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BAT AND BALL SPORTS SEVENOAKS AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND UP FOR SATURDAY 6th February 2010 BY DEREK HODGE Disclaimer Comments or views as expressed in the Secretary’s Weekly Round Up of matches and Cup ties are not necessarily those of the League Council (Management Committee) and as such no liability is therefore accepted.” |
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After their shock defeat the previous week Nomads got back in the Premier Division title race with a 3-1 victory over the deposed leaders Kemsing United. The Edenbridge based side thus move into pole position in the table and in so doing, inflicted the first home reverse of the season on their opponents. Nomads had the benefit of an early goal scored by Kieran O’Connor and then went further ahead when Michael Marshall netted but the home side came back into the affray with a strike through Dave Wood fifteen minutes before the half way mark. Kemsing had a good spell during the first period of the second half but pushing forward in search of the equaliser got caught on the break when Andy Hancock took advantage of the situation to send his side to pole position. Third placed Hildenborough Athletic kept in touch with the pacemakers defeating Ide Hill 3-1 at Tonbridge Farm. Borough started brightly and Karl Smith created an early scoring opportunity but his shot cleared the crossbar. The home side eventually took the lead when the Ide Hill keeper could only partially save a shot and Darren Yeung was on hand to knock the ball into the net. Not to be out done Ide Hill came back and on twenty five minutes equalised through Sean Boyle. This setback meant a wake up call for Borough and Smith put his side back into the lead. Smith was then instrumental in setting up Adam Davies who scored on the far post. Borough came out for the second half in a positive mood playing attractive football but the Hill weathered the storm to apply considerable pressure without creating any clear cut chances. The home team’s success was somewhat marred by the dismissal of one of their players for swearing. At the other end of the table and for the second week running Eynsford picked up maximum points with a comfortable 5-1 advantage over hosts and struggling Ightham. The Mid-Kent side’s defence had no answer to the in form striking prowess of Chris Ware who notched a hat trick. Also on target for the victors was Paul Wingate (2). Ightham’s consolation goal came by courtesy of Ben Mills. Struggling Orpington 3rd, languishing at the foot of the table and without a win all season went down 5-2 to St. Lawrence at Bitchet Green. To their credit Orpington have a fine young team in the making and never gave up despite conceding five goals to their opponents. Nick Watson started the scoring for Saints from an acute angle at the near post. Watson then went on to complete his hat trick during the second half, the third goal coming from an overlap and cross into the striker. Also on target were Tom Wright who was set up by Alex Legg-Beale after a move down the left together with an own goal by the visitor’s goal keeper in a goal mouth mêlée. Saints took the foot off the pedal with some twenty minutes play remaining and conceded two late goals as Orpington finished strongly. Tonbridge Baptist Church consolidated their mid table position with a surprise 3-1 victory over hosts Halstead United. Danny Smith netted a brace of goals together with Dan King with a shot into the top corner. Fred Dillon scored for the losers. Seb Lucas gave Borough Green United an early lead against visiting AW London which was increased when Fergus Farmer scored the first of his two goals. A Dan Hodder free kick reduced the deficit but AW London were left precariously placed near the foot of the section and in danger of relegation. Kingsdown Racers opened up a five point gap at the top of Division One and looked to be firm favourites to gain promotion as champions, this after a comprehensive 7-3 win over Chipstead A. Kingsdown are one of two teams in the League who remain unbeaten at the present time. Chipstead A remain in the chasing pack for promotion and scored through Paul Scott, Chris Wood along with Matt Lawrence. Second placed Hildenborough Athletic Reserves lost their unbeaten record going down 4-2 to lowly Eynsford Reserves. After a bright first half to the season Borough’s fortunes have changed dramatically and their form has been affected by a change in playing personnel. Despite this Borough forged ahead in the match through Matt Reeves although the home team were back level before the half time break. Eynsford then forged ahead during the second half albeit briefly as Borough levelled through Reeves. Eynsford finally took charge over all with Adrian Chapman scoring twice amongst the scorers. The bottom of the table clash between Sevenoaks Weald and St. Lawrence Reserves ended all square at two apiece. The match was in danger of being curtailed when after ten minutes play, Referee Stephen Moore sustained a knee injury and was unable to continue. Weald Secretary Brian Stevenson came to the rescue of the appointed Official and the match was able to continue. Goals by Robert Day and Steve Tompson gave Weald a 2-0 advantage at a point when they looked to be on the way to maximum points. Saints had other ideas and countered with strikes by courtesy of Matt Campion and Lyle Jackson. Former player Paul Dennington made a welcome return to Weald after a spell with Hildenborough Athletic. Seal, who are fast becoming the draw specialists, drew 2-2 with Halls AFC Reserves. Seal were also in the ascendency with two goals to their credit through Simon Morton and Dwayne Carter but the visitors came back in the last quarter to score twice and take a share of the points. A hat trick by Zac Clark helped Dunton Green to a 3-0 victory over Wilderpark at Raleys Field to help them retain fourth place in the table. Clark’s scoring prowess turned the tables in favour of the Green, who remain unbeaten since early October. |
Division Two leaders Orpington 4th were defeated for the second week running, this time by Nomads A 4-3 and thus lose their number one spot. In a sporting match which was a credit to both teams, goals by Danny Brazenell (2), brother Aaron Brazenell and Richard Clarke gave the A team much needed points in their quest to get away from the relegation zone. Potters FC moved to the top of the table for the first timer this season as they defeated Halstead United Reserves 2-1. It was a much needed game for Halstead who had not played since mid December following the snow and frost. An own goal, which came about when Henry Willard headed towards goal gave Potters the interval lead, a margin then increased when a Bob Piper cross found Steve Lee who drove the ball home. Halstead fought back and reduced the arrears with an own goal following a corner to set up a close finish but Potters hung on to take the points. Improving Old Boars continued their march towards a promotion place with an emphatic 8-0 advantage over Otford United 3rd at Sundridge Recreation ground. Otford found ace marksman Tom Cobb in irresistible form and difficult to handle as the striker notched no fewer than five goals. Also amongst the goals were Jamie Mitchell (2) and Chris Sullivan. A goal by Dickie Moxham gave Kemsing United Reserves a narrow 1-0 success over Seal Reserves who thus slip down the table and just above their opponents. In a match which could have gone either way keeper Chris Lear played well for the victors. High flying Swanley Oaks, leaders of Division Three, were forced to take a break when opponents Radius FC pulled out of the fixture on Saturday morning. This gave second placed Westerham 4th the opportunity to close the points gap and this they did with an easy 6-1 win over Borough Green who are still looking for their first points of the season. With teams in the chasing pack all taking points off of each other Swanley Oaks and Westerham 4th appear at this stage to be on the way to promotion. Maybe they will have to watch the progress of Nomads B who saw off the modest challenge of Ide Hill Reserves to win 4-1. Nicky Foad (2), Aaron Kohn and Lee Walker were the scorers. Baz Pennels scored the Hill’s consolation goal. Nomads FC thus recorded three victories for the first time this season which delighted Officials of the Club. Borough Green United Reserves made their first appearance since mid-December but it was not one for a celebration as they slipped to a 3-1 reverse against AW London Reserves. It was a welcome return to winning ways for the victors with goals coming through Keith Gooden (2) in only his second game for the Club and Bill Payne. Jamie Franks netted for the losers. Seal 3rd and Chipstead B contested a 2-2 drawn game while Hildenborough Athletic 3rd defeated neighbours Tonbridge Baptist Church Reserves 6-2. There were doubles each for Jay Chandler, Ryan Giles and Mark Robshaw.
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