JOHN MUGRIDGE
It is with great sadness we report the recent death of Life Vice President John Mugridge. John was the League’s General Secretary from 1998 until 1993 at which time he became Press Officer until 1997. Although stepping down from his formal position he remained involved with League activities on a weekly basis until the end of 2017, particularly the setting up and operation of the Full-Time system when it was first introduced. John also served on the Kent FA, joining the Association in 1978 he served as Chairman of Division III, he served on a number of Committees including the Executive Committee. On his retirement he was appointed as an Honorary Vice President.
We have been advised of the following funeral arrangements:
Date: Tuesday 19th February 2019 at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium, at 1.00 pm.
Family flowers only. If friends or colleagues wish to send a donation the family have chosen the ‘Hospice in the Weald’ and they should be addressed to:
Funeral Directors, Kempsters, Albion Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2PE
ANDREW GIDLEY’S WEEKLY ROUNDUP
SATURDAY, 9th February
South East Athletic and Premier Division leaders Staplehurst Monarchs United will both feature in their first ever County Cup Final when they meet in the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield showpiece. Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground will host the tie on Wednesday, 24th April (7:45pm).
The Division 1 West side, making their debut in the competition, won 6-5 against front runners Ide Hill, while Monarchs won 2-1 at Welling Park. SEA trailed 2-0 after only five minutes, and 4-3 at half-time scoring three times in the final half hour to lead for the first time 6-4, before conceding a late own-goal. Jack Edmeads, Matt Bunn, George Kensell and Craig Jackson, his 12th of the season were Hill’s marksmen, with Barry Ryan’s hat trick, two for Darren Wynne, and Padraig Biggane on target for the visitors.
Dan Ashton and Josh Brown continued their prolific seasons in Monarchs win at New Eltham. Ashton headed them in front in the first half before Brown doubled the lead in the second. Dan Higgins pulled one back for Park who had two players sent off.
Premier Division
Brad Webb’s hat-trick steered Borden Village to their 4-2 win at Otford United and move second in the table.
Another of the league’s top scorers Louie Clarke helped Bromleians claim a 2-2 home draw against Hawkinge Town. Nick Craft put Broms ahead, Reece Mortimer’s double had Hawkinge in front before Clark pounced to earn a share of the spoils.
Tom Axford and Tom Holmes netted for Faversham Strike Force as they won 2-1 at Fleetdown United, eight points out of the last 12, moving them to seventh.
Kings Hill manager Danny Lye praised referee Martin Staveley after his side’s Premier Division home game against Crockenhill was abandoned due to a serious injury to defender Perry Pointing. The right back suffered a broken shinbone after only 22 minutes, attempting to clear the ball, forcing the game to be called off.
Lye said: “We had to wait two hours for the ambulance.
“All involved were a credit to themselves for all the help they gave. The lad was in a lot of pain.
“He was taken to hospital and due to have an operation on Monday to pin it.
“Special mention goes to the referee who was top drawer throughout.
“He kept talking to Perry the whole time from start to finish.”
On behalf of the league we wish him a speedy recovery.
Division 1
James Whyte scored twice as Wateringbury won 5-2 at Cuxton 91 to move level on points with leaders K Sports Reserves.
Richard Aidoo’s hat-trick helped Club Langley stay on the coat-tails of the West’s top-three, beating AFC Mottingham 3-1.
Division 2
Not much has gone right for Tonbridge Invicta this season.
Philip Jackson has taken charge of the first team as “Operation Rebuild” begins at Swanmead and saw his new charges lose 5-4 at Bearsted Reserves.
Invicta tweeted: “Narrowly lost in an incredible game of football. Bearsted put up a good fight and came out on top.
“Proud of the players, we keep fighting, and never give up”
Adam James netted twice as Rusthall Reserves saw off West Farleigh 5-0.
In the West, Belvedere’s Joe Childs hit five and brother Danny the other as Belvedere scored three times in each half to win 6-1 against Drummond Athletic, their biggest win of the season, and five in a row in all competitions.
Division 3 and Junior Cups
Three County League clubs feature in the Kent FA Group A semi-finals.
Ose Ebosele and debutant Harry Andrews saw Canterbury City University home 2-0 against Faversham Town Reserves. Tenterden Town beat Tudor Sports Reserves 4-3 in a match switched to nearby Homewood School as the club’s Recreation Ground pitch was unfit. An own goal, Justin Howard, Brad Burton and Matt Goldsmith netted for Town, with unlucky Antony Tye’s hat-trick all in a losing cause for the visitors.
Red Velvet are in the last four, following their 3-1 win over Rochester and District League side The Stag. Tom Malyon, Harry Piesky and Sam Smith were their scorers. Another R & D side, Rainham based Mackland Arms complete the line-up.
In the league the top-three sides in Division 3 West, Welling Town, Danson Sports and Equinoccial all won.
Congratulations to HFSP & Ten-Em-Bee on reaching the London Junior Cup Final. They beat Tooting Bec Reserves 3-0 and now meet UCC Diaspora, 2-0 winners over Battersea Old Boys.
Veterans Divisions
Division 1 leaders Marden Minors Reserves made it seven wins out of seven, beating Ditton Minors 4-3.
Kings Hill top Division 2, 5-1 winners at K Sports United Reserves.
A reminder to Vets teams to include scorers on Full Time, and earn them the chance of a mention here.
