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West Kent Sunday League Report – Sunday 11th December 2016
I know that I shall be tempting fate when I say that we have arrived at
more or less the halfway point in the league season, for most teams,
without significant disruption from the weather. At this rate we shall
be finished by early March! I will not though utter the words S....g C..!
WKSFL Senior Cup
We now know two of the semi-finalists in the WKSFL Senior Cup.
Armada had won and drawn in the League against Artois United in recent
weeks and continued that vein of form with a penalty shoot out win. It
was 1-1 at the end of extra time, 5-4 to Armada on penalties after several saves and misses.
From Armada FC - Once again, as with the two previous meetings this
season, it was another tight affair. Artois took the lead midway through
the first half through Peter Shaw, a half which saw both keepers make
saves. Armada equalised within three minutes of the second period, and
again both teams had chances to win it, but the tie went into extra
time. With legs tiring, neither side gave an inch, with just maybe a
chance or two each, which either were just off target or again saw the
keepers Larkin (Armada) and Holdstock (Artois United) keep them out. So
to penalties.
Artois took an advantage scoring their first two, with Holdstock
saving Armada's second. Both sides missed their third spot kick,
Holdstock saving again and doing his best to thwart his old team,
before both scoring their fourth. This gave the visitors a chance to win
it, but they missed the target. Armada levelled it 3-3 after five
kicks.
Into sudden death where both sides scored their sixth.
Artois then failed to hit the target again, but this time Armada
missed their chance with Holdstock saving his third penalty. Larkin then
produced a save of his own, Artois' eighth kick, giving Rusbridge the
chance to win it, and he converted. 5-4 Armada and the result sees them
reach the Senior Cup Semi Finals for the first time.
Joining them will be Dormansland Rockets, who thrashed Division Two
side Green Lane by 7-1. Leading scorer Richard Wetton hit a
hat-trick, Louis Stone followed up last week's vital goal in the Surrey
Cup with two more, Dave Heaton and Shane Clarabutt completed the scoring
for the Rockets. The Lane's only reply was from Tom Welch.
The remaining quarter-final ties are
Simla
|
| v
|
| Blackham & Ashurst
| 22 January
|
Tonbridge Origin
|
| v
|
| Rusthall Rangers
| date TBA
|
WKSFL Intermediate Cup
Gardener's Arms made it to the Intermediate Cup semi-finals last week. Two more sides won through on Sunday. Brenchley
are the only team to take a point off Pembury Sunday in the League this
season, way back on 18th September, but couldn't match that performance
against a Pembury side in good form. Pembury won 5-2 at Brenchley, two
goals coming from Steve Harper plus one each from Nick Forward, Marc
Wyles and Matt Rice-Tucker. Richard Suttton and Daniel Woods scored for
the hosts.
Rusthall Club Athletic haven't
played a League match since the end of October and are way behind the
other teams in Division Three. They have though now won five assorted
Cup matches in succession. Today's game saw the club host
Hawkenbury Sunday in the quarter final of the Intermediate cup fresh off
the back of last weeks quarter final Junior Cup spanking that the club
handed Six in one.
However this game didn't start out to plan for the club who are on a fine run of form recently, with Hawkenbury
opening the scoring with a goal by Luke Graham, after being on the
receiving end for the majority of the game. At half time score club 0-1
Hawkenbury.
After a stern talking to from manager Colin Johnson, the Club came out
even stronger in the second half and it wasn't long before George
Webzell found the net to put the club back on terms. From there on the Club
went from strength to strength and soon found themselves in front
through Gary McCafferty. James Scott scored the third by placing the
ball through the keeper's legs, before the club saw George Webzell
dismissed. But despite being down to ten, the Club maintained control of
the game and James Scott soon doubled his goal scoring tally for the
day to confirm the already inevitable victory for the club, their second
quarter final win in as many weeks. No goals for Jamie Law this week
but we've decided to let him off because he was in hospital all day
yesterday and discharged himself specially to play!
The remaining tie, between South East Spitfires and Green Lane, takes place next Sunday.
Division One
It's very tight at the top as you can see below, but problems are being caused by teams not fulfilling fixtures. Both Simla and Insulators were gifted three points when opponents TW Foresters and Rusthall Rangers failed to play. The only game that did take place of the scheduled three was Tonbridge Origin's 4-2 home win over Goudhurst United,
that puts them into third place on goal difference. Origin's
Myles Lowden goes to the joint top place in the Division One scorers
list with his goal, Dave Saxby scored two and Sam Jenner the fourth.
