Division One – Saturday 2nd August
SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST
AFC Greenwich Borough 1-1 Chessington & Hook
Croydon 1-2 Rochester United
FC Elmstead 2-3 SE Dons
Greenways 3-1 Lewisham Borough
Lordswood 3-2 Welling Town
Staplehurst Monarchs 1-1 Tooting Bec
MONDAY 4th AUGUST
SC Thamesmead 2-2 Bridon Ropes
Greenways Go Top as First Division Kicks Off in Style
Greenways are the early pacesetters in the SCEFL First Division after a 3-1 win over Lewisham Borough on opening day. It was a dramatic start for Lewisham’s Shiloh Apena, who opened the scoring before receiving a red card inside the first 30 minutes. The dismissal turned the tide, and Greenways took full advantage with goals from Simon Walton, Jack Clark, and Timmy Babington securing the comeback victory.
SE Dons and Lordswood also began their campaigns with thrilling 3-2 wins. The Dons edged past FC Elmstead thanks to goals from Aaron Reber, Aaron Watson, and an own goal. Lordswood, meanwhile, saw off Welling Town, with Thomas Davey bagging a brace and Petar Radojevic grabbing the other.
There was late drama in Croydon as Rochester United stole all three points with virtually the last kick of the game. Luis Dos Santos was the injury-time hero after Liam Spellward had given the Trams the lead and Hicham Akhazzan equalised for the visitors.
The remaining two matches ended level at 1-1. AFC Greenwich Borough celebrated their non-league debut with a historic goal from Stefan Payne, though Chessington & Hook United responded in style via a thunderous strike from Sangjoon Baek. At Jubilee Field, Joe Martin put Tooting Bec ahead, only for Staplehurst Monarchs’ Oliver Lankshear to earn his side a share of the spoils.
In the Monday night football, SC Thamesmead and Bridon Ropes drew 2-2 at Bayliss Avenue.
Iain Kemp gave Ropes the lead only for Chris Mochine-Wood to level before the break. Jack Hooper then gave the hosts the lead but Samuel Sarpong’s 77th minute effort ensured the points were shared.