Kentish Football 
Match Reports: Folkestone's barren run continues
Click here to read some match reports from this weekend.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1-2 MERSTHAM
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Richard Murrill reports from Buzzlines Stadium
FOLKESTONE INVICTA suffered a second successive disappointing home defeat when they went down 2-1 in their first ever meeting with Merstham at a cold Buzzlines Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Invicta had been beaten 2-0 against lowly Crowborough in their previous home match before going to league leaders Kingstonian and gaining a creditable point.
These are turbulent times for Invicta both on and off the field and the Folkestone side have now won just two of their last 14 matches in the past couple of months.
Invicta had to make changes to the side which had done so well at Kingstonian as Liam Friend and Micheal Everitt were both suspended.
Mark Towse came into replace Friend at the heart of the five-man defence for his first Invicta start since appearing as an emergency goalkeeper at Hednesford on the final day of the 2002-03 season and player-coach Scott Lindsey came in for Everitt in the midfield holding role.
A sixth minute James Corbett shot was blocked by defender Chris Boulter as Invicta looked to make a positive start.
But it was Merstham who opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Mark Simmons struck from close range after the ball had pinballed around the Invicta penalty area.
Invicta’s Jimmy Jackson was booked for dissent as the home side appealed in vain for offside.
It was not the sort of start which Invicta had been looking for and they were under more pressure on the quarter of an hour mark when goalkeeper Charlie Mitten made a good one-handed save to keep out Kevin Lock’s close range header when Boulter headed on Merstham’s first corner of the game.
Striker Kwebena Agyei then shot at Mitten a minute later when he shrugged off defender Liam Dickson and closed in on goal.
At the other end, Josh Vincent shot over at the far post after a 20th minute ball in from the right hand side.
Invicta then had Dickson booked for shirt-pulling in the 27th minute.
There were chances at both ends in the 32nd minute as James Everitt shot into the side netting from the right hand side of the penalty area and Merstham’s Lock got through but Dickson chased back to thwart him.
Merstham’s Dean Gunner was harshly booked for handball after Josh Burchell’s 34th minuet ball in from the left and visiting captain Craig Vernon joined him in referee Lee Venamore’s notebook for dissent.
Agyei was just unable to get on the end of Rob Hill’s 44th minute cross from the left and James Hancock broke down the right hand byeline a minute later but Mitten intercepted his subsequent cross.
Invicta had a clear chance at the start of the second half when Vincent headed over a deep Jackson cross on the left.
And the home side were a goal down a minute later when Agyei latched onto a weak headed back pass from Towse and hit a well-executed lob over Mitten.
It was end to end again in the 52nd minute as Vernon got back to deny Vincent when Frankie Chappell and Corbett combined to send him away inside the penalty area, while Mitten did well to grab the ball from Lock when a mistake by Everitt let the Merstham striker in.
Agyei got in behind Chappell in the 62nd minute and played the ball to fellow striker Lock but Mitten saved to keep Invicta in the game.
Invicta threatened themselves but Matt Francis got back to take the ball off the advancing Everitt in the 64th minute and Dickson headed over Jackson’s subsequent corner from the right.
At the other end, Simmons blasted over from the right hand side of the penalty area when Agyei played the ball to him after he had dispossessed Towse.
Invicta gave themselves a lifeline in the 68th minute when centre half Chappell pulled a goal back with a strong header into the roof of the net from a Jackson corner on the left.
The home side then piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
Everitt headed a 74th minute Jackson free kick just over the crossbar after Agyei was adjudged to have fouled Dickson.
Boulter got back to clear from James Dryden at the expense of a corner following a big clearance from goalkeeper Mitten in the 77th minute and substitute Kieran Byrne couldn’t quite force the ball in at the far post following the subsequent corner on the right.
Chappell made a saving tackle to deny Agyei close to goal after 84 minutes when substitute Ross White got down the right hand side.
Invicta pressed on for an equaliser as an 89th minute Byrne header was headed out for a corner via the crossbar via a Merstham defender and Dryden headed at goalkeeper Ian Chatfield a minute later.
Vincent shot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area deep into stoppage time.
And there was still time for a cross from Merstham substitute Chris Kennady on the left to bounce off the Invicta crossbar.
There was a first appearance on the Invicta substitutes’ bench (unused) for teenage striker Jon Driscoll, who has recently made a goalscoring start after stepping up into the reserves from the youth team.
