Sunday, December 16, 2007 0:01
After a couple of weekends that were disrupted by the weather it is good to report that all the scheduled games took place this week.
Despite not having a game Beckenham stay two points clear at the top as Thamesmead could only draw at home to Hythe. Former Town player Bingi Grant celebrated his transfer from Greenwich Borough by hitting the last minute equaliser for 'Mead after Buster Smissen had given the visitors a 35th minute lead.
More importantly to us, Sporting Bengal were beaten 5-2 by third placed VCD, a result which sees us swap places with them at the foot of the table on goal difference. Kevin Spriggs put VCD a goal up in the first minute, and Mark Greatorex doubled the lead six minutes later to leave Sporting facing an uphill struggle. Prince Pipin pulled one back for the visitors on 52 minutes but any hopes of a revival were dashed when Gary Cook restored the two goal advantage within a minute, before Kane Rice made it four for the home side on 74 minutes. Prince Pipin hit his second 10 minutes from time but Leroy Huggins struck in the 89th minute to complete the scoring.
Herne Bay are fourth after a 3-3 draw at Slade Green, who took the lead on 17 minutes through Lee Barnett. Aaron Firth equalised just before half time. Luke Harvey gave the seasiders the lead on 67 minutes but two goals in three minutes from Rafael Akala restored the advantage to the home side. Simon Brown deprived Green of their third consecutive win with an 80th minute leveller.
Form team Croydon picked up their fourth win in six games with a 1-0 win at our opponents on Saturday, Deal Town, thanks to a Luke Whitaker-Jones goal mid way through the second half to stay fifth. Despite taking the lead through Danny McDiarmid on 24 minutes
Holmesdale crashed to a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Tunbridge Wells. Gary Clark (2) Sam Phillips, Barry Gardener and Michael Lord from the penalty spot were the Wells scorers.
Greenwich Borough also chalked up a fine away win, 3-1 at Lordswood. Badur Mohammed, Ben Yiadom and Hussain Budek had given the visitors a comfortable 3-0 lead before Dave Masters hit an 85th minute consolation for the 'Lords'.
The day's other Premier Division game between Sevenoaks and Erith Town ended 2-2. Luke Piscina gave the home side a short-lived lead on 10 minutes, only for the prolific Marcus Cassius to equalise five minutes later. Tony Atkins looked to have secured 'Oaks second home win of the season on 88 minutes but John Coleman struck with virtually the last kick to ensure a share of the points.
In Division 2 Dover maintained their 100% record with a 2-0 win at home to VCD. Third placed Ashford Town won a high-scoring match at second placed Tunbridge Wells 5-4 and there were 1-0 wins for Siitingbourne and Hythe, while Croydon and Holmesdale drew 1-1.
As I said above, the First Team are now back off the bottom of the Premier Division with 6 points from 13 games, one less than basement club Sporting Bengal have played. Slade Green, Holmesdale and Tunbridge Wells occupy the places immediately above us, all on 11 points although we have games in hand on all except Tunbridge Wells.
In Division 2 we remain sixth on 15 points from 10 games.
There is no action at Salters Lane next week as the First Team travel to Deal looking to build on the last two results while after three weeks of inactivity the Reserves will hope their game at Holmesdale goes ahead as planned.
I am looking forward to making the trip to Holmesdale to cheer on the Ressies and take a look at the ground of the League's new boys for myself, but wherever you go enjoy the game and get behind the boys.