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Ryman League round-up

Ramsgate have preserved their Ryman League Division 1 South status, but did it the hard way fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Corinthian Casuals at Southwood.

Scott Punton scored at both ends in a dramatic nervy afternoon, with Simon Halsey's men needing only a point to survive.

Punton's early own-goal and Mahrez Betteche put the Surrey club in front, before Punton pulled one back just after the half-hour, before Joe Taylor put Rams level with 25 minutes left.

Simon Halsey. Picture: Steve Crispe
Simon Halsey. Picture: Steve Crispe

East Grinstead led until the 83rd minute at Whitstable - but Aaron James and Ian Pulman's 89th minute winner turned things around, and means Ramsgate stay up, and the West Sussex side are down.

The result also confirmed Whitstable finish in eighth, their highest position since being promoted from the Kent League.

Neighbours Herne Bay are celebrating a similar achievement after Joe Nelder's 48th-minute winner at play-off qualifiers Whyteleafe ensured they end the season in ninth.

Harry Smith netted for Sittingbourne in their 3-1 defeat at Merstham while Phil Stevenson and Shaun Welford helped Hythe pull level at Chipstead, only to lose 3-2.

The play-off semi-finals on Tuesday are confirmed with Neil Cugley's Folkestone Invicta meeting Whyteleafe while Ray Turner's Faversham host Merstham.

Neil Cugley Picture: Gary Browne
Neil Cugley Picture: Gary Browne

Ian Draycott netted as Folkestone drew 1-1 at home to champions Burgess Hill, while Wayne Wilson scored twice as Faversham came from a goal down to crush Walton Casuals 5-1 at Salters Lane.

Wilson (45, 52), Dave Botterill (47), Jamie Maxted (65) and Stuart King (78) were the scorers.

Ray Turner Picture: Chris Davey
Ray Turner Picture: Chris Davey

Billy Bricknell scored twice (38, 83) as Maidstone clinched the Ryman League Premier Division title with a 3-2 win over East Thurrock at the Gallagher Stadium.

Jay May (22) put them in front, with Mitchell Gilbey (75) and Max Cornhill (84) making sure the Essex side stayed in the contest.

Kane Wills' 39th-minute goal earned Margate their 1-0 win at Bognor Regis, a badly needed confidence booster ahead of their midweek play-off semi-final at home to Dulwich Hamlet.

The South London club were denied victory by a superb free-kick by on-loan Mitchell Pinnock as Tonbridge Angels earned a 2-2 draw at Longmead. Marvin Williams (18) put them ahead, but Harry Ottaway (22) and Xavier Vidal (72) put Hamlet in front, before Pinnock rifled home the 85th minute equaliser.

VCD survived courtesy of a 2-0 win over Billericay - their sixth successive victory, with goals by James Duckworth and former Ebbsfleet midfielder Lanre Azeez. They finish 18th, with Angels 20th, four points clear of relegated Peacehaven.

Cray Wanderers, already safe in Ryman League Division 1 North, earned a club record 10th successive win with a 2-0 success at Dereham with goals by Orlando Smith (41) and Carl Rook (87).

Chatham finished 21st, two points clear of the drop, after losing 5-0 at home to champions Needham Market.

Thamesmead lost 2-1 at runners-up Harlow, Tyrus Gordon-Young (31) was their scorer. They end the campaign in 13th place.

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