FIXTURES MARCH 2019
We can now publish our League and Cup fixtures list for March 2019. The League’s Fixture Secretary Brian Smith has issued the following note to clubs:
The League is fully aware that we are fast approaching the point when a number of clubs will finish their season. In previous seasons we have offered an additional competition however this has not be received with a positive response and therefore this is not something we will be undertaking this season.
However to assist clubs, we will post each week, teams that have no fixture for the coming weekend on the league website, to allow you to plan your ‘own’ friendlies, we will not be facilitating the arrangement of these games, it is over to you.
In addition, we will not be in a position to arrange officials for these games as we continue to struggle with officials, you again will have to arrange these yourselves.
I hope this will assist and may I take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable end to the season.
Brian Smith
The March fixture list can be downloaded by clicking here
GALLERY
9th February 2019
New Photographer to the League, Jane Hobart went with her team Welling Town Reserves to watch them play South East Athletic Reserves. She watched them win 2-0 with goals from Luke Berwick and Harry Main.
David Spring followed his team Southborough FC in the Division Two Central and East match against Snodland Town Reserves. This game was one nil at half time to the home side and they kept their lead with the final result being 3-1. Goals for the home side came from Ryan Bushell, Ozan Hussain & Samual Porter. Phil Hutchinson was the scorer for Southborough
To make up for the lack of pictures last week, League Photographer, Julie Hoare visited two matches this weekend. For the first match she went to Wrotham school to watch Ide Hill take on South East Athletic in the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield. When she left the game at half time the home team were winning 4-3 however after 90 minutes the game ended up an amazing 6-5 victory to South East Athletic. Barry Ryan scored a hat Trick for the away team.
Her 2nd match was at Cuxton 91 V Wateringbury. She arrived at the start of half time when Cuxton were already down by 4 goals to nil. They did manage to get get two goals back but the result at the end was 5-2. Goals from Tommy Parsons and George Hawkins for Cuxton 91 and for Waterinbury there were two goals from James Whyte, and one each from George Rodgers, Danny Rowe and Charlie Epps.
Pictures from all these matches can be found on the Gallery page or by clicking here
MANAGER OF THE MONTH
The first of the February Aford Awards Manager of the Month was presented today (Saturday, 9th February). Cyril Windiate made the Western Section award to Tristan Cropley of Welling Town Reserves. His team won all their four league games in month, away wins against Halstead United, Bromleians Reserves and Parkwood Rangers and a home win over AFC Lewisham. 
Due to fixtures being cancelled the League arranged for club officials to make the January Premier Division award to Mark Cray of Stansfeld (O&B). In January they recorded three wins, against New Romney away and Hawkinge Town at home, together with an away win at Long Lane in the NRG Gym Bill Manklow Inter-Regional Challenge Cup.
To receive the award teams must have a disciplinary record for the month within the League’s Code of Conduct. For full details and full list of the season’s winners click here.
The following dates have been agreed for the Semi Final Fixtures of the Hospitals Charity Cup (Senior Division)
Erith & Belvedere v Forest Hill Park – Tuesday March 5 (Kick off 7:45pm)
Stansfeld v Sutton Athletic – Tuesday March 12 (Kick off 7:45pm)
KENT FA PITCH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
The FA Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP) will deliver improvements to more than 200 grass pitches across Kent over the next three years.
Kent FA is committed to improving pitches and supporting ground staff across Kent.
With this in mind they are introducing a monthly blog aimed to provide an insight into the world of Groundsmanship, while providing tips and advice to help pitches across the County flourish.
The blog is written by multi award winner and K Sports Head Groundsman, Scott Byers.
The latest edition is now available, to view the blog click here.
If you would be interested in the Pitch Improvement Programme email Lee Suter at the Kent FA by clicking here.
REFEREES ONLINE APPLICATION 2018-2019
The online application form for Match Officials for the 2018-19 season is now open.
Please click here to complete and submit.
SITUATIONS VACANT & FRIENDLIES WANTED
Do you need new players or volunteers? After some pre-season matches? The latest vacancies and requests are listed below. For full details click here
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 27 Year Old attacker midfield or striker looking for a new club
TONBRIDGE INVICTA FC NEED YOU! – Looking to rebuild
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – Centre Back/Centre Defensive Midfielder, looking to get back into the game.
JANUARY 2019 – MANAGER AVAILABLE – Previous Kent County League experience
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 19 Year Old Right Back
AFC LEWISHAM – Are looking for experienced strikers and a goalkeeper
TWO PLAYERS SEEKING CLUB – A goalkeeper and a midfielder looking to get back into football
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 29 years old looking to play left or right back
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 21 year old with a passion for football
SOUTH EAST ATHLETIC – Are looking for a volunteer Reserve Team Manager
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 21 year old midfielder, looking for a team
COACH/TRAINER SEEKING POSITION – Goalkeeper and outfield coach with experience within academies
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 36 year old, looking for Vets team
SUTTON ATHLETIC FC RESERVES – Are looking for new players to add to their squad.
PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – looking for a club in the South East London area.
MANAGER AVAILABLE – Open to management or coaching opportunities
MANAGER SEEKING CLUB – Had been in management in the KCFL for 16 seasons, now looking to get back.
DIARY DATES
Saturday, 1st June 2019 – Kent County Football League Annual Presentation night at the Mercure Hotel, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RE
Monday, 17th June 2019 – Kent County Football League Annual General Meeting at The Appleyard, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4DE
