Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hover has the final say
Premier Division
Reigning champions Market Hotel started the defence of their title with a 4-3 win at home to Kennington with Ryan Philpott scoring twice on his debut.
Market, who have gone a whole year since their last league defeat, got off to a flying start through Ryan Smith.
Kennington levelled up the scores thanks to Kieran Lynn, before Market defender Paul Mabb was shown a straight red card.
However, Philpott struck twice to put Market 3-1 ahead and in control but Kennington again came back as a stunning Lewis Horne strike and a penalty from Mitchell Punt squared things up.
But Market came up trumps thanks to Paul Hover’s late winner – his first goal for seven years for the club.
Forward Tom Scorer helped himself to a hat-trick as AFC Locomotive eased to a 5-1 victory against Hamstreet.
The win saw the Loco stretch their unbeaten run on their home ground at the Pitchside 3G to 50 games and condemn Hamstreet to their biggest league defeat for three years.
Hamstreet took the lead through Jordan King but Loco levelled with a great Luke Walder strike.
Locomotive improved in the second-half, enjoying the majority of the possession, with Scorer netting his goals, along with a Robbie Greenfield strike. are Prince Albert, who saw off Lolzors 4-1.
Jordan Griffin was on top form for the Albert scoring three times in the first-half adding to Shqipron Ahmetaj’s second goal of the season.
Lolzors struggled to deal with Albert’s possession-based game but did grab a consolation goal through man-of-the-match Mark Hilden.
Ryan Carter scored four as Ashford Dynamo grabbed their first win, beating Troggs 6-0 at Sandyacres.
Matt Burdon and Dan Weaver also got on the scoresheet.
Elsewhere, Dale Horton’s hat-trick helped newcomers AFC Ashford Athletic to their first ever Sunday League victory as they returned from their trip to Charing Sunday 4-1 winners. Steve Warren added a fourth for Athletic against his former club to cancel out Wayne Cleave’s goal for the hosts. Aldington. Wilson made it five goals from two games with his latest treble, adding to Josh Knight’s strike to complete the scoring.
Willesborough Athletic remain unbeaten as they earned a point in their home fixture against Burton Grove, who are also yet to lose.
Andy Crouch scored a hat-trick for Athletic but Burton Grove replied with goals from Jack Kelly, Joe Munden and Matt Guess in the 3-3 draw.
Red Heathens’ good start continued as they claimed a point in their 2-2 draw against Lydd Grasshoppers.
Josh Conlon opened the scoring with Radislav Davidov adding the Heathens’ second.
Grasshoppers drew level thanks to goals from Frankie Steer and Shannon Hodson.
There was another draw in the clash between South Willesborough and Mersham Sports Reserves, as the teams played out a 4-4 draw.
Newcomers South Willesborough scored twice through Mike Norris with Craig Watkins and Joe Mant also netting but they were cancelled out by Oli Mason, Adam Bellman, Craig Lang and Luke Goddard for Mersham.