Bank Holiday Monday Round-Up: Vanarama National League South

That was in the battle of the Hawks at The TerraPura Ground against battling Whitehawk, who are now level on points with second-bottom Sussex rivals Bognor Regis Town but still thirteen from the safety-mark.

It was a game of few opportunities as it ended 0-0.

Third-placed Hampton & Richmond Borough were also left frustrated at the Beveree as they were held to a 1-1 draw by seventh-placed Welling United, who finished with nine-men.

It looked as though the Wings had taken a 15th minute lead after Charlie Wassmer`s foul on Adam Coombes resulted in a penalty.

Seny Dieng saved Bradley Goldberg`s spot-kick but Jack Jebb turned in the loose ball – only to be flagged offside.

The visitors did eventually break the deadlock just past the hour-mark when
Jebb sent a long free-kick into the box and Jamie Philpott rose highest to head the ball past Dieng.

Eight minutes later though Welling were reduced to ten-men when Jebb pulled down Max Kretzschmar and received a second yellow card.

It looked as though the ten-men were going to hold out, until stoppage time when Brendan Kiernan pounced for the equaliser.

Welling`s Jack Parkinson was shown a straight red card after the whistle.

St Albans City moved to within two points of the Beavers in fourth after beating another top seven contender, Braintree Town, at Clarence Park.

There were goals at either end of the match with Josh Hill giving the Iron an early 2nd minute lead.

Braintree, whose Good Friday game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch, conceded an equaliser on the hour-mark to Sam Merson, who then pounced to win it for the Saints in the 85th minute.

Chelmsford City moved above neighbours Braintree after a 1-0 win at Melbourne Stadium against a Concord Rangers outfit who remain five points above the drop zone.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game came after 11 minutes when a cross was converted by Scott Fenwick to score on his home debut for the Clarets.

Bath City`s play-off chances took a boost when they inflicted a 5-1 defeat on mid-table neighbours Gloucester City at Twerton Park.

And that after being a goal down in the 24th minute when Lewis Hall put the Tigers ahead.

Opi Edwards equalised 11 minutes later and two goals either side of half-time from Miles Welch-Hayes and Tom Smith stretched the Romans` lead.

And a brace from Antoine Semenyo after 57 and 81 minutes sealed a nap hand for the home side to leave them three points adrift of the top seven, although they have played a game more that most around and above them.

At the other end of the table, apart from Whitehawk`s point against the leaders, it`s as you were with the two other sides in the bottom three, Poole Town and Bognor, both losing.

The Dolphins suffered a 4-0 defeat at Bulpit Lane against a Hungerford Town side who pulled eight points clear of the drop zone as a consequence.

The Crusaders got off to a great start when Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist put them ahead inside the opening minute.

But the visitors settled down to get themselves back in the game without managing to trouble the scorers.

So, 15 minutes from time, Louis Soares doubled the home side`s advantage and 9 minutes later, it was game over with Leigh-Gilchrist`s second of the game.

Nick Bignall added a fourth for good measure in stoppage time.

Bognor lost the Sussex derby 3-0 at Priory Lane against Eastbourne Borough and are, like Whitahawk, thirteen points from safety and needing snookers really to avoid returning to the Bostik League.

Shaun Okojie gave Boro a 25th minute lead that Jamie Taylor doubled 4 minutes after half-time.

Gavin McCallum made sure the bragging rights went to Eastbourne with a third in the 69th minute.

Oxford City`s second successive defeat – Good Friday`s game at Braintree was abandoned – leaves them looking over their shoulders at the drop zone.

City lost 1-0 at home to Chippenham Town and hold a nine-point advantage over Poole, but they can`t afford to relax.

Jake Jackson grabbed the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark to win it for the Bluebirds, whose good Easter has lifted them well clear of trouble.