Saturday September 26
FIRST DIVISION FIXTURES
Banstead Athletic v Stansfeld
Bridon Ropes v Minster
Croydon v Rochester United
Greenways v Staplehurst Monarchs
Lewisham Borough v Hythe Town
Lydd Town v SC Thamesmead
Tooting Bec v Lordswood
Welling Town v Sheppey Sports
FIRST DIVISION PREVIEW
The SCEFL First Division returns with a full programme on Saturday and there are some fascinating contests involving the leading sides, with Croydon hosting Rochester United, unbeaten Hythe Town travelling to Lewisham Borough and leaders Lordswood facing an in-form Tooting Bec.
With the season beginning to settle into a rhythm, Lordswood and Rochester currently lead the way on 19 points, although the picture is complicated by the differing number of games played. Hythe are only four points behind the leading pair having played just five matches, while SC Thamesmead, Lewisham Borough and Staplehurst Monarchs remain firmly involved in the chasing group.
One of the standout fixtures comes at Croydon, where Rochester United are the visitors. Rochester moved level with Lordswood on Tuesday night thanks to an 88th-minute winner from new signing Pat Ward against Sheppey Sports and have now collected 19 points from nine games. Croydon sit seventh on 12 points but have played two games fewer and will be looking to respond after suffering their first league defeat of the season against Hythe last weekend.
Lordswood face a very different challenge when they travel to Tooting Bec. The leaders have been in devastating scoring form, following a 6-0 victory against Lydd Town with a 7-1 win over Welling Town. Those results have helped them build a remarkable +19 goal difference after eight matches.
Tooting, however, will approach the game with plenty of confidence of their own. A 4-0 victory over Halls AFC last Saturday was followed by Wednesday night’s excellent 3-0 success at Lewisham Borough, meaning they have scored seven times without conceding in their last two outings.
There is another major game at Ladywell Arena as Lewisham Borough welcome Hythe Town. Hythe are the division’s only remaining side with a perfect league record, winning all five of their matches so far. Their latest victory was an impressive 3-2 success at previously unbeaten Croydon, leaving them third with 15 points and games in hand on everyone above them.
Lewisham will be aiming to bounce back quickly from their midweek defeat to Tooting. They have 13 points from eight games and a victory on Saturday would move them above Hythe, although the Cannons would still have played four games more.
SC Thamesmead are also among the leading group and travel to Lydd Town. Thamesmead have scored 23 goals already – matching Lordswood’s total – and sit fourth following last weekend’s late fightback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Greenways. Lydd are 13th and will be looking for a response after their heavy defeat at Lordswood in their most recent league outing.
Staplehurst Monarchs return to league action with a trip to Greenways. Staplehurst have 13 points from only six matches and therefore remain well placed among the early challengers, while Greenways have drawn their last two league games and will be looking to turn those points into a victory.
Further down the table, Minster travel to Bridon Ropes looking to continue an encouraging run which has brought wins over SC Thamesmead and Banstead Athletic in their last two league outings. Bridon are currently at the foot of the table on four points and will be searching for their second victory of the campaign.
Banstead Athletic host Stansfeld, with the home side also on four points following Wednesday night’s 2-1 defeat at FC Elmstead. Stansfeld arrive with eight points from seven matches and will be aiming to get back on track following consecutive league defeats.
The day’s programme is completed by Welling Town against Sheppey Sports. Welling’s scheduled midweek game against Halls AFC was postponed due to pitch conditions, while Sheppey were only denied a point at Rochester on Tuesday by that late Pat Ward goal.
With the top two facing difficult away and home assignments respectively, Hythe protecting the division’s only 100 per cent record and several sides just behind them holding games in hand, Saturday could provide another significant afternoon in an increasingly competitive First Division.