Alderney march on – Lions mauled

A Ross Benfield goal after just two minutes has taken the Ridunians level with St Martin’s at the top of the FNB Priaulx League and they will go clear if they gain at least a point at home to North next Saturday.

The result became better when defending champions Rovers failed to beat Sylvans at Port Soif, finally ending any hope of Jez Robin’s side clinching a hat-trick of titles. They now sit eight points behind the top two, on level games.

Dale Webb put Rovers ahead in first-half stoppage time after Luke Winch had a shot pushed onto the post, but January FNB player of the month Joe Collenette fired Sylvans level in the second half.

Meanwhile, on the north Kent coast, the Green Lions suffered a fifth defeat in a seven-match spell which has seen them accrue just two draws and sucked deeper than ever into the relegation mire in Bostik SE.

It was a poor performance that saw them lose a vital six-pointer at Whitstable Town, this after they led 1-0 at the break through a Matt Loaring penalty.

Near-constant pressure from the Oysterboys told and, after conceding three second half goals, GFC drop a place in the table and are now three points behind their conquerors having played a game more. As the picture darkens for GFC, they are only being kept off the bottom by struggling Greenwich Borough.

• More in Monday's Guernsey Press.