It was a very merry Christmas for Dorking Wanderers - as they recorded their biggest ever win in front of a record crowd on Boxing Day.
Photo: Bath City FC
By Steven Oldham
Record-breaking Dorking hit eight without reply
Marc White’s side thrashed Havant & Waterlooville 8-0 - which is also The Hawks’ biggest ever defeat.
2,048 fans were packed into Meadowbank to see Dorking pick up a dominant victory, with Alfie Rutherford netting a first-half hat-trick.
Paul Rooney’s red card after just three minutes set the tone for the visitors, receiving his marching orders for a push on Rutherford inside the penalty box.
Jason Prior bagged a brace, and Niall McManus, Matthew Briggs and Jimmy Muitt all got themselves on the scoresheet.
This third straight win sees Dorking cement their position as playoff contenders, with a shell-shocked Havant a couple of places behind.
Oxford City reclaim top spot
Oxford City lead the way once more after a 3-2 home victory over Slough Town.
With the highly-anticipated game between Ebbsfleet United and Dartford called off, David Oldfield’s side took full advantage to regain the division’s plum seat.
Joe Iaciofano gave the home side the lead after 14 minutes, with Alfonso Tenconi equalising six minutes later.
Elliott Benyon’s 40-yard volley again gave Oxford the lead, and George Harmon’s goal doubled their advantage midway through the second half.
Tenconi grabbed his second of the game with ten to play, but it turned out to be nothing more than a consolation as Oxford took all three points.
City have a three point lead over Ebbsfleet and Dartford, although both teams have two games in hand.
Click HERE to see how Boxing Day played out in the National League
Chelmsford City pick up vital win
Chelmsford City picked up their first win in ten games by beating fellow strugglers Braintree Town 3-0.
Veteran striker Simeon Jackson scored twice within the first half hour, with Tom Blackwell netting the third and final goal.
It’s now three unbeaten for Chelmsford as they look to pull away from the bottom end of the table.
Robbie Simpson’s side have climbed to 18th, and crucially now have daylight between themselves and the sole relegation place.
It’s as you were for Braintree, as they remain second bottom three points clear of Billericay Town.
Romans pick up big win at Chippenham Town
Bath City returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win at Chippenham Town.
After back-to-back defeats, Bath are back up and running and were in front after just four minutes thanks to Jordan Dyer.
With Dyer’s header giving Bath the half-time lead, Ricky Aguiar equalised after the break. Parity was short-lived, with Omar Holness’ goal restoring the visitor’s advantage.
A late brace for Cody Cooke, including a penalty, wrapped up the points for the Romans.
Bath were reduced to ten men with 20 minutes to play following Dave Sims-Burgess’ second yellow card, but were never in danger of letting this victory slide.
It’s a first defeat in four for Chippenham, with both sides mid-table following this result.
Also in action
Maidstone United kept up their promotion push with a 1-0 victory over Tonbridge Angels.
Michael Phillip’s first half goal was enough for Hakan Hayrettin’s side to win a fourth consecutive game.
Concord Rangers picked up a 3-1 win at bottom club Billericay Town.
James Blanchfield, Joe Payne and Ben Allen were all on target for Rangers after Michael Chambers had given Billericay the half-time lead.
The home side were reduced to ten shortly before half time as Kweku Lucan received his marching orders.
The division’s four other scheduled games were all postponed.
