Moneys hit five - and are our only South Central victors

Rayners Lane moved into the top ten with a hammering of Hartley Wintney on New Years Day, and hoped to make it three wins from three as they headed to South Park Reigate. Lane’s weakness this season has been that they don’t travel well- only one win on the road- and the Sparks, who were looking to avoid a fifth successive defeat, took advantage of that to go ahead six minutes before half time, Andy Somo the scorer. The Sparks went two up within a minute of the second half, an own goal doubling their lead, but Lane quickly halved the deficit, Josh Green giving them hope, and and another own goal, this one at the other end, made it two-two with twelve minutes remaining. Right at the end we got what seemed to be a winner, Wiktor Makowski making it three-two to the visitors, but somehow there was still time for Tom Collins to make it three-three. Lane stay tenth, the Sparks open up a two point gap on the danger zone. 

Southall hosted Guernsey at Burnham. The All started the weekend in thirteenth, courtesy of an inconsistent campaign during which they’d been very good on occasions, but never for very long. They were looking to avoid a fifth successive defeat, whilst the Green Lions had suddenly picked up, two wins from three- the last of which came in a seven goal thriller against Sutton Common Rovers on New Years Day, courtesy of a winner deep in added time. Guernsey took only two minutes to take the lead, Jacob Fallaize opening the scoring, but The All drew level eleven minutes into the second half courtesy of a familiar scorer, Brendan Matthew taking his tally for the season up to fourteen. The scoring stopped there- Southall thirteenth, Guernsey four points from safety. 

Moneyfields welcomed Ashford Town to Portsmouth, both sides on the up. The Moneys were looking for a fourth win in a row, whilst the Tangerines may have started the day two points from safety but were four unbeaten, and indeed had lost only three of their last ten- and they went ahead in this one on twenty two minutes, Jack Arnold with the opening goal. Just before the break the hosts hit back, Ethan Gee with the equaliser, and somehow there was time for them to get another before the break, Callum Laycock making it two-one. The next goal looked to be crucial, and it arrived on sixty three minutes, taking the hosts into a three-one lead, Harry Thorpe giving them some breathing space. They were out of sight with eighteen minutes remaining, James Franklyn with their fourth, and in added time got a fifth, Isaac Kamin the scorer. Moneyfields climb to eleventh, the Tangerines are now three points from safety.