Kentish Express Ashford & District
Leaders pushed all the way in thriller
Division 2 ASHSTONE GALACTICOS EDGE RED HEATHENS IN GAME OF 11 GOALS
Leaders Ashstone Galacticos given a tough test by Red Heathens as they extended their winning start to five games in all competitions with a 6-5 victory at Charing Heath.
Galacticos were missing all-time record goal scorer Sam Wilson due to injury but had their other forwards on top form to collect another three points to go clear at the top.
Josh Knight claimed a treble, while two goals from Lee Dehara and one from Dan Pinder just saw Galacticos come out on top. Red Heathens pushed the early season leaders all the way, Radoslav Davidov replying with a hat-trick of his own adding to further goals from Josh Conlon and Artjans Andrejevs.
Second-placed Master Brewer dropped two points behind leaders Galacticos as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Mersham Sports Reserves. Liam Smith’s first goal of the season for the Lobsters wasn’t enough to claim maximum points as Adam Bellman’s strike saw Mersham take home a point. Prince Albert to go through to the second round.
Gary Gibbs’ team proved more than a match for their Division 1 opponents as Green set up a trip to another team from the second tier as they now meet Ashford Cavaliers in the last 16.
Joe Valler scored twice and there were other goals from Ryan Ford, Layton Bryant and substitute Kai Friday.
Prince Albert replied with two penalties, from Daniel Howland and player-manager Stuart Pearson, while top scorer Jordan Griffin fired in a free-kick.
Frankie Steer hit four goals as Lydd Grasshoppers came back from going two goals behind to beat Charing Sunday 6-2.
Shannon Hodson added two more goals for the Lydd side to cancel out early strikes from Ollie Fleet and Sean Tong as Grasshoppers go through to face Ashford Dynamo in round two.
Market Hotel brushed aside landlords Hamstreet, winning 6-0 to set up a second-round trip to South Willesborough. The goals came from Wilson Guest (2), Steve Harris, Ryan Smith, George Mabb and Sam Lancaster.
Dale Horton netted a hat-trick as Ashford Athletic proved too strong for Willesborough Athletic, winning 6-1.
Steve Warren (2) and Ben Harding completed the tally, with Charlie Jupp grabbing the consolation.
Kevin Ruane’s injury-time winner saw Aldington knock out Appledore 4-3 in the second round.
Appledore’s goals came from Jordan Horne, Bradley Godden and Craig Pierce, with Aldington’s other strikes coming from Ruane, Alex Williams (2).
AFC Locomotive also go into the quarter-final draw after they just got the better of Premier Division rivals Brewmaster, winning 5-3.
Tom Scorer’s brace got the ball rolling for Loco and further goals from Robbie Greenfield, Liam Whiting and Matt Hadlum sealed the victory.
Brewmaster, who remain winless, scored through Ben Squires-Quinn, Ben Forbes and Chris Gillam.