Photo by David Haines
Havant & Waterlooville picked up a first National League South win in ten matches at the expense of promotion chasers Ebbsfleet United.
By Steven Oldham
Hawks take victory at tenth attempt
Paul Doswell’s side were 4-2 winners in the division’s highest scoring game of the day, wrapping up a much-needed win with a strong second half performance.
The sides were level at the break - Stefan Payne’s early goal for the home side being cancelled out by Craig Tanner’s equaliser five minutes later.
Manny Duku, Joe Oastler and Billy Clifford were all on target for the home side before recent signing Shaq Coulthirst pulled one back for Ebbsfleet.
United are now 13 points off top spot having lost five of their last seven matches.
Dorking and Maidstone continue to lead the way
It was another good day for the division’s top two sides Dorking Wanderers and Maidstone United, who beat Chelmsford City and Oxford City respectively.
Dorking scored in each half to record a 2-0 win, with Matt Briggs and James McShane on the scoresheet.
Marc White’s side lead the way by three points from Maidstone, who stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games with a 2-1 home win.
Joan Luque opened the scoring for Maidstone, with Joe Elull doubling their advantage ten minutes later. Joe Iaciofano pulled one back for Oxford before the break, but the half-time score proved to be the result.
By beating Oxford, Maidstone have helped the top two build a gap of four points to the next nearest team.
Darts record fifth win on the bounce
On-loan striker Marcus Dinanga converted a last minute penalty as Dartford moved up to third after beating Bath City 2-0.
The Altrincham loanee capped another victory for his new side after Kalvin Kalala’s first half opener.
Dartford have won five games in succession, while Bath have lost four games over the same timeframe.
Braintree move closer to safety
Braintree Town picked up another priceless three points by beating Hungerford Town 1-0.
Kamil Conteh netted the game’s only goal just after the hour mark in a result that saw Braintree’s unbeaten run extend to seven matches.
The Iron are now six points clear of the dropzone, with a game in hand over bottom club Billericay Town.
It’s a second defeat in four for Hungerford, who find themselves four points outside the playoffs at present.
Welling drop to second bottom after another loss
Braintree’s win moves them above Welling United, who are level on points but have a vastly inferior goal difference.
Peter Taylor’s Wings side were beaten 2-1 at Slough Town - a 16th defeat in 27 games.
Dipo Akinyemi’s first half penalty had put Welling ahead, before Imran Kayani equalised. Aaron Kuhl earned and scored a penalty of his own to give Slough back-to-back 2-1 wins.
All the other NLS action
Hemel Hempstead Town picked up a 3-1 win over Concord Rangers.
A first half brace from Craig Fasanmade gave The Tudors a 2-0 half time lead. Alfie Cerulli added a third, with Danny Green taking a late consolation for Concord.
Playoff contenders Chippenham Town and Eastbourne Borough couldn’t be separated in a 1-1 draw at Hardenhuish Park.
Dan Griffiths had given the home side the lead, but the visitors replied late on through Dominic Hutchinson.
The game between playoff chasers Dulwich Hamlet and St Albans City ended goalless.
Hampton & Richmond Borough’s game with Tonbridge Angels was a very late casualty to the weather.
