Rash challenges leave Bearsted with too much to do
Southern Counties East League
Bearsted were three down in 20 minutes against Corinthian on Saturday.
Poor defending led to a free-kick and two penalties, all converted, to leave Bears up against it.
It finished 5-1, with Kevin Stevens’ side remaining 18th in Southern Counties East League, Premier Division.
Corinthian led with a sixth-minute free-kick from Josh James after a rash challenge on the edge of the box.
A minute later it was 2- 0, with Ollie Bartrum penalised for a trip and Jack Billings scoring from the spot.
Billings then added his second penalty, awarded for a challenge by debutant Chris Carcary.
Bearsted improved and were back in the game five minutes before half-time when Sam Flisher’s cross caught out keeper Joe Hagan and found its way in.
A second-half fightback looked possible with the runs of Reece Collins causing problems. But Corinthian remained a threat with their neat football and went 4-1 up on 70 minutes when Junior Alade ran down the right and set up a simple finish for Conor Johnson.
A fifth followed with 10 minutes left, full-back Billings running almost the length of the pitch and seeing a crossshot beat Ben Donnelly for his hat-trick goal.
Bearsted host Lydd in the second round of the Challenge Cup tomorrow (Saturday). Bearsted: Donnelly, Bartrum, Andrews , Lyall, Cook (Lawrence), Carcary, Flisher, Perkins (Hayes), Sage (Matthews), Collins, Mooney. Subs not used: Grant. Attendance: 67.
Two wins in five days have moved K Sports to fifth in Division 1. A 2-1 victory at Bridon Ropes on Saturday was followed by a 3- 0 home win over Snodland on Wednesday night.
Manager Kris Browning said: “It’s looking good at the moment. We controlled the game for long periods against Snodland, they had one or two opportunities but in the second half we kept the ball better and took our chances.”
All the goals in midweek came in the second half. Ashley Cooper gave Sports the lead just after the break and Caine Smith doubled the advantage midway through the half. Ed Morant made the points safe with a third in the 75th minute.
On Saturday, an early goal from Josh West was added to just before half-time by a Nick Nowotny effort. Bridon Ropes pulled a goal back in the second half but Browning’s men held on for the three points which saw them move above their Charlton-based rivals. Sports, who are without a game this weekend, are at home for seven out of their next eight league matches.
Snodland, who lost 3-2 against Gravesham last Saturday, are also without a game.