Combined Counties Round Up: 09/01/2017

The Combined Counties League was on fine form on Saturday with not a single 0-0 draw amongst the 19 games played.

Runaway leaders Hartley Wintney secured a comfortable 4-1 win at a very youthful Bedfont Sports side who had been level at half time. Sports now sit in 10th place, albeit with five games in hand over 9th placed Guildford, after the defeat. After a poor run of form recently Westfield returned to winning ways after defeating in-form Hanworth Villa 2-0 in Middlesex, both goals coming in the first half. Hanworth’s slip up gave Walton & Hersham the opportunity to make up some ground, but they lost 2-1 at a resurgent Camberley who have now won their last five games having previously been without a win in six. 5th place Horley also slipped up, losing 3-2 at CB Hounslow. The result ended a shocking run of seven straight defeats for the hosts, and leaves them 17th in the table

Down the bottom end of things Sutton Common Rovers were without a game but their relegation rivals were unable to take full advantage – Raynes Park Vale came the closest after drawing 2-2 at home to Guildford City. It was a devastating result for Park Vale who let a two goal lead slip against 10 men opposition. Bottom side Bedfont & Feltham were hammered 4-1 at Abbey Rangers, who climb to 11th in the table, whilst Badshot Lea were beaten 2-0 at Knaphill. There results look particularly disappointing for those two as several sides just above the relegation zone picked up maximum points. For example Farnham secured a nervy 1-0 win against North Greenford, in front of a decent crowd of 52. AFC Hayes were also victorious, beating Colliers Wood 2-0 at Wibbandune with McDonnell and McCalmon the scorers. The other game in the Combined Counties Premier Division saw an entertaining game between Epsom & Ewell and Spelthorne Sports, the home side winning 3-2 having been a goal down at half time.

In Division One Banstead Athletic remained top after a narrow 2-1 win over Balham, ending the visitors’ five game unbeaten run. Redhill kept the pace with a 4-1 win at Farleigh Rovers, all four goals coming in the second half. The Lobsters are on incredible form, with that result their 10th win in a row. Eversley & California look one of the best placed sides to challenge the top two and did their chances no harm by beating South Park Reserves 6-2. It might have been worse for the away side who were five goals down at half time – fortunately for them they stepped their performance up in the second half. Bagshot, another promotion chasing side, were held to a disappointing 3-3 draw at struggling Cove – the other of the bottom two sides Epsom Athletic were unable to follow in a similar vein, losing 8-0 at Cobham with Kugathas claiming the match ball after scoring four. There were plenty of other high scoring games in Division One, notably Worcester Park defeating Dorking 4-3. It spelt more misery for Dorking who have now lost their last five, but the real winner was the neutral who would have seen the Chicks nearly pull off an amazing comeback from 4-1 down. Chessington & Hook kept their promotion hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Sheerwater, a game in which they might have felt they should have won by more based on chances. There was a 3-2 scoreline at Ash United as well, with AC London picking up all 3 points there. Elsewhere in Division One Frimley Green defeated Staines Lammas 4-1

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