Week 1 Invicta League Round-up
Just 12 weeks after lifting the Kent Invicta League trophy, Champions Hollands & Blair began their quest for a second successive title with a 4-1 home win over a much-changed Kent Football United. Although not playing particularly well two goals from skipper Stuart West were added to by last season's leading goalscorer James McDonald and Bryan Greenfield, a fierce free-kick. Steve Turner weaved his way through the home defence for what turned out to be a 67th minute consolation for Sam McNeil's side.
Last seasons runners-up Lydd Town also got off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over Bridon Ropes at the Lindsey Field. After a goalless first-half Ryan Smith broke the deadlock with a 67th minute penalty and Gary Lisney's Ropes were finally undone by two late strikes from Gary Lockyer and Carlum MacLoud.
Crockenhill, last seasons whipping boys, may not have had the best of build-ups to the new campaign results-wise, but they comfortably won their first league fixture beating Lewisham Borough 3-0 at Wested Meadow. After a goalless opening 45 minutes the Crocks won thanks to goals from Sam Monks, Reece Cullen and Craig Hewitt.
It sounds like there were entertaing affairs at Eltham Palace, Meridian and Sheppey United. At Oxford Road the home side were two-nil up through joint boss Chris McCarthy and Darryl Dylan but Gravesham Borough fought back and led through Marcus Heddon, Joe Degnin and Regan Payne with 69 minutes on the clock. And then in the 89th minute an own goal earned Eltham a point.
At Holm Park newcomers Sheppey beat Orpington 3-1 thanks to a Dan Bradshaw double, including a penalty, and Chris Miller. Looking at a tweet on the Swale sides website it was quite feisty with no fewer than eight yellow cards and two reds! Tim Beckford replied for the O's.
Up in SE7 Richard Whyte put Meridian ahead against Bearsted and that was how it stayed until a three-goal burst in just three minutes late on. The visitors equalised through Andy Hart (82 mins) but almost immediately the home side led again through Joe Neal. However an 85th minute own goal saw the Bears grab a point.
Two goals from Jamie Williams, one in each half, helped Seven Acre & Sidcup to a 2-1 win over Rusthall at Jockey Farm. The Rustics, who were forced ionto a number of late changes, scored through Ed Sharman.
Finally Glebe won 1-0 against Sutton Athletic at the London Hire Stadium where Carson Dennis was the marksman.