Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hotel make up for heavy defeat
ASHFORD SUNDAY LEAGUE: TITLE CHALLENGERS AVENGE LOSS TO LEAGUE LEADERS AFC LOCOMOTIVE WITH A 3-0 VICTORY Premier Division Division 3
The title race was blown wide open as Market Hotel avenged their early-season defeat to leaders AFC Locomotive by beating their closest rivals 3-0.
Loco beat Market 6-1 back in September but Liam Smith’s side bounced back to inflict a fourth defeat in their previous six meetings with their rivals to move within two points of top spot.
Market were the better side, with their goals coming from Matt Collins, Gary Lockyer and Ryan Smith, while James Leighton kept a fourth clean sheet of the season.
Brewmaster continue to go well, picking up their third successive league victory thanks to an injury-time penalty from skipper Gary Clarke.
The Brews left it late to claim maximum points as they beat Charing Sunday 3-2.
Frank Godfrey hit Brews’ other two goals, while Wayne Cleave looked to have earned Charing a share of the points before former Ashford United midfielder Clarke scored a late winner from the spot. Rice completed the scoring.
In another quarter-final tie, visitors Shepway Spartans beat Cheriton 4-1, with goals from Dan Hawkes (2), Alex Skippen and Ashley Porter.
Ben Ashton headed in Cheriton’s consolation goal.
Lolzors came from behind to beat Prince Albert 4-2.
Two goals each from Matt Wright and Stephen Fuller put Albert to the sword as Lolzors dominated the second half.
Jordan Griffin opened the scoring for Albert in the first-half and scored his second late on.
Division 1 leaders Stanhope & Beaver Rangers went through to the last-four with a 5-2 win against AFC Locomotive Reserves .
Harry Goddard netted a hat-trick for Rangers and Dan Cornell and Tom Collins also scored, while Lloyd Dehara hit two goals for Loco. Sam Wilson scored twice for Ashstone Galacticos, who continue to lead the way at the top, beating White Horse 4-1.
Josh Knight and Lee Dehara also found the net, with Dane Bond replying for White Horse.
Second-placed Bromley Green won 4-2 at Fox Sunday.
They went ahead courtesy of an own-goal but were pegged back by the Fox when Ashley Long headed home.
Fox then took the lead with a stunning effort from Mike Aglony before half-time but failed to add to their tally with several missed chances.
Fox introduced substitute Derek Diamond off the bench to create a little bit of history, with two different sets of uncles and nephews on the pitch for the pub side, Diamond playing alongside nephew Jack Alldis and goal scorer Ashley Long lining up with uncle Richard Long. Bromley Green soon levelled through James HaylockAshdown and the same player scored again, with Tom Moon adding a late penalty.
Aldington are up two places to third after they beat bottom side Troggs Reserves 4-1.
Dan Rose scored twice for Aldington adding to further goals from skipper Steve Cowell and Dave Mackie, while Andy Underdown grabbed a consolation for Troggs.