ramsgate were held for the second game running, this time by a Hythe Town side that led early at Reachfields through defender Lex Allan, The Paxmans – Jack and Alfie – then gave the Rams the lead before Jake Embery levelled the scores and not even a frantic last ten minutes could decide the winner.

Hythe still have up to seven games in hand over the sides above them and are eleven points from the Play Off places. Meanwhile, Ramsgate’s lead at the top is now “just” six points over Cray Valley (who have two games in hand and still have to go to Southwood). 

Sheppey United now occupy the last Play Off place as Jacob Lambert’s goal beat Three Bridges at Holm Park. 

Ashford United condemned Beckenham Town to another defeat that leaves the visitors struggling at the bottom. Dieko Falade put Beckenham ahead only for Ian Draycott and Jordan Abobia to put Ashford in front. Alfie Bloomfield levelled the scores before Abobia won it for Ashford. 

Sevenoaks Town remain in mid table after they were crushed 3-0 at Horndean. 

At the foot it is as you were as the bottom four all lost – Beckenham and Merstham we already know about, but Pheonix Sports were beaten at home by Littlehampton Town 2-0 and Erith & Belvedere lost to a last-minute goal at Broadbridge Heath to stay three points ahead of Beckenham at the table’s foot. 

Picture supplied by Ozay Booth.