Wells double helps secure surprise win

Sunday football

Northgate Rangers sprang a surprise in the Herne Bay and Whitstable Sunday League when they beat Division 1 promotion hopefuls The Elephant 3-1. Rangers went into the match lying next-bottom with just four wins from 16 matches but climbed out of the relegation zone after goals from Adam Wells (2) and Craig Wynne saw them home. Both the teams above Rangers lost, with Hampton going down 2-1 at home to basement club Woodmans Hall whose hero was twogoal Darren Eke. A1 Tyres have also slipped below Rangers after being beaten 4-2 at home by Blean Sunday. Monument Reserves maintained their three-point lead at the top, sweeping aside Chilham 4-0. Sam Fisher struck twice with Piers Burn and Joe Mullan the other scorers. Wingham head the chasing pack and kept up their challenge with a 4-2 victory over Crusaders. Sam Callander hit a hat-trick with Scott Curtis completing the tally. Sam Baker replied for Crusaders. Louis Brister’s strike earned Littlebourne a point with Premier Division champions Rising Sun, whose goal came from James Turner. Doubles from Nathan Macnally and Steve Baines led Chartham to a 4-2 success over Tankerton Royals. Lewis Heard and Gary Cooper replied for the losers. Jonny Pilcher added another three to his season’s tally as St Stephen’s eased past City Lions 7-0 in Division 2. Alfie Oliver claimed two with James Thatcher and Martin West also on target. Chislet moved to within two points of leaders Faversham Strike Force with a 5-1 victory over bottom club Canterbury Toon. Jack Waite and Callum Kennelly added to Jack Winder’s treble with Jack Allen netting for Toon. Monument PFC A remain in the promotion hunt after winning 4-0 against Whitstable Old Boys. Joe Venes scored twice with Jack Hanson and Buddy Rowden getting the others. Adam Cashford and Ben Rowley scored fro Oara as they beat Littlebourne Reserves 2-0 while Heron won 3-0 away to Faversham United.