Isthmian League week: cup upsets, a derby win and an unbeaten run ends
The clearest sign of how unpredictable Step 4 can be came in the Essex Senior Cup at Lower Road. Canvey Island went out 6-0 at Hullbridge Sports, a side from the Essex Senior League. The club's own match report called the performance "abysmal". Elliott Ronto was sent off on 79 minutes, and Freddy Agyemang scored twice for the hosts, who also had former Gulls goalkeeper Bobby Mason in goal. Three days earlier Canvey had lost 3-1 to Fakenham Town, who had taken two points from their first nine games.
The following night Grays Athletic beat a Hornchurch side made up of academy and under-18 players 8-0. Liam Morritt scored a first-half hat-trick, Brandon Adams and Gabriel Chapps each scored twice, and Callum Burkey scored his first for the club. Grays have since been drawn away to Redbridge in the next round.
Redbridge had already reached it, beating Brightlingsea Regent 5-2 on Monday. Walthamstow went out 3-0 at Hashtag United, a result their own report said should have been reversed given the chances they created. Harrow Borough progressed in the Middlesex Senior Cup after a 3-3 draw with Uxbridge, winning 5-4 on penalties after Lewis Everett saved from Trevan Robinson.
In the league, AFC Portchester lost their unbeaten record when Ashford Town (Middx) won 2-1 at Gosport, where the Royals played what they called their last home game away from the new 3G pitch at The OnSite Group Stadium. They return there on 24 October. Moneyfields won 2-1 against Ascot United on Tuesday, with Tom Cain scoring twice, and now sit fifth in the South Central Division after losing none of their last six.
At the other end of the table, Cray Valley PM drew 1-1 with Faversham Town. Marvel Ekpiteta equalised, and the Millers' match preview noted that Chris Dickson had scored six league goals and no other player had scored more than one. Kingstonian paid a fee for a player for the first time since 2017, signing striker Sam Evans from Farnham Town. Chairman George Vasilaras said the club's ambition was clear and credited the backing of Frank, who is in the process of becoming majority shareholder.