Will Mantle and Matt Adams scored for Goudhurst.
| Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1 |
Simla # |
10 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
43 |
11 |
32 |
24 |
| 2 |
Artois United |
10 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
42 |
15 |
27 |
22 |
| 3 |
Tonbridge Origin |
10 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
39 |
17 |
22 |
22 |
| 4 |
Insulators |
10 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
34 |
14 |
20 |
22 |
| 5 |
TW Foresters |
11 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
29 |
36 |
-7 |
13 |
| 6 |
Armada |
7 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
15 |
-5 |
8 |
| 7 |
Dormansland Rockets |
8 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
31 |
28 |
3 |
7 |
| 8 |
Blackham & Ashurst |
9 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
17 |
41 |
-24 |
7 |
| 9 |
Goudhurst United + |
9 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
11 |
51 |
-40 |
6 |
| 10 |
Rusthall Rangers |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
30 |
-28 |
0 |
Division Two
With several teams engaged in cup ties, there were only two league games. Gardener's Arms returned to the top of the table with a 5-1 win against SE Spitfires. Brad Moon and Karl Smith each scored twice, Andrew Grundy the fifth. I do not have Spitfires scorer.
Cassidy's Phoenix had a good 3-2 win at home to Paddock Wood,
their first win after five successive defeats in League and Cup.
They did not send in their goalscorers. Stefan Draper and Lee Phillips
scored for the Wood, who will be regretting the defeat as it sets
them back in the challenge for top places.
| Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1 |
Gardener's Arms |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
33 |
8 |
25 |
22 |
| 2 |
Pembury Sunday |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
25 |
6 |
19 |
22 |
| 3 |
Paddock Wood |
10 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
25 |
26 |
-1 |
18 |
| 4 |
Green Lane |
8 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
18 |
18 |
0 |
11 |
| 5 |
Cassidy's Phoenix |
9 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
17 |
21 |
-4 |
11 |
| 6 |
Hawkenbury Sunday |
9 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
18 |
22 |
-4 |
8 |
| 7 |
SE Spitfires |
8 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
26 |
-13 |
7 |
| 8 |
Brenchley |
9 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
18 |
33 |
-15 |
7 |
| 9 |
Langton Green |
9 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
24 |
31 |
-7 |
5 |
Division Three
Bricklayer's Arms kept themselves at the top of the table with an emphatic 9-0 win over Speldhurst Rangers, while Crowborough Town and Tonbridge Invicta cancelled each other out with a draw.
The Bricks started strong creating chances early. It was only to be a
couple of minutes before Ollie Hyland found the back of the net for his
first headed goal this season celebrating in style "mum mum did you see
that I scored with my head". It was not to be long before the Bricks
banged in another three in quick concession. Unfortunately for
Speldhurst goal, hungry Bricks had not finished, finding the net three
more time during the half with Alex Gunn's only job was making a
mediocre save two minutes before half time. The Bricks went in at half
time seven goals up, with Rob Gordon bagging a first half hat trick,
Ollie Hyland finding two, Craig Bishop and Tommy Mulcahy also joined the
list
The second half started slowly for the Bricks. With the points in the
bag, the pace had dropped but not for long. Five minutes in, Rob Gordon
struck again for the Bricks. The game came off the boil at this
point, with the Bricks dominating in possession but failing to create to
many more clear chances. However Craig Bishop was hungry for one more
,bumbling the ball into the top corner after the Speldhurst 'keeper had
denied his first effort. It was another clean sheet for Alex Gunn, despite doing virtually nothing all game
For the second week running Crowborough Town found themselves in a proverbial game of two halves, this time facing Tonbridge Invicta at Goldsmith's.
The game started well enough for the home team, but they never looked
like turning their possession football into goals and after five minutes
Invicta broke away to show how it was done and go one ahead. This
seemed to inspire the visitors and for the rest of the half they were
well on top, adding a second goal with twenty minutes to go before the
break.
Half Time : Crowborough Town 0 - 2 Tonbridge Invicta
This week's half time 'lecture' by Town's manager took a while to sink
in and within a couple of minutes of the re-start Invicta went three
ahead, the goals having been scored by Cuan Walsh and a brace by Joe
Williams.. Fortunately for the home side, a minute later - and for the
second week running - a clumsy challenge gave them a penalty that Andy
Pollard duly converted. The manager's words started to take effect. For
most of the second half it was all Crowborough, but good defending by
their opponents meant that time was running out when Matt Pickett found
the net to bring the score to 3 - 2. With their tails up Town pressed
hard and with just two minutes left on the clock they were rewarded with
an equalising goal, a second by Matt Pickett, following a goalmouth
scramble. Unfortunately Crowborough had left it a little too late and it
spite of more pressure on the visitors defence time ran out with the
scores still level. Final Score : Crowborough Town
3 - 3 Tonbridge Invicta and for both teams two
points were lost in the close race for
the title.
