Wednesday 25th January
It was honours even at Oakley Road as Holmesdale and Punjab United drew 2-2.
Frankie Sawyer scored on debut for Punjab to give his new side the lead in the 25th minute before Manny Shoderu levelled just before the break – another debutant on the scoresheet.
Chris Edwards restored the visitors advantage, with Fred Obasa making the game even once more.
It was a 4th draw on the spin for Punjab while no team has drawn more games in the Division than Holmesdale.
Phoenix Sports are up to 3rd place in the table after a 5-0 home win against Sutton Athletic.
Match Report: Mark Doig – Kent Sports News
Andy Pugh rolled back the years with a hat-trick as Phoenix Sports put Sutton Athletic to the sword.
Their five star performance extended their unbeaten league run to six matches and put to bed the disappointment of dropping a two goal lead with ten minutes to play when they visited the London Hire ground in early December.
Ryan Hayes was behind the hosts’ fast start when causing strife for the Sutton defence down the right hand side. He cut in from the wing and curled over before driving just wide of the far post.
Tom O’Connor drove over before goalkeeper Joe Hyde claimed a low drive by Henry Douglas.
In the seventh minute, Phoenix went ahead. A sloppy headed back pass was intercepted by Pugh, he rounded Hyde and tucked it into the empty net.
Hayes again chanced his arm with a low curler that went wide before his dangerous cross picked out Frances Babalola however he headed wide.
Babalola had another chance when he broke through, but Hyde timed his challenge well to claim at his feet.
At the other end, England Kurti caused alarms in the Phoenix defence with a low shot towards the bottom corner that drew a full length save out of Liam Northwood.
Soon afterwards, Phoenix added a second. Hayes crossed and Joe Denny’s header drew a brilliant point-blank range save out of Hyde. He wasn’t rewarded for it though, as it looped up for Pugh to head home.
Five minutes after the break, the Sports extended their lead. Martin broke a couple of tackles before squaring to the far side for Hayes to fire into the bottom corner.
Harry Lawrence got onto the end of a quick break but fired well over before Phoenix scored again.
Tom O’Connor sent Pugh clear, and he shot early. Although Hyde got a hand to it, Pugh’s shot was too powerful and found its way just inside the post.
Denny headed wide from a Hayes corner however he made no mistake when Hayes delivered a free kick and he jumped unmarked to head home.
As the game moved into the last fifteen minutes, Conor Johnson drew a flying save out of Hyde and the Sutton goalkeeper made another good save to thwart Martin.
In the closing minutes Alfie Evans squared to Martin, but he shot over before the visitors were reduced to ten men for the last few minutes when Liam Spellward was banished to the sin bin.


