Saturday January 24

 

FIRST DIVISION

AFC Greenwich Borough 3-0 Greenways

Banstead Athletic 1-4 SE Dons

Bridon Ropes 1-1 Croydon

Chessington & Hook P-P Rochester United

Halls AFC 1-5 Staplehurst Monarchs

Lordswood 0-1 Lydd Town

Welling Town 0-0 Lewisham Borough

 

Despite the conditions doing their best to intervene, enough football survived to deliver a decisive and eventful afternoon in the First Division — with title momentum, survival lifelines, and a couple of games turning on red cards.

At the summit, SE Dons tightened their grip on the division with an emphatic 4–1 win away at Banstead Athletic, opening up a nine-point lead at the top.
Goals from Joe Thomas (30’) and Adrin Tajik (40’) put the Dons in control before Aaron Watson (60’) effectively killed the contest. Kamieko Pope-Campbell added gloss deep into stoppage time (90+2’).
Banstead did grab a late consolation through Ethan Cassie (86’), but this was another statement win from a side that simply refuses to blink.

AFC Greenwich Borough moved up to second place with a dominant 3–0 win over Greenways, settling the battle of the “Greens” well before half-time.
It was the Stefan Payne show early on, with the forward striking twice in nine minutes — first on 22 minutes, then again on 31 — before Malik Sesay added a third just before the break on 44 minutes. Borough were ruthless and composed, extending their superb run and firmly entrenching themselves in the title race. For Greenways, the slide continues.

There was drama at Bridon Ropes v Croydon, which ended 1–1 and marked the first game of a new era for Ropes under Uche Ibemere.
Olusegun Akinwunmi put the hosts ahead early on 13 minutes, but the game swung on 67 minutes when Ropes were reduced to ten men following a red card for Adrian Brown. Croydon eventually made the numerical advantage count late on, with Pat Ward equalising on 86 minutes. A point apiece felt about right — and something for both sides to build on.

One of the results of the day came at Halls AFC, where Staplehurst Monarchs stormed to a stunning 5–1 away win.
Oliver Lankshear struck twice (7’ and 38’) to set the tone, before second-half goals from Bradley Webb (53’) and Toby Sargeant (56’, 80’) turned it into a rout.
Halls’ afternoon began to unravell when Ryan Ramsay was sent off on 37 minutes – their ten men battled away though but substitute Gbolahan Noiki late consolation was far from enough.

At Lordswood, Lydd Town claimed a priceless 1–0 away victory, giving real hope to their survival bid.
Tyler Sterling’s goal on 21 minutes proved decisive as Lydd finally found a way to turn performances into points. Lordswood, meanwhile, saw their play-off push take a knock they could ill afford.

Elsewhere, the weather had the final say at Chessington & Hook v Rochester United, which was postponed — denying Rochester the chance to immediately respond after last week’s setback.

A huge day in the First Division: leaders stretching clear, challengers stepping up, and the relegation battle suddenly looking very different. And yes — everyone’s already refreshing the forecast for next weekend.

 

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