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FIXTURES

We are now releasing the fixtures for November 2018 for all divisions. Please note that some fixtures will be scheduled after completion of previous rounds of various cup competitions.

To view the full list click here to download, or view the Forthcoming Fixtures page.

ANDREW GIDLEY’S WEEKLY ROUNDUP

SATURDAY, 13th October

Premier Division

Peckham Town never seem short of a match-winner.

Abraham Opoku set the bar high, with 66 goals in 47 games spanning two seasons, while Ali Amisu, Gareth Jones and Howard Miller have been consistent scorers so far this season. Now Klajdi Cani can be added to that list after coming off the bench to score a hat-trick in his first senior start of the season as Town won 5-2 at Crockenhill on Saturday.

Faversham Strike Force continue to blood their own youngsters to good effect, with a trio of under-18’s on the pitch at the end of their 5-2 win over Otford United. One of them, debutant Luke Taylor featured among the scorers, with two by Ali Adam and Dinu Catalin completing the scoring.

Strike Force said: “We are very proud of the three players who stepped up… the importance of having a decent youth system is starting to pay off.”

A late Dan Ashton goal earned leaders Staplehurst Monarchs United a 2-2 draw at New Romney. Ashton netted for the second away game running to earn his side their first draw in 10 league starts this season and stay three points clear of Bromleians who drew 3-3 in the second v third meeting at Borden Village.

The game proved very eventful. Apart from the goals, it also included one red card, six yellows and two penalties. Bromleians led 2-0 after 15 minutes – Borden turned things around to lead 3-2 at half-time, before Broms got a third from the spot eight minutes into the second half. Village had a chance to win it from 12 yards late on, but missed. Borden’s Lewis McCrory scored for the second game running, while Adam O’Neill netted his 10th of the season for Broms.

Fleetdown United are fifth following their 1-1 draw at Kings Hill. Rick Akers netted for United with Hill skipper Danny Melvin on target for the hosts. John Smith and Darren Winfield scored for Hawkinge Town in their 2-0 win at Metrogas.

Tudor Sports are under under new management. Ben Kirk, Ross Morley and James Bradley took over last week, after Ross Baker and Danny Joy stepped aside, and earned their first point in a 0-0 draw against Farnborough OBG.

Bexley claimed an early season double, beating Stansfeld (O&B) 3-0, their first home win, with goals by Steve Leach, Callum O’Sullivan and substitute Tyrell Henry.

Division 1

K Sports Reserves maintained their unbeaten record with a 1-1 draw at Guru Nanak, despite finishing with nine men. James Funnell made it six in six, before being sent off. Pat Bishenden scored twice as Hollands & Blair Reserves made it six wins in a row in all competitions, 3-1 winners at Ramsgate Reserves.

First team player Jack Mahon scored twice on his return from holiday as Lordswood Reserves beat Lydd Town Reserves 5-3. All Lords goals came in the first half, before Lydd added two more in the second. Dan Hanshaw netted twice as Cuxton 91 beat Margate Sports 4-3.

Leaders Ide Hill continue to be the Division 1 West form team, 4-1 winners at Welling Park. Top scorer Craig Jackson hit his seventh of the season.

George Harris scored twice as second placed Sydenham Sports beat Halls 4-0. Todd Bamber hit two for Chipstead in their 5-0 win over Stansfeld (O&B) Reserves. AFC Mottingham skipper Billy Porter capped a second half comeback to draw 3-3 at Sutton Athletic Reserves, having trailed 3-0 down at half-time.

Club Langley’s Liam Johnson and Gabriel Bramah both scored twice in the 6-0 win over AFC Lewisham in the London Junior Cup.

Division 2

Ashford FC new boss Lee James says he is pleased to be back in the game. He guided Willesborough Athletic to multiple league and cup success only for the club to fold. James has enjoyed his break and admitted:

“I had been missing football, since I stopped around 18 months ago but was pretty adamant that I would never manage or run a club again.

“However, this opportunity came up and after seeing the set-up and having lengthy discussions with the committee, I was very impressed with everything, including the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes at the club, to keep taking it forward. “The facilities are top notch, up there with some of the best in local football at this level.

