As you were at the Top

#SFL MatchCentre Review - Premier South

In contrast to its sister Central section, none of the top sides in the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division South suffered defeat on Saturday.

The only teams in the top ten to lose were Gosport Borough and Poole Town, who are now ninth and tenth respectively.

Leaders Truro City were comfortable 4-1 winners at Treyew Road against Harrow Borough. But not until they recovered from the shock of falling behind to a 23rd minute George Moore goal. That lead didn’t last long, however, as Will Swan was tripped in the box and Tyler Harvey stepped up to convert the penalty to record his 17th goal of the campaign. It remained 1-1 at the break, but just 4 minutes after the restart, the White Tigers took control with Will Dean making in 2-1 and then Swan adding a third on the hour-mark, with Harvey taking his tally to 18 with 14 minutes remaining.

A crowd of over 500 saw second-placed Chesham United ease to a 3-0 win at the Meadow against Gosport. The first half was a scrappy affair as the teams struggled in the wind, with Eoin Casey putting the Generals in front in the 39th minute. It wasn`t until the final 10 minutes that Chesham put the game to be though with goals from Zak Joseph and Casey again.

Swindon Supermarine are now third after a 1-0 win at mid-table Farnborough. But `Marine will be grateful for a fine performance from goalkeeper Martin Horsell, who made several fine saves, including a 52nd-minute penalty save from Reggie Young. And just when a draw looked likely, up popped Harry Williams to win it for the visitors in stoppage time.

Tiverton Town dropped a place to fourth after sharing a 2-2 draw with Wimborne Town at Ladysmead. The Yellows twice had to come back from behind after Magpies goals from Tony Lee after just 4 minutes, which Ryan Beckinsale cancelled out on 15 minutes, and Sam Davidson 3 minutes later, which Alex Fletcher levelled on the half-hour mark.

Fifth-placed Hayes & Yeading United shared the same scoreline with Tivvy`s neighbours Taunton Town, who are sixth, at the SKYex Community Stadium. And, like Tiverton, the Peacocks also had to twice come back from a goal down to earn a share of the spoils. Manny Duku put the home side in front after 10 minutes. Recent signing Dan Demkiv equalised 13 minutes later, only for Omar Rowe to restore United`s leads right on the stroke of half-time. But Dan Sullivan earned the visitors a point in the 68th minute.

Salisbury are seventh after winning 2-0 at the Ray Mac against a Hendon side, for whom this was a first league defeat in seven matches. A crowd of 515 saw Jacob Wannell put the Whites ahead 3 minutes before half-time. And Steve Claridge`s side, who had lost their previous two games, sealed a crucial victory which keeps them in the play-off race when Toby Holmes made it 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining.

Weston-super-Mare are a place and a point behind Salisbury after winning 2-1 at bottom side Dorchester Town, who are now a massive 14 points adrift of the safety mark. Chris Knowles gave the Seagulls a 15th minute lead at the Greene King Community Stadium. Tom Bath equalised within 3 minutes, but a strike 5 minutes before half-time from Mike Symons was enough to earn the Seagulls all three points in Dorset.

To make matters worse for Dorchester, second-bottom Beaconsfield Town won 2-1 at Holloways Park against Poole to cut their gap on the safety mark to eight points. James Ewington bagged a brace for the Rams in the 64th and 72nd minutes after sub Harry Baker had given the Dolphins the lead after 62 minutes. However, Beaconsfield`s hero, in the end, was `keeper Myles Bowman, who saved Baker`s late penalty after he had been brought down in the box.

Another boost for the Rams came with the news that the two teams immediately above them, Walton Casuals and Yate Town, had both lost. The Stags were beaten comprehensively 3-0 at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub by Hartley Wintney, who are now 16th. Marley Ridge after 15 minutes and Sam Argent 7 minutes later had the Row in control. And a Tyron Smith penalty 15 minutes from time completed the scoring.

Yate lost 2-0 at Imber Court to Metropolitan Police, for whom Jack Mazzone bagged a brace at either end of the game in the 4th and 87th minutes.

The game at Gang Warily between Blackfield & Langley and Merthyr Town finished goalless.