Saturday 10th October

First Division Preview: Five Games as FA Vase Takes Centre Stage

Banstead Athletic v Sheppey Sports
Croydon v Lydd Town
FC Elmstead v Bridon Ropes
Lordswood v Halls
Minster v Lewisham Borough

With the FA Vase taking centre stage this weekend, there is a reduced programme of five matches in the SCEFL First Division on Saturday. However, there are still plenty of important points at stake, with several clubs looking to make ground on those above them.

Lordswood have an opportunity to return to the top of the table when they host Halls AFC. Currently three points behind leaders Rochester United with two games in hand, Lordswood will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at Minster, where they conceded a stoppage-time winner after recovering from two goals down.

The defeat was only their second in nine league matches, and their impressive goal difference of +18 underlines the strength of their campaign so far. Visitors Halls have endured a difficult opening to the season, collecting five points from eight matches, and will be hoping to improve on a run that has seen them lose their last three league games.

Croydon will also be looking for a response when they welcome Lydd Town. After an impressive start to the campaign, Croydon have suffered consecutive defeats against Hythe Town and Stansfeld, dropping to eighth place on 15 points.

They remain just seven points behind the leaders with two games in hand, so a return to winning ways would keep them firmly involved in the promotion race. Lydd, meanwhile, have found victories difficult to come by, winning just once in nine league matches. They sit 13th with seven points and will be keen to halt their recent slide.

Two sides separated by just three points meet when Minster host Lewisham Borough in what promises to be one of the most interesting fixtures of the afternoon.

Minster have made an encouraging start to their first season in the SCEFL, winning five of their opening nine league games. Last Saturday’s dramatic victory over Lordswood was another notable result, with Tom Coyne’s 96th-minute winner securing all three points.

Lewisham are one place above them in sixth, also with 16 points but a slightly better goal difference. Their 4-2 victory over FC Elmstead last weekend returned them to winning ways, and both clubs will see this as an opportunity to strengthen their positions in the chasing pack.

At Longmead Stadium, FC Elmstead entertain Bridon Ropes with both clubs looking to climb away from the lower reaches of the division.

Elmstead sit 12th with 11 points from ten games and will be hoping to respond to their 4-2 defeat at Lewisham Borough. Bridon Ropes find themselves at the foot of the table with four points from nine matches, having lost their last five league games. A positive result would be particularly welcome for the visitors as they look to turn their season around.

The remaining fixture sees Banstead Athletic host Sheppey Sports in another important meeting towards the bottom of the standings.

Banstead are 17th with four points and have suffered seven defeats in their opening nine league fixtures. Sheppey Sports are four places higher in 14th, with six points from six matches, and have played fewer games than any other club in the division.

With the leading sides Rochester United and Hythe Town among those without league fixtures this weekend, there is an opportunity for others to close the gaps in the table.

All five matches kick off at 3pm, with the latest scores and results available throughout the afternoon on Football Web Pages.