Saturday 19th January
Premier Division
AFC Croydon 1-2 Corinthian
Cray Valley PM 2-0 Canterbury City
Crowborough Ath 3-1 Glebe
Deal Town 2-2 Punjab United
Lordswood 3-1 Erith Town
Sheppey United 4-0 Croydon
First Division
Forest Hill Park 2-1 Kennington
Rochester United 2-2 Sutton Athletic
Stansfeld 5-2 Lydd Town
Corinthian took advantage of their rivals playing in Cup competition to storm to the top of the Premier Division table. Their 8th win in a row came against AFC Croydon Athletic, but only just as they needed a late winner to seal the game. Jai McKinley got the first of the game to get the Hoops off to a perfect start however Dominic Ogun made the game even on the hour mark. Corinthian were not to be denied of that top spot though and with time running out Conor Johnson found a way to get that winning goal and Corinthian found their way to the summit. Cray Valley kept close to the leading pack, winning 2-0 at home to Canterbury City. Cem Tumkaya and Chris Edwards got the second half goals that keep the 'Millers' in contention. Rob Denness and Dan Bradshaw both scored twice as Sheppey United cruised past Croydon 4-0. The 'Ites' remain 5th, 9 points behind the leaders while the 'Trams' need to pick up points before this season goes away from them. Oliver Welbourn scored a goal of the season contender to inspire Crowborough Athletic to their first win in 9 games. They had to come from behind to do it though as a 60th minute Sam Edwards strike gave Glebe the lead before the magic came 13 minutes later. Receiving the ball 40 yards from goal Welbourn hit a peach of a strike that soared through the sky, over the keeper and into the top corner (view here). A stunning goal that clearly turned the tide of this tight game as the 'Crows' went on to score twice more to get a much needed win, with Adrian Stone and Jack Funnell getting one goal each. Lordswood put in a strong second half performance to beat Erith Town 3-1 at Martyn Grove. A tough run of games has seen them go 5 without a win but they were fully deserving of this one that has earnt them a place back in the top ten again. Three goals in 11 minutes did the damage with Tom Carter and Fjord Rogers getting on the scoresheet before Razzaq Coleman pulled one back for the ten-man Dockers. It looked for along time that Deal Town would get their first win in a while but a late late show from Punjab United denied the 'Hoops' that honour as the sides shared the points at the Charles Sports Ground. Ben Chapman and Harry Alexander gave the hosts and early lead which they held through to the 69th minute when Enzo Kartita set up an exciting finish. It looked like Deal had done enough to get that elusive win but Punjab didnt quit and were rewarded by a 97th minute leveller claimed by George Goodwin.
Photo: The Croydon defence could only look on as another Dan Bradshaw effort hits the back of the net- Credit: Marc Richards - Gallery
In the First Division Forest Hill Park put in a fabulous team performance to hand promotion hopefuls Kennington their first loss in 11 games when beating them 2-1 at the Ladywell Arena. David Duru was the star man scoring a brace as his side moved up to 8th place while having plenty of games in hand on every side above them. Kennington, who scored through Gary Lockyer, will be disappointed to have missed the chance to close in on Welling Town who were without a game today. Sutton Athletic also missed a chance to close the gap as Rochester United scored late in the day to draw their game 2-2. Arlie Desanges opened the scoring in the second minute before Paul Gross equalised for the hosts just before the break. Dan Gunner restored the Sutton advantage in the 53rd minute which looked to be enough for them to clinch the points before Robbie Summerhayes popped up in the final stages to level the game. The highest scoring SCEFL game of the day came at Foxbury as Stansfeld defeated Lydd Town 5-2. Robbie Dolan gave the visitors an early lead before Joe Minter scored twice with Billy Shinners, Bertie Valler and Ryan Hassan getting one each as the hosts continued their unbeaten 2019.
