thamesmead181204

Thamesmead pile more misery at Greatness Park

Sevenoaks Town's poor home form continued on Saturday as they were comprehensively beaten by second from bottom side Thamesmead Town.

The Oaks have now failed to win at home in ten of their 14 games played at Greatness Park this season.

There problems started before the match with the late withdrawal of former Tunbridge Wells defender Ricky Underdown through illness. This meant the first team squad had lost nine players through illness, suspension or work commitments.

Manager John James was forced to field two PASE youngsters from Nationwide Conference club Gravesend & Northfleet with Steve Simpson and substitute Sam Groombridge being added to the squad.

Paul Blade's visitors started the game well, taking the lead after 16 minutes.

A ball played into the six-yard box was headed goalwards by former Beckenham Town striker Jason Clews.

However, goalkeeper Darren Smart made a brilliant one handed reaction save but his defenders were slow to react and Dean Burns stabbed the ball home from close range.

Thamesmead doubled their lead thirteen minutes later when Clews headed powerfully past Smart aided by poor marking from the home side.

The match was put beyond doubt two minutes into the second half when the ball wasn't cleared and the impressive Curtis Williams rifled a shot past Smart.

Sevenoaks made three quick substitutions and this inspired the home side, winning a succession of corner kicks but were unable to captalise on them.

With seven minutes remaining, Steve Humphrey scored his first senior goal for the first team, placing his shot wide of the despairing dive of Danny Kemp.

He should have added a second five minutes later but he somehow missed the target from close range.

With the referee poised to blow his whistle for the end of the match, Thamesmead broke away and former Tunbridge Wells and Cray Wanderers defender John Mayall scored with a low shot into the corner of the net.

Disappointed Julian Leigh, Sevenoaks' assistant manager added: "We were never at the races today.

"Our home record is totally unacceptable and something the management team and players need to address quickly.

"With the league as it is we could still finish in a reasonable position, likewise, if we don't get our act together we can also end up in the bottom two or three positions.

"We did have a number of players out today and our strength in depth is questionable but this should not be an excuse for a poor display.

Sevenoaks Town: Smart, Gibson (Groombridge), Simpson, Miles, Spillane, Balmer, Jenner, Ralph, Wood (Percy), Cramp, Constable (Humphrey).