BOOMING CROWDS SERVED UP A TOP TREAT
STEP 3
A RECORD capacity crowd of 3,000 at the Bauvill Stadium witnessed the latest chapter in Chatham Town’s remarkable story as they remained on course for a third straight promotion.
The Chats came through a tense semi-final encounter with Horsham on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a nerve-jangling period of extra time.
After a goalless first 90 minutes, it took until the second half of extra time for the deadlock to be broken when Kareem Iziaka converted from close range to put the hosts in front.
But a fine strike from James Hammond six minutes later levelled it up and took the tie to penalties.
Chatham goalkeeper Mitch Beeney went first and blasted his kick over, but later redeemed himself by saving two for his side.
Jamie Yila stepped up to convert the winner for Kevin Hake’s men and spark scenes of jubilation.
Like Chatham, Enfield Town played in front of a record home crowd – 2,225 – as they overcame north London rivals Wingate & Finchley in a tense encounter.
Town forward Jake Cass was forced off in the first half through injury, but his replacement Joe Payne proved a worthwhile replacement with an assist for the winner on 67 minutes. The left-back’s trademark long throw was headed home by Taylor McKenzie and that was enough for the hosts to progress.
STEP 4
IT turned into late nights for Marlow and Leatherhead as they overcame stern opposition to reach today’s South Central final.
Second-placed Marlow had to wait until just shy of the hour to take the lead against Westfield, through Ben Mulley, but squandered a chance to double it when Dawid Rogalski’s penalty was saved by Sonny Wheeler.
Caleb Wright made them pay by levelling for Westfield, but Rogalski redeemed himself by restoring the Blues’ lead with his 41st goal of the season.
Westfield refused to lie down as Alfie Huckle’s goal took them to extra time, where Marlow substitute Brandon Curtis’ free-kick saw them through.
Just over 1,000 spectators saw Leatherhead and Southall go the distance in the other semi-final.
Southall took the lead just after half-time through Jaden Thompson-Brissett, but Tyler Cox’s fine individual goal just past the hour levelled it up.
Southall replaced goalkeeper Kojusoluwa Abayomi with Michael Edegbe for the penalty shootout but he was helpless as three misses by the visitors saw the Tanners prevail.
Both away sides were successful in the Isthmian North semi-finals with Bowers & Pitsea and Brentwood Town winning through.
Bowers needed penalties to win at Felixstowe & Walton United, who needed Josh Hitter’s stoppage time leveller to drew level at 2-2 and take the tie to extra time.
Bowers twice took the lead, through TQ Addy and Benas Valvada but after Josh Mayhew and Hitter hit back, Bowers won through thanks to two saves from goalkeeper David Hughes in the shootout.
Second-placed Bury Town were denied by Brentwood 3-1 with all the goals coming in a thrilling period of extra time.
Bury’s Ryan Jolland cancelled out Mekhi McKenzie’s strike five minutes earlier but the visitors won through thanks to Daniel Ogunleye and Shad Ngandu.
In the South East, Chichester City produced the shock of the night by knocking out long-time division leaders Ramsgate in front of a crowd of almost 1,500.
The Lilywhites finished 20 points behind hosts Ramsgate, who had ended their 13-game unbeaten run 10 days previous.
On a memorable night, City stopped Ramsgate adding to their 106 league goals (eight against themselves) with a 1-0 win thanks to Mo Jammeh’s 87th minute strike.
They take on Three Bridges, who came from behind to beat Sittingbourne 2-1 with Ibrahim Jalloh’s penalty and Noel Leighton’s 87th-minute bundled winner, cancelling out Chris Harris’ first-half opener for the Brickies.