Isthmian League round-up: Opening-day win for Ramsgate, defeats for Dartford and Welling United - Sittingbourne beat Deal and Sheppey win against 10-man Ashford
Newly-promoted Ramsgate got off to a winning start in the Isthmian Premier on Saturday.
Ben Smith’s Isthmian South East champions won 3-2 at home to Whitehawk despite letting a two-goal lead slip.
Lewis Card and Ryan Kingsford put Rams in charge at the break but the visitors hit back through Rob O’Toole and Josh Nandhra.
Alfie Paxman had sent a spot-kick wide when the score was 2-1 but he held his nerve in stoppage time when he stepped up to convert a second penalty and hand Ramsgate maximum points.
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Dartford as their former player Luke Wanadio bagged an opening-day hat-trick.
Ady Pennock’s Darts lost 4-0 at Dulwich, who led 2-0 inside 17 minutes thanks to Lonit Talla and Wanadio.
The Darts lost defender Ben Frempah to a red card and then Wanadio completed his hat-trick, the visitors missing out on a late consolation when substitute Dan Smith hit the post.
Chatham visited St Albans in a battle of two teams expected to compete at the top end of the table with the points shared in a goalless draw.
St Albans came closest to scoring when former Ebbsfleet defender Lewis Page his the crossbar with 15 minutes left.
New Welling manager Lee Martin suffered defeat in his first game in charge, losing 4-2 at Cheshunt.
The Wings had led through Ruben Shakpoke’s penalty but then shipped three goals before half-time to face a uphill struggle.
Martin made a triple change at the break and while John Ufuah pulled one back, the host wrapped up the points with five minutes left.
Folkestone striker Jake Hutchinson got off the mark in their 1-1 draw at Chichester.
Hutchinson scored on the hour mark but the hosts equalised soon after through Joseph Moore’s penalty.
Cray Valley lost 2-0 at home to