Monday 21st April
PREMIER DIVISION
Erith & Belvedere 1-3 Holmesdale
Faversham Town 6-0 Lordswood
Hollands & Blair 0-2 Bearsted
Larkfield & New Hythe 2-1 Kennington
Snodland Town 1-2 Lydd Town
Stansfeld 1-2 Punjab United
Tunbridge Wells 1-1 Rusthall
VCD Athletic 1-0 Sutton Athletic
Whitstable Town 0-0 Fisher
There were further twists and turns in the race for the play-offs today after Punjab United replaced Rusthall in the top 5 following a win for Punjab at Stansfeld and the Rustics draw at neighbours Tunbridge Wells.
Whitstable Town’s goalless draw with Fisher means we will probably see repeat of that game in the play-off semi-finals while VCD Athletic confirmed a home passage through the end of season shoot-out after a late victory against Sutton Athletic.
There was 1,110 in attendance at the Culverden Stadium to see Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall play out a 1-1 draw. The Rustics took the lead through a Yassin Fares penalty but it’s not unusual that this match ends level and Tom Jones quick response for Wells earned them a share of the spoils.
With dropped points for Rusthall it was vital for Punjab United to win at Stansfeld if they wanted to have their play-off destiny in their own hands – and they did just that. Stefan Payne gave Punjab the lead, Dario Sesay-De Luca equalised and a late Jack Barry finish gave the visitors the all-important win.
Elsewhere in the play-off positions, a late Adebola Sotoyinbo goal against Sutton Athletic sealed VCD Athletic second spot and the 0-0 game between Whitstable Town and Fisher means that they are almost certain to finish in 3rd and 4th place respectively.
The big game at the bottom end of the table went the way of Lydd Town, who now hold an on-field advantage over today’s opponents Snodland Town as we enter the final round of fixtures this Saturday.
Luke Burdon and Nico Cotton each netted early for Lydd, who were then reduced to ten men, before Charlie Sheringham scored for Snodland at the end of the first half. With no further goal action Lydd held on and next host Corinthian in a huge game on Saturday.
Kennington are not quite out of danger after they lost a lead, and the game, to Larkfield & New Hythe. All 3 goals came in the final 15 minutes, with Liam Middleton giving Kennington the lead and Ben Davisson and Harrison Carnegie getting the goals for the Larks.
It was a double celebration for our Champions Faversham Town today. They firstly celebrated a stunning 6-0 win at home to Lordswood before getting the chance to lift their newly-acquired trophy in front of a big crowd at Salters Lane.
Elsewhere, an early double from Lewis Heywood-Oriogun helped Holmesdale to a 3-1 win at Erith & Belvedere and Dieko Falade and Bradley Jeffrey each scored in a 2-0 victory for Bearsted at Hollands & Blair.
