Kentish Express Ashford & District
Albert victorious once again
Ashford & District Sunday League
Prince Albert claimed their second league victory of the season to pull clear at the bottom of the Premier Division table, with a 2-1 home win against Mersham Sports.
Two free-kicks from top scorer Jordan Griffin separated the two teams after Piers Fuchter had scored for the visitors. The win sees Albert move six points clear of Mersham, who remain bottom without a league victory in five games.
Goals from Ryan Smith and Craig Calvert saw Market Hotel claim a 2-1 win at Brewmaster to go top of their section in Group B of the Bill Hills Premier Division League Cup.
Red Heathens moved back up into second place in Division 1 with a 4-0 home win against Troggs at Charing Heath.
Dan Goodsell’s side proved too strong for bottom-of-the-table Troggs as goals from Lewis Fuller, Richard Russell, Radoslav Davidov and Craig Haynes saw the home side to victory. Red Heathens are now just two points behind long-time leaders Nailbox with a game in hand.
Nailbox progressed to the semifinals of the Val Helen Division 1 Cup with a 3-2 win at promotion rivals Lolzors. Two goals from Adam Ghidaoui and one from Aiden Norris saw them through to the next round, cancelling out a Justin Howard brace for the Pumas.
In the next round they will face Cheriton, who enjoyed a 3-1 win against Hythe Royal British Legion. Danny Roberts netted twice for Cheriton, adding to Ryan Hall’s earlier strike, as Chris Jones’ side picked up their third successive victory in all competitions to qualify for the semi-finals. Michael Andrews scored for Hythe.
Connor Friday scored twice as Stanhope & Beaver Rangers beat Lydd Grasshoppers 6-1. Other goals came from skipper Liam Sheldon-Smith, Joe Burden, Luke Walder and Kai Friday.
Grasshoppers scored through Billy Somerville but missed two first-half penalties.
Rangers now play Charing in the second semi-final after John Pearce’s side defeated Appledore 2-0 with goals from Matt Pearce and Luca Fasoli.
A brace from Joe Mant helped South Willesborough defeat bottom side Mersham Sports Reserves 6-1 in Division 2
Craig Clifford, Kieran O’Leary and Dave Robson were also on target for the Frog Islanders, while Adam Fairclough scored for Mersham.
Steven Masters and Peter Carey both scored twice as AFC Guildhall beat Ashford Cavaliers 6-3 to set up a Peter Pain Division 2 League Cup semi-final clash at Aldington. Further goals from James Walton and Will Handley ensured their passage to the next round. Cavaliers replied through Charlie Cairns (2) and Kris Melachrino.
Aldington won 4-1 at home to Fox Sunday with goals from Tom Missing, Stephen Cowell, Alex Williams and Mark Read. Isaac Carney volleyed home for Fox after connecting with a Ross Struthers free-kick.
Bromley Green had to come back from going a goal behind to beat Burton Grove 3-1. James Sloan gave Burton Grove the lead but the visitors were pegged back by goals from Matt Burdon (2) and Ryan Carter.
The Green face White Horse in the semi-finals as Aaron Cook’s side sealed an 5-3 win at Sellindge SSC. Ashley Boyd netted a hattrick for the Horsemen, adding to strikes from Jake Harvey and James Nuttall. Tony Dunham bagged a hat-trck for Sellindge.
Mike Norris and Sam Reed scored for Lolzors Reserves, who extended their lead at the top of Division 3 with a 2-1 home win against Ashford United 3rds. Joey Wealthyland replied for United. Park Farm Rangers won 3-0 at Pilgrims Senior 3-0 through Ross Bampton, Adrian Bourne and Sean Kelleher.