Folkestone Invicta: Mitten, J. Everitt, Burchell, Towse, Chappell, Dickson, Lindsey (Byrne 55 ), Corbett, Dryden, Vincent, Jackson.
Subs: Thomas, Driscoll, Rainbow, Conyers.
Merstham: Chatfield, Gunner, Hill, Boulter, Vernon, Nyang, Francis (Kennady 87), Simmons, Agyei, Lock (White 77), Hancock. Unused sub: Smith.
Attendance: 224.
CHATHAM TOWN 2-0 LEYTON
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 22nd November 2008
John Crow reports from Maidstone Road
ON PAPER, this game should have seen Chatham Town’s run of defeats extended to four games - but, as it turned out, they put in another good performance and this time scored the goals that went with it.
More to the point, they maintained their 100% record against Leyton - though, to be fair, they haven’t played each other since 1902!
On a bitterly cold afternoon, the game almost got off to the worst possible start - as Matt Solly was forced to clear off the goal line, after big ‘keeper Dan Ellis had already committed himself, following a corner kick on the left for the visitors.
As it turned out though, despite arriving at Maidstone Road on the fringes of the play-off zone in Division One North of the Ryman League, this was to be one of the few chances that a lacklustre Leyton created during the entire 90 minutes.
For all Chatham’s possession, though, it was starting to look as if this was going to be another case of “what might have been” - until the 22nd minute, that is.
It started with a cracking effort from Lee Farrell, called up from the reserves for his first team debut, following a string of excellent performances. He let fly with a real piledriver from the left-hand edge of the penalty area at the Luton End - that Leyton ‘keeper Jason Hardy somehow got a hand to, at the expense of a corner kick.
Then, as the ball was floated across from the right by Justin Ascheri, there was Mark Brooks to head home his first goal of the season.
Thanks, that is, to the eagle-eyed Assistant Referee - who spotted that the ball had gone over the line before Phil Kane hoofed it away, and immediately signalled the fact to the referee, much to the irritation of the over-excitable visitors.
Barely had the Chatham supporters grasped the opportunity of seeing their heroes take the lead, than the home side were two goals to the good.
Again it came from a corner kick, some two minutes after the last one, and this time veteran Steve Best was there to nod the ball home past the flailing arms of Hardy. And to think he retired from playing at the end of last season…!
Suddenly the home side were all over their visitors, who clearly did not know what to make of a Chatham eleven playing so much better than their recent form would have suggested.
Indeed, they might have notched up goal number three in the 28th minute - when Farrell burst through into the 18-yard box with the ball at his feet. For once, though, Hardy proved equal to the task - falling on the ball as it threatened to creep inside the right post.
The only negative point of the first half for the Chats came just before half-time, when Dave Botterill picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Ricardo Amado just in front of the home dug-out - that the Leyton man certainly made the most of. Unfortunately for Botterill, it was to cost him dear before the game was over.
The start of the second half saw Chatham still firmly in control, as Brooks got on the end of yet another corner kick in just the 47th minute, with a volley that scraped the outside of the right post.
Indeed, before the second period was ten minutes old Ascheri, Farrell and Richard Avery had all seen good efforts denied.
Making his return to the side, following an injury lay-off lasting since the middle of August, was Ashley Probets - and he finally got the chance to show what he could do with a free kick in the 64th minute when, from some ten yards outside the penalty area, he sent in a shot that curled agonisingly wide of the unprotected top right-hand corner of the goal.
Then five minutes later, it was Ascheri who found himself with only the ‘keeper to beat - as the Leyton defence opened up in front of him like a pair of cheap curtains. Unfortunately, though, Hardy got the faintest of touches on his shot - but enough to turn it wide for yet another corner kick.
The first change for the Chats came with a little over 15 minutes remaining, when Simon Austin came on in place of Farrell - who had almost run himself into the ground, in his efforts to cover every square inch of the playing surface.
Eight minutes later, though, and the Chats - for the second week in a row - suddenly found themselves reduced to ten men.
Match Referee Mr Phil Knight had been having a very impressive game, hard though it might be for some people to believe that I would admit that, but Dave Botterill in his frustration at the award of a free kick that he disagreed with took a swipe at the ball.
The yellow card was inevitable, and following his first half caution, his game was over as the red followed in short order.
From the free kick, when it was eventually taken, Leyton came close to scoring for only the second time in the game. Ellis did well to get down and block the initial effort from Fabio Jesus, but an unkind bounce took the ball straight to the feet of substitute Jahzeel Bonaparte - who may well have been forced to join his famous namesake in exile by now, after somehow blasting the ball hopelessly wide of the unprotected goal from barely six yards out.
