Zac caps splendid U’s comeback

The U’s won 2-1 away to Canvey Island in Sean Ray’s first Ryman Football League Premier Division away fixture as player/manager despite trailing at half time.

It was United’s first win of 2011/12 against top half opposition and it moves them up to 15th – seven points above the four relegation places and only three outside the top half.

United, who gave first league starts to Matt Whitehead and Joe Barham, fell behind when Josh Jirbandey’s clearance struck Scott Manning and rebounded into the net.

But they drew level when Lee Carey’s low cross was turned into his own net by Steve Sheehan and Zac Attwood, pictured, drilled home a well-deserved 88th minute winner.

Elsewhere last night, Rye United bounced straight back from their weekend FA Vase disappointment with a 6-1 victory away to Crowborough Athletic.

Phil Rhodes (2) and Allan McMinigal put Rye three-up at half time before Kele Buay (2) and Wes Tate made sure of their place in the Sussex County League John O’Hara League Cup quarter-finals.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Ryman Premier standings (played-points): 1 Billericay Town 16-37, 2 AFC Hornchurch 17-35, 3 Lowestoft Town 16-35, 4 Met Police 16-31, 5 Lewes 16-28, 6 Cray Wanderers 16-27, 7 Bury Town 16-27, 8 Hendon 16-27, 9 Canvey Island 17-26, 10 Wingate & Finchley 16-23, 11 Carshalton Athletic 16-22, 12 Wealdstone 16-21, 13 Kingstonian 18-21, 14 Harrow Borough 16-20, 15 HASTINGS UNITED 17-19, 16 Margate 14-18, 17 Tooting & Mitcham United 16-16, 18 Aveley 17-15, 19 Concord Rangers 16-12, 20 East Thurrock United 13-11, 21 Leatherhead 14-9, 22 Horsham 17-9.