Saturday October 3

A new month begins in the SCEFL First Division on Saturday with six fixtures on the programme and several intriguing contests involving the sides at the top end of the table.

Lordswood begin October as league leaders, although the table remains extremely tight. They have 19 points from eight games and travel to Minster, who have quietly put together an encouraging start to their first SCEFL campaign. Three wins from their last four league outings have lifted Minster to eighth on 13 points, while Lordswood return to action after last weekend’s scheduled trip to Tooting Bec was postponed.

Level with Lordswood on 19 points are Rochester United, although they have played two games more. Their excellent early-season start has been checked by three defeats in their last six league matches, including last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Croydon. They will look for a response at home to Tooting Bec, who arrive at Rede Court Road sitting tenth with 11 points.

Perhaps the most eye-catching fixture comes at Staplehurst, where Hythe Town put their perfect league record on the line against Staplehurst Monarchs. Hythe have been faultless so far, winning all six of their First Division matches and scoring 15 goals in the process. That leaves them just one point off the summit despite having games in hand on everyone above them.
Staplehurst, though, have proved difficult to beat themselves. The Monarchs have lost just once in seven league matches and sit seventh on 14 points, so Hythe’s 100 per cent record faces another significant examination.

There is another attractive contest at the Artic Stadium as Stansfeld host Croydon. Stansfeld head into Saturday in excellent form following Wednesday night’s 4-0 victory at Halls, their third successive league win without conceding. That run has lifted them to sixth, just one point behind fifth-placed Croydon.
Croydon have also enjoyed a strong opening couple of months, losing only once in eight league matches. Last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Rochester took them onto 15 points and another positive result would keep them firmly among the leading group.

Lewisham Borough and FC Elmstead meet at Ladywell Arena with just two points separating the sides. Lewisham sit ninth on 13 points but have lost their last two league games, while Elmstead have climbed to 11th following successive victories over Stansfeld and Banstead Athletic.

The day’s other fixture sees Halls AFC host Greenways. Halls will be looking for an immediate response after Wednesday’s defeat to Stansfeld, while Greenways have drawn four of their ten league games so far and were held 0-0 by Staplehurst last weekend.

With only five points separating the top seven, there is still little room for anyone to pull clear. Lordswood and Rochester currently lead the way, but unbeaten Hythe are lurking just behind with games in hand, while SC Thamesmead, Croydon, Stansfeld and Staplehurst are all within striking distance.

October begins with plenty still to play for in what is developing into a fascinating First Division promotion race.