Home

Andrew Gidley’s weekly roundup

Scott Porter says the 2-0 win over K Sports Reserves in his first match in charge at Hawkinge Town capped a “perfect Saturday.”

Six new players made debuts for the club – including Craig Thompson who scored the opener, with substitute Liam Smith netting the other.

Porter told the club’s website: “I am pleased with the result; its been a busy two weeks bringing in players and getting them to play the way I want them to, but they are buying into my ways which is pleasing.

“With four players missing it gives me a selection headache for next Saturday which is what I like. Clean sheet, three points at home, Perfect Saturday.”

Porter has continued his recruiting this week with Shaun Welford joining as player-coach.

Ide Hill’s Barry Ryan scored twice in the 4-1 win over Otford – making it six in the last four games – and 11 for the season for the club’s Player-of-the Month.

Hill trail leaders Staplehurst Monarchs by four points, 2-1 winners over Stansfeld on the day Luke Wallond received the October Premier Division Manager Of the Month award

Monarchs head to Margate this weekend facing Thanet United in the Bill Manklow IRCC Cup.

United’s Ryan Wilson and Phil Fennell -Eastern Section MOM prize winners in September- are part of a “project” aimed at “changing the direction and re-branding of the club – including a name change from Margate Sports.

Harry Alexander scored twice in the 4-0 win at Guru Nanak as leaders United made it seven out of seven in Division 1 East.

Wilson said: “It’s been a solid start to the season with the lads really showing their quality. We still believe they have another couple of gears, but at the moment it’s been good.

“A key part of the project we have started is allowing young local players the platform to play the game the way we think it should be played.

“When we decided to change the direction of the club and re brand last year Phil, Tom Hickman (Director of Football), Jack Tanner (Head Coach/Player) and I all agreed that we needed to change the focus of the club, and utilise younger more local players, and give them the opportunity they weren’t getting elsewhere and I think so far that decision has been vindicated, but that’s only so far, there’s a long way to go.
“As for the future, the playing squad is almost completely new this year, they’re really young but are smart lads (in a football context) with a lot of ability, so we’re hoping to keep this group together for a long time.”

He added: “We have amazing facilities and brilliant landlords in Margate Football Club so hopefully the future is bright.

“We have played well for a couple of months but to be a successful team we need to do that over a number of years, so it’s a case of keeping our heads down, working hard each week and seeing what we can achieve.”

In Division One West, Tom Warner and Tod Bamber both hit hat-tricks as Metrogas leaked seven goals at Chipstead.

Referee Andrew Wheaton praised both teams – tweeting: “Great advert for the league – favourite game of the season.”

Gas manager Mike Jones wasn’t so happy – but praised the opposition.

“Massive congratulations to Chipstead – 100% deserved. Few mistakes – not least from myself.

“Great hospitality as well for the hosts.”

In a busy day of cup action – Staplehurst Monarchs Reserves, Tudor Sports Reserves and Lokomotiv Canterbury progressed to the third round of the Kent Junior Cup.

Snodland Town Reserves won for the first time under new manager Sean Adams – 2-1 at Bridon Ropes Reserves in the Kent Intermediate Cup

Bexley and Red Velvet advanced in the Bill Manklow IRCC – courtesy of late goals against Welling Park and Halls – and are joined in the third round by Lydd Town Reserves.

Larkfield and New Hythe Wanderers, Farnborough Old Boys Guild Reserves and Stansfeld Reserves were Les Leckie Cup winners.

Jay Virgo’s hat-trick led Peckham Town to a 7-0 win over AFC Croydon Athletic Development in the London Senior Trophy.

Ben Boodle scored twice for the second week running, as holders Rusthall Reserves beat West Farleigh 3-0 in the Tunbridge Wells Charity Cup.

Gallery

9th November

There were four games covered this weekend, all over the County.

First up was the Kent Junior Cup game between Tudor sports Reserves and Welling Town Reserves at Oxford Road. Jane Hobart was there to watch and take Photos. This game ended 3-1 to the home side with goals from Anthony Green, Timi Osibodu and John Taylor for Tudor and a goal from Lewis Armstrong for Welling.

Alan Coombes was out in the rain watching Old Roan play Crayford Arrows in the Beckenham Hospitals cup. This game was won 5-0 by Old Roan.

At Yew Tree Road playing fields, David Spring was out watching his team Southborough entertain Whitstable town reserves in the Division Two Central & East match. This game ended 3-2 to the home side with their goals scored by Phil Hutchinson and two from Mushed Miah.

The final match this weekend was watched by league photographer Julie Hoare who went the the premier match between Staplehurst Monarchs and Stansfeld (O&B). All the goals were scored in the first half in this game. Monarchs goal scorers were Dan Ashton and Omar Elmantawy. Stansfeld’s goal came from a penalty scored by Connor McCormack.

Pictures from all these games can be viewed by clicking here

Fixtures

The final set of fixtures for 2019 are now available to publish, click here to download the fixtures for December.

New Vacancy

The Kent County League has a new vacancy for an Assistant Secretary.

This position would work alongside the existing secretary to deliver the high standards set by the league.

It would be a shared responsibility to maintain the daily running of the league. The ability to be impartial in all matters and having full IT skills would be a great advantage.

The league looks forward to receiving applications from those that care about the game and can work as a team. For further information or to make an application, please contact the Chairman, Gavin Hoare.

Manager of the Month – 25th year

The final Manager of the Month award for September was presented this Saturday 2nd November.

League Chairman, Gavin Hoare went along to Cobdown to find Tudor Sports playing K Sports – where he presented Tudor’s joint managers Ben Kirk and James Bradley with their awards.

More information regarding this award and other recipients can be found by clicking here

Information & Guides

A guide to marking a referee has been added to our information page courtesy of the Referee’s Team

To view this please click here

Respect our Young Officials

Over the last few seasons, the Kent County Football League has increased the number of young Officials refereeing within the competition. This has assisted with the Leagues coverage but more importantly as a League we want to continue to promote all new officials as they qualify. This however can only be possible if respect is given to all, especially the younger officials.

Last season, the Kent FA introduced a Yellow Armband system where all Match Officials under the age of 18 wear the coloured armband. This is to assist clubs to identify these young officials and to help towards preventing them from leaving the game due to unnecessary abuse. Remember they are learning!

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

9th November

CUXTON 91 – Looking to strengthen their squad

31st October

ROCHESTER CITY FC – Looking for a goalkeeper

27th October

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – Experienced Centre Forward looking to start playing again

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 22 year old centre back – looking for club

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 19 year old attacking Midfielder – seeking club

16th October

CANTERBURY CITY UNIVERSITY – Seeking a Football Manager

19th September

PARKWOOD RANGERS – Looking for senior players to help with younger team recently promoted