FIXTURES
The January 2019 fixtures for League and Cup matches are now available.
To view the full list click here to download, or view the Forthcoming Fixtures page.
MANAGER OF THE MONTH
The contest for the Aford Awards Manager of the Month has been one of the closest ever known, across the Premier Division and Eastern and Western sections, with the final outcomes decided by the better disciplinary records of the eventual winning manager and teams.
In the Premier Division four teams tied for the award, but because of their superior disciplinary record in the month the winner is Mark Warner of Metrogas FC. League Chairman, Cyril Windiate, made the award yesterday (8th December).
In the month Metrogas recorded 3 wins at home to Fleetdown United and away victories at Stansfeld (O&B) and Faversham Strike Force.
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.
ANDREW GIDLEY’S WEEKLY ROUNDUP
SATURDAY, 2nd December
Not too many teams have made such an impact on the Kent County League as South East Athletic have.
Now only in their fourth season in the competition, the club won Division 3 West at the first attempt, spending two more in 2 West, before being promoted again last season. Chairman Steven Daley said: “Our long term goal for the club is for it to be one that offers football for all ages, at all standards, utilising the best possible facilities, coaching and equipment.
“In order to do that we believe you have to have a flagship first team that is doing well at a reasonable level in order to drive the coverage of the club and spread it’s good name.
“We are still working towards that but we believe we have established ourselves as a well run, well respected club already.
“We try to do everything as professionally as we can, to the best of our ability and we like to think a lot of clubs and people involved with football know who we are and have respect for the way we try to operate.
“It’s been a long journey to get to this point but we’re not done yet!”
The club have also won a clutch of awards for success on and off the pitch, as well as raising the club’s profile even further by issuing match programmes.
Daley added: “Dan Hollis won secretary of the year for the Division and the entire league that first year.
“He also won secretary of the Division in the second year.
“Last year both teams won their Andreas Carter Fair Play Award for their Division and the first team won the overall title, then both teams won the league award for combined discipline and administration in their respective Divisions with the Reserves taking the overall title.
“Dan Conneally won the Western Section Manager of the Month once during that first season, and I won it again during our second season.”
Now the club are looking forward to a first county semi-final following their 5-3 Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield victory at Halls Athletic on Saturday. Two down inside opening half hour they fought back to win, thanks to Darren Wynne’s hat-trick, as their impressive season continues.
Manager Tony Alliband said: “It has been a fantastic start with just one defeat in thirteen games, progress in three cups and a solid beginning to life in Division 1 West.
“ We’ve managed to integrate some new players into the club and along with myself, having only joined in the summer, things have settled really quickly which I think says a lot about the club, how welcoming it is of new blood and new ideas and how together everyone is on and off the pitch to make things a success.
“This is the first season we have ever entered a county competition and it’s been an exciting journey of tough games but that’s what we want.
“The lads want to be challenged and one of their biggest strengths is never giving up. “We were 2-0 down inside five minutes a few weeks back to Chipstead, came back and won, came from behind three times against Welling to salvage a point last week and then went 2-0 behind last weekend before pulling it back.
“When things aren’t going our way, this fight and determination goes a long, long way. “Now that we’re into the semis we will be looking forward to the draw, but our main priority remains finishing as high as we can and getting to the Premier Division sooner rather than later.”
SEA join top flight leaders Staplehurst Monarchs United in the last four, 2-0 winners at Fleetdown United, with the remaining two ties scheduled for this weekend. Defender Dan Ashton got both, making it six for the season, putting Monarchs ahead after 20 minutes, then doubling the lead five minutes from round to settle the tie.
Sporting Club Thamesmead Reserves and Red Velvet both moved into the fourth round of the Kent Junior Cup (Group A). Jason Elliot scored twice as SCT beat Stansfeld Reserves 5-2, while Harry Taylor’s double helped Velvet clinch a 3-1 extra-time win at West Wickham 3rds.
Elsewhere rain was the main winner with many matches called off on Saturday morning due to waterlogged pitches.
In the games that did go ahead, Guru Nanak moved second in Division 1 Central & East after a third successive win – 3-0 at home against Ramsgate Reserves.
Jake Fitzpatrick hit his sixth of the season as Division 2 Central & East leaders West Farleigh won 3–0 at AFC Ashford Athletic. Rusthall Reserves slipped to a second successive defeat 2-0 at Margate Sports Reserves, Josh Howie and Joshua Byford the scorers. Ryan Prior hit four as Ashford won 9-0 at Tonbridge Invicta.
Noah Lasoye scored twice as second placed Drummond Athletic’s came from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 against Fleetdown United Reserves, the only game in Division 2 West. Harry Bell and Jack Whitehead were United’s scorers.
Five goal Harry Goddard and hat-trick man Brad Burton led the scoring as Tenterden Town won 13-1 against nine-man Staplehurst Monarchs United Reserves, the sole game to beat the weather in Division 3 Central & East.
In Division 3 West, top scorer Darwin Orozco netted his 16th goal of the season as second placed Equinoccial drew 1-1 at home to Parkwood Athletic, sub Ben Malyon on the scoresheet.
South East Athletic Reserves are third following the 3-2 victory over Bromleians Reserves Lyon Tetteh, Andrew Ewers and Conrad Davies in his first game after stepping up from the A team, were the scorers. Ian Allerton got both for Broms. Sub Usha Dru Myers scored two as Bridon Ropes Reserves were 3-1 winners at AFC Lewisham.
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 third 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.
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
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 in.
AFC ASHFORD ATHLETIC – New players wanted in all positions for the 1st Team.
BEARSTED RESERVES – Are looking for players to add to their squad
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.
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
