Kentish Express Ashford & District
Opportunity not taken
Kennington missed the opportunity of closing down Division 1 leaders Welling Town, losing 2-1 to Snodland Town at Homelands on Saturday. Leaders Welling were beaten 4-2 at Bridon
Ropes, who are in a group of three clubs within two points of second-placed Kennington with games in hand.
Kennington’s failure to assert any real dominance on the match ultimately cost them as Snodland pressed well from the off and used their front three to full effect.
Snodland scoring the game’s first goal didn’t help to settle the nerves for the home side, Liam Williams netting after 32 minutes.
The second half started slightly brighter for Kennington but Snodland increased their lead in the 70th minute through Stephen Hafner who rifled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Moments later Kennington were denied a penalty for an apparent hand ball, with the linesman pointing for a corner and the referee deciding to give a goal kick.
The home side were then given a lifeline in the 75th minute as forward Sam Conlon was brought down inside the box and this time the referee pointed to the spot.
Joe Fisher stepped up confidently to convert the penalty but it was nothing more than a a consolation goal as the visitors soaked up all the late pressure with ease.
Kennington are without a league fixture on Saturday so will be playing Tenterden Town in a friendly game at the Homewood School. Kennington: Humphrey, Negus, Greenfield, Hughes, Penfold, Clarke, Brown, Hastings, Scorer, Latham, Conlon. Subs: Fisher, Hadlum, Lockyer, Edwards, Munyama.
Dale Horton scored a hat-trick for Lydd Town who came from 3-1 down against Phoenix Reserves to earn a point with two late goals. Phoenix opened the scoring in the 14th minute but Lydd were level midway through the half when Horton hit the first of his three goals.
The visitors scored either side of half-time to go 3-1 up but Horton bagged goals in the 86th and 90th minutes for a share of the points.
Lydd Town, like Kennington, are without a league game on Saturday.