Sevenoaks Town 7 AFC Croydon Athletic 0

Match 110/17/1560 - Saturday, 31st March 2018 - SCEFL

Sevenoaks Town (3) 7 Ince 15 Pogue 17,84,89 OG 29 Edwards 71 (pen) Bennett 90
AFC Croydon Athletic (0) 0
Attendance: 164

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 46/7,497

Yet another postponement sends me to an alternative game. This time I chose the relative safety of the SCEFL's champions-elect Sevenoaks Town and their 3G surface. A mid-game downpour reaffirmed that this was a good decision, although eight SCEFL games made it to their conclusion with only three postponements. The fixture lists in all the leagues are now becoming heavily congested but the Football Association are refusing requests for extensions beyond 28th April.

The one-sided nature of this game made it hard to believe that in the early part of the season AFC Croydon actually led the SCEFL Premier but, as we enter the final month, Sevenoaks now sit 10 points clear of their nearest challengers Crowborough with the two due to meet on Easter Monday. But, with another shocking weather forecast, chances of that game going ahead are slim.

Sevenoaks went ahead after 15 minutes when Kenny Pogue crossed for Brett Ince to score with a far post header setting up a first half of almost complete domination. Within two minutes a corner from Billy Bennett allowed Pogue the easiest of headers to double the advantage.

Frankie Sawyer should have made it three soon after as AFC Croydon floundered whenever a ball into the box was delivered aerially. After 28 minutes, AFC's goalkeeper Francis Ameyaw made a good stop to deny Pogue with the rebound falling to Sawyer who hit a post the rebound from which saw Jason Thompson's shot well saved by Ameyaw.

It was a short, but exciting reprieve for the visitors as the subsequent corner once more highlighted their fragility in the air as Corey Holder's header was deflected in for an own goal.

Sevenoaks could easily have gone into the break half-a-dozen goals to the good but, although they added four second half goals, they were not as dominant in the second period.

It took a dubious penalty converted by Chris Edwards after 71 minutes to kick start the scoring again with Sevenoaks adding three more in the last six minutes.

A fine run and cross from Greg Benbow set-up Pogue for a tap-in to make it five with the same pairing teaming up for Pogue to complete his hat-trick with a header that took a deflection.

Bennett completed the scoring in the last minute with a mazy dribble that took him around the goalkeeper and half the Croydon team before finally deciding it was time to shoot.

Maidstone United 1 Hartlepool United 2

Match 109/17/1559 - Good Friday, 30th March 2018 - National League

Maidstone United (0) 1 Lafayette 90
Hartlepool United (1) 2 Woods 25,88 (pen)
Attendance: 2,559

Entrance: £12 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 19/7,451

Match Report

#sickofpostponements is seemingly my personal hashtag. This crap winter has been littered with them and here we are at Easter and still they keep coming. From the moment I got the dogs back indoors after their morning walk, literally a few seconds before it started to rain, my good luck quota for the day had been exhausted. As the rain fell harder, serious doubts about the afternoon's entertainment at Longmead strengthened until 13:20 when the postponement was posted. Option Two: Punjab United v Crockenhill. Stuck in traffic just outside Maidstone, text message says postponed. Option Three: Snodland Town v Fisher rejected as still stuck in traffic, decision made to cut my losses (bad choice of words as the next sentence will show) and settle for the 3G surface at the Gallagher, thus breaking my own rule of only stepping into that ground when one of my teams are the opponents. This was ultimately to cost me a £25 parking fine, as I messed up the payment procedure, or was it the machine? No doubt my appeal will be completely fruitless and suitable punishment for the house rule contravention.

Gillingham 1 Milton Keynes Dons 2

Match 108/17/1558 - Thursday, 29th March 2018 - League One

Gillingham (1) 1 Nasseri 40
Milton Keynes Dons (1) 2 Aneke 33 Wiliams 85
Attendance: 5,540

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 58/7,432

If I doubted it, the indifference with which I treated Milton Keynes' winning goal (something akin to watching Erith Town score a late winner at Cray Valley), told me that my time at Gillingham Football Club is definitely done. Something has been missing throughout this season, the buzz has gone and I'm pretty sure it is not going to return. Just like life itself, it's been 43 seasons of ups and downs, some massive highs, all too many lows but this season has been a nothingness. Next season's visits to Priestfield will be occasional rather than being obligated by a season ticket as priorities change.

Crowborough Athletic 0 Tunbridge Wells 2

Match 107/17/1557 - Tuesday, 27th March 2018 - SCEFL Challenge Cup SF 2nd Leg

Crowborough (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (0) 2 Harris 9 Mici 90+4
Attendance: 406

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 74/7,374

Match Report

Crowborough Athletic’s apparent disinterest in a Cup Final place was Tunbridge Wells’ gain as they fielded a weakened side and rolled up the white flag on a tie that they trailed by three goals from a similarly abject first leg performance.

On a freezing cold night at Erith Town in February, I watched them battle back and through extra time to progress in the competition, but it begs the question why they bothered when they gave up a semi-final so meekly.

All of which gives no credit to Tunbridge Wells who produced a fine defensive performance after effectively putting the tie beyond the home side with an early Jack Harris goal.

