Baker goal not enough

Ashford & Dist Sunday League

Albion bowed out of the Kent Sunday Junior Trophy, beaten 3-1 by Darts FC in the fifth round at Pitchside.

The tie went ahead at the third attempt on the 3G pitch at Stanhope after the Kent Suburban League side conceded ground advantage.

Howard Baker put Albion in front before Darts scored twice, with two fine finishes, both from outside the area.

Albion battled in vain for an equaliser to take the game into extra-time before Darts got a late third to settle the tie.

Four different scorers and an own-goal helped Grasshoppers beat Hamstreet 5-2 at The Rype.

The Division 2 game was the only one to beat the weather. It was switched to Lydd, as Hamstreet’s ground was waterlogged.

The victory moves Hoppers up two places to sixth. Paul Paddock, Ryan Easter, Ryan Harridine and Alfie O’Sullivan netted with Ricky Law putting through his own net to complete the tally.

Harry Goddard got both for Street who lost for the first time in three starts.

Player-manager Stuart Kingsnorth started the move for the second by Cain Perrins who volleyed in Nicky Bristow’s chest down.

Bristow made it 3-0 before defender Wes Brown got in on the scoring act – throwing himself at Godden’s cross from the right, bundling the ball over the line, despite the attentions of several Ruckinge players.

Riverside then suffered a blow, losing Lewis Rae with a broken finger.

Matthew Jackson made it 5-0 heading in Steve Donald’s near post cross, new-boy Sam Lancaster then created the opening for Farmer with a close-range finish for goal No.6.

Lancaster got the seventh with a powerful finish, Farmer popped up at the back post to convert Booth’s deep cross for 8-0 and Dale Horton rounded things off – Booth again the provider. Ruckinge were forced to play the last 15 minutes with only nine men due to injuries and a lack of substitutes.