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Sevenoaks & District Football League Round–Up (20/10/07)
Smiths Cup
The Smiths Charity Cup Competition got under way on Saturday and there were some rousing ties. Some games proved a nightmare for defences as forwards made merry with goals galore
Three ties needed extra time before arriving at a result and one between Kemsing United and Ightham where no fewer than eleven penalties were taken on either side before the former went through 8-7.
Paul Day the Kemsing United goalkeeper proved to be a hero and not for the first time this season as be brought off a series of outstanding saves in the Senior Section. However, Day could do little to prevent his side trailing to strikes by Steve George and a further goal from Martin Rowling. Kemsing United clawed their way back into the tie equalising before going into the ascendancy only for Rowling to get his second goal and force the issue into extra time where neither side was able to break the deadlock. Earlier it has been the turn of Ightham’s keeper Peter Wilmore to pull off a number of excellent saves.And so to a penalty shoot-out where the scores ebbed and flowed until it went to a sudden kick-out with Justin Cole getting the all important deciding penalty after Day yet again had come to his team’s rescue. During normal time Marc Hawkins (2) and Adam Shaw had netted for the victors.
Another tie to wet the appetite of the spectators saw Nomads entertain Wilderpark and progress to the next round with an 8-5 victory. It was quite a remarkable match with Nomads initially taking the lead before a delightful chip by Paul Burgess levelled the scores.Nomads then forged ahead holding a 3-1 interval lead. Into the second half the Park drew level with credits from Joe McLoughlin and Mark Davies. During a hectic five minute spell Nomads then took a 6-3 lead only for Park to claw their way back with goals by P. Burgess and a tremendous left shot by Mike Daines.With the scores delicately balanced the Park were denied a penalty when P. Burgess was brought down inside the area but the referee waved away the visitors protests. Nomads then went to the other went the other end to increase their lead when Danny Brazenell combined well on the edge of the six-yard area to set up brother Billy Brazenell. Almost on the whistle the victors added another goal. The other goal scorers for Nomads were Andrew Twinn (3), Simon Wellbourne, Colin Sharp, Danny and Bill Brazenell.
In the Premier section Hildenborough Athletic coasted to a comfortable 5-0 success over hosts Seal Reserves. John Loveday grabbed a hat-trick and there were individual strikes for Adam Davies and Darren Yeung. Athletic now face Dunton Green away in a Second Round encounter.
Darren Wamisham was another hat trickster as he led the Dunton Green marksmen against Westerham 3rd. The Green went on to record a 6-2 advantage with further strikes coming through courtesy of Andrew Jarvis, Richard Edgar and Alex Church.
Orpington 3rd put up a brave performance against free scoring Ide Hill before losing 3-1 in a tie which was forced into extra time with the scores being level at one apiece after 90 minutes play while Fleetdown United saw off the challenge of visiting Sevenoaks Weald Reserves to win 2-1. Steve Dadson scored Weald’s consolation goal.
In an entertaining match between Old Boars and Tonbridge Baptist Church played at Sundridge Recreation Ground and which was a credit to local football the visitors went through to the next stage following a 2-0 advantage. Both teams carved out a number of scoring chances but it was not until the 64th minute that the Baptist Church went ahead. Danny Smith ran on to a through ball to slide it past the Old Boars keeper Dave Jenkins. Six minutes from the end a William Lee Kemp shot clipped the crossbar and then the returning Freddie Akhurst almost levelled the scores.The tie was finally put beyond doubt when good work by Phil Hutchinson down the right flank enabled Smith to slot home a cross to make the score 2-0.
Hildenborough Athletic Reserves went on the goal rampage against hosts St. George's (Wrotham) to win 12-1. Saints played in an excellent spirit but were totally outclassed by their opponents with hat tricks coming from Junior Goffe and Craig Waller.Also on target were Martin Donnelley (2), man of the match Sam Hill (2), Mark Stratton together with substitute Richard Carey.
Cup favourites Crockham Hill eased to a 4-2 victory over St. Lawrence Reserves to set up an intriguing quarterfinal tie against Kingsdown Racers Reserves. Jess Holland notched a brace of goals while Danny Lazenby and Tim Greenaway also added their names to the score sheet. Ollie Chesterman with a header and Alex Legge-Beale replied for Saints.
Jamie Height (2), Luke Hewitt and Steve Baker helped Kingsdown Racers Reserves to a comfortable 4-1 success over Otford United 3rd at Otford Recreation Ground whilst Riverhead United went through to the next stage due to opponents Dowgate Priory’s withdrawal from the Competition.
In a remarkable Junior tie between Seal 4th and Dunton Green Reserves the two teams shared no fewer than fifteen goals before the latter crept home getting the odd goal to win 8-7. For the Green Brian Smith notched four goals, Lee Gower a hat trick while Dave Purday scored the other goal. Dan Callingham (3) and Dom Andrews were Seal’s principle goal getters.
Potters FC and unbeaten Kemsing United Reserves were also involved in a goal feast with Kevin Nutton getting the all important deciding goal in extra time to give the villagers a narrow 5-4 victory. The tie ebbed and flowed throughout with Potters initially taking the lead through Mike Baverley. Kemsing United Reserves fought back to go in at the interval leading 3-2 but into the second period two goals by Mike Bateman restored Potters lead only for the visitors to level and force the tie into extra time.Paul Dalton notched a brace for Kemsing with Chris Wood also scoring along with an own goal. Seal Smart scored the other goal for Potters.
Nick Carter scored for Ightham Reserves but it was to no avail as opponents Tonbridge Baptist Church Reserves were already leading 3-0 with strikes by courtesy of Wes Laker, a magnificent Graham Cook shot and Gary Smith. The Baptist Church thus won 3-1.
League Fixtures
There was a much reduced League fixture list. In the Premier Division the afternoon’s goal feast continued as Halstead United and Borough Green United shared eight goals. In a game of two halves, an oft-used cliché, United held a 3-0 lead at one stage but lost keeper Danny Ralph through injury just before half time.United almost grabbed a late winner but were denied by the home keeper Liam Page (2), Joe Fraser and Scott Dixon netted for the visitors while a brace of goals each for Fred Lee and Pete Smith replied for Halstead United.
Sevenoaks Weald just had the scoring edge over unbeaten Eynsford to win 3-2. Tom Pattenden (2) and Grant Booker were the scorers with Craig Jakeway, and David England replying for the visitors.
It was an indifferent afternoon for the Eynsford club as the Reserve team crashed 4-1 to AW London. In the first half AW London kicked uphill and played Jose Justo as a lone striker. They soaked up a lot of pressure and hit Eynsford on the break several times before Justo opened the scoring midway through the half. Almost on the half time whistle Eynsford Reserves equalised through Tony Gilham.
The visitors changed their tactics during the second half and within five minutes Justo restored his team’s lead. Midway through the half and following good work by Antony Croissant coupled with a sublime cross, which found the head of Bill Payne who gave the keeper no chance of saving. A Rob Enoch header following a brilliant run by 16 year old Sam Marden and an accurate cross wrapped up the scoring stakes.