My master plan for the Wells entailed getting through the first 15 minutes unscathed but this was bettered when Harris glanced a header from a Tom Davey free kick into the bottom corner with potty-mouthed Crows goalkeeper, Dan Ellis, a motionless spectator.

That Crowborough had given up a free kick in a dangerous position was synonymous with their indiscipline over the two legs. Two sendings-off at Culverden were followed by another six bookings in this game.

Rather than see off any early threat from the Crows the Wells took the game to their neighbours with Jon Pilbeam firing wide before the opening goal and then forcing Ellis into a good, blocking save at his feet following.

In truth, perhaps the heavy pitch was a factor, neither side were particularly good at keeping the ball as passes went astray with regular abandon.

For a side desperate to get themselves back into the game it took Crowborough 33 minutes to ask Cameron Hall to make a meaningful save, pushing away a shot from Sam Carrington, low to his left.

The home side exerted some pressure as the clock ticked past 45 minutes with Dan Perry firing wide and Tom Vickers over. But, it was very comfortable for the Wells.

An electric surge from Alexx Kendal was brought to an end by a cynical foul that earned Jason Barton the Crows their fifth booking of the evening, far in excess of their shots on goal.

Crowborough brought on their bigger hitters in Tom Phipp and Zac Attwood, more in an attempt to salvage some pride rather than save the game it would be guess.

Cameron Hall made a brave blocking save to deny Sean Loft from close range and Tom Davey similarly put his body on the line minutes later.

Despite the home side throwing a number of high balls into the box for Hall to continuously punch away the Wells’ supporters were breathing comfortably knowing that their place at Longmead Stadium was secure.

A clean sheet was the order of the day and when the Crows smacked their best chance against the bar with Loft sending the rebound wide that wish was about to be granted.

But there remained time for the cake to be iced. Pilbeam broke away down the left and his cross left substitute Gianfranco Mici with a tap-in against his old club to the delight of the large Wells’ contingent in a crowd of 406.

Sean Muggeridge can justify his choices to his club's short-changed supporters with a good Easter period that includes the visit of league leaders Sevenoaks. But, in true Barry Davies style, with a cup final to follow against Whitstable Town after at times, a desperately poor season, Wells’ supporters will quite rightly say: “frankly, who cares?”

Wingate & Finchley 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 106/17/1556 - Saturday, 24th March 2018 - Bostik Premier

Wingate & Finchley (2) 2 Beckles-Richards 10 Ifil 40
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Miles 61
Attendance: 131

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 147/7,300

This has been one hell of a week for Tonbridge Angels. Four games in eight days; a return trip from a defeat in Suffolk that was delayed by roadworks and not arriving back at Longmead until 2 a.m., followed just two days later by the momentous victory over Billericay, so perhaps it came as no surprise that the visit to Wingate and Finchley appeared to be a game too far.

Tonbridge looked tired and leggy in a first half dominated by their hosts who deservedly went into the break a couple of goals to the good but, to their credit, the Angels got a second wind (or was fifth or sixth) and could justifiably have claimed that they deserved a point for their efforts.

Wingate were fast out of the blocks seeking to take advantage of their visitors sluggishness. After five minutes they had the ball in the net when a cross from the impressive Paul Ifil found Reece Beckles-Richards head at the far post but the goal was ruled out by a linesman’s flag.

Tonbridge were forced into a reshuffle after just seven minutes when Jack Parter limped out of the action to be replaced by Luke Blewden. This probably had no bearing on Wingate’s opening goal three minutes later when Beckles-Richards curled a 20 yard shot into the top corner giving Jonny Henly no chance.

Tonbridge responded well with Tashi-Jay Kwayie forcing Shane Gore into a save and then blazing wastefully over the bar from six yards having been set-up by Joe Turner.

Another chance fell the Angels’ way after 26 minutes with Alex Akrofi firing over before Henly was brought into the action saving from Marc Charles-Smith.

Wingate extended lead before the break when Ifil was allowed to travel fully 30 yards with the ball before firing in a shot that found the bottom corner.

Without a further save from Henly, denying Beckles-Richards, the game would have been out of sight.

Nathan Elder came on for Tommy Whitnell from the start of the second half and Tonbridge put their hosts under pressure with Turner forcing a save from Gore and seeing the resultant corner cleared from the line.

Successive corners brought a goal for Tonbridge just past the hour. The first corner was headed on by Sonny Miles for Akrofi’s header to be saved by Gore but the second was this time headed on by Elder with Miles touching in at the far post from close range.

Tonbridge continued to battle away for an equaliser including sending goalkeeper Henly forward for a corner which he met with a header but straight at a grateful Gore.

As is well-known to Isthmian League visitors, Wingate and Finchley are the proud owners of an iconic stand that doubtless has some sort of preservation order on it. Sadly, every time I go there, I make the same comment, “it just needs a coat of paint”. A few tins of emulsion shouldn’t break the bank surely.

