Page 18 - Yate Town FC v Gosport Borough 230422

The Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South go into Saturday’s final games of the 2021/22
campaign with plenty still to happen after Easter Monday’s round of matches.
The title is still up for grabs, as is the final play-off spot, but the second relegation place was finally
confirmed as being Merthyr Town’s, whose brave effort to escape a drop that looked likely quite some
time back after they were beaten 3-1 at the Met Coaches Stadium by Swindon Supermarine. A crowd
of 711 saw the hosts lead after 15 minutes through Keyon Reffell. And they kept that lead until the 71st
minute when Henry Spalding pulled his father Lee’s side level. Ten minutes later, Kieran Phillips doubled
‘Marine’s lead and Ryan Campbell confirmed Merthyr’s relegation with a third a minute from time.
Third-from-bottom Kings Langley won as well, so it wouldn’t have really mattered that much what the
outcome in South Wales had been. Kings beat Hendon 4-2 at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium, taking a
2-0 lead with goals from Alfie Williams on the half-hour mark and Alie Bangura just before the break.
Hendon responded immediately after the restart through Joe White, only for Jamie Jellis to restore
Kings’ two-goal lead seven minutes later. Sam Corcoran made it a nervy spell for home fans when he
reduced the deficit in the 86th minute, but a fourth in the 3rd minute of time added on from Bangura
ensured a home win, although they are certain to finish in that third-from-bottom spot.
At the other end of the table, effectively only current leaders Taunton Town or Hayes & Yeading
United can claim the title, thanks to their far superior goal difference over third-placed Farnborough.
The top three all won again on Monday, with the Peacocks triumphing 1-0 in the local derby at the Ian
Moorcroft Stadium against Tiverton Town in front of a crowd of 1,546.
The only goal of a tight affair came as early as the 4th minute with a fierce Jay Foulston free-kick.
A crowd of 556 at the SKYex Community Stadium saw Hayes & Yeading beat Chesham United 2-0
– a result that cost the Generals fifth spot after a 4-0 win for Weston-super-Mare pushed them back
into the play-off places. Moses Emmanuel bagged a brace for Paul Hughes` side in the 5th and 40th
minutes but he also missed a penalty.
Hayes & Yeading have a far better goal difference than Taunton, who host Farnborough on the final day,
whilst Hayes & Yeading must travel to Hartley Wintney.
Farnborough beat Hampshire rivals Hartley Wintney 2-0 at the Easy As HGV Stadium, courtesy of
a Mitchell Parker brace in the 37th and 90th minutes.
Metropolitan Police will finish fourth as they won 4-1 on Monday against a Beaconsfield Town side
who seem to have headed to the beach early as this was a seventh game without a win for the Rams.
Liam Ferdinand gave the Met an early 8th-minute lead that Ollie McCoy levelled seven minutes later.
Herson Alves restored the home side’s lead in the 17th minute and then Sam De St Croix after 58
minutes and Ferdinand again seven minutes later made it a comfortable afternoon for the Met.
Weston reclaimed fifth spot after a good 4-0 win at Bolitho Park against a Truro City side who have
endured a poor Easter period, losing both games and conceding eight goals. An early 2nd minute James
Dodd goal gave the Seagulls a massive boost and then Marlon Jackson added a second on 34 minutes.
Dayle Grubb`s brace in the 71st and 88th minutes sealed a vital win for Weston, setting up a dramatic
final day which sees the Seagulls at home to Harrow Borough and Chesham also at home to already
doomed Wimborne Town.
Mathematically, Yate Town are still in the frame, but it would take a massive goal swing to see them
oust Weston or Chesham. But they kept that flicker of hope alive with a 1-0 win at an already safe
Dorchester Town, thanks to a goal three minutes from time from Luke Hopper.
Elsewhere, another Easter goal for Dan Wooden proved enough for Gosport Borough to beat
Salisbury at Privett Park – the goal coming after 25 minutes.
A tremendous crowd of 1,002 saw Wimborne bow out at home against neighbours Poole Town.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, they were unable to go out on a high, despite taking an early 4th-minute
lead through Lewis Beale. Top scorer Tony Lee equalised in the 14th minute, only for John White to put
the hosts back in front on 28 minutes. Ten minutes later, Marcus Daws equalised and then Lee on 43
minutes and a last-gasp Jack Dickson effort sealed a 4-2 win for the Dolphins.
And mid-table sides Harrow Borough and Walton Casuals shared a 0-0 draw at Earlsmead, although
the Stags had Gabriel Odunaike sent-off in the 67th minute AFTER he had been substituted!