He added: “We have a good bunch of lads, with lots of potential and we will be recruiting well, which has already started.

“With the right focus, attitudes and performing to the level we are capable of, we can have a great season.”

Ashford are third following their 2-1 win over Bearsted Reserves, with first half goals by Stuart Taylor and Matt Forster’s penalty.

Top-two Rusthall Reserves and West Farleigh also won.

Alfred Maisey made it five in two games as West leaders Red Velvet won 3-1 over Belvedere.

Division 3

Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers confessed the 5-0 defeat at Rochester City Reserves was “a bad day at the office.”

However the bigger picture is looking much brighter, new management, a flurry of commercial activity due to a raft of new advertising boards and the club now seeking to find a “senior partner football club” in the Southern Counties East League to develop links and offer mutual benefits.”

The club say: “Primary to this would be our ability to offer up and coming players (the chance) to play competitive men’s football to aid their progression from under-18’s/21/23 into the partner’s first team squad.”

LONDON JUNIOR CUP

Elsewhere in the competition, Equinoccial, Bridon Reserves and HFSP & Ten-Em-Bee won away to progress to the third round.

GALLERY

13th October

This week, League Photographer, Julie Hoare watched the match between Cuxton 91 and Margate Sports. Although there were 7 goals in the game it wasn’t a thriller however Margate did play well to keep themselves in the match. It could well have been a draw at 90 minutes had Cuxton not kept a tight defense. Goals for Cuxton came from Jake Beckett, Daniel Hanshaw (2) and Kyle Eastwood who had a superb game. The game was finished off with some great after match hospitality and football chat with both sets of players and supporters.

Alan Curnick also had 7 goals in his match at Crockenhill, where he saw his team play Peckham Town in the Premier Division. This game was 1-1 at half time however it ended with Peckham winning 5-2, with goals from YaYa Berry, Nicky Meta and three from substitute Klajdi Cani.

David Spring was at home with his side, Southborough where they entertained Snodland Town Reserves. Sadly this wasn’t a thriller and ended with just the one goal, a penalty going to Snodland. Natham Brumbaugh was the scorer at this match.

Pictures from all these games can be found on the gallery page

MANAGER OF THE MONTH

The first Aford Awards Manager of the Month awards were made today when Kent FA Chairman Philip Smith joined League Chairman Cyril Windiate to make the presentations.

The Premier Division award was made to Gary Axford of Faversham Strike Force prior to their game at Crockenhill. In September Strike Force won all four of their qualifying League matches, with home wins against Stansfeld (O&B), Peckham Town and Farnborough O B Guild. They travelled to New Romney and secured another victory. On receiving his award Gary paid credit to coach Stuart Benfield.

Tudor Sports Reserves joined the competition this season and manager Nathan Gee has picked up his first manager of the month award. His team played five qualifying matches last month. At home they won against Equinoccial and drew with Greenways Aces. Away from home in the League they defeated AFC Lewisham and Halstead United. In the NRG Gym West Kent Challenge Shield they went to Farnborough OB Guild Reserves and won the tie on penalties.

Both teams had a disciplinary within the League’s Code of Conduct as well as their successful playing record.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM

Following last season’s semi-final appearance in the FA Inter-League Cup the Rep team play again next month when we entertain the Essex Olympian League. The game is being played on Tuesday 13th November at the Rochester United Sports Ground, Rede Court Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 3TU with kick-off at 7:45pm.

Level 1 Winter Pitches: In Season (Maintenance) For football

Why can’t the grass be greener on the other side?

The Kent FA are delighted to have teamed up with the Institute of Groundsmanship to offer those who maintain and care for football pitches in Kent the opportunity to gain a greater insight into maintaining football pitches throughout the winter months.

They will be hosting an IOG Level 1 Winter Pitches Course which will cover key subjects from the assessment and aeration to mowing and line marking. The one day course will be held at the Kent FA on Wednesday, 7th November.

The course will feature a productive presentation, plus turf care theory and practical working demonstrations. Students will learn what is involved in preparing and maintaining a surface that allows for maximum playability.

• Definition and assessment of surface.
• Sequence of in season annual maintenance.
• Mowing, scarification, verticutting and harrowing.
• Fertiliser application and top dressing.
• Line marking: setting and marking out.
• Turf problems: weeds, pests and diseases.
• Safe and effective use of equipment.

The course is ideal for volunteers, new employees or just as a refresher for an established employee to develop their knowledge of the latest best practices and explore the requirements needed in order to optimise playing surfaces.

The course is £100 per person and includes lunch and is limited to 12 places.

Don’t miss out and book your place today by clicking here.

For more details on our Pitch Improvement Programme please email Football Development Manager, Lee.Suter@kentfa.com.

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 second 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.

The draws for both the Senior and Junior Divisions of the Hospitals Charity Cup have been drawn and can viewed by clicking here. On this page teams can advise their Team Administrators for this competition and non Kent County League teams can register players.

At the recent Hospitals Cups Annual General Meeting a letter from the Executive Director of the Kent Air Ambulance thanking the Competition for a donation of £1,250.

REFEREES ONLINE APPLICATION 2018-2019

The online application form for Match Officials for the 201-19 season is now open, please click here to complete and submit.

BECOME A KENT REFEREE!

The Kent FA are holding a number of ‘Get into Refereeing’ Workshops from May to August 2017 at venues across the County. In addition the Kent FA are looking to encourage those players approaching the end of their careers to take up the whistle and are offering a special discount on the referee course fees, which could be as low as £50.00!

For further information email the Kent FA, Referee Development Officer, Nick Dunn by clicking here

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

WATERINGBURY FC – Are looking for a goalkeeper

BROMLEIANS FC – Are looking for a Manager for their first team

BEXLEY FOOTBALL CLUB – Are looking for a goalkeeper

ROCHESTER CITY FC – Are looking for some new additions to their team

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 18 year old attacking midfielder / winger

TONBRIDGE INVICTA – Looking for manager/coaching staff for their new development squad.

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 19 year old right winger/right back looking for a club.

WATERINGBURY FC – Are looking for a good quality winger to add to their squad

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – Left Back looking for a new team

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – 18 year old attacker / wide player (Maidstone scholar) looking for a county team.

ORPINGTON FC – are looking for a new Reserve Team Manager

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – I’m a 29 years old experienced attacking mid fielder (centre or wide), looking for a team in the south London area.

CRAYFORD ARROWS – Goalkeeper wanted for their first team – Div two west.

BEXLEY FC – are looking for players for their First Team and Reserves Team playing in the Kent County Premier and Division 2

TONBRIDGE INVICTA – Looking for the last few players to finalise the squad for this season. Defenders and wide players needed.

GOAL KEEPER WANTED – Orpington FC are looking for a keeper for the new season.

PLAYERS SEEKING CLUB – a midfielder and a left sided defender looking for a Vets team in the Peckham/Dulwich area.

AFC MOTTINGHAM – Goal Keeper wanted.

CROCKENHILL – Looking for experienced Kent County League Players.

AFC LEWISHAM – New players wanted for their team in the Kent County league Division 3 West .

BEXLEY FC – players wanted in all positions for their Kent County Premier First Team and Division 2 for their Reserves team.

PECKHAM TOWN – Are you looking for a Home Ground for the 18 / 19 Season?

ORPINGTON FC – are looking for players of a good standard in all positions but particularly at centre back to add to both our their first team and reserve team squads for the 2018/19 season.

BEXLEY FC – FIRST TEAM – looking for pre-season friendlies and new players to strengthen their team. Also a match day physio and kit man.

BEXLEY FC – RESERVE TEAM – are also looking for pre-season friendlies and new players They are also looking for an assistant referee to help on home and away matches.

PECKHAM TOWN FC FIRST TEAM – looking for an experienced goal keeper and striker.

TONBRIDGE INVICTA – Looking to strengthen their squad for the new season.

ROCHESTER CITY – New players wanted for the new season.

CROCKENHILL FOOTBALL CLUB (PREMIER DIVISION) – under new management and looking for new experienced players.

PLAYER SEEKING CLUB – A strong and technical centre back or right back. looking for a new team to start the season.