Picture: Kathryn Bell

Tonbridge Angels 2 Billericay Town 1

Match 105/17/1555 - Thursday, 22nd March 2018 - Bostik Premier

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Turner 75 Elder 85
Billericay Town (1) 1 Bricknell 37
Attendance: 526

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/7,153

Evidently this was the day that I threw a wibble. If you don’t know what that is, neither did I! It is to celebrate like a lunatic, in which case I almost certainly wibbled.

105 games in and I have my season’s highlight, albeit for the wrong reasons, the goal of the season and comical retribution.

After two postponements the Circus finally came to town on a poor run of form with whispers that all was not right under the Tamplin Big Top. That they left with a fifth defeat in six games and with the World’s Greatest ringing around their ears was retribution for not only the heavy Cup Final defeat but the distasteful antics that followed.

In fairness, in the first 45 minutes, Billericay looked like a side that had been built with an eye-watering budget. The stroked the ball about nicely looking to get Nick Wheeler involved on his return to Longmead who early doors looked to be a danger to Liam Smith but the youngster grew into the task and largely negated the threat although the Billericay man will be claiming an assist for Billy Bricknell’s 37th minute goal.

After 22 minutes, 25 goal striker Jake Robinson brought a good save from Jonny Henly and, a minute later,Robinson planted a header against the woodwork as the visitors began to turn the screw. A fantastic challenge from Jack Parter denied Robinson went sent through but finally Billericay made their breakthrough. Wheeler’s crossed into the box was only cleared to Danny Waldren but his hopeless mishit shot fell at the feet of Bricknell who, with back to goal flicked the ball over his head to turn a volley past Henly with the aid of a heavy deflection.

Henly was forced to make a good save, low to his left, from Bricknell in added time as the visitors went into the break deserving of their lead.

Tonbridge emerged from the dressing rooms with an attitude that almost shouted “what have we got to lose” and an early strike from Tommy Whitnell was saved by Alan Julian.

On the hour the dangerous Robinson was replaced by the mountainous Adam Cunnington whilst Wheeler had departed the scene during the half-time break,

Tonbridge were now in the ascendancy and it took a brilliant save from Julian to turn a shot from Joe Turner away for a corner after it had been heavily deflected. From the resultant corner, Alex Akrofi’s header rebounded off the top of the bar.

The goal the majority of the 526 attendance craved came after 73 minutes and what a goal. A long kick from Henly was superbly won and headed on by Akrofi into the path of Turner who, from 30 yards, volleyed over the head of the advanced Julian to the biggest roar from Longmead this season.

There were seven minutes remaining when I said to my group of friends that I could gladly forego those next minutes of my life to walk away with the point we had in the hand. Thankfully, nobody upstairs heard me because three minutes later, Tonbridge were in front. A long free kick from Smith saw Julian misjudge the flight of the ball and there, beyond the far post, was substitute Nathan Elder to squeeze a header into the net.

As the time agonisingly ebbed away, a forlorn Glenn Tamplin stared continuously at the ground until the final whistle put him out of his misery and allowed the PA man his moment of revenge with R Kelly booming out to the amusement of everyone bar one.

As was said after, to full agreement, whatever happens for the rest of the season, this Thursday evening will happily see us through to the end.

Picture: Dave Couldridge

Picture courtesy of www.klmphoto.co.uk

Lordswood 2 Whitstable Town 3

Match 104/17/1554 - Wednesday, 21st March 2018 - SCEFL Challenge Cup SF 1st Leg

Lordswood (0) 2 Wells 75, Kane 81
Whitstable Town (2) 3 Gillman 7,21 Freeman 51
Attendance: 101

Entrance: £3.50 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 36/7,115

Match Report

The evening didn’t start well with roadworks right outside Lordswood’s club entrance that necessitated a hideously long diversion for what was a matter of another 20 yards. Consequently, I missed the kick-off, albeit by just a couple of minutes.

Whitstable Town will probably feel that they also missed the boat that would have serenely sailed them into the Final of the SCEFL Challenge Cup after conceding two late goals that at least keeps the tie alive for Lordswood.

The visitors backed by a, shall we say boisterous following, took a seventh minute lead after Ricky Freeman’s shot was turned behind by Ryan Chandler, Josh Burchell’s corner was delivered to the back post to the head of Sean Welford who returned it to the centre for Rob Gillman to head home.

The traffic was very much one way as Whitstable struck a post before finally going two in front after 21 minutes. Following another Burchell corner, the ball rebounded off a post to Gillman who blasted home from close range.

Six minutes into the second half, with Lordswood having barely threatened, Whitstable went three up when Freeman looped a header over Chandler following a long free kick to the far post.

The first hour had been a poor game as a contest but to give Lordswood credit, at least they responded to what appeared to be a hopeless situation. Dan Eason was asked to make his first save and ex-Tunbridge Wells favourite Tom Bryant shot over.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, Frank Griffin’s cross was not cleared by the Whitstable defence and Jordan Wells powered the loose ball past Eason from just inside the penalty area.

When Joe Kane scored in the 81st minute it was suddenly, and rather surprisingly, game on. A corner was headed on at the near post by Gary Cook and Kane headed in from close range.

Lordswood pressed for an equalising goal in the time that remained forcing several corners but they were unable to stretch Eason into anything more than a couple of comfortable saves.