In mid-table, Paddock Wood Reserves
beat Green Street Blues at the Elm Tree 3-0. Lamin Fuller and Callum
Lawlor (2) were the scorers, Will Martin kept the clean sheet.
Ticehurst Village Club had suffered a four game losing streak, but are back in winning ways after a very good 7-0 win at home against St John's Yard.
A hat-trick from Rob Briley was a key feature of the morning, with one
goal each from colleagues Dave Harvey, Adam Brotherwood, Tommy White and
Jack Peach adding up to the seven. In goal with the clean sheet was Calvin Bull, who normally plays outfield.
| Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1 |
Bricklayers Arms |
10 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
41 |
14 |
27 |
24 |
| 2 |
Crowborough Town |
11 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
36 |
22 |
14 |
22 |
| 3 |
Tonbridge Invicta |
10 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
33 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
| 4 |
Green St Blues |
8 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
21 |
14 |
7 |
13 |
| 5 |
Paddock Wood Reserves |
11 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
17 |
29 |
-12 |
13 |
| 6 |
St John's Yard |
11 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
24 |
45 |
-21 |
13 |
| 7 |
Ticehurst Village |
10 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
23 |
28 |
-5 |
11 |
| 8 |
Rusthall Club Athletic |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
13 |
3 |
7 |
| 9 |
Speldhurst Rangers |
10 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
16 |
46 |
-30 |
2 |
Division Four
TW Ridgewaye and FC Grinstead
shared ten goals in a real tale of two halves in this affair at
Skinners Sports ground. Having lost to Grinstead last week in the cup,
Ridgewaye were looking to bounce back, but after going behind early on
to a very preventable goal the signs did not look good. However, a
well taken goal by Scott Beasley levelled things up before Ridgewaye
fell behind again courtesy to some hesitant defending and goalkeeping
and they went in at half time 4-1 down. A good team spirit meant that
heads did not go down and goals by Ben Adams, Max O’Neill and Harry
Franklin bought the teams level at 4-4 before Ridgewaye took the lead
with a great strike from Tom Mitcheson. The final ten minutes were
frantic with end to end play which resulted in an equaliser from
Grinstead, making it 5-5 with five minutes to spare. Late pressure from
Ridgewaye failed to produce the winner which their play probably
deserved, but a well-earned point was some consolation for such a poor
start to the game. FC Grinstead scorers were Connor Tobin (2),
Aaron Baston, Callum Gardner and Joe Moulding.
Tunbridge Wells Foresters recovered from last Sunday's setback in the Junior Cup by beating Insulators Reserves
7-2 and creating for themselves a nine point lead at the top of the
table. Despite Insulators taking an early lead, where Lewis Disbury
probably got a touch to Mark (Bob) Lindsey's free kick it was mainly the
home side from that point on. A defensive error and a good shot saw the
home side in the lead by half time. After that it was mainly one way
traffic where a depleted Insulators side were no match for the eventual
champions who have a number of quality players in their ranks.
TWF raced into a deserved 7-1 lead, with four goals by Simon Hammond and
one each from Harry Hickmott, Anton Powell and Ash Collins, before
Fabian Fernandez scored the goal of the game for Insulators with a Van
Basten volley to at least make the post match drink worthwhile.
AFC Six in One lost for the
fourth Sunday running (excepting their win against the now defunct
Hadlow United) despite scoring three at home to Tonbridge Origin Reserves,
for whom it was their first League win since mid - October. The
League's top scorer added yet another to his total, Ben Boodle scored
two. he scores almost every week also. Bit Origin Reserves scored five,
with Levi Caruana scoring four of them. Will Ashenden was the other
scorer.
Tonbridge Casuals keep up their record as the league's draw experts. Their latest draw was a 2-2 result at FC Hayward, their goals being scored by Luke Hills and Paul Edwards. I do not have FC Hayward's scorers.
| Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1 |
TW Foresters Reserves |
10 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
51 |
19 |
32 |
27 |
| 2 |
Insulators Reserves |
10 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
33 |
26 |
7 |
18 |
| 3 |
FC Hayward |
9 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
30 |
16 |
14 |
17 |
| 4 |
AFC Six in One |
11 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
54 |
39 |
15 |
14 |
| 5 |
FC Grinstead |
8 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
28 |
25 |
3 |
12 |
| 6 |
Tonbridge Origin Reserves |
8 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
24 |
29 |
-5 |
9 |
| 7 |
Tonbridge Casuals |
11 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
20 |
33 |
-13 |
8 |
| 8 |
TW Youth (Ridgewaye) |
10 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
25 |
58 |
-33 |
7 |
| 9 |
Tonbridge United |
7 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
25 |
-20 |
4 |
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