Gate’s home run ended by Oaks- whilst Lancers and Bridges also triumph

Third place Margate had lost only once all season, were unbeaten at home, and took top billing after the top two found themselves kicking their- frozen- heels. The Blues were hopeful of continuing that fine home record as Sevenoaks Town came to call, but Oaks were looking for a third win in a row and, after an even first half, took the lead just after the hour- Jefferson Aibangbee’s seventeenth goal of the season doing the damage. The damage soon got worse, Warren Mfula making it two-nil seven minutes later, and although the hosts hit back six minutes into added time- Jordon Ababio halving the arrears- that was as good as it got for the home faithful. Oaks climb to ninth. 

Ashford United were at home once more, Three Bridges making the trip. United started the weekend seven points away from the top five, but were disappointed by their defeat to Steyning last weekend and looking to bounce back. It was rather appropriate with the FA Cup Third Round being played across the country that the competitions top scorer, United’s Gary Lockyer, scored his twenty second goal of the season to give the Nuts and Bolts an early lead- but the visitors were soon level, Noel Leighton -back at the club for the first time since October- with his third goal in three matches this season. Things soon got much worse for the hosts, a red card for Barry Fuller and a penalty to the visitors, which Ben Holden put away twelve minutes before half time as Bridges took the lead, to the dismay of most of the four hundred and fifty five shivering on the sidelines. 

The ten men weren’t down and out, however, and twenty three minutes from time they drew level, Michael West making it two-two, however three minutes from time Kevin Rivera made it three-two to the visitors, and then United boss Danny Kedwell also saw red. Bridges held on, and climb to sixteenth- opening up a seven point gap on the bottom four.

Lancing started the day only one point above the bottom four, so were rather keen to win as Herne Bay came to call- and they had a positive start, George Taggart breaking the deadlock after eleven minutes. In added time at the end of the first half the hosts gave themselves a cushion, Harry Heath- who has been in superb form in front of goal- making it eleven goals in eleven matches and two-nil to the Lancers. The second half saw no addition to the scoreline, and the Lancers have opened a four point gap on the bottom four. Bay are three points and one place better off. 

Three hundred and fifty three watched the match- Lancing’s biggest crowd this season.