Vanarama Conference South September 5th 2015

Matt Lee Football Article
Saturday 5th September 2015

There was very little movement in the Vanarama National League South table as eight of the eleven match ended as draws.

Bath City still head the table and remain unbeaten, but had to take a point from a goalless draw with improving Dartford at Twerton Park. Bath, who created numerous chances to take the lead, were denied by a combination of poor efforts and some fine saves from Deren Ibrahim.

Ebbsfleet United extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, beating Maidenhead United at Stonebridge Road. Matt Godden put the Fleet ahead after 18 minutes and Jordan Parkes doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark looked to have the points sealed for Ebbsfleet.

But the visitors fought back and a Dave Tarpey strike just before the hour-mark pulled them back into the game. However, the hosts gained all three points courtesy of Godden’s second 20 minutes from time.

Gosport Borough maintained their unbeaten start to the season but had to make do with one point as Maidstone United held them to a 0-0 stalemate. Jay May took the visitor’s best chance. His effort on 15 minutes made sure that Nathan Ashmore needed to be at his best to turn his stunning shot over the bar.

Weston-super-Mare earned their first win of the new season, beating Bishop’s Stortford a goal to nil at the ProKit UK Stadium. Scott Wilson scored the only goal of the game for Weston just before half-time. August’s player of the month, Elliott Buchanan, hit the woodwork in both halves and went close with a head in the final minutes but Stortford couldn’t grab an equaliser.

Oxford City and Whitehawk failed to live up to their expectations as the division’s two highest scorers by drawing 0-0 at Marsh Lane.

A tale of two late penalties meant Hemel Hempstead were held to a 2-2 draw with Basingstoke at Vauxhall Road. Goals from Matty Harriott in the 8th minute and Chris Flood on 38 minutes for the visitors had seen the two sides go in level at half-time. The Tudors then thought they had won when Jamie Slabber slotted home from 12 yards following a trip on Willy Gnahore in the 85th minute.

But Hemel’s joy was short-lived as Basingstoke were awarded a penalty three minutes later when Terrell Forbes was penalised for climbing on his man in the area. Liam Enver-Mark slotted the spot-kick home to rescue a point for Jason Bristow’s men who are without a win so far this season.

As are Margate, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at Hartsdown Park against St Albans who were chasing their first victory of the season. The Saints triumphed courtesy of Louie Theophanous’ goal seven minutes into the second half.

Goals and wins were scarce this weekend as Eastbourne Borough vs Truro City and Hayes & Yeading United vs Wealdstone also shared goalless draws at Priory Park and York Road respectively.

However there were four goals at the Borough Sports Ground and Melbourne Stadium. Craig McAlister put Sutton United in front second before half-time but Steve Cawley pulled the visitors back on level terms 7 minutes after the break. Dan Spence restored the U’s lead on the hour-mark, before Lewis Taaffe equalised almost straight after the restart.

Meanwhile, in Chelmsford, the Clarets let a two-goal lead slip as Havant & Waterlooville earned a draw out of almost nothing. Billy Bricknell put the home side ahead, converting from Aiden Palmer’s cross two minutes before the break before Lee Sawyer scored from 12-yards to put the Clarets two-up at the break.

But Matt Paterson lobbed Christian Dibble to score Havant’s first away goal of the season, before Brian Stock’s wonder goal meant the points would be shared.

Full Scores & Attendances:

Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Maidenhead United – 1016

Bath City 0-0 Dartford – 776

Chelmsford City 2-2 Havant & Waterlooville – 736

Sutton United 2-2 Concord Rangers – 730

Margate 0-1 St Albans City – 635

Gosport Borough 0-0 Maidstone United – 633

Eastbourne Borough 0-0 Truro City – 532

Hemel Hempstead 2-2 Basingstoke Town – 414

Hayes & Yeading Utd 0-0 Wealdstone – 359

Bishop’s Stortford 0-1 Weston-Super-Mare – 348

Oxford City 0-0 Whitehawk

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