Season 2019-20 – Kennington
The season may have come to an sudden end and all results expunged but games did take place and plenty of teams had a year to remember. Here we look back at some of the sides that had an impressive First Division campaign.
Kennington
Kennington sat at the top of the First Division and were one of 7 teams in the hunt for one of the 4 promotion places on offer when the season was brought to an early end. We were denied an exciting finish to the campaign and unfotunately Kennington were denied the right reward for their efforts throughout the year.
Kennington had 6 games to play and had a Points Per Game average of 2.11 which, had they maintained through to the natural end would have seen them finish on around 68 points. That would easily have seen them gain a promotion place and would have placed them as one of the main title contenders.
Unplayed Games
Forest Hill Park, Croydon, SC Thamesmead, Lewisham Boro, Meridian VP, Stansfeld
6 games were left – 2 against promotion rivals.
Selected wins
6-2 Lewisham Boro
5-1 Rochester Utd
7-0 Meridian VP
4-1 Kent Football Utd
4-1 Greenways
6-3 Bridon Ropes
5-0 Kent Football Utd
League Defeats x5
2-1 FC Elmstead (A)
4-3 SC Thamesmead (A)
1-0 Stansfeld (A)
1-0 Rusthall (H)
2-1 Rusthall (H)
The games at Stansfeld and Rusthall were the only time in the league that Kennington failed to score this season. They were the top scorers in the Division and had 17 players hit the net for them.
Top League Scorers
Gary Clarke – 12
Tom Scorer – 10
Gary Lockyer – 8
Ryan Philpott – 7
Charlie Owen – 6
Joe Fisher – 5
Cup Competitions
Their league campaign is not the only place where Kennington have seen success this year. They impressed in Cups and, held a place in the Challenge Cup semi final. Wins over Deal Town and Lordswood helped them on the way there and now they are just 180 minutes away from reaching a Cup final. They also got through a few rounds of the Kent Senior Trophy before losing at Corinthian while they gained 3 FA Vase wins before eventually losing out to Newhaven.
Summary
It was a huge shame that the enforced early end to the season denied us of a thrilling promotion race in the First Division. Kennington were right in the mix for the honours and had been in great form throughout the whole season. Gary Clarke was a real star for the Ton throughout the year and if we ever did a Player of the Season award he would have to be a strong contender for it.
Indeed all involved at the club should be extremely proud of their efforts throughout the year and rest assured Dan Scorer and his side are sure to be battling it out at the top of the table whenever the next season comes around.
Follow their journey on Twitter here, and via their rather excellent website here
Main photo: Paul Davies