Debut goal proves consolation in Bearsted defeat

Southern Counties East League

Constantine Scarlet’s debut wonder goal counted for nothing as Bearsted lost 4-2 at Croydon on Saturday. The new signing powered home a scissor-kick two minutes from time but it was no more than a consolation as Bears dropped to 15th in the Southern Counties East League, Premier Division. A poor pitch forced both sides to play long balls up to their frontmen, with Andy Mott heading Croydon in front from a corner after seven minutes. Bears started to get forward more and levelled on 20 minutes when, following a Luke Hughes throw, a cross was headed home by Sam Flisher. The visitors had a good chance to go in front but Peter Williams tried to set up Flisher instead of going for goal himself, allowing keeper Francis Ameyaw to claim. Bears, though, looked vulnerable to the long ball and when an attack broke down, a big punt down the middle set up Jeff Duah-Kessie for Croydon’s second. Route one also led to the third, as Lauris Chin beat Scott Andrews early in the second half. Mott then finished the loose ball after Andews palmed away a free-kick as Croydon made it four with 10 minutes left. Scarlet’s goal followed but it was too little, too late. Bearsted host relegationthreatened Beckenham on Saturday. Bearsted: Andrews, Hughes, Foster, Lyall, Golding, Garner, Carcary ( Collins), Mooney, Wells ( Hart), Williams ( Scarlet), Flisher. Subs not used: Holliday, Croucher. Attendance: 51. K Sports dropped a place to fifth in Division 1 after losing 2-1 at promotion rivals Glebe on Saturday. Rob Norman cancelled out Aaron Jeffrey’s first-half opener but the Glebe man scored again minutes later to settle the match. Former Maidstone striker Richard Sinden came off the bench for Sports. Boss Kris Browning said: “The lads kept going and going. They gave everything but we just lacked that bit of quality. “We deserved a draw but switched off for their second goal.” Mid-table Snodland beat Elmstead 2- 0 on Tuesday night, Dave Sherwood and Jason Harrison with first-half goals. They go to Orpington on Saturday, while K Sports have a weekend off.