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Sevenoaks & District Football League Round–Up (27/10/07)
Premier division
Premier Division leaders Sevenoaks Town A and Borough Green United produced a rousing local derby at Greatness Park on Saturday with the spoils finally being shared from a 2-2 drawn encounter. The match flowed from end to end throughout with the A team always threatening going forward. They went ahead when a Brad Draper shot was deflected off a United defender and unsighting the goalkeeper. An own goal during the second half brought the scores level but not for long as Draper restored his team’s lead. As the tempo picked up so did the bookings as three United players went into referee Tom Reddick’s notebook. With the A team struggling at times in their rearguard an equaliser always looked likely, so when Dan Keenan scored it gave a fair reflection of the play. Reddick, as usual, controlled the game well.
Second placed Halstead United eased to a 3-1 victory over visiting St. Lawrence to maintain their unbeaten record. Dan Chick scored twice and Pete Smith added the other goal. Saints consolation goal came through Ollie Chesterman.
Wilderpark moved off the bottom of the table recording their first success of the season by seeing-off the challenge of Sevenoaks Weald to win by 6-1 at Raleys Field. The visitors took an early lead when a long drop kick by keeper David Sheen floated deep into the opponents half, where it was met by central defender Steve Burgess, who back headed the ball beyond the despairing stand-in keeper Mark Davies. Weald looked forceful going forward but often found the Park defence in resolute mood with Dave Hobby and fullback Nick Palmer in fine form. The Park drew level on fifteen minutes when Joe McLaughlin was impaired inside the area and the midfielder struck the resultant spot kick beyond the diving Sheen. Goals by Antony Prior and Paul Burgess in quick succession inside five minutes of the second half effectively killed-off the game as a contest. Both players added further goals along with the hard-working Mark Holmes. Paul Burgess was always a danger displaying excellent skills and constantly prompting his forwards.
Nomads overcame the challenge of Seal to win 6-2 while the Ightham and Kemsing United match provided a feast of goals. United eventually won 7-5 but the mid-Kent side were left wondering how they had lost the match having created so many scoring opportunities during the encounter. Once again United’s keeper Paul Day played an important part depriving the Ightham forwards of countless chances. Steve George, who went on to score a hat trick, opened the scoring for the hosts but an own goal by James Hollebon brought the scores level.
Remarkably Ightham then trailed 4-1 but reduced the deficit before the half time whistle when Martin Rowling netted. Into the second half Kemsing United scored two more goals but gradually their opponents came back but luck and time ran out for them as United hung on to claim the points. On target for the victors were Ryan Standley and David East who each scored a brace of goals, Adam Shaw along with Terry Willmore.
Division 1
Hildenborough Athletic the leaders of Division One maintained their unbeaten record defeating Fleetdown United A 4-0. Darren Yeung netted a double and there were individual strikes for Matt Kemp and Sean Ingleson. Athletic have a two point lead over second placed Kingsdown Racers who won 7-0 away to struggling Westerham 3rd.
Jose Justo with no fewer than six goals starred for AW London as they recorded their highest score for a long time winning 8-1 against Halstead United Reserves. The victory elevates them into third place having struggled for much of last season at the other end of the table. Also on target were Robert Enoch and Danny Webb.
Goals by Tristram Poole, Tom Mitchell and Billy Cornwell helped Ide Hill retain their one hundred per cent record with a narrow3-2 victory over Orpington 3rd, languishing at the foot of the table. It was a good performance by the home team who were able to penetrate their opponents goal for the first time this season.
A brace of goals by Jack Edmeads helped Dunton Green gain a 2-1 advantage over Eynsford Reserves. After a bright opening to the season Eynsford have now suffered two defeats in succession. Andrew Weir was the marksman.
Seal Reserves also featured in a closely fought match and just had the final say winning 3-2 away to Sevenoaks Weald Reserves. Long serving Paul Dotter grabbed a brace of goals with Simon Morton also getting his name on the score sheet. Chris Feast (2) replied for the home team.
Division 2
Second Division strugglers St. Georges (Wrotham) crashed yet again losing 11-1 to Kingsdown Racers Reserves. Saints now hold the unenviable record of having conceded 49 goals so far this season in just five matches. The match was a personal triumph of Luke Hewitt who hit eight goals beyond the Saints keeper to claim the highest individual score so far. Jamie Height, Aaron Pearton also netted with Mitchell Pritchard completing the avalanche of goals.
Leaders Crockham Hill after a bright start against Riverhead United somewhat lost their way squandering several scoring opportunities. Crockers eventually went ahead into the second half when a resolute Riverhead defence finally conceded a goal to Jeff Poland. Danny Babbage then netted to give Crockers a 2-0 advantage.
Hadlow Rovers recorded their first success of the season winning 3-0 against hosts Seal 3rd while Tonbridge Baptist Church defeated Hildenborough Athletic Reserves 4-1 at Tonbridge Farm. This was a scrappy match with Hildenborough breaking up their opponents play well but just not able to compete over the duration of the game. First half goals by Danny Smith, Alex Hassan and Phil Hutchinson and another midway through the second period from Ben Spring accounted for the Baptist Church credits. A point of interest in the game was a second half penalty awarded to Hildenborough, which was saved by the second half stand-in goalkeeper Danny Smith who is also the team’s top goalscorer.
Division 3
Kemsing United Reserves extended their lead at the head of Division Three with a 5-1 advantage over struggling Ide Hill Reserves. Amongst the scorers were Kevin Nutton, Danny Champkins and Graham Barnes. The villagers have a five point lead over second placed Chipstead B who went down 2-0 to Nomads Reserves.
Improving Westerham 4th moved up the section and into third spot after a comfortable 4-1 victory over Seal 4th while Ightham Reserves had the edge over neighbours Borough Green to win 3-1. The Green were below strength fielding only ten men so it was to be an uphill battle from the onset. Paul Schofield scored twice and was aided by a Paul Jeffcoate thunderbolt. Graham Cook scored the Green’s consolation goal.
Wilderpark Reserves were also below strength with ten players and gave a good account until Potters FC eventually got on top during the second half. Henry Willard, with a header, put the home side ahead during the opening minute but the Park came back to level the scores when Brian Carter lobbed the ball into the net and beyond the keeper. Potters man of the match Joe Gramsden restored his team’s lead and despite the Park’s valiant efforts to force a draw two late goals by Mike Bateman and Mike Beverley put the result beyond doubt.
Orpington 4th moved up into second spot in the table after a 3-2 win over Tonbridge Baptist Church Reserves. It was generally an open game with some good attacking football from both sides. Orpington were put under heavy pressure during the last twenty minutes and Baptist should have taken a point from the game. Wes Laker and Nick Saunders netted for the home team.
