First Division – 31st July
It was goals galore on day one of the First Division season with home sides coming out best, winning 7 of the 8 games played.
FC Elmstead were the odd ones out, picking up the only away win of the day and impressively doing it at one of the fancied sides for glory this year.
Who knew Andy Constable had another season in him? Well he did it seems, and thanks to a penalty on the half hour and a stunning strike soon after, Elmstead had a 2-0 lead over SC Thamesmead by the break.
Player/Manager Aaron Jeffery pulled one back for The Acre, which set up a tense finish, but FC Elmstead held on and they start the season on an unexpected high.
Three of today’s games finished 4-2.
The first came between Bridon Ropes and Larkfield & New Hythe where the Jack Kensington’s double upset The Larks SCEFL debut.
Croydon won 4-2 against another debutant club but struggled to get going early on before eventually overpowering a 10-man Staplehurst Monarchs.
Faversham Strike Force completed the set of promoted clubs to lose 4-2 on day one of their Step 6 lives. They returned from Sutton Athletic empty handed with Arlie Desanges scoring twice for the hosts – after Faversham had twice pulled back a Sutton advantage.
Stansfeld were the top scorers today, netting 5 against Greenways at Foxbury.
An Ollie Milton double then Rob Hughes effort on the half time whistle gave the hosts a comfortable lead at the break.
Greenways made a game of it in the second half ,and reduced the arrears through Brad Cross and Rhys Abioye, before Frankie Beale and Joe Minter each scored to put the game to bed.
Lee Friend scored a hat-trick for Snodland Town as they handed Westside a losing SCEFL debut.
Friend’s trio was added to by Omar El Mantawy to giving Snodland a 4-1 win and an early share of the top of the table.
Rochester United were forced to do it the hard way as they had to come from behind to beat Meridian VP at Rede Court Road.
Romayle Wade gave VP the lead on 65 minutes but The Spartans quickly responded, and with goals from Lucas Payne and Henry Arnold they came back to earn the win.
Bradley Baker marked his return to Lydd Town with the winning goal, and only one of the game, giving his side all 3 points against Lewisham Borough.