Kent Senior Trophy Quarter Finals
Chatham Town 2-0 Bearsted
Fisher 1-2 Beckenham Town
Holmesdale 1-3 Hollands & Blair
Tunbridge Wells 3-3 St Peter (10-11pens)
Three SCEFL Premier Division sides made it to the semi-finals alongside St Peter FC who made sure their long trip wasn't wasted by sneaking past Tunbridge Wells on penalties. The game at the Culverden Stadium was a classic and the visitors got off to a great start when taking an 8th minute lead. Tom Pearson quickly levelled for Wells but they soon found themselves behind again. It was Harrison Carnegie's turn to level this time before the side from Jersey scored the 5th of the game with only a third of it being played. After a period of calm Jake Beecroft made it 3-3 with 20 to play giving us extra-time which went without a goal. St Peter held their nerve best as we entered the second lap of takers to claim the win and their place in the last 4. They will be joined by Chatham Town who won for the 7th time in a row to get past Bearsted 2-0. Paul Vines got the opener on 4 minutes which was added to by Matt Bodkin later in the first half. The game was played in the memory of Club Legend Steve Binks, who sadly passed away this week, and he would have been proud of the display that his side put on.
Over in Rotherhithe Beckenham Town were narrow victors over promotion rivals Fisher. Jaz Hammond gave the visitors the lead, Rob Bown levelled from the spot and Luis Medina got the winner as Beckenham put their name in the semi-final hat. Hollands & Blair complete the line-up as they went to Holmesdale and showed their extra class to come out 3-1 winners. Jason Mensah, Jason Fregene and Jack Simon all scored for Blair, with Sam Fitzgerald getting a late consolation for the hosts.
Congratulations to St Peter FC, Beckenham Town, Chatham Town and Hollands & Blair for making it through.
Photo: Jason Mensah opens the scoring for Hollands & Blair at Holmesdale in the Kent Senior Trophy - Credit:Alan Coomes - Gallery
London FA Senior Trophy Quarter Finals
Bridon Ropes 1-1 Hackney Wick (15-14pens)
Tooting Bec 6-1 FC Elmstead
Erith & Belvedere 3-0 Phoenix Sports Res.
New Salamis v SC Thamesmead (26th Jan)
Bridon Ropes had to endure a mammoth penalty shoot-out before finally booking themselves a semi-final place. Jacob Kalonda had given the Ropes the lead on the half hour mark but Hackney Wick levelled the match shortly before the end. With no goals in extra time the game went to penalties and as we got closer to midnight Bridon Ropes finally came out on top.
There was no luck for FC Elmstead though as their trip to play Tooting Bec proved to be a tough one. The hosts running out comfortable 6-1 winners as Elmstead now move to 9 consecutive losses.
On Sunday Erith & Belvedere put on an impressive display to get past Phoenix Sports Reserves 3-0. Connor Dobson scored a stunning opener in the 22nd minute before Harry Harding added two more to put the Deres through to the next stage.
Next week SC Thamesmead come up against a side that have scored 10 goals in their two games so far. New Salamis have hit 5 in each match so the Acre will have to take their A-game with them on their journey to North London.
It is with much sadness that the league has to report the death of Brian Smith - Chairman of Slade Green FC.
Following a battle with cancer, Brian Smith Chairman of Slade Green FC passed away on Sunday with pneumonia.
Slade Green were long standing members of the old ‘Kent League’ and Kent County Football Association. Brian was a stalwart of both the club and league for many years and made many friends. As the lead for a small committee they developed the facilities at Moat Lane to continue to play football at a senior level, and compete in FA competitions.
His funeral will be held at Eltham Crematorium on Wednesday 30th January at 12.30pm
A wake to celebrate his life will be held at Brent Old Boys Club. London Road, Dartford, Stone, Dartford DA2 6AS.
Rather than flowers the family would prefer donations to a cancer charity on the day.
All are welcome to attend.
In further sad news we have also been made aware of the passing of Chatham Town Honorary President Steve Binks following a battle with Cancer. Steve was quite simply 'Mr Chatham Town' and all at the League are devastated to have heard this news.
Steve was associated with local football and particularly Chatham Town since the 1970’s and served their club as Youth Manager, Commercial Manager, Fund Raising manager, First Team manager and stand in manager on numerous occasions, Director of football and just recently was made Honorary Life President.
Details of his funeral are as follows:
Friday 1st February – 2.00pm
Garden of England Crematorium
Bobbing, Sheppey Way, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME8 9AH
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