Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:36
Kent League interest in the FA Vase ended for another year as Greenwich Borough bowed out in their fifth round replay at home to Hungerford Town, losing 2-1. Badhur Mohammed put Borough in front on 73 minutes but a brace from Gosling, the second with only three minutes remaining, saw the visitors emerge victorious.
In the League Beckenham stay top following their 5-1 win at Salters Lane but Hythe in second kept up the pressure with a 7-1 win at Sporting Bengal to leave them a point behind leaders with three games in hand. Mohammed Rahman gave the home side the lead in the 24th minute but four goals from League top scorer Buster Smissen and strikes from Dave Cook, Lee Winfield (penalty) and Joe Neilson secured the predictable win for the Cinque Ports side.
Herne Bay also rattled in seven at Croydon, who are still looking for their first win since 15th December, without reply. Luke Harvey put Bay in front on the stroke of half-time, and Martin Chandler extended the lead from the spot after 75 minutes. This was the signal for the floodgates to open as a further five goals were scored in the last quarter of an hour, including two in the last two minutes. Rhys Lawson and Adam Todd both scored a couple and Dave Soutan added the other.
Two former Lilywhites were on the score sheet as Erith Town drew 1-1 with Thamesmead. Ross Cable was the Erith scorer on 55 minutes and Bingi Grant equalised 20 minutes later.
Deal Town and Holmesdale also shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw at the Charles Ground. Roy Godden maintained his recent impressive scoring record, putting Deal in front just after the break. Gareth Broome levelled on the hour.
Lordswood suffered their seventh home defeat of the season with a 3-2 loss to Erith and Belvedere. Adam Douglas struck for the home side in the 12th minute to equalise an early John Gallagher goal, only for Chris Hill to restore the advantage within a minute. Craig Beckwith restored parity shortly before half-time but a John Farley goal with nine minutes left sent the visiting fan in the crowd of 41 home happy.
At the bottom of the table Tunbridge Wells picked up their first win in five games with a 2-1 win at Slade Green. A Mike Lord penalty a minute after the break set them on their way, an advantage doubled by Joe Fuller on 53 minutes. Ryan Johnson pulled one back for Green but it was not enough to gain a point.
In Division 2 runaway leaders Dover made it 13 straight wins with a 5-1 home win against basement side Croydon. Second placed Tunbridge Wells also won, 3-1 at Hythe and there were wins for Ashford, Holmesdale and VCD as well as Faversham.
The weekend results leave the First Team in 13th place on 18 points, the same number as Lordswood who have played one game less, and seven points behind Croydon with two games in hand. The Reserves are 6th on 21 points from 17 games.
Well, that’s it for another week. On Tuesday the Reserves take on Chatham Town at Salters Lane in the Kent Soccer Company Floodlight Trophy with a 7.45 kick off, then Saturday sees the visit of high-flying Thamesmead Town for a Premier Division clash. See you there!