In the 84th minute, Steve Binks made a second change - sending on Darren Smith to replace Ascheri, just to help shore up the defence for the last few minutes - probably a wise move, bearing in mind how many games the Chats have lost to last minute goals this season.
The threat from Leyton was by now long gone, though, and despite the fact that the three points lift Chatham only one place - to 18th in the Division - the morale-boosting nature of the win will hopefully allow them to build upon it over the weeks to come.
Chatham Town return to action on Tuesday night, but this time their attention switches once again to knockout football - as, for the second year in a row, they entertain Folkestone Invicta in the First Round of the Kent Senior Cup.
The game, which must be played to a finish on the night, Kicks Off at the usual time of 7.45pm.
Chatham Town: Ellis, Binks, Probets, Solly, Avery, Best, Potter, Brooks, Farrell (Austin 74), Ascheri (D Smith 84), Botterill.
Sub: Taylor
Attendance: 118
Referee: Mr Phillip Knight (Canterbury)
THAMESMEAD TOWN 1-1 REDBRIDGE
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Kevin White reports from Bayliss Avenue
HONOURS were rightly shared between Thamesmead and Redbridge in an end to end, tightly fought match at Bayliss Avenue on Saturday.
Former Dartford player Carl Bruce opened the scoring for the visitors on 43 minutes after a mistake at the back allowed him to fire home from point blank range.
Undaunted, Mead attacked instantly to win a corner, which resulted in Lew Woods netting the equaliser.
There were few chances in the second half, which didn’t stop the game being entertaining, with both defences clearing up end to end attacks very well.
With the points shared at full time, both teams will test each other at Bayliss Avenue again on Tuesday night, as they meet in London Senior Cup.
Thamesmead Town: Kessell, Williams, Moore, Tarrent, Watts, Hopkins, Mulholland, Knight, Wood, Cable, Thomas.
Subs: Collins, Dawson, Willis.
BECKENHAM TOWN 1-3 FAVERSHAM TOWN
(Faversham Town won 4-1 on aggregate)
Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup Second Round Second Leg
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Tony Gray reports from Eden Park Avenue
JUSTIN LUCHFORD’S Lilywhites winning streak continued at Eden Park Avenue as the Salters Lane outfit recorded their fifth consecutive victory to make it through to the last eight of the Kent League Cup.
Luchford's Faversham Town side went into this second leg separated only by Damian Abel's late strike from the first leg at Salters Lane back in October.
Still on a high from Tuesday night's victory at Hythe, Faversham Town started brightly with Steve O'Brien and Sean Hetterley both making effective use of the flanks.
Faversham’s first real chance came after 18 minutes with a cross fired in from the right hand side met by the head of Abel whose effort flew just over Becks' keeper David Guy's crossbar.
With the visitors continuing to push forward Sean Hetterley made a fine sole run into the box on 33 minutes beating the defender whose late contact sent Hetterley sprawling in the area.
Skipper Lee Shearer stepped up and made no mistake as he slammed the ball past Guy to open the scoring and take his personal tally for the season to six.
On 41 minutes the Lilywhites doubled their lead following a well struck shot by Dane Luchford, Guy did well block the effort but was unable to hang on to the ball which spilled back into the path of the incoming Abel who fired home with ease.
After the interval the home side finally decided to make a game of it and for much of the half held the upper hand playing some neat and effective football, Faversham shot-stopper Kevin Readings pulling off a string of fine saves to deny the Beckenham strike force.
Dave Soutan limped out the game on 66 minutes after taking a knock, Ben Ives coming on in his place.
Manager Luchford made a further two changes on 74 minutes with Readings and Shearer making way for Carl Hodgson and Roy Guiver respectively.
The home side got a foothold back into the game a minute later as a long ball was floated towards Hodgson's far post, still finding his feet in the match Hodgson hesitated slightly which allowed more than enough time for Durrand Jemmott to net from close range.
Becks' seemed galvanised by the goal and continued to push on although the Town defence remained resolute.
As the clock ticked away the Lilywhites seemed content to hang on to the ball and the 2 goal aggregate lead, they had however saved the best until last as a string of fine passes down the left side resulted in the ball falling to Abel just inside the area, the Faversham No.8 made no mistake as he fired home for his seventh goal in as many days to seal a 3 - 1 win on the day - 4 - 1 on aggregate.
Faversham now progress to the last eight of the competition where they will face either Deal Town or next Saturday's opponents and current league leaders Holmesdale with the first leg being played at Salters Lane.
So it's back to league action this coming Saturday as Faversham Town travel across Kent to face the 'Dalers, why not put the Christmas Shopping on hold and come across and give the boys your support.
Faversham Town’s star man was Ashley Brown, who grows in stature in every match, forging an impressive partnership with Shearer at the back.
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (Carl Hodgson 74), Jamie Sparks, Kris Richardson, Dane Luchford, Ashley Brown, Lee Shearer (Roy Guiver 74), Shane Hamshare, Damian Abel, Steve O’Brien, Dave Soutan (Ben Ives 66), Sean Hetterley.
Subs: Chris Eather, Chris Oyebanjo.
ERITH & BELVEDERE 1-1 GREENWICH BOROUGH
(Match abandoned after 78 minutes due to floodlight failure)
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Friday 21st November 2008
Thomas Hawes reports from Park View Road
FRIDAY night’s Kent League Premier Division match between Erith & Belvedere and Greenwich Borough was brought to a premature halt after the floodlights at the Danson Park end suddenly switched off with 12 second half minutes remaining.
The Deres came into the game on the back of only their second league defeat at Herne Bay but got off to a flyer on Friday.
Just 40 seconds into the encounter, Aiden Pursglove latched onto a through ball and saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.
And before the opening five minutes were up, Nick Smith and Joby Thorogood threatened to break the deadlock with headers.
Boro’s Kyle Demetrius threatened the Deres goal after an impressive run on 14 minutes, but the Deres had been the better side in the opening stages and deservedly got the breakthrough on 21 minutes.
After Nick Smith was fouled by the left corner, the Deres were awarded a free-kick. Smith took the free-kick quickly and slid the ball to Deres debutant Daniel Westerman.
The midweek acquisition from Slade Green had looked threatening throughout the opening stages and he drove to the edge of the penalty box before unleashing a wicked effort, which crashed in off the post to put the Deres ahead.
The Deres stranglehold on the game looked as if it would be tightened further when Boro were reduced to ten men just two minutes later.
Aiden Pursglove forced his way past Ryan Watts only to be sent clattering to the turf after Watts kicked the back of his leg. Referee Mr Anthony Rawlings showed no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card to the Greenwich defender.
The Deres could have inflicted further damage on the visitors but Joby Thorogood’s 30-yard effort just wouldn’t dip in time and crashed against the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
Despite being a man down, Greenwich came more into the game as the half wore on and also prevented the Deres from doubling their lead before the interval.
Greenwich kicked on during the opening stages of the second half as the 10-men took control of the game with some slick passing and pacy runs. The Deres had half chances of their own, but Greenwich looked the more likely to score.
And the equaliser came on 66 minutes. Mark Sisson timed his run to perfection to beat the Erith offside trap and he coolly slotted the ball past Matt Bromby to restore parity.
Borough could have even went ahead three minutes later after a speedy counter-attack caught the Deres unprepared. Bromby though made a good save from Micah Banton to keep the scores level.
The Deres came more into the game as the game entered its 75th minute, although Borough looked threatening going forward.
The floodlights failed on 78 minutes though and despite efforts to get the lights on again, the officials were eventually left with no choice but to abandon the match.
The Deres will hope that the lights will be in order for the visit of Deal Town next Saturday, kick off at Park View Road, 3pm.
Erith & Belvedere: Bromby, Bedford, Farley, Budak (Prett 78), Radbourne, Hill, Westerman, Robinson, Pursglove, Smith, Thorogood (Bryant 76).
Subs: Crawley, Adcock, Penny.
Attendance: 95
AFC WIMBLEDON 0-1 EBBSFLEET UNITED
London & South East Regional Women’s League
Sunday 23rd November 2008
By Tina Martin
AFTER what seems to be a long break in league play for the Fleet, they were back in action at the weekend, as they travelled around the M25 to face AFC Wimbledon, braving the harsh weather conditions.
A win was vital for the Fleet as they need to keep the pressure on Denham Ladies, who are sitting at the top of the league and are undefeated this season.
The game was a closely contested match with both teams creating chances, but Fleet ladies were first to open the scoring through striker Kelly Campbell hitting the mark and after that managed to comfortably hold on to the narrow lead, to finish 1-0 winners on the day.
Next week the ladies are at home in the league v Crowborough, match to be played at Fleet Leisure, kicking off at 2pm.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd