Victory gives breathing space

Southern Counties East

Bearsted beat Canterbury City 1- 0 at Honey Lane on Tuesday night to move away from the foot of Southern Counties East League, Premier Division.

City began the brighter and Rob Lawrence shot just over from 15 yards.

However, the hosts seized the initiative and Sam Flisher drove into the box before being fouled by a strong challenge, although appeals for a penalty were waved away.

After the break, Andy Irvine began to cause City problems, supported by the pace of Flisher and Reece Collins out wide.

Collins helped break the deadlock 20 minutes from time when he robbed defender Laurence Harvey, allowing Michael Holliday to free Irvine to power home.

City laid siege to the Bears’ goal late on, with Lawrence heading over a Chris Webber cross while Ben Donnelly made a series of saves including tipping a last-gasp free-kick onto the bar.

It was a return to winning ways after Saturday’s 1- 0 defeat at home to Hollands & Blair.

Blair forwards Gary Lockyer and James McDonald forced early saves from Donnelly but his opposite number Ronan Forde was by far the busier keeper and Irvine and defender Rob Lyall wasted chances.

The only goal arrived on 25 minutes when a disputed corner came back off the bar for Louis Valencia to head past an impeded Donnelly.

After the break, Andy Hart, Flisher and Collins impressed and the Bears hit the bar while Hart was denied by Forde.

K Sports sit fifth in Division 1 – just four points off the top – after coming from behind to beat secondplaced Kent Football United 2-1 on Saturday.

Perrie Rose put the visitors ahead four minutes into the second half but Caine Smith levelled with just over 20 minutes to go and Joe Lewis won it with eight minutes remaining.

David Sherwood struck the only goal midway through the second half as Snodland Town earned a 1- 0 win at FC Elmstead in the same division to end a run of six straight losses and return to the top half of the table.