Kentish Express Ashford & District
Moncrieff United’s cup hero
Ashford & District Sunday League
Goalkeeper Gregg Moncrieff emerged as the hero as Ashford United 3rds knocked out Singleton Barn on penalties to claim a place in the final of the Aford Awards Division 3 League Cup.
Moncrieff saved two spot kicks in the shoot-out to help United set up a final clash against Division 3 leaders Lolzors Reserves at the end of the month after the two sides were locked at 2-2 after extra-time.
United had to come back from going behind twice in normal time as Singleton Barn took the lead through top goal scorer Lewis Newcombe, but United levelled thanks to Dan Davies’ penalty.
The Barn went ahead again through Ben Bromley only for Jon Philo to equalise again and send the game to extra-time. Stanhope & Beaver Rangers booked their place in the final of the Val Helen Division 1 League Cup as they saw off 2015 winners Charing 3-0 at Pitchside.
They will face either Nailbox or Cheriton at Hythe’s Reachfields ground next month.
Goals from Lewis Bagshaw against his former club, Connor Friday and top scorer Dan Cornell saw Stanhope through.
In Division 1, Craig Haynes scored twice as Red Heathens claimed bragging rights at Charing Heath, beating tenants Ashstone Galacticos 4-2.
Haynes’ brace helped the Reds move three points clear at the top of the table.
Further goals from Paul Vidler and Stuart Wilson sealed another three points for Dan Goodsell’s side as they cancelled out strikes from Galacticos pair James Hamilton and Shaun JenningsMcArdle.
Lolzors returned from their trip to the Marsh 3-0 winners as they beat promotion rivals Lydd Grasshoppers 3-0.
Goals from Kallum Handy, Brad Parker and Jack Sullivan saw the Pumas end a five-game losing streak.
Sellindge SSC got their promotion drive back on track in Division 2 as they registered a first league victory since October, beating bottom-of-thetable Mersham Sports Reserves 6-3.
Alex Skippen netted twice as the Swans moved up to fifth in the standings, and are now just two points off of second-placed South Willesborough.
Further goals from Tony Dunham, James Gibson, Michael Heath and Dane Bond ensured the win despite strikes from Jack Griffin, Darrell Brown and Lewis Taylor for Mersham.
Biddenden kept the Division 3 title race alive for another week at least as they moved to within seven points of leaders Lolzors Reserves, beating Park Farm Rangers 3-1.
Goals from Harry Stow, Morgan Waite and Harry Lambourn saw the Den record a fifth league victory in their last six games to virtually end Park Farm’s own title ambitions.
Lolzors can wrap up the championship title next weekend with victory against Pilgrims, but that didn’t stop Biddenden from taking it right to wire with another victory, although Lewis O’Leary pulled a goal back for Rangers.
Jamie Dobbin scored twice as Bromley Green Reserves earned only their fourth win of the season as they beat Pilgrims 4-0 at Waterside.
The former Aldington and Ashford Dynamo midfielder opened his account for the Green with a brace, while Ben Harding added the hosts third.
Striker Luke Burdon made it 4-0.