Tiverton make No 1 at Christmas

Weekend Review - Premier South

Tiverton Town made it to number one at Christmas as their 5-1 hammering of second-bottom Dorchester Town on Saturday took them to the top of the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division South table.

The weather caused the games at Chesham United, Farnborough, Wimborne Town and overnight leaders Truro City to be postponed, and Tivvy took full advantage at the Greene King Community Stadium. A brace from Chris Shephard in the 6th and 43rd minutes gave the Yellows a 2-0 interval lead. River Allen added a third with 10 minutes of the second half gone before sub-Klaidi Lolos reduced the deficit 10 minutes later. Within 2 minutes though Alex Fletcher had restored Tiverton`s three-goal lead and Jordan Bastin made it 5-1 with 72 minutes gone on the clock.

It`s as you were as far as the rest of the top five go as none played, but Gosport Borough missed the chance to go within a point of fifth-placed Swindon Supermarine when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Imber Court by Metropolitan Police.

Salisbury are seventh after beating neighbours Poole Town 2-1 at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium in front of a crowd of 668. The Whites took a 23rd-minute lead, courtesy of a Bay Downing penalty. The Dolphins were back on level terms through within 30 seconds of the second half getting underway through Marvin Brooks. But Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick won it for Steve Claridge`s side with 6 minutes remaining.

Hayes & Yeading United are a point and a place behind Salisbury after edging out bottom side Beaconsfield Town by the odd goal in five at Holloways Park. The Rams led at the break, thanks to a 13th minute Louis Stead effort. Three minutes into the second period, Elliott Buchanan equalised and 7 minutes after that, James Clark put the visitors in front.

New signing, striker James Ewington, levelled matters on 68 minutes, only for Buchanan to go virtually straight up the other end to make it 3-2. It`s five successive defeats now for fast-falling Harrow Borough as they were beaten 4-0 at Earlsmead by mid-table Weston-super-Mare. The Seagulls got off to a great start with an early 4th-minute goal from Bradley Ash. James Waite added a second in the 33rd minute and the same pair added goals in the 67th and 90th minutes respectively.

Hendon will at least spend Christmas Day outside the relegation places after a 2-2 draw at Silver Jubilee Park against Hartley Wintney, who also need a=to halt an indifferent run which has seen them slide down the table. The Greens scored at either end of the game-opening the scoring in the first minute through Kingsley Eshun and then equalising 4 minutes from the end after Row had scored twice in 2 minutes just after the hour-mark through Tom Bird and Josh Webb.

Blackfield & Langley were another team who needed a win after successive 1-0 defeats and nine games without a win in all competitions, and they achieved that on Saturday, winning 3-2 at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub against Walton Casuals. Hisham Kasimu`s 27th-minute opener for the Watersiders was cancelled out 4 minutes later by Jay Gasson. An own goal 2 minutes after the break put the hosts in front, but recent signing Mitchell Speechley-Price on 63 minutes and Luke Rae 5 minutes later put the visitors 3-2 in front and they held firm to end their poor run.