League Statement – 26.03.20
All Member Clubs.
The League Management Committee have unanimously agreed that we will abide with the FA instruction and the Kent FA request, in that the league as a whole will now close the season and declare both the league and cup competitions null and void.
Gavin Hoare
For and on behalf of the KCFL committee.
Andrew Gidley’s Weekly Roundup
14th March
BILL MANKLOW INTER REGIONAL CHALLENGE CUP
Staplehurst Monarchs left it late to secure their place in the semi-finals beating Lordswood Reserves 2-0.
Both goals came in the final 20 minutes through Omar Elmantawy and William Phillips-Reid.
Louis Payne thumped a 30-yard effort against the crossbar – while the Medway club tweeted claims they were denied a stonewall penalty later in the first half.
Monarchs now wait to face Borden Village with the other tie between Crockenhill and Hollands & Blair Reserves.
LES LECKIE CUP
Two first season clubs – Cinque Ports and Minster – set-up the prospect of a Thanet derby final before this week’s shutdown.
Minster’s 4-2 extra-time win over holders Sturry ended their hopes of regaining the trophy again, while Cinque Ports beat Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers 4-1. Josh Byford scored twice.
Sturry admitted it was “a bad day at the office” in an eventful 120 minutes which saw both goalkeepers sent off.
Sturry’s Jan Kurlapski was first to go for a poor challenge, before opposite number Joe Twyman followed in the second period of extra-time for handling outside the area.
Minster top scorer Ollie Harris came off the bench to score twice, after Harry Holden’s 91st minute leveller.
Tristan Jevons put Minster ahead before Joe Mullen made it 1-1 – Sam Bubb adding Sturry’s second with 15 minutes left.
Minster manager Ian Wallace said: “Delighted to have got the victory in what we knew was going be a tough game and a real test.
“We felt that we played some good football, particularly considering the difficult playing surface.
“The second half was more scrappy, going into injury time trailing made it an unlikely win but this team has character and will always battle to the end, the equaliser, whilst late, was deserved.
“We felt we controlled the extra time period and were worthy of the two goal cushion which we defended well for the second period of extra time.”
Wallace added: “Delighted to have made the Les Leckie Final in our first season in the league.
“With teams from across our league and the one above, we knew we’d be tested and we were.
“We are all pleased with the football we played to make the final which now becomes a priority for the season run in.”
PREMIER DIVISION
New Romney welcomed Dave Johncock back in charge in fine style beating Stansfeld O&B Club 4-1 – a swift turnaround in fortunes having lost the reverse fixture by the same score a week earlier.
Johncock who took a break from the game earlier in the season said: It was good to be back with a win.
“We started well with a couple of early goals and that just gave us some confidence to go on and win the game.
Warren Smith scored twice with Roy Godden also on the score sheet.
Youngsters Ben Berger and Mayowa Ladapo are at the opposite end of the age and impressed in on their debuts.
Johncock added: “We gave a couple of debuts to both boys – they have been progressing at under-18 level with Hastings and Folkestone and we are giving them a taste of men’s football to help them on their way.
“They both did really well and we look forward to helping them with their progression.”
Faversham Strike Force beat Farnborough old Boys Guild 2-1 but Club Manager Gary Axford was full of praise for a goal – scored by the opposition
Substitute Lee Friend was the scorer – Axford said “ the ball was played forward from the kick off – the ball broke loose just outside the Farnborough area, and he hit first time into the top corner…a peach of a strike”
Tom Axford and Ali Adam were the Strike Force scorers.
Kieran McGiffin and Charlie Perfitt were again on target as Fleetdown United chalked up a fourth successive win beating Otford United 4-1.
Off the pitch Otford have published their first club newsletter covering senior and junior teams at the club.
They plan to publish every three months and vice chairman Tom Johnson said: “We have exciting some exciting plans ahead to build the club to it’s full potential.”
Jack Baines scored his first of the season as Bromleians beat Ide Hill 3-2.
Brad Webb and Lewis McCrory netted in Borden Village’s 2-0 win.
….and finally we wish George Kindon a speedy recovery after breaking his tibia and fibia in his right leg after only 15 minutes in Greenways Aces 5-2 win over Metrogas Reserves on Saturday
And now to the rapid shutdown of all football – until when, we don’t know.
Gallery
14th March
Three games covered this weekend. Paul Roth went to watch Lokomotive Canterbury play Paddock Wood at the Simon Langton grammar school. This division three game had plenty of goals with three of them being scored int he first half. – Paddock wood were 2-1 up at half time and went on to win the match 4-2. Adrian Gaskin scoring two of the goals for the away side.
Alan Curnick was with Crockenhill when they entertained Borden Village at Wested Meadow. This game ended 2-0 to Borden, with goals from Lewis McCrory and Bradley Webb.
The third match, also in the premier division was Fleetdown Utd versus Otford United. League Phtographer, Julie Hoare was at this game. Rob Coshell, a visitor from over the water in Essex came along to watch the match and wrote this report;
Organised sport in the UK is set to be suspended but Fleetdown and Otford United provided those in attendance at Lower Heath Road some good memories to take with us into our enforced break.
On an excellent surface and in benign weather conditions, the hosts, Fleetdown United cruised into a 2-0 lead after just 15 minutes. McGiffen scored the first, deftly sliding the ball under the sprawling Otford goalkeeper. He then turned provider for the impressive Roscoe to double the advantage. Otford responded with the best goal of the game a minute before half time when Cunningham’s diving header converted a superb right wing delivery. 
The game was in the balance until a counter attack was finished off by Perfitt on 62 minutes, restoring the hosts two-goal cushion. Otford defender, Baldwin beat Chapman to a tempting Roscoe set-up to round off the scoring with an unfortunate own goal with 14 minutes remaining.
Two good teams served by three excellent officials. Thanks to all involved
Pictures from all these games can by found by clicking here
Missing Archives – Help required
League historian John Weller is hoping to locate the following missing end of season league tables to complete our archive.
John says: “They all relate to the Eastern Section of the League. During this period it comprised teams to the East of a line from Sittingbourne to Tenterden.
In each season there was only one Division.
The four years are as follows:-
1951-52 Tables available up to and including results for 12th April 1952
1952-53 Tables available up to and including results for 18th April 1953
1953-54 Final table available for the end of season for the top seven teams out of thirteen.
Complete tables available up to and including results for 3rd April 1954
1955-56 Tables available up to and including results for 14th April 1956
There are suggestions not all matches were played.
Doug Leckie, Jack Gillett and myself have looked at papers held at Herne Bay, Whitstable, Margate, Canterbury, Deal, Dover, Folkestone and Ashford libraries and when it was open the Colindale newspaper collection.
If you can help fill in the missing pieces, please e-mail John at weller236@btinternet.com
Information & Guides
Transfers, registrations, marking referees – all this and more – click here
SITUATIONS VACANT & OTHER ADS
Do you need new players or volunteers? After some pre-season matches? Have spare pitches? The latest vacancies and requests are listed below. For full details& some earlier requests click here
10th March
DANSON SPORTS RESERVES – Seeking new players
BEXLEY FC – Last chance to sign on!
28th February
45 YEAR OLD PLAYER – Looking for a new Challenge
YOUNG MANAGER – Looking for a team to manage in the KCFL
