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Ryman League football round-up

Shaun Welford
Shaun Welford

A defensive horror show wrecked Maidstone United's first league game at the Gallagher Stadium in front of the fifth highest non-league gate of the day.

A crowd of 1,569 saw United, right, lose their Ryman League Division 1 South opener 5-4 to a Walton & Hersham side whose quick forwards proved too much for the Stones defence.

Phil Williams put the visitors in front but two goals from Paul Booth - a penalty and a header from Michael Phillips' cross - gave Maidstone a 2-1 lead at half-time.

However the home crowd were stunned as goals by Williams, Graeme Purdy and Jason Henry put the visitors in charge.

Alex Flisher pulled one back in injury-time, followed by Purdy's second, before Phillips gave United hope with a tidy strike.

Striker Carl Rook marked his Margate debut by scoring in a 2-0 home victory over Hendon in the Ryman League Premier Division. Richard Avery had opened the scoring with the help of a big deflection.

Cray Wanderers took the lead inside 90 seconds at newly-promoted Leiston when Mark Willy finished a corner. But Wands were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after Luke Hammond curled home a free-kick just past the half-hour.

In Ryman League Division 1 South, Antonio Gonnella scored an injury-time equaliser as Faversham Town twice battled back from two goals down to snatch a point against Eastbourne Town.

Dan Lawrence and Danny Curd kept Town in touch before Gonnella's effort secured a 3-3 draw.

A goal three minutes from time denied Herne Bay a point on their Ryman League debut. Bay played some neat football but visitors Tooting & Mitcham snatched the points through Joseph Acquah.

Folkestone v Worthing
Folkestone v Worthing

Folkestone Invicta made an impressive start with a 2-1 win against Worthing at Cheriton Road, left. Josh Burchell gave Invicta the lead, with James Everitt heading the winner after Tom Lawley equalised.

Former Margate striker Tom Bradbrook scored the only goal with eight minutes left as Whitstable Town were edged out at Leatherhead.

Luke Girt grabbed an 86th-minute winner as 10-man Sittingbourne won 2-1 at New Bridges. Brickies, who had Ashley Ulph sent off, took the lead through a Scott Faber own-goal before Joel O'Hara equalised.

Hythe Town hit the ground running with a 3-1 win at Walton Casuals. Dave Cook struck in the second minute, with Brendon Cass and George Savage completing a comfortable win for Scott Porter's side.

Goalkeeper Ashley Bourne was sent off seconds into his debut as Ramsgate lost 3-0 at Dulwich Hamlet. Rams were three down by half-time but the 10 men contained Hamlet well after the break.

In Ryman League Division 1 North, two goals apiece for Jean-Michel Sigere and Gary Tilley saw Chatham Town to a 4-0 win at home to Waltham Abbey, below. Ryan Palmer marked an impressive Chats debut with three assists.

Thamesmead lost 2-1 at 10-man Witham Town. Ashley Probet pulled a goal back after the hosts had keeper Scott Pethers sent off for two yellow cards, but Mead couldn't force an equaliser.

Chatham v Waltham Abbey
Chatham v Waltham Abbey
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