Hendon announce death of midfielder Ezekiel Williams, aged 26

The week's most serious news came away from the pitch. Hendon announced the death of midfielder Ezekiel Williams, aged 26, who joined the club in September and scored his first goal for them against Jersey Bulls ten days earlier. The club postponed its London Senior Cup tie with Woodford Town, and a stream of Step 4 clubs, among them Ascot United, Marlow, Bedfont Sports and Winchester City, posted condolences. Ascot United and Marlow noted he had played for them.

On the pitch, Whitstable Town stood out. They beat Erith Town 2-0 on Saturday, with Matty Holness and Robbie Rees scoring, then won 4-2 at Horley Town on Tuesday to make it nine consecutive Isthmian South East wins. Their club report has them one point off the top before the midweek game, and they travel to Sevenoaks Town, now managed by their former manager Marcel Nimani, looking for a tenth. In the same division, Herne Bay beat Sevenoaks 5-0 on Tuesday, Ade Azeez scoring twice, and Merstham won 5-1 in midweek on their new 3G pitch after their return home the previous weekend, when 1,023 attended a defeat to Ashford United.

Managerial changes came in three divisions. Ashington parted with Marc Ellison by mutual agreement and appointed Paul Dunn as interim manager, with Liam Bridcutt as his assistant, after a 2-1 defeat at Hallam left them in a relegation place in the NPL East. Wroxham announced that Jordan Southgate had resigned, with Ryan Fuller and Daz Plowman-Read taking charge at Cambridge City. Aylesbury United said Paul Batchelor had left as first-team manager, days after a 3-0 defeat at Ware.

In the NPL Midlands, Long Eaton United won 3-1 at Boldmere St Michaels, ending a run of seven away defeats, with Alex Marshall scoring a hat-trick inside the first 30 minutes. Nuneaton Town beat Coventry United 3-1, and Carlton Town beat AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4-2 to go third. Belper Town signed Evan Garnett, who had left Long Eaton, and manager Lee Attenborough used a long squad statement to explain the club's recruitment approach.

In the Southern League, Hartpury beat Shaftesbury 4-0 for a third straight win, and Dorchester Town won 4-0 at Bishops Cleeve, with new signing Rafael Ramos available for the game. Elsewhere, Grays Athletic appealed to supporters after saying a sponsor had not honoured an agreed financial commitment.