Saturday January 17
FIRST DIVISION
Chessington & Hook v FC Elmstead
Lydd Town v Banstead Athletic
Rochester United v Sheppey Sports
SC Thamesmead v Welling Town
SE Dons v Greenways
Staplehurst Monarchs v Lordswood
It’s another cracking Saturday lined up in the First Division, with pressure points everywhere you look – title, play-offs, and survival all very much on the menu.
Leaders SE Dons welcome Greenways in the standout fixture of the day. The Dons are unbeaten at home, three points clear at the summit, and riding a 14-game unbeaten league run. Sixth-placed Greenways sit just a point outside the play-offs, so a positive result would be massive. The socials are already buzzing – and rightly so.
Second-placed Rochester United host Sheppey Sports, knowing a win could take them back to the top. Rochester come into this on the back of three straight wins, while Sheppey were involved in absolute chaos last week, beating Chessington & Hook 8-4. The firepower is there again – but tighten up at the back or this could get messy.
At the foot of the table, Chessington & Hook host FC Elmstead, pitch condition permitting. Chessington are well adrift and need points fast, but Elmstead arrive having won six of their last eight and firmly inside the play-off places. The form guide suggests a tough afternoon for the hosts.
Down in the relegation scrap, Lydd Town take on Banstead Athletic in a proper six-pointer. Both sides concede goals like it’s a hobby – Lydd have lost their last two 6-1, while Banstead have shipped 12 in their last two. Someone’s survival hopes get a boost here… and yes, both can’t lose, but they’ll give it a good go.
Just above the drop zone, Welling Town head to SC Thamesmead. Thamesmead have shown real improvement in recent weeks, but Welling won the reverse fixture last month. Form says one thing, history says another – flip a coin.
Finally, fourth-placed Lordswood AFC entertain Staplehurst Monarchs with both sides eyeing a strong play-off push. Lordswood are solid at home, Staplehurst less convincing on the road, but if Monarchs want top-five football come season’s end, these are exactly the games they need to start winning.
Strap in – this division rarely does quiet